AN EXPLANATION

 The more observant reader will have noticed in the previous posts that I was grumpier than usual.

It's because I have a bloody sore foot.

Got That?

NO THANKS!

 As my foot was hurting after the visit to the blood lab I went down to Lambton Quay to take a bus home.

At the stop the bus I wanted to board stopped way short even as the driver had seen that I was hobbling.

At Thorndon Quay, after I ( and another person) pressed the button for my stop the driver ignored this and sailed past. I went to the front to ask him to stop and he just shrugged so I said "I can't bloody walk mate!"

He stopped the bus, not at a bus stop and I was able to get off and hobble a longer way to home.

No bloody "thank you driver" for him.

IDIOTS

Yes, there are a lot of those around but the ones I'm referring to here are the idiots who ride electric scooters on the road.

To be honest I get annoyed at them riding the damned things on the footpaths as well and would like to see them banned.

The idiots on the roads travel too fast for (their) safety and invariably don't wear safety helmets. What's wrong with them?

Today, while crossing, legally with the pedestrian lights on Bowen Street, a scooterist on the road ran through the red lights and nearly collected me and another pedestrian on the crossing.

Bastard! I hope he falls on his head sometime soon.

BUTTON PUSHERS

 

I walked, painfully to Awanui labs on The Terrace to provide a blood sample.

On my walk, in light traffic, I was annoyed by stupid pedestrians in front of me who pushed the 'cross' button at intersections and on pedestrian crossings and then, as there were no cars, crossed anyway so that the lights activated when the next poor bloody motorist came along and had to stop when there were no pedestrians crossing! 

Sheesh! They push my buttons.

I don't do this as I think like a motorist as well as a pedestrian so, if there's no traffiuc I cross without activating the button.

'ALLO 'ALLO

 I had a pleasant and helpful (I think) call from Richard today after I posted on my gout condition.

Doctor Richard prescribed Allopurinol to treat the condition as he said that he had good results from this after some kind of gout-type flare up a couple of years ago.

"I got big fat fingers" he said at which I was tempted to say "You'd have needed a bigger double bass" ...

... but I didn't. You know me - sensitive as anything.

Anyway, after the call I looked up Allopurinol on Google which told me that
Allopurinol is mainly used as a long-term daily treatment to prevent gout attacks or flares.

What are the side effects of taking allopurinol?

Allopurinol (commonly known by brand names like Zyloprim) can cause mild to severe adverse reactions. 
Common Side Effects
Gout flare-ups: Increased joint pain or swelling can happen during the first few months as the body adjusts and uric acid levels drop.
Stomach upset: Mild nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or diarrhea may occur, especially when first starting the medication.
Drowsiness: Some people feel sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded.
Headache: Mild head pain can happen.
Skin irritation: Mild, itchy skin rashes can occasionally develop. 

Serious Side Effects
Stop taking allopurinol and contact a doctor or seek emergency care immediately if you notice these signs: 
Severe skin reactions: Any skin rash, hives, peeling, blistering, or mouth sores (which can signal life-threatening conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Liver problems: Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, upper right stomach pain, or extreme tiredness.
Kidney issues: Painful or bloody urination, or swelling in the feet and ankles.
Blood or infection signs: Unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, fever, sore throat, or swollen glands.
Allergic reactions: Sudden trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. 

Ok, thanks for that.

Is this some kind of evil plan devised by Evil Doctor Richard to get everyone sharing his various conditions that he's told us of?

"Bwahahaha!"

I'm not running up and down my scales today nor am I going to mow the lawns.

For one I don't have a musical instrument to play with and another we chose a house without lawns this time which is quite a boon (not Daniel although I do have a 'coonskin' hat).

No, it'll be a quiet day today like yesterday with no walks and little activity. I seem to have a gout flare-up on my right foot (not my left foot - that was a different Daniel).

I haven't had a gout flare up for some time and wrote about it in a post HERE if you want to see what gout is about (Richard could do with rhymes like that in his 'poetry')

I don't know what triggered this flare-up but do know that it's related to arthritis so is to be expected at my age. It's less (for me) to do with a debauched lifestyle although I did drink 3 glasses of red wine (pinot noir) on Saturday night). I made mention of the effect in that earlier post which you probably won't be bothered to read:

"This is bloody painful and makes normal walking difficult. It is one of those conditions that don't bring sympathy when mentioned. It in fact generally elicits howls of laughter and derision. Why is that? When one mentions the possibility of gout the listener conjures up images of a fat and debauched Henry VIII. Hey! I hardly ever drink Port, eat very little red meat, never eat shellfish and run a mile at the thought of eating offal so why me?"

I'm drinking extra lots of water to flush out my system of uric acid and taking the odd paracetamol. I cannot take anti-inflammatory drugs as recommended because of the medication I take (blood thinner) so just have to put up with this for a few days. It's a good job that I have neither a musical instrument nor a lawn as I wouldn't be able to do any 'running up' on either.

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY ...

 ... like this one:

One can only assume that Richard is the old guy trudging behind.

Actually, that's not the photograph I was looking for on Facebook 'Late lost nightlife of Wellington'.

It's this one on the site that I told Richard about:

Looking cool!

INTERVIEW # 40

Yes, you read that heading correctly. Interview number 40!

Wow! *

Who would have thought?

This series has been one of the most popular of The Curmudgeon Inc.ⓒ series with, over the 39 posts an incredible number of comments that can be counted in the dozens. Now that's achievement.

To celebrate I thought that an interview featuring the number 40 somehow would be appropriate.

A quick Google search on 40 showed this:

God does not explicitly state a hidden or magical meaning for the number 40 in the Bible, but Scripture consistently uses it as a symbolic period of testing, trial, preparation, and transition.

Key Biblical Examples of 40
Noah’s Flood: Rain fell for 40 days and nights to cleanse the earth before a new beginning.

The Israelites: They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years to be purified and tested before reaching the Promised Land.

Moses: He spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, and his life is broken into distinct 40-year blocks (in Egypt, in the desert, and leading Israel).

Jesus:
He fasted and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days before starting His ministry, and there were 40 days between His resurrection and ascension.

Many theologians and teachers point out that 40 marks a clear pattern of spiritual transition—a crucial time where God shapes people, tests obedience, and brings about renewal.

Other biblical scholars caution that the Bible never explicitly assigns a formal rule to numerology, meaning 40 is sometimes just a literal length of time rather than a secret code.

 

Yeah, thanks Google but when I want a load of religious nonsense I'll ask for it or I'll read one of Robert's posts on his on-again off-again blog which is like an annoying light bulb that flickers on and off.

I asked Google again and this time a list of philosophical quotes came up that were more interesting:

Philosophical Quotes

Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research. - Carl G. Jung

At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don't care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all. - Ann Landers

At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty the wit; at forty the judgment. - Benjamin Franklin

Every man over forty is a scoundrel. - George Bernard Shaw

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age. - Victor Hugo

Life begins at forty. - W. B. Pitkin

The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary. - Arthur Schopenhauer

The lovely thing about being forty is that you can appreciate twenty-five-year-old men. - Colleen McCullough

We don't understand life any better at forty than at twenty, but we know it and admit it. - Jules Renard

When I passed forty I dropped pretense, 'cause men like women who got some sense.' - Maya Angelou

Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40 after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass 40, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely. - Christian Dior

Women deserve to have more than twelve years between the ages of twenty-eight and forty. - James Thurber

That's better.

No doubt readers will expect me to choose Arthur Schopenhauer's aphorism given that he and I nearly share the same hairstyle but I'm more interested in what Carl Jung had to say - "Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research."


I decided that Carl would be a worthy interviewee for this 40th interview.

********************

The Curmudgeon: Hello and welcome Mr Jung.


Carl Jung: Grüezi The Curmudgeon. We understood that it would be right for you to invite me to your interview series particularly the 40th one.


The Curmudgeon: Ha ha - I see what you did there - The Collective Unconscious. Very clever.


Carl Jung: Thanks The Curmudgeon - may I call you TC? It's obvious that you weren't relegated to the General classes at school.


The Curmudgeon: Yes, TC is fine if I can call you Carl. It's true that I was in the P classes at school not the G classes which were a thing identified as distinct from other things.


Carl Jung: Mmm, yes, my theory of The principle of individuation I think. I also think TC that you have been using Google search a little bit too much haven't you.


The Curmudgeon: Yes, rumbled Carl. I should have known better.


Carl Jung: Well you do TC - better than those 3G guys anyway. Ha ha ha.


The Curmudgeon: Ha ha ha. Carl, as you picked up on, the 40th has a connection to you as you said I think and I quote "Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research." Can you elaborate, for our readers, on what you meant by that?


Carl Jung: Ah! By that I meant that the first forty years of life are a preparation phase where you build an ego, learn social roles, and gather data, while authentic self-understanding begins in midlife.


The Curmudgeon: Yes, I feel that that relates to me where I've gained a better understanding of myself with age.


Carl Jung: Exactly and most of us do. In our early years which I referred to as The Research Phase (Ages 0–40) you build careers, form relationships, and absorb the expectations of society. You test what works and experience failure.


The Curmudgeon: Empirical knowledge then?


Carl Jung: Yes, not blind faith like some of those silly religious guys try to explain everything away with.


The Curmudgeon: Ha ha - I know one of those.


Carl Jung: You have to build your Ego you see and you can't do that by blindly following what some joker in a dress, pushing an unproven manifesto sent to him from the Vatican out of a pulpit in the middle of an arcane and frankly bizarre ceremony - whew! You have to stop me. I got enough of that religious stuff from my father who was a pastor in the Swiss Reformed Church. I guess I take after my mother who was more of a spiritualist. She was nuts though. I digress - where was I? Oh, ego - you must first establish a functional identity and a foothold in the external world before you can examine who you are beneath the surface.


The Curmudgeon: Right, got it but where does the '40' come into it?


Carl Jung: Hold your horses TC - the Real Life (Ages 40+) is where midlife shifts the focus from external approval to inner truth. You begin the process of individuation—integrating your hidden flaws and true desires (the shadow) to become a whole person.


The Curmudgeon: Yes yes yes - as Robert used to say before the Vatican probably told him he was sinning. I get it. I'm the product of my upbringing, education and life experiences both good and bad.


Carl Jung: Yes, you learn from those things and, by first hand experience and applying a filter - a moral or ethical filter you fine-tune the process and hopefully become a better person.


The Curmudgeon: Thanks Carl, I feel better about myself now. What happens next?


Carl Jung: You die.


The Curmudgeon: Oh!


Carl Jung: But you can die happy TC.


The Curmudgeon: Yeah, thanks Carl, you're a bundle of joy alright.


Carl Jung: Hey, Life's like a box of chocolates you know. There's always one in there you won't like.


The Curmudgeon: Was that one of yours?


Carl Jung: No - it was from Forrest Gump the film I saw on the way here on Spirit Airlines.


The Curmudgeon: Ha ha. It's been great talking with you Carl. Have you any more sayings that I can use for the other bloggers?


Carl Jung: "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you".


The Curmudgeon: Perfect. I know just the guy to say that to. Cheers Carl.


Carl Jung: Uf Widerluege TC.


The Curmudgeon: What a nice guy and with a dry and witty sense of humor I like.

* Not World of WearableArt. That starts on September 19th in Wellington.

CATHOLICS VERSUS SOCIALISTS

Robert, once again is mistakenly equating Socialism with Communism and is taking his Catholic Church stance against it preferring I guess the most right wing forms of capitalism which the Vatican endorses.

The Catholic Church considers Socialism as incompatible with its teachings, even though other Christians believe that the Bible's call to help the poor and Jesus's teachings are compatible with socialist principles.

Here are some of the Catholic Church's tenets against Socialism:

Private Property. 

The Church teaches that people have a natural right to own private property and that Socialism takes away this right. The vast wealth that the Vatican controls in real estate, banking, art treasures and stocks and bonds fully matches this.

Subsidiarity.

Catholic teaching relies on subsidiarity, which means local communities, families, and lower groups should solve local problems. It mistakenly believes that Socialism places total control in a central government. The Catholic Church does this while weekly promulgating Vatican forms of propaganda in order to have those local communities toe the 'company' line in all forms of life and social interaction e.g. sexuality, abortion rights. marriage and relationships, gender issues and yes, tithing to the Church.

Materialism.

Popes have argued that socialism views humans only as economic cogs of a machine and ignores concepts of spiritual life and the existence of gods. As per above this hasn't stopped the Catholic Church from selling indulgences (which led to the split off of other forms of Christianity through Protestantism), tithing church communities and accumulating fortunes.

State Power.

Historical and modern socialist states have unfortunately often promoted state atheism and attacked religious freedom. This has been yet another mistake of the warped Socialism that became Communism and is largely historical - a fact that the Vatican chooses to ignore - and still pushes this line.

Why do many other Christians support socialist ideas?

Early Christian Community.

The Book of Acts describes early believers sharing their possessions and giving to anyone in need. 

Focus on the Poor.

Jesus told his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the vulnerable.

Economic Justice.

Christian socialists hold that an economy based on cooperation rather than fierce competition fits better with Christian love. 


The problem seems to be in the confusion between Socialism (with a capital) and Communism.

Communism is a cynically adapted and warped form of Socialism where altruistic socialist ideas and wishes have been bent to suit dictatorship forms of government which, going by Orwell's Animal Farm theme benefits the top few to the detriment of the less privileged - a very ugly form of capitalism really.

The Catholic Church seems to be a right wing, capitalist institution that at times (1920s to 1940s for instance) verges on Fascism. This anomalously coexists with the fact that the majority of Catholics worldwide come from impoverished countries and communities and are not of the wealthy classes. They are however ruled in their communities by Catholics who are part of the elite and powerful who use the Church for their own agendas whether political, moral or social.  It's kind of like Robert who (now or in the past) voted National instead of Labour even though his personal needs would be better met by a Labour government.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HATS

 I've decided - well, The Old Girl decided for me quite some time ago that I don't suit hats. This is a problem given that I've become follically-challenged with age and need to wear one when the sun is shining.

I keep buying them though and, after wearing them once or twice end up relocating them to a cupboard and later to the op-shops.

Here are just a few of them. I've posted other images before.

Richard and Robert seem to suit hats better than I do. It must be something to do with the shape of their faces or that the lowbrow neanderthal look suits a hat. Maybe they can enlighten me.