byeeeeeeeeeee

The meaning of Paraphernalia

with the speed of light !

When I started working in IT over thirty five years ago, computer technology changed slowly. 

It was like going from a skateboard, to a bicycle, to a motorcycle, to a car. 

Now it's changing so fast I can't keep up. Every five years it goes from a skateboard to an aircraft carrier. 

I started with punch cards way back in 1978. Clever people could hold them up to the light and read what the instruction was..... Nightmare if you dropped a pile of cards.... Or the compiler went bezerk...

Then the floppy disk , which really was 'floppy" :~)


The computer room was fully airconditioned and the CPU has huge by comparison to today's. It actually had valves in it that got hot. We used to warm up our 'Stroopwafels' (syrup waffles) on top of it !! The language we used was the now extinct RPG2

Then a giant leap for mankind - in came the disk pack.

The Nixdorf system I worked with (about 1982) had 4 of these 'packs' each with 5Mb !!! Each one was used for a part of the admin.


One for book keeping, one for customers, one for stock and one for logistics and stats :~) You felt like a disk jockey loading them for each separate part. We'd moved on to Business Basic by then.

                         Here's a video which shows how it worked 

I used Business Basic right up until about 1997 when I took a couple of years off to enjoy life :~)

By the time I re-entered the workplace in 2002 my knowledge was hopelessly out of date and I gave up programming altogether.



We now have languages named after countries, snakes and precious gems....

 

Click here for a comprehensive timeline of programming languages

And don't even talk to me about networks :~(((((((((((((((((((((((((((

money makes the world go round

I had a discussion yesterday with a friend about "old money" vs "new money".

We were trying to see the difference...
Old Money is inherited and passed down the generations. These people call themselves the Upper Class.

Their wealth has been in their family's for generation, often they were/are landed gentry with an income from their farms/woodlands.

They tend to live in mansions, castles or stately homes. These can become dilapidated as their fortunes dwindle and they have to open them for the public to view.

They tend to feel a cut above the rest of humanity and feel that their taste is impeccable.

They tend to drive muddy Land Rovers when they go out on a shoot.













They have strict etiquette rules: from the French 'étiquette' (label or ticket) Prescribed behavior which was written on small cards with instructions of how to behave at court.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The so called 'Nouveau riche' or New Money has made they dough by entrepreneurial means. Or they are film stars, sports celebs, lottery winners .....

They can be brash and like to show of their wealth with flash cars, posh (as they see it) homes, and their women draped in fur....

This is an example of a suburban millionaires home, with sturdy gates in case their money tries to escape :~))
They too may have a Land Rover




So here are some comparisons in life style between Old and New Money

                                                       Interiors

                                 

Tasteful Victorian parlour                                                 Glitzy Kitch Living room
                                                  Dining

                                         

Old money has servants to lay the                New money likes farmhouse

table                                                             open style farmhouse

                                                                 Dress Code 

     Sophisicaton vs Sexy !

sign of the times...

A sign near us (in Holland) literally translated says: "tear along"

Here are some more.....




Some good advice can be found  "~))

sign language with a twist

if this ever gets built.....

There seem to only be plans ATM, but what a design !

More pics HERE

auwwwww

You know that feeling when your feet are absolutely killing you after a long hike or when you've worn the wrong shoes ?









My cousin reckons we should have feet like an elephant. Big, wide, heavily callused and totally weatherproof. No need for socks or shoes.




Personally I'd prefer camel feet. They are furry and somewhat more elegant the the elephants.

Although elephants feet are bigger, the camels probably work better as all terrain feet as they are more flexible.

Plus camels have nice nails to varnish "~)

toe the line ?

A visit to the pedicure lead to a discussion about the meaning of our toes and feet :~)

BIG TOE If your big toe is much longer than your other toes, you are a clever, creative thinker.If your big toe is comparatively small, this indicates that you are a superb multi-tasker.

SECOND TOE The longer your second toe, the more leadership qualities you have. You are dynamic and resourceful. A smaller second toe doesn't means you value harmony and won’t try to bulldoze your way through situations.

THIRD TOE If it is comparatively long, it means you are incredibly energetic and resourceful, especially at work.If the toe is short, you enjoy the pleasures in life. You love relaxing and don’t get worked up about anything.

FOURTH TOE A long, straight fourth toe indicates family is crucially important to your life. You are a superb listener and nurturer, but will be deeply affected by unhappiness within the family. You find it hard to cut yourself off from other people’s problems.A short fourth toe means that family and relationships are less crucial to you — your focus is elsewhere.

LITTLE TOE Childlike impishness is a characteristic of those with small little toes. You’ll shy away from responsibility, be easily bored and constantly looking for amusing diversions. You are great fun to be with, sociable and witty, but your Peter Pan tendencies can land you in trouble.And if you can wiggle your little toe separately from your fourth toe, you are an impulsive, adventurous, charming flirt.

And it seems you can tell your ancestry from the way your toes slope.....

even more unemployed...

Golf is a relaxing sport so you don't want to exert yourself by having to carry heavy bags of golf clubs around the course..

Golf caddy's were the answer in the past. But them seem to be being replaced  by electronic ones.

I happened to see a man with a remote controlled one yesterday. He was steering it all over the road..

 Perhaps it is a throwback to his childhood ?

The ultimate in remote controlled caddy seems to be
one like this that automatically follows you around
 like a per dog. At a measly $3,250 it seems a bargain ! ! !   

But Obama is coming to the rescue :~)

keep fit ecologically

Clyde Williams, professor of sports science at Loughborough University, estimates that an hour of heavy work in a gym, perhaps running on a treadmill for 20 minutes, riding an exercise bike and doing several sets of weights would expend around 600-700 calories. If on the other hand you spent three hours in the garden, doing a range of jobs such as raking, digging, chopping logs and weeding, you would easily use the same amount, if not more. AND it's more fun !

calory burning

A survey showed that nearly four-fifths of people believe a garden is essential to quality of life. It's good for both body and soul. 

General gardening uses up 280 calories and hour and weeding 315.  About the amount of a Starbucks Grand Latte or a Snickers bar !

Half an hour of the following activities:

• Digging and shovelling: 250 calories
• Lawn mowing: 195 calories
• Weeding: 105 calories
• Raking: 100 calories

Women over 50 who garden at least once a week have a higher bone density reading (the reading used to diagnose osteoporosis) than women who take part in almost any other form of exercise.

Exposure to the UVB rays of the sun stimulates the production of vitamin D, which in turn helps the body absorb calcium which is also essential for healthy bones.

The Thrive organisation helps people with a disability, both physical and mental. Research shows that gardening for people with mental health problems can improve communication with others, help with learning new practical skills/teamwork and planning. It also improves confidence and helps with concentration.

Monty Don, a TV presenter and garden writer, attributes the well-being of gardeners to the “recharging” you get from sticking your hands in the soil and spending time outdoors in nature. Gardening helped him to overcome his depression.