Some Background

I was feeling despondent during a long period off sick from work and just as the enforced absence was about to completely numb my brain I got an idea for a television show.

Duke William was a Norman who defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Kevin Moran was the first player to be sent off in an FA cup final. 

Brian Adams, Everything I Do etc was number one for donkey’s years.

These and other facts constantly reverberate in my brain and so long as they’re complete nuggets of information, all is right with the world. Computer was a childhood nickname. Darling or Goddess would’ve sufficed but better than being ignored I suppose.

On this day in question however, something must have short circuited.  Maybe it was the numbing of the brain described earlier or possibly even lethargy from extra helpings of sadza.  I could not recall all the seven deadly sins. The term popped into my head unbidden following an equally unwished for memory of the film Se7en and its cardboard box ending. I think I was in my parent’s storeroom at the time.  

It was a frustrating day.  I remember that the sun was shining.  A rather insignificant detail as this seems to be a permanent feature of the Zimbabwe weather – not that I’m complaining especially not after more than my fair share of grey days in the UK.

Anyway, as the sun shone I managed to retrieve;

Pride, Envy, Lust, Greed, Gluttony and Wrath from my internal hard drive but I could not remember the final seventh deadly sin and I had no access to the net or anyone who knew what I was talking about.  Family members, who I’ve since forgiven, kept asking if I was talking about the ten commandments.  Although in retrospect, probably they were covering up that they too could not remember all seven deadly sins.

Following two sleepless nights, relief came at an internet cafe.  Googling seven deadly sins also brought up other information like this I found in Wiki;

In the Book of Proverbs (Mishlai), King Solomon stated that the Lord specifically regards "six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth." namely:

1. A proud look.
2. A lying tongue.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood.
4. A heart that devises wicked plots.
5. Feet that are swift to run into mischief.
6. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies.
7. Him that soweth discord among brethren.

Comparing both lists, I like the ‘original’ sins in the bible.  More specifity and one only has to look at world politics today to consider the meaning of Hands that shed innocent blood or wicked plots.

Soapbox aside, I considered something like an anthology show in the mould of previous fare like The Twilight Zone or Tales of the Unexpected.

But am I the right person to do this?  I’m a nurse for goodness sake?  Well I did study Media Production and like other latchkey kids television was a babysitter but for some reason I could never apply myself properly.  A teacher once accused me of hiding my light under a bushel but this was years before I knew what the phrase meant so I stared at her blankly in response.

A combination of fear and lack of confidence held me back.  As well as a slightly over developed regard for sleep. I see that clearly now.

Oh and the final sin I couldn’t remember.  It was sloth.