Inventions

I think most of the greatest inventions are the result of an obsession, the rest by accident.

Dr. Who

I have been a fan of Dr. Who for many years. Having at one time seen all the old reruns, I've probably seen all the shows. This year, while the show may be on in the room, I am usually reading a book at the same time. My enthusiasm has waned. The problem seems to be the Doctor. She rants and raves, spinning around in circles, waving her little prop, looking like a marionette with the strings twisted. 
The characters are rehashes of old characters, although in the latest episode I saw a spark of genius. I am referring to the Cyber men Drones. Modern, yet classical, flying in formation, distributing mayhem with a flash. If we gave out stars, it would be five stars for the drones.

"Drumbeat" by Dudley Pope.

"Drumbeat" is the second book in the Ramage series. Another remake of the Napoleonic War with the usual point of view. Although a naval story, it starts of as a romance. Ramage has a lot of internal rants, his mind obsessed with love for a girl that he has met only six days prior. He seems prone to losing ships and although a Captain, he still wants to be one of the boys. He stumbles from one obstacle to another, gifted enough to keep both himself and his crew alive.
It was an entertaining read and there were moments when I found it hard to put down. At the end the story seemed to be cut short. Could have used another chapter and I assume that will be the first chapter of the next book.

Bathroom Break

It is hard to resist the need to relieve oneself. It cannot be denied or the consequences can be dire and possibly wet.

Broken World

It's a broken world, full of broken people and I don't know what glue we can use to make repairs.

1960

Studebaker Lark

Magazine Ad

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Remote Control by Andy McNab

"Remote Control" is the first in the nick Stone series. With a British Intelligence Operator, I was expecting a spy story. What I got was basically the trials and tribulations of a kidnapper, trying to keep a 7 yr. old happy. It did have action from beginning to end, although it did drag on in some parts.There are flashbacks which I had to reread to see where it fit into the story. The result at the end was what should have happened near the beginning. 

Poverty

The rich have their problems. Poverty isn't one of them.

Eye On the Ball

Keep your eye on the ball, especially if you are at the ball park, sitting in an area prone to foul balls.

Who are we?

When are we really ourselves?
We always need other people 
to help us realize who we are.

This is an original 1947

Seagram's Seven Crown Whiskey 
Magazine Ad

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Morning Coffee

I make my coffee in the morning but I find that the machine doesn't make it hot enough, so I put it in the microwave for another 20 sec. 

Sidney Chambers and the Persistence of Love (The Grantchester Mysteries #6) James Runcie

This is #6 in "The Grantchester" series. A number of short stories calling itself a book. The accidental detective who would rather spend time on solving crimes than his vocation, starts of with a murder, then onto a variety of cases, both big and small. I was moved by the description of the rape case. Very well done. Overall, I found that the book had trouble keeping my attention. The last chapter, although drawn out, was a surprise.

Secrets

We all have secrets. 
We all have flaws. 
It gives us something 
to worry about.

Necessity

The thing is, we have to have a leader. we also have to have someone to clean the toilets.

World Problems

This morning I am going out with a friend for coffee. After an hour, we will have solved all the problems in the world. 

Character is much easier kept than recovered. 

- Thomas Paine

Mistakes

It's hard to learn from other people, 
they haven't made your mistakes.

If you don't ask any questions, you don't have to worry about the answers.

Buttonholes

All the buttonholes 

on my shirt are up 

and down, except 

the bottom one.

It is sideways. 

                     1985 California Prune Board Magazine Ad              

                                                       https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Emotions

Some people are too ready to let everyone know their emotions. Just because you feel strong about something, doesn't mean you have to tell the whole world. Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut.

TV Shows

Thank God for subtitles. I can now watch shows in French, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian and whatever.

"The Last Flight" by Gregory Liefer

This book tells the story of an aging helicopter pilot, veteran of Vietnam, now near retirement. It is a good story covered by a blanket of sadness. It leans toward long drawn out radio messages and has flashback of his past life. Although intended for adults, it is more suitable for adult audiences. 

1960 Kellogg's Corn Flakes  Magazine Ad

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

"Dangers of Temptation" by James Runcie

This is the next in The Grantchester Series about a full time Church of England priest and part time detective. When I started this book, I was expecting a good murder mystery. Instead, it was a collection of a number of short stories, loosely stuck together. In the first story I thought I had blundered into a soap opera and the last story was too involved with diversity and sin.  

Police Radio

Today is #WorldRadioDay, Halifax was the first city in Canada to introduce radio patrol cars to their fleet. The transmitter was set-up on October 6, 1934 and the first car patrolled three days later.

Police Chase

How come on police shows, the police never shoot out the tires on the get away car?

Older and wiser? There is a limit to it.

Snowplows

This morning, between 2 and 3, a snowplow went by 6 times. My God! We only had 2 inches of snow. When we have 2 feet they are nowhere in sight.









https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

 The closest I've been to China is 
    Chinatown in San Francisco.   

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

1989 Smirnoff Vodka Magazine Ad

with Johnnie Carson

https://www.oldmagazineads.net/

Common Sense

Star Trek

New Star Trek Show coming. "Star Trek Pike". Will have a young Capt. Kirk.

"Drums Along the Khyber" by Duncan MacNeil

"Drums Along the Khyber" is the first of an historical series set in 1897. It is the story of a young Lt. sent to India on his first deployment. It goes along at a good pace, not plagued by pages of description about scenery etc. It is well written. Some may be offended by the language, but it is the attitude of the times. Five stars for me.

Grantchester

If you want to be a Priest on Grantchester, you have to be a part time detective.

VISA

Got a call this morning at 6:30. It was about my VISA card. A kind gentleman from India wanted to warn me that someone was making charges to my card. So thoughtful. I wish I had his phone number so I could show him how thankful I was and call him at 6:30 AM his time.

"Puppet on a Chain" by Alistair MacLean

"Puppet on a Chain" is another MacLean spy novel set in the 50's. I did like that it had the morals of the era and a lack of swearing. That's as far as it went. Mjr. Sherman is an ass. I don't know how anyone could work for him or how he got prompted in the first place. Lots of gruesome murders to read about and a drug culture you would expect in Amsterdam. 

Lack of Sleep

Tired people make bad decisions.

1955 Zippo Lighter Magazine Ad

Wishes

Those who sit and wish for things 
accomplish nothing.

Careers

I heard that it is never too late to start a career. I don't know about that.

"Good and Valuable Consideration: Jack Reacher vs. Nick Heller". By Lee Child - Joseph Finder

A very short novel with characters Reacher and Heller. No morals exist when criminals attack one of their own. They can work together for mutual benefit.

Sandbagging

On YouTube I saw this machine that can bag numerous bags of sand at once and even tie them off.

Groundhog Day

Watched "Groundhog Day". A yearly ritual like "Scrooge".

Secrets

Only the dead can keep a secret.

"Ramage" by Dudley Pope

"Ramage" is the first in a series of sea novels. The story opens up with a sea battle and our ship sinking. Our hero becomes the captain of a sinking ship and the start of his troubles. Ramage is likable, perhaps too much so with the crew. I found some parts boring, too much description about putting up sails. Another part that annoyed me was his reaction to the lady in the story. A bit overdone. He sounded like a wide eyed schoolboy. I'm hoping it doesn't take him too long to become a adult.