Deathmøle and Jumpers

If you haven't got your sound up and speakers on, get them up, now!

No, not the wee Malkies but something that so reminded me of my adolescence, sitting in my wee bedroom noodling, headphones plugged into my amp. If only we'd had Garage Band then, not just an old Sony 4 track open reel. It's a multi-tracked Jeph Jacques, author of the 'questionable content comic' - in which the band Deathmøle feature. While a bit derivative, it reminds me of early Joe Satriani, it seems to me not half bad for a copyright free, downloadable mp3 from a comic writer. Obviously Jeph just likes showing off his not tiny 'talent'! And Hannelore Ellicott-Chatham is really cooking on drums! So, you ready? Deathmøle. Click 'Play'

I'm afraid the post might seem a little contentious today. I have no desire to hurt anybody's feelings nor open wounds best left closed but something happened yesterday morning that I don't really understand. Perhaps someone, anyone, can explain or enlighten me?

I made my usual trip to the tube station only to find it closed. I questioned one of the station attendants and discovered that the line was closed from the south terminus for about 10 stations and the service was suspended until further notice. "Why?" "Someone under a train at the next station. "

During the rush hour it can be sometimes a little 'hairy' on the tube platform with people jostling for position so as to be able to launch themselves at the doors when they open and join in what is usually a frantic scramble to gain the last empty seats and avoid strap-hanging all the way to the city. It is not a pretty sight, every man (and woman) for themselves but it's a way of life here. And sometimes accidents do happen, in all the overcrowding and jostling. It's one of the reasons I always travel as the rush hour subsides, the train is not usually full for at least 5 0r 6 stops after the terminus, ergo no mad scrambles where I get on and therefore little possibility of mishap.

So one has to conclude that this was most likely a 'jumper'. If colliding with the front of a moving train only just at the beginning of its braking doesn't get you, the electrified rail probably will. It may not have been but it happens so often that in all probability it was suicide. What I don't understand is why people kill themselves this way.

Previous posts will have, I hope, demonstrated that I am not unaware of both the events and states of mind which can drive an individual towards ending their own life. The feelings of desperation, that nothing you can do can change how you feel or what's happened to you. How the thought of more of the same is so debilitating that the only possible end to it is to consign your conscienceness to the ever waiting and soft, gentle hands of oblivion. Many of us have been there, bought the T-Shirt but..........

Why in God's, or anyone's, name would you subject an innocent victim to the trauma of your decision? What makes you choose not to drop a few months' supply of Mogadon, slit your wrists, eat rat poison, after having written to the police, first class, with the keys to your flat telling them of your intentions the day you carry them out, so they'll recover the body before it starts to decompose and smell.

Why does it have to be public?

And the driver of the train?

What must he/she feel?

It's not his/her fault! He/she can do nothing about it but..........

Think how YOU would feel? You've just KILLED someone! The thing you are in control of has just KILLED someone! Another human being!

My mother once told me of an event that happened when I was very young. My father was driving a truck when a child ran out from behind a car into the road almost immediately in front of him. Needless to say the truck hit the child, there was no time to brake, and killed him/her - my mother wasn't too sure of the sex. How would YOU feel?

My father never spoke of it. (So I can guess how HE felt about it! There was NOTHING he could do - unless Superman - but YOU've DONE it nonetheless)

So why can't these disturbed, fucked up individuals learn to be just a little more considerate! I would be! Or are they SO fucked up?