We may have made a horrible mistake by unnecessarily making our consumer electronics devices smart—and removing generations of future use in the process.
Source: Moore’s Flaw: Why Smart Devices Won’t Last As Long as Dumb Ones
Last month, Prince Harry announced that he and his wife, Meghan will be stepping down as senior members of the Royal Family. Now with the transition process in place, some of Harry’s roles are being passed on to other members of the House of Windsor. And one reported move could see Princess Anne make royal…
via Princess Anne could make royal history with a new military role — Royal Central
~ You’re too young to drink, Greta girl.
~ And you don’t drink, USA President.
~ No, I don’t – so follow my lead.
~ You make a lot of bluster, USA President.
~ How else are they going to listen to me?
~ I don’t bluster.
~ You’re go the ‘cute girl’ thing going for you.
~ I look as I look.
~ And you don’t smile.
~ There are photos of me smiling.
~ You don’t laugh.
~ When I find things funny, I do.
~ Yeah, yeah. But really, you got that brain thing going for you.
~ I read that you have a brain thing going for you, USA President.
~ They say I’m crazy.
~ Yes.
~ Are you being funny, Greta girl?
~ Am I smiling?
~ Yes.
~ Yes.
~ I sometimes think you know what’s going on, Greta girl.
~ I think the same of you, USA President – sometimes.
~ If you played your cards right, you might get more of what you want.
~ My future isn’t a game, USA President.
~ It is to me, Greta girl.
~ How much vodka did you have, Vlad?
~ Why do you ask, Donnie?
~ ‘Cause you’re reaching kinda far – even for you.
~ What do you mean, Donnie?
~ Asking your fellow Ruskies to keep you in power for life.
~ Are you jealous, Donnie?
~ Well, I have God on my side, and I haven’t taken that step.
~ Yet.
~ Nyet.
~ You’re a funny little president, Donnie.
~ Gotta keep the deplorables laughing.
~ So far – so good. Isn’t that right, Donnie?
~ Yes.
~ So, how can I help you?
~ I’d like some pointers.
~ I’m preparing for 2024, Donnie.
~ I know.
~ Well, you’re starting too late.
Although I am no fan of having the Santa Claus story take such a bite out of Christmas, I’m not against Santa Claus. In fact, we’ve had quite the relationship.
As a child, I had two ‘encounters’ with Santa. I can’t place the years, but I remember them from the houses I lived in.
The first time I would have been no older than five. I was going to the outhouse on a dark Christmas Eve. The outhouse was a couple of minutes walk from the house. On my way, I heard the bells on Santa’s sleigh. Don’t try to dissuade me, I know what I heard. I even remember the direction I had to turn to see if I could see anything. I was right quick about doing my business.
The second time would have been a couple of years later. On Christmas Day I saw the marks from Santa’s sleigh runners on the snow beside the house. Never mind your smiles, I know what I saw.
And, a few years after that, I was with some younger friends who questioned me about the reality of Santa Claus. Now, by then I did not believe that Santa existed. But, I didn’t want to tell the “children” that. Neither did I want to lie. I don’t know how long it took me to think of a way out, but long enough (obviously) for it to remain strong in my memory. My answer was: “Well, there must be a Santa Claus. How could your parents afford all those gifts?”
In the years when I did a fair amount of house-sitting, I did so for one couple where the husband had a perfect resemblance to Santa Claus. Thus, for many a Christmas, he was the hit of local gatherings. And he had a beautiful suit and hat and – of course – a real beard.
I also know a poet whose first book was about Mrs. Claus. She is also known to dress up the part (even with a Christmas bonnet) and read at Christmas gatherings.
As for myself, one day I entered my financial institution around Christmas and got into line. As we snaked forward, I came opposite a mother and father with a young child. He looked at me and screamed (literally) “Santa Claus!” Then he burst into tears. I don’t know what troubled him (maybe I was out of uniform).
A few years ago, (and this was not around Christmas, though it was Fall) I was walking in a park. A family approached, two parents and three children. One of the boys (and he looked five or six) dashed ahead and stood in front of me. “Santa Claus,” he said. I thought it was some sort of joke, but he turned excitedly to his siblings. “It’s Santa Clause.” He was quite happy. The father said “Maybe not.” but did not really try to dissuade him. And neither did I.
Finally, a few weeks ago, as I was seated beside a very early “Visit Santa” display, an old codger, with whiskers of his own, approached, pushing a walker in front of him. He stopped and looked down at me.
“When do you take the chair?”
“What?’
“And get the red suit on?”
“What?”
“At least ya got the padding for it.”
I think it is fair to say that the twinkle was in his eye, and not mine.
(Image) https://slm-assets2.secondlife.com/assets/8867706/view_large/Santa_Chairs_003B.jpg?1386456018
1: Write regularly. Daily might be extreme, but try to be extreme.
2: When in doubt / take it out.
3: At the end of your writing day, do not complete the action/description/dialogue – but know what it is. Start with this known at your next writing time. 90% of the time you will slide right back into the work.
4: Follow your characters.
5: Follow your characters.
6: Follow your characters.
[image] https://www.marketingdonut.co.uk/sites/default/files/writing-research-brief383109052.jpg
The major Remembrance Day Service was held in a hockey arena. Which we don’t like. So we found – in walking distance – a service at a small naval memorial/park with a Cenotaph. The park was in honour of the navel ship, The Jervis Bay. http://www.hmsjervisbay.com/
I’ll stab at 400 – 500 folk there. Cars parked as far as ten minutes away. Raggle-taggle group of cadets. Trumpet player who had no trouble with the high notes – but the low (Oy vey).
Two good ole boys near us who looked as if they had been hauled from a brawl at the local tavern – but they had their poppies.
Sweet li’l kidlets.
MC who made old, old jokes and had to be corrected a few times about the Order of Service. And had to ask if anyone was present who might lay the wreath of the government or city or …
He chuckled over the one guy who volunteered a number of times: “We’re puttin’ ya to work today.”
A train whistle in the distance that gave a loooong blast for 11:00 (though it was a coupla minutes out of sync).
And TOTAL silence for the two minutes of silence.
Then home we went to watch the Service from Ottawa, with the Governor General, Prime Minister, Silver Cross Mother, Military Pipes & Drums, marching Military Contingent, and interviews with two sharp-as-a-tack Veterans in their late nineties.
Best of both worlds.
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