…done these three things:
- watched Dr. Who on TV,
- read a Jilly Cooper novel (although I might give in at some point because I despair at the level of modern writing and its authors),
- ridden a horse.
I always thought that Dr. Who was an infantile take on sci-fi — just hearing people talk about the show irritated me — so I never bothered. I kinda feel the same about Star Trek, although I have watched a few episodes of that series, always kicking myself for wasting time immediately after the closing credits.
I don’t know why I never read Jilly Cooper’s books, unless it was because of my misogynistic attitude to female writers. No, I can’t be bothered to explain that, either. Reading the blurb on the back of any of her novels, I always wondered why I would ever be interested in her silly, two-dimensional characters and fluffy inconsequential plot lines, and I’d return the book to the shelf, un-tempted into its purchase. The only thing I can find to recommend Dame Jilly, other than the obvious:
…is that she always had a very casual attitude towards sex, both in her writing and in her observations about the people around her. Not judgemental, she. Besides: it was the 1970s and -80s, FFS [sic].
Horses are filthy, fragile animals, prone to all sorts of illnesses, and even the “quiet” ones are always trying to kill you. Besides, as black powder and muzzle loaders have been superseded by metallic cartridges and bolt-actions, our transportation needs have evolved and we don’t need them.
Totally agree on Dr. Who, and whomever Jilly Cooper is. I grew up watching Star Trek so it’ll always have a soft spot in my heart. No, I have not watched it since I came of age. If I want entertaining female fluff, I read Janet Evanovich.. the Stephany Plum series is hilarious and has a lot of gratuitous gun violence.
Horses.. I can’t believe that you live in Texas and have never ridden a horse! Even to hunt? I may have mentioned here before that my “first” was in a barn with a “horse” girl in Jr. high. So yeah, those smelly, foul beast also have a warm spot in my heart also. I admit they are useless in today’s world. Having been around that world my whole life I can definitively state that no one, from the racing world to the rodeo world EVER actually makes money from them. They are the only sort adjacent accessory / partner / whatever that you can say that about. Prove me wrong! Yes you could say the same about guns (gasp!) but you would be wrong.
Speaking of hunt accessories, have you considered an exoskeleton? I keep seeing them pop up in my feeds and it struck me that they might be just the ticket for old pharts like us that find it really hard to spend hours and hours doing the game stalking thing anymore. I might buy one once I have to hang up my mountain bike.
The last time I watched Dr Who was when I was about 12 years old and starred Tom Baker. There were creatures or machines in the show called daleks that kill other characters I think. oh and Dr Who travelled in a thing called a tardis that looked like a policeman’s call box. That is the extent of my Dr Who knowledge. It aired is such a disjointed manner that I don’t remember the plot.
Never heard of the author.
Yeah, horses aren’t needed for transportation really. they’re beautiful animals and are impressive when you see them pull lots of weight at Autumn fairs. I guess they can be fun to ride if you know how to ride them.
Watched Dr Who in the early 80’s when I was single and smoked a lot of dope. But not since. I have favorable memories of it.
Never heard of that writer ho, nor care to.
The horse is the ultimate 4×4 vehicle that has a steep learning curve as well a substantial financial investment. I was last on one, again, when I was single and stoned most of the time in the early 80’s. Now that I think of it, back then was the last time I drove a motorcycle or bicycle too. Man, how did I get old so quick?
Re: horses. They are like dogs and kaffers (some overlap); they are pack (sic) animals and need leadership and real jobs, else they go “OK, I’m in charge then”. This puts the shit in the encounter because most domesticated pet animals are incompetent to lead and do stupid things like panic or attack. This effect is most easily observed when snowflakes walk their trendy akita/boerboel/alsatian/whatever. If the dog is out front pulling on the lead while said snowflake is dragged hanging on for dear life, guess who’s in charge. However, Horses should always be “broken” to authority and put to regular work – they can never be pets. Most amateurs never learn that lesson and the professionals will put an unproductive horse down as soon as look at it. Explains why horsey women are tough as nails. I do agree, none of that is worth the bother unless you like being around horses more than you do being around say, other objects of affection. As the saying goes, horses are really only interested in homicide and suicide. Footnote: In a one on one situation with strange horses/dogs/kaffers, better make sure they know you are in charge. How will a strange (insert animal of choice) know that I am in charge if they don’t know me? Answer: ignore them, don’t make eye contact, show no interest whatsoever. If they approach turn your back and move away without making panicky noises and actions. If that does not work, shoot them – you do carry don’t you? Sorry about that if you are a limey/you’reapeon.
I’m with you on Dr. Who. Back in the day a fan of that show tagged you as a super weirdo nerd.
Never read that writer. Years ago I read an author’s post that explained why he doesn’t read female writers. Made sense, so I don’t. Hell, even reflections on bible studies by these churchian yentas are unreadable.
I went trail riding a few years ago and picked up an affinity for horses. They really are cool animals. That said, I could buy one hell of a car for what one of them, cost + maintenance.
I did see one of the modern ones the other day with Dr. Who being a gay negro. Dumbest thing I’ve seen. I think I lost brain cells.
One particular episode of the original Star Dreck opened my eyes to the entertainment media being a powerful propaganda tool. You’ll note that the heroes all use “phasers” in conflict. These weapons caused no pain, they simply erased the opponent, in most cases. The evil, subhuman, bad guy used a cruel, illegal, banned, ray gun that caused untold pain and agony.
The message was clearly anti-gun, anti 2nd. amendment. Other episodes promoted or condemned certain social conventions. I stopped watching altogether. I seriously question someones intelligence when they fawn this tripe.
I am with you on the first two. I never even heard of the babe with the boobs before today.
However sir I must disagree with considering horses. Your dog doesn’t need you to survive, your cat doesn’t even want you most days. A horse and rider in union are greater than the sum of their parts. The strength of the horse and the courage of the rider together with the trust in each other is something to be enjoyed. This is the first year on over 40 that i don’t have at least one horse on our property and I miss it.
I will freely admit that it is cheaper to have your daughter or wife addicted to crack than own a horse. Your mileage may vary.
Horses. Left to their own devices, they are silly and panicky, Yes, you must be leader of the pack from the start. As already noted, you can only do this well if you understand their psychology. If allowed, they also respond to affection and encouragement. Gaining their trust and willingness to do what ever you ask is something will touch your soul.
Yes, if you spend much of your life on horseback, you will likely get hurt. Bitten, kicked, your foot stepped on, fall off, bucked off…. While I was still in grade school, we had a little gelding born on our ranch. We named him “Lucky”. He grew to be about 700 lbs soaking wet. He was as friendly and willing as you could ask for. One day I was riding him bareback at the gallop when he stumbled over a squirrel mound and we went down. He was fine, but I wound up with a broken left arm and knocked unconscious. I maintain no lasting ill effects, although there are still a few how would argue that.
In my younger days, I tried watching Dr. Who. Once.
Jilly who?
I have also never:
Smoke/ingested pot
Had any social media account.
Dr. Who gives a shit. Never saw the appeal.
Same with the Jilly person. Not gonna lie, never heard of her and I read tons of books. But I read tons of books about real things.
On the subject of horses, I am mixed. I do love a horse race, I admire the breeding acumen that produces horses such as the Akhal Teke breed from Turkmenistan:
https://medomed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Caballo-raza-akhal-Teke-1.jpg
Having said that, I don’t own a horse, am unlikely to ever buy one and have no interest in ever riding one again.
Now, on the subject of mules, however, I have much stronger feelings, as we raised them on our family farm(s) in Missouri from the 1850s through today. Mules, properly trained and kept proper busy, are a delight. As a pack animal, they are without compare. A well-trained gaited mule is a better ride than 90% of horses on the planet. They are smarter, work harder, better problem solvers and have better temperament that horses and they have a far superior “self preservation” mentality than horses. (They will flat fuck up a mountain lion, for example)
And that’s all I have to say on that.
I watched Dr. WHO somewhat back around 1980, with Tom Baker. This had an amusing follow-on: I visited London, and saw a stage production of An Inspector Calls, with Baker as the annoyingly intrusive eponymous plod.
Jilly Cooper? Never even heard of her, and I’ve read a fair amount of modern Brit-fic and heard about a lot more.
I had a vague interest in horses as a boy – not sure why – and my parents took me riding a few times. In Josephine Tey’s extremely horsey mystery Brat Farrar, there’s a horse who is an actual character. He may have killed a previous owner, he tries to kill the protagonist (both times by a fake accident), and it’s by recognizing the horse’s nature that the protagonist figures out who the human murderer is.
ahem,
it’s never Dr Who. It’s Doctor Who. I don’t know why. Proper name?
Fun kids show. No different than the Sid & Marty Croft live action shows that aired on Saturday Mornings in the 60s and 70s. These days, I guess the reference would be live action shows on Disney Channel?
Doctor Who was for children. The new series got infested with PC misandry and wokeness (but I repeat myself).
As for horses, they’ll get you places cars cannot go.
I apologize, I have watched part of an episode of Doctor Who. In my defense, I have never, in the forty-three years since, wanted to repeat that self-inflicted pain.
I have also, on two occasions, ridden a horse. I might be persuaded to ride the authoress, but then, maybe not. I have not yet returned a verdict.
Dr Who is considered an adult show in the States and a children’s show over there. Proves Americans are way overprotective and theBrits can handle a dark edge to their children’s upbringing – which is more healthy.
Chick author – don’t know her but life
Is short, books are may, choose accordingly.
The best thing about the development of the internal combustion engine was that we no linger had to rely in horses for commerce and transportation. What finicky, expensive, and health problem prone beasts to base warfare and global economies on. Yes, the Mongols figured out how to make it work and ine of their battle charges was likely a site to be seen. Then put ghat up against the modern equivalent if vet bills vs any modern tank and you aren’t missing out in anything from not being a horse person. I will say, just for historical perspective, take a horse in a day long trail ride, in bad weather in extreme cold. Your views wont change but now you’ll understand why.