AT LAST Sunday, Jan 21 2007

Well I think I’ve done it!
It’s been a long haul. It’s taken me to the edge. It’s taken over my life for so long. It’s been a goal I’ve strived for. It’s really taken it out of me. But I think I’ve done it. I’ve learnt how to use my computer. I’ve learnt how to handle the internet.
I know. All you geeks out there are thinking it’s child’s play. But I’m fifty one and a long term M.E. sufferer. Concentration itself can have a physical effect on me. But I think I’ve done it.
It’s taken about six months. After all, I’d heard of blogs and websites and things. But I’d never been on one. I’ve been a life-long believer in steam powered typewriters. I’ve written dozens of books on them and thought they would do. But the world moves on, and so, I decided, should I – or I might as well pack in the craft.
And I think I’ve done it.
Blogging was the easiest to learn, and I’ve been doing that for a few months now. But the websites were a different matter. I had help, but I’m afraid html and other linguistic oddities are beyond me. But now, I’ve discovered page builders.
Yes, I know. All you geeks out there think they’re for kiddies. But I like them. I LOVE them. The other day I even created a box on them!
It was a Churchillian moment. After all, one of his greatest personal achievements was building a brick wall. Well I’ve built a box. On a little, titchy page builder. I’m ecstatic, and I think I’ve done it.
Until my advisor showed me Flash.
I THINK I’ve done it.

© Anthony North, Jan 2007

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CHRISTMAS HANGOVER Wednesday, Dec 27 2006

It is the day after Boxing Day and I’ve tried to be good this Christmas. I’m not a big eater; I’m only a moderate drinker – a couple or three small beers a day. And I’ve managed to stick to it this Christmas – well, most of it.
So why do I feel so terrible? Why do I feel as if my head will explode and my stomach already has? Why am I going round in a daze, and why doesn’t the world run in a coordinated way today?
I suppose it’s part of the annual ritual, and a part you will suffer whether you deserve it or not. Christmas is so embedded in western culture that we no longer do things our way, but the same way as everyone else. We are programmed to perform in the same way as the kids in the Nativity play.
It’s the part of the experience that says, never again. But the problem is you have some 350 days, now, to forget. And I bet you do – next year. I bet I do. And it’s there, in the fridge, the trifle, the left over turkey. I can hear laughter.

© Anthony North, December 2006

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