BELFAST, Ireland (AP) -- Hospital authorities caring for a patient who refuses to talk but willingly plays the bodhran for hours said Tuesday they are investigating a number of new leads on his identity.
The short, baldy man, who is in his 20s or early 30s, has not said a word since he was found, distressed and dressed in a dripping wet suit, in downtown Belfast, northeast Ireland, on May 17.
When staff at the Shaftesbury Square Hospital in Belfast gave him writing materials, he drew detailed pictures of a enormous bodhran and, when shown a bodhran in the hospital chapel, sat down and played for two hours, causing staff to nickname him "Bodhran Man."
Baffled staff said their problems have been compounded by the fact that all the labels have been cut off the man's clothes, and he had a broken tin whistle in his pocket.
"That is a real twist -- and it's enough of a mystery without that," said Dr D G Fowlie, spokesman for the Medical Council on Alcohol, which is caring for the man at a psychiatric unit in the Clerkseat Building in Aberdeen.
"Apart from mentally, the man is healthy, and he is washing himself, thank God because he smelled funny. But he does not communicate at all, so he cannot receive counseling," Fowlie said.
He said a tabloid newspaper has provided the man with a bodhran; playing noticeably calms him down.
Fowlie said the National Missing Persons Helpline has received 320 calls and 70 e-mails after releasing a picture of the man and one of his bodhran drawings on Monday. The health trust has also received a number of practical jokes in the form of telephone calls.
"We are wading through those with the police -- we just hope that we can hurry the feck up and find someone who knows him so we can get rid of the noise," said Fowlie. "But it will take some time." There was a fiddler who seemed to recognise him and muttered something about bodhran bliss, but he stopped abruptly and disappeared before authorities could interview him properly.
The Irish press has likened his case to the Oscar-winning movie "The Shining," about some crazed musician wandering around an abandon resort hotel trying to hack the care-taker up. But actually the man does not seem to be a musician and is just nothing more than an obnoxious amateur.
Peter McBride, the man's social worker, has said that when he is not playing the bodhran, he remains very anxious and emits a peculiar smell.
"Someone, somewhere must be missing him, but I can't imagine why." said Camp. "At the moment we only have six empty pint glasses to work on, which makes it very hard."
Hospital chaplain the Rev. Steve Spancil said the man "is not the virtuoso that he has been portrayed in the press. He knows a small number of rhythms and plays them over and over -- I recognized some afro-cuban beats, but not played very well really... maybe it was Egyptian... I don't know really.'
"When he plays, he is totally focused -- he cuts out everything else and it makes him calmer."
Hospital staff have already ruled out reports that he recently attended a funeral locally. Interpreters from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania were brought in to see if he was from Eastern Europe, and possibly an asylum seeker, but no one was able to get through to him.
"Here's a photo of the 'Bodhran Man.' If you recognize him please contact authorities and come get him for feck's sake because he's driving us all mad with his endless bodhran playing." said Mr. Fowlie, "Actually, we'll pay you handsomely to take him off our hands."
See the thread currently on page 2 that inspired this one.
Virtually all news stories are "rewrites" these days. They aren't plagiarised, they are sold to and purchased from a wire service, such as AP or Reuters, and modified by a local "copy writer" for local publication.
You'll find the same base copy being used by every news outlet covering the story.
"So what's so funny about re-writing an already published article?"
Ah, I misunderstood you. It's called "parody." A form of humor composed entirely of rewriting something already published. Weird Al is perhaps the best known practioner of the art in the musical field.
If you don't know what's funny about the line "gonna party like it's 1699" I don't know how to explain it to you.
This website has been so useful in teaching me that some people just don't understand parody and irony. I'm interested to know why now - is it a genetic problem that you have from birth, or is it to do with your upbringing? A lot of British comedy on TV is full of sometimes quite dark or sick forms of humour; it's no wonder some people find some of it offensive and complain. Some people are so good at killing jokes. Is it because they genuinely find it offensive (they must spend their whole lives being offended - it's a harsh world), or is it that they find some sort of pleasure in it? Hmmm, food for thought...
Ha! ha! Nice bit of investigative journalism, Jack. Well, it's good news to hear that he's actually playing his bodhran now, instead of writing endless entertaining, but unbelievably outreageous stories about him and his bodhan in yellow discussion boards! Fair play tae yer man!!
After a protracted deal with a sales guy from a large international concern, who has no laughter in his person, my colleague and I were talking about people who are without humour, like the guy above who thinks there is nothing humourous in this. One thing that particularly interested me in what my colleague said was "they [the people with no humour] are never sad".
I thought that was a very perceptive comment. People like this never have a good belly laugh, but never seem to have a good cry either. Give me the ups and the downs that most of us live with any day - living on that sort of emotional plain must be like being on Prozac full time.
Of course it's possible that this is another Psychology Student wind-up, like the astonishing wossisname.
"I would just like to place it on the record that i in no way recognise the bodhran man and as far i'm concerned he is no longer the problem of 'Rarin to go' plc. If anyone does recognise the wee balleex i would urge them to keep it to themselves as i've no doubt it would benefit society as a whole"
Statement ends.
PS: Funniest post of the week goes to Jack Gilder.
Someone once said, "Sometimes only the comfortably numb can afford to be morally outraged".
I, of course, think this is a very insensitive thing to say, and using Pink Floyd lyrics out of context to back up such insensitivity is even more insensitive.
Erm, good nyuks Jack!
There's a fellow in town, a carpenter I'm told - made his own tambourine - about three foot diameter! With Jersey (I think) cowhide skin! And the white-with-black-stripe pattern shows through! And it still has hair!
Very stylish stuff, I'll take him over any Ringo wannabe. Why...he doesn't even have to play...
A friend has a refried bean brown/gold glitter naughahide pipe bag. Stylin'!
Blister works? I thought for sure it was the dole for him. I pictured him getting jacked on free coffee refills at an internet cafe hogging the free connection, winding everyone up and then off to the pub to sing for his pints.
There are serious flaws in the story. (I was determined not to spend too much time on the project.) Places and people's names were changed to protect the innocent.
I worked with a woman once who did not get sarcastic remarks, or puns, or any other form of humor that involved twisting the meaning of something. It was extremely difficult to get used to, and I never did get the knack of talking to someone who took everything literally. She didn't enjoy music either, it was just noise to her. Maybe it was a brain structure thing. To me, it sounded like a fate worse than death. She certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the works of Douglas Adams. The only parallel I can think of is when I have a cold, and can't taste my food. Awful.
By God, you had me worried for a while incase it was me, and I was suffering from amnesia and had forgotten all about it.
Late twentys to early thirties. The bloke in the picture doesn't look that old. Was the photo taken before or after he got out of the water?
I note your reference to Shaftsbury Square Hospital, Jack. I hope that is not from personal experience.
And Jode you are almost right about me. I led the existence you described, except no dole, I scratched a living from music and writing (sic). Unfortunately my daughter has been at University for four years, so I had to get a steady pittance by working. With a 23 year old daughter the late twenties to early thirties year old washed up bodhran player (I choose my words with care) couldn't possibly be me, could it?
OK, who wants to know the secret of eternal youth?
"Of course it's possible that this is another Psychology Student wind-up..."
Well, it's now officially safe to say (since the last of the data have been collected) that this is exactly what has been happening with my posts here.
Thanks very much for the open-ended commentary, those that provided them. I've no doubt that my thesis (working on my Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Connecticut) will be well supported.
I sincerely hope there's no hard feelings, but I had to maintain the 'game', if you will, in order to ensure the accuracy of the data/responses.
Incidentally, a friend of mine who works for a major university spends his days reviewing human subjects experiment proposals for their compliance with Federal law. Significantly fewer than half of the proposals are compliant, because the experimenters are unwilling to abide by laws that give their subjects basic rights to informed consent and suchlike.
I have just a wee suspicion that the internet isn't adequately covered by those laws.
*splorf*
No, Jack. Just a slight speculation that the yellow board got chosen for more reasons than the fact that us hereabouts are cute and talkative. Unless Tunes' thesis specifically is on internet phenomena.
Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
BELFAST, Ireland (AP) -- Hospital authorities caring for a patient who refuses to talk but willingly plays the bodhran for hours said Tuesday they are investigating a number of new leads on his identity.
The short, baldy man, who is in his 20s or early 30s, has not said a word since he was found, distressed and dressed in a dripping wet suit, in downtown Belfast, northeast Ireland, on May 17.
When staff at the Shaftesbury Square Hospital in Belfast gave him writing materials, he drew detailed pictures of a enormous bodhran and, when shown a bodhran in the hospital chapel, sat down and played for two hours, causing staff to nickname him "Bodhran Man."
Baffled staff said their problems have been compounded by the fact that all the labels have been cut off the man's clothes, and he had a broken tin whistle in his pocket.
"That is a real twist -- and it's enough of a mystery without that," said Dr D G Fowlie, spokesman for the Medical Council on Alcohol, which is caring for the man at a psychiatric unit in the Clerkseat Building in Aberdeen.
"Apart from mentally, the man is healthy, and he is washing himself, thank God because he smelled funny. But he does not communicate at all, so he cannot receive counseling," Fowlie said.
He said a tabloid newspaper has provided the man with a bodhran; playing noticeably calms him down.
Fowlie said the National Missing Persons Helpline has received 320 calls and 70 e-mails after releasing a picture of the man and one of his bodhran drawings on Monday. The health trust has also received a number of practical jokes in the form of telephone calls.
"We are wading through those with the police -- we just hope that we can hurry the feck up and find someone who knows him so we can get rid of the noise," said Fowlie. "But it will take some time." There was a fiddler who seemed to recognise him and muttered something about bodhran bliss, but he stopped abruptly and disappeared before authorities could interview him properly.
The Irish press has likened his case to the Oscar-winning movie "The Shining," about some crazed musician wandering around an abandon resort hotel trying to hack the care-taker up. But actually the man does not seem to be a musician and is just nothing more than an obnoxious amateur.
Peter McBride, the man's social worker, has said that when he is not playing the bodhran, he remains very anxious and emits a peculiar smell.
"Someone, somewhere must be missing him, but I can't imagine why." said Camp. "At the moment we only have six empty pint glasses to work on, which makes it very hard."
Hospital chaplain the Rev. Steve Spancil said the man "is not the virtuoso that he has been portrayed in the press. He knows a small number of rhythms and plays them over and over -- I recognized some afro-cuban beats, but not played very well really... maybe it was Egyptian... I don't know really.'
"When he plays, he is totally focused -- he cuts out everything else and it makes him calmer."
Hospital staff have already ruled out reports that he recently attended a funeral locally. Interpreters from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania were brought in to see if he was from Eastern Europe, and possibly an asylum seeker, but no one was able to get through to him.
"Here's a photo of the 'Bodhran Man.' If you recognize him please contact authorities and come get him for feck's sake because he's driving us all mad with his endless bodhran playing." said Mr. Fowlie, "Actually, we'll pay you handsomely to take him off our hands."
http://www.mcgeowns.co.uk./events/song.jpg
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Jack - you have me crying with laughter at work! This is hilarious!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Yes, too funny, Jack!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Andee
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Jeez Jack--pretty good. Ever write for The Onion?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by 2ndFiddle
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
A couple of days ago I received an e-mail with a linked story about a man who has been named "The Piano Man".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4550069.stm
Given that sad story, I find nothing humourous in this bit of nonsense.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Especially when it's nothing more than a re-write (plagiarised?) of a CNN story.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Tunes - maybe you should have a look at the other thread about the 'Piano Man' that we've been on for the last couple of days......
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
FYI - http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/6638
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
See the thread currently on page 2 that inspired this one.
Virtually all news stories are "rewrites" these days. They aren't plagiarised, they are sold to and purchased from a wire service, such as AP or Reuters, and modified by a local "copy writer" for local publication.
You'll find the same base copy being used by every news outlet covering the story.
KFG
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by KFG
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Already been there.
So what's so funny about re-writing an already published article?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
"So what's so funny about re-writing an already published article?"
Ah, I misunderstood you. It's called "parody." A form of humor composed entirely of rewriting something already published. Weird Al is perhaps the best known practioner of the art in the musical field.
If you don't know what's funny about the line "gonna party like it's 1699" I don't know how to explain it to you.
Likewise ragging on BB.
KFG
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by KFG
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
I suppose nothing, unless you had something some people like to call 'a sense if humour'.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Oooohhh Oooohhh KFG you said it sooo much better than me!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
This website has been so useful in teaching me that some people just don't understand parody and irony. I'm interested to know why now - is it a genetic problem that you have from birth, or is it to do with your upbringing? A lot of British comedy on TV is full of sometimes quite dark or sick forms of humour; it's no wonder some people find some of it offensive and complain. Some people are so good at killing jokes. Is it because they genuinely find it offensive (they must spend their whole lives being offended - it's a harsh world), or is it that they find some sort of pleasure in it? Hmmm, food for thought...
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Dow
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Tunes! is right. You guys are such bad apples.
*burp*
(btw, nice one Jack
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Q
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
I thought you were serious for about a micro second then Q....I shoulda known.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bb
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Ha! ha! Nice bit of investigative journalism, Jack. Well, it's good news to hear that he's actually playing his bodhran now, instead of writing endless entertaining, but unbelievably outreageous stories about him and his bodhan in yellow discussion boards! Fair play tae yer man!!
Jim
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Eee - I do like a good laugh. Thanks Jack.
After a protracted deal with a sales guy from a large international concern, who has no laughter in his person, my colleague and I were talking about people who are without humour, like the guy above who thinks there is nothing humourous in this. One thing that particularly interested me in what my colleague said was "they [the people with no humour] are never sad".
I thought that was a very perceptive comment. People like this never have a good belly laugh, but never seem to have a good cry either. Give me the ups and the downs that most of us live with any day - living on that sort of emotional plain must be like being on Prozac full time.
Of course it's possible that this is another Psychology Student wind-up, like the astonishing wossisname.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
That is an interesting comment - I've never thought of it that way before. You'd have thought that humourless people *would* be sad.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Dow
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Statement from jfiddlerh; issued at 9:20 am.
"I would just like to place it on the record that i in no way recognise the bodhran man and as far i'm concerned he is no longer the problem of 'Rarin to go' plc. If anyone does recognise the wee balleex i would urge them to keep it to themselves as i've no doubt it would benefit society as a whole"
Statement ends.
PS: Funniest post of the week goes to Jack Gilder.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by jfiddlerh
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Someone once said, "Sometimes only the comfortably numb can afford to be morally outraged".
I, of course, think this is a very insensitive thing to say, and using Pink Floyd lyrics out of context to back up such insensitivity is even more insensitive.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Q
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
You mean there's a "Piano Man"? Wow, what a coincidence!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
There's also The Eggman:
http://www.lyrics-4all.net/I_Am_The_Walrus_Lyrics.html
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
I'm sure I've heard of White Van man too.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Erm, good nyuks Jack!
There's a fellow in town, a carpenter I'm told - made his own tambourine - about three foot diameter! With Jersey (I think) cowhide skin! And the white-with-black-stripe pattern shows through! And it still has hair!
Very stylish stuff, I'll take him over any Ringo wannabe. Why...he doesn't even have to play...
A friend has a refried bean brown/gold glitter naughahide pipe bag. Stylin'!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Kevin Rietmann
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Very good, Jack. No comment fro Bliss? Oh, that's right - he doesn't communicate at all.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by grego
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Grego
I informed Blisster of the thread but he replied with a surly explanation that he was at work, i'm sure he'll drop in as soon as he's home!
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by jfiddlerh
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
And when he does....
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Don't think Jersey cows have black and white stripes 'Kevin' !
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by curlew
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
That would be zebra hide if I'm not mistaken.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Blister works? I thought for sure it was the dole for him. I pictured him getting jacked on free coffee refills at an internet cafe hogging the free connection, winding everyone up and then off to the pub to sing for his pints.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Jode
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Jack, did it say why he was found in Belfast and then suddenly whisked across the sea to Aberdeen? There must be a story in there somewhere.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Jode
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
There are serious flaws in the story. (I was determined not to spend too much time on the project.) Places and people's names were changed to protect the innocent.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Is it Tomai Taylor by any chance?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
I worked with a woman once who did not get sarcastic remarks, or puns, or any other form of humor that involved twisting the meaning of something. It was extremely difficult to get used to, and I never did get the knack of talking to someone who took everything literally. She didn't enjoy music either, it was just noise to her. Maybe it was a brain structure thing. To me, it sounded like a fate worse than death. She certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the works of Douglas Adams. The only parallel I can think of is when I have a cold, and can't taste my food. Awful.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Jack, you obviously have way too much time on your hands. I don't understand any of this. Why was he wearing a zebra-striped wetsuit?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Batlady
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
You twisted little monkey...
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Batlady
Whu?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
By God, you had me worried for a while incase it was me, and I was suffering from amnesia and had forgotten all about it.
Late twentys to early thirties. The bloke in the picture doesn't look that old. Was the photo taken before or after he got out of the water?
I note your reference to Shaftsbury Square Hospital, Jack. I hope that is not from personal experience.
And Jode you are almost right about me. I led the existence you described, except no dole, I scratched a living from music and writing (sic). Unfortunately my daughter has been at University for four years, so I had to get a steady pittance by working. With a 23 year old daughter the late twenties to early thirties year old washed up bodhran player (I choose my words with care) couldn't possibly be me, could it?
OK, who wants to know the secret of eternal youth?
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Or a very randy youth.......
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Batlady
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
"The bloke in the picture doesn't look that old. Was the photo taken before or after he got out of the water?"
Who said it was water?
"I note your reference to Shaftsbury Square Hospital, Jack. I hope that is not from personal experience."
I didn't write the story... it was AP.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
"Of course it's possible that this is another Psychology Student wind-up..."
Well, it's now officially safe to say (since the last of the data have been collected) that this is exactly what has been happening with my posts here.
Thanks very much for the open-ended commentary, those that provided them. I've no doubt that my thesis (working on my Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Connecticut) will be well supported.
I sincerely hope there's no hard feelings, but I had to maintain the 'game', if you will, in order to ensure the accuracy of the data/responses.
Bye, everyone.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Evil boy. We will destroy you. And your little dog, too.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Batlady
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Thank God his research is complete, but I feel sorry for his future patients. I hope they get a second opinion first.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Someone on here telling lies, winding up and doing research. I hope my cheque is in the post for the research bit.
The whole thing is shameful. As for a Ph.D from Connecticut, about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Or a chocolate tea pot.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Or a one-legged man in an arse kicking contest.
# Posted on May 18th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Or a bodhran in a session.
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by Dow
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Touche! And match point.
KFG
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by KFG
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Tunes!
A good answer. Welcome to the glee club.
Ave Frate atqe Vale and all that.
;0)
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
The things I miss when I don't have internet access for a day.
Tunes! Why the heck aren't you on your way to England to psych out that poor guy?
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by sara g
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Incidentally, a friend of mine who works for a major university spends his days reviewing human subjects experiment proposals for their compliance with Federal law. Significantly fewer than half of the proposals are compliant, because the experimenters are unwilling to abide by laws that give their subjects basic rights to informed consent and suchlike.
I have just a wee suspicion that the internet isn't adequately covered by those laws.
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by sara g
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
I smell a lawsuit.
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
*splorf*
No, Jack. Just a slight speculation that the yellow board got chosen for more reasons than the fact that us hereabouts are cute and talkative. Unless Tunes' thesis specifically is on internet phenomena.
And of course I may be totally off-base.
# Posted on May 19th 2005 by sara g
Re: Leads, twists in 'bodhran man' case
Oh- wait - NOW I get it!
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
Gosh that was funny. heee heee hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa
# Posted on June 6th 2007 by Tunes!