Schrödinger's Cat (Updated) . . .

As it turns out, is alive.

I am extremely relieved.

Schrödinger's Cat . . .

Well, at the risk of tempting fate, after a preliminary examination by a suitable professional it would seem that it is more than likely that Schrödinger's Cat is probably alive. And, even if it turns out that the cat is a bit sickly, it looks like it would more than likely turn out to be a case of putting it under observation rather than any of the more expensive options I'd worried about.

This is, of course, pending the actual proper examination of the Cat and the resultant analysis but, even so, it's a very great weight off my mind.

Stress, Worry and Schrödinger's Cat . . .

Last week a letter from my solicitor dropped through the letterbox and as a result my stress-levels rose to new heights.

I won't go into details but, suffice it to say, something that's not my fault but is my responsibility to deal with will either be an unwelcome and irritating expense or a truly hellish one.

And when I say hellish, I mean really, really hellish. Put it this way: the worst case scenario would make the inconvenience of the recent repairs my car needed look like nothing at all.

And am I the kind of person who will focus on a worst case scenario as the most likely outcome?

Without question, I am.

For me, no matter what the probabilities, the most likely outcome is that Schrödinger's Cat will turn out to be dead when the box is finally opened.

I've been trying to keep in mind the various factors that are likely to influence the state of the Cat . . . and, thinking about it, the Schrödinger's Cat analogy is a perfect one for the current situation.

At the moment, in my mind the Cat is both alive and dead (albeit more probably dead than alive because of my pessimism) until the box is finally opened.

I hope the Cat is alive. I can't afford for it not to be.

Failed . . .

Hm, a thought has occured to me after having read today's Dilbert while watching the news this morning.

Do politicians pass the Turing Test?

Based on their performance during interviews, I'd have to say they almost never do.

Cool . . .

Looks like a remake of an old favourite of mine is on the cards: MacGyver.

Although, geek that I am, I have to say that I probably won't be looking forward to it as much as I am to the new Star Trek movie.

Apparently . . .

Old age starts at 27.

Well, if I wasn't a bit depressed about my recent birthday before . . .

Says it all . . .

I've been meaning to write for a while now about the state of democracy in this country and the direction in which it is sliding, but far more eloquent writers than I have more or less said everything I'd like to say.

Although, in Charlie Brooker's case he's done so with rather more coarse and graphic imagery than I'd have used myself.

To politicians, we're little more than meaningless blobs on a monitor. Bring on the summer of rage

Are such things done on Albion's shore?

An update . . .

Well, not much is new with my wife and I at the moment, although I am cursing my decision not to go ahead and get a new car. I had my eye on the new Fiesta Econetic (I rather like the idea of not having to pay Road Tax) and figured it was a good time to buy with the auto industry being in dire need of business.

But I decided to hold off for another few years . . . So I really shouldn't have been surprised when, in addition to my MOT throwing up a couple of expensive repairs the coil springs on both front wheels failed within a month of each other.

Disappointing . . .

Well, my wife and I were rather looking forward to the new version of the Krypton Factor as we both had fond memories of watching the original when we were growing up but unfortunately were disappointed by what we saw. While the challenges the contestants faced covered a similar mix of physical, general knowledge and mental dexterity there seemed to be very little else of the original remaining.

The assault course did look appropriately evil, however.

Finally . . .

After getting a new kitchen ordered and installed in the summer, my wife and I have finally started to paint the walls and the ceiling. We got the ceiling done last Saturday and this coming weekend, the walls should be done as well.

Then we'll just have the spare room left to do.

And then our bedroom.

And last, but not least, the living room.

Mildly Amused . . .

My wife and I were watching the British Comedy Awards over the weekend and when Ronnie Corbett was on presenting one of the awards I had a mildly amusing realisation:

It may be theoretically possible for someone with cable or Sky tv, and without the use of any recording equipment, to watch tv all day long without watching anything made after the Eighties. Between Bravo, GOLD, Alibi, ITV's digital channels, you've got everything from Airwolf and the A-Team to Space 1999 and the Professionals.

The Rant . . .

I went into my bank today to pay my credit card bill and came across one of the few things that actually triggers an unreasoningly abrupt response from me.

I know it's not the fault of the poor sod serving me, but I am utterly fed up with the banks' idea of good customer service. I'm sorry but good customer service is, after you're finished serving a customer, to ask if there's anything else you can help them with. Or something along those lines. If they want anything else they'll ask.

Good customer service does not involve going into the customer's account information, seeing whether or not they have any loans, mortgages, home or contents insurance and then seeing if they want any of the above. To me that crosses the line from helpful service into an invasion of privacy because at that point it really isn't any business of the teller's what other products you have with their company and what the status of your other accounts is.

As I said, I know it's not the fault of the teller - they're just following instructions from management - but it really gets on my nerves and I don't like the reaction it triggers in me.

Hm, at what point these days does someone become a Grumpy Old Man?

Back again . . .

I haven't blogged in a while and in an effort at getting back into the habit here's a rant and a mildly amused thought for anyone who happens to read this.