Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Daily Shower (Image from a found 1960's Poloroid Photo)















"No one is immune to compulsion. Most believe actions are rational responses to things that need doing. You shower every day because your armpits smell, to clean your ass of trace particles of fecal material, to organize the body for a new day. A la douche, you smile wide, let the clear liquid course through your gums as you position your face to be pounded by the pouring down of pressurized water, a pummeling that centers your thoughts in a singularly unique way. At night, to fall asleep, you hold a book for a page or two, drink tea, watch television, sculpt pillows. People call these designs, 'my daily routine', but what they really are, are compulsions. Repetitious behavior to stay on track , feel normal, able to function. Ritualized practices whose absence could wreck havoc on a days tone. What's bugging her? Well something didn't quite go right with her routine.
Levels of compulsion can run a wide range, bathing and sleep methods are uniformly considered normal, but some actions cross into the realm of mental illness. Take for example Myrna Joyce Allen. Ever since obsessive feelings began to intrude on her daily thoughts she felt compelled to organize, then photograph, a little grouping of toy animals. Eleven stuffed creatures, owned since childhood, arranged like a crescent moon and required to move clockwise shifting one position per day. An activity so important that Myrna Joyce gave up her beloved cat Tompkins, fearing that he might knock her order askew, and unleashing the hounds of anxiety."

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Humpty Dumpty Underground (Image from a 1974 Portand Press Herald Staff Photo)













"They were tired of life underground, but some of the people he had provided for were now on the FBI's most wanted list. Robert knew nothing of bombs, how they were made, or why certain targets were chosen. He had merely been caught up in the youthful passions of the time, had an extra couch, and never turned anyone away. As a result, the family now lived on a dusty backroad, and rarely ventured outside the rented trailer they called home. When they did risk stepping out, it was always for the sake of the boy. A country fair, a petting zoo, an art show, anything that might impart to the child feelings of normalcy. Papier-mache giraffes, humpty dumpty, mom and dad."

Monday, July 25, 2011

Cold Dictated (Image from a 1878 bookplate)













"Surface like granite, the cold dictated every element of life, and death. No choice but to consider ground level acceptable, and pray snow soon blanket and consecrate the spot."

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Lily (Image from a found vintage b&w photo)












"Myron wasn't a ham he was just a guy that liked to have a good time. This was never more true then when in the bosom of brotherhood. Most of his behaviour was innocent fun, but occasionally he crossed lines resulting in a subsequent flurry of explanations and apologies. In the circle of fraternity, he was tolerated as a loveable buffoon, but that changed while out on the lake. He had only meant to startle the young woman with a playful nudge toward the edge, but her dress was long, her balance unsure, and the boat, responding to the swipe of a rogue wave, dipped and poured her into the frigid water below. Her dress opened like a parachute and briefly settled on the surface. She looked like a large pond lily but then she sank, her face disappearing into middle of the silky garment as it collapsed around her twisting into the inky blackness."

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Birdie's Naked Cheeks (Image from a vintage 1960's found polaroid photo)
















"Years had past, but when they danced, a lingering sense of tension remained. Slipping time had done nothing to diminish the memory of that night of debauchery. What started as a routine game of Bridge amongst friends, spun out of control as the couples, fueled by a bottomless martini carafe, began entertaining games of a wholly unholy sort. Suprisingly it was Jane, more apt to call parties to a close, who on this night tickled the erotic sensibilities of the group. Her wicked mood lead to an upturned table and fifteen minutes of unbridled passion. Sated, they rose to their feet, faces flushed, eyes wide in disbelief. Birdie broke the spell when she turned to show two playing cards stuck to her naked cheeks. They laughed hysterically to see both a king and a queen glued to her glistening ass. A true sign that what had just transpired was comically wrong."

Friday, July 22, 2011

Wrong Corner (Image from a 1960s scale model)













"Only minutes remained to accept the package, but they chose the wrong corner, leaving the world perilously close to destruction."