Categories: uncategorized
Date: 13 October 2005 09:12:06
Have you ever heard someone say something that if you were in a totally different context it would have a totally different meaning. It happens doesn't it? There's probably even a word to describe the phenomenon. I'll give you an example..
I work one day a week for a stonemason.
It is totally removed from my normal work, (I am a cartographer, and spend my life in front of a computer, straining my eyes drawing intricate lines on maps, and generally loving it) but I did study geology years ago and there's something about working with rocks that I enjoy too, so when the opportunity for this job came up, I jumped at it. I get to meet people as well, which is a bonus for this hermit.
Stonemasons prepare headstone monuments, usually granite, cut to size and polish them. My job then is to cut the inscription for the headstone into sandblast tape, a vinyl membrane coming in rolls 500mm wide. This is done by computer driven cutter (it's not so far removed from map work after all), the adhesive membrane is positioned on the headstone and stuck down. The shapes of the inscription letters are peeled out exposing the rock and then this is sand-blasted...the cutting sand bounces off the soft membrane but cuts deep into the exposed rock in the shape of the letters. Tape removed and gold leaf pressed into the letters, final polish and the job is finished.
Last week a particular job had an image of Jesus etched into the headstone first, so I had to be extra careful about positioning the inscription as lettering across Jesus' face was not really desireable. I cut the inscription, positioned and peeled the lettering. The boss came over to inspect, and looked closely at the peeled lettering in the position where the etching was and said “Hooray, I can't see Jesus”.
Now I may be a bit weird, but I was imagining somebody calling that sentence out in church, and wondering what sort of reaction they'd get. Maybe I'll try it...