I got out yesterday for a bit of daylight by taking a walk at lunchtime. It left me with less time to respond to blog comments, but I felt better. I was feeling a bit airless after a whole morning of work, including an hour-long meeting designed to formulate our departmental statement of purpose, or something like that.
I am so ready for retirement.
I found the chessboard above behind the church in St. John's Wood, near the high street. A woman and her much older companion -- her mother, maybe? -- were walking in front of me, and the older woman impetuously stuck out her foot and kicked over the bishop. The other woman set it right again. I thought it was a funny thing to do, but maybe she was trying to see how heavy the pieces are. (Not very.)
Something tells me the time to see this glittery, spangly feature is at night. I imagine people stand in there and take selfies. It's probably elaborately lit. Maybe I'll go back and check it out later.
And LOOK! THE BROKEN-DOWN BENCH IS GONE! It's only been seven months, and after the addition and subtraction of various combinations of warning cones and hazard tape. I was going to post something about it on Nextdoor, hopefully goading the authorities into action, when I found that they'd finally taken care of the problem.
I just joined Nextdoor, which serves as a sort of message board for local news and announcements. I've been reading mostly about missing cats, stolen cars and porch pirates. Yesterday I saw a vigorous debate about foxes and whether they're charming wildlife or hazardous pests. I'm not weighing in on that argument, but you all know I love my foxes.
Not happy Jan. Seat problem solved by eventually removing the seat, not replacing it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the blocks are for people to sit on to have their photos taken, or to weigh the sculpture down in case of strong winds...maybe both.
i would have kicked the bishop piece too.
Who's Jan?! I think the blocks conceal electrical works for the installation, or maybe they're also weights.
DeleteFrom experience I have learned that it is not wise to join in any of those community online debates. They seem to descend into a toxic mess quite rapidly.
ReplyDeleteI agree, JayCee. My DH signed on ND and discovered he was being savaged by some right-wing neighbors because (horrors!) he's a Democrat. They were spreading all sorts of lies about him but hiding their identities under various fake names. A virtual cesspool--at least where we live.
DeleteWow! So far mine has been pretty tame and I intend to keep a low profile. We'll see if that keeps me out of trouble.
Delete"Departmental statement of purpose..."
ReplyDelete1. Open the library and lend out books.
2. Water the plants.
3. Close the library and go home.
and
Gonna miss that bench dude. It had become a likeable character in this blog - unspeaking, ignored and ultimately destined for the arms of death. Why oh why did you message the council?
A departmental statement of purpose. THAT’s when I’d retire, too. Can’t believe the bench is finally gone. I love that glittery, spangly thing. I’d love to see a lit-up photo. Are you sure that woman wasn’t beating the bishop? wink wink nudge nudge
DeleteFortunately we have lots of unspeaking, inanimate characters on this blog, so you don't need to miss the bench too much.
DeleteAnd I agree -- isn't our purpose self-evident? I really don't know what these statements are supposed to achieve, but I worked on it as diligently as everyone else.
I'm glad that bench is finally gone. I like the glittery thing and hope you do go back at night for a photo.
ReplyDeleteSee subsequent post! :)
DeleteOohhh! Please go back and get a glittery nighttime photo for us! lol
ReplyDeleteSee subsequent post! :)
DeleteWhen you mentioned "Departmental Statement of Purpose", you cemented in my mind why it is so good to be away from all of that stuff. I remember sitting in meetings for hours and hours with people arguing over the verbiage for a "mission statement." My mission was always let's get this to hell over with.
ReplyDeleteThe bureaucracy involved in education is really astonishing. Far worse than anything I dealt with in newspapers.
DeleteYay for the bench removal! It looks like a good walk. I'd love to see a night time photo of that fun looking super-sized "package" too. Sorry about the meeting -- I remember those and I hated them.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good walk. Every time I take a daytime walk I wonder why I don't do it more often.
DeleteThe glittery thing is striking, but why is it there? It could be quite a distraction for drivers - mind you, there are so many, I suppose another one wouldn't make much difference.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's not IN the road, it's off to the side. I don't think it's much more distracting than any Christmas display.
DeleteThe minute I saw that vacant patch of sidewalk I recognized it! Finally it's been cleared away!
ReplyDeleteThe most famous patch of sidewalk in London, at least to readers of this particular blog! LOL
DeleteGod, I hated mission statements. Invented by someone whose salary was based on how many meetings he attended.
ReplyDeleteCan’t help but visualize those women as a Monty Pythons sketch, wreaking havoc through London in their orthopedic shoes.
I don't understand the point of mission statements. Surely people already know what their organization is trying to do?! "Killing the Bishop" does sound a bit like a Python sketch.
DeleteI was hoping porch pirating was strictly an American thing but likely it is just another bad thing we have passed onto the rest of the world. I just heard somewhere not long ago that $15 billion worth of goods have been stolen off of porches this year already and that was a month or so ago, before Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, it happens here too!
DeleteWhere I live now, I haven't had to worry about Porch Pirates and I've had packages sit for a week in front of my door while on vacation. Not sure why that is since it seems prevalent elsewhere.
DeleteI imagine mission statements are kind of like art statements that I was always asked for. I hated those, hated having to come up with something...arty when I just liked making pretty things. I joined the Nextdoor for my neighborhood but hardly ever log on.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a belief that artists shouldn't have to explain their art? I thought the whole idea is that the art speaks for itself.
DeleteMission statements, gah, so pretentious. Mine was get there, do the work, go home.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY! What more of a mission do we need?
DeleteI love that glittery thing, must be quite beautiful at night.
ReplyDeleteThe bench is gone!
I am so happy about that freaking bench.
DeleteIt's amazing the things you find on a simple walk around the neighborhood. I love the glittery box.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I don't visit the SJW high street more often. It's just steps from where I work.
Delete"Said the actress to the bishop..."
ReplyDeleteOne look at that picture where the bench had been and I knew exactly what the empty space was. One less eyesore, I suppose.
Oh Lord. I certainly hope there's no "Nextdoor" in Lloyd. I don't even WANT to know what my neighbors are thinking.
Lloyd might be too small for a Nextdoor, unless you share one with all of suburban Leon County! (Mine goes beyond West Hampstead, over to Kilburn and Highgate and other nearby communities.)
DeleteI was on my local Nextdoor for a bit. The more ridiculous thing; had to deactivate my account. Oh my god, the things people find to complain about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure how often I'll look at it, but I do like to know about crime and that kind of thing.
DeleteMy Apologies There Brother Man But That Nextdoor Group Sounds Dreadful
ReplyDeleteStay Strong ,
Cheers
Ha! Well, there is a fair amount of complaining happening, it's true!
DeleteYay The Bench is gone!! And yes, you must go see the glittery box at night. Your blog readers demand it of you. Or at least this one does.
ReplyDeleteI obeyed your demand! See subsequent post! :)
DeleteNext Door can be crazy. Like Being Neighborly, it's devolved into who can complain the loudest or needs the most help, at least in my area. I wouldn't say that sparkly thing would be good for selfies. I would want the whole structure in the picture, plus me. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's more for people to take pictures of other people. I agree you couldn't get the whole thing in a selfie. (Unless you had a VERY long selfie stick!)
DeleteIf you've never seen Mark Rober's porch pirate "glitter bomb" pranks on YouTube, you're in for a real treat. They're hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHe also makes "Backyard Squirrel Mazes" that are awesome!
DeleteI've seen some prank videos like that -- not sure whether they're his or not. Dave is a big fan.
DeleteYay, the bench is finally gone!
ReplyDeleteThe online community sites can get a bit contentious. I generally avoid them.
Imagine getting into a debate about foxes. No thank you.
I know! What possible outcome could there be from such a ridiculous argument? Foxes are out there and we're not going to change that.
DeleteThe chess board is neat, but I would think a real match would be difficult. I would have trouble taking in the whole game on that scale.
ReplyDeleteI've heard Nextdoor can be a very entertaining place!
I wondered when I took the picture whether anyone really plays it. I somehow doubt it!
DeleteNextdoor does have it's uses...but plenty use it to complain!! Good for trade recommendations...and warnings...I find that it loads slowly... The sales part is good, but the messages are slow...I've lost a sale of furniture because of that.
ReplyDeleteI don't even mind the complaining, as long as it's also informative and/or entertaining. LOL
DeleteOh yes, if you have time, do please go back and get a glittery night-time photograph for us.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
See subsequent post! :)
DeleteI've had Nextdoor off and on for a long time. But I almost never check it and when I do I'm usually put off so I've paused it for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI don't see or hear from it unless I intentionally look at it -- I'm not getting notifications or anything like that.
DeleteI must live in a very placid place. No complaining, arguing, dissing neighbors, whatever on the local Nextdoor. Simply recommendations for handymen, snow removal, yard care, lost or found pets, etc etc. It's sorta sad to see the bench is gone!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your neighbors are all so neighborly! Would we were all so lucky.
Delete"Department statement of purpose" lol. I've been to that meeting. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWho thinks up these ridiculous things? Honestly.
DeleteYes, go back after dark and let's see what the glittery thing is all about.
ReplyDeleteSee subsequent post! :)
Delete
ReplyDelete“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.”
Song of Songs 2:15 (NIV)