Friday 14 August 2009

I was on my way into work this morning in my usual awake-but-not-quite-functioning mode, when my attention was caught by a loud voice saying 'STEND WELL KLEE-AR, VERKLE REVARSING' I was so surprised that I whirled around just in time to hear the voice again, in a clipped accent with cut glass vowels 'STEND WELL KLEE-AR, VERKLE REVARSING' Of course I've heard trucks with similar messages before. At least it's more interesting than that awful electronic bleeping, I suppose. But what made this so seem so out of place was that the voice was coming out of the back of a rusty old bin-lorry which was distinctly past its best. Did the person who chose the message have a sense of humour, I wondered?

We're often surprised to find classy things in unexpected places. That's what keeps me rooting through junk shops and the occasional car boot sale. I've managed to convince myself that one day I really will find the priceless masterpiece in a cheap frame or the Troika vase in an oddments box with everything for 50p. Don't know what I'd do with it, of course - but that's not the point. It's the thrill of the chase that matters. I'm spurred on by the thought of finding treasure in amongst the rubbish. It'll probably never happen - but that won't stop me scrabbling to the bottom of every cardboard box and reaching into the back of every musty shelf in junk shops.

When Jesus came to earth, most of the religious and important people wouldn't give him the time of day. His brand of homespun, story-based teaching was not for them, thank you very much. Instead he spent his time with people on the fringes. He touched lepers and healed them. He looked into the eyes of madmen and called them by name whilst bringing back their sanity. He even let children scamper in and interrupt his teaching sessions, much to the annoyance of his friends. He seemed able to find treasure in all the unexpected places.

Now, there's still one thing that puzzles me. Just how do you become a voice-over artist for a vehicle warning message? If ever the pastoring business falls flat - perhaps there's a job out there for me. Mind you, I'll have to work on my vowel sounds first, or I won't be up to scratch.