I am tempted to tell them that I am often bored by conversations with acquaintances, but otherwise never.
Which only emphasises the beauty of written correspondence, which can be put aside or ignored as desired.
Perhaps I should tell them to put it all in writing.
Which only emphasises the beauty of written correspondence, which can be put aside or ignored
Perhaps I should tell them to put it all in writing.
Being a lazy, feckless dreamer with a short span of attention and an overcrowded mind, flitting like a butterfly from one task to another, my days are filled with uncompleted endeavours.
This is bliss for an old bastard with few imperative objectives, as much as it was a curse when I was working.
Like Menzies, I set out each day to do nothing, to take a long time to do it, and to do it pretty well.
The distraction of this activity takes my mind off the grim old guy in the black dressing gown who can be glimpsed every now and then, leaning on his scythe, observing my progress from a distance.
I carry on with my business-as-usual life as an adult male of indeterminate age, no more than middle, unless I happen to pass a mirror.
But every now and then the grim reality and the grim reaper come back into focus, and I contemplate the statistics for survival for those in their eighth decade of life.
Raging at the dying of the light has no appreciable effect on the outcome of the affairs of men.
Raging at the dying of the light has no appreciable effect on the outcome of the affairs of men.
One might as well obsessively watch weather reports as follow politics.
No amount of personal disapproval of the progress of either will change its outcome.
To the best of my knowledge, both the weather and the political situation continue to do whatever they will without my input, and I am now, ten years after the glorious demise of Honest John the Rodent, relaxed and comfortable, enjoying my pints and watching, with bemusement, the world going to hell in a basket.
No amount of personal disapproval of the progress of either will change its outcome.
To the best of my knowledge, both the weather and the political situation continue to do whatever they will without my input, and I am now, ten years after the glorious demise of Honest John the Rodent, relaxed and comfortable, enjoying my pints and watching, with bemusement, the world going to hell in a basket.
I have the impression that I should be doing more things, learning to paint or to play a musical instrument, treasuring each day as a gift, making the most of health and mobility while they are still mine, but I am quite happy just doing what I do, which is not an awful lot, the highlights of which are having a pint of home brew with my lunch in the sun, and another with its setting.
Meanwhile, I am heartened by the knowledge that I am now the same age as Helen Mirren.
Probably have been for some time, come to think about it.
It gives me some comfort to have even a chronological link to somebody who is universally lusted after by people (mostly men, I'll admit) of her age, older, and, more significantly, considerably younger. Not much comfort, perhaps, but I'm holding onto the idea. With some desperation.
I believe in pi, which, like my regard for malt whisky, goes on forever.
It gives me some comfort to have even a chronological link to somebody who is universally lusted after by people (mostly men, I'll admit) of her age, older, and, more significantly, considerably younger. Not much comfort, perhaps, but I'm holding onto the idea. With some desperation.
I believe in pi, which, like my regard for malt whisky, goes on forever.
I also believe in the testosterone imperative, the tyranny of small decisions, the naivety of the word "worst", the misplaced confidence of youth, the unanimity of wisdom and acceptance, and the non-standard man.
I've got plenty of home-made beer, malt whisky and books, beautiful scenery to contemplate, a particularly agreeable and very attractive wife for company and Jack the foster dog.
I am living the peaceful life of those put out to pasture - relaxing, reading and drinking in moderation, and sleeping the untroubled sleep of the just slightly pissed.
I've got plenty of home-made beer, malt whisky and books, beautiful scenery to contemplate, a particularly agreeable and very attractive wife for company and Jack the foster dog.
I am living the peaceful life of those put out to pasture - relaxing, reading and drinking in moderation, and sleeping the untroubled sleep of the just slightly pissed.
Am I bored? No.
What do I do with my time? Whatever I like.
