This Modern Life

At lunchtime yesterday, I went out to do my duty and save the ailing economy by visiting the Big Box Electronics Store to buy a case for my camera. I couldn't find one that was appropriate (meaning I couldn't find one in leopard print), so if the economy collapses with a stupendous crash, you can blame me. 

However, as I trudged back to my truck in abject despair, I saw this sleek modern tableau just waiting to be photographed. I shot it just moments before a Geek appeared to drive his Squad car away at a disturbingly high velocity for being in a parking lot.  Thank goodness I didn't have to fumble with a silly camera case, or I'd have missed the shot.

Prometheus Bound

I watched the dismantling of the sculpture show in Krutch Park over the weekend. All kinds of trucks with flatbeds, cranes, and pulleys arrived to winch up the sculptures and haul them away.  But I liked this one the best: the big orange "O", which turned out to be one of the most popular sculptures in the show, kept it simple. For a mere $19.95, you could roll it into a U-Haul, strap it down, and drive it away. 

Changing Its Spots

I shortcut down this alley a lot when I'm in a hurry. It's dirty and smells kind of funky, and the pigeons perch up on the old fire escape, rustling their feathers and pooping on the groundlings. But some days when the light reflects off the windows above to create leopard spots of sunlight, some days it's beautiful.

Dreadful Indignities

Knoxville had its share of tragedy yesterday when a gunman opened fire during a children's play at the Unitarian church, killing two adults, and wounding seven more adults. You can read about it here if you wish. I am not a member of that congregation, though I have been to their sanctuary on many occasions to hear and enjoy concerts. My heart goes out to the congregation.

I had planned to post these photos of one of the historical markers along Volunteer Landing at the waterfront, and decided to keep to the plan. These large marble rocks have historical quotes carved onto them that give you a sense of Knoxville's frontier history. Below is the quote I chose for today, which is now a double-edged sword. The devil may well reside in Knoxville, but the people here are resilient in times of crisis and can handle the old coot. 
" In the infant town of Knox the houses are irregular and interspersed. It was county court day when I came. I saw jesting, singing, swearing, women yelling from doorways ... whiskey and peach brandy were cheap. The town was confused with a promiscuous throng of every denomination -- blanket-clad Indians, leather-shirted woodsmen, gamblers, hard-eyed and vigilant. I stood aghast. My soul shrank back to hear the horrid oaths and dreadful indignities offered to the supreme governor of the universe. There was what I never did see before on Sunday, dancing, singing, and playing of cards.

It was said by a gentleman of the neighborhood that the devil is grown so old that it renders him incapable of  traveling and that he has taken up in Knoxville and there hopes to spend the remaining part of his days ... as he believes he is among friends."

 -- traveller James Weir, 1798

The Bard Returns

I've always thought that Shakespeare is a wonderful thing. "What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason." Hundreds of years after this was written, and the very first actor playing Hamlet recited it on stage, it still makes modern audiences think. And Shakespeare is versatile - you don't have to be the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon to stage one of his plays, say, for example, Love's Labours Lost, which the RSC is performing this summer. In fact, you could very possibly be the Tennessee Stage Company of Knoxville, Tennessee performing this same play on the stage at Market Square this summer in front of a plywood Globe Theater. A high hope for a low heaven, as they say in the play.

The Shakespeare on the Square festival takes place over the next few weekends, alternating Love's Labours Lost and The Merchant of Venice. I'll probably be posting a few more shots of our intrepid thespians during the festival. So pack a picnic, pull up a lawn chair, and enjoy.

Smoothie

It was just a feeling, but something seemed a bit sinister about the peach smoothie that I purchased at the farmer's market. 

Rollerball

At 7 a.m. the sun looks like it's going to roll straight down Clinch Avenue and come to a gentle bumping halt at my feet. Unless a delivery truck runs me over first.

You want skies? You got 'em if you want 'em at Sky Watch Friday. Go! Now!