Tag: Strange

The Third Policeman

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Have you read the third policeman? A book by the Irish writer Flann O’Brien.

It’s very surreal, with a cash box full of some sort of power, a nameless narrator who gets involved in trying to claim the box. Other characters are embroiled in a very complicated situation. I can’t remember all the plot because it’s long and entangled. I read it 40 years ago, and I know it’s somewhere in our house, but where?

There are three policemen in a barracks that are guarding machinery that change sound into light? And something about the atoms of men migrating into their bicycles and vice versa. You get so far through the book and then realise it is repeating itself. A bit like a sci-fi story of a repeating time line.

Flann O’Brien was the pseudonym for Brian O’Nolan who wrote the book between 1939 and 1940 but it wasn’t published until the 1960’s. I wish I could explain it better, but if you want a peculiar and though provoking book maybe look it up?

Samantha

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If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

I was going to be Samantha, it was one of the names that my parents had considered for me. I suppose that might be the name I would choose? But why would I need to change my name? I hope I never have to.

To change your identity must be a drastic thing to do. I know you can change your name just by telling people, but to be legally accepted don’t you have to do it by deed poll?

Then, there are documents you need to have to identify yourself. Driving licences, energy suppliers, proof of address, background checks for some jobs. Even mortgages or tenancy agreements, or getting married or using the health service.

If you change your name do you tell friends and colleagues? What will they think? Maybe you are trying to get away from someone or somewhere. Life is complicated enough without a change of name. So no I’m not going to change.

I do know people who have changed their names for whatever reason. They were happy to change, but it just felt strange to me. I have accepted the new names but I still think of them as their original names.

Unidentified Flying bush?

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The way the winds blowing I could see this flying past my window!

It’s actually four collaged photos. If you take a photo with an interesting corner you can create images of things apparently floating in mid air. I didn’t take the picture deliberately to do that, it was more about the pinks and oranges of the sky…

Was that YOU singing?

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What was the best compliment you’ve received?

Years ago, I was in my twenties, my friend and I were staying somewhere on a residential course. She was a musician and there was a piano in lounge of the house we were staying in. I asked if I could try singing something (it was before I had singing lessons).

I’d just finished singing ‘Over the Rainbow’ and a man came in. He looked at us both and said to my friend ‘you have a lovely voice’ . To which she replied that it was me that had been singing! Then the man said something like ‘was that YOU singing?’ I think he was surprised because I wasn’t pretty and I had big glasses and probably didn’t look like a singer (what do they look like?). He said ‘you were very good’ again and left! I take that as a big compliment even if it was a bit strange…

More ceramics

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One strange thing I saw at the BCB was a large group of ceramic leeches! It was weird seeing them. Black and shiny but very static.. I guess it was something conceptual? Had they sucked the life blood out of someone, or are they a health idea if the National Health Service was to collapse? Whatever the reasoning I found them strangely cute! I don’t know why….

A joker or a queen

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She sat looking into the hand mirror, she was going to put her mascara on, but her face was distorted. She suddenly realised it looked like a playing card, one side flipped over. What the hell was going on….. She felt her face, it seemed normal? She tried to touch the glass of the mirror… Her finger seemed to penetrate its surface. A feeling like rubber or elastic… Push, her finger disappeared into its surface. She pulled her hand away…

She thought for a second, then leaned forward and put her eye near the glass, she felt a pulling sensation, then – POP! She was in another world?

I drew this in August

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Boy! I must have been feeling cheerful when I drew this (not).

I’m not even sure what I drew it in, except black marker pen, it’s a bit ghastly. I’m not even sure why I saved it, except that it documents the pandemic a bit, you can’t always have jolly art I guess.

I should write an ode or a poem, but I’m sitting at my computer trying to get some writing done and I just decided to give myself a break and choose a random picture to post here. I’m off in search of some warmth in a minute though. I think it’s cold as the grave up here in the front bedroom ( we don’t put the heating on upstairs, saves money).

Stay safe! X

Cat in a box

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What would Shrödinger say about my cat in a box? Curled up, unaware of the conundrum? What is the thought experiment? If I can remember it rightly…. A cat is in a sealed box, no one can see what is happening with it. Also in the box is a poison is in a sealed canister which can only be released by the radioactive decay of a chemical reaction, releasing an electron. You can’t tell when or if it will be released. The cat is therefore maybe alive or dead, but you don’t know until you open the box….

It’s a weird way of explaining quantum mechanics, but I don’t understand it very well!