THE BUZZ, THE EXCITEMENT.
Most of the people I know in the sport are motivated by these phenomena. As an old boy my career is going into the stratosphere-the whole world is seeking to get high. There can be singular satisfaction in the realisation of your dreams. To think that the humble pigeon, which you love can lend itself to such a great stimulus. Watching a bird fly in from great distance is a very heady experience and worth repeating year after year. The secret to happiness is to do what brings you joy-a very simple life formula. At the moment we have Blackpool, the breeding season and soon the racing. My central philosophy is sample what life has to offer.
Jim Emerton
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LETTER FOR THE BHW FROM JIM EMERTON.
In celebration of British Marathon Pigeons: Let us all give credit to the men of steel who continue to send their best birds in peak condition to the epic marathon of all marathons, The Barcelona International. As difficult as great distance gets, all birds in the clock are potential stock and may be key pigeons in an inbred, cultivation plan and practice. With 42 years work into my bloodlines, the popular and modern example pigeon is Musgrove Persistent bred and raced by Barcelona specialist Nicholas Harvey-she has five consecutive flights out of Barcelona Int under her iron belt and will. She is a great descendent of my own Barcelona Dream cock which is well documented over the past 23 years. He is still the longest flying bird to be in race time in the history of the BICC -1978 onwards. The reality is that I want people to go longer and further, especially into Ireland @Scotland. Perhaps a few dreamers and optimists will give it a real go in race reality? Till then happy flying and reading, and thinking-
Jim Emerton.
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IMAGE.
In the fame game many people project an egomorph into the mainstream, popular consciousness of the day. No wonder that many celebrities face an identity crisis, burn out, and breakdown. The essence, when in the public eye is to be true to yourself, and shed the mask to a degree, as they may be ego-defence mechanisms. In one of my specialisms, I have been well known for 36 years, and have acted out every facade known to man! With empathy and an intuitive eye, you may have a glimpse of who people really are. I like the individuation concept of Jung which gives some insight into the inner nature of man. I find that real creativity may result from dynamic conflicts of feelings and ideas within the psyche. This piece projects an exact image of a few moments in time. English society is dominated, on the surface by image, which the discerning eye has to penetrate.
Jim Emerton.
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SUPERBLY BRED DISTANCE/MARATHON BIRDS FOR NOTHING.
Nick and I rebel against rampant commercialism by swapping and giving our Barcelona bred birds way to the fancier. Having said this, generous fanciers have given me direct Emiel Denys/Marco Wilson birds etc. I did buy some Padfield Invincible children and 1 has bred a Barce bird so far. The secret is in the shrewd eye of the choice you make in stock selection. I have used my gifts well. However, many people like the thrill of auctions and spending money in a heady atmosphere. The BICC Barcelona entry will remain quite low, even though the market is flooded with Barcelona genes. Wise to learn from the experts, and with self-criticism aim to perfect your own system-the answer lies in your head.
Jim Emerton.
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SYMPATHY, EMPATHY AND COMPASSION.
To communicate well with people may involve a combination of these traits. I feel they are linked in the pure emotional state, and augment charm and charisma. In a good mood they are persuasive tools, and good for sales, bonding or used by con people. The more noble aspects of Buddhism may cultivate a belief in this type of psychology. I seem to get a life story a day from people who need an ego massage. As an author, any communication tools I can muster have been career enhancing. When these aspects of humanity are expressed in lyrical form there can be an aesthetic beauty to it, especially as poetic imagery.
Jim Emerton.
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PRETTY PIGEONS WITH PEDIGREES.
There are thousands of these in the world, especially for sale. The images are often hyped and enhanced to give a perception of quality and beauty. In reality a few of these birds may be champion racers or breeders. Some of my best birds were odd eyed, deep, small or big. Beauty is as beauty does-the wise man discovers this after years of experience. It is qualities of the remaining birds after race reality that concerns me. However, a clever fancier may notice a good bird in a loft or one with potential-champions always look pretty to the subjective eye of a person.
Jim Emerton.
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LETTER FOR BHW FROM JIM EMERTON.
Unmasking inbreeding in racing pigeons: The truth of the matter is that some of my best racers have been highly inbred. I practice it still after 42 years with related bloodlines and have gone as close as brother to sister matings. There are no fixed, parental combinations that are the best and no fixed rules to the potential quality of the progeny. It is crucial to race test every single bird in the race team in practical race reality. Barcelona will test your breeding prowess and mastery of conditioning management. I do like the absorption of occasional in breds for outbreeding. In the selection process, choose the good looking latebreds from the top performers of the year and pair them together to maximise on performance factors as a result of a strict racing regime. Why complicate a simple logical system that makes sound intuitive sense?
Jim Emerton 71 to 879 miles.
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THE TALE OF TWEETY
As a boy he was my favourite little canary bird. Yellow and brown in glorious variegation he sang his little heart and soul out, and I loved him so. One day he escaped the aviary, flew high and sat aloft the glade of poplar trees. Searching high and low I caught him in a factory building, and what joy to be reunited with my friend. Over the course of many years he escaped with his hen, where an advert in the local paper secured his capture. Living to the great age of 14 years, he sired many young, including 2 greenfinch mules that sang the heavens out. That little bird left his mark on my sensitivities, and it was a sad day when he left the earth.
Jim Emerton.
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