A Learning Curve

Frank James Ferrie

Many people are not prepared to recount their personal histories because they think that their lives are simply bottled tedium with gas. But thats not the way I think of things, at least not now I dont. I began to see the truth of the matter when, out of the blue, a big guy punched me in the face. The blow sent me into a spin that ended when my chin slammed into the edge of a lamppost. I think of that lamppost every now and then, even on a clear day, when the wind is in the west and five favourites in a row have romped home at Haydock Park, I can still taste the acrid green flaky paint. But it was a learning curve I was on. In fact, had I known it, I was at the confluence of several of the beggars; there was a kind of destructive effect as the crests hit the troughs. Thats what it was and Ive still got a mark there to prove it.

The conversation started out promisingly enough though. I was getting in all the right nods and interjections at contentious points that would, Im sure, have looked the part and I was well conscious of the fact. Looking the part has always been an important facet in things for me, really. But at some unidentifiable point, I began to get bored with the predictable equilibrium, and started irritating the company with my incredible observations on life. I just sort of got into it even though something at the back of my mind was kicking me under the table. ... (continues)