And now . . .

                       And now . . . for something completely different

           Needing a bit of a break from the formative texts/school reform/teaching memoir that has been unfolding the past few weeks, I've decided to resort to a tactic that was originally used on the old Monty Python's Flying Circus (PBS, 1969-1974 & rerun forever). They would take a break from their sketches and insert: "and now.....for something completely different" --- and often show another sketch, not unlike what had already been shown!  While not a regular viewer, I like the "and now..." shift technique and am using it here to share some puzzling items I've observed here in "southeast Connecticut," where I am currently a denizen.  The first involves PARKING vehicles.  I wrote a bit about this in Wilbur's Subrurbo (particularly the need for people in Fairfield, CT to back into parking spaces).  Today's entry, however, is simply about parking BETWEEN the lines --- which seems particularly difficult for some people.  To wit:

I mean, WTF?  These people parked like this, got out of their cars, and proceeded on their "errands?"  Really?
The next set of photos were taken on the same day, in the same parking lot.  The Lovely Carol Marie and I were going to the Bow Tie 6 Cinema and, walking from our car to the theater entrance, we saw these three stooges parked along the way.

Okay, the top two clearly can't distinguish where the lines are but the bottom two photos (of the same car) are most incredible because this person apparently decided it was just too damn difficult to find a parking space and put their car on the sidewalk!!  I didn't realize that was an option.

And now... for something completely different.

I've also been fascinated  by signs I've observed here and there.  The three below are from: #1 our garbage dumpster;  #2: the H & R Block bathroom in Stamford; and, #3) the ShopRite Supermarket on Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk.

That this sign is on the dumpster would seem to indicate that there was a problem, at some point, with people playing in (?) --- (or around . . . ?) the dumpster or, worse, occupying it!!!  Having lived in New York City --- as well as having watched countless hours of Law and Order, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and Law and Order: Special Victims' Unit --- I know that there may be (homeless) people who occupy dumpsters (but generally come to some foul end on the Law and Order shows)...but here in the beautiful Fairfield suburbs?  And, one wonders, will this "warning" sign keep anyone from playing in, around, or occupying this dumpster?

​How about this sign?

Okay --- I won't even discuss the notion of the "bathroom running properly" --- what I'm curious about is the phrase:"Also, do not flush unnecessary products down the toilet."   Doesn't this imply that there are some NECESSARY products that should be flushed down the toilet?  And what might those be? (Again, my Law and Order addiction kicks in and I can only think that the H & R Block accountants are serious drug users who, periodically, have to flush their "product" or be arrested!)  Just sayin'.....

And this final picture, from Aisle Seven at my local ShopRite, speaks for itself.  I often regaled my U.S. history students with stories about post-World War II American cultural shifts, particularly regarding the growth of the suburbs and the shift from you local "markets" to the creation of Supermarkets​.  I think this sign sums it up.

Tomorrow:
"Artsy" ​Photography