And so we find ourselves at the end of Round 4 of ABC Wednesday. How’d that happen, then? One minute, there I was, contemplating ‘A’, and the next I’m wondering what on earth I have in the house that begins with the letter ‘Z‘!
This is going to take some thinking … I have a busy day today, too! But as usual, I’ll do my best not to disappoint. Although I have to tell you that the first thing I thought of – a little enamelled zebra brooch given to me by an aunt when I was about eight years old – cannot be found anywhere! So, no zebra.
Next I wondered how I was going to sneak Johnny in here this week.
Um.
Okay, next I thought, ‘Oooh! We have a ‘Z‘ car!’
See? It’s a BMW Z3. Personally, I don’t like the Z4, and they may well have a Z5 by now, but I don’t care. The Z3 is a thing of beauty – it reminds me of the shape of those 1930s racing cars, a little. OH would really like to sell it but I won’t let him because I love this car. It’s pretty, and it’s a pleasure to drive, especially since has an automatic gearbox … in fact the only thing which isn’t completely automatic is the roof. Oh, it goes up and down like anything, all by itself, but you have to be totally stationary, and your foot has to be on the brake, and you have to lean across and unclip the roof latches, and clip them back up again when you’re done, which is a bit hard on the shoulders. It’s worth it though.
Then I thought a bit more and came up with this.
It’s a New Zealand road map from the year we spent in that country, and the calendar I brought back with me.
We spent many happy weekends poring over that wretched map book. It just didn’t seem as detailed as UK maps, but maybe that was just us, being in a strange country.
We picked up a few souvenirs while we were there, of course, and somewhere I have some NZ money, too. The notes were very pretty, with native birds on them, if I remember correctly, and each denomination was a different colour, just like UK money, which helps a lot with seeing how much you have, and how much you’re spending.
That’s a little touristy matchbox. I’m a terrible hoarder. I keep things for years!
Now, this is another thing I’ve kept for years – about twenty-six years, to be precise.
This is a Sinclair ZX Spectrum – one of the very first computers sold for home use.  It was programmable, and you could store the programmes on magnetic tape cassettes, or you could buy tapes with games and educational stuff already on them. There was also a monthly magazine called ’16/48′, which always had a free tape stuck to the front, and these provided the very first adventure game I ever played on a computer. It was called ‘The Long Way Home’. The screens consisted of a single, simple static image and some text, and the sound effects were a series of clicks and beeps.
Here are a few ZX Spectrum games that go with it.
You see, we bought this computer for Son No. 1′s third birthday. He took to it like a duck to water, and I’m happy to say he progressed rapidly up through the ranks and is now a programmer by profession. Early training? I like to think it helped!
This is something which also helps, but in a completely different way
Yep. Cold sore cream! I get them occasionally, and if I use Zovirax immediately I feel that ominous tingle on my lip, the sore doesn’t really develop. It’s wonderful stuff, and I always keep a new tube in the bathroom cabinet.
You want something to take your mind off that nasty subject now, don’t you? And who better than Johnny Depp? Yes, I DID find a way to work him in this week!  Tee hee.
William from Dead Man. Note the zig-zags of paint on his face? His companion (an Indian called ‘Nobody’) put them there, seemingly so that the local tribes would know not to put an arrow through him as he stumbled through the woods.  They look a little bit like mirrored ‘Z‘s, don’t they?
And look -
Two more movies. One called AriZona Dream, which has the elusive ‘Z‘ in the title, and the other? No ‘Z‘ there, huh? But it’s made by American Zoetrope. So there!
How about a little more culture.
Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflöte‘! Known to the English-speaking world as ‘The Magic Flute’, and one of my favourites.
And some literature next?
Now I have to confess, ‘White Teeth’ is about to be donated to a charity shop, unread, because I’ve tried several times but I simply cannot get into it. Still, the author has a very useful name for today, doesn’t she? Zadie Smith, I thank you!
This thing is not going to contribute to anyone’s dental brilliance.
It’s a Zippo ‘Windproof’ lighter, and as you can see by the Yellow Swordfish design, it belongs to OH.
Here’s something else belonging to OH.
One of his favourite tee shirts, bought in Zion National Park in Utah. We both loved Zion, it’s so beautiful! Hopefully we’ll be back one day, and I can get a tee shirt of my own.
Lastly, taking a bow for his fans, Lt-Cmdr Data, with some of his own music -
See? Track number ten?  ‘Zing! Went the strings of my heart’!
Oh – wait! There is one more thing!
That is a picture of Sid’s ear. Do you see the ‘Z‘s? He has ‘Z‘s in his tattoo! How appropriate that he has finally come home just in time for the last letter in Round 4 of ABC Wednesday!
Yes, Sid is here at last. He moved in today and is fast asleep right now on one of the dog beds. He keeps coming to me for ressurance, but I think he’s going to fit in here just fine.
OH…congrats Jay. How wonderful that Sid is finally in his so so comfy. So glad to hear this. I think that is the best part of the entire post! Though I do think you did a rather fantastic job with the whole thing!
Scritches to Sid!!! Hugs to you.
That’s a great looking car – much more like the old classic style than many. Some great Zs here, and as a Data fan, thank you
Wow, I love that old computer. I think I will blame my unknowledge (is that a word) of computers on my parents now. They never let us have even the simplest of computer or video games! It will evolve into a trauma now…
Anyway, fantastic news to hear Sid (zz) has arrived. I hope he will have a long and happy life with you and OH.
Do you know I’m sure my son’s Spectrum is lurking in the loft somewhere – I really should get him to sort his stuff.
I am so pleased Sid has joined your family – I am sure he already knows how lucky he is and I know that you will be in your element having him around – give him scritchies from me and Hippie!!!
Very inventive – there can’t be many Zs left now. My favourite was the ZX Spectrum . Those were the days…
Aw. Sid’s tattoos are perfect for today, and I am going to tell my father about Zovirax, he gets cold sores when he skis for some reason and nothing else helps him!
Oh I’m so pleased you have Sid now :O) I love the car! Would it have been too corny to have included a zap…er…I mean a zip?
Didn’t you do well! I’m very impressed Jay. Love the car too. I did think to start at A and that is next week I assume – I’d better get my thinking cap on. Very pleased to hear that Sid has arrived and hope you all settle down happily. A x
HA! OK, that was a bit of a stretch, squeezing JD in there under “Z” marks on his face, but I’ll let it slide.
What an adorable car! It’s straight off of Top Gear. I’m imagining Richard Hammond in it right now, in fact.
YAY!! Sid’s home! Are you going to post in Intro on GT???
Oh YAY!
Welcome Zid! Erm, I mean Sid!!!!
Wonderful “Z’s” all around.
You did it and with zing! You really are a hoarder aren’t you? That computer’s gotta be worth as much as the car by now! So happy that Sid’z settling in. More pics please.
Sistertex – Thanks! I’m so happy to have him here! He’s been spoiled rotten today with scritches!
Anthony North – You’re welcome! I enjoy fitting Data in, too!
Yes, the car is a beauty, isn’t it?
Mara – Thank you!
Yes, no doubt it is all your parents’ fault that you are not a programming genius! Will you tell them so? ROFL!
Kate – I suspect there are many Spectrums lurking in attics! It would be interesting to see if it works still, huh?
Sid will appreciate the scritch. He has spent his first day either sleeping, eating, or trying to get people to pet him.
RuneE – The days of the Spectrum were exciting, but do you also remember how you could type in a hugely long programme and then lose it for no reason other than the temperamental nature of the ZX81? And that they had a tendency to catch fire? LOL!
Meleah – I don’t know if Zovirax is marketed under the same name in other countries, but the active ingredient is an antiviral drug called aciclovir, at 5%. Good luck hunting it down!
Babs – Surely you cannot mean a zip belonging to Mr Depp? I’m shocked! But anyway, no, I couldn’t. Not very easily. He prefers a button fly. And don’t ask me how I know that. ROFL!
SJ Anne – Thanks! So, are you going to try for the whole alphabet next round?
JD – I thought it was quite neat! Are they, or are they not, zig-zags? I rest my case! LOL!
Jenn – It’s a lovely little thing, it really is! I wouldn’t be able to handle a geared Z3, but the automatic suits me well. The seats are comfy, too. It’s just a little heavier on the steering than I like just now, but hopefully my shoulders will improve at some point!
Jeannine – Yes, I’ll do an intro! I have some pictures to sort out!
Maureen – Sid thanks you for the welcome!
Baino – Thank you! Yes, I am a hoarder. Where is Hoarder’s Anonymous when you need them? LOL!
Oh man! How’d you manage to find so many Z’s??? Great job! My fave is the car, though!
You found a lot of Z words! Very cool car. I love Zion, but didn’t even think of using it for ABC’s.
How cool to live in New Zealand for a year! I’d love to do that. And of course you did a great job of working in Johnny Depp.
Nice car, Fantastic Z..Great post.
Regina@DailyLiving
Great collection Jay! I like the mirrored zeds on The Man’s face, and Sam came home just in time.
Welcome home Sam!
PS – that’s a gorgeous car.
Many Z words! The car is beautiful! And I love the Zauberflöte! Thanks for sharing.
What a fantastic car! I do hope you don’t have to put the top up very often, though:) You always manage to come up with the most clever examples of the week’s letter; you reminded me that one of my favorite authors is Zora Neale Hurston. But most of all, a big welcome to Sid! He’s very lucky to have found such a wonderful home. I do hope you’ll post some photos of him soon.
The Z-car is pure beauty! I still have a Nissan 300ZX that I just love. She old, like me, but we get along just fine!
Glad the puppy is settling in!
True. I think most zebras are mad.
Sorry you couldn’t find your brooch, but thank dog you haven’t lost your car – wow that’s some collectible and fun piece of machinery… A zinging bunch of Z’s – zealous and zesty! See you at the ‘A’!
Jay – is there a link to ABC Wednesday (in case I decide to have a go)! A x
I love Sid! I love the inside of Sid’s ear! I wanna love on him!
You could substitute “Johnny” for “Sid” and the above would still be true … and then some!
Zounds … I wanna ride in that car when I come see ya … ‘k?
Congratulations to your new member of the family, Jay! Wishing you all much happiness!
A gorgeous BMW, Jay! It has such a regal and timeless look!
And in my favorite color, blue! Just beautiful!
And one of my favorite hubba hubba Johnny films — Dead Man. I think Jim Jarmusch wrote and directed it! He’s famous for his indies and adore him. I hear they’re very good friends!
You’re right, Jay! Can hardly believe we’re midway into the year. It seems like yesterday, we were ringing in the New Year! Well, try to squeeze everything from each precious moment, and have a wonderful weekend!
)
Leslie – I knew people would love that car! I’m wondering if I can get away with just one or two pics for each letter next round. It’s jolly hard work finding lots of things.
Janie of Utah – Thanks, it is a cool car, huh?
I’ve noticed it’s often hard to remember things on your own doorstep! Funny that. And yes, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to live in NZ for a year. Such a beautiful place, and lovely people, too!
Regina – Thank you! We like it!
Dragonstar – I couldn’t believe it when I looked in Sid’s ear! LOL! Perfect timing!
Reader Wil – Thanks!
Rose – Sadly, the times we can ride with the roof down are few, in our climate, but it’s still fun to drive, even so.
I’ll do a post about Sid soon. Watch this space!
KML – That Nissan looks fun, too! Lovely comfy leather seats too … I just looked it up, because I didn’t know the model number.
Tumblewords – Haha! Thank you! Yes, I’m glad we haven’t lost the car, too. :p
SJ Anne – Yes! In the first sentence of this post! The words ABC Wednesday are clickable.
You should definitely have a go!
Jenny – Sid is loveable, no wonder you love him! LOL! And yes, I hear you.
Petra – Thank you!
He’s settling in nicely.
Dead Man is a great movie, but I hate the soundtrack – it’s Neil Young, and it’s too loud! Apart from that, I love it!
I can’t wait to see pictures of Sid!
it’s always fun to see how you work Mr Depp into your posts, well, happy weekend.
Heather – They’re in the next post!
Krizcpec – I managed to get him in all 26 letters, I think!