Monday, August 3, 2020

The Hurricane That Never Came



I spent the day waiting for a hurricane.  Not really, but I thought that the Weather Chanel couldn't be so far off that it wasn't even going to rain, so I prepared for a day inside.  Stupid.  Really, really stupid.  Never, ever rely on the Weather Chanel.  They are liars pure and simple.  Either that, or they are morons.  It barely rained.  By afternoon, I even saw a patch of blue sky.

It wasn't even a hurricane.

I am not complaining about that.  I am glad.  I'm just pissed that I wasted a day.

But it wasn't really wasted.  I sat at the computer and worked on an idea I have had.  I've always wanted to make pastel photographs.  I lost myself in invention.  I drank coffee and Machadas.  I didn't even eat.  I just kept working at making the colors what I wanted.  It was a long process, but I learned much.  I think I have found a "signature."  I'm not sure how I will use it yet.  It doesn't work for everything.  But there are certain subjects that are ripe for it.  Now I must decide if I truly like the look and when do I use it and how much.  It certainly works for anything that is tropical.

All in all, I am pleased and proud.

In the end, the day was not a waste at all.

This photograph, by the way, is in what used to be the shopping area of the black part of my ritzy town.  Zora Neal Hurston mentions it in "Sweat."  Maybe in other places, too.  I am no Hurston scholar. But it was where "colored people" went to go to "the stomps."  Dances.  For most of my life here, there was a bar where you could buy Colt .45 Malt liquor in the 16 oz. cans for less than a dollar sitting at the bar.  There was a "Gimme a dollar" man who would pester you there.  It was not a place for white people, but they served you if you went.  It has been gone for years, replaced by a yuppy bar in the redevelopment of the area.

This yard is just a block away from that place.  It is the last holdout on this street.  All around it are redeveloped buildings and rich white people places.  I've never seen anyone out in this yard sitting in those chairs, but it always looks impeccable.  One day, I might just inquire.

Tonight and tomorrow are predicted to be rainy.  So it seems.  I will have to go with that.  No photography, but I will have to exercise.  Now that I have a new process, though, I am anxious to see if I can make photos for it.  Pastel Covid Time.

* * * * * 

I wake this morning to the Hurricane That Never Came.  But oh, man, did I prepare.  I started drinking early and watched this last night (link), the story of Leonard and Marianne.  I cried twice, once in the beginning and once at the end.  In between, it was another rollicking ride through the crazy times of sex and drugs and music.

This morning when I got up, made my coffee, and sat down with the laptop, I looked over and saw this.


Apparently, I had a party.  I feel puffy.  Do I look puffy?  I may need to quit drinking.  I don't know what I will do instead.  Just look at the sharp edges of reality all the time, I guess, and become a bore/boar/boor.

Have you noticed that all the lefty columnist are now writing op eds that Sleepy Joe shouldn't debate Crazy Donald?  Yea, the satellite is watching me.  They are following the blog.  They are also warning of making the wrong VP choice.  Again. . . .

Now it is time to make up for yesterday.  I need to move.  Apparently, I have a lot of calories to burn. Until then. . . Selavy.

3 comments:


  1. Gentrification. It's an issue isn't it? Some cities do a better job - or maybe really - it is the citizens of the cities that do so. Citizenry is important.

    "If you arrived they would serve you."

    Exactly.

    ... Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:17-18, 20)

    It isn't really difficult. I think I've given this sermon before. That bar would definitely be a place members of The Church of Alien J's would gather. I'd like nothing better than a cheap Colt and a Stomp after church.

    I'm sure I've told the stories of my experiences at the church in Tarboro, NC where I took the youth group to build for Habitat for Humanity. Yeah. Course I did.

    I love everything about that house. I pray it does not become something else. People should always live there - and have drinks on that patio and greet the shoppers with a wave and a smile. I never want to know otherwise.

    A lot of potential there. Tho I'd like a peek inside as well.

    I'd change the door color - to something - maybe pink and I'd add a round window or a piece of stained glass in that little peak.

    I like a house with soul. Something a bit quirky. Not cookie cutter.

    Anyway. I did a bad thing this evening. I endangered the lives of others - not that there was any others either in my car or on the road - but I did drive home from a "drop the dog I was watching off - swim in the pool and drink a lot wine and smoke weed gathering."

    I quarantined with these people. They are inner circle. Despite a lot of their own drama. They take really good care of me. I meet them where they are and try to insert as much love as possible.

    I spent most of Day 2 of B & E injury on the sofa. Icing constantly - that ice really makes a difference. I'm icing right now as a matter of fact. I think 48 hours of ice is protocol. Well who knows. That was a million years ago prolly. It is still sore - and getting from a lay down to standing position isn't all that whoop dee do but arnica and ice tonight. I'll be fine.


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  2. JESUS CHRIST of the BLOG WORLD - I JUST GOT ONE OF THOSE RUDE MESSAGES WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM A ONE POST RECORDING TO A 2 POST


    Last night I took one of those nerve pills. I slept like a freaking stone but boy did it leave me zombie-like this morning.

    It's the full moon. I couldn't see it from their deck - so I took a detour on the way home - windows open - sunroof open - "Tumblin Dice" on 8 - buzzed - no one on the roads - went to the beach. Man it is fucking gorgeous there right now. I'd sleep out if I could.

    There were some fisherman setting up. The moon glow on the water was - yeah it just was.


    Now. U.

    I think it just v. v. good that you are still dreaming of ideas to make photographs. Number 1. Number 2. I'd hang that picture - so there's that. Number 3. I *heart* that you are dreaming pastels.

    Keep on working on it though.


    And the second picture is perfect. Just perfect. And the title "Party" is spot on.

    I just had a party - well - maybe I'm still having it - my caretakers ordered pizzas - I ordered a greek salad but didn't eat much while there so brought it home.

    So now - before something - what though? I don't want to go to bed. But what else is there -

    I watched two episodes of Peter Gunn today while on the sofa with three dogs sleeping with me - infirmed with ice - during the heat of the day. I can't watch another tonight. Sometimes they get to be - just a little too much for me. All that stuff.

    And I don't want to cry. So I'll safe your todays post for another day.

    So I'm munching on piece of fancy pizza Hannah ordered cause her delinquent mother was out getting wasted. Topped with my greek salad. And one more shandy.

    Which I prolly will find half finished in the AM.

    I haven't a clue if ANY OF THIS makes sense.

    Oh it's too too beautiful out tonight. I shall go to a book. Always dear companions aren't they?

    Susan Rice.

    I know it is going to be Kamala.


    But I want Susan Rice.

    Do you think if I send Joe another buck with a note he might listen?

    x

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