1)
Computers: The Internet is like
a toy box, but every time you open it - you find new toys to play
with. The best computer was the ATARI ... (I've got heaps of software if you're interested).
Computers can make you laugh, cry or be frustrating as hell. They
can teach, educate and expand one's knowledge or can provide countless
hours of entertainment. They help many disabled people, can save
lives and remove the drudgery from many occupations - but unfortunately,
there's little doubt that this has largely been responsible for
the increased unemployment. There's no doubt in my mind that computers
are the greatest invention since the discovery of the wheel.
2) Interesting conversations... where
the subjects avoid the mention of sport, religion, taxes, movies,
home renovations or their kids (boring!!). The best topics are those
that discuss: man's inhumanity to man, the mysteries of life and
the universe, personal philosophies, new discoveries etc. travel
experiences, horror holidays or car trips, fanciful predictions
for our future, nostalgic memories, or talking about the latest
technological advances (hard to keep up with).
3) Lengthy stays in any
country classified 'Third World'. Imagination,
craftsmanship and inventiveness sums up these amazing people. From
scraps of tin, rubber or cloth - many can produce useful goods.
They display such versatility, it puts our manufactured goods to
shame. Sadly, exploitation by foreigners is all to common. Few western
countries have so many happy smiling faces. Where else would you
see a beggar contributing to the welfare of another? Hospitality
is still practised among even the poorest of the poor. Avoid all
'English speaking' residents as they are tainted with greed, deceit
and envy, answering questions by telling you what you expect to
hear - rather than the truth. I highly recommend India, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, or try the islands of St Helena, the Maldives or Philippines.
4)
Sitting on a deserted, golden beach... watching a sunset over the ocean - totally naked.
This amazing experience can be enhanced with an ice-cold beer (or
glass of wine), a large stick of marijuana (or a cigarette), softly
playing instrumental music or by sharing it in the company of the
opposite sex (all optional extras). A similar type of experience
can be had on a clear moonlit night, by lying on ones back staring
at the twinkling stars. Nudity is absolutely essential - no clothes,
jewellery or wrist watches!
5)
A sense of humour... laughter or a dry wit. People who can tell a joke
yet remain dead-pan are far funnier than those who burst out laughing
before the punch line. I've been told I've got a 'sick sense of
humour' but who should care if I find it funny or not??. I really
abhor the mandatory 'canned laughter' so prevalent in almost every
American TV comedy or sitcom... in fact this practice has become
so widespread that most people expect it. Slap-stick and 'Toilet'
humour (farting jokes) are not appreciated! The best TV comedy was
D-Generation, one of
the best UK shows was Men Behaving Badly. The equal worst is Roseanne and The Nanny... but then again, most American humour doesn't even
rate a smile with me - never mind a laugh!
6)
People who 'buck the system'...
and get away with it! I'm truly inspired with daring robberies,
smart computer hackers, clever frauds, the person who quits his/her
'promising career' to explore the jungles of South America (or where
ever), a couple who at 70 years old, sell their house and buy a
caravan or a boat. I admire all the eccentrics of this world and
all those who fight for principals - without thought of financial
reward (Greenpeace fights
for principals but is mainly motivated by money).
I only wish I had the financial security or the balls to join
my 'heros'.
7) Surprises: like
buying an old used car and enjoying three trouble-free years of
motoring, unexpected parties or invitations, winning a lottery,
finding a job when you are over 40 - finding any work when
you've past 55, receiving presents, remembering
a person's name 10 years after you first met them, unexpectedly
meeting people you lost touch with, finding a new computer programme
without Microsoft's name attached. Eating something you thought
you would dislike - yet enjoyed. Being given a compliment.
8) Music: As
you might expect, I'm stuck in the era of the late 60's to the mid
70's. None of the 80's or 90's music is worth a shit and few groups
remain around longer than a few months. My favourites (in order
of preference) are: Pink Floyd, Slade, Twisted Sister, AC/DC,
Meatloaf and last but not least, Black Sabbath .
It's not all Rock and Roll or Heavy Metal - I do enjoy listening
to a few of the real Classicals: such as
Beethoven (played VERY LOUD), Sibelius (always
makes me visualise high alpine mountains), Wagner and Strauss (very relaxing). Finally some of the Country &
Western / Folk music is quite okay as a change. The type of music
that offends my eardrums:- Jazz (wailing),
Blues, Rap Music (sounds like one long moan), Trash Metal (horrific!),
Punk (just shouting), Gospel or Opera (Yech!)
9)
Books & Movies:
(except Poetry): mostly Science fiction
or Horror: Arthur C.Clarke, Asimov, Heinlein, Frank
Herbert, Poe, StephenKing. Other authors whose works I've enjoyed are Steinbeck, L..Sanders,
Ayn Rand
(The Fountainhead
and Atlas Shrugged),
Wilbur Smith, A.. McLean, Stuart Cloete to name but a few. I always think it's better to
watch the movie - then read the book otherwise the characters you
have conjured in your mind may not resemble the screen image. I
tend to watch most movies as if I had a hole-in-my-head, the sound
& vision comes in through ears and eyes then straight out the
back of my head. The best (90's) movie that I liked (and can remember)
was SPEED - fast moving, edge-of-your-seat action. Another good
one was TRAIN-SPOTTING - raw, gritty and believable.
10) A good meal: A large,
thick, well-done T-bone steak, crispy brown chips, baby peas &
carrots, lettuce and tomatoes washed down with an ice-cold beer.
For desert - baked custard & ice cream. I hate eating at restaurants
because chefs love drowning dishes in sauce - which ruins the meal.
Staff hygiene doesn't rate highly as long as they conform to 'Health
Regulations'. In my opinion the worst tasting 'food' comes from
McDonalds or Pizza Hut. The best (and cheapest) from your own kitchen.
My greatest wish is to be given back the ability
to run my own life as I see fit - without being subjected to 100's of petty
rules, regulations
and 'advice'. If I choose to kill myself by smoking, having unsafe sex, not
wearing seat belts, bike helmets, or even if I wanted to commit suicide - it's
MY life so it should be MY decision!
Why do so many complete
strangers feel they have
the 'right' to "protect me for my own good"?.
2) Interesting conversations... where
the subjects avoid the mention of sport, religion, taxes, movies,
home renovations or their kids (boring!!). The best topics are those
that discuss: man's inhumanity to man, the mysteries of life and
the universe, personal philosophies, new discoveries etc. travel
experiences, horror holidays or car trips, fanciful predictions
for our future, nostalgic memories, or talking about the latest
technological advances (hard to keep up with).
3) Lengthy stays in any
country classified 'Third World'. Imagination,
craftsmanship and inventiveness sums up these amazing people. From
scraps of tin, rubber or cloth - many can produce useful goods.
They display such versatility, it puts our manufactured goods to
shame. Sadly, exploitation by foreigners is all to common. Few western
countries have so many happy smiling faces. Where else would you
see a beggar contributing to the welfare of another? Hospitality
is still practised among even the poorest of the poor. Avoid all
'English speaking' residents as they are tainted with greed, deceit
and envy, answering questions by telling you what you expect to
hear - rather than the truth. I highly recommend India, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, or try the islands of St Helena, the Maldives or Philippines.
4)
Sitting on a deserted, golden beach... watching a sunset over the ocean - totally naked.
This amazing experience can be enhanced with an ice-cold beer (or
glass of wine), a large stick of marijuana (or a cigarette), softly
playing instrumental music or by sharing it in the company of the
opposite sex (all optional extras). A similar type of experience
can be had on a clear moonlit night, by lying on ones back staring
at the twinkling stars. Nudity is absolutely essential - no clothes,
jewellery or wrist watches!
5)
A sense of humour... laughter or a dry wit. People who can tell a joke
yet remain dead-pan are far funnier than those who burst out laughing
before the punch line. I've been told I've got a 'sick sense of
humour' but who should care if I find it funny or not??. I really
abhor the mandatory 'canned laughter' so prevalent in almost every
American TV comedy or sitcom... in fact this practice has become
so widespread that most people expect it. Slap-stick and 'Toilet'
humour (farting jokes) are not appreciated! The best TV comedy was
D-Generation, one of
the best UK shows was Men Behaving Badly. The equal worst is Roseanne and The Nanny... but then again, most American humour doesn't even
rate a smile with me - never mind a laugh!
6)
People who 'buck the system'...
and get away with it! I'm truly inspired with daring robberies,
smart computer hackers, clever frauds, the person who quits his/her
'promising career' to explore the jungles of South America (or where
ever), a couple who at 70 years old, sell their house and buy a
caravan or a boat. I admire all the eccentrics of this world and
all those who fight for principals - without thought of financial
reward (Greenpeace fights
for principals but is mainly motivated by money).
I only wish I had the financial security or the balls to join
my 'heros'.
7) Surprises: like
buying an old used car and enjoying three trouble-free years of
motoring, unexpected parties or invitations, winning a lottery,
finding a job when you are over 40 - finding any work when
you've past 55, receiving presents, remembering
a person's name 10 years after you first met them, unexpectedly
meeting people you lost touch with, finding a new computer programme
without Microsoft's name attached. Eating something you thought
you would dislike - yet enjoyed. Being given a compliment.
8) Music: As
you might expect, I'm stuck in the era of the late 60's to the mid
70's. None of the 80's or 90's music is worth a shit and few groups
remain around longer than a few months. My favourites (in order
of preference) are: Pink Floyd, Slade, Twisted Sister, AC/DC,
Meatloaf and last but not least, Black Sabbath .
It's not all Rock and Roll or Heavy Metal - I do enjoy listening
to a few of the real Classicals: such as
Beethoven (played VERY LOUD), Sibelius (always
makes me visualise high alpine mountains), Wagner and Strauss (very relaxing). Finally some of the Country &
Western / Folk music is quite okay as a change. The type of music
that offends my eardrums:- Jazz (wailing),
Blues, Rap Music (sounds like one long moan), Trash Metal (horrific!),
Punk (just shouting), Gospel or Opera (Yech!)
9)
Books & Movies:
(except Poetry): mostly Science fiction
or Horror: Arthur C.Clarke, Asimov, Heinlein, Frank
Herbert, Poe, Stephen King. Other authors whose works I've enjoyed are Steinbeck, L..Sanders,
Ayn Rand
(The Fountainhead
and Atlas Shrugged),
Wilbur Smith, A.. McLean, Stuart Cloete to name but a few. I always think it's better to
watch the movie - then read the book otherwise the characters you
have conjured in your mind may not resemble the screen image. I
tend to watch most movies as if I had a hole-in-my-head, the sound
& vision comes in through ears and eyes then straight out the
back of my head. The best (90's) movie that I liked (and can remember)
was SPEED - fast moving, edge-of-your-seat action. Another good
one was TRAIN-SPOTTING - raw, gritty and believable. 
10) A good meal: A large,
thick, well-done T-bone steak, crispy brown chips, baby peas &
carrots, lettuce and tomatoes washed down with an ice-cold beer.
For desert - baked custard & ice cream. I hate eating at restaurants
because chefs love drowning dishes in sauce - which ruins the meal.
Staff hygiene doesn't rate highly as long as they conform to 'Health
Regulations'. In my opinion the worst tasting 'food' comes from
McDonalds or Pizza Hut. The best (and cheapest) from your own kitchen.
