Many people think that a deaf man would find it impossible to appreciate music. This is far from true! It is my own view that good music must be heart-felt and dynamic.
Movies
I love the pictures. Amongst my favourite films must surely be:
Hail the Conquering Hero, It's A Wonderful Life, Fitzcarraldo, Brief Encounter, Jour de Fete, Walking To Werner, Margarette's Feast, Lost Horizon, Gallivant, The Wizard of Oz, Robinson in Space, I'll See You In My Dreams, In the Land of the Deaf (Le Pays des Sourds), The Invisible Man, A Mighty Wind, I Know Where I'm Going, L'Atalante, One Foot in Heaven, Oh Lucky Man! & Journey to Italy.
Of course the films of Buster Keaton, George Formby, Woody Allen, Klaus Beyer, Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers are also very good.
Television
I do not own a television set.
Books
I am fond of works by Rudyard Kipling and JM Barrie. Encyclopaedia are useful. The Bible is important although rather long. I keep recipe books, even if I use them only rarely.
Heroes
Great Scots! Kirkpatrick MacMillan (inventor of the bicycle), John Boyd Dunlop (inventor of the pneumatic tyre), Sir James Dewar (inventor of the vacuum flask), James Chalmers (inventor of the adhesive postage stamp), Saint Andrew (Patron Saint of Scotland and of Fishermen), John Knox (father of the Church of Scotland), Scott of the Antarctic, Mary Slessor and above all William McGonagall.
Not forgetting my dearest cousins without whom I would surely starve!
About me: My name is James Duthie. I am a keen cyclist, writer and apprentice shoemaker. I come from Cairnbulg, a close-knit community on the North East Coast of Scotland. The people here are descended from proud, hardworking Scottish fishermen.
Locally I am well-known as 'Dummy Jim'. This is because I am deaf. No harm is meant by this - everyone has a nickname.
A while ago I set forth alone on a Continental cycling tour which might have taken me from Scotland to Spain and Gibralter, and finally to Morocco. However, I encountered some difficulties on route. I took a route Northwards, in a direction that eventually took me to the Arctic Circle.
I kept a journal ('blog') of these Continental experiences and here are my photographs.
There is a film being made about my trip, named after me, called 'Dummy Jim' - you can see some interesting plans for that HERE
(Merry Christmas, Jim and all; bye the way - re. your Blog - I enjoyed a bilingual radio concert on Glasgow and the Clyde, the other day.)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace -
230 of 230, walkaboutsverse.741.com: AS GOSPELLERS HAVE SAID/CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Poem 187 of 230: A SOUTH SHIELDS WALKABOUT - AUTUMN 2001
Out of the museum-and-gallery - Wiser on Cookson and the local way - Down Ocean Road with, to the right of me, Its eateries and, left, neat places to stay; Before, on either side, Marine Parks - The southern-one a most beautiful place, Teeming with moorhen, swans, grebes and mallards In a large pond at a scenic-hill’s base.
Then (holding chips from the parade’s cafe And, thus, a flock of gulls squawking above) Onto the South Pier I made my way: Seeing seaweed over rocks, like a glove; And high-and-dry sands held from transgression By growth of grass and the weaving of wood; Plus, in the dim light of a sleepy sun, Fishing boats returning to Tynemouth’s hood.
Poem 162 of 230: TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; "Broken-roofed buildings" are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
So - are you back home ? and in good health - i hope ! Have a nice summer - here is one of my favorite music videos with two fine french musicians. All the best Bingo
Dearest Jim, Your writing is amazing and your syntax is right on. This is odd for a deaf person but I suppose you have a secretary of sorts. I admire your photos and your interests. You are a real doll.
Courage Jim, your travails shall have an End.
Luke 7:22
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
