Blog Archives
Overthinking it
Do you think there was some sort of organized system to determine who got to have the mailbox decorated to look like a barn?
Do you wonder why five mailboxes share one ledge and two others are ostracized?
Do you wonder why the numbers aren’t in numerical order?
Do you wonder why mailbox 2 is so much bigger than the others?
Do you wonder why the mailbox on the far left tilts away from the rest?
No? Really?
Must be just me.
Uhland, Texas
photographed 5.10.2013
UPDATE:
I am lucky to have many site followers who contribute to One Day | One Image by posting comments. Today, my friend Ehpem posted a comment on the photos that was far better than what I wrote in my original post. It was so good, in fact, that I am promoting the comment. Here it is – enjoy!
Sorry guys, but it’s Texas politics.
The boxes on the left…actually they are in the centre, but Melinda cropped off the far left because there was nothing to see.
So those boxes in the centre, they *are* shunned, and on their way out. The one leaning is looking around for a train, preferably headed for the left coast.
The ones on the right are jostling for the far right position and barely able to stand being on the same platform as each other.
The number 2 is large because tea chests have to fit in it, filled with money. I hear there are plans to erect its own post and put a steeple on it with some pretty glass windows, bullet proof of course. Plans stalled while they figure out if they can rip out the existing platform and stay close to the main vines, of if they have to nuture that straight up vine to the far right so they can put there post well clear of the others.
The barn? That was from the days when agriculture and common sense meant something in local politics, and people needed somewhere to keep the elephant. Surpising that someone spruced it up, as I expected it to look a bit like Melinda’s usual fare. Maybe someone still hopes the elephant will be found and returned to the right barn.
The vine? Tendrils of influence from wealthy interest groups.
Well said, Ehpem. Well said.
One detail spoiled everything
You knew this: that I almost never take photos of new buildings. I like old ones better.
But, when you are walking around downtown Dallas with your friend (we’ll call him “Carlos” but only because that’s his name), there’s a lot more new stuff to look at than anything else.
This place, then. I am very fond of the glass blocks, lined up like huge ice cubes. I like the way the light reflects off the column on the right into the window, making a lighter rectangle on top of everything. I like the long shadow, the way it angles down, goes straight across the wall, and then angles down again; that’s a very nice shadow line.
But what I saw when I took the picture and can’t bring myself to un-see is that duplex outlet, right there in plain sight. Why, architect of this building, did you let that happen? I want to believe that you knew how that reflected light would work, how the shadow’s angles would be so appealing, that you’d thought about all of it and made very sound design decisions. But a wall outlet? That was the very best place to put an outlet? You’re sure, architect of this building?
Dallas, Texas
photographed 3.19.2011
3
Another shot at this place (which is also this place), for those of you who are keeping score at home.
The pool’s been vacant so long that there is a nice stand of cattails growing in a marsh at the deep end, which is remarkable since this is in New Mexico – a locale not known for a lot of marshland.
Before the interstate, the main route through town was Route 66, and it was lined with motels and restaurants. Not too many of them are still operational.
One time, a couple of decades back, we failed to have reservations for a hoped-for overnight visit in Santa Fe. We didn’t realize that the Santa Fe Opera was that popular, and that all the rooms would be full. So we headed out, thinking we’d either find a place to stay along the way or drive all night and be home for breakfast.
The first town past Santa Fe is Santa Rosa, where we did find a room in one of the old places along the former Route 66. I think we paid twenty buck for the room, which I am pretty sure was inflated when the desk clerk sensed our desperation (for all our big talk, we really didn’t want to have to drive all night.) The room was tiny, with barely room for a bed. But that wasn’t entirely a bad thing, as the carpet was pretty…questionable…and the bed covered up most of it. We stayed there, successfully, and made it home the next day.
The story would be better, of course, if I could tell you that we stopped for the night in THIS VERY MOTEL. But we strive for accuracy (mostly) here at One Day | One Image, so I can’t claim that. But the place we did stay was right across the road from here.
So, the moral of this story is that you’d probably be better off with a reservation if you want to stay in Santa Fe.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 9.22.2013
A two bulb fixture
Corrugated metal. Weathered wood. An sun-lit weed. Conduit nestled into the valleys of the metal. A peeling sign. A partially-boarded window.
And presiding over it all – a two bulb fixture. (To be correct, I guess it’s a ZERO bulb fixture, but you know what I mean.)
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 9.21.2013
My dilemma
Usually, I don’t even think about it – I just know that whatever I am posting is going to be in black and white. Every now and then, though, a photo will demand to be in color, so that’s the way I post it.
This one, though, has been difficult to reason with. It wants it both ways, and honestly, I see its point. The color one is nice, with the lavender and cream and green and blue. But the other one’s got texture everywhere. I can’t decide.
Opinions/comments/votes are welcome.
Puerto de Luna, New Mexico
photographed 9.21.2013
