2010. Where do the years go? I was born in 1945. I just barely remember a bit from 1945 to 1950. What I remember most is my Nan in her rocking chair. She was forever telling me to be a good boy and not go near the water.
But in the 1950s, when comic books were popular, I could see into the future. I could see Dick Tracey with a cellphone strap to his wrist. Now that was a wonderful invention. Why couldn't the brains of today come up with something like that. A cell phone the same size of a watch which can be strapped to our wrist. Better yet, make it a watch and a cellphone.
In those comic books, there were people flying through the air with rockets strapped to their backs. Now that looked good, except for one thing. With the flame coming from those rockets, how come they never got burned in the sitting position?
I guess that is why those gadgets never got invented. No one likes their rear end getting burnt. But thinking about it, I like those rockets better than the ATVs. We would be able to fly in the country and not damage a thing. And what a way to hunt the moose. We could fly, high up above the trees and see them down below. Cow, bull, or calf, just take your pick.
Back then, there were a lot of things. Today we can see the products that resemble them. One was the Model T Ford. It took an hour to get that one ready to move ahead. You had to crank it up, and when the engine started, race for the seat. The drivers were in good shape due to all that exercise.
But today's vehicle has more stuff in it than a space ship to the moon. You almost have to be highly educated to handle one. Most of the stuff is not even needed in the vehicle. All it's doing is making the car look more expensive.
And speed. Some of those cars have motors good enough for a rocket ship. When some people get behind the wheel, they think they are heading for the moon. The poor fools. It is more likely they are heading for their grave.
Why don't those darn automakers come up with a four wheels go-a-long, that is slow but saved to travel in?
From the wheel back in pod augers day to the spaceship in our days. Yep, we come a long way baby. And know what? We got even further to go. Human was born to invent or improve something that was all ready invented. There is always room for improvement. But the important thing is to improve in the right way.
I remember the time when the schooners were on the go. You'd visit St. John's Harbour and there were schooners all around the waterfront. They were from every cove or harbour, all around the coast.
But Premier Smallwood must had been a man who got sea sick. He started the road construction. I remember the signs on the highway going to St. John's. Painted on those signs were the words, we'll finish the drive in 65.
They finished it, and the end of the coastal boats was sealed. It was also the end of a lot of jobs. Now we got roads. Some of them look like they were bombed by terrorists, but they can get you there and get you back.
Now let us take a look at the overall picture. We do have more work. But we also have more pollution from all those engines. Yes, there is noise pollution and air pollution. There's people getting killed by a careless driver or a reckless moose. It's just like a fellow told me years ago. He said that opening the door to his vehicle is like opening the door to his coffin.
Since I opened my baby blue eyes in 1945, a lot of changes have taken place. Some for the best, some for the worst, and some for nothing at all.
I remember when I was going to school. On the back of our scribbler was the time tables. You know what I mean? Four times four equal 16. We had to memorizes all that. It was something that helped us develop the brains.
But the kids of today, don't have to do that. They have those computer calculators. All the kids have to do is punch in the numbers and up comes the right answer. But push the wrong number, and the wrong answer will pop up.
And this is why our government is wasting our money. Instead of using their heads, they are using those darn calculators.
info@ganderbeacon.ca
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