Works Every Time
As a matter of fact, I am listening to NPR right now as I type thizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually a big fan of our National Public Radio but those people and their soothing voices are a more effective sedative than the most powerful sleeping pills. If some monster ever escapes from a lab with a resistance to tranquilizers, all the army would have to do is play about thirty five minutes of All Things Considered before that beast hit the floor, just a bit of drool leaking from the corner of its slackened jaw and a soft snoring sound escaping its throat.
I’m pretty sure you could put an end to a hostage situation by playing clips of This American Life.
But I kid, I kid. I really do like many of the programs on NPR, especially their morning edition stuff.
Ah, a Sandman comic! No, not the Neil Gaiman Sandman (though the one in the comic does look kind of like that guy…), we’re talking about the original folkloric fellow today! Who is he? Where did he come from? What, exactly, is his deal?
Despite some modern confusion, the Sandman figure is not directly connected with ancient mythology. Instead, the Sandman figures prominently in European folklore of the last three or four hundred years, and has become an important character in modern western pop culture. There are many stories surrounding this mysterious figure but the basic concept is of a fellow tasked with either bringing good dreams to children (like Morpheus and his brothers in Greek Mythology) or sleep to people of all ages (much like Hypnos) through the use of magic dust which he sprinkles onto the eyes. Upon waking, the sleeper finds this “dust” in the corner of their eyes, a sure sign that they were visited by the Sandman in the night.
Descriptions of the Sandman vary with the story-teller. Sometimes he looks like a human at a normal size, other times he is more like a modern fairy or pixie, and still other times he is a diminutive old man with a robe. It’s no wonder that people can’t seem to get a consistent description, it’s got to be difficult to get a good look at the fellow as your eyelids start to droop and you wander off into dreamland.
It’s probably for the best, really. It’s creepy enough that a dude manages to get into houses all over the world without us having to see him right as we’re falling asleep. Hey that sounds like another popular Euopean figure I know…I wonder if they have a club where they share techniques on quietly breaking into homes?
Oh well, we can’t really complain. They are providing a valuable service, though personally, I could really do without all that “dust” the Sandman leaves behind.
It’s like a goddamn beach hits me in the face every night.
Thanks a lot, Sandman.
But…. f'(x) where the limit of f(x+h)-f(x) approaches 0=(f(X+h)-f(x))/h! Isn’t it just RIVETING?!
NO…
Why am i seeing my calc homework’s equations on one of my favorite web comics?
Because everybody loves useless and contrived methods of differentiation?
What I want to know is whether Sandman’s resemblance to Neil Gaiman is accidental, intentional, or all in my head.
That was my first thought as well. It isn’t just in your head.
“Descriptions vary…”
So it’s only coincidence that your depiction of the the sandman looks disturbingly like a cross between Dylan Moran and Neil Gaiman?
Hahaha I hadn’t thought about Dylan Moran but I did watch Black Books recently!
I liked it. 😀
This American Life, while rebroadcast on many local public radio stations, is actually a program sponsored by Public Radio International and WBEZ Chicago (a point I bring up only because it was specifically highlighted in some TAL episode, probably about one of the recent NPR scandals, so presumably the TAL staff care about the distinction).
Ah interesting! Our NPR station in Boston rebroadcasts TAL, so I just assumed it was sponsored by NPR.
EXIT LIGHT, ENTER NIIIIIIEEEEGGHTTTT
It is impossible to read this comment without hearing James Hetfield’s voice.
Metalica?
NPR works well as a sedative unless David Sedaris is reading something funny and then you can’t sleep for all the giggles.
Hey, am I the only one who hears sandman and thinks of a giant sand blob terrorizing New York?
Not at first, but now I can’t get that image out of my head.
Yes. Isn’t there a villain called sandman?
Nope.
I love this comic! It’s funny, because it suits me very well and sandman.. How long ago I’ve heard it!
There’s always this depiction of the Sandman, if you’re worried that you might sleep too easily.
AAGH. WHY?! GLAGHARGHAAAAA!!! Terrifying video!
AHHH, dang it Calypso! I didn’t watch it till you commented!
Why, why, WHY!?
That is the most….disturbing short video I’ve seen!
Though I’m still going to add it to my Youtube playlist of favorite short videos and animations…. just ya know to scare the fecal matter of anyone who wants to watch the playlist.
Mwahaha!
I have to admit that I know of this “club” you mention….
Though I can neither confirm nor deny any part of it or the location of their meetings, I can confirm the “Sandman” is part of that “club”, though as to what he looks like, that varies upon the observer. To me he looks just like any other human.
Anyways I personally find their techniques a bit on the boring side, lacking much in drama and style. They use the most mundane ways to get access, it’s silly. Seriously you don’t want to know how easily most security systems can be beaten, it’s scary.
I can say, I as a Watcher, it was recommended I join, but personally
I prefer more esoteric and magickal means, of gathering information for Watching. Nothing beats Reading, you humans are so easy to Read.
But I digress and have said probably too much already, I go, I must.
Love it! 😀 As a kid I grew up watching Sandman (the DDR- one) and my mum use to sing me finnish lullaby that tells about sandman 😀
I just realized that K is totally stalking Alev and watching him sleep…
Wow…how in the world did I miss that!
K and Allev? I ship it.
Why is K watching that person sleep?