February 19, 2018
Reply to anything here by emailing: john.oconnor@eagleradio.net. We will duly note all your comments in next week’s post.
Hi, thanks for dropping in for Week Number 340 at the old Word Working Shop here, where the English Langwidge is planed, sanded, varnished and polished to a high sheen, not unlike that of fine plywood. Yes, I know there is a misspelled word in the previous sentence. I blame it on the new updates from the friendly folks at computer central.
I know you’re supposed to let the cyber-whizzes at headquarters update your machine whenever possible, but there’s always a suspicious thought lurking in the back of my mind, to wit: is this latest Windows update REALLY going to make my little lappy-top run better, or is it all smoke and mirrors?
Well, after putting a check mark in the ‘remind me later’ box about five times, I decided to go ahead with it a few days ago. Bottom line after the update: the thing seems to be working about as well as it ever has, (faint praise) but they’ve updated their list of little on-screen reminders during the update process. They hand-hold and sometimes nag a little every step of the way. As far as I can recall, the list of on-screen prompts went something like this:
1. This update may take a while. Do not turn off your computer.
2. The update is now 4% complete. The circle of rotating dots means the update is continuing. Do not turn off or restart computer.
3. You may watch the rotating dots if you like, but they can make you dizzy. We are not responsible for any queasiness or vertigo that may result.
4. The update is now 18% complete. Estimated time left for completion: Unknown. Watch the dots. Or the Olympics.
5. Sorry, the old hourglass icon for waits like this is no longer available. Maybe you can find a Windows 95 computer that still has it.
6. This update with many new features is now 32% complete. You will like the new look. That’s an order.
7. Aren’t you glad you have this machine instead of an Apple tablet computer?
8. We are not trying to denigrate the Apple experience. We’re just sayin’.
9. The update is now 51% complete. Happy days are on the way!
10. Whoops, wait a sec. That should be 48% complete. Our intern mis-counted. Good thing he doesen’t cost much.
11. Oh, look at that! We just jumped up to 94% complete. And it only took 42 minutes.
12. Alright, we made it: 100%! DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER. We will now configure your files. This may take a while longer. Do not despair. We have plenty of little rotating dot circles for you to watch.
That may not be verbatim, but you get the picture. And I DID feel a little queasy. But that may have been from watching insane 19-year-olds snowboarding upside-down at the Olympics.
Okay, let’s survey how you did with our questions from last week…
First, a big hello and thanks to Dan (former Great Bender) in Houston for correcting me on the Super Bowl question a couple weeks ago. You’re right, the Saints beat the Colts in the 2010 Super Bowl, not the other way around, which is how I had it. Glad you’re with us in Houston!
Terry was first out of the gate again, correctly identifying Chrysler Corp as the car maker with the most push button transmissions in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Bruce, Roger and Eldon also had the correct answer to that popular question.
Josie remembered future president Ronald Reagan as the endorser of 20 Mule Team Borax in the early ‘60s. Bruce had that one right, too.
Julie knows her calypso activists: Harry Belafonte, who went from the pop charts into political activism in the ‘60s. Eldon (good to hear from you!) knew that one, also. Author’s note: we still have a CD of Harry’s greatest hits in the car. It’s great travelin’ music. Our 36-year-old daughter knew all the words to those tunes by the time she was 7 or 8. Another note: if you want to hear a hilarious version of ‘The Banana Boat Song’ aka ‘Day-o,’ check out Stan Freberg’s take on it on YouTube. It was a hit in its own right.
Roger guessed ‘Risley’s Drug Store; I’m assuming in answer to the question about what other business was in the ‘Anthony’s’ space in the Village Mall. Hmm, that one doesen’t ring a bell.
Okay, questions still open include the ‘other’ Hall of Fame besides baseball and soccer in the Cooperstown, New York area. What is it?
Also, name one other business (there were several) that was located in the former ‘Anthony’s’ spot in the Village Mall Shopping Center.
Annnnnddd, let’s toss out a few more to tangle your brainial tissue: What New York DJ had co-writer credits listed on hit records that he had nothing to do with?
What town (upper Midwest) had a LOT to do with making a certain Winter Olympic sport as popular as it is today?
What ‘50s car line had several models with openable rear windows for ‘flow-through’ ventilation?
Well, thanks for your input this week. You all deserve a handsome blue ‘Participation Ribbon.’ As soon as I figure out how to email it, I’ll get it to you.
See you next week.
John