The Magnificent Goldberg Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 The find also raises questions about what prompted 'civilizations to form throughout the planet at more or less the same time. More please. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aparxa Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 No hurry, no story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 More please. MG Wouldn't you like to know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 More Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 So, the earth has a sticky tongue and it has hit the moon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 So, the earth has a sticky tongue and it has hit the moon? Where've you been? -_- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van Basten II Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 If you're a fight fan, hope you enjoyed tonight what was the latest installment of one of the best boxing rivalries in booxing history (Skill and entertainment value) between Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez. We salute you, gentlemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 TV documentary the other day about The Great Omani. I remember this geezer being padlocked into half a hundredweight of chains and thrown into the sea off the end of the West Pier in Brighton every Sunday - my dad used to take me when I was a kid 55-60 years ago. He died while they were filming the programme, last October. Colourful characters The Great Omani The Argus: The Great Omani By Rosemary Turner A Little Bit of History - 9th July 2005 A cheery looking woman with a wild thatch of blonde hair appeared in the pub doorway and waved at the guest of honour. "Sorry I can't stay to watch you lie on a bed of glass, but I've got a sick pigeon down my bra," she warbled. Everyone nodded in sympathy, after all this was nothing unusual on a Saturday morning in Brighton. 90th birthday party But if nursing sick pigeons is an average activity in the city, the events of this Saturday were - even by Brighton standards - slightly special. An excited crowd had gathered in the Bedford Tavern to witness a little bit of history. The Great Omani - otherwise known as Ron Cunningham - had summoned friends, family and the press to witness his farewell performance. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, the world's oldest stunt man was preparing to astound his audience for the very last time. Magic Grandad's sense of the spectacular Like a king upon his throne, the diminuative guest of honour had been installed in a wooden armed chair on a red plush cushion. Surrounding him nestled his court of nubile young Brazilian girls, laughing and kissing everybody in a very un-English fashion, they formed an adoring inner circle. At the next table the family gathered, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gossiped together with a subdued air of occasion. The observer was quickly aware however that while they were here to celebrate a special day, they had, over the years, become used to Magic Grandad's sense of the spectacular - they had seen it all before. More wellwishers arrived bearing birthday cards and bottles of whiskey and were duly greeted with wild enthusiasm by the great man and kissed on both cheeks by the Brazilians. The press arrive The pigeon lady, with her lop-sided bosom, had scuttled away, but in her place arrived the press photographer. He was instantly recognisable, not for the camera bag slung over his shoulder which was at first hidden by the thick wooden doorpost, but rather for his air of unflappable patience and his multi-pocketed jacket. Such a garment is the stock in trade of the press photographer who may need to rapidly lay hands on film, lens cap, notebook and other pocket sized tools of the trade at a moment's notice and often in a severly confined space. "Aha the press have arrived," beamed the showman hopping up to greet the photographer and thus adding an extra frisson of expectation to the crowded bar. He made no obvious move to begin the show, however, for with over 60 years of performance under his belt The Great Omani knows how to work an audience and build them to a pitch of excited anticipation before the show begins. The scene is prepared More friends and family arrived, including a very large brown dog belonging to Ron's son and an extremely new baby belonging somewhere on the family tree. Finally the moment arrived. "Let's do it" he declared scuttling off to prepare himself with an energy and enthusiasm which would have done credit to a man half his age. The space was prepared, onlookers squashed back around the walls allowing a cloth to be laid in the middle of the carpet, on to which was poured a suitcase full of broken glass. The Great Omani re-appeared, minus shirt, shoes and socks. Everyone cheered. Finally the action begins "This time last year I was the fittest man in Sussex," he proclaimed. And though that might seem an idle boast for man completing eight decades of life, in fact nobody doubted him for one moment. Despite the ravages of recent health problems his bronzed body bore all the signs of having been extremely well looked after. Anyway by then he had been chattering non stop for over an hour and everyone had heard the highlights of his remarkable life several times over. Twinkle eyed patter created the big build up, and finally the action began. Crushing glass with bare feet Clinging on to his young pal Jo for support he lifted one bare foot and brought it down hard on the pile of glass, then stepping up with both feet he began grinding broken bottles beneath his soles. The audience gasped and cheered and applauded, encouraging The Great Omani to totter off his glass mountain and re-mount for yet more glass grinding. Having worn the glass down to a coarse bed, he then lowered himself on to the floor and lay back, inviting a small great grandchild to stand on his chest. Cracking gags and flashing fire Still cracking jokes, he produced some metal rods with cotton wool ends soaked in lighter fuel. These he set light to and passed, in true showman's style, across his bare chest. Everyone knew he had been doing this trick for years and wouldn't actually damage his skin, but some were a little concerned for the sticking plasters on his arms which seemed in real danger of bursting into flames. The nurse who had applied them after his hospital blood tests obviously didn't realise the severe trauma these NHS bandages were destined to undergo. Impressive fire eating After some impressive fire eating, next came the bendy bladed knife which, with an appropriate build up for the audience and a final flourish, he plunged first into his chest and then into his chin. The Brazilians gasped and clutched each other, torn between amusement and wide eyed horror. Even the English people roared and cheered and applauded in enthusiastic abandonment. The final stunt And then the final stunt - the last performance ever - the farewell to a life's work. Hammer in hand The Great Omani placed a beer glass under his chin and, still reclining on his bed of broken glass, smashed it to pieces. The crowd went wild. Finally all that was left was one last telling of the infamous chicken joke. And that was it. Ron returned to his seat at the bar, the Brazilians crowded around laughing and kissing everyone again, the family began to think about lunch. Still a trick or two to come? Time takes its toll on everyone, even a man bursting with life and energy must one day inevitably succumb to the greatest stunt of all. But despite his weakened limbs and his ninety years, and even despite this high profile final performance, somehow one is left thinking the old showman might still have a trick or two up his shirtsleeves before they finally ring down the curtain. My Brighton and Hove contributor Joanna Cunningham is currently working on a book about The Great Omani. Added to the site on 01-09-05 This page was added on 22/03/2006. Comments: Can you tell me if the Great Omani is still alive and if he still frequents the Bedford Tavern? By Louise Roddon (14/02/2007) I remember the Great Omani (Ron), we saw quite a lot of him around Brighton. I think he used to do stunts on one of the piers too! Did he have a son or grandson called Dave Cunningham? By Sandie Waller (27/05/2007) I'm Vanessa Cunningham, recently married to the Great Omani's grandson. He is OK thank you. If I can answer any questions, please don't hesitate in contacting me at tony_0301@hotmail.co.uk. By Vanessa Cunningham (15/07/2007) Hiya, I'm Tammy, the Great Omani's grandaughter. He is so brave. I don't know how he does all of his stunts. But one thing I do know is that he amazes me! By Tammy Cunningam (13/09/2007) Rest in peace 15/ 10 /2007 from Stu we will miss you. By Stu (16/10/2007) Dear grandad I'm gonna miss you so much but now I know that you are in a better place now. No pain just happieness. I just want you to know that you will always be in my mind and heart. Tammy x By Tammy Cunningham (17/10/2007) A great man indeed by all accounts! And good to see a fellow Sherburnian achieve such a good innings. But what was the chicken joke? By Ed Robertson (18/10/2007) He was and always will be remembered as a great entertainer, a true pro. but most of all he was a great person. and is now sadly missed. rest in peace. Anthony x. By Anthony (21/10/2007) Rest in piece Ron. I will always remember you, Great Omani. By Charlie (28/02/2008) My wife and I watched the BBC documentary on The Great Omani (aka Ron ) last night. What a truly amazing man. We just don't have colourful characters like this in our lives anymore. Instead we're force fed pseudo-celebs who do nothing more than win a telly talent content or marry a footballer Joanna - if you read this, pease let me know the name of the book (mentioned above). I'd so love to read more about this fascinating fella. RIP Ron, along with the other great entertainers that are no longer with us. I so look forward to meeting you one day x By Max Harris (28/02/2008) I particularly like "Sorry I can't stay to watch you lie on a bed of glass, but I've got a sick pigeon down my bra". I also have to admire the guy for having, at the age of 90, a bevy of nubile Brazilian girls around him. Here's the link. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_i...0p117p155p.aspx MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aparxa Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Who is responsible for the pepperpot sabotage ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aparxa Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 What's wrong in this world ? Smashing side windscreen & ruining front windscreen for absolutely nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 What's wrong in this world ? Smashing side windscreen & ruining front windscreen for absolutely nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 just in case anyone else is wondering about jazzbo's new title (4 8 15 16 23 42) http://www.research.att.com/~njas/sequence...h&go=Search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Well, here we go again. Another night, another traffic jam. Boy, this spaceway traffic gets worse every night. Hey, looks like an opening up ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van Basten II Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 There is so much snow accumulation here that when i want to clear out the snow out of my entrance that i have to take out the ladder so i can pile the snow on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 In Heaven, everything is fine. In Heaven, everything is fine. You've got your good things. And I've got mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Im Himmel es gibt kein Bier.....drum trinken wir es hier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 ......et quand nous sommes allés d'ici, nos amis boiront de toute le biere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Sad but true!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Dick Laurent is dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 ......et quand nous sommes allés d'ici, nos amis boiront de toute le biere! Is this a call for live chat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 (edited) conspiracy subliminal hint Edited March 9, 2008 by AllenLowe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 (edited) I sometimes eat food that has fallen to the floor. Edited March 9, 2008 by connoisseur series500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 There is no 5 second rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Magnificent Goldberg Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 There's some old Yorkshire saying (come on TonyM!) to the effect that you've got to eat a pinch of dirt. I never had a problem with eating dirt. Only at home; not elsewhere! After all, it's my own dirt. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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