Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Up Grading to Windows 11 - very easy Well done Microsoft

 I have done many upgrades in my time using my PC and Lap tops, going all the way back to Windows '95 including Linux Mint, but by far Windows 11 has been the least painless to do of them all, because, well it mostly does it without any needed watching or in putting from you. 

You do need to check via Windows update if you PC or other device can take it and you do that by checking through Windows update as you would normally do and most will be familiar with. I found that it was best to have all the latest Windows Updates installed and indeed it is only after you have done this that you will get an indication if your device is ready for Windows 11. If it is then you might need to wait for it, but let's face it most us want the latest things so there is a nice easy way of getting things, thanks to Microsoft. Before rushing there please back up all your important files onto an external drive, just in case and I say just in case, because personally I didn't have any problems.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11 This is the site which Microsoft has provided and it is very easy to use, but please read through each thing carefully and just don't jump into things.  I would also suggest that you should have a back up copy of Windows 10 which, if you haven't already done so, the best way to get this is through Windows Media creation tool for it. This is legal to do providing you have a Microsoft licence which most will have. Once you have down loaded that if you need to do so, then again place on an external drive. 

Back to the above site, again for a matter of safety, choose the Create and Installation Media and down load that, again once it is complete, place on your external hard drive. I am a bit of a belt and braces, type of person and believe in taking every precaution, so I also did the ISO image as well, just in case.  These will take time to download, but you are only going to do it once so it is worth having them as back ups. Again it is perfectly legal for you to do these if you have a Microsoft licence and it they are for your own use. 

The Upgrade Assistant, which is only for the device you are using and how Microsoft advises you to do things, really this could not be simpler to use. Just click on the download and Windows does everything for you. As I was going to do a blog, I watched everything just in case there was something I needed to be personally aware of and make others aware of and there wasn't, it was that easy to do.  Windows will tell you that after 30 minutes it will restart and complete the upgrade and advise you to save what you are working on so as not to lose it. 

I chose to restart as soon as the download had completed, because again I wanted to see if there any problems with it or anything extra that you needed to do.  There wasn't and I was amazed at this, because of past experiences had made me aware there might be, but no nothing.  Once the restart was completed, I logged on as usual and while things are different, but not too different to make you scratch your head and wonder what is and where are things, generally I have found they are where I left them in Windows 10. Yes somethings aren't, but then this is Windows 11 not  Windows 10. I have also found that my settings were as I had left them and everything I had works the same as before. 

So I have to praise Microsoft for making Windows 11 upgrade so very easy. As I said I have done many many upgrades and even fell out of love with Windows for a while, because of them, but now my love affair will continue, because of this. Windows 11 is good, I am starting to play around with it, but really that is part of the fun. So everyone don't be put off from upgrading, don't take notice of those who say it is hard, it really isn't and remember that by upgrading you not only get the newest Windows, but also the latest security improvements as well, BUT ONLY UPGRADE THROUGH WINDOWS UP DATE OR THROUGH OFFICIAL MICROSOFT WEBSITE, AS I HAVE DIRECTED HERE.

Sunday, 19 September 2021

I PROMISE

I PROMISE 

I promise that I

will only love

those who show true love

I promise that I will always

be me no matter what

I promise to understand

that if Dragons don't talk to another

it's because they're not worth talking to

I promise to keep on loving the gods of my youth

to love to boogie 

I promise to continue to love

the Holy Mothers and Holy Fathers 

as they love

I promise to continue to speak

about past hurts to heal others and to remind

myself how far I have come

I promise to be as weird and as strange as I have always been for this is me

I promise never to doubt who or what I am for I am happy with me being me

I promise to believe in Love as the only answer

I promise never to let hate or anger have 

a place in my heart

Never again will I allow another to come close to destroying me and causing me to

doubt because of their lies making me think I was to blame 

I promise always 

to be the husband, son, father, and friend that I am


I KEV 

MAKE THESE PROMISES TO ME

FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE


For all those who have survived a similar experience - written with love 

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

Manx General Election 2021 - Arbory, Castletown and Malew Our Views on the Candidates

I live in Arbory, Castletown and Malew, well not all 3 places just the constituency and so when the General Election was announced I looked at who would be standing here. At first there were 5 candidates, but this soon became 4 as one dropped out, which is not unusual as any one who follows politics knows. The four remaining ones were Steve Crowther, Graham Gregeen, Tim Glover and Jason Moorhouse. Mr Gregeen and Mr Moorhouse were standing for re-election so had some sort of record to be judged on, while the other two didn't. Steve Crowther had stood here before 5 years ago, I can't remember seeing him and didn't vote for him. Tim Glover was standing for the first time. 

Since the last General Election, social media has really come of age and with Manx Radio who are always great at elections, we can all get a pretty good idea about people who are standing. On top of that we have Isle of Man TV which gives us an opportunity, to actually see them before we meet the candidates.  

I wanted to see all of the candidates, just in case my impression of them was wrong. I must admit here that as a result of my interactions I have done a complete 180 degree turn on two of the candidates as result.

Mr Eco-House

I really had high hopes for Steve Crowther, because of what I was reading and because at first I thought we really needed a change from the previous candidates. Sadly on meeting him, what we got was someone only really interested in his Eco-House, in truth it was like being nothing else mattered. Both Aly and I ended up really bored with him and it was clear he wasn't really listening. Being polite we said we'd put up a poster for him, but after talking we both agreed that would be dishonest as we wouldn't vote for him.

Mr I've asked Questions

My already low expectations of Jason Moorhouse or Moronhouse as I fell into the trap of calling him were greatly exceeded by him. I had sent him a message and email asking him not to call and yet he did! Mr I have been a good MHK, couldn't even read emails or messages! At least it gave me a chance to tell him to his face what I thought. Since then we had two A4 bits of plastic coated paper, the last one having one side of how wonderful he is from people. Delusional is the word I use for him. Not saying he's a bad person, would make a good Local Commissioner and I would probably vote for him on that level, but not as National Politician, because I honestly think he's not suited & I remember how he spent the 1st of his 5 years being Mr Invisible which is not good for anyone in National Politics.

Him off the Radio

I think we all know Tim Glover off the radio, which may or may not have worked for him. Apart from smelling of smoking which was very strong there is little negative I can honestly say about Tim. We found him pleasant, honest, not fixed in his ideas, willing to listen without making promises.  If hard work gets a reward then Tim will get elected, because of all the candidates he seems to have covered the whole constituency. What we liked most about him, in the pamphlet we got it was clear that he had kept true to himself as well as had been listening to what people had been saying. So Tim was the first one we felt we could vote for and put a poster up to encourage others to do so.


Mr we got you wrong   

Graham Gregeen was the first off the mark with a leaflet through the door. The leaflet had one side printed upside down so really didn't make a good impression on us. Watching his interview with Paul Moulton, we began to think, hang on Graham is being the politician fair enough, but seemed the same person as when we met at Helpers of Ballasalla Surgery meeting before the pandemic.  When he came to the door Graham told us what he was about and again listened and he stated he couldn't make any promises. I do disagree with him on a few things, but that happens. Graham scored really highly on likeability, honesty, experience,  and we both felt very confident that our vote wouldn't be wasted.  

I have to add one more thing about Graham, that is that he has been the Minister of Home affairs and Justice during the pandemic and that has not been an easy role for anyone. Given that if you also look at his record in parliament, you might surprised at what he's done. Not perfect by any means, but enough for us to admit we got you wrong.

Okay this is just my view and the thing with politics is that we all have an opinion which is as it should be. I have been as honest as I can be here and the views I have formed have been down to the candidates alone. I was most disappointed by Steve eco house Crowther. I was not at all surprised by Jason I asked questions Moorhouse.  Tim him off the radio Glover has been by far the best candidate we have seen.  Graham we got you wrong Gregeen really is the one we got out thoughts about wrong.  So we will be casting our votes accordingly.

FINALLY I HOPE THAT ALL WHO CAN VOTE WILL VOTE , BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T VOTE YOU CAN'T REALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT WHO GETS ELECTED - IT IS THE ONLY TIME WHEN WE AS VOTERS OF OUR NATION CAN DECIED WHOM WE TRUST TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE NEXT 5 YEARS.   


Tuesday, 14 September 2021

When the world no longer sees

When the world no longer sees
I'll cry my tears
Think about how much I loved you
I'll cry my tears
Knowing you had to go
I'll cry my tears
to heal my soul
I'll cry my tears to close
my heart
When the world no longer sees
I'll cry once last tear
for you
For that is what I always do
(c)Kev T Brown 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

The Human Parasitic Relationship

 This week I finally have had the courage, thanks to dear friends to break, what is a 44 year relationship with a family member and I was heart broken to have done so at first, but now I feel happy and more relaxed and yes finally free knowing that I will not have to communicate with that person ever again. 

As with many of my blogs, I write them in the hope that someone will read them and it may be help them in some way or another, or educate someone who does not  understand and yes if I am honest as self therapy.

I have tried writing this a few times now, because how do you describe someone that leaves or tries to leave you with nothing but a shell? Then the word parasite came to mind, that is something that feeds off you and once you are no use to them, and it has grown big and strong discards you as if you are nothing.

In nature, a parasite is just doing what it has to do so to ensure the survival of their off spring, there is no forethought, no emotion, it just does what it does and that's it. The human parasite is an all together different creature there is thought in what they do and they know what they are doing right from the start.

The human parasite is hard to spot, because they seem like the rest of us and for a while they may act like the rest of us, but don't be mistaken, this is a very dangerous creature, perhaps the most dangerous one of the lot.  Human parasites come in all forms, males, females, children, siblings, husbands, wives, you name it, they are there. They come from all walks and classes of life. 

If not a blood relative, then they will show a "loving side" to make sure that they get ensconced in your life and often your home. They are charmers for how else would we  be fooled. Make no mistake these are not loving, but opportunists and you are about to become their host. If you are a blood relative they have a ready made host and sooner or later they will begin their "feeding" at your expensive and by that, I mean in all possible ways. 

This parasite, will always have an excuse for their behaviour. A poor past, abuse, a medical condition, a disability, none of which is true. For they have no morals, no depth to which will not stoop to. As it is very unusual for people to lie about these things we accept them at their word, often ignoring any "alarm bells ringing" which are silenced by our loving them. 

Dividing us from our loved ones, is another tact they use, for our loved ones might not be as blinded as we are by them. Rarely is it a full on attack on the loved ones, as that might be too dangerous for them, but just subtle hints and subtle innuendoes about them. It is better for the parasite if the loved one lives away and you don't have much contact, because that makes it harder for you to check the truth. It is not just your loved ones they also attack their own "loved ones" and blame them for all of life's ills that the parasite has had (supposedly) all of which is a fiction. 

If, you've had a drink, then you are a drunk. If you have a faith, then you are fanatic. If you've  had past relationships, their break downs was your fault. If you share memories, then you are living in the past. If you have shared traumatic experiences with them, then you talk about them all the time to gain sympathy. If you've ever had mental health problems, then you are weak and feeble minded. If you have any health problem, you're a hypochondriac. They on the other hand, are strong and stable and have "helped so many others come through them with their expert knowledge". 

If you are unfortunately living with them, you may find yourself in debt, when you've not been before, as they take control over the finances or try to do their excuse being that you don't really understand how things work and how to control the money, even if you have done so in the past, things have changed now and they are the expert trying to protect you from being robbed ! They like to use the word Expert a lot. If you are lucky enough not to live with them, then they will say if you give me your bank details I will kindly look after things for you. 

As the parasite "grows" they will start making more and more demands, like what they want to talk about and what you aren't allowed to talk about, how they wish to be called. Cunning enough to know when they might have pushed too far they back off and then say the meaningless sorry and blame whatever condition Dr Google has come up with when they've been searching for another disguise. Or they may say the want to "build bridges" and use terms of endearment. They know full well, that they still have an emotional hold over you and that we all don't like to give up on those we love.

There is a pattern with the parasite and that is when things are going their way and you are doing what they want then they are "loving" , but as soon you don't "play ball" with them their true character comes out and it is not nice. It really is hard to understand how another can be like that, I can't tell you how to understand it, because I don't. 

The Parasite, relationship is quite simply a very dangerous and abusive one. It does not matter if it is a family member or a partner the same is true . While it might not be a psychically abuse one, because the parasite doesn't want to leave evidence, it is more dangerous, because it is an emotional and mental one.  Yet for all their supposed superiority, these  ones leave evidence of their work in the form of text messages, emails, or other internet activity not thinking for one moment that you will keep them! Emails and text messages, are particularly useful evidence as they come from them and it is very hard to fake them or not trace them back to them.

The Parasite will drag you into a dystopian reality where your truth is a lie and their lies, are truths. If they don't know something then they invent it and it becomes part of this dystopian reality. I will be honest it is hard to cope this, because most of us aren't this way. 

However the Parasite has one weakness that is their ego, the ego that thinks they've so much control over you that you will accept anything they say to you or write to you, because you are too weak and feeble to know otherwise.  Talking with others, I know this is a pattern with the parasite and how they finally show us what they are and that is THE LIE THAT YOU KNOW CAN NOT BE POSSIBLY TRUE AS YOU KNOW THE TRUTH!!  My parasite did this and further they did not know that I could prove the lie to be just that and that was my "Light bulb " moment. Others might experience things slightly differently, it might be an event that exposes the parasite, but a lie will be combined with it. 

I imagined the parasite that I had like the creature bursting out of the belly in Alien and it goes on a rampage afterwards. For this is what it does and the best thing you can do is get away from it. I know that if you are living with it, it might be harder to do and I am no expert on how to do it - just do it and get yourself a good lawyer and gather as much evidence that you can. Be prepared for real nastiness, expect that other members of their family will turn on you, because the parasite will have made you to be it and them the innocent party. That is their final thrashing around, the parasite doesn't like to lose, but you need to win.  I was lucky, my parasite doesn't live with me and all they've done is communicate via phone text and email. While they tried to have the last word, by saying I knew you would do that, I replied with my own copy and paste (from my favourite film actually) I am happy to have been of service ! 

I have been trying to look on Google to see if there is a possible explanation for  the Parasite or what would make some one become one. As much as I have tried, there isn't one a far as I can tell, may be a combination of personality types or what? You could go round in circles trying to find an answer, because surely there must be? Then as well all know, there are some murderers, that just kill and there is no reason for them to do so, those who do so are said to do so "in cold blood", so perhaps this is how the parasite acts "in cold blood". There is no explanation, they JUST ARE WHAT THEY ARE. It is my firm acceptance of things and it is not a religious one at all that in the end, one way or another we all answer for what we do in life.  I honestly think that it is just a matter of time, before the parasite we faced, will meet their karma or fate or justice or however you want to call it. 

I want to end this on a message of hope. Once you've escaped your parasite and gone through the emotional back wash that this has on you, you do feel great inside. The knowledge that you will never have them that close again is such a relief and better than having a shit after a week of constipation.  If in a relationship, you may have to have to contact,  while going through a  divorce for example, but only through and with a 3rd party present and now you have control not them.  They are gone for good and never again will they have the same hold of over you. Forget them, as they will forget you, for they are already on their next victim or victims. 

I really don't know if this makes sense or will help anyone, perhaps in the end it is just my attempt to logicalize to myself what is an illogical personality and relationship, but then I like to have things neat and tidy. So thank you for reading my ramblings and may you always have real love in your life. 


  


Monday, 30 August 2021

MY ELLAN VANNIN

 

MY ELLAN VANNIN


Oh my Ellan Vannin

the place beyond time

where poets hearts belong


When first I set foot upon you

your soul did speak

and said to me

welcome son


As I wondered through you

like those before the Celti came

those who loved you

but now we can not name

I saw you through their eyes

I heard you through their ears

I loved you through their hearts


My Ellan Vannin

as you now are

many names

you’ve been known

by before

many names

you will be known

in times

when poets

no longer

write in rhymes


I say to you ©now

you are my home

my place where

my soul will always

be

My Ellan Vannin


©merimaat 2021

Saturday, 21 August 2021

Electric Warrior - T.Rex a 50 year loving review of the masterpiece

 


This year marks the 50th year since Electric Warrior was released, 24th of September 1971 and it is the one album that I have kept hold of in various forms ever since and that I will keep until I die, it is for me the most precious thing I own and the only thing I couldn't live without.

Ever since it was released, I have read just about every review of it written by those who are paid to write such things and just hear it, but not one of them has ever felt it ! It is time to correct this and write a review which from one who feels and loves what is Marc's masterpiece and gift to the world.

Tracks

Mambo Sun
Cosmic Dancer
Jeepster
Monolith
Lean Woman Blues
Get it On
Planet Queen
Girl
The Motivator
Life's a Gas
Rip Off

This is the tracks from the version that was released on 24 September 1971. There have been other versions since then with so called Bonus tracks, but while they may be of interest to some, I think I'll leave that there.

All of the tracks were written by Marc Bolan as was the music, however Tony Visconti the producer added to the music enhancing them all wonderfully as a good producer does and for that he'll also be loved.

What Marc did here was to put music to poetry, in a way that no one else did, nor (I believe) has done so in such a wonderful way since. There is no point in pontificating about them, there may be meaning beyond the words, but does it matter? I don't think it does, because poetry is just a beautiful use of words that on their own and away from their context probably don't make sense.  Going back now 50 years, they made perfect sense to me and to all of those who listened at the time. 

When I listen to Cosmic Dancer, I thought how beautiful it was, but I also felt a sadness come over me. I had a feeling that, if he knew it or not, Marc was foretelling us that his dance here wasn't to last long and I don't know why I felt that the time. Sadly, before the 6th anniversary of the release of Electric Warrior, Marc had danced into the tomb. 

Jeepster ! Wow just Wow, this is rock and roll, I love this more than Get it On, because you just get caught up in and it is about sex, the raw hormonal passion, without the sugar coating!  Every time I hear it, it takes me back to that time all those years ago, of raging hormones when you played music loudly and adult responsibilities were yet to be a weight on your soul.

Monolith is another of those tracks that the more you listen to it, the more you understand it. 50 years on I think I am just beginning to fully understand about the passing of time which in essence is what Monolith is about.

Lean Woman Blues, well it speaks for itself and for many of us it was probably the first time we'd heard the term blues. People tend to forget how Marc with his love of music, introduced us to music beyond his, well he did for me and this is just one example of how I was educated enough to explore more. 

It is impossible not to love Get it On, from the opening bass to the full blown pomp of the song. Marc had got some thing here that he would continue to repeat for the next 5 years to various degrees of success on all but What Ever Happened to the Teenage Dream.  His best ever? Well it is great, but this is Marc at his pomp and I love other songs more. Oh yes and as all real fans know it was Rick Wakeman that played the piano on this not Reg Dwight !!

Planet Queen opens up with the continuation of Perchance to Dream, which later I would found out was from William Shakespeare, whom I had taken little, no make that no interest in. Marc wasn't afraid of borrowing from others and making it his own and yet again to educate us so that may be just may be we'd gain some of the loves he had. 

Girl is one of those songs which draws you and before you know it you end up going Wow that is wonderful. Magical Poet was weaving his dreams around us with this and we loved him even more. 

The Motivator, if you listen to, even more than Get it On you can see (with hindsight that wonderful thing) the T.Rex sound coming through which would really come through on Telegram Sam the first single on the T.Rex Label. At the time we didn't know it, we only knew it was a great song.

Life's a Gas,  okay so what do I say about Life's a Gas? What can I say? Through every heart ache and every pain, when I thought I would take my life I played this song and remembered the words of the Electric Warrior, that Life's a Gas. It is a break up song, or should I say, poem set to music, but not like so many of them about how bad life is without a person. What Life's a Gas does, is say look all these things I could have done, but it didn't work, but that really doesn't matter, because in the Life is fun (a gas) and this is a constant reminder and at the end there is the refrain, I hope it going to last! How many of sobbed our hearts out listening to this back then. How many more of us heart broken on 16/09/1977, played when we heard of Marc going as he said he would - That terrible day through tears I know I did and I knew that Marc would have wanted us to remember Life's a Gas. 

I have never liked Rip Off the final track on Electric Warrior as it didn't seem to fit in with the rest of it. I have always felt it was a poor song and hurriedly put on to fill the album, this meant it came to a messy disjointed end. I personally think Sailors of the Highway which was done the same year and before Electric Warrior was released would have been a better conclusion. It wasn't as history tells us so this gem of a song remains unknown to most, but loved by all of us who've heard it.  

50 years since the 16 year old kid first got hold of Electric Warrior,  only years have passed, but not the love of it. There is still something deep inside of me, that knows, beyond wisdom that this was the right album at the right time.  Trying to put this into words, if he knew it or not (and I think he did) Marc didn't just make a collection of songs, he created an emotion and that emotional connection is one which we all who heard it felt and why Marc remains so special to us and why Electric Warrior is his greatest gift to us.




 



Manx General Election 24 September 2026. A personal reflection

 The Manx General Election took place on Thursday 24 September 2026, it was our chance to elect a new government for the next 5 years. I can...