Silly season or what?

I know that we are always told that the Christmas period is known as the ‘silly season” and nothing exemplifies that more than our orange tree

This tree has produced good fruit consistently for many years and all with a rather predictable regularity

Flowers appearing in late August early September  setting fruit which we would harvest about May the following year

This year it has all gone pear shape with the usual routine being thrown to the winds

The tree flowered as usual in late August, set fruit,  and appeared to thrive

However 2011 was the year of change and the tree has begun a second round of flowering and fruit setting in December. What has caused this I have no idea. Change in weather patters perhaps?  Some delayed shock from the cyclone in February?  Perhaps there is a subliminal message I am still to sort out

Lest hope for the best that the second crop will be as good as previous offerings

Perhaps a sign of things to come

It was just before Christmas when I last spoke to  my dear friend of many years standing A person whom I have mentioned in earlier posts

My call was to be cheery and full of good wishes for the festive season but I could tell that there was a problem in her tone

‘’You sound less than happy “ I said hopefully to trigger a response Little did I know what was to follow

“I have been made redundant” she said “ I will be finishing here on Jan 31 after seventeen years” I felt stunned and could not comprehend why this should be After all my friend had worked herself into a senior position with a major and highly profitable bank.She managed a Branch controlling major business lending and had met all targets and grew business substantially

“What reasons were given? “ I asked .She grew silent and then said slowly “They are rationalizing staffing as they expect the European Financial Crisis to have some fallout here “

The news dampened my spirits as well and my thoughts turned to those who like my friend may face a more dismal future in this country  even though we appear to be traveling well at present .

What does the financial future hold for our world?

Will Darwin be proven correct?

I had a great talk to an old friend the other evening about the very subject of adaptation by creatures generally to their changing environments some it seems undergoing physical change over a period of time

I came away wondering if this theory will ever be proven in the world of humankind especially in the western world

What particularly struck me is this almost incessant talking and texting between the younger set and the obsession with wearing two earplugs attached to wires dangling down to some small electronic equipment

I began to wonder how on earth we in an older generation managed with out instant communication and constant exclusion to sound of the world by music Are these young folk missing out on the sound of the real world? The birds, the wind sounds, traffic noise. the ocean waves crashing to the shore? With this electronic exclusion from the world around them are they missing out in a more balanced development ? Is all this texting- talking etc really communicating? Are the vital nuances of inflection in speech correct spelling and other natural issues being lost forever?

Perhaps not- but we may see humans develop different shape fingers to facilitate easier texting and ears with multi fit canals to hold electronic plugs

Storm clouds

As an older person I am more concerned about the political and financial situation in Europe than I have ever been for some time

The disquiet about the financial mess is not unexpected and the fallout will no doubt have its effect on the rest of the world no matter how strong the economies of individual countries are. In one way or another we are all linked  by financial issues through trade and general commerce

How this matter will be resolved leaves me perplexed with what appears to be so many conflicting opinions and parochial interests coming in to play

It does appear evident to be than if pain is to be endured to solve this problem then its essential that all levels of financial affluence be targeted rather than those on the lower level of society to bear the load. Those who are holders of great wealth can not be expected to escape pain . .

Is it enjoyable or just plain sufferable

Just been traveling away for a few days for a family members milestone birthday party and I must say how I enjoyed the trip Well some of it !

The weather was some ten degrees cooler and about 20 percent less humidity and we were still in the same State !

It just highlights how lucky we are with air travel which makes these things so easy even though air travel does not qualify for a great experience as it once did

Recent industrial turmoil has left staff less than welcoming and service delivery was not up to usual standards

It becomes so obvious to any person who has traveled consistently with the one airline for many years and becoming a life member of their  travel lounge Do you swap loyalties or does one live in hope of changes back to the way they were ?

I guess I am the glass half full type

Is this true ?

Are exits really on the way out?

You never really know

I made a surprise call a few days ago to a friend of many years standing and one of whom I was(and still am) quite fond. Our friendship began when she joined my team as a finance officer many years ago

A special working bond developed and we both spun off each other with a great deal of success  Time spent together caused much consternation with other staff along with the usual rumors no doubt fueled by the fact that the lady was extremely attractive

We had talked about issues of common interest several times and I thought I knew her well

Time moved on and so did we both each pursuing a career but still keeping in touch

She had just returned from a European trip and I could feel the excitement in her voice especially when she spoke about places I had visited my self recently However knowing her as I did I waited to hear her views on Paris It was exactly what I had expected but it was what she said next that caught me off guard.

”Anyhow what else did you do” I said

“Well I had to go to Giverny - that was essential” she replied

“What ?’ I exclaimed ‘I had no idea you were a Monet fan”

‘Yes “ she said .’I don’t believe you didn’t know after our long and deep discussions over all these years”

“No I did not know ‘ I replied “but I am happy about that because its another thing we have in common and it comes as a pleasant surprise after twenty eight years I must say”

You never ever really know about your friends  -do you?

Still learning

Just had a good piece of luck with registering interest to follow a new site I found on the subject of black and white photography

The process went rather smoothly so I am quite happy with my self at the present

 Also bought a new digital camera to replace an old faithful 35 mm  SLR purchased some 27 years ago.  How things have changed and how far behind I now realize I am but I will enjoy the challenge of it all none the less

Milestone

I seem to have had success with the blood sugar business and without too much strain

I guess that the sugar may have contributed to my weigh gain so that's the next target.  A reduced me and with summer well and truly on the way this journey wont be comfortable

Needs must if I am going to stretch out  a few years into retirement

Discovery continues

I have always enjoyed the spectacle of black and white photography and have found many sites on this subject

It seems that there are also many sites where black and white photography means some sort of sexual adventure

I am beginning to realize that this internet thing is a really great spot for sexual adventure and its easy to see how people could get addicted

That probably includes myself if there is no one looking over my shoulder

The discovery

I must admit to being a rather late comer to this world of the internet and I am both amazed as well as shocked as to what is out there

There is just so much information  but little knowledge

I was rather surprised to find that the Wiki Encyclopedia is capable of being added to or subtracted from How confronting is that be to a person who grew up believing that what was in an encyclopedia was accurate

Ah well  - one learns I guess

The Themis experience

What an extraordinary five weeks it been with the final session for jury service just ending

The experience was very trying but worthwhile and I still believe the system of trial by jury is still the best

The time spent with eleven other randomly chosen jurors in all their diversity shows how sometimes we forget about the variables in people because we surround ourselves with friends who generally share similar views and values

However to have such diversity underpinned by the common elements of fair play and justice was hearting

I would not rush back into the experience because it completely puts your life on hold for the five weeks but at the same time I would not do anything to avoid any future call up

Time to see

Perhaps its just that I have more time to see rather than just look now that I am in a semi retired mode.Things I took for granted now have a meaning and sometimes I cant for the like of me understand

I have just been to the hardware warehouse and for some reason looked across the car park.I was amazed at the number of what are now called SUV,s I counted 65 vehicles in total with 47 of them SUV,s On the way home I took note of the vehicles on the roads and I was surprised

What is it that brings people to drive these machines as they do not appear to be into  hard work activities  Is it just a slick advertising gimmick or are our roads so bad people need tough trucks

I think its the former and not the latter and anyhow what happened  a hundred and fifty years ago when people rode horses? Did people try to upgrade horses to bigger and tougher models?I don't think so as they were all four wheel drive in any case

How sweet it is !

You have too high a level of sugar in your test ! Just a very ordinary comment from my concerned Doctor bu t the implications are enormous

To change a sweet tooth at my age requires a lot of discipline so the journey has begun.At quick calculation revealed at least twenty teaspoons of sugar added to my drinks alone in one day not to mention the sugars in prepared food

Life may not be as sweet for me now but if I succeed it may last a little longer

Surprise

The postman has just delivered a nice surprise from the Court
A call up notice for jury service which will place my life effectively on hold for five weeks
I must admit I believe the system of random call ups for jury service is a fair process in the justice delivery system but it certainly comes as a shock when the subpoena arrives
This will be my second go and I hope it does not follow the first in which I was empanelled for two weeks straight in a very complex case
I learnt from the experience especially the fact that justice is not what victims necessarily want .Very often its revenge
 I believe that there is an old saying that if you go to seek revenge you should dig two graves and on reflection this may have a modicum of truth about it

I now go foward to be watched over by Themis

Something just noted

There is so much happening in the Maghreb and the Levant as people struggle for a better way of life and I feel for their endeavours The same applies for the recent troubles in Egypt

I have noted that when ever there is a success people seem to stand on top of things Cars burnt out tanks buildings any thing that is above the level of eyesight .

I think I now realise why the ancient Egyptians built pyramids It seems it could stop people from standing on top of them

Just a thought

It has just occurred to me that this is a strange way of talking and musing to oneself.However the advantages are that you dont see people go to sleep or have their eyes glaze over

I guess I will grow into this brave new world

Greetings world

The excitment of the technical world has finally caught me.I hope this journey is enlightening