Thomas Harrington's Blog
July 24, 2025
Parents
One of my favourite shows of recent times is Young Sheldon, which accompanies my catching up on the original: The Big Bang Theory. In one of the incidents, Sheldon's brother is discussing the consequences of impregnating a woman out of wedlock. He laments: "I don't know how to be a dad."
A few days later, someone else commented on the difficulty of parenthood and needing to buy a book. This got me thinking.
There can be no definitive book on child raising. Every child is different and every parent is different, therefore every rearing situation will be different. Any advice some random author of a child-raising book might offer cannot address individual pairings. A child with different parents in a different environment will grow up different than another child.
Anyone with a brain (not necessarily something all people have, witness recent voting) will learn from his or her parents and from watching other parents and then applying a hefty dose of common sense. Of course, advice will be free-flowing from parents, grandparents, and friends, all which must be added to the mix. Because time have changed since parents and grandparents raised their children and friends have different circumstances, not all advice is worthwhile or applicable. So, it's not easy and no book will help.
Almost all children survive physically whatever parents throw their way, and most end up mentally okay. Doesn't mean books won't be written and advice won't be free-flowing.
A few days later, someone else commented on the difficulty of parenthood and needing to buy a book. This got me thinking.
There can be no definitive book on child raising. Every child is different and every parent is different, therefore every rearing situation will be different. Any advice some random author of a child-raising book might offer cannot address individual pairings. A child with different parents in a different environment will grow up different than another child.
Anyone with a brain (not necessarily something all people have, witness recent voting) will learn from his or her parents and from watching other parents and then applying a hefty dose of common sense. Of course, advice will be free-flowing from parents, grandparents, and friends, all which must be added to the mix. Because time have changed since parents and grandparents raised their children and friends have different circumstances, not all advice is worthwhile or applicable. So, it's not easy and no book will help.
Almost all children survive physically whatever parents throw their way, and most end up mentally okay. Doesn't mean books won't be written and advice won't be free-flowing.
Sign of Life
Metaphorically speaking, I am living with my head in the sand. That said, it is as difficult to avoid some of what is happening in the world, as it is to avoid micro plastics. And, that has to prevented my from constantly thinking of things to write about, which the blogosphere is dying to read. I do not know how people manage without my daily dose of whatever this is.
March 19, 2025
Major News From the Publishing World!!
It's so sensational, that two exclamation points were needed! (For those who don't know, using more than one is a writing no-no.)
Anyway, the news is that my books are being released as AUDIO BOOKS The first two titles are already available, and the rest will follow as soon as finished. The short story, Gilda, is available for free; Rightious Revenge is available for a low price, which is certainly worth every penny and your time to listen (for all those too lazy to read my books).
All titles will be available at Apple Books.
The voice is computer generated, but I find the quality very good. On the treadmill today, I listened to Gilda instead of the usual music and found it to be a pleasant experience.
So, stop reading this and check out Apple Books in the iTunes store.
Anyway, the news is that my books are being released as AUDIO BOOKS The first two titles are already available, and the rest will follow as soon as finished. The short story, Gilda, is available for free; Rightious Revenge is available for a low price, which is certainly worth every penny and your time to listen (for all those too lazy to read my books).
All titles will be available at Apple Books.
The voice is computer generated, but I find the quality very good. On the treadmill today, I listened to Gilda instead of the usual music and found it to be a pleasant experience.
So, stop reading this and check out Apple Books in the iTunes store.
Still Alive
I have avoided posting anything, since the day the world started to fall apart. There's nothing I can do about this sad fact, so I have avoided news media and any discussions with people asking for my opinion on anything besides the weather.
I know that this has caused a big hole the to Blog World, but it's not my fault. Blame Republican voters, who are not smart enough to realise how stupid they are. And, self-serving and spineless politicians.
Anyway, speaking of self-serving, that's why I have returned from the semi-dead...
Curious?
Read the next post.
I know that this has caused a big hole the to Blog World, but it's not my fault. Blame Republican voters, who are not smart enough to realise how stupid they are. And, self-serving and spineless politicians.
Anyway, speaking of self-serving, that's why I have returned from the semi-dead...
Curious?
Read the next post.
October 14, 2024
Breakdown Lane
The self-proclaimed "Business Genius--the only man in the history of the world to bankrupt a casino!--is proposing to enact a 200% tariff on foreign car imports.
I wonder how Republican voters will react to the effect on the price their next Mercedes.
I wonder how Republican voters will react to the effect on the price their next Mercedes.
October 10, 2024
State of the World
I believe that most sane people know that fools and stupid people abound.
Sadly, evidence keeps being thrown at us believers.
Why is that residents of Florida, who keep being battered by hurricanes, elect politician that deny climate change and vote against benefits for people suffering from storms? If that is not proof of stupidity, then I don't know what is.
Then again, I do. Proof was just offered on some media outlet (I forget which one) which quoted a man saying his father-in-law, suffering from hurricane destruction, refused to accept FEMA aid because of something the Orange Cult Leader said. He deserves to suffer...
Sadly, evidence keeps being thrown at us believers.
Why is that residents of Florida, who keep being battered by hurricanes, elect politician that deny climate change and vote against benefits for people suffering from storms? If that is not proof of stupidity, then I don't know what is.
Then again, I do. Proof was just offered on some media outlet (I forget which one) which quoted a man saying his father-in-law, suffering from hurricane destruction, refused to accept FEMA aid because of something the Orange Cult Leader said. He deserves to suffer...
October 1, 2024
Caveat Emptor
Licensing is a way for brands, teams, and individuals to make money. Prime example: Michael Jordan is a billionaire because he played basketball.
Anyway, some licensed products are good and some are bad. And then there are the horrible ones, like anything with the name of the conficted felon and rapists currently besmirching the United States.
I know a bit about licensed products, because I was responsible for that part of marketing of a global brand. I know the kind of profit margin possible, if one can fool people well enough. For example, the ugly hightop sneaker recently flogged by the crook might cost between $10 and $20 to produce. I recall the sale price being $180, so you can figure out the profit.
Now, to the watches. The cheap one I recall being listed at a price of over $500 dollars. Because it is made with standard parts in China, the production cost is at most $50. Again, you can figure the profit. (This is not a full-service blog!) The real slap in face to the stupid buyer comes with the gold watch. The claim is of "solid gold", but the fine print says 18-carat. Real gold is 24-carat or four 9s pure. The watch is said to contain 200 grams of gold, but you would have to melt the bloody thing down to prove this untrue. Anyway, 200 grams of four 9s gold at current market price costs about $12,500. 18-carat gold is worth less, but let's stay with the "pure gold" offered by the liar. The cost of components for the watch, mostly off-the-shelf pieces made in China, might be $100 dollars. So, you have a watch costing $12,600 (with the generous bonus of increasing value of gold), which the crook is selling for $100,000!
What fool would pay this much for such a watch? Who would want to be caught not dead wearing such a schlocky timepiece--if even it even tells time? It's bad enough that it has the name of a felon and rapist on it, but the profit margin might make it one of the worst deals ever. (I'm sure you've done the math.)
Anyway, some licensed products are good and some are bad. And then there are the horrible ones, like anything with the name of the conficted felon and rapists currently besmirching the United States.
I know a bit about licensed products, because I was responsible for that part of marketing of a global brand. I know the kind of profit margin possible, if one can fool people well enough. For example, the ugly hightop sneaker recently flogged by the crook might cost between $10 and $20 to produce. I recall the sale price being $180, so you can figure out the profit.
Now, to the watches. The cheap one I recall being listed at a price of over $500 dollars. Because it is made with standard parts in China, the production cost is at most $50. Again, you can figure the profit. (This is not a full-service blog!) The real slap in face to the stupid buyer comes with the gold watch. The claim is of "solid gold", but the fine print says 18-carat. Real gold is 24-carat or four 9s pure. The watch is said to contain 200 grams of gold, but you would have to melt the bloody thing down to prove this untrue. Anyway, 200 grams of four 9s gold at current market price costs about $12,500. 18-carat gold is worth less, but let's stay with the "pure gold" offered by the liar. The cost of components for the watch, mostly off-the-shelf pieces made in China, might be $100 dollars. So, you have a watch costing $12,600 (with the generous bonus of increasing value of gold), which the crook is selling for $100,000!
What fool would pay this much for such a watch? Who would want to be caught not dead wearing such a schlocky timepiece--if even it even tells time? It's bad enough that it has the name of a felon and rapist on it, but the profit margin might make it one of the worst deals ever. (I'm sure you've done the math.)
Did It Have To Come This Far?
What kind of does it say about a county that allows a lying, cheating, grifting, babbling creep to potentially become its leader and the “leader of the free world”?
It is often said that anyone can become president of the United States, but do we have to prove that to such an extreme?
And, what other country has a “leader” that sells schlocky products with his naming emblazoned on them?
It is often said that anyone can become president of the United States, but do we have to prove that to such an extreme?
And, what other country has a “leader” that sells schlocky products with his naming emblazoned on them?
