Well, I messed up Big Time. The current A&J comic strip that appeared Sunday, Jan. 1, was a poem, a limerick of which I was rather proud. Today’s strip, Jan. 2, was a limerick about cats, of which I was less proud, but there it is. Now, I can count on comments such as, “Not another limerick.” Or, “These limericks are awful.” Or “I’m bored with this poetry thing.” Actually, the Sunday strip is drawn earlier than the Monday-Saturday strips, and I didn’t realize I was putting two poem strips back to back, or I wouldn’t have done it. Because I know if I do, well… see above. So, to those commenters annoyed by this, I hope this takes some of the sting out. Having said that, I do not intend to lose any sleep over it. And again: Happy New Year!
134 responses to “Not Just a City in Ireland”
Sand, Smigz, and Steve: I’m with you on both paper calendars and watches. We’re also big fans of paper maps, rarely traveling without a collection of Delorme atlases. The large format makes it much easier to get a feel for where you are and where you’re going, there’s no battery to keep charged, and they work in remote areas where there is no cell signal – as the couple who consulted ours on the Blue Ridge Parkway would attest.
Hmmm … my maiden name started with S. Does that qualify me for your group? 🙂
Yep, me, too.
The January meeting of the Village Old Fogey’s Club will now come to order. 🙂
CBP computer system crashes yesterday; arriving overseas air passengers delayed for hours for in-processing.
Many US Gubermint systems seem to be so old that they probably had to call someone out of retirement to fix it.
Wall calendar and watch, yes. Paper maps, no. Neither of us could exist without turn by turn instructions; it also has added immensely to our marital bliss.
I always have a large calendar hanging in the kitchen, where everyone is SUPPOSED to write appointments and such. If it isn’t on the calendar, it doesn’t happen!
Jimmy Johnson was honest and true,
his two limericks stuck got together like glue
Oh Jimmy, though comics get made,
critics will will fade
wait…does Janis have a new ‘do?
Seen on the InterWebNet: “If it has an engine, sails, or breasts, it’s going to cost you big bucks.”
Maybe those government computers were not Y2K compliant?
My post disappeared about my Dick Tracy watch that insists on telling me more than I want to know.
I have a wall calendar too. Wouldn’t be without it. I don’t wear watches. Always broke or lost them. Gave up trying to use them.
I have a large wall calendar I depend on. Hangs outside my office and kitchen. Naturally it has cats and kittens for cat porn.
Also have a large desk blotter calendar and a sailing calendar. To back that up I use the appointment feature on phone. Used to keep a day runner and may start that habit again.
Own a lot of watches that do nothing but tell time and color coordinate.with my outfits as accessories.
Always travel with maps and atlases, old habit from being first a florist and second a road.rep. But mainly I use GPS OR the GPS feature on phone.
Oh yes write checks to employees primarily but also local companies who don’t want to pay card fees. Everything else is drafted or bank cards.
I usually buy a cheap watch except for my Garmin that I use to calibrate how far that I have walked (or run in the old days). I’ve told the story here, but in 2009, I was running late to catch a plane to Japan due to road construction and as I was headed through TSA, I heard my name being paged as they were about to close the doors for the flight. I just grabbed my shoes along with my bags and sprinted to the gate as the attendant was closing the door. I had left my watch at TSA but it was so cheap that I did not bother to look for it when I got back.
For my 60th birthday a couple of weeks ago, my son, daughter and wife chipped in to get me a Shinola watch. While it is beautiful and of great quality (hand made in Detroit), I am concerned because I really have to be careful where I take it off because I wouldn’t want to leave it somewhere where I might forget it. It does have a serial number, so in case it is stolen, it can be tracked.
GR6, looks like I missed the gavel/call to order, hope to view the minutes. In longhand if you please.
Steve, I still like forcing an analog face on my digital devices, for the desktop, idle, or main view anyway. I find that almost 5 o’clock is more imperative than 4:52pm.
Rick, from decades back I had known the Looney to be 2/3 to ¾ U.S. dollar. Similarly, the Euro to fit between the Pound Sterling and the Dollar, about 1.5 to 1.7 USD. Then I did not care for a while, and was surprised to learn there is approximate parity, within a few centimes. If I were prone to conspiracy there is rich fodder there. I prefer to think that able bodied people create similar worth regardless of geographic considerations, and advancements tend to level the field.
I keep a fairly large calendar next to my computer key board where I spend a lot of time. All appointments etc. go on it, I rarely miss anything because I also clip reminders from people on it and update them regularly. Normally a free one from somewhere, but this year a gift from my wife of a National Geographic of U.S. scenes. As for time I have a small battery analog alarm clock that sits next to the tv, neither of which I ever use or pay attention to. Would like to have a nice wind up watch, but I kill watches very quickly. I have a nice smart phone that I rarely know where it is, or if it is charged even.
Apologies, Jackie, I had already turned away last evening and did not mean to ignore you. Glad you took my shopping jibe in stride, as intended. It is interesting to read origin stories. So easy to assume WW was created in a lab using formulas and delivered intact. More interesting to hear of the early entrepreneur(s) who experienced for themselves, tested built on, and spread a positive movement. And were able to profit a living from it.
It is good to recognize missed opportunities, as it helps us see the next one. But please don’t regret or blame. All the various paths of life have led here. And that’s not so bad.
Ursen, I’ve always had watches corrode from my personal blend of sweat and environment. They were not appropriate for dress after what I considered a short time. Given a gift of higher quality, more than I would have done for myself, has lasted a very long time. Not sure if it is a ‘you get what you pay for’ matter, or likely that I don’t wear it every day. Still feels good to look at.
GR6, I see the Crayola box of weather left you connected to the internet.
Would be good to see Jerry, and have wondered about Domoucan. Forgive the spelling, I didn’t go to look it up, and attempted the Spanish honorific Dom, with a toucan. I remember still seeing him in the Advent season, but don’t recall a Christmas morning with little ones.
Steve, my current watch has been on my wrist for 32 years. I came into it when the previous owner no longer had need of time. I had it factory rebuilt 5-6 years ago. The jeweler who sent it to the factory thought it was a knock off due to the unusual face. To our surprise it turns out to be a rarity.
Murphy, I remember the £ going for $2.50 back in the late 60’s, early 70’s. In August I bought £’s for $1.25. It is also much easier to calculate purchase costs without all the odd coins they use to have.
Sand, I remember being confused by references to shg/pce. Didn’t bother to ask until around the time of the big metric conversion that wasn’t to be. Trying to figure money under what was then the olde system convinced me more than anything else that metric powers of ten make sense.
I have a childhood memory of a man important to me whose watch hummed in F# instead of ticking. I’ve tried asking family but no one can remember the significance of an Accutron by Bulova being important to a boy whose ear was at wrist height.
I always wear my Hamilton watch; purchased new in 1954 – maybe 1955. It has been through a few bands, and even had a new “leg” attached to the case about 40 years ago. Quality item. If memory serves, price was $65-$70 including tax. At least $50. of that came from a US bond my grandmother had bought for me as an infant back in 1940.
Wall calendar: yes. One in kitchen and another next to TV room desk. The latter I use mostly for memorable dates in the family or circle of friends. So far, I do not have one for 2017. Kitchen one is up and working. Sometimes we get a free one which fits on a file drawer next to the desktop terminal, but not yet this year.
Road atlas is always taken along on any trip beyond, say, 200 miles. Inside of that, I know the roads usually used. Rand-McNally is my choice, mainly because the on-the-map-only-road-rally for which I wrote for more than 20 years sent them to me free for my writing’s benefit.
I think the Spanish honorific is “Don”, while “Dom” is Portuguese.
Plus that whole Thousands of Millions, instead of billions thing.
Sorry for crossing, c x-p, thanks for the correction.
Does anyone recall more recent tidings?
Yes, my mistake on Dom/Don. Both Latin but my Argentinian brother-in-law liked to point out differences due to the whole Argentine/Brazilian friction.
I’ve always had a fondness for the little country that could, Portugal. The advancements that came from a country geographically removed from the infighting that consumed most of European attentions.
And a popular topic here, they do food just a little different enough to be unique, too. Try linguiça as a pizza topping sometime. Think Portuguese chorizo, if I can be forgiven for mashing four cultures and not doing any of them justice.
He was going to the Auburn game.
Storms that hit Louisiana were in Marksville and Avoylles Parish. That’s near Mississippi River and border but north of Baton Rouge.