Whinges and Other Stuff

Time for a wee whinge! Why is it that when a new, updated, version of something arrives, although it might look slick and shiny it's never quite as handy as the older version? We used to find this phenomenon at work, many years ago when our computer programs were updated - by them as knew what they were doing - allegedly. We used to complain "Why don't they come and see how we use the flippin' system before they go and reinvent the darn thing?" I've had two experiences of a similar phenomenon this week.

Our new washing machine was installed, much the same as the old one, but now it's all electronic rather than, "mechanical" (as described to us by the sales person). I did a load of laundry straight away. Knobs and settings are similar to before. As the machine did its biz I returned to the computer, expecting to hear a familiar alarm buzzer telling me when the job was done, and ready to transfer the washing to the dryer. Nothing! Had I forgotten to adjust a setting? Research online turned up that there is no buzzer on this model to signal the end of the cycle. TSK! What a flippin' nuisance. That is something I'd have thought would be standard. It's easy to forget that the washer is washing when it doesn't make a lot of noise, easy to forget all about the wet stuff. Ah well, I got out a little alarm clock - next time I used the washer I set it for 45 or so minutes ahead. Anyway, black mark awarded to Maytag - this is not up to their usual standard of excellence. More of what's becoming known as "crapification".

Another instance of crapification: my replacement basic astrology software, to becompatible with Windows 10 has similarly frustrating omissions, especially when trying to re-size a chart to post on my blog. It used to be so easy! Now it ain't, this is the same brand, but it ain't nearly as good, nor as clear due to some pale colours which almost disappear on the screen. Alos, it's no longer possible to choose one's own colours. I don't blog on astrology very often these days, so it doesn't matter much, but it's still annoying.

I was going to do a quick astro-job on author Catherine Cookson's natal chart, after we had watched a TV dramatised version (streamed on Amazon Prime) of her novel "The Black Velvet Gown". I enjoyed the story - although it is very similar in style to many (or all) of her other novels read in my younger years. 'Nuf to say, regarding her astrology, that Ms Cookson had Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Neptune in Cancer, which made her a definite Cancer-type person - sensitive, empathetic and nurturing; this definitely comes out in her novels. She also had planets in Leo (limelight) and Gemini (communication), with natal Moon probably in Virgo (practical, organised) - but her time of birth isn't known, so can't be sure.

On the medical front - nothing to report, all remains much as was - except that it appears something has changed in rules regarding prescriptions for some pain killing medicines. Last year it was necessary to obtain a paper prescription, signed in ink by the prescribing doctor, the paper to be taken to the pharmacy in person - fax and email not allowed. It now appears that faxing these prescriptions to pharmacies is allowed once more. Less journeys to the hospital to collect prescriptions - that's good!

As regards my new (or re-found) knitting hobby, I've just finished a V-shaped shawl. It was supposed to look something like:

It turned out to be somewhat bigger than expected, though my yarn and needles were as prescribed by pattern and my natural knitting tension isn't exceptionally loose. LOL! It looks exactly like something that Riah, main character of "The Black Velvet Gown" was wearing in the north of England in 1830 something. The women wore a lot of shawls back then - or at least the costume department thinks they did. The lovely colour and subtle sheen of the knitted shawl doesn't show here - lighting not too good.

Computer Confusion /Dennis Dream

Mars and Saturn in Virgo inconjunct my Aquarius Sun didn't help much yesterday as I struggled to adjust to my new (refurbished) computer box. It seems to be working well in general, but my astrology software wasn't sitting quite right, it wouldn't access the atlas - which really is key to the whole caboodle.

I enlisted the help of my more technologically savvy better half, which led to a few hard words along the way. Mars and Saturn were working well, Moon almost full too, I should have had a health warning printed across my forehead - I realise as much now, typing this.

Eventually we decided, after some, erm - to put it politely - debate, to re-install the software, but put it loose, floating in C drive rather than in the program file, where, logically it ought to be installed. When this was tried, all was well, the atlas opened! Now, apart from deleting the version which didn't work, and re-setting all optional choices (which I've forgotten how to do), it should be full steam ahead. Searching for the manual is the next step.

All seems both familiar yet strange, using my old monitor, keyboard and mouse with the new box - which had Windows XP Professional installed, rather than the Home version I'd used previously. It's a bit like "wearing in" a new pair of shoes, while wearing old socks, which is why today's post may be a bit of a ragbag.

I had meant to write about Dennis Kucinich. I dreamed about him, Tuesday night, a really clear dream that he came up to me put his hands on my shoulders, arms outstretched, no intimacy, looked right into my eyes and was about to tell me something when the dream changed and I was running through heavy rain and woke up!

Kucinich's natal Sun in Libra, with Mars, Jupiter, Mercury in Scorpio and Aries rising has afforded him energy and determination enough to stick to his political guns yet again. This week he tried once more to get Congress to take some action on his repeated calls to impeach the President and/or Vice President. See here.

"The House on Tuesday voted 238-180 to send his article of impeachment - for Bush’s reasoning for taking the country to war in Iraq - to the Judiciary Committee, which buried Kucinich’s previous effort.....This time, the panel will open hearings. But House Democratic leaders emphatically said the proceedings will not be about Bush’s impeachment, a first step in the Constitution’s process of a removing a president from office..........But this time, Pelosi said with a conspicuous lack of enthusiasm, that it would see some committee action......."

It was when I attempted to create a chart for Dennis Kucinich on my newly hooked up refurbished computer that I discovered my astrology software wasn't working.

This plot thickens. Don't they always? Especially in the USA at election time! Just before posting this blog entry I noticed that Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire reveals a mysterious development regarding Kucinich and his impeachment proposal - "Impeachment: Surprise Witness?" (Post and comments dated 16 July). In one of the comments it's surmised that George Galloway, a UK Member of Parliament might, be the "surprise". What a treat that would be! He's a true firebrand. He would certainly wake up a few of those sleepy congressional Democrats, and he wouldn't be nearly as polite as dear Dennis!