Saturday, January 10, 2009

America

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3 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 10, 2009 at 3:47 AM

    Hmm..."America," eh? My sense of this photo is metaphoric: a looming shadow w/ what looks like a mouth threatening...Dylan Thomas over to the right, there. It's true that Dylan T had his troubles in America, coming unhinged through over-lubricating and spending too long criss-crossing the country reading to people in places like Des Moins. So if the photo depicts a brooding dark shape w/ open maw ready to suck down Dylan Thomas, then OK, I get it.

    Or maybe the white space is a gun? Aimed toward the left--symbolizing how America's hard right, the NRA, the Rush-Limbaugh-and-Charlton-Heston-RIP-homegrown-militia-lunatic fringe is always aiming at the left. This, too, is America.

    Home from the bar at 330a. Tonight there was drink in the bar, in--and out--of people's glasses, in the collective bloodstream and in the air. A sense of abandon, an utter lack of self-consciousness. A midsummer night's revelry in the deep midwinter.

    Drink knows not the season nor the hour.

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  2. John VivantJanuary 10, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Flynn - you were up a little bit past your bed time.

    Let me see, what did I intend by this urinal shot?

    One thing is for certain, I had some drink and music in me at the time - and therefore a "sense of abandon, an utter lack of self-consciousness".

    Another thing is that I hadn't posted to this blog in a while. I have been - as you well know - diverted by the rather consuming challenge of Reading Infinite Jest.

    But I really do love this blog. There is something about it. So, when I needed to relieve myself of the drink my body had processed, I thought, why not post now?

    I took the photo of the urinal not just because it was the closest object in front of me but because I have long been fascinated by the "idea" of the American Standard urinal.

    The American Standard Urinal has been part of my life from the beginning. Everpresent through every stage - from first poo, to university upchucking, to middle-aged debaucheries at Groovy Irish Pubs.

    As you might know (Flynn), I come from a long line of Anti-Americans who originated in the former republic of Philoslavia. And I will admit to at times in my life taking great pleasure in pissing on that Evil Imperialist Power.

    However, I would like to be charitable too - especially in these Tough Times - and simply acknowledge that the American Standard of life has been a pretty good example to the world. Indeed, The United States of American Standard has always been there for us - a shiny, white beacon.

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  3. John VivantJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    A second look often results in a second thought. At first I did notice that the picture wasn't very clear but I now know why.

    It is due to the shadow of Philoslavia. My shadow. My people were once Philoslavians.

    The shadow looms over The United States of American Standard.

    I took the picture, I cast the shadow. And I'm not sure I like it.

    I once had a "Commie" past but I can't say that I'm pleased about what is happening to the USAS. Sure - the USAS had a big hand in the breakup of Philoslavia but I really don't want there to be a permanent shadow over a nation that has given the world so much - including many of the people in our Drink Standings.

    Long live American Standard.

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Thank you for sharing your drink with the world.

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