What is it about growing old? Why am I so perplexed about how to use electronics? The spotty kid next door makes me feel like a simpleton when he puts my gizmo right. When you're younger, a new phone or computer is an opportunity to challenge yourself and venture into unfamiliar territory. At my age, every user's manual might as well be written in hieroglyphics.
There was though, a wonderful moment last summer. A knock on the door, it's our next door neighbour. "Are you familiar with pure mathematics?" He asked. "You mean as in geometry, calculus and trigonometry?" I replied. A grateful smile told me that we were on the same wavelength. The son, that's the spotty kid who keeps my gizmos in working order, is having the devil of a job with what we Brits call, A-level mathematics.
To my neighbour's surprise I found my old coursework textbook. I followed my neighbour back and found his son at a desk with piles of papers, lots of scribblings and his computer screen showing calculus. We started with a tidy up, then a hot drink, then I told him to switch the computer off. An hour and a bit later the lad had cracked it. We had gone over it a second time and he only made one mistake and that was a simple error. The triumphant look on his face was a picture.
His Father looked in, "all done," I said. "Thank you so much," Dad replied. The boy looked uncomfortable, "something you want to ask?" I said. He was trying not to appear ungrateful but as yet, couldn't use eloquence. His question was blunt, yet understandable.
"If you are so smart, how come I have to program your computer for you?" That's a very good question," I replied, as I retrieved my textbook and went home.
