Apple is about to become the world’s first 1 trillion US$ company. That is quite a feat. Those of us who use Apple products (mea culpa) are followers of the richest cult in living memory. I have no idea whether somewhere in the fog of history some brutal emperor or sultan enjoyed, on an inflation-adjusted basis, a greater fortune. Maybe. Perhaps a thousand years ago, before the pound in our pocket was devalued, the imperial coffers overflowed with treasures more valuable than an iPhone X or a MacBook Air. Perhaps Genghis Khan was constantly googling to see whether he had overtaken Alexander the Unready’s fortune, by total assets if not by market cap. Or did he fret about the possibility of the Chinese imposing reciprocal tariffs on his exported rape and pillage. Sadly I gave up History before O’ level so I am unable to report in any detail on the wealth, life and times of the great Khan. I suspect I would have had to wait until A’ level for that, anyway.
I think I gave up history around the Dark Ages, which of course are shortly to return. I hear on the quiet that sixpences are much in demand again in Britain so that people have something to stick in the meter to stop the lights going out. I do have a pair of cufflinks made with 1957 sixpences and I shall be putting them on E Bay to see how much they are worth. I fancy they will go well as they should keep a kettle boiling for a good ten minutes or so or maybe see someone through an episode of Coronation Street. It is, I am sure, only a rumour that TV is to revert to black and white 425 lines. If you want colour you will have to use your own crayons and scribble very quickly. But as always, for those watching in black and white, Manchester United will be playing in the red shirts. As a consolation the pop lorry will come round alternate Tuesdays and the bread van will try to do so twice a week if there is any flour. Some of course will flourish. Corporal Jones will do a roaring trade in black market sausages and Walker will get you some nylons if you treat him nicely.
The great Khan is due a comeback and Imran is claiming victory on the back of a campaign to Make Pakistan Great Again. I was never overly smitten with the Khans. I might make an exception for Majid as he graced the Glamorgan cricket team for a few years. If the opposition cries foul (or should that be ‘no ball’?) then I think there should be a 20-over Round Robin to decide who should take over as Prime Minister. It seems much fairer than the British system where only those who have disgraced themselves running through wheat fields are currently eligible for high office.
To take my mind off the daily noise that masquerades as news I bought a new camera yesterday. It is an Olympus TG5. Apparently I can drop it from a height of over 6 feet, jump up and down on it provided I don’t weigh more than 220lb (Hooray!) and I can submerge it in water. Why I should want to do any of these things I have no idea. But I can. I bought it because it is light and takes decent close up shots of insects. It fits in my pocket and has the added bonus of being (reasonably) cheap. So there we are. The answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything is……. buy another camera. But you knew that anyway.
If you are reading this from darkest Britain, always remember: cheer up, things could be worse. And I suspect if you wait a little they almost certainly will be. TTFN.
Chrysilla acerosa – female.
All downhill from here 
And me with no Apple stock. Sigh. I am typing this, of course, on my MacBook Pro. Maybe if I call them up I can talk them into buying a painting from me???
I just watched the movie “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant in it. Have you seen it? I don’t know why that came to mind but it is a charming film. Set in the 60’s, when maybe there was still a little sanity and civility left in the world. I, too, sense the imminent return of the dark ages.
As soon as I read that you’ve bought a new camera, I was comforted. For me, it is books. My daughter and I just splurged on a new art book each when we were away in Minnesota, and we felt better immediately.
Books? I buy several most weeks Melissa. Some real, some Kindle. I adore the old films. Anything with Audrey Hepburn in it gets me. I don’t know what has happened to the world – please turn the clock back.
Yes, if only! I find myself wishing I could somehow pack an 85 year lifespan in, say, the 50’s.
I did see on the news that Apple had reached the one trillion mark. I haven’t made a contribution to that achievement and probably won’t.
I don’t blame you. But once you are hooked it’s hard to escape. I didn’t buy the iPad or Apple Watch. Both were gifts 😊
It is nearing 10pm and your post made my day or rather night. I have not read anything of yours in a long time. I was not receiving any notices from WP and I could not find the place in my blog to right the problem. I am now more clear headed since a recent 3 day spell in the hospital. Yes, I am much better for an ancient person.
You seem quite up to snuff and I am very glad. Hope you will keep your followers on WP, entertained more often.
The new camera sounds like a good buy since it is light weight fits in your pocket. Your walks will be so much easier.
I am so sorry you had a spell in hospital Yvonne but I’m happy you feel better. Aches and pains seem to be the norm nowadays but I always feel better when I get out and walk with my camera. I saw the beautiful photo of your Labrador, Molly. You are a real heroine for what you have done over the years. Stay healthy.
Thank you, Andrew. You are very kind. I am working on being healthy. I
Just checked the camera out. Impressive 20fps. Even shaky Steve should be able to get a sharp one with that.
Lovely 8-legger. Would make a good footballer.
I need more practice with it Steve. It gets very good reviews but it’s not as intuitive as some.
I have a love-hate relationship with Apple. I love my iPhone and (old) iPad, but I hate their arrogance. As for things in the UK, a Brit/Welshman did win the Tour de France this year and another took third. Good stuff, that!
janet
Apple are expensive but they just tuned and cleaned my 4 year old MacBook Pro for free. Not bad. 🙂
It’s all very well for you, looking on from HK with your cameras. I’m about to dust the cart down, get out on the streets crying “Rag-a-Bones.” There’s nothing to watch on telly anyway, 625 notwithstanding.
You will soon be watching Steptoe and Son re-runs. I am not sure R&B men will make a comeback. I still (just) remember them.
I definitely do. We also used to have the ‘knife-sharpening man’ doing his rounds. Steptoe? We could do with Alf Garnett…
Silly moo! 😂
…On second thoughts, he’d be a Leave voter…
You sing a song of sixpence! All will soon sing I’m sure…
It is indeed dark in our cellar, but it’s the coolest spot in the house! If only humans were as resilient as your camera. At least the spider (or its progeny) will be laughing long after we have all departed.
Not many homes have a cellar nowadays. What a joy. I remember my gran’s cellar, where there were huge spiders (to a small child). Nowadays I’d be down there photographing them. It’s about 33°c here and thank goodness for aircon. Buy shares in aircon companies. That’s my tip.
Majid Khan – what a great batsman he was…. I believe Imran is a cousin.
And you would never have believed he was Welsh.
In 1974 Majid captained Pakistan and Mike Denness captained England. I recall an interview where both spoke at length, Denness sounded like a footballer but Majid was the articulate Cambridge Graduate.
Denness was Scottish. They can’t play football. Or cricket 😂😂
I bought a TG5 a few months ago, used it underwater in the Maldives, filmed a turtle, photographed sharks, then dropped it underwater, retrieved it from the reef around 3m….and the camera was fine. And it connects so easily to the iPhone with the OLshare app, so we have another reason to stick with the Apple cult.
Once you are hooked there is no escape. I think I need more practice with the TG5
I put a few of my Maldives phots on Flickr just now. You can see how much fun I had with funny-looking fish in bright shallow water, and a shark below me, and a flower in dry land after a rain shower. I still need practice too.
Just had a look. I thought I was already following you 🤔. I presume the sharks are not aggressive! Love the turtle.
My mornings amusement 😂
You are most welcome sir.
I agree (though it is now afternoon for me). Your wit brightens my day, Andrew, even though the future might be gloomy!.
It will all be alright in the end Willo. It’s just a test of endurance. I have no idea how it will be resolved but it will. Politicians are ultimately pragmatic beings and need a solution. I suspect it will be a case of ‘let’s call the whole thing off’.