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But, is it this one? |
A man is bringing a cup of coffee to his face,
tilting it to his mouth. It's historical, he thinks.
He scratches his head: another historical event.
He really ought to rest, he's making an awful lot of
history this morning.
Oh my, now he's buttering toast, another piece of
history is being made.
He wonders why it should have fallen on him to be
so historical. Others probably just don't have it,
he thinks, it is, after all, a talent.
He thinks one of his shoelaces needs tying. Oh well,
another important historical event is about to take
place. He just can't help it. Perhaps he's taking up
too large an area of history? But he has to live, hasn't
he? Toast needs buttering and he can't go around with
one of his shoelaces needing to be tied, can he?
Certainly it's true, when the 20th century gets written
in full it will be mainly about him. That's the way the
cookie crumbles--ah, there's a phrase that'll be quoted
for centuries to come.
Self-conscious? A little; how can one help it with all
those yet-to-be-born eyes of the future watching him?
Uh oh, he feels another historical event coming . . .
Ah, there it is, a cup of coffee approaching his face at
the end of his arm. If only they could catch it on film,
how much it would mean to the future. Oops, spilled it all
over his lap. One of those historical accidents that will
influence the next thousand years; unpredictable, and
really rather uncomfortable . . . But history is never easy,
he thinks . . .
- Russell Edson
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Or this one? |
I know this man - he has a famous, much-read wargaming blog - not only does he generate history in this way, but he feels obliged to tell us about it - thus, presumably, adding his latest thoughts to the great archive. If this particular man knew that his blog is widely referred to as The Wargaming Diary of a Somebody he wouldn't understand the reference, so it would not be a problem. He is worthy, important, serious, adult. He is many of the things which I am reminded I failed to become.
ReplyDeleteHowever, he is also a very precious resource - he a yardstick I use to check whether I am turning into him. Other than that, I can't think that he contributes anything of value at all.
I also have a friend who feels the need to record each Twix bar on FaceBook - that's moderately irritating too.
"Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid." - Francis Bacon
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I also read that blog. But thanks for the reminder about Pooter; time for a re-read I think.