Town & Village

What’s a cultural tradition from your country that you love?

It’s not carnival as an exuberance after lent. It roots maybe more pagan. At a time when the harvest has been brought in celebration seems eminently sensible to me. as the nights draw in and a chill sets in the air standing about on the pavement in a small West Country town doesn’t sound that appealing. It is. A parade of illuminated tractors and trailers often leads me to wonder at the inventiveness of their constructors. That’s carnival in Somerset.

Sorry. Should have said before lent.

Around a table

John Wyndham wasn’t his real name. He may have been the least likely dinner guest. I’d certain bore him with questions. What’s the source of inspiration? Do you always imagine a calamity just around the corner? Do you think human nature is intrinsically good or bad? What’s frightens you the most? Has space always fascinated you? There wouldn’t be time to eat. If I had a working time machine I’d sit him next to H. G. Wells.

Make a mark

Daily writing prompt
Do you vote in political elections?

I vote, stand, campaign, but never officiate in public ones. It needs to be said time and time again. Particularly to younger people. If you don’t vote, then don’t complain afterwards. Not that, that would make much difference afterwards given that complaining is part of our culture. A cross in a box, as it is in the UK, mostly, is key part of a citizen’s responsibility. Make a mark, even if it seems small beer. That said, it’s as well to take a moment to consider the candidates in front of you on their individual merit.

Refuse to Go

Daily writing prompt
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?

A place with no redeeming features. A place void of life. A place where the sun doesn’t shine or shines unendingly. Well, not really. I’d be fine with the above landscapes. Not for long, naturally.

The place I don’t want to be is where a large predator sees me as its next lunch. Add to that having no way of avoiding an unpleasant fate. That’s no place to be.

A Rational Perspective

I do not have superstitions. I have never had superstitions. I deplore superstitions.

My avoiding walking under ladders of unknown quality is merely a matter of judiciously applied risk assessment. Thus, I have never been hit on the head by a stray tin of paint.

Considering the number 13 as unusual and embowed with certain qualities is merely an association with past encounters with the number 13. Especially on my birthday (13th).

Years of observations prove to me that black cats are particularly perceptive and animals of great wisdom. Thus, such a cat crossing my path is a pleasurable happenstance.

If I see two magpies, it’s only natural to consider this as a celebration of the joys of nature. Empathy with a lonely magpie can be a rational response to my hope that they will find a mate.

Clouds with silver linings are merely a positive meteorological phenomenon that suggests, at any time of year, bright warm sunshine is only moments away.

It would be entirely ridiculous to assert that superstitions have any validity. Ah!

Part 3

Daily writing prompt
What bores you?

The complete opposite to the list Ian Dury came up with in 1979. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3. Why the song is part 3, I have no idea.

I say this although it’s difficult to come up with the opposite to “Cheddar cheese and pickle, the Vincent motorsickle”.

How about: Cheesy strings and things, the brothers of Kings (just to be mildly controversial).

Think

To un-invent would be to un-think. Although, there are numerous mechanism and ways of doing business that it would be fantastic to get rid of it’s not so easy to tell us to stop thinking. If it can be conceived of, for good or ill, it will be conceived of. Since we didn’t write the laws of nature then what come out of their application was intended by a greater power, if there is such a power in the universe. Putting this aside, if I had the undiluted power to un-invent something it would processes, means and mechanisms that enable and encourage stupidity.

Memorable Encounters

Daily writing prompt
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?

This simple question is open to interpretation. When I say I’ve met someone, it’s that of being in the same place as that person and not necessarily having a long in-depth conversation with them over lunch. I’ll not mention any politicians, notable or otherwise.

I did sit next to Tom Selleck, the actor, on an internal flight in the US. I think it might have been a connection with Delta airlines. It was back in the mid-1990s. I do think I remember that we both said “yes” to the bag of nuts the cabin crew were offering. It was basic rations.

In 2010, I did meet Captain Eric Moody. Following the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Now, I wonder if you know his story. “All Four Engines Have Failed” is probably one of the most compelling descriptions of surviving imminent peril that modern civil aviation has to offer. The title eludes to the most serious of incidents. Flying through volcanic ash that’s exactly what happened to the engines of a Boeing 747 in 1982. Through calm and diligent actions Captain Moody and his crew got everyone home safely. It’s quite a story.

To the Moon

Daily writing prompt
How much would you pay to go to the moon?

About £10. If it was good enough for the Apollo astronauts, it’s good enough for me.

“Fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars”. Just imagine what that song, ringing out in the empty space between Earth and its satellite, would feel like.

Recorded in 1964 it was timed so well. The “We Choose to Go to the Moon” speech happened in 1962. The song is older than that, but I wonder if that was a reason for Frank Sinatra[1] taking it up? If this song doesn’t put a smile on your face – what will on Earth.


[1] https://youtu.be/Y2rDb4Ur2dw