Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Idler, Friday, August 12, 2016

Digital relationships

IT'S a world run by computers. They have all the answers, even to the deep issues of human relationships. Consider this e-mail a woman sent to Tech Support.

"Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slowdown in overall system performance, particularly in the Flowers and Jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0

"In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as: Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as: Rugby 5.0, Cricket 3.0 and Golf Clubs 4.1Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and House Cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?"

 

Tech Support's reply:

 

"First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an Operating System.

 

"Please enter command: I thought you loved me.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

 

"However, remember, over-use of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Flatulence and Snoring Loudly Beta. 

 

"Whatever you do, DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Mother-In-Law1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)   

 

"In addition, please, do not attempt to re-install the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.   In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend: Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7."

It's a wonderful cyberworld out there.

 

 

 

US Marines

 

YESTERDAY'S mention of a pet tortoise in London named Zuma – short for Montezuma – reminds historian and writer Peter Quantrill of the opening verse of the US Marine Corps Hymn:

 

From the Halls of Montezuma,

To the shores of Tripoli,

We will fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to keep our title

Of United States Marines."

 

I suppose they could also have called that tortoise Monty. But remember it was 40 years ago that his owner took possession and it could have caused confusion. The field marshal was still around and there was also the Python who had a Flying Circus.

 

Trump observes

 

AMERICAN presidential candidate Donald Trump is paying close attention to the Olympic Games in Rio, they say.

 

He wants to see how high the Mexican pole vaulters can go.

 

Breaststroke

 

FORMER colleague and ace photographer Robert d'Avice notes Chad le Clos saying of the Rio Olympics: "I'll race my heart out."

 

"It reminds me of Paddy who went to the judges when his wife lost the 100m breaststroke final. He objected that the winner used her arms."

 

Absolutely right. Cheating is out of order.

 

Fragrance

A READER who lives on the Bluff is enthusiastic about a new supermarket that has opened there.


"It has an automatic water mist to keep the produce fresh," he says. "Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and you get the smell
of fresh rain.


"When you pass the milk shelves, you hear cows mooing and there is the scent of freshly mowed hay.


"In the meat department there's the aroma of charcoal-grilled steaks with onions.


"When you approach the egg shelves, you hear hens clucking and cackling, and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.


"The bread department has the tantalising smell of freshly baked bread and cookies."

But, he says:  "I don't buy toilet paper there any more."

 

 

 

Tailpiece

 

THE artist specialises in painting nudes. He's interviewing a new model. She's fully clothed and they're having a cup of tea.

 

Suddenly he sits bolt upright. "That's my wife come home. Quick – take off your clothes!"

 

Last word

 

Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them.

Leo Tolstoy

 

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