Random thoughts upon turning 72

The end is in the beginning…

Short but very funny

La version française de cette vignette suit la version anglaise.

Even before my Slovak father in law reached my age, he would repeat with ritualistic regularity, “In a short time I be dead.” (Za krátky čas budem mŕtvy.)

This refrain has become especially meaningful for me over the last four or so years, and particularly since I reached the age of 70. The surreal dystopia that suddenly emerged full-blown from the depths of a preternatural realm of nightmare in March 2020 has served to foreground the haunting fragility and evanescence of life itself.

These days, each time that I listen to a favourite piece of music, re-watch a beloved film, or re-read a personally meaningful book or article, I’m acutely aware that this may be the last time around. A bizarre and unsettling experience, which is both profound and strangely banal.

Memories are of course consciously prompted by a sort of mental rewind button, or arrive on their own, stimulated by sights, sounds, or smells. Rewinding memories is part of my ritualized last lap.

I once had a student who wrote at the end of term, “My time with you has been short, but very funny.” A fitting title – and epitaph – to share with you.

Dijon, France, March 10, 2024 (my 72^nd birthday)

The opening sketch from the book My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny.

Home

“Couldn’t you say ‘Happy Birthday’ instead of ‘One Day Closer to Death’?”

Réflexions aléatoires à l’occasion de mes 72 ans

La fin est au début…

Bref mais tordant

Avant même que mon beau-père slovaque n’atteigne mon âge, il répétait avec une régularité rituelle : « Dans peu de temps, je serai mort » (« Za krátky čas budem mŕtvy. »)

Son refrain a pris un sens particulier pour moi au cours des trois dernières années, et notamment depuis que j’ai atteint l’âge de 70 ans. La dystopie surréaliste qui a soudainement émergé des profondeurs d’un royaume de cauchemar préternaturel en mars 2020 a servi à mettre en évidence la fragilité et l’évanescence persistantes de la vie elle-même.

Aujourd’hui, chaque fois que j’écoute un de mes airs préférés, que je revois un film aimé ou que je relis un livre ou un article qui me tient à cœur, je suis profondément conscient que c’est peut-être la dernière fois. Une expérience bizarre et troublante, à la fois profonde et étrangement banale.

Les souvenirs sont bien sûr consciemment déclenchés par une sorte de bouton de rembobinage mental, ou arrivent d’eux-mêmes, stimulés par des images, des sons ou des odeurs. Le rembobinage des souvenirs fait partie de mon dernier tour de piste ritualisé.

J’ai eu une fois un étudiant qui m’a écrit à la fin du trimestre : « Le temps passé avec vous fut bref mais tordant ». Une épitaphe appropriée pour moi à partager avec vous.

Dijon, le 10 mars 2024 (mon 72e anniversaire)

La première vignette de mon livre Le temps passé avec vous fut bref mais tordant

Lancement du livre Book launch

Je suis ravi d’annoncer le lancement de la version française de mon livre. I’m thrilled to announce the launching of the French version of my book.

Recyclage du livre My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny

en français!

Titre du projet : Le temps passé avec vous fut bref mais tordant

Message de l’éditeur Publisher’s message (English to follow)

Nous vous félicitons ! Nous avons terminé la distribution de votre livre aux canaux suivants :

Ingramspark Paperback
Enhanced Amazon Distribution
Kindle Ebook
Kobo Ebook
Smashwords Ebook
Ingramspark Hardcover

PAPERBACK

ISBN-13: 9781779417039

ISBN-10: 1779417039

EBOOK

ISBN-13: 9781779417046

ISBN-10: 1779417047

ASIN: B0CVQPXB1B

HARDCOVER

ISBN-13: 9781779417053

ISBN-10: 1779417055

Qu’est-ce que cela signifie ?

Votre livre sera bientôt disponible à la vente auprès des détaillants en ligne abonnés à ces canaux (tels que Barnes & Noble et Amazon). En règle générale, les livres électroniques sont disponibles au bout d’un jour ou deux, mais les listes de livres imprimés mettent souvent plus de temps à apparaître sur les sites web des détaillants.

Project Title: ‘Le temps passé avec vous fut bref mais tordant’

Hello Robert,

Congratulations! We have completed your book distribution to the following channels:

Ingramspark Paperback
Enhanced Amazon Distribution
Kindle Ebook
Kobo Ebook
Smashwords Ebook
Ingramspark Hardcover

BOOK NUMBERS:

PAPERBACK

ISBN-13: 9781779417039

ISBN-10: 1779417039

EBOOK

ISBN-13: 9781779417046

ISBN-10: 1779417047

ASIN: B0CVQPXB1B

HARDCOVER

ISBN-13: 9781779417053

ISBN-10: 1779417055

What does this mean?

Your book will soon be available for sale through the online retailers that subscribe to these channels (such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon).Typically, eBooks become available in a day or two, but print book listings often take longer to appear on retail websites.

I’ve been recycled at long last!

Robert McBryde Author: IndieReader approved, adolescence, hippies, pop music, 1960s, 1970s, blogging, social media, CBC radio, literary non-fiction, tales, short stories, vignettes, immigrant experience, sports, Quebec anglos, living in France, childhood and animal stories, creative memoirs, satire, autobiography, family relations, fathers, raising children, aging, facing death, fear of death, travel, social commentary, love and marriage, translation: English-French; French-English

Publisher’s Note: Funny, manic, and wistful… self-deprecating creative nonfiction…The author, Robert McBryde, a professional translator, has been compared to David Sedaris for the sometimes-snarky autobiographical satire characterizing his literary sketches. Many of the stories in his new book, titled My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny, have been featured on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio network.

Author’s Note:

I’ve written a new book of creative non-fiction titled My Time with You Has Been Short but Very Funny, recently published and now on the market. The book is based on stories that I told over the years as a writer/ broadcaster and host on CBC radio based in Quebec City, Canada.

The book is available via my website. The purchase links are at the bottom of the home page.

https://robertmcbrydeauthor.com/

Normally I will post at least two blogs per week. Stay tuned…especially Wednesdays and Fridays.

If you purchase a book via the platform of your choice, please leave a review.

Here is an excerpt from my IndieReader review:

“[This] memoir is… an enjoyable and touching read. Radio listeners in Quebec are already familiar with the wit and wisdom of Robert McBryde. The non-fiction collection, MY TIME WITH YOU HAS BEEN SHORT BUT VERY FUNNY, gives the rest of the world access to the author’s inimitable style.”

https://indiereader.com/book_review/my-time-with-you-has-been-short-but-very-funny/

“Please note that [this] book received a rating of 4 stars or above, making it “IndieReader Approved”, a designation we created to make it easier for readers and booksellers to identify quality indie titles. Post the sticker proudly, knowing that your title was judged by top industry professionals—not as merely a great indie book—but as great book, period.”