Pool Dedication

I wasn't going to post another image of the Pool Dedication, even tho' it's a fine set, but then I found this one!

The notes on the slide read "Pool Dedication. Councilman Berger singing Star Spangled Banner".    How could it avoid mentioinging his accompaniment?  - "Decades". Piano,  Sousaphone, two Saxes and Trumpet. I hope he's got a powerful voice.

But something doesn't look right to me. Directly above the Sousaphone Guy...that tree seems a bit odd. A full-size bushy tree in the gap between the white poolsode building and the brick and timber building behind it?   How odd.

Bridge and Culvert

Again, it's one of those shots that makes you think "Huhh?  Why?"

Well, I appreciate shots like this.  A standard design of concrete bridge, mass produced and probably ignored by almost everyone as they drive from A to B. But someone cared.

Maybe they helped build or install it. Maybe it's where they met their first love. Maybe it's where Cousin Sam took his own life. Maybe it was for a complaint to the local paper.

Or maybe they just appreciated the clear simple functional lines of the bridge. No fuss, no bother, but it...just..works. Not to mention the gorgeous shade of blue the stream has taken on.

Unknown photographer:- Thank you.

The Harbour at the End of the World

Heck. What a desolate place.

I'm guessing Alaska, or some similar sub-arctic wasteland. Just the place for a visit.

Trink Coca-Cola

More slides from America. Well, slides from Americans.

This one seems to be from the Alps, in either Germany or Austria. Rather than the awesome scenery (in the background) Ethel and Hank seems to be impressed by this little bit of americana with a chirpy germanic twist.  Yes, and refreshment kiosk in the form ofg a coke can. Hilarious.

<Shakes head in disbelief.>

By The Sea

Another boring image.

Various unidentifiable people risk life, limb and jellyfish stings in the sea. LOvely.

Betsy Makes a Splash

...or is about to.

Another slide with some data on it, which is nice. No date, but I'n guessing around 1960, but there's a handwritten note "Pool Dedication.  Betsy Miller on board".  And what a game lady she is.

Knowing what I know about 1960's American culture (via Hollywood) I'm guessing Country Club, but I'm confused about the unnatural green hue to the water. Is Betsy being punished for her affair with the pool boy?

I WANT This House !

It's perfect. Not so much designed as just vomited out fully formed and ugly. 

Some ould be tempted to tidy it up, and give it a fresh coat of paint, but that would spoil it. It's a mish-mash of style, and the the ceramic tile details (Urn, Ships and Jesus) and fantastic. I'm sure the hook just above the Christ Tile Picture was used for the hanging and flogging of heretics, but I probably wouldn't use it for that. (Well, maybe for flogging Richard Littlejohn and co).

It's idealas an example of Delapidated Drug Lord Chic, and could well be the main feature in Shabby Monthly.  The only problem, I suspect that it's in Bolivia, and probably riddled with termites by now.

Josephine's 21st

I love shots like this. You can infer so much from them.

This one's taken on Josephine's 21st Birthday, as the cards on the table show, and the family have gathered for a party. Josey's there, along with he older sister Rosey. Rosey's only recently gotten engaged to Freddie, and Freddie's crashed the "Three Generations of Atkins Womenfolk" photograph, but has more interest in Rosey than the photograph. That relationship's gonna hit trouble in the years to come.

Josey's mum (Christine) is also there, and along with her twin sister Francine. Although they're not identical, they were physically similar but very different personalities. Francine, the church-going spinster : Christine the libertine bigamist.

Granny was also there, the very model of decency, but hiding a dark secret. She was the real muscle behind the notorious Piranha Brothers.

But Josephine, the subject of the party, is the only one who can't face the camera. What dark secret does she hide? Is it possible that there are actually FOUR generations at the party? Is that why the standard twin-set and pearls have given way top a loose fitting top ?

Lad on Swing

It's just a hunch, but I suspect that many blog visitors look forward to the semi-regular pictures of kids. Who am I to deny you your enjoyment.

This is Carl * and he's clearly thrilled to have his first go on the backyard swing after a long winter. (He's wrapped up warm, and the trees are leaf-less, so I'm guessing it's spring.)

* This was in a box of American slides, but I've no idea of where / when / who, so it could well be a George...or Sven...or Malcolm.  But he looks like a Carl I think.

Jeepneys

Today's interesting word - Jeepney

As you're an intelligent bunch of web surfers (heck...you found this bog) you're probably well spoken, erudite and literate. You may well have encountered the word Jeepney, and may have seen one on your trip to the Far east.

On the other hand...you might not. In that case, Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have also become a symbol of Philippine culture.

See, this blog is educational as well as slightly random.

Danish Chateau ?

OK, I admit it. I have no idea what the Danish Equivalent of "Chateau" is.

But this is what they look like.

America's useful citizen

Another slide from someone's trip to Denmark. I'm guessing it's an American, who's fascinated by this plaque.  For those who don't recognise the name, Jacob Riis is commemorated as "America useful citizen" in a rough translation of the last line.

A strange tribute for a pioneer of photo-journalism.

Liscomb 35 - Finished Salmon

Well, that's what the writing on the slide says.

You might look at the slide and see a chef at work.

What I see is another matter.  A crazed Michael Caine lookalike, wearing two sock-puppets on his hands, contemplating two smoked salmon-inspired carvings (whittled from solid mahogany) photographed from within a greenhouse.

Yes, I have changed my medication recently. Thank you for asking. ;o)

Return to the Docks

Nostalgia for Betty and Edna.

A trip to the dock where they worked during the war. Most of the menfolk were off at the war, and women had to take up the slack.Work-wise, it was hard, but it was usually enjoyable. Giving a hand here and there, comforting the returning soldiers...yes, a time they would never forget.

Busman's Holiday

..or maybe just a bored driver enjoying a rest.

Occassionally, a set of fairl dull and predictable views of stately homes and scenic views is interupted by a cracking little photo. Like this one, I guess.

From the name on the coach ("Copenhagen Excursions") I guess this shot is from Denmark, but subject-wise, it could be from anywhere.

Decapitated

Another triumph for the Photo Phudge-Up Phairy.

But more that made up for by the nervous smile of the girl on the left.

I'm trying to figure out what the lad on the right is holding. Castor attached to a sheet of plywood....home-made skateboard ?

Flat...Tyre

It's a VP.  A Visual Pun !

Flat   and    Tyre !!

Hey, don't blame me. I didn't take the picture.

Box of Buttons

Oh, go on. Have a bonus wallpaper. A box of buttons, to amuse and inspire.

Harold's Hedge

So : what's the story behind this picture? Why does the hedge feature so prominently? Let me spin you a tale...

One spring morn, Ethel, Primrose and Anne (respectively Gran, Mother and Daughter) go for walk round the countryside that Ethel grew up in. At one point, granny goes a bit quiet, and moisture appears at the corners of her eyes.

"Do you see this hedge?  That's Harold's Hedge. My Harold planted it the week he was conscripted. As he left, he told me "Don't worry, I'll be back to trim in before it grows much".  Harold's buried somewhere in the Somme. He never got to prune it, and I guess no-one did."

As Ethel and Anne have a moment of silence, Primrose decides to commemorate the moment. Something to tell her grandkids. 

Alveston Manor Hotel

If it's Monday, it must be hideously dull slide day.

And today's IS dull.  Alveston Manor Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon. Raising the slide slightly above the tedium level is the eclectic assortment of vehicles in the car park.  Mini. Mini Clubman, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce. Hmm. Intriguing.

Not Norfolk

I may have given the impression that all of the slides I see are odd. Compositionally dull, tedious or strange subject matter, odd looking people, tedious holidays,...whatever.

Not always true, as today's wall paper will attest. A superb photo, with excellent colours. Short of  a bit of dust removal, there's nothing much I had to do to bring this one up to scratch.

Frustratingly, I've no idea where it's of. The slide had no information, but I'm guessing it wasn't Norfolk or Lincolnshire.

Police Squad - Singapore

"Yes m'am. We're from the Police Squad. Police Squad - Singapore."

Or at least that's my interpretation. Anyway, enough details in the pic to amuse or intrigue you. The fin-tastic cars, with whitewall tyres. The mysterious wisps of steam / cloud / spray just beyond the car park. The suspicious number of cars parked at some sort of a viewpoint...despite the crap weather.

Most curious of all, the lady in the back of the official (police?) car - suspect, informant or boss?  Who knows? Can anyone read  the working on teh car door?

Two Tykes

Extensive research on the InterWeb reveals that people ok for a limited number of photographic subjects when surfing. I, your 'umble servant, understands this and would like to occassionally satisfy the average blog-surfer's wishes. However, usually I'll try bemusing, bamboozling, confusing, edumacating and intriguing the visitors.

So what do the surfers want ?

1. Porn.     Sorry, there are very few images of that type.

2. Celebrities.  Again, rare.

3. Humour.  OK, maybe if you like sneering at others, there might be something here for you.

4. Cuteness and Kids.   Right!    How about two young hick lads, with their proud mom ?    Is this what the crowds want ?

Taylorsville Store

Hello American History Fans !  You're bound to recognise the Taylorsville Store ("General Merchandise MM Taylor & Sons. Props") located in Washington Crossing Historic Park. One of the most historic areas in America, some bits dating back over 200 years !

For the rest of us in civilisation, all we see is an unattractive, dull building. Sorry. I'm just not impressed.

Bruce and the Flasher

The guy on the left reminds me of a former work-mate (sorry JBC), but it's the dame on the right who I'm suspicious of. The tightly belted mac and the knowing smirk make me think that she's a secret flasher. Caught by PC Bruce, perhaps.

The Haunted Eyes

Every so often, I come across a slide that just burns into my brain, and this is one of those.

Just a simple picture of someone's daughter...tehnically not a great picture, and one that's suffered a bit from a fungal attack. (Hope you're using anti-virus software :o) )

But those eyes. They just haunt me. What happened to this little girl?  Was it a foreshadowing of evils to come, or did she grow up happy and healthy? Who knows.

200 Not Out

Slide number 200, and a return to the Dull, Boring, Tedious Monday theme.

Subtitled : "Large Ship Entering Unknown Canal...or might be a dock...or something."  This slide really is dull.

"We've Been To Kuala Lipis"

"and to prove it, we took a picture."

Back in the 60's, I guess world travel was still a bit of a novelty, I can image a couple inviting the neighbours round for a Cheese and Wine party, and rounding off the evening with a quick slide show of where they'd just been.

For Marv and Suzy, their trip to Kuala Lipis with the (Oregon State Comission on Mining Technology) must have impressed their neighbours. To think, none of them would even be able to find Kuala Lipis on an Atlas !

Sherry Pipeline

For some reason, this slide reminds me of an obscure Monty Python sketch.

Husband: Well, vicar, I've made enquiries with our shippers and the most sherry they can ship in any one load is 2,000 gallons. 

Vicar: And how many glasses is that? 

Husband: That's roughly 540,000 glasses, Vicar. 

Vicar: That's excellent, Husband, excellent.

(It's also a lazy way of adding text under a picture. ;o) )

Three Coins In A Blog

With the British / World Economy sliding down the sewer faster than a greasy jobbie, let's remind ourselves of the days when the British Pound was still worth a pound.

A time when the coins of the realm were all shiny, and worth a photograph. Pre-Decimalisation  Currency.  L.S.and D.

OK, maybe hindsight is imperfect.  The good old days weren't that good.

Maynard Requests...

...that you get off his laand !

New Year, New Look, New Colour Scheme, Same Old Crap Photos