Hi Everyone
When I wrote my one and only book back in 2019 I was delighted that Peter my publisher decided that it was worth inflicting on the public and I was even more delighted when I managed to sell over 200 copies with some of the proceeds going to a local children's charity. This week I understand that Prince Harry's book has sold almost one and a half million copies already. Let me say immediately that I will not be buying a copy of his book as I know for certain that he did not buy a copy of my book. What I will say, with all modesty, is that my book is probably a more pleasurable read, and certainly does not waste as much of your time. The other thing I noticed is that Prince Harry's book is advertised almost everywhere with a half price tag whereas I sold all my books at the full price. On a more serious note when the book was released on Tuesday the TV reporters were out in the streets asking the usual polarised public whether they intended to buy the book which I would suggest is a complete waste of time and money as I don't think it is remotely important enough to be on our national news. One lady, however, caught my attention when she said that she intended to buy the book so that she could read what Prince Harry had to say in his own words. Whether we are interested or completely disinterested in the whole affair I think that was a very important point. How many times have you read a sensational tabloid newspaper headline that if you then read the article does not turn out to be sensational at all or is only their version of the truth? With that minimal information, many people then have their say on social media or even worse, people of influence have their views quoted before knowing the full facts. Oh, by the way, Prince Harry's book is only one version of the full facts. Confused? Join the club.
Now as a boy at the Fruit, Vegetable, Flower, Game, and Lolly shop I was a bit like Prince Harry in that I was well known, well a bit better known than my pals as I lived at a shop in the main shopping area. Unfortunately, that came at a price as customers would inform the Senior Partner if I possibly committed any misdeeds. I would be confronted by the Senior Partner who said that "somebody said". In a vain effort to protest my innocence, I would ask who the somebody was. I never got an answer to that question but I soon realised that there were a lot of somebodies out there making more trouble for me than the seriousness of what I had supposed to have done as the Senior Partner would always believe the informants rather than me. Based on those early experiences you probably go through life rarely if ever admitting that you are wrong. I suspect that Prince Harry might have had a similar experience as a child.
Two Spanish students have put together a suit that shows fellow students how it feels to be 85, you know approaching middle age. The 'elderly suit' consists of glasses, headphones, a vest, gloves, shoes, knee pads, and elbow pads. The glasses give the effect of having retinal detachment while the headphones simulated tinnitus. The vest made them feel overweight and the knee and elbow pads recreated the sensation of suffering from osteoarthritis and limited movement. Apparently, the students found the experience distressing and that was without even experiencing a hearing aid, dentures, a zimmer frame, a stair lift, and anything up to ten tablets a day. One thing is certain, nobody approaching middle will be inventing a suit to make them 25 again as most of us have forgotten what it was like to be 25.
Just a Thought:
An autobiography usually reveals nothing bad about its writer except his memory.
I remember a man being shot with a starting pistol. Police said that the crime was race related.
Somebody broke into our shop and stole all the fruit. The Senior Partner was peachless.
Brian
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