Children Without Technology

Shock! Horror! Gasp!

Who would have thought in this day and age it would be possible for youngsters to not be screaming 'I'm bored' the minute there is no access to technology.  But here is the evidence that it IS POSSIBLE.

Here are an assortment of young people playing a board game.

I believe they may have been in conversation (although most likely about computer games).

 Oh my goodness, is that a BUTTERFLY NET and a frisbee?

So

Some sort of card game?

Just soaking up some rays.



Happy Birthday Conor and Shane.

Monolithic Signal

Last night we were disturbed by a high pitch signal which turned out to be emanating from our newly installed sewerage system.  I always assumed that sewerage systems consisted a basic structure of pipes and poo, and the concept that there was something high tech lurking below had never really occurred.  The high pitched squeal went on long enough to disturb the neighbours until the water company told us how to switch it off at the electricity mains.

A later disturbing development was when water company personnel turned up at 10.30pm.  They told us that signals had been set off in a number of systems in the area simultaneously and they had NO IDEA WHY!

Could our poo pipes be trying to contact aliens?

Horizons

Another Shot at the Wonderful World of Blogging!!

In an attempt to see if I can coherently coordinate some thoughts and images around life, books, film, birdwatching, psychology, social issues and anything else that randomly seems interesting at the time, I have decided to resurrect this blog because, you know, I think the name is pretty awesome and what a waste if I never do anything with it.
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Horizons are important.  We spend a lot of our lives looking at a very close view of the world, increasingly so as we increase our use of screens for entertainment, information, relaxation, education.  I know from visit to an optometrist that you need to change focus for your eye health, to prevent strain and damage.

Psychologically, it's important to 'zoom out' and get a larger view of life, to get a sense of distances and being a smaller part of something larger. Living where I do, it's often hard to see horizons.  I can't see the forest for the trees, if you'll forgive me for the truism.  Sometimes, it's even hard to see the sky in more than  a few patches between leaves and branches.

Lastly, the pineal gland is stimulated by sunsets and sunrises to produce melatonin - a hormone that helps regulate our circadian rhythm as well as being an immune system booster.

So gazing at a horizon, especially at sunset and sunrise should not just be for the lovers and poets, but for the lover and poet in all of us.