In lieu of a Sunday Seven this week, here are two totally separate, not even related topics.
Daylight Savings Time
Used to be I’d bitch every time we changed to or from Daylight Savings Time. The reason for the bitching was the extra work I had to go through resetting my “smart” alarm clock. It not only remembered the time, even through power outages, but also reset itself automatically for DST. Except I bought it prior to Congress extending DST by four weeks. So, instead of never having to reset my clock, I had to reset it four times a year. Oh the irony.
Two things have changed in recent years to nullify my bitching: 1) I bought a new alarm clock that’s not smart but does have a one-button DST reset; and 2) I retired, so who cares what time I get up? Still, it’s great to wake up refreshed at a decent hour (especially since I have morning appointments this week).
The British Royal Family
Why are we Americans so enthralled with the Royal Family? Isn’t that what we rebelled against 230-odd years ago? I’m just curious, since I too have my share of fascination.
Last night I was watching the Coin Collector show on HSN. I don’t collect coins, but I find numismatics fascinating. The most recent coin of interest is the British five-pound coin celebrating the christening of Prince George of Cambridge. The host proclaimed she’s an “Anglophile nerd,” and was excited that Prince George was born on July 22, so close to her birthday of July 25.
I’ve got news for you, sister, close doesn’t count. Prince William was born on my birthday (my 30th, to be exact—yes, I’m that old!). And, I was in London at the time.
My friend and I had gone to the theatre (we’ll go with that spelling, since we’re in England). I remember noticing there was still a bit of twilight in the sky—at 10:30 pm. As we headed back to our hotel, we asked the cabbie if Diana had had her baby yet. He said yes, she had a boy. We did the appropriate oohing and aahing. Only then did I realize it. I turned to my friend and said “He was born on my birthday!” And what’s extra special? The reason for the twilight—it’s was the longest day of the year.
[Photo credit: Jason Bell/AP, via NY Daily News]
Stream of Conscience 