Monday, September 28, 2009

On the fall of the United States of America

I’ve always had a particular fondness for maps as decorative elements (I believe I have thoroughly presented the evidence for my incompetence in reading them). I’m one of those people who think nothing would be cooler than to have a huge map of the world on the wall, complete with colourful pins showing where I have been. However, I have never had such a map. Until now.


My current bedroom is relatively big, and it is also relatively free of any sort of wall decorations (except two large mirrors). I have not made any effort to change this – it will be my room for three months only, after all. However, when I went to Target a few weeks back, seeing that they had all sorts of “back to school” materials including large wall maps for 5 dollars apiece, I realized it was time to fulfil the dream.

Originally, I only wanted a world map, but since they also had one with the 50 states on it, I decided that I wanted one of those too. Once I got back to the house, though, I realized that I did not have the means to put them on the wall. At least I had no conventional means.

What I did have was band aid tape.

Tape that is intended to fasten compress to skin should be able to fasten a map to a wall, right? Well, it did. For a while. Both maps were put up there, but almost immediately the tape started slipping. I’ve forced it back up, I’ve applied more tape; I’ve tried my best. However, there was no other way – sooner or later one of the maps would fall. The only question was which would fall first – the World, or the USA?

Since you have read the (exceptionally manipulative) title of this post (at least so I assume), you already know. The USA fell first. It took more than a few band-aids to keep it up. It started in the corners, peeling slowly down the cost at each side, and before long the entire country was upside down.

It will rise again, but probably not immediately. Most likely I will fold it neatly and bring it back to Europe. There the USA will be put back up on a new wall, and this time hopefully with something that will stick. In the meantime, though, I find it interesting that even though the USA fell, the World hasn’t (yet).



Currently reading: Going Bovine by Libba Bray
 
Currently listening to: (500) Days of Summer Soundtrack (that I randomly bought because I saw a promo for the movie a while ago, and it made me think that this would be the kind of movie I'd like for the story and love for the soundtrack. I haven't entirely made up my mind yet - I might have to see the movie to be certain)

EDIT: I was right - I do love the music and now I'll definitely have to watch the movie! I cannot tell you if it is the perfect movie soundtrack, but it IS the perfect soundtrack for walking down the streets of D.C. (occasionally in the wrong direction) a sunny morning, sipping your Caribou coffee. I don't think any city has seen such a wide grin on a Monday morning before :D

AND ALSØ WIK: My friend, Maria, who is an incredibly creative artist, has contributed to my favourite project (you should all know it by now, but let me give a friendly reminder to potential random stoppers-by: http://www.onemilliongiraffes.com/). Now, project coordinator and -initiator, Ola (still my hero), picked Maria's giraffe to be giraffe of the day yesterday (probably without knowing that today, the day she found out, is her BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday, Maria!). Check out giraffe of the day # 109
(This is not only great for all the obvious reasons, but also - it gave me a chance to once again add the label "giraffe" to a post!)

7 comments:

Hart Johnson said...

Oh Mari, you've done it again. When I realized where you were going with the fall of the US I started giggling and haven't stopped. I also LOVE the symbolism that despite the fall of the US, the world is still hanging in there.

M.J. Nicholls said...

Hee hee. Lovely. I think when the USA falls, the world will carry on as normal. Some of us might giggle, but that's it. Then Norway will become the global Superpower.

Lovely giraffes too. I wish my neck was that flexible.

P.S. I think The Smiths are on that soundtrack. I recommend everything by them. Everything!

Cruella Collett said...

Tami - have you stopped yet? Otherwise, I think it's time to see a doctor... I agree that it is a good image, though. My wall did good ;)

M.J. - Norway already is a global superpower, but the world has not realized it yet! We're not all that good at the marketing part... But soon you will all be speaking Norwegian (or Norwitch as I've heard it referred to [here] recently)...

And yes, the Smiths are on that soundtrack. As mentioned, I like the album as a whole, but I have not yet broken it down to which specific songs I like. I'll have to admit, though, that I once bought a Morrissey album convinced that this was my kind of music, but shortly thereafter I realized I had been wrong...

H.B.Markor said...

Giraffy!
You can't keep the U.S.Down for long!

(Once again I have fallen far behind, but I will catch up)

Paul FooDaddy Brand said...

Hey, you know what'd hold the USA up forever? No, not competent leadership (although we're working on that).

Ladies' hair wax strips! My mother once got a box of what amounted to strips of incredibly strong adhesive tape in the mail. It was a sample of some company's latest advance in Hair Removal (which is a huge thing for the ladies, I'm told) Technology.

When she threw them away, and I rescued them.

A piece of that stuff held a section of Ethernet cable to a wall for three years at my apartment. I wish I could remember who made those!

Hart Johnson said...

Mostly recovered now.

I was a little loopy from the dumb day job.

And totally with you... Smith's YES, Morrisey NO (unless your goal is depression, then I'll give you a pass--I can get morose, and then I am at peace with Morrisey, but mostly, not so much--love the Smith's though)

Paul--BUWAHAHAHAHAAH! Excellent idea on the hair wax strips! I was sure you were going to recommend duct tape, but I like wax strips better.

Cruella Collett said...

Maria - giraffy right back atcha!

Paul - I once tried some of those wax strips, but with my Scandinavian fine hair the only result was gluey legs... Not a hair came off. So your usage sounds better (I read "reused" instead of "rescued", and that makes a WORLD of difference....)

Tami - generally I like depression music even if I am not depressed, though, so I don't think that's it. I might have to listen to it again to figure out why I didn't like it. So far the Smiths sounds better.

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