Categories
In Passing

Superman v. Clark Kent

I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human. I felt very puny as a human. I thought, ‘Fuck that. I want to be a superhuman’David Bowie Rolling Stone Magazine,1976

Given the choice, would you go for superman, or average Joe?

I ask because few people have that choice. It’s bestowed upon some by dint of natural ability or talent, on others by happenstance, and still others by dynasty.

A member of my extended family had that choice from natural ability, but has chosen not to follow its call. He’s chosen average Joe.

His natural ability is in a sport which New Zealand has a long and proud history in. It’s not rugby. It’s an individual sport, which in some ways is more brutal and primal than the gladiator sport which is rugby.

I’m fudging the sport to avoid further embarrassing my nephew. So this isn’t a criticism – it’s his life, and I’m just interviewing my keyboard here.

His natural ability is such that he’s left a string of records behind him at age-grade level, at least one of which was taken from an Olympic silver medallist. It’s top-tier.

I know a lot about the sport from being halfway good at it during my teen years before retiring to sloth and decadence for 30 years. “Halfway good” means winning some school and city titles, but nowhere close to national level.

I’ve followed the sport since my teens. I’ve read widely about it, and now plod along at the Geezer Games ( parkrun.co.nz ) on many Saturdays.

So I understand that it’s brutal, and involves pushing to and through physical limits, not to mention mental ones.

For my nephew, following the call would have involved 10 or so years of training, and single-minded dedication. That’s a basic requirement, on top of tonnes of physical ability.

Then there would be the gut-wrenching pressure of performing as a pro on Big Stages. It takes nerve, self-belief, and a fierce determination to win. Boffins call it a ‘Type A’ personality.

It’s a rare beast which meets all of those caveats, which is why the air is thin at the top.

In moments of grandeur, I like to think that given the option, I would have followed that call.

My wrinkled self would, but he may have a skewed vision of my pimpled self.

So I’m left wondering whether my mid-20s nephew sometimes ponders the receding Fields of Glory, not to mention money and fame. Somehow, I doubt it. He’s ( apparently ) happily married and making his traditional way.

Clarke Kent is fine with him.

Categories
Jobs Life Hacks

Tinkering

In the spirit of tinkering and because I’m basically unemployable, I’ve begun to dabble in yet another “enterprise”.

Yes, I’m the millionth person to start a Youtube channel. Or was, since I posted The Howling five years ago.

The idea is basically to see how far minimal but consistent effort will take me in the uber-competitive sport of youtube-ing.

Having been a half-decent runner back in the day, my “training” at age 60 is a morning walk of 2km +, and a Saturday parkrun.

The idea is to use that morning walk time to babble and ramble about whatever comes to mind.

Since I’m doing it anyway, it’s no skin off my feet, right?

Do visit. You might even leave a comment.

Categories
Doggerel

Wellington

There was a cad from Wellington,
Whose tales were quite compelling, son,
He’d charm with a grin,
And promises thin,
Buy by Thor he was a lotta fun

Categories
Doggerel

Little Guy Fawkes

There was a man from Onerahi
always sicks did no mahi
on November fifth
he got the drift
The bomber wore his khaki

Categories
Doggerel

Thinking

Something kind of hit me today
I turned around and walked the other way
I figured if I went back
those musings might be black
And sleeping dogs are best left to lay

Categories
Doggerel

Parking

There once was a young fakir
who always wanted to sit there
He got so many tickets
they littered the thickets
He had to leave for a year

Categories
Doggerel

The Prophet

Back in the day, I went on the nod
mid afternoon it was, surrounded by clod
And in that dream, I brewed an idea
for all around me so full of fear
Awaking I bellowed
From hereon I’m Hallowed
I’ve had a Vision from God

Categories
Doggerel

Last Fast in Bombay

There was an old man from Bombay
sat cross-legged all day
He went on a fast
to see how he’d last
But now he’s faded away