Saturday 29 June 2013

Blackouts

We are being warned that fuel blackouts will become more common as stocks run low. So I try to save on electricity (ok, so it saves money too). But here are some suggestions for more country-wide fuel efficiency:

Those automatic doors. Are we really incapable of opening doors for ourselves (I exclude wheelchair users here)? And by the way, am I the only person who has almost slammed myself into an ordinary door because I'm so used to automatic ones?

Justin Bieber's monkey. I have to confess I'm not entirely sure who JB is, but no matter. Apparently his monkey went missing, and he organised a search using his private jet and a helicopter. Has the world gone mad?

Doors again. Those shops that insist on keeping the doors open all winter in the belief that an open door belching hot air out into the street is inviting. It's not.

Private jets again. Does anyone really need them?

Those army helicopters that endlessly circle the hills where I ride, scaring the horse witless and endangering (my) life. What are they doing? Practising? I think they've had quite enough practice.

Enough. It's a lovely day. And I'm going to a party.

12 comments:

  1. I think you're only scratching the surface there, Frances! Is JB trying to be the new Michael Jackson? Hope you enjoy the party - without automatic doors. It's back to autumn weather here.

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    1. The party was great, Rosemary, and unless you count candles, not much fuel wasted!

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  2. We have a shopping mall here in town, and the doors are wide open no matter the weather and temperature. Two years ago, I organized a "behind the scenes" tour at the mall (which was really very interesting) for my local XING group. Our guide told us that they have compared the amount of energy consumed for the heating and the doors opening and closing all the time with the amount of energy needed for the stream of hot air blowing like a curtain between the mall and the world outside. Apparently, the hot air curtain takes less than heating + automatic doors combined.

    Private jets: they need them for their ego, for nothing else, I guess.
    Your army helicopters circling the hills are our police copters circling the town centre everytime someone is reported missing. I hear and see them so often I really must wonder about the sanity of my fellow Ludwigsburghians. How can they keep getting lost all the time?

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    1. Our helicopters are mainly army ones, Meike, and obviously need to train. But in circles? And exactly above horses?

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  3. Justine Bieber...daft name...no wonder I've never heard it before. What's the monkey called? I'll give it a shout in the morning.
    Don't knock retailers we need them and they are dying out quick sticks. It's their money. Ours as well but only if you use them. I like John Lewis and Waterstones. They keep the doors shut.

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    1. I wouldn't dream of knocking retailers, Adrian. My husband spent nearly all his working life with John Lewis. Besides, I'm a woman, and you know about women and shopping....

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  4. Replies
    1. Oh yes! And apparently in the US they have special devices to warm baby wipes. Hmmm.

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  5. You must have been the life and soul of the party in that mood Frances!

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    1. Oh, I cheered up, GB. A couple of glasses of fizz, and I was the life and soul!

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  6. I think you should walk up and down the high street with a loud hailer calling 'Were you born in a barn!' (it was years before I knew why my mum said this to me).

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