Go look at movies/TV shows from the 1960's or before.

Notice how slim everyone is.

Back then our current version of a "thin" person would have been thought of as "heavy'.

I don't think this is just because I'm old.


Current movie stars tend to look like boys.


Old-time movie stars looked like men.

So when I got home from holiday travels my computer would not boot.
Several hours with support.

New computer.
Would not setup.
Several hours with support, new plug-in keyboard and it's up and running - more or less.
Still can't get the wireless keyboard to connect.
Still can't get it to use my external HD for backup.

I'm losing faith in the reliability (and security) of computers.
I'm back to using paper and pencil for keeping track of bank accounts and credit cards.
I use the computer to produce text (letters etc) but I print out a paper backup and file it.

I regret the entertainment material I've purchased for online use.  I trust DVD's and CD's much more.

I really only use my computer now for the internet and storing photos (which I back up carefully onto memory sticks.


(The computer support people were great, but it still means hours and hours of my time used up.)

One thing I have learned in life:


Never buy a piece of clothing because you like the way it looks on someone else.

Movie: Better Watch Out

A fresh take on a cliche.

This film walks a tightrope and does it well.  It could easily have descended into parody, it could have been predictable, it could have been too heavy, it could have been too silly, but it manges to do none of that.

It flows along seemingly effortlessly and the plot turns on a dime. Often.

Script, direction, cast -- all bang on.

Particularly the male lead,  Levi Miller.  He manages twists and turns of the story with precision timing and leaves you with a sense that he was savouring every minute of playing this character.  I expect he will have quite a career if he keeps this level of work going.

Bad Book

I just finished a truly bad book.  I'm not going to give out the name or the author or the title, I'm not that mean.

The writing was not the worst I have ever come across but it was monotonous.  I think the author was trying to imitate hard-boiled detective fiction from the mid-twentieth century and it just did not work.

I admit to just scanning sections because I could not torture myself by reading in detail.

The stupid and totally unbelievable ending, however, really did it.  I felt like hurling the book across the room but didn't want to damage the wall.

Normally when I finish a book I pass it on to a friend or put in the book exchange area downstairs.  In this case I decided I did not want to be responsible for anyone else wasting precious time reading it so I tossed it into the paper recycling bin.

Movie: La La Land

Nope.