Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 26 Sep 13 - 10:04 AM Hiya, It doesn't seem to decrease as quickly in disabled people – if @ all. I used to believe that folk singers were witches, their songs were spells, & they talked in an old-fashioned way when they met up. I was overjoyed to find out this was somewhat true. Jennifer's account of Maddy Prior dancing in the speakers knocked me for 6; soon after moving she [Prior] told me via a dream to focus on what I can do rather than what I can't; that I'd always known I'd have a big life-change, to call her if need be, & that I still had Steeleye to look forward to seeing. She was very stern w/ me, but I remember not wanting her to leave. Prefer to see that, along w/ earlier dreams, as my guardian angels appearing in forms I recognise. My flatmate is deeply religious, & she couldn't have got through her stroke w/o her faith in God. Him & I are not on speaking terms, but I couldn't have got through my own life changes w/o said band. What I don't get is why belief in God is considered not to be a problem yet if anyone heard me mention the above dream I'd be in the psych ward....... |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Steve Shaw Date: 20 Aug 13 - 07:53 PM I had a bad dream the other night. Being molested by a load of little red men with horns and long tails, I was. Woke up in a right sweat, I did. Bloody imaginary fiends... |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: SINSULL Date: 20 Aug 13 - 09:43 AM No imaginary friends but my cousin had an imaginary dog and we were forbidden to point out that it wasn't there. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 20 Aug 13 - 07:14 AM Hiya, Mine always made me ☺& were always there for me when/if I had a problem. Said problems in my case couldn't be fixed; I'd never magically be able to walk, so when I needed to talk to someone i'd talk to one of them to get things out. I even wrote to one once. in the words of aforementioned copper, (he's rather rude about disabled people so god only knows why I fancy him, but I suppose that's beside the point) who I suppose would be my spirit guide since he's supposed to have been dead for years: "We can't change this world. Only learn how to survive in it".. I'm a sort-of Pagan, & know (as in this sense) women who are married to Odin. I wouldn't go that far; nor would I talk to my SG out loud. I'm sure my loved ones would see that as something i'd do though. Tribes believe everything has a spirit as well; why when/if we do that are we called insane ?? I like Rik Mayall anyway. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Jim Carroll Date: 19 Aug 13 - 12:06 PM I used to imagine politicians were my friends and worked on our behalf.......!! Ji Carroll |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:59 PM Imaginary Friends Lots, but all on Mudcat. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Suzy Sock Puppet Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:46 PM Claire, that's so cute the way you always say "Hiya" :-) |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 18 Aug 13 - 10:36 AM Hiya, Don't know, Ebbie; I never had any siblings. Wanted some, esp. a brother to share said music w/, but when I got a bit older I thought if I had had one (which probably wouldn't have happened anyway cos I nearly didn't make it in the 1st place) they might get roped in to taking care of me. & most of my male relatives share similar tastes to me anyway. I can be quite happy w/ or w/o people around me (although obviously never 100% on my own cos I dread to think what might happen). Jennifer's comment reminded me of something. My appreciation of said woman knows no bounds anyway, but when I heard 'Lord Elgin' & more recently the chorus of 'Gutter Geese' I thought I'd gone crackers! |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Suzy Sock Puppet Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:43 AM Ebbie, I do think there is something to what you said. Sisters only. Four sisters- no brothers. Ongoing quest for brothers all my life. That annoying kind of chick that just wants to be your friend. Good to you? Make him a friend. Otherwise, get a bad boy. Sad but true. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Ebbie Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:16 AM I wonder if there's any correlation with the number of actual siblings one has and an added imaginary friend? I had lots of siblings - four sisters and four brothers - and I don't remember having an imaginary friend. Frankly, I always relished the few times I was alone. :) |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Suzy Sock Puppet Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:15 AM Bobert! I was just thinking about you. They are doing wonderful reseach in Israel right regarding the medicinal uses of marijuana.They have found that in casesof children who suffer from seizures, marjuana works. Think of it. Without toxic nervous system nuking pharmaceuticals. Look for Sanjay Gupta's report on CNN. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:10 AM Hey Sock Puppet, Did you get the music, yet? gfS |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:08 AM gnu, That was in reference to Bobert, referring to everyone who didn't agree with him in the Martin/Zimmerman case just HAD to be part of the KKK. Lighten up, for your own sake. Regards, GfS |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Bobert Date: 17 Aug 13 - 08:35 PM I have more of these folks/animals than I can pull up right now... Actually, I let them take over my body and mind when I tire of handling the duties... There's my Couzin Rufus and... ... Rufe's lovely wife, Retha Mae... There's Ralph... There's Russell... There's "hopping frog"... There's Mr. Snake... These are all very real... I mean, in a world where one's existence has never been proved??? Why not have friends??? B~ |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 17 Aug 13 - 08:16 PM I tried having an imaginary friend, but he said I was too boring to hang out with. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Suzy Sock Puppet Date: 17 Aug 13 - 07:36 PM Come to think of it, Hoss showed up quite a bit and Pa every once in a while. Never Adam. Well, they're my imaginary friends. I can do what I want with 'em. Cain't I? |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Suzy Sock Puppet Date: 17 Aug 13 - 07:04 PM My imaginary friend was Little Joe Cartwright. I used to talk to him and he talked back sayings that he would say. And he smiled and was very kind. This was not a crush, mind you. Perhaps the older brother I never had? Funny thing, Michael Landon remained one of my true tv heroes. All of his shows were child and family oriented. Times changed but he didn't. So I never really lost my bro. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: MGM·Lion Date: 17 Aug 13 - 05:16 PM Surely most children have these? Mine was called Morris. Ref to poem from A A Milne's Now We Are Six, called "Binker" -- Binker (what I call him)is a secret of my own And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone... ~M~ |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: gnu Date: 17 Aug 13 - 04:04 PM Hmmm... the KKK exists. Not so sure about GfIS. Troll/stalker from Insanity? Yeah, I would believe that. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Date: 17 Aug 13 - 02:32 PM Bobert: "Who says they are imaginary???" Very telling!....like all your imaginary KKK enemies!! Whatever gets you through the night..... GfS |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 17 Aug 13 - 01:43 PM openmike, did you know that 'Oma' is Dutch for Grandma? I really enjoyed the film Drop Dead Fred starring Rick Myall as an imaginary friend of a lonely girl. He encouraged her to do naughty things and challenge her domineering, obsessive mother. As the girl became more confident and well-balanced, he left her. It was quite a sad ending. A strange film, very thought-provoking. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Bobert Date: 17 Aug 13 - 12:35 PM Who says they are imaginary??? Plus, they are loyal and only give you grief if you want them to... B~ |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 17 Aug 13 - 11:56 AM Hiya, I'm glad I'm shot of said well-meaning woman; I never want to be that miserable again. Thankfully I seem to have picked sensible people to inspire me throughout my life, but knowing me I probably had a few song characters as well – just hope one of them wasn't Long Lankin. I loved Gene Hunt on sight, that's why I wrote said song, have all the policing guides he's supposedly written, & to this day I still love him – but I always knew he wasn't a real person. Before my move he "visited" me via dream in a flat where I could do & reach almost nothing. I took it as a warning that I wouldn't manage, & nearly 1yr on I'm living away from parents, safe, looked after properly (not that my parents didn't do a damn good job) & a lot healthier, w/ a Consort. These are things I never thought would happen. I'd say that's a good thing cos it was actually helpful to me ,:. no need to let it go. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: ragdall Date: 30 Sep 12 - 03:05 AM You're all my imaginary friends. rags |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 29 Sep 12 - 03:43 PM Hiya, Maybe I forgot to send it, LH –you've got it now! Of course it's not always healthy. I'd say it depends how far you take it, & whether you can distinguish what's real & what isn't. I just see it as having a good imagination. I'm always making calendars or pictures with some magic symbol on & song lyrics in a weird font –- must've been all those creepy songs I listened to. Due to my situation I've spent time with intensely boring people out of necessity. Either they have nothing to talk about, or can't speak due to disability. The former type (who are usually less interesting than the latter) are those people who look at me gone out when they ask me whether I get bored or depressed & I say no. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: mmm1a Date: 29 Sep 12 - 01:21 PM My two youngest children both had , I wouldn't say imaginary , but friends that we didn't see. my son would sit in his crib and react as if someone was right in front of him and my daughter would sing and talk to someone when she was downstairs in her bedroom. I asked one time who she was talking to and her answer confirmed my suspicions, she said she was talking to Grandma. Both sets of grandparents had been gone for quite a few years. I figured it was probaly my Mom, so I just kind of watched and made sure that she wouldn't get freaked out. neither one of the kids remember these events. mmm1a |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Little Hawk Date: 29 Sep 12 - 12:36 PM It must have been an imaginary PM, Claire, cos there is nothing from you in my list of messages. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 29 Sep 12 - 11:56 AM Hiya, For me, fantasy was (& is) more interesting than real life, simply because not being able to do a lot for myself was boring, & very painful. & the good thing is because I mixed up said musicians with their songs/films, – which was where their "magic powers" came from for the daft stories I write – I was never, & am never disappointed by them. I've read in the magazines I get that disabled people have loads of guardian angels. It's all just a grown-up version of a fantasy novel. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Roger the Skiffler Date: 16 Sep 12 - 07:42 AM Even my imaginary friends don't talk to me any more... RtS |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 15 Sep 12 - 04:35 PM Hiya, I've sent you a PM, Little Hawk. I'd love to meet you all – maybe at a gig ?? |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Little Hawk Date: 15 Sep 12 - 01:53 PM I've had imaginary friends all my life. I always knew they were imaginary, though, so I can't see that there's any problem with it. The interesting thing is how some of them evolve with time, while others remain unchanged. Spaw's inability to get any of his imaginary friends to blow him is indeed a tragic case. I put it down to too much reading of Cheech Wizard in his formative years. Cheech was always expecting someone to blow him. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 15 Sep 12 - 01:31 PM Hiya, I've thought Gene Hunt is (was?) gorgeous for ages. & there seems to be lots of women who feel the same as me. Even though I knew he'd never hear it I wrote a song about him ('Gene Hunt Blues') & actually got back into folk when I thought he'd be killed off, because none of the music I owned at the time fitted. So I nicked 'The Lark In The Morning' off my dad, & found I loved it. Also various musicians became something similar at various points –- if they weren't they must not have been important enough to me. They've also inspired characters for stories; the wise woman with the fantastic voice, the man who plays the enchanted violin ….... I feel sane, & I'm told I am, but I'm not convinced. As a severely disabled person it almost doesn't really matter. A plus point is I very rarely get bored. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: gnu Date: 12 Sep 12 - 04:27 PM Not always healthy. Take Spaw, for instance. He keeps telling his imaginary friend to blow him and that's just MORE rejection. Hopes and dreams dashed. Yes, I know we are talkng about children but Spaw still qualifies. Thank goodness! |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Donuel Date: 12 Sep 12 - 03:10 PM I have always thought that the smallest unit of conciousness is the feedback loop. In our nervous system we have trillions of possible feed back loops. Taken together they are our consciousness, not our conscious mind but our consciousness working in and with the universe and the bounty our planet planet provides. The conscious mind however is the idiot son of consciousness. Perhaps best alluded to by Amos as "The problem is not that we have imaginary friends. What worries me is trhat we may be their imaginary friends. And if they grow up, and concern themselves only with what is real (to them), we may thereby lose our ability to cross over. We'd be just sort of solid, meat-headed, dead-of-mind mechanisms shorn of life energy..." There is a solid truth in this satire. The conscious mind is a dullard fascinated by shiney objects. An integrated consciousness has the ability to; not have one imaginary friend but to see what others see. For the blind man to see even if the sight is not composed of light. To sense time as a wave so that the near future and near past all overlap... In short to have far more than 5 senses but at least 10. A fully integrated consciousness may not only have an imaginary friend but may require it at the outset in the evolution of sharing the consciousness of others. To not have one would be a deficit. When an imaginary friend is imposed on a person such as a god figure or an ever watching authority, the manipulation of such an individual would be profound. It would be particularly controlling in people who are by nature have a linear one track mind. The outside influence would be at least as powerful as post hypnotic suggestions. Since you see where I am going with this let me end with viva l'amis imaginarie. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Donuel Date: 12 Sep 12 - 02:09 PM This is a fascinating thread, especially the satirical and religious comments. Since we have two hemispheres of mind/brain, talking to ones 'other self' or talking to themselves may be an evolutionary advantage of reflection to clarify thoughts and actions. The "friend" some talk to is obviously themself or an aspect of themself. Talking to oneself is not a schizophrenic symptom, that usually involves being talked to. People who talk to themselves is usually an organizational and decision making process. Some autistic children who were deprived of speech until the age of 5 or 6 became accustomed to having an internal dialog that eventually became an out loud dialog when they finally learned to speak aloud. They are the worst liars in the world since all you need do is listen in. The culturally common example of the old scientist talking to himself is accepted as a normal idiosyncrasy. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 12 Sep 12 - 06:02 AM I think it's important psychologically to 'go along' with the imaginary friend and not pooh pooh it. My mum used to say, "Will you please tell your friend Martin that if I find any more scribblings on the walls, he will get a smacked bottom." My sister twigged. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: number 6 Date: 11 Sep 12 - 10:38 PM and then there's .... Chongo biLL .. ;) |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Jeri Date: 11 Sep 12 - 09:34 PM I'm one of 'em, so maybe I'm not real... I had an imaginary friend, and luckily no one ever tried to talk me out of him. My mom referred to him as "imaginary" and so did I. I knew what it meant, but he was respected even if he was created out of my imagination. My mom asked me how he was some time later, and I didn't remember him at all. My mother remembered my invisible friend's name when I couldn't. I still can't. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: gnu Date: 11 Sep 12 - 09:14 PM 600 cyberspace friends? No wonder you never email me. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Sep 12 - 08:50 PM I suppose "imaginary" would best describe my 600 or so "Facebook friends." Charley Noble |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 11 Sep 12 - 05:17 PM My sister had a strange invisible friend called, apparently, Martin. He lived 'in the Black House' and scribbled on our walls with a crayon. Even if caught with crayon in hand, she insisted it was Martin who had vandalised the wallpaper. I went one better and had two, called Bobby and Linda. They were rather uninteresting as they merely accompanied me when I went out to play. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Claire M Date: 11 Sep 12 - 03:58 PM Hiya, I learnt a couple of old-fashioned words via various songs, but I soon realised it wasn't normal to talk like this & stopped. Dad told me that folk singers really did talk like that; I believed him. A well-meaning lady who worked with me persuaded me to stop said imagination. That started off a spiral of unhappiness, only really picking up when I started to be creative again. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Megan L Date: 27 Jul 12 - 12:12 PM Jings lad that took me back mind you he is getting on a bit thats why he is more white than grey these days :) |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Allan C. Date: 27 Jul 12 - 05:56 AM Yes, Megan L, I remember Ashoka from this insightful thread: thread.cfm?threadid=44797#660311 |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: open mike Date: 27 Jul 12 - 01:36 AM My daughter had a friend she called Oma. I was a bit angry at the day care teacher who convinced her that her friend was not real. harumph! |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 26 Jul 12 - 05:32 PM Cartoon, years ago. Angry little girl alone in her room. She says, "Where were you when I *needed* an imaginary friend!" |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Megan L Date: 26 Jul 12 - 01:14 PM Well there used to be a six foot tall silver white invisible siberian timber werewolf called Ashoka who resided in mudchat he lived under the table and made a very comfy pillow when one of us said something naughty and dived under there to hide. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Ebbie Date: 26 Jul 12 - 12:56 PM When he was 3-4-5 my nephew had *something* that no one could see. He called 'it' "nanna". It seemingly always frightened him. In the middle of the day he would come tearing into the house, cry 'nanna!' and hide himself behind his mother or a piece of furniture. He would sometimes do the same, coming in from a different room. When he was 20 or so, I once asked him who or what nanna was. He didn't remember. |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Bettynh Date: 26 Jul 12 - 11:59 AM My son Virgil had a family of bats as friends. A mother, father, boy and girl if I remember right. The next-door neighbors had had a problem in their attic, if that's some sort of an explanation, and their appearance was announced with "My bats say I don't have to go to bed." They were present for several weeks, the most memorable being the time Virgil burst into tears while riding in the car - there had been a terrible accident, and the bat family was involved. Thinking fast with a crying kid in the back of my car, I explained that the ambulance would arrive and take them to the hospital, and although broken bones might be involved, and a hospital stay, they'd be alright. I still can envision the bat family wheeling pappa bat home in a wheelchair. Then, finally, came the unanswerable question: Harlan, Virgil's twin, sitting next to a crying brother, asked "How come I don't have any bats?" |
Subject: RE: Imaginary Friends From: Bettynh Date: 26 Jul 12 - 11:49 AM From John McCutcheon's website: Imaginary Friend Song credits: words & music by John McCutcheon & Si Kahn He gets up in the morning He doesn't have to go to school Unimaginably smart He's impossibly cool Speaks eleventy-nine languages He's an educated fool And he's waiting just for me Chorus Imaginary friend, imaginary friend When you're here beside me The party never ends When Mom comes in And says, "You better turn out the light" I lie there and imagine That we're staying up all night You know I really love you Yes I do Beautiful imaginary you I see her in the movies I watch her on TV I hear her on the radio She's singing just for me Each time she wins the lottery I get it all for free Imagine how surprised they're gonna be Chorus Bridge They say they don't believe me They'll never say her name They say I'm being childish It's just a silly game They say that I'll grow out of it They say I'll soon forget Imagine their embarrassment As we step off our private jet As we grow old together We'll never be alone Because we'll have imaginary Children of our own With a long unlisted number On our imaginary phone If you find it, you can call me up for free And you can be... Chorus ©1992 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP) |
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