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When did TV get so bad?

Category: Some Thoughts | Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:02 pm

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Earlier I made a bite to eat and decided to sit down in front of the glowing box to see what was on. I have been of the opinion for a while that TV is just terrible nowadays. There was nothing on that interested me in the slightest so I ended up watching a TV infomercial just for pure comedic value. But although I laughed (how could one not) it made me sad to think that there are some people who are capable of sitting in front of this drivel all day long.

I suppose I'm not one to talk though. When I was young I was much more interested in staying indoors watching TV. How much of my time was spent soaking up whatever the box had to tell me? I don't even want to know. Now I'm going to sound like an old grandfather figure here but in my day I believe it was much better. No reality shows, less commercials, less celebrity news. Now it seems a lot of programming is all gloss, fast editing, dramatic music and no substance.

There is not a lot I make time to watch on TV these days. In fact the things I do end up watching are films and sitcoms like Seinfeld. Hardly new programming there.

Maybe I've just been spoiled by the variety and interactivity offered by the Internet. Will I be saying the same thing about it as well in 20 years to come. We'll see.

Rant over. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Last edited: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:06 pm

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Goodbye Jinx

Category: Some Thoughts | Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:28 am

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Jewell posted earlier about her pet losses this year and I'm afraid I have another one to report. Our 7 year old border collie Jinx (Jinxy) died in a farm accident on Thursday. Needless to say my family and I are very upset about this especially since Jinx was the probably the friendliest, most innocent dog we ever had. Just full of love and playfulness. She was also jealous whenever anyone ever petted our older sheepdog/greyhound mix Shep. Not in an angry way, more in a "look at me I'm cuter" fashion :D It was very endearing. She was also great with the sheep, the best dog my father ever had for this.

We lost a pet and Shep lost a good companion. A terrible thing about living abroad as I do is that news of a family pet's death doesn't sink in until you actually go home and expect them to run to greet you. I'm not looking forward to that feeling when I return next time.

I'll miss you forever Jinx, you were a cheeky one!


My Pal Forever - Jinx ( photo / image / picture from Frank's Garden )






Tree Dog (aka Jinx) wonders when spring will arrive ( photo / image / picture from Frank's Garden )






Sheppy & Jinx watch both directions for intruders ( photo / image / picture from Frank's Garden )





Last edited: Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:14 pm

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Unshrinking a Wool Sweater, it works!

Category: Some Thoughts | Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:05 pm

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Last Xmas I bought myself a very fitting wool sweater (80% lamb's wool). Guess what happened a few months back... you guessed it I washed it in a warm wash. It wasn't so fitting anymore. So I resigned it to the clothes rack and there it stayed until I learned yesterday that you can unshrink a wool item. I scarcely believed it so I thought it was worth a try. It worked! Here's what you do:

1/ Fill a bath with warm water (not boiling hot!)
2/ Add shampoo to the water (about 2 hair washes worth) and mix it in
3/ Soak the wool item in the warm water for 30 minutes
4/ Take the wool item from the water and wring it dry as much as you can
5/ Lay out some newspaper on the floor and then placed the wool item onto it.
6/ Stretch it back to its original shape (you'll have to use your judgement for this, alternatively you could put it on and stretch it while on you but remember it is wet by now :))
7/ While it drys you may just give it a few tugs here and there at 1 hour intervals to make sure it is retaining its new unshrunken shape
8/ When it is dry, cross your fingers and try it on

I'm cannot guarantee that it will work for you but if an item is no longer wearable you have nothing left to lose by trying. Glad to have my wonderful wool sweater back!

Last edited: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:08 pm

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If It Ain't Broken, Don't Fix It

Category: Some Thoughts | Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:37 pm

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Now I am by no means a luddite, I love technology in all its shapes and forms. But I have a hard time comprehending why one should switch to something newer just because of the fact that it is indeed newer (not necessarily because it is more useful).

A phone conversation I had yesterday (shortened and edited for simplicity):

*phone rings*
Me: Hello
Phone Seller: Hello Sir, I'm calling from "insert company name here". I see you run your own business. I have an offer that you'll just love!
Me: Ok sure, what is it?
Phone Seller: As well as enjoying our low network rates for just this week when you sign up to our network you'll receive the newest Samsung XG120-blah-blah-#%&D! (ok I made that model name up)
Me: Hmmm not sure I'm interested
Phone Seller: It's the newest model
Me: Ok I'm still not s...
Phone Seller: But Sir you do know that this model hasn't even hit the marketplace yet?
Me: Well I wasn't aware of that but still...
Phone Seller: It has... (begins to list off a raft of features that I wouldn't personally use)
Me: That's cool but...
Phone Seller: May I ask how old your current model is?
Me: Sure, about 3-4 years old I think
Phone Seller: *clears throat* Ok (continues to repeat features)
Me: My phone works out fine for me though, I'm happy with it

Some more sales speak happened after that but I repeated that I was happy with my current model. And the truth is that I really am. Sure it's getting on a bit in years and the technology nut in me would like some new whiz-bang features. But then the pragmatist ultimately shines through and tells me that what I have works just fine for my needs. And I wholeheartedly agree.



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The bird hierarchy outside my back door

Category: Some Thoughts | Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:27 pm

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Every morning I get up and before tackling into my big bowl of porridge I put some food out for my little feathered friends. Recently I started to put food out and love seeing the little community that shows up everyday. Most days it goes like so....

First comes the robin who I swear is perched on a wall somewhere constantly on the look out for the food. He must have a little camp set up somewhere. He eats until he is full or unless he is hunted away by...

... the flock of starlings who always tackle the food in groups. I've never seen a starling on its own tackling into the food. Although I have seen a solitary immature starling (they are easy to spot, they have a brown colour unlike the adult starling who is the traditional starling colours). They keep eating until all the food is gone or until they are scared away by...

... the magpie or the crow. I hate these guys. They say the pigeon is the 'flying rat' but I would put the crow and the magpie into this category as well. Depending on whether I have noticed whether the robin and starlings have had their feed I will hunt these guys away.

I'm looking out my back door as I type and I have 3 hungry starlings looking up at me doing their best to guilt trip me into throwing out some more food. Crafty little buggers!

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