Please caption this image
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Boynton Beach, FL, December 2007 [Click to embiggen]
It's a glorious day in South Florida. I'm on my way back to the fam after running an errand. Happy tunes waft out the open sunroof as I slow down for a red light on this broad, palm tree-lined boulevard. For as far as the eye can see, luxury cars glide past gated communities, their perfectly coiffed drivers chatting on cell phones, almost oblivious to the world around them.
And then this scene emerges out of the corner of my eye, a stark contrast to this land of supposed opportunity. I'm two lanes over, and my Canadian sensibility prompts me to check that the doors are locked and that I've got somewhere to go if this guy starts walking toward the car. Yes, I'm paranoid, and I feel a moment of shame as I let those thoughts leave as fast as they arrived.
But I'm not too ashamed to reach for my camera, preset it and snap off the fastest photo I can before the light turns green and he drifts into my rearview mirror for good. Something tells me I want to remember this moment of paradox with a picture, that it's a story I'll want to tell when I get home.
So here it is.
Your turn: What is the story of this individual? Please suggest a caption - one, two or as many as you wish - and I'll choose the top one by this time next week.
About last week's image of a mop leaning against the back of an old building: I think I need to spend more time hanging around decaying structures because this one generated a lot of diverse caption ideas. First, the honorables - and there are many:
- Stacy: "If I just put the mop under the doorknob like so...."
- Lil Knitter: "It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it."
- Roth Family Adventures: "Lavatory of broken dreams."
- BreadBox: "Cletis and LouannaBeth were proud of their matching his-and-hers out-houses."
- David: "leaning heavily against the wall, she moped and dripped huge tears in the sad realization that the Swiffer Wet Jet had replaced her, forever."
- JC: "Save the last dance for me."
- Jenty: "If I leave it here long enough, do you think it'll clean itself?"
- Robin: "When it's time to go..." and "Clean break."
- Vanessa: "transamerica"
- Kathryn: "Please clean up after yourself. The Management"
- Mr. Althouse: "Blue mop holding up a lonely wall."
- Joan: "Oh, where's my fairy godmother when I need her?"
- Anne: "Mop and Glow."
- Tiel Aisha Ansari: "Behind Door 1, the bucket of your dreams. Behind Door 2... a WRINGER!"
One more thing: It's been just about a year since I started posting Caption This. Thank you all for playing along with me. It's been more fun than I ever could have anticipated. If you're curious and want to see more CT entries, click here. I'm already looking forward to seeing what 2008 brings us all. Enjoy...and thanks to you all for making it such a rewarding journey!
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34 comments:
I'd say "Down, but not out". He does look sad, and I see people like him nearly every day here in Raleigh.
Michele sent me, because I didn't want you to be skipped!
Hi sweetheart :-) Michele sent me here before I fall into a nice bath this Sunday evening.
I got a bit geeky with this one, when I noticed a name on the packing crate....
'Deam Foods'
Their website says:
'We at Deam are committed to not only offering you a piece of equipment but, more importantly, peace of mind.'
Which is, I think, the ultimate in irony....
and is submitted as my caption!
cq
Well, son, when you're my age you might be grateful for a piece of sunlight, a nice packing crate, and a cigarette.
Just another day in Paradise...
I see you; do you see me?
They told me there wasn't any room at the inn.
Thanks for the nod. I loved that picture.
As for this one? Fixture.
This one is tough. How about "Work's tough. A smoke break."
Will smoke for food.
I'd say, 'Will work for smokes!'
Junie
Good to be here from you know where. Your posts always giveme so much pleasure. I like this picture. He looks inquisitive. He has too many questions contained in his squinted eyes.
Michele sent me back so I could read other's comments, Carmi. Good luck on your interview tomorrow.
I'm struggling with this one. The only thing I can think of is...
Watching life pass by.
Killin time
who can work in this heat?
This reminds me very much of posters my dad used to have in the exam rooms of his office. They said "smoking is glamorous."
"Paper, plastic, and tobacco: I've got it all."
It's a great picture - very thought-provoking. Funny how in a picture, it's thought-provoking, but if I see people like this on the street, I just speed up my walking.
future's not so bright these days, stay in school
hey got a dollar?
"what you lookin at willis"
and the last of the office ideas:
"maybe I should have shaved today?"
"crate expectations"
"Former manager of the Future Shop"
"Opportunity (hard) knocks"
"Got a light?"
"Truth or Dare?"
"Truth or Consequences"
"American Paradox"
"I walked a mile for a Camel, but that still didn't get me to Georgia"
"When world's collide"
(I'm beginning to like my array of bridemaid dresses, Carmi ;) ).
No news is good news.
Another...
"It was the best of time...it was the worst of times..."
too many goodies already suggested here...............so can i vote?
spwriter's "crate expectations"
i really like "American Paradox" too.
This picture made me sad for some reason. How about "I will not judge you if you do not judge me".
Oh yeah, I'm smokin' it...
(OOoooo, thanks Awareness :)!)
Jo* lives in the fast lane, always in designer threads with all the accessories to properlly accompany the set.
Jo gets fed up with forever being told what to do and having people assume things about him, and never having time for himself. He really tries his best to not allow his money and success overcome his personality.
He comes up with a plan to live in reality, even if just for a moment, and to see the response he gets there.
With help of a makeup artist and costume designer, obviously from one of the many contacts he has, Jo transforms himself from delux star of the magazines into someone looking a lot less off, perhaps with debts or personality issues, but amidst all the pain and stresses, someone who can spend his days doing whatever he likes - even if that includes freaking out the "peoples with the smarts" cruising through the neighbourhood.
"Corner Crate Chum-tubthumper"
I actually do know of a man who has lots of money but he chooses to live homeless. Incredible really. Why would anyone choose to do that? Maybe they're afraid the money will take over their life...
Happy Days :)
"The writers' strike takes its toll."
"Not everyone can shop at Crate and Barrel. Some of us can only afford crate."
"Smoking section."
"This space for lease."
(thanks from me, too, awareness)
Well, his clothes, hat,shoes, and skin are too clean to be hard-up homeless, and that beard isn't all that old either. Can't tell what the cardboard he's holding might say. I'll guess off the top of HIS hat:
"North Carolina or bust!"
bet I could get twenty bucks for those hub caps
Take a load off, Manny
"Valet Parking - Our motto is "If we dont park it we've flogged it off already"..."
Hahahhaha
"Okay, who stole the bus stop?"
"Here I sit, Broken Hearted..."
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