Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Welcome and un-PC screen-savers


I haven't much time for a wordy blog right now, but since I have had at least 2 frantic emails from bloggers who are wondering if I am still alive because I missed one post yesterday, I will put up a few pictures from Thomas and my trip to see an old friend in the Cotswolds. This is the 'welcome' sign on the front gate of his delightful little cottage.


He has just hit 80 years old, but looks exactly the same as when he ran the legendary 'Paragon Bar' here in Bath, all those years ago. He lives in a village which is pretty much owned by his titled son in law, and it was wonderful to see him in such good condition and high spirits.


He has just got himself a lap-top, and has begun to learn about the world of the internet - he is picking it up very quickly, and sent me a test email yesterday which I opened when I got back to Bath. It read, 'Fuck off.'

His screen-saver picture above will give you an indication of his positive outlook on life as he sits in the rose-strewn garden, nestling in one of the prettiest villages in the area.  I love it.
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28 comments:

  1. Joanne Noragon10 July 2013 at 04:27

    Beans! That's what I see in his garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson10 July 2013 at 07:44

      That's right. His grandchildren live up at the big house, and can afford to buy in cannabis rather than grow it in their grandfather's garden.

      Delete
  2. Cro Magnon10 July 2013 at 04:38

    Those two spear-chuckers don't seem to have many clothes on!

    ReplyDelete
  3. A Heron's View10 July 2013 at 04:44

    I like the sign on his gate Tom and wonder if I can get one sent over shall have to ask the heiress.

    Third pic: Excellent portrayal of a tasty dish !!!!

    Good blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. rusty duck10 July 2013 at 05:03

    That screensaver is just despicable.
    And funny..

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Weaver of Grass10 July 2013 at 07:34

    Lovely pios - even that last one which I don't think I dare have for my screen saver - although on second thoughts.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson10 July 2013 at 07:46

      He is beyond caring about stuff like that. Actually, he always was.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10 July 2013 at 08:19

    I recently saw a welcome sign that said, "GO AWAY.". I want one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson10 July 2013 at 11:19

      There used to be a coconut door-mat which had 'WELCOME' on one side, and 'FUCK OFF' on the other. Nice to have a choice.

      Delete
  7. Jennifer10 July 2013 at 09:18

    Awesome screen saver! Made me smile :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson10 July 2013 at 11:20

      It made me laugh out loud, and I'm not proud of it.

      Delete
  8. Tom Stephenson10 July 2013 at 11:22

    I have lost 2 followers in the last two weeks. I didn't mind about the first, because it made my followers list 111, and I liked the look of that. Now it is 110, and I hate that. Please get a friend - just one - to follow me so I can restore the balance. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. John Going Gently10 July 2013 at 12:22

    You ay enjoy this funny sign
    http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2013/06/17/dirty-laundry-for-sale/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Molly10 July 2013 at 13:17

    His name isn't Jim Froggatt by any chance? We seem to have missed old Jim lately, wondered if he was OK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson11 July 2013 at 01:30

      No, not Jim. I think Jim has gone out of existence as quick as he came into it.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous11 July 2013 at 02:33

    I wondered what had happened to that photo...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson11 July 2013 at 10:09

      And I wondered what had happened to their mother.

      Delete
  12. sarah toa12 July 2013 at 23:39

    And I was wondering what happened to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson13 July 2013 at 15:20

      How come I got 18 of the same posts from you delivered through my virtual letterbox? I hope his screensaver hasn't offended you...

      Delete
  13. sarah toa15 July 2013 at 00:51

    Oh dear! I thought I deleted them.
    No, it is becoming more difficult for you to offend me these days Tom. The boyfriend who sent me the same image a few years ago, now he offended me. Perhaps I've been immunised.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson15 July 2013 at 01:32

      You had deleted them, but their ghosts remain - empty shells of bygone posts.

      I thought hard about whether or not to show his screen-saver, but I worked on the principal that if I thought that the Aborigines (or Papua New-Guinians?) would laugh too, then it was so bad that it was good. One of the reasons I laughed out loud was because of the bad-taste stereotyping. Do you remember all the hundreds of cartoons which featured white men in boiling cauldrons with black Africans watching them cook? Those jokes went on for about 100 years up until about 20 years ago, and this one is the modern equivalent!

      Delete
  14. sarah toa15 July 2013 at 09:32

    I think that most Aboriginal Australians have a pretty good sense of humour that is subversive and poking fun at all of us.
    That said, there was some pretty strange jokes aimed at a football hero here recently that did not work. Those jokes hurt Aboriginal people all over Australia. It's a fine line. You can do it in Europe but if I was a public figure in Australia and did it here, I'd get strung up, as well as upsetting just about everyone.
    Just the way it is.

    ReplyDelete

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