Tis a fine shape the world has gotten itself in when our commercial masters and their 'planned obsolesence' force us to throw away goods that in the past would have lasted for more than a decade or two. My working Commodore 128 computer is going strong after twenty-two years, while this tired eight year old Dell Dimension XPS T700r is on its last legs.

As I wrote yesterday under 'What are you listening to?' under the Ivy Bush Tavern:
I read the musical manuscripts and input their notes into the C=128 with adjustments to volume, sustenance, etc of the various instruments, only six of which can be playing at anyone time, so in the case of a work for a major orchestra, I must minimalize and choose which instruments aren't necessary to be playing at any given moment in order to maintain the essence of the composer's music. Vivaldi and JS Bach concerti are my favorites as they make great music that is easily input with losing any notes except for the harpsichord chording that is coded rather than all notes being printed. Guitar concerti ie Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez are especially difficult to get the six string arpeggios to sound while having room for its haunting oboe solo playing at the same time; but I was able to make it work. IMHO.
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EDIT: I just received yesterday, Issue No. 248 of LOADSTAR the (almost) Monthly Disk Magazine for the Commodore 64. This issue was delayed for eleven months because the editor's, the Rev. Dave Moorman's, town, Holly Colorado USA was devastated by a tornado in March of last year. Of the fourteen houses on his block, his and one other were the only ones left standing and his still suffered major damage. Miraculously, only two lives were lost out of the town of 1000.
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But this wasn't a brood, merely the taking advantage of an opening to give my readers something boring to brood about.

Well it has been over a year since anyone posted in this thread; however, what occurred this afternoon deserves being added to it.

My power wheelchair quit this afternoon while I was sitting at the computer having just beaten the original Dungeon Siege for the second time in hard mode. All the chair would do when I turned it on and moved the stick was for the indicator light to flash yellow and just sit there, no solenoid noise, no groaning pre-movement; no nothing. So I called repair outfits in Bellevue and Seattle, but they don't do pickups here; and I finally found a local outfit that said they could repair it and would call me when they had a truck available to pick it up. Okay, the hard part was done.

Next I had to find someone to unlock the power train and wheel me to my manual chair so I could transfer to it. I don't have my next door neighbor's of my 85 year old friend's phone numbers on either of my phones, both of which I could reach, but not the directory. So I guessed at my friend's land line phone number that I used to have memorized ten years ago when I did church work with his late wife. Luckily he was in and he came over and got my neighbor and between us we got me into the manual chair.

Now I have to relearn how to transfer in the bathroom and to and from my bed all over again. Well at least I am no longer sitting high and dry, the Good Lord took pity on me in my adversity, even if this chair is about four inches lower and cooking will be harder. I have since entered their phone numbers into my new cell phone that my daughter said I must carry at all times for just such emergencies.

Later...All is better now: the UPS man just delivered my new Kindle 2 from Amazon that I bought myself for my birthday present. I'm now listening to it read me its instruction manual.

When someone suffers like the above it is time to get very serious and see a regular doctor first. Sometimes medications even over the counter, or the flu or a terrible cold, a shock like a death , can alter the chemicals in the brain or affect hormones. A thorough checkup, being careful to tell the absolute truth about everything, including the taking of drugs and alcohol is a crucial first step.

After that your physician will probably suggest a couple of things. DONT TRY TO SELF DIAGNOSE nor help yourself, when you are at this stage it is very very serious.You need the help of caring professionals.

And if there is any abuse against you from family or boyfriend, girlfriend, teacher, whatever, be sure to tell that as well. You can only get well by a physician if that one knows what is the underlying problem.

I myself will pray for you with all my heart.

I haven't visited this thread recently and want to say that I'm glad you have wheels again, Grondy. Is your power chair repaired now? My father in law struggles in his manual one so I know how much better the motorized version must be.

Turin, I'm glad you're not seriously ill but that does sound like a serious weight loss. Hurrah for your success in gaining your muscle tone back!

I don't really have anything to brood about except that I'm exhausted from running errands to prepare for my daughter's wedding. We're all very happy and excited about the event but it is a lot to prepare for.

Very late to this thread but I want to say I'm very sorry about the loss of your dad, Valedhelgwath! Please accept my condolences!

My particular bit of whining at this time is on behalf of my two children. My daughter who was just married this summer will be moving back to live in my basement because her husband lot his job. The job front does seem pretty dire. My son, who just turned 30, wants to get married and bring his fiancee to live here with him but his pay rate has been cut by 25% so he now needs a better job as well. >sigh<

Spring (now summer) does help keep the spirits up. We've had a remarkably wet spring and everything is green, green, green. Not how it usually is on the high plains this time of year.

Hi Odette, I felt I had to reply as I grew up in a similar environment.
I myself am 35 now and have my own family, I was extremely worried that I would carry that old family life over to my new family but nope, my kids get lots of love and kisses from me (my Father never showed me love of any kind) and even though I get grumpy with them from time to time, it's not something that gets out of control like it did when I was a kid.
I guess what I'm trying to say is you'll have a family of your own one day and then you'll be able to give and receive the love you're not receiving now, I hope this helps, though I know it can be very hard to stay positive and not let it get to you, but things will get better in time.

Good advice for Odette Rho.
Take it slow and easy Rho. And perhaps you are wrong about at least your mother. Trauma does terrible things to people and at times they might seem wrapped up their world but in truth it is a fact that they are damaged and need time to get well in their emotions and mind and find themselves again. You said mummy tried to shield you as much as possible, now that that is over she might have just collapsed in on herself like an implosion but you would not know of it. I cannot think she would bother to shield you and then now not care. She sounds burned out and broken and rather lost.. Just remember the good she did for you and reach out to her and wait and see. And you sound very loving, it will be alright. Only never rush into a relationship, that is my opinion, it yields very little in happiness it seems to me.
Val I am so sorry about your father and Sian, you are strong and capable and inventive,. It will be okay.

I could tell you about my problems, but I thought I'd take a different tack. Here on PT I have found some good friends, and I'd like to mention how they brighten my life. One of these is Valedhelgwath, my good friend in England, who writes fantastic ME-based stories in his spare time. He and I have shared the loss of loved ones, our love for family and career, and much more. Then there is Virumor, my friend in Belgium. He and I used to hold the line in discussions on PT. And then there is Morambar, who used to visit here, but has been busy in his life elsewhere. He and I have become "brothers" in the years we have conversed. Now he planning to move from his native Texas to Europe to start a new married life with his lady. There are others who may or may not remember me. But I truly treasure all these friends. They make PT a home I always come back to.

Gandalf

Thanks, Amarie. One I should have mentioned (outside of the esteemed Council!) is Fionwe Urion. He and I have been playing PT tag for over a year, I think! Recently, he tried to leave me his email so I could find him on Facebook, but somehow the email is wrong, for it turned up nothing on FB and an email to him got returned undeliverable. So I ask any here who know Fionwe if they would kindly contact him and tell him I have been trying to reach him. Tell him he can email me directly, as he already has the address. Thanks to all who can help!

Gandalf