It wasn't planned, but I quite enjoyed the fact that last week's blog had a kind of theme going on... you know, it began with aliens in ice cream vans, peaked with kilts, and ended with aliens in kilts! It had a nice symmetry to it, dontcha think?
But I've been busy since then.....
The eagle-eyed among you will have already noticed that I have added a Blogroll (Oooooo - excitin'!) (down on the right ....- no, lower, ......lower still), so that you can visit some of my mad, not quite so mad, and positively unclassifiable blogging friends (don't any of you dare come back and tell me they're funnier than me (even though they all are (except Cheeseface))!).
And... I made my first Squidoo Lens. A lens is "a stand alone web page which can be used for a variety of purposes, including driving traffic to your blog". Now, regular readers will know that I'm rubbish at doing the most basic of computer-technically things. My first Squidoo lens is no exception. The title of a lens is the single most important thing about it, as it should clearly indicate what the lens is about. I called mine "Car-crash Lens Building at Squidoo". I think that it gives you all an indication on what level of skill I'm working up from. Go and have a look if you want (it's not really worth it!). I will get better at them, though!
As if that's not enough, I also managed to start a pseudo-feud with the gals over at the Gerry Butler mad-fan site (- result!)! I've joined their site so that I can heckle them on their own virtual turf (they're good sports that way!).
Anyway, I thought I'd actually plan a themed week this week. By planning I mean thinking about it, and then
Monday's post was a Philosophical question - Is Fait Accompli? Doug, one of my newest, yet most dedicated followers, was
So, with fresh new follower Doug firmly in mind, I offer you, in this Philosophically themed post, a question to ponder:
Le Petomane -
Did He Have
The Most Ludicrous Job Ever
In the Entire History of Jobs?
Le Pétomane ( /ləˈpɛtəmeɪn/, French pronunciation: [ləpetɔˈman]) was the stage name of the French flatulist (professional farter) and entertainer Joseph Pujol (June 1, 1857 - 1945). He was famous for his remarkable control of the abdominal muscles, which enabled him to fart at will. His stage name combines the French verb péter, "to fart" with the -mane, "-maniac" suffix, which translates to "fartomaniac". The profession is also referred to as "flatulist", "farteur", or "fartiste".[1]
It is a common misconception to state that Joseph Pujol actually farted as part of his stage performance. Farting implies the release through the anus of intestinal gases. Pujol was "gifted" in the sense that he was able to inhale air into his rectum and then control the release of that air using his sphincter muscles (avoiding any associated odour). Evidence of his ability to control those muscles can be seen in the early accounts of demonstrations of his abilities to fellow soldiers.
Check this guy out!!!..... he earned his living from being a "Fartiste"! I love it!
And how, exactly, is this meant to be Philosophical? I hear you ask (there are a few more of you now, getting louder - if you all stand closer together, you might even manage "rowdy
Well, stands to reason. "Philosophy" means to wonder about things (ok, rough translation, but gets the gist across). This guy is one of the things I wonder about on a relatively frequent basis (this is true.... very sad, but the true nonetheless). What a fabulously bizarre way to earn a living!!! {shakes head disbelievingly}. That's pretty much as far as I get before my mind wanders onto other mad ways people have earned a living, and that's me lost for the rest of the day.
I don't think nearly enough people know about Monsieur Le Petomane and his, shall we say, niche talent. I think he should be celebrated for his contribution to the world, and hailed from the rooftops as a shining example of where your life can take you, and how ridiculous the journey can often be.
"When one ponders upon the deeper meanings of Life, the Universe and Everything, one must inevitably consider the mundane, but one must never loose sight of the spectacular exception!"
[Me]
"Who'da thunkitt?"
[Also Me]
3 comments:
Hi. Many years ago there was a TV film about Le Petomane with his role played by Leonard Rossiter (Rising Damp, Reggie Perrin). It was wonderful and not just played for crude laughs. As Mad Magazine used to say about itself: He was number one in a field of one!
It sounds like a lot of hot (smelly) air to me. Only the French would pay to watch some froggy play his arse-trumpet. By the way, I think I'll register the phrase "Playing the arse-trumpet", as it sounds better than the action it describes!
Hi,
Just a moment..checks Blog Roll...a most impressive list but that 'klahanie' is really quite strange and has been known to ramble on with totally nonsensical ramblings that have little or no bearing on the topic and has even been known to do a run on sentence that proves that he is quite strange to the point that he doesn't even seem to realise that he is doing a run on sentence and then it suddenly stops.
This French fartiste is now one of my heroes. They are apparently putting up a monument in his honour in Paris. The Arch de Trump.
Post a Comment