A man barely alive - we can rebuild him

Memphis, Tennessee

gw76248 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:52:20 +0000

I found a photo today of my son at Sun Studios in Memphis. He was sitting behind a pearlescent blue drum kit smiling into space. He was 9 at the time. Not long ago. He went off to high school for the first time a couple of weeks back and already he seems more mature and less childlike.

As parents we fuss over things that make no difference and spend time worrying about stuff over which we have little control. The distance between us and our children growing all the time.

I remember Memphis and the long drive to get there with our two children growing up fast in the back of the car. I just didn’t appreciate how fast until I found that photo.

Moo Bella

gw76248 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:05:23 +0000

A couple of years ago I had an idea to use a spinning disc reactor to make high quality ice cream. Independently, a company in the USA was developing the idea too. I am really glad to see that Moo Bella is getting recognition.

I hope to think of an original concept before I get too old to exploit it. Instant salsa anyone?

Ukulele

gw76248 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:06:51 +0000

I bought a ukulele yesterday. I needed a new pastime as TV sucks and restoring motor vehicles is beyond my abilities. I am very happy with my choice although my fingertips are not. They are purple and sore today.

Thursday – a candidate for day of the week?

gw76248 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:32:33 +0000

Friday, Saturday and Sunday have the popularity stakes wrapped up but spare a thought for Thursday. Thursday is the day when your thoughts turn to the weekend; when plans are made; when expectation is highest. Thursday is a day of potential. You have climbed the mountain of the working week and you are on the downhill run to relaxation. Plans are still possible and the future is open.

I like Thursdays.

Blogging again

gw76248 — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:25:47 +0000

Today I discussed developing new solutions to old problems. It turned out to be fun.

Celebrity masterchef

gw76248 — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:01:26 +0000

Is pish.

Wednesday blues

gw76248 — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:48:30 +0000

It is a bad day. How do you retain a spirit of perseverance when you are surrounded by negativity? It’s not easy. I don’t know what drives academics and probably never will (being a thick shit myself) but I can say that it’s not a sense of contribution to the human race.

Anyhoo tomorrow will be better, tomorrow will be better, tomorrow…

Mayor Morel

gw76248 — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:08:01 +0000

I am starting a campaign. Perhaps we could all get together and vote this lovely mushroom into power. It seems to make as much sense as voting for some of the wannabees that are running for office these days.

Just think we would see the yellow morel at state functions, running on roads with the Olympic Torch, giving speeches and opening things like schools, hospitals and sports stadia.

Can’t be any worse than what’s there now

My Boris nightmare

gw76248 — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:56:36 +0000

There is a shop here in Texas, and all over the USA, called ACE Hardware – it’s an old-fashioned hardware store franchise selling bits and pieces for DIY-ers. It has lots and lots of tools for sale. There are electrical tools, pneumatic tools and hand tools. Wall to wall tools.

I have only been in Texas for three years and I was surprised to see that London has taken such a strong liking to tools. The biggest tool in the ACE hardware store doesn’t even come close to the tool that they have just elected Mayor of London. How can an object of pure derision when I left the UK garner 1.032 million votes in an election? It’s a serious question – how can the people of London conveniently forget that they live in one of the most prosperous cities in the world and how can three fifths of the population not be bothered to vote?

Cor blimey luv a duck, 65 years ago London was at the forefront of the fight for freedom in Europe. That freedom included the right to a free and fair democracy. People died.

Bovvered – they can’t be arsed to get off their lazy holes and use a right that people in many other countries would die, and are dying, for. Use the vote or lose the right that so many died to give you. That’s how politics gets marginalised, infantilised and open to the advance of the extremist (not including the current mayor I hasten to add).

Well done Boris, I hope you represent your constituents with pride. I’m off to Ace to find a 14.4V rechargeable Boris – I’ve got a brain to remove before I get back to the UK.

It’s like that moment in “Dallas” when Pam Ewing finds Bobby Ewing in the shower and says, “I’ve had the most awful dream.” I hope that I wake up tomorrow and find that there has been a recount of Zimbabwean proportions.

Aisle 5: Borises, routers and barrel scrapers.

Mavericks

gw76248 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:51:39 +0000

As I prepare to leave old Texas for a return to a new life in Scotland, I am disappointed to report (if blogging is reporting) that the Mavericks have crashed out in the first round of the playoffs again. It’s just another Texan door closing behind me on the road to the airport in June. On my first night here the Mavs won and they were a constant presence in my televisual schedule.

2006 it was the Heat in the finals.

Last year it was Golden State.

This year it was the Hornets.

The moral of the story is that if you stay the same and everyone else improves then you will inevitably lose out. The Mavs just have to reshape, regroup, get younger and play better next year.

I am off back to Scotland at an advanced age to start my life over and see what tomorrow will bring. It’s exciting.