Inconsistency as an old art form


I like to think Iโ€™m quite good at a lot of things. I actually like to think that Iโ€™m extremely good at a lot of things. But, in reality, and if Iโ€™m being one hundred per cent honest, I know that Iโ€™m not.

Sometimes Iโ€™m better than others, sometimes worse. Sometimes Iโ€™m so terrible I wonder why I even bothered to start in the first place. And sometimes I wonder if it was me that had actually done what Iโ€™d done (for better or for worse, it works either way).

But what, I hear you ask in frustration, are these โ€˜thingsโ€™ Iโ€™m rabbiting on about? Well, I shall tell you, in a roundabout* way.

Anything I do.

Everything I do.

Writing. Reading. Creating unique pieces of computer art. Communicating. Listening. Remembering. Sleeping. Dreaming. Sneezing.

Everything I do, Iโ€™ll do it differently the next time.

I write a good pieceโ€ฆ I then write a terrible one (complete with speling errors!).
I read the first so many fabulous chapters of an un-put-downable book, and then forget that Iโ€™d even started it.
I flourish and embellish and exaggerate and colour-in some work of art which wouldnโ€™t look out of place in trendy art galleries anywhere around the world, and when I next look at it, itโ€™s as though, well, a strange computer virus has attacked my art software and distorted whatever I have done.
Iโ€™ve never been a great communicator, verbally, but sometimes Iโ€™m magnificent. I really, truly, deeply am.
I have one good ear and one not so good one (just the two!), so I miss a lot of what Iโ€™m being toldโ€ฆ and sometimes make up my own words to try to catch up, thus getting other things wrong. Sometimes hilariously so (especially when Iโ€™m singing along to a song. Enyaโ€™s Orinoco Flow will always contain the line Save the Whale, Save the Whale, Save the Whale, as that is how I first heard it many centuries ago).
I remember that line as it was oh so wrong, but can I remember any others? Nope! The tune, yesโ€ฆ well, most of it. I even forget people who I sit next to at work occasionally. Sigh.
Sometimes, I sleep soundly. Other times, I wake about fifty times during the night. Sometimes, I sleep too heavily and feel dreadful, and other times I love waking and sleeping on and off all night long.
I love my dreams. I remember some, but not all. Sometimes I dream regularly, sometimes I donโ€™t. Currently, Iโ€™m somewhat in the middleโ€ฆ
And sneezingโ€ฆ sometimes, I break the sound barrier as I sneeze that loudlyโ€ฆ other times, I stifle a little achoo in a corner somewhere.

Completely inconsistent. But always me.

Itโ€™s the core that matters anyway, not the inconsistencies. Well, thatโ€™s how I feel about it. Most of the time.

***

This post has been written in response to Sideviewโ€™s Weekend Theme, which this week is Inconsistencyโ€ฆ *I didnโ€™t participate in last weekโ€™s theme, Swings and Roundabouts, so I added a little sideways mention at the beginning there. If youโ€™d like to participate in Sideviewโ€™s weekly challenge pop along to her site, and have a look at some other posts written by other bloggers who may not be as inconsistent as me. I.

***

Incidentally, the words Inconsistent and Inconsistency were first used in a decade very close to my heart. Yes, thatโ€™s right. Between 1640 and 1650 the word came into existence.

Is it just by chance that Iโ€™m as inconsistent as I am, looking at that rather random coincidence of timing? Synchronicities are never far awayโ€ฆ and I have found another link to my 1642 Questโ€ฆ although its meaning is as allusive as with all of the other links I have found. Answers will be along soon, Iโ€™m sure of it. I just have to ask the right questions first of all!

I still feel good though, even with all the questions, answers and inconsistencies. And that, as a good core, is all that mattersโ€ฆ

28 responses to “Inconsistency as an old art form”

  1. CMStewart avatar

    Of your list, there is one thing I know I do quite well every time. Sneezing. I’m sure I’ve never expelled a sneeze that wasn’t vigorous and full of gusto. (And with multiple chronic allergies, I’ve expelled a lot of sneezes.) ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      You and me both with the allergy thing, CM… although it’s a good job I quite like a good sneeze every now and again…

      Like

  2. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    Forget the consistent inconsistencies or the inconsiste…you know. Forget about it! Just be Tom, the one who feels good about himself.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Already forgotten, Tess. Apart from… no! That’s gone as well now! Still feeling good! ๐Ÿ˜€

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  3. prenin avatar

    You and I are a lot alike – I have the best of Enya CD and paid homage to Enya in ‘Jabberweil Hunt’ with a reference to a chronic bout of diarrhoea I called ‘Orinoco Flow’!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    I also sneeze like a cannon and have been known to wake my neighbour with it from time to time! ๐Ÿ™‚

    God Bless my friend and be well!

    Prenin.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Hope you’re not sneezing too loudly right now, Prenin… or too often for that matter! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  4. Andra Watkins avatar

    Nothing wrong with being consistently inconsistent.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Phew! It seems quite a few of us are anyway, Andra!

      Like

  5. SidevieW avatar

    I am beginning to think inconsistancy is the essence of humanity

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    1. SidevieW avatar

      Enya’s Save the whale may well live with me for ever

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      1. Tom Merriman avatar

        It has done me! ๐Ÿ˜€

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    2. Tom Merriman avatar

      I agree with you, Sideview. Most definitely!

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  6. penpusherpen avatar

    Nothing wrong with rabbiting, Sir Aquatom, and being consistent in your inconsistency.. ‘cos I think a lot of people are, and it’s informative, it lets you know you’re not the only one who does it. AND Loving the word synchronicities, (almost rolls around the tongue … like a sugared almond..OOoO haven’t had one of those for ages.. you got any? ) .. anywho.. (diet…remember your diet!!) …righto, (nothing wrong with it, my right toe… see?. I always mistake words and meanings, .. ๐Ÿ˜‰ ) ) … I shall forever onwards (just like SidevieW) think of Save the Whale , save the whale, save the whale, for Orinoco Flo (Flo’s a lovely woman ) … and sneezing? The past few weeks I’ve had an attack… just the two sneezes at the most inappropriate times, embarrassing? I’d say so… bye for now, and have a great weekend, I have a pedal bin to empty and it’s worrying me… ๐Ÿ™‚ xPenx.

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Synchronicities! I love everything about them, Lady P! (Diet? What diet?)
      Save the whale will stick… it’s like that! (Oh, that diet!)
      I don’t think you need to worry about your pedal bin… you keep it well fed, and it seems tame enough…

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  7. Visionkeeper avatar
    Visionkeeper

    No inconsistencies TL….Just being who you are, no excuses necessary at all. Just be who you are and love who you are. Well written btw…Have a great weekend and go with that flow! VK

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thank you, VK… Hope you’ve had a good weekend as well!

      Like

  8. kateshrewsday avatar

    Do you know, Tom, I’m just the same. Different ech time, sometimes subtly, but the difference is there. And, indeed, Vive La Difference ๐Ÿ˜‰

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Vive La Difference, Kate!

      Like

  9. Marco avatar
    Marco

    Bwohaha @ Save the whale save the whale save the world – I love it and now it’s stuck in my head! It’s definitely the inconsistencies that make/keep things interesting ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Marco, and hello!
      Yes, they do… inconsistencies that is!
      The save the whale tale goes one step further… when I told a former work colleague what I thought the line was, she said “no… no… that’s wrong. It’s sail the waves.” Seems she was as inconsistent as I was…
      Thanks for commenting! ๐Ÿ˜€

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      1. Marco avatar
        Marco

        Heehee! I guess that Enya line is really very open to suggestions – hmmm, wonder what other phrases would fit snugly into the song…
        You’re welcome ๐Ÿ™‚

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        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          I’m sure there are others, Marco, although having sung along with three different versions of a short sentence I’m actually hoping not… I still sometimes sing the wrong line now if I hear it! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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          1. Marco avatar
            Marco

            Hehe – keeps it fun and interesting

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  10. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

    No change there then! lol….. I don’t believe Tom I have ever read a bad post of yours.. … there is one thing you are consistent in, and thats you can yak the hind leg off a donkey! LOL.. Never Change Being YOU Tom.. We love you with all your inconsistencies and talking of dates.. Have you ever come any closer to discovering your interest in your particular date!… ??

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    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      You’re too kind, Sue… I’ve written many a bad post… usually the ones where I yakked and waffled like no-one’s business! ๐Ÿ˜‰ But yes, I’ll try not to change… I can only be me (most of the time anyway!)
      I’m still finding random facts about 1642 Sue, but no definitive answer. I’m actually enjoying the chase… waiting to see what else will come along! I’m sure I’ll find out at the right time for me!

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      1. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

        I am sure you are right Tom…. ALL things will be revealed when the time is right, often we need other pieces of the puzzle first before they all click together!

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        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          ๐Ÿ™‚ Indeed! And I’m waiting patiently for the click… I don’t want to miss one piece of this!

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  11. shreejacob avatar

    Haha I do love this post and the way you have described your inconsistencies ๐Ÿ˜€ I think we all have them..but you are right, you are totally awesome just the way you are, inconsistencies and all!

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