This is a photo of Fripp Island, South Carolina, taken from a pier that runs out from one of the visitor centers at Hunting Island State Park. This is about as close as a "visitor" can get to Fripp. It's a private island, owned by the residents of the million dollar homes and condoes that make up Fripp Island real estate.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
South Carolina Irony/Introspection
This is a photo of Fripp Island, South Carolina, taken from a pier that runs out from one of the visitor centers at Hunting Island State Park. This is about as close as a "visitor" can get to Fripp. It's a private island, owned by the residents of the million dollar homes and condoes that make up Fripp Island real estate.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Is There A Census Box to Check if You're Amish or Mennonite??
A story I heard and a photograph I took have bumped into each other in my head setting off a twisting train of thought. The story involved an Armenian man, who was troubled by the census form he was asked to fill out. He didn't know what box to check for race. Apparently, his skin is somewhat darker than "White," but he's not an "African-American." Neither is he "Native American" nor "Asian." Why, he wondered, couldn't we just check a box that labeled us all as Americans. Now I know bureaucrats and statisticians everywhere could explain why the "Race" demographic, (is that the right word?) is necessary. But I personally, think the Armenian-American, or shall I just call him an American, has a good idea.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Everywhere A Sign
We just love Beaufort, South Carolina. The “beau” fits this area’s name as well as it fits “beauty.” Of course, every new area is filled with surprises. Some of my favorites around here are the unique signs, which sometimes advertise unique establishments. For example, yesterday we went by a sign that marked a “Terrapin Crossing.” There are also signs, which announce fortunetellers, willing to tell you what’s to be if you cross their palms with paper or plastic. There are also placards advertising “Bail Bondsman,” everywhere. I’ve seen more Bail Bondsman storefronts in the small city of Beauford than I’ve seen anywhere else, I think. Does that suggest that there must be a bunch of bounty hunters hanging around here, too? But my favorite sign, which I just had to photograph, and which is at the top of this posting, was on the Hunting Island State Park Beach, which we visited yesterday. I have no idea what it means or what, for that matter, they might be hunting out there!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The House by the River
When you plan a southern sojourn, you have much to do. You have to cancel the mail and the paper. Make sure any bill that might be due is paid. Check in with the police and your next door neighbors so your house is secure. Turn down the heat. Have the car serviced. When it’s finally time to leave, you’re almost too tired to get in the car.
Then you’re on the road, dealing with rain and fog and trucks and a nervous dog, who spends two days in the car breathing as if a thunderstorm is about to strike. You take what Google Maps lists as a shortcut around Roanoke and it ends up being a longcut on a winding road over a good-sized mountain that makes the trip at least a half hour longer. And you spend a night in a dog friendly Ramada inn, where the housekeeping staff forgot to completely clean the toilet.
But then you motor into Beaufort, South Carolina, and you make your way to the little house in the Town of Port Royal. Then it’s all worth it. Fog and panting are forgotten, because the view from your deck of the Beaufort River is wonderful. Live oaks hung with Spanish moss shade the deck, and there’s a marina next door with a bar and restaurant. The sun’s out and the temperature is close to 70. And we’re on southern time.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
AVATAR and Some Other Stuff
Eyak krikkka kah bdbdbd keaa! This means, "we lost the Oscar because of CG backlash" in Na'vi. I think that AVATAR, one of history's biggest films, didn't get the biggest awards because people are still more impressed by other live people performing on film than they are with computer generated or computer enhanced folk flying around, interacting, loving, and such. I must admit, that I haven't seen AVATAR, although I want to. I also haven't researched this particular opinion in any way, but if it is true, I'm pleased. . .not because I'd be right in my opinion, but because I would rather the work of people triumph over the work of machines, no matter how spectacular that machine work may be. (And I realize that it takes people to make those machines work, but the people don't emote on screen like totally live actors. Does that sound like a Valley Girl? "Totally live!") And what's with all this 3-D?