Ever Present Past

Here it is again, Paul McCartney's birthday, 18 June. Looks like this is going to be an annual post at BFT BLOG, The Ever Present Past, especially for us Aging Boomers.

This year, let's let Paul, that is Sir Paul do the speaking, in song. Enjoy!




Many Years From Now Is Suddenly Now,

Onward & Upward,
Paula

An Andy Rooney Rap Session

Do you know who Andy Rooney is? The wry, witty, fuss-budget octogenarian who's been appearing on CBS's 60 Minutes forever? Andy always has a gripe about something and vents his spleen without shame, all the while posing pointed questions about things that probably aggravate many of us. Could it be that this is the reason that Andy's lived to be an octogenarian and is still so with it? I've always identified with Andy. He tends to complain about many of the things that drive me nuts; and I suspect that I'm not the only one. However there's one issue I've never heard him mention.

Everybody's probably seen those Turning Numbers, Security Codes that many web sites for programs have. We all understand that they are a necessary aggravation these days because so many bad guys out there could automatically sign us up for programs that we have absolutely no interest or need for. But why the heck do the majority of them have to be illegible? Yes, many of them have a sound option, but we fuss-budgets prefer to go about our Web business with the speakers off, without unexpected messages blared out at us. From my experience, these turning numbers are graphic files, as opposed to text. One would assume that robots are scanning for text, and can't read any graphic file. So why the *#@ do the security codes have to look like something that a two year old wrote, then put out on the barn yard for the chickens to scratch Anybody know? One final gripe. While writing this post, I typed in andyrooney.com in the browser window only to be diverted to an apparently hard core porn site. On principle, as a strong feminist, I refuse to open such sites. And to add insult to injury, after a little web research, discovered that the owner of the domain name, "andyrooney.com" has rights until November 2010. Really burns me up and I'm sure that if Andy's aware of it, he's none to happy either!

Onward Through the Fog,
Paula

Has It Really Been Almost 40 Years?

To Woodstock's 40th Anniversary 15 August 2009

Can you believe it? We're coming up on Woodstock's 40th Anniversary.
I sure can't believe it. Weren't we just laughing at our parents' reactions
to some of the songs, if they caught on at all? It was so obvious to us that
their generation had made a total mess of the world and couldn't possibly
understand such a phenomenal event of peace and love. What happened?
We're too young to be this old.



Where were you in August 1969? I was a minor, still in high school, too far
away and broke to have made it there. Even if I'd tried, my parents would have
sent the "Pigs" after me. None the less, had plenty of fun the next couple of
summers at the "Woodstock Spinoffs". But after all this time, can't help but
wonder what the Original Woodstock was like.




Were any of you there? Got any pics or stories to share about Woodstock itself or the era? Let's hear it! And here's a little added fun whether you were there, not yet born, still crawling around, too young or too old. Follow this link to take the Woodstock Trivia Quiz. And let it all hang out!





Peace & Love,
Paula

New Years, Web 2.0 and Business Social Networking

Wishing all a belated Happy New Year and welcome back to BoomSpress Times. We've finally succeeded in standardizing all formats, making navigation easier for you and updating easier for us.

The New Years well under way, ushering in constant changes in the Web. Don't think I'll ever stop feeling like a newbie. Every time I open email or research an issue there's a new acronym for a new technology; social sites and multiplying like guppies. In any case, here's my take on the current situation.

The Web is well out of infancy now. It's at least middle age, long past the excitement of its adolescence. Since Google's "Slap", the crackdown on spam blogs and sites whose only purpose was to generate ad revenue, the Web must now function as a serious medium. Whether one needs to sell, shop, research or just hang out and rap with friends, we all want readily accessible information without a lot of junk and confusion.

Enter Web 2.0. What the heck is it? Well, after a few searches, the best definition that I've seen is "participatory architecture". Makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The medium is now so vast and ever-changing, people (especially marketers) need to be able to exchange information, that is, participate actively in the building of their goals. The real irony in all of this is the fact that in spite of all of the High Tech that we've developed in the past couple of decades, we're learning more and more by osmosis, constantly absorbing strategies and knowledge from millions of virtual contacts. Will wonders ever cease?

Paula Gaon

At Last, We Find Out What Really Happened At The Hallows

If you are a Harry Potter Fan, this weekend will mark a monumental event! OK, maybe I exaggerate. But at long last we find out what really happened to Our Hero back in 1980, an event that started the whole chain of events that we Fans just can't get enough of. The seventh and final book of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows goes on sale this Saturday, 21 July 2007. After more than a few traumas in the past six years, including the loss of two beloved elders--as far as we know, Harry enters adulthood and begins his quest to find out what really happened when he was a babe in arms, an event that will possibly determine whether he lives or dies.

I've read all six books at least twice, and each time have discovered more and more depth to the story. J K Rowling, the author of the series, is truly a genius. She has tapped into the mythologies of world literature and written a timeless story of fantasy and magic that feels so real we can touch it, but still tells the universal, timeless and all too human story of Coming Of Age and Dealing With The Past. I for one plan to enjoy a refreshing break from the keyboard next week, and run with Harry to his final boyhood adventure. See you there!

Onward & Upward,
~Paula

Dance Tonight And Keep On Dancing...

Well, here it is again, another Paul McCartney Birthday Post. This year, I thought for sure I'd give it up--really how much can you write about someone's birthday. But, in true McCartney fashion, make that Sir Paul McCartney, there's continuing renewal. Last year, that long-awaited 64th birthday arrived on a sad note with Paul & Heather's estrangement and pending divorce. But thank goodness, this year seems to be another story as the couple are to have a birthday date.

Happy Birthday, Paul
Keep On Doing What You Do Best,
Many, Many, Happy Returns,
And Of course, A Happy Reunion!

Many Year From Now Is Suddenly Now

It Is The Third Of June...

Today's the Third of June, sleepy, dusty, I'm not in the Delta, how about you? Forty years ago today, singer Bobbie Gentry's fabled and famous Billy Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Did anyone ever discover what they were throwing off the Tallahatchie Bridge?


The First of June marked the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' release of the Sgt. Peppers Album--the beginning of the Summer of Love.

What memories, hey? Wonder if GenX'ers will have these kinds of memories in 2047?

Onward & Upward,
~Paula