Hanna and I went out together to the Bridge Hotel. We haven't done such a thing for months and when we saw the bill, we remembered why. But it was wonderful to sit comfortably by a big, log fire and be waited on. We co-ordinated our diaries and chatted in a relaxed way for an hour. We were quite tempted to rent a room and just hide for the night.
While we were eating, we naturally ear-wigged the conversations of others in the room. Our nearest neighbour had car trouble and we were privy to a half hour diagnostic session from his quarter. His friend listened and nodded in the right places, but, wisely, said almost nothing.
A couple of retired businessmen in their 70s shared a sofa. They were comparing the merits of the iPhone with those of the Blackberry. They had one of each and they really were into their techno babble like young'uns. I can relate to the old guys, because I'm really seduced by technology, even if it isn't really useful, and because I'm getting old. They gave me hope.
My son James (pictured above, as a teenager in Spain) turned forty this week. I think I was more traumatised than he was. I'll be 60 in March. Half of me says, "Yes, I am an old geyser". but the other half is still delighted to be owning an iPod Touch which I can use to interact with Facebook and to download highlights from The Guardian daily.
Facebook has brought a lot of nostalgia my way, because I have regained contact with friends from 40 years ago. I've also been scanning in old slides and there are some real gems there which I will share with you all in the next few weeks (or years). There are thousands of them.
Anyway, Happy Birthday James.
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