Shrimpsvoices

For years I had this fleeting thought that 'Bare Bum' reminded me of someone. It was the style of writing more than anything, but the real person too. And I couldn't ever quite get a hold of that thought for long enough to place the connection.

Eventually, I gave up trying and in fact, until yesterday, I'd forgotten that I'd ever thought that.

Unconnected... or so I thought... I once saw a fantastic monologue on TV, 'Swimming to Cambodia'. I know it was on very late at night and I was rather drunk at the time. It was probably around 1988. I tried to get it on video, then as time went on, on DVD. But I couldn't find it anywhere. Periodically, I'd remember this film and have another search on the internet. Yesterday, as I drove home from work 'findanyfilm.com' was mentioned on the radio. I wondered if Swimming to Cambodia would be listed there?

It wasn't.

But I set off for a bit of a search once more. I found a 'new' DVD listed on Amazon, just one cent short of $300. No typo there, this is a very rare collectors item. I didn't want to see it that badly.

But since I last searched, someone has cut it into ten bite-sized chunks and placed it on Youtube. Excellent!

As I sat down to part one, there was Bare Bum in the form of Spalding Gray! I don't really know why and I don't know if anyone else will get the connection. And really, it's not the connection that matters. I've got a feeling that anyone who watches this will consider it to be a 'Marmite moment', and either love it or think WHAT? WHY?

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGmra0eFQk
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d097wLM9swQ
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBnS77TGLJE
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDbbNBQ2uLw
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDx2Cl6WiUo
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNU38mAvoQE
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taEO500A3Oo
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL9m6qd1yQ
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4h3xkLZvQg
10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0EN2j90fo

One of the greatest monologues I've ever seen.

And if anyone hasn't seen The Killing Fields, it is one of the best films ever.

PS My advice to nyone who tries to watch this.

1. Open the first clip.
2. Increase to the better quality and pause it until fully downloaded.
3. Once fully loaded, open the second clip in a new tab.
4. Increase the quality and pause it.
5. Return to the first clip, click on the full screen tab and watch it while clip two loads.
6. Before watching the second clip, set clip three off loading and so on.

Keep it bumped Keith,probably watch it next Wednesday Afternoon.

Keith, why not try the following when searching for video clips...

http://www.blinkx.com

Millions of hours of video on all subjects. 'Swimming to Cambodia' works well straight away but wider subjects need a second narrowing connection e.g. Morecambe Wembley.

Hope this is of use.

OK, I learnt plenty of stuff about prose, delivery and timing from the bum, but in spite of the testimonial I always saw him as the Reader's Digest of Tibetan Buddhism.

"Jer gan chart nah, dton bye"
"I will see you again in the afternoon of my next life"

its on a web site called bt junkie for you to download.

Spalding Gray wrote:OK, I learnt plenty of stuff about prose, delivery and timing from the bum, but in spite of the testimonial I always saw him as the Reader's Digest of Tibetan Buddhism.

A voice from beyond the grave! Welcome Mr Spalding. So are you saying Mr Bum was your spiritual leader? My god! a deity on the North Stand! Mr Bum always struck me as the type of person, who when visiting somewhere exotic, would only be able to go home after he'd experienced a perfect moment...

Alan wrote:Keith, why not try the following when searching for video clips...

http://www.blinkx.com

Millions of hours of video on all subjects. 'Swimming to Cambodia' works well straight away but wider subjects need a second narrowing connection e.g. Morecambe Wembley.

Hope this is of use.

Thanks Alan, but as far as I could see, the Swimming to Cambodia links back to the ten YouTube clips. I can't see the full film?

redtilldead74 wrote:its on a web site called bt junkie for you to download.

So is this a safe site to join? Always a bit wary I've not heard of this one before.

Did anyone actually watch this and, more to the point, enjoy it, or did everyone else just think 'he's losing the plot, he's been stuck on that island for too long'?

Received a DVD through the post from a fellow Shrimpsvoicer, (thank you, you know who you are, no names, no pack-drill) Just watched it again, all in one go, on a proper TV

Did anyone else watch it? Did you think it was great or rubbish? Was Bare Bum complimented or insulted?

I have seen it, Keith, and I loved Spalding Grey. Shame he lost it completely. There is a very moving piece done by his widow on a This American Life episode. If I think on I'll post it for you.

OK well, I am having a nightmare with my new broadband package and as such only managed to view the first clip before my home communication capacity began dissembling. It's now virtually dead although I can intermittently get on line with a fluctuating dongle

I loved it though. Never seen or heard of the guy before and, to be honest, felt he looked too much like a cross between Pablo Picasso and Peter Lorre to acknowledge any feeling of familiarity with my mirrored image (when I look at myself I see Cary Grant / George Clooney).
My much better half, though, could see a familiarity - and she loved it too.

Maybe if I don't get sorted, communication-wise, before the season starts, you could lend me your copy and I'll have a Spalding Grey evening. As it is it's one of the little things in life I am really looking forward to right now.

If anyone is considering a new TALK TALK (hmmph!) package, be careful...........