Monday 8 February 2010

A Herbert Spencer of a Day

This fine old phrase - which I believe occurs somewhere in H.G. Wells (Love and Mr Lewisham?) and is forgotten by all but a strange handful - occurred to me again yesterday, when it seemed the entire technical infrastructure of my home life was breaking down, one bit at a time. It began with a straightforward power cut - all too common in my neck of the woods - which lasted half an hour or so, followed by all the lighting in the house - but only the lighting - going off. This turned out to be a blown fuse, which I duly repaired. Then I noticed a marked lack of heating or hot water, and realised the timer had to be reprogrammed from scratch following the power cut. So far, so sorted - until, in quick succession, I sat down at my PC and found myself unable by any shift to get online, and then found myself equally unable to get a picture on the TV. You're probably ahead of me here - yes, my broadband provider was experiencing a little local difficulty. All I could do was wait, until eventually my online life did indeed kick back into action. Needless to say, I handled all these setbacks with my customary stoical sangfroid, which takes the paradoxical form of shouting, swearing, ranting and generally 'losing it' (briefly). It's the sheer dumb stupidity of those technologies on which we - the stupid ones - so cravenly rely. Is there anything more infuriating in the world than a non-responsive computer screen staring blankly back at you? What a day - oh, and in the middle of it my back started playing up (and still is). Hey ho...
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10 comments:

  1. mahlerman8 February 2010 at 15:12

    Following a day like that, the back pain is probably stress-related. Not supposed to take it with alcohol, but a couple of diazepam washed down with a shot of Black Bushmills will put a smile on your face.

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  2. Brit8 February 2010 at 15:12

    Thig yourself luggy. At least you dod't have a stidkig cold id the head.

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  3. Anonymous8 February 2010 at 15:21

    You need a creative epithet to mutter to get you through all that. I suggest Denis Thatcher's "high on the buggeration factor".

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  4. Uncle Dick Madeley8 February 2010 at 15:25

    Power cuts (like deep snow) always make me realise that we're always only 24 hours away from eating the cat.

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  5. Mark8 February 2010 at 16:10

    Look on the bright side. At least you didn't have to go on TV and break down sobbing about how awful life is, etc. The famous and the powerful have to relive their disasters and bad days every time they go into a TV studio. The rest of us can just let it pass, albeit through gritted teeth.

    Oh well. I'm told one trick on a day like that is to put on your pyjamas, return to bed, sleep for a couple of hours then get up and start a completely new day with a (late) second breakfast.

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  6. Brit8 February 2010 at 16:12

    Sounds an excellent remedy, Mark. But how late could one pull off the trick? Could one go back to bed and 'begin the day again' at, say, 5pm?

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  7. malty8 February 2010 at 17:58

    People still wear pajamas, goodness. Sounds like Nige has had a Toyota of a day.

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  8. Nige8 February 2010 at 18:25

    Yes that one should definitely have been recalled by the makers, Malty. Thanks for the tip Mahlerman - sounds like a real doozy, that one. Get well soon, Brit. As for pyjamas - that's a subject in itself...

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  9. Frank Wilson8 February 2010 at 21:01

    Rest up, Nige. That's what you need to do. Of course, the Bushmills wouldn't hurt, either.

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  10. Naats16 February 2010 at 08:29

    Nice... post.. Thanks for sharing these helpful information,Thank you again.

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