tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post4696130245031944342..comments2024-03-29T04:01:31.445-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Is This About a Bicycle?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64728104081534759222016-01-28T05:49:26.487-05:002016-01-28T05:49:26.487-05:00I began to question my memory after having written...I began to question my memory after having written this. But earlier this week, some 2 years after this post, I again saw policemen (in unmistakably PSNI, and not security guard, uniforms) performing a similar operation. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21263273105788937932016-01-28T05:46:32.457-05:002016-01-28T05:46:32.457-05:00Saturnalia !Saturnalia !Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3074396856684727832014-01-12T22:32:13.421-05:002014-01-12T22:32:13.421-05:00Finally got my copy yesterday, just finished it an...Finally got my copy yesterday, just finished it and I owe you a tremendous thanks for turning me on to this. Now to find everything else I can of his work.<br /><br />I can't believe he sustained this for over 200 pages...<br /><br />Spindizzy<br /><br />P.S. So, what do you suppose your number is by now? I suspect mine is nearing 50%.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43883684029047934292014-01-10T11:18:34.281-05:002014-01-10T11:18:34.281-05:00I count my first coming across The Third Policeman...I count my first coming across The Third Policeman - at Edinburgh University, nearly forty years ago - as an ideal moment: here was a book I had not heard of by an author I already admired (from At Swim-two-birds and The Hard Life). I bought it at lunchtime in a bookshop in Forrest Row, took it back to my flat in George Square and read it in an afternoon. I still think it his masterpiece and have been something of an evangelist for it ever since. The tale of its posthumous publication is a sad one - after its initial rejection in 1940, O’Brien pretended to have lost the manuscript, though with characteristic absurdity he plagiarised himself to provide material for The Dalkey Archive, a much inferior work in which de Selby appears in person. (I recently came across this evidence of the Atomic Theory at work http://wp.me/p1Sq73-T - the piece has a link to one about The Third Policeman that I wrote for for Will Meister’s excellent fixed-gear site, 63xc.com, now sadly defunct) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83461664241727811372014-01-07T21:19:44.245-05:002014-01-07T21:19:44.245-05:00I read The Third Policeman several decades ago. T...I read The Third Policeman several decades ago. The person who recommended it to me wouldn't provide much detail about it, either.<br /><br />One theme worth mentioning here is the atomic theory. If you find your personality beginning to resemble that of your bicycle's, and vice versa, this will explain why.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42129862702925913092014-01-04T17:57:21.483-05:002014-01-04T17:57:21.483-05:00Alright, everybody take it easy. JohnH is probably...Alright, everybody take it easy. JohnH is probably just the border collie from that other post.<br />Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543158648103470697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70311823976843737782014-01-03T04:44:53.698-05:002014-01-03T04:44:53.698-05:00Very unlikely they were actually Police officers -...Very unlikely they were actually Police officers - most likely private security guards from G4S or a similar company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36025675314876886062013-12-31T20:16:46.713-05:002013-12-31T20:16:46.713-05:00Four years is not a lifetime, but may seem like it...Four years is not a lifetime, but may seem like it to youth. <br /><br />I happily drive and ride, the proportions can change from 100% one to 100% another for extended periods. It's just a bike. And it's just a car. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36194328234941769042013-12-31T18:10:14.408-05:002013-12-31T18:10:14.408-05:00Jim, everything for me was about the car until I g...Jim, everything for me was about the car until I got the bicycle. The car had to be repossessed for me to see the light, but I’ve cycled everywhere for transportation since, haven’t driven a car for over four years and now it’s like, “What’s a car?” I still have a clean driver’s licence, but I couldn’t care if I never use it again.kylecyclernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-389099407882049462013-12-31T18:06:41.952-05:002013-12-31T18:06:41.952-05:00How about we all accept that no-one has a monopoly...How about we all accept that no-one has a monopoly on language, terminology, culture, religion or any of that stuff. If only we could learn to understand each other, or even life, we just might all learn to get on. That’s not about Ireland, btw – never been there, although my New Year’s resolution is to sort my life out to the point where I’m able to go – it’s about everywhere and everything.<br /><br />Don’t recall Velouria ever musing about love – that’s nobody’s business but her own – although if you’re referring to her love of cycling and life, there’s surely nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />Happy New Year anyway. Peace.kylecyclernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81302546863113111012013-12-31T11:51:46.233-05:002013-12-31T11:51:46.233-05:00Funny you mention it, because I find Irish ridicul...Funny you mention it, because I find Irish ridiculously difficult. I can say some random words and a few basic phrases, but have a harder time grasping the overarching structure/essence of it than any other language I've tried to learn. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50208486889566821142013-12-31T11:41:58.799-05:002013-12-31T11:41:58.799-05:00I don't know the answer to this question, but ...I don't know the answer to this question, but on a related note I hope you are learning Irish Gaelic! It should be a piece of cake for a polyglot such as yourself and maybe next April 1st we'll be treated to a post in Irish :)Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67056566098337500462013-12-31T11:03:13.990-05:002013-12-31T11:03:13.990-05:00Everything is indeed about a bicycle--and language...Everything is indeed about a bicycle--and language and metaphysics and anything else we want. ;-)<br /><br />I hope you have a great New Year!Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30711177782682509652013-12-31T10:28:29.522-05:002013-12-31T10:28:29.522-05:00I've seen those too, but this one was wearing ...I've seen those too, but this one was wearing a police uniformVelouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64678996655626268142013-12-31T10:16:06.721-05:002013-12-31T10:16:06.721-05:00Incidentally, it's possible that the man you s...Incidentally, it's possible that the man you saw was a Securicor driver, not a policeman. They're high-security couriers and many businesses use them to collect the day's takings, rather than take them to the bank themselves and risk being robbed. Did he look like this? <br />http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=2389740lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04516483442612121049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11237951864950200542013-12-31T09:09:19.255-05:002013-12-31T09:09:19.255-05:00So, my copy should be here by Friday, not sure wha...So, my copy should be here by Friday, not sure what to do in the meantime...try reading Joyce again while listening to the White Album backwards?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59186580381682768982013-12-31T06:47:50.013-05:002013-12-31T06:47:50.013-05:00Here is a question I have for fluent speakers of I...Here is a question I have for fluent speakers of Irish, if any are reading - <br /><br />Are O'Brien's linguistic distortions based on an exaggerated version of how an Irish speaker would speak English, or do they have nothing to do with that? I know he wrote in both languages, so I started wondering. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30023319327499809662013-12-31T06:37:20.355-05:002013-12-31T06:37:20.355-05:00I would not recommend this book to someone studyin...I would not recommend this book to someone studying English. It's not a difficult book to read, but O'Brien's use of English is unconventional, and you would need to have a native-speaker level of proficiency in order to notice or appreciate this crucial part of the book. So I'd go with Somerset Maugham first.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89906327398111766112013-12-31T06:31:01.982-05:002013-12-31T06:31:01.982-05:00There is no ATM machine there, but I think he was ...There is no ATM machine there, but I think he was going to collect cash for bank deposit from where-ever they keep that. I have seen this a few times now in various bank branches and shops. The banks must hire the policemen to do the collections. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6963299683875346142013-12-31T06:30:09.737-05:002013-12-31T06:30:09.737-05:00I'm not usually one for "commenting"...I'm not usually one for "commenting", but there's much to commend in Mr O'Brien/Nolan's words and this very blog.Paul Westonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69991008584963886162013-12-31T04:55:29.436-05:002013-12-31T04:55:29.436-05:00Now you should read At Swim Two Birds. The guy yo...Now you should read At Swim Two Birds. The guy you saw was filling an ATM machine?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07915236881847778010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36429237901796034902013-12-31T04:24:40.306-05:002013-12-31T04:24:40.306-05:00I am studying English language : as a fan of bicyc...I am studying English language : as a fan of bicycle my first target was to open my mind on mechanics specifications. For instance I recently read about famous Sturmer-archer products.<br />Nonetheless, the more I improve my vocabulary the more I like reading this blog and all comments: miss V. seems to have the gift of writing, it's so pleasant to read, especially for person who doesn't have an iron heart.<br />Musings about live and bicycle let me thinking about another writer named Somerset Maugham, more simple to read rather Flann O'Brien?<br />L.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23920841679199519532013-12-30T22:07:22.238-05:002013-12-30T22:07:22.238-05:00You write well: life, love and the vicissitudes of...You write well: life, love and the vicissitudes of (cycling policemen on) bikes. N. Ireland, that border collie following you, turf fires, abode, the weather. Flann O'Brien reshapes the language, yes. Why do you say "too late"? Keep riding, and writing. Great stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74349728900202112492013-12-30T15:16:20.009-05:002013-12-30T15:16:20.009-05:00Be more optimistic. Look at current trends not so...Be more optimistic. Look at current trends not so much as secularizing christmas but reviving the Saturnalia. Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35742775913917585722013-12-30T14:55:41.047-05:002013-12-30T14:55:41.047-05:00They are only words ! Boxing Day, St Stephens Day,...They are only words ! Boxing Day, St Stephens Day, the day after Christmas, or also known as the 26th of December. The little place is in Norn Iron, Ulster, the Six Counties, the Province, the UK, or the Island of Ireland ! All different tags for the same thing depending where you happen to be coming from or going to.<br /><br />Richard Hass & co must be have some fun at the moment trying to work out flags, parades and the Past. The jargon/terms used must be fascinating.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11219924661976302038noreply@blogger.com