I’m a controversialist and catalyst, quietly enabling others to develop by providing different ideas and views of the world. Born in London in the early 1950s and initially trained as a research chemist I retired as a senior project manager after 35 years in the IT industry. Retirement is about community give-back and finding some equilibrium. Founder and Honorary Secretary of the Anthony Powell Society. Chairman of my GP's patient group.
I’ve recently picked up a couple of books by the mystic teacher Osho* and have been flicking through them. This is from his volume Intimacy; it seems strangely relevant:
This society is a power-oriented society. This society is still utterly primitive, utterly barbarian. A few people – politicians, priests, professors – are dominating millions. And this society is run in such a way that no child is allowed to have intelligence. It is a sheer accident that once in a while a Buddha arrives on the earth […] Somehow, once in a while a person escapes from the clutches of society. Once in a while a person remains unpoisoned by society. That must be because of some error, some mistake of society. Otherwise society succeeds […] in destroying your trust in yourself. And once that is done, you will never be able to trust anybody.
* Better known to those of us brought up on a diet of 60s/70s culture as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
This week’s self-portrait: 52 Weeks 31/52 (2008 week 39).
This is the collection of metal I wear permenantly; this scan was the first time they have all been removed in years — even the last couple of times I’ve had operations I’ve kept my wedding ring (middle right) on (but taped over).
This turned out, quite unexpectedly, as an interesting colour progression!
Questions & Answers: 1. What is your occupation right now? IT Project Manager 2. What color are your socks right now? Flesh, ‘cos I ain’t wearing any 3. What are you listening to right now? My ears 4. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? Robin in India 5. What is the last movie you watched? I don’t do films, so I don’t have a clue 6. How do you vent anger? By swearing 7. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries, every time 8. When was the last time you cried? When the Floss cat died 9. What is on the floor of your closet? Carpet 10. What did you do last night? Read 11. What are you most afraid of? Not having money and health 12. What is your favorite flower? Old roses
As I thought up this subject I thought I’d better do it. 🙂
The Questions & Answers: 1. Something or somebody you believe in All things are connected 2. Descreibe your god in three words Everything and nothing 3. Something evil you believe exists Religion 4. Something you are totally unable to believe in God, any god 5. A conspiracy theory you believe is possible The yeti 6. A mythical animal you believe in? Dragons 7. What religion do you profess? Non-deism 8. Your favourite “holy” place Haven’t got one 9. What do you believe happens when we die? Dust to dust, ashes to ashes 10. Something everyday and ordinary that you find incredible Belief 11. What was the last religious event that you attended? Memorial service 12. Your favourite ancient god (Greek, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Egyptian, etc.) Nut, Egyptian goddess of the sky
Oh and there isn’t a single animate object in the images!
Earlier in the week around 500 Liverymen and Freemen of the City of London, many dressed in their royal blue robes and straw boaters, exercised their 11th century right to herd their sheep across London Bridge into the City without paying the bridge toll.
The procession was lead by Lord Mayor of the City of London, and part-time sheep farmer, David Lewis. He was accompanied by his official bodyguards, the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers, in their uniform which dates from the time of King Charles I.
While I was aware of this ancient right, I was not aware that it was ever exercised, and I’m delighted it is! It is these strange and ancient rights which add so much of the colour and eccentricity to English (British) life and sadly too many are being abandoned.
It seems that the Republican Party in the United States has made an audacious bid to retain power by running Mr Burns and Marge Simpson as candidates for president and vice-president. [John Doyle, TV critic, in his 2 September 2008 column]
Misty over at Momentary lapses of insanity has come up with some absolute gems of proofreading errors, all of which are perfectly OK according to Microdaft’s spellchecker. Her list includes these classics:
Mrs X lived in a charming country cottage, almost completely covered in hysteria.
Paul was overjoyed at the opportunity to be reunited with his long lost brothel.
Her train of thought was cuddled to say the least.
A large croup had gathered by the monument.
They managed to get themselves the lead prat in the play.
Alice somehow managed to get her knickers in a twit.
The farmer won the prize with his fine new bollocks.
Yesterday we were briefly in Rochester and stopped to have afternoon tea (well, tea and cake, not the full works with cucumber sandwiches, scones and jam, vicars, etc.) in the cathedral tea shop. I ordered a coffee for Noreen and a large pot of tea for me only to be told:
I can’t do you a large pot of tea, but I can do you a pot of tea for two.
Duh?!
Eccentric looks at life through the thoughts of a retired working thinker
