Monday, May 24, 2010

Mutley the Dog

I'm wearing my rubber basque to write this piece because I think Mutley would have liked it that way. It chafes but that's OK, and the howling monkey on my shoulder is giving me a headache but that's OK too. I don't blame it for howling. Like the rest of the blogosphere it misses Mutley the Dog. It took me a while to process the information when Merry Weather left her email telling the world Rob had died, and that she was broken-hearted. I've got the message now though.

On his Alloted Span blog, Rob described himself as
"...a rather kind and open minded person".
He said: "...it is important to record ordinary everyday life as well as those of the rich and famous, I realise that I am not very well known - but one day I might be. I am an acute observer of human life - but I do realise I take everything a little too seriously..."
On the blog that brought him a cult following,Mutley the Dog's Day Out, he reflected on the town of "Bridport", its pies, the pints of Old Lesbian, and his new job as "Tourism Supremo attracting visitors to see the many sights, such as the gallows, the needle-park, the prison ship and the tyre fire as well as the mutants and radioactive super-beings" as well as his efforts to become an internet millionaire.

I considered this talented man my friend. But on what basis? This is cyberspace - not reality after all. But the relationships you make in cyberspace feel pretty real to me right now.

Mutley was my friend:
*because his comments about embarrassing packages of goods he'd sent me made me laugh.
*because his supportive comments - indeed any of his comments - made me feel better.
*because his writing made me envious.
*and his blogging made me wish I'd breasts like torpedoes.
Mutley was my friend:
*because we emailed each other at a point when he was down, then I was.
*because I tried to get him an agent and it didn't work out but should have.
*because I always hoped we'd meet.
*and because he helped me when trolls crawled out of cyberspace to monster me, and he barked at them and chased them away. He was that kind of guy.

And I'm sorry too that Merry Weather is broken-hearted because she's my cousin and I love her. No further explanation necessary.

15 comments:

maddie said...

Rest in peace. Wish I'd known him, because Bridport truly is My Kind of Town.

amy spurling said...

Dear WiTN,
I only read a couple of blogs. Yours is one of them. Because it's well written and not content-free. I thought your book was hilarious (I too often have the urge to lie on the floor...)
I wondered if I could put a link to your blog on my authorial website - amyspurling.com ?
Yours,
Amy

Caroline Chambers said...

http://www.facebook.com/notes/caroline-chambers/robert-chambers-an-ex-wifes-obituary/413198640816

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Mutley often visited my blog. I am so sorry to hear of his death. RIP Mutley. My husband died last Christmas and it's hard to take in that he's not here anymore. My best advice to Merry Weather is to keep busy and keep involved.

I Beatrice said...

I am shocked and horrified to hear this sad news! How can this be - when he was blogging as usual only last week?

We were good friends at one time, Mutley and I, and whatever our differences, we always came back to laugh together about them in the end.

His wry, funny, irreverent and highly original presence will be sadly missed in blogland. I can think of no-one else who could possibly take his place - Mutley, I mourn your loss!

Buggles Balham High Road said...

And the same as Maddie, Bridport is My Kind of Town. I used to read Mutley's Blog and always wondered who he was. Sad he's gone and I wonder if I did really know him in Real Life. I would have liked to have done.

merry weather said...

:-)

Hugs

ADDY said...

My husband died 10 weeks ago aged 60. It is always a shock, even when you were expecting it, as I did. My best wishes and sympathy to his widow. Tell her to keep busy. It helps.

Anonymous said...

Such sad news. I'm sure he would be proud of your friendship, and this beautiful post.

CJ xx

billatbingley said...

So sorry to hear about Mutley. Although I hadn't followed his blog I saw he was a regular contributor to your comments.

I have only just seen the latest blog of yours due to the fact that Mum-in-law(92)fell and broke her hip and is in hospital for between 5 - 10 days. We have been dashing between our home, her home (30 minutes drive away)and hospital.

Also youngest daughter is getting married on Aug 14th so we are deep into the Wedding preparations!

Penny Pincher said...

Am at a loss for words - such a shock. I wish I could have written half of this - thank you.

Please give Kate a big hug from me when you see her next.

Pig in the Kitchen said...

Oh how very sad. I do so hate death. I didn't know his blog altho the name was familiar. Can't think of anything other than trite comments, why is it that well-meaning comments about death always sound trite? Well here's an un-trite one: what a bloody waste, death is crap and I feel like crying because Rob has died, even though I never met the guy. And I hope MerryWeather is ok, and her 3 boys.

Would have liked a pic of you in the rubber basque as well...

I Beatrice said...

Am I alone in feeling that a door has been slammed in my face, with the sudden inexplicable closing-off of Mutley's blogs?

Why has this been done, that's what I keep asking myself. I can't believe I am the only one of his friends not ready yet to let him go, who would have found comfort in being able to go back and read him still.

I guess there must have seemed to be some good reason for withdrawing the blogs - but for the life of me I can't see what it could have been!

Livvy U. said...

You haven't written in such a long while... I know you know that, but I haven't either, and I suppose I'm looking for inspiration, and I used to come here for it.

It would be lovely to read you again.

Anonymous said...

what's happened to wifey?