"BEST REVIEW THE SITUATION THAT YOU CAUGHT UP INNA ...

... to be a true player, you haft know how to play
If she say "A night" convince her to say "A day"."

Some people lie so often that's a default setting for them.

Have a look at this famous liar making such a hash of it but, because he's a narcissist, thinks that he's getting away with it.

“You know, I haven’t heard the name in so long. I can say this, that I’d have to take a look at it. I would have to take a look. Did they reject that?” 
“Well, I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the DOJ, I wouldn’t consider it or not consider — I don’t know anything about it. I will speak to the DOJ.” The fatuous fat fool said.

 

Give us a break. This unfolding disaster is his ''Marilyn Monroe', 'Watergate' or 'Monica Lewinsky' affair that scuppered earlier presidents (although Kennedy was assassinated before his affairs properly came to light that would have led to impeachment). For him to say that he hasn't heard Maxwell's name recently and that he was unaware of her current appeal rejection is just stupid. It's the way that children lie when caught out saying things like "I don't know anything about it" or "it wasn't me".

 

ALL FOR NAUGHT(Y)

I tend to think of the Apple Mac desktop computer I use in the study as new even though it's now 10 years old. I replaced the old Mac back in 2018 when I bought the 'new' refurbished one. It was already 3 years old then.

The old Mac sitting in the naughty corner waiting to be taken to the tip

The 'new' Mac unaware that its poor performance means it will soon go to the naughty corner and worse

The new Mac has been getting slow even though I make sure that old files are trashed and that new software upgrades are kept up to date. The problem isn't in the Mac's hardware performance but in the 'advancements' on apps and software that Apple continuously undertake. These 'improvements' are supposed to be to the users' benefit but I suspect is merely a rort to drive the users (read dupes) into buying new equipment.

I looked up the internet to find out the normal lifespan of computers and was shocked. All of the answers came up something like this:

A desktop computer's lifespan typically ranges from 5 to 7 years, but can extend to 10 years or more with proper maintenance and upgrades, while younger computers can be retired sooner due to software obsolescence or hardware failure. Factors like the quality of components, your usage, maintenance practices, and the ability to upgrade individual parts significantly impact how long a desktop will last.

Bummer!

With our computer that has had "proper maintenance and upgrades" it looks like it's ready to 'buy the farm'.

I haven't told The Old Girl yet but will when we get settled in a permanent place in Wellington and can see what money we have left over and what discretionary finances we have for things like eating and breathing! I think this time I'll buy brand new to give that extra 3 years or so which might mean it lasts before I 'buy the farm'.

"TIME FOR YOU AND TIME FOR ME..."

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons"

wrote T.S. Eliot in his poem  The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

and I know how he felt. I seem to be measuring out my life being kept on hold waiting to talk to some agency on the phone!

New Zealand has a population of 5.3 million. 50 years ago, in 1975 we had a population of just over 3 million. That's a 72% increase, not even near double.

Why then has there been so much change in the standards and quality of service in  this country? 

I remember when it was the norm when needing an answer from your bank, insurance company, IRD, your doctor's surgery or retail stores, to be able to telephone their service or enquiries departments and quickly and efficiently get an answer. Nowadays it's often near impossible to find an email address or a number to call and, when you do you have to go through a convoluted process of pressing buttons for options only to end up being left on hold listening to some god awful music for half an hour. Sheesh!

How did things get so bad so quickly?

MY FAVOURITE SUBJECT AT PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL WAS SOCIAL STUDIES

I know that many of the readers don't like television game shows and, to be honest there are many that I cannot stand, particularly the low-brow and noisy ones like Jeopardy, The Price Is Right, Family Feud and Deal or No Deal. These depend on brain dead viewership which, to be fair makes up at least 70% of the population and 100% of these shows loyal followers. Their only competition comes from 'reality' shows like The Kardashians, Real Housewives, Big Brother, Survivor and Sunday-worship type programmes which Robert will be familiar with..

I do like, and watch the better quiz shows like Mastermind, University Challenge, Eggheads, The Chase, Tipping Point and a few others as they arise (and are repeated) and find that, in their one hour format are ideal to watch while I'm doing my (almost) daily exercises on the stepping machine, the rowing machine and/or the exercycle along with some floor exercises and use of free weights. I find it boring sitting on these machines and the quiz programmes seem to make the time go quicker.

I've been recently flabbergasted at the lack of knowledge of contestants on these programmes and wonder why they bother to come on to the shows. I also wonder at what's happened in education over the last 40 years in New Zealand as much as in the UK. The USA is a given. Generally the Americans are ignorant on history, geology, foreign affairs and anything not related to their own patch but, disturbingly, even American history, politics, institutions, law and current affairs have become some kind of soup with the Kardashians, Taylor Swift and Donald Trump sitting on top like scum. Go figure.

Here is an example of ignorance (there are many, many more):

Often, when a contestant gets an answer wrong on a question relating to recent history, politics, music etc. over the last 30 years, they says things like "well, I wasn't born then". OK, then how about questions that everyone else answers on the Renaissance, Beethoven, dinosaurs, the Bible, ancient Egypt and the Roman empire for example. sheesh!

Anyway, I'm staying up to watch the rugby at 10pm. Go the All Blacks!

DERANGED? MOI?

 

Robert frequently, on his blog, tells me that I'm deranged. Here's an example from his recent post:

I take it as a compliment because the context is usually me taking a contrary position to his Catholic posturing and silly cataclysmic Catechismic regurgitations. It's kind of like that Groucho Marx quote:

Maybe I should get myself a bumper sticker like this:

No doubt Robert would have stickers like this:

Not to be left out Richard would best be suited with this:

However, going by the TMIs in his recent posts this would be more appropriate:

WHEN OLD BLOGGERS GO BAD

It's a big responsibility being the one mature and sensible blogger in this community.

The others, while never having been that erudite are now slipping in to their dotage accompanied by varying degrees of dementia, fatuousness and idiocy.

If you'd bothered to read their posts you'd see what I men.

Robert, who has always banged on about religion and Catholicism in particular is now slipping "into the realms of fantasy".

He uses AI Americanisms and copies nonsense from Catholic Facebook sites. Look, here's an example from his latest post:

Actually that was the entire post which shows you how far down he's gone.

Richard too, is showing signs of slipping. Being a bit self-conscious over his recent boring monologues of violin and bass practice he tries to lighten things up with a bit of 'humour'.

Have a look at this from his latest post:

Personally I think that he's been spending too much time with his grandsons. Either that or he's gone doolally.

I'll just have to try and get things back on track.

Watch this space!

WATCH THIS SPACE

I guess that you are aware of Trump's latest lunacy - creating a false narrative to bring the armed forces back from international placements to 'occupy' American cities that, surprise surprise are ones governed by Democrat mayors and that are designated blue.

In addition to sending military and military-type forces to LA, Washington DC, Chicago and Portland, the deluded old fool now wants to use cities as training grounds for the military.

See: HERE

His rhetoric and bluster might fool most of his voters but anyone with a brain can see what he's up to. Trump - enabled, empowered and influenced by his fascist entourage is seeking to normalise the situation of armed military being seen as peacekeepers and law enforcers not unlike the controls seen in authoritarian countries like China, Russia and North Korea. It's the old 'frog in boiling water' scenario.

This is part of the extreme right's Project 25 plan, the elements of which are being put in place step by step. It's a very scary situation for Americans and surprisingly they seem to be getting away with it.

Trump of course is seen as the leader who controls the minds of the MAGA voters but in reality he is frail and failing. While he no doubt believes what he says and in  the actions that he authorises but the real proponents are people like this guy:

THE DANGEROUS MAN BEHIND TRUMP 

Germany in the 1930s saw similar things that America is seeing now. The gradual and insidious creep of Nazi power and dominance in the name of improvement, justice, economical independence, nationality and, of course, pure whiteness and anti immigration. The reality was far different to the promises.