URGENT- Don Souden Has Had A Stroke

[Sam Flynn]

Neil is probably far more expert upon the finer points [of cricket] than myself

So that explains the "Monty" nickname!

[Archaic]

I can clue him in on Gum Boot tossing

Hmmm... out here in the Wild West we toss the gum and keep the boot.

You guys toss the lot??

Bunny

[Cogidubnus]

Hi Bunny

Don has told me he wants to see a professional Cricket match & have the rules explained to him. (Don claims Neil Bell is the foremost expert, so feel free to fistfight over that one.)

Neil is probably far more expert upon the finer points than myself...I only ever played the game at an amateur (Grammar School), one-day (limited over) level...but I watched the professionals at far more...

The real format of the game is a five day (two innings each team) issue -
however it has to be said that there really is far more to it than the obvious gameplay...much outside the bald rules...more subtlety than you'd think...

All the best

Dave

[Archaic]

re: Chipping in For Don's PC

G'day Archaic

If you need a kick in for the cost of a laptop for Don please give a shout I'm sure many would throw in a couple of bucks we could buy hm a mainframe if all his fiends chip in $10.

Hi GUT, that would be awesome! It would mean even more to Don if it comes from all of us.

If anybody wants to chip in I have a Paypal account. I'll get looking at used pcs and see what our best options are.

*Technical suggestions are welcome, seeing as I'm archaic.

Thanks,
Archaic

[GUT]

G'day Archaic

If you need a kick in for the cost of a laptop for Don please give a shout I'm sure many would throw in a couple of bucks we could buy hm a mainframe if all his fiends chip in $10.

[GUT]

G'day Belinda

I can clue him in on Gum Boot tossing

WE have the world championships just up the road and the thong throwing for the sheilas.

[Archaic]

RE: Don's Eyesight Troubles & Lack of Computer Access

Hi Lynn, Velma & everyone. You're very welcome.

Also, does he now have some access to a computer? I want to send him some stuff to read that I've been working on.

No, Don does not currently have internet access. His iPad was stolen. Not sure what happened to his old pc, will ask.

Don has had great difficulty with his eyesight, which was affected by his stroke. His family has been trying to get him an eye exam for a new pair of glasses, and we're hoping that will take place soon. Don mentioned it to me when we spoke & said he really wants to be able to read his emails.

I've suggested to his family that instead of them replacing the iPad (which will obviously just be stolen again), that I buy a lightweight very cheap used laptop or tablet, and make it look as unappealing as possible by covering it with scratches, duct tape, Justin Bieber stickers, glitter nail polish, & any other ugly stuff we can think of. Maybe skip the battery completely & just use an AC cord.

There's a really good PC recycling shop in Seattle with cool staff called RE-PC, and a friendly "mom & pop" pc repair shop near me. I think if I explain the special situation they will be able to hook me up with a secondhand lightweight laptop that's functional but too old and slow to have any real street value. I'll ask for tips on reducing its street value.

I'll install a extra-large font, put an email icon on desktop, & either disable password protection or make it something very short & simple so he doesn't have worry about forgetting it. (Don's long term memory is amazing, but his short term memory is suffering from the crushingly boring atmosphere of that place, the pain he's in, medications, etc.)

Once Don has new glasses & an internet-capable device he will be able to access his email again. He told me he really misses it and wants to get back in contact with his friends.

If any of you have any ideas on how to make the laptop less attractive to thieves, please feel free to share them. I can't think of any practical way to attach a manacle so it can be chained to his bed, but if you can solve that, one please do!

One point I should add is that whatever I buy for Don has to be STURDY, because the chances are pretty good that it will be dropped or bumped at some point, so breaking the lid off won't work. A mismatched lid would be great, the uglier the better.

And please note, if you wish to send Don ANY kind of a package, whether it is a book or magazine or anything, his family has advised me that it's safest to send it to his brother, who will then deliver it in person. I don't want to post his brother's address in public so please email or pm me.

Even if Don might not be able to read a book or article at the moment, please do still mail him your work! It's the thought that counts, and it will make Don so happy to know you are thinking of him.
It would be a wonderful touch if you would add a personal inscription. These things mean a lot to him.

Thanks everyone,
Archaic

[belinda]

I can clue him in on Gum Boot tossing

I don't know if that one exists outside Australia

[Archaic]

Needed: Oddball Indigenous Sports Experts

Please tell Don that when he is ready, I'll meet him in the UK and I'll rent the car and drive so he can sit back and see the countryside. Besides, I never trust a Connecticut yankee with driving, especially on the left...though they do that often enough in New England.

Hi Mike, Don will absolutely LOVE that!

We also need some people to offer to take Don to see whatever kind of odd game passes for "Sport" in your neck of the globe.
Don has told me he wants to see a professional Cricket match & have the rules explained to him. (Don claims Neil Bell is the foremost expert, so feel free to fistfight over that one.)
I'll volunteer to explain the Equine sports of Dressage, Competitive Trail & Rodeo to him.

Anybody have knowledge of the more eccentric indigenous sports like Coconut Shy, Curling, or Scotsman-in-kilt Pole-Chucking? (Sorry, i forget what it's called - "Hurling"?)

Are there any ancient time honored Pub Games besides Pub-crawling, Pool, Darts & Quarters?

Can any of our friends from the Southern U.S. teach Don the finer points of Noodling? (Catching giant river Catfish underwater with your bare hands.)

Please send Don a postcard of your favorite wacky sport along with your drink order, he'll get such a kick out of it!

Thanks,
Archaic

[The Good Michael]

Please tell Don that when he is ready, I'll meet him in the UK and I'll rent the car and drive so he can sit back and see the countryside. Besides, I never trust a Connecticut yankee with driving, especially on the left...though they do that often enough in New England.

Also, does he now have some access to a computer? I want to send him some stuff to read that I've been working on. Autobiographical...ish in nature.

Cheers,

Mike

[lynn cates]

thanks

Hello Bunny. Thanks for the update.

Will keep Don in our prayers.

Cheers.
LC

[Cogidubnus]

Hi Bunny

Great news about Don....but i ain't drinking that Irn Brew even for him!

I'm supposed to be off the beer, (believe it or not the quack tells me spirits are better for me - see there really are compensations to having a dodgy ticker), but I'll gladly have an "Old Peculier" or two with him any time he's over...(that should get his little grey cells apuzzled!)...but I'm buying though!

All the best

Dave

[Carol]

Hi Bunny,

I forgot to say what drinks Per-Åke and I would like. Tell Don that Per-Åke would like a Marguerita and that I would like a pot of tea. English Breakfast, not Earl Grey or any other rubbish like that.

Love
Carol

P.S. If my pot of English Breakfast tea is cheaper than Per-Åke's Marguerita then could I please have a buttered tea-cake to go with it. Thank you.

[Carol]

Thanks very much for the update on Don, Bunny, although I'm really sorry he has to have his gall bladder removed. My sister-in-law Kerstin (who we stayed with in Tucson) had her gall bladder removed a couple of years ago and I think it must have given her even more energy than she used to have. She's 75 and puts me to shame in the energy stakes!

I'll be writing to him very soon and will send him some photos of our America trip.

Love
Carol

[Steadmund Brand]

Great news!!!!!

but please tell Don no thanks to the Irn Bru (my girlfriend loves it.. and there is always some in my fridge.. but .. I wont touch it.... I love orange so I tried one once... ONCE.. as Sam said.. it's not orange... that part is a dirty lie ) But it is available here in Buffalo NY ( at a few specialty shops anyway)

As for my Drink.. I'll stick with a Vodka Gimlet.. but I insist.. first round is on me!!! be that at the next London conference (which I am really trying to get to next time) or here in Western New York... just a few minutes from Niagara Falls after all .

Keep up the good work Don!!! And Bunny thank you so much for the update!

Steadmund Brand--