I walked home last night via the optician, because I have to get my glasses repaired. I'm not sure what I did to them. On Tuesday evening they were in my jacket pocket, where I often carry them, and when I took them out the frames were bent so badly that I couldn't straighten them myself. When I took them in, the woman behind the counter looked at them rather doubtfully but said they'd try.
I probably need new glasses anyway, to be honest. I've had these for about two years, using some frames that Dave bought about eight years ago -- and I don't think I've had a new prescription since 2016. Still, I get by with them and I hope they can be fixed.
Meanwhile, I'm using the backup pair that lives in my camera bag.
This graffiti writer, who uses the name Tramp, has been spreading his wisdom (?) all over our neighborhood lately. (I'm using the male pronoun because graffiti writers are usually male, for whatever reason -- though there are exceptions so if this is written by a woman I apologize.) I've posted photos of a few of his sentiments in the past. When they get painted over he writes new ones, and if they don't get painted over he adds to them, creating word collages like the one above.
I'm sure this building owner has had it up to HERE but he/she seems to have stopped trying to repaint the wall, leaving it to Tramp to expound on his thoughts. (I had to look up Bill Hicks. Apparently he's an American comedian who died in 1994 and was quite popular in the UK. I don't remember him at all but I probably just wasn't paying attention. I've never been a huge fan of stand-up comedy.)
Anyway, you get the idea. Tramp has a few favorite writing spots and I haven't photographed them all, not by a long shot. But I've probably photographed enough of them.
When I read graffiti the first thing I notice is spelling mistakes, is that weird?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your tests and consultation.
ReplyDeleteA lot of home truths there...and Tramp is correct about which ones get painted over quicker...
ReplyDeleteI like his thinking. I missed the spelling mistakes, as I miss my own.
ReplyDeleteTramp's jottings indicate that he or she (or they?) have nothing of value to say. It's all just pure self-indulgent mumbo-jumbo. Referral to a psychiatrist might be of value. If he wasn't stuck in New York at the behest of a judge, I would say that the perpetrator might be Trump and not Tramp.
ReplyDeleteI find word graffiti really interesting, not so much a fan of some of the art version, the stuff with lots of colours. In Vienna, I went on a graffiti tour, maybe there's a similar one for London, and it was really interesting.
ReplyDeleteIf you have time, check this site: https://picturesofwalls.com/gallery.asp
Very entertaining and you can submit yiur own pictures as well. Some of our finds are in it too.
So many errors drives me crazy. Also, sorry, Tramp, I would not want to have to see that on nice clean walls in my neighborhood even if the error-ridden words are sometimes clever.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what would get painted over fastest? Where's Kate, maybe.
ReplyDeleteWhoever Tramp is he, or she, has a lot to say.
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer in free speech but not on someone else's wall.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the tug of war going on. But I ALSO like it when a fight breaks out in hockey. And disapprove of war. I'm a bloodthirsty pacifist? It's a conundrum.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the 'transactional freedom equated with freedom of "speach". What does that even mean? Freedom to pay with cash or card or even check? You don't have that there?
ReplyDeleteDo you have transaction fees added to every card purchase there. I make an effort to carry cash for everything. The bank will always take its pound of flesh.
And no, River, you're not the only one.
ReplyDeleteI've always kind of liked graffiti that springs up on New York subways. But defacing private property and public spaces is a bit offputting. Tramp is interesting. I wonder who they are, and if this is the only way they feel they can be heard?
ReplyDeleteI do catch the errors ... I proofread everything!
ReplyDeleteI think Tramp's writings give one a moment of pause to give what is scrawled on a wall a bit of thought!
There is an alleyway in Springfield, Oregon that is specifically designated for graffiti artists to display their talents!
My son and daughter in law live there, so I have seen pictures!
I guess this is "Tramp's" blog of sorts. I agree with what Yorkshire Pudding said. Tramp vs. Trump!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how Tramp supports himself. He must get some satisfaction from his graffiti. He has many messages to share. A more productive life might be a healthy change. Broken glasses? I've also had glasses bend terribly in a pocket.
ReplyDeleteThe racist observation: I get the point they are trying to make, but it's not realistic. You cannot always (or even often) change what someone else believes, but not having to hear them voice it is a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThese messages aren't particularly profound and I think I'd do a more careful job of proofing my work. (hoping I'm not overlooking a glaring error before I hit publish!)
I think if it were my wall, I would invest in a security camera or perhaps just sit out some evening dressed in black with a can of bright read spray paint. I might even recite on of their lines back as I was applying the paint to their backside.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about writings on walls. Graffiti can be very artistic and there's a place for it, and many places NOT for it. In general, I'm not a fan.
ReplyDeleteThis guy has got to be intelligent as he comes up with some pretty deep statements.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that Tramp's ramblings would only inspire me to buy more paint.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Not at all -- they jump out at me too!
ReplyDeleteE: Thanks!
GZ: Home truths is a good way to put it.
Andrew: It must be nice to be spelling-blind! :)
YP: Well, psychiatric issues are certainly possible, given that he's wandering around on the street and writing on walls.
Sabine: I once did a graffiti tour in New York and it was fascinating, and I did one here in London too. I like the colorful pieces as well, but usually more for visuals than message.
Mitchell: Yeah, I gotta agree, I wouldn't be crazy about having this on a wall in front of my house!
Boud: Or some dark assertion about Prince Andrew?
Bob: Yeah, never short on words!
Ms Moon: I'm with you, unless it's a wall that's an accepted graffiti space. (None of these are.)
Bug: Ha! "Bloodthirst pacifist" -- or maybe "peaceful savage"?
Debby: I guess he's saying buying things with cash allows anonymity, which provides a sort of expressive freedom...? Don't read some of this too closely because I don't think it stands up to a great deal of scrutiny. :)
Colette: Yeah, I wonder! I'm sure people do pay more attention to these messages than anything he might post online, for example. (Assuming he has online access, which he may not.)
Marcia: I think many cities have a sort of dedicated graffiti space -- or, as here in London, several of them. It's a good idea to keep graffiti writing concentrated and keep the messages fresh.
Michael: Yes, it's a wall blog!
Susan: I suspect there's some substance abuse involved. It's not apparent in these messages, but in others he's alluded to his drug use.
Kelly: Yeah, I agree on the race thing. The alternative is just to let people spout their racism, which is hardly preferable. I think, as you said, most of this is fairly pedestrian thinking massaged into a soundbite.
Ed: Ha! I'd pay to see security footage of THAT!
Margaret: I agree. I appreciate it when it's artistic. I suppose it's possible to be artistic verbally as opposed to visually -- wall poetry, maybe?
Red: He's unusually articulate for a graffiti writer, but I'm not sure these messages are really all that deep.
Sharon: Ha! And coincidentally, when I walked by yesterday afternoon, I saw that all these messages have been painted over.
Your graffiti guy is bold, to say the least! And he explains himself well to the owner. Poor owner -- I wonder if he is buying white paint in bulk!
ReplyDelete