How fortunate to be present for this moment - this technological advance. City workers have just installed a new parking meter. Well it isn't a meter exactly, as it stands at the end of the block, and not at each spot. The friendly thin meters at each parking space that we would pour coins into are now missing. I do not know precisely what it is called.
In honor of Watson, the robot from Jeopardy, I will call it a "Parking Overlord".
The Overlord is equipped with a solar panel. Cool. Which makes it very odd looking, and quite intimidating. Which is as it should be.
As I turn the corner, and witness the celebration, I quickly pull over. The city worker is meticulously polishing the Overlord. Which is again, as it should be. And behind him - I tell no lie - another city worker is taking a photograph of the man that is polishing the Overlord. And behind the photographer, I sketch the man that is polishing the Overlord. What a tribute!
And why shouldn't we celebrate this technological advance?! Whereas before in South Miami, a citizen could pull to a parking space and know that there is time left on the meter and use the time, now that mere citizen must pay homage to the Overlord in utter ignorance, and pay for time that may already have been paid for two or three times before that!
Ah, technology, isn't it beautiful? See how we all benefit?
It is a glimpse into the future, folks.
It makes me yearn for nature. Over millennia we have adapted to our environment, and nature has adapted to us. It is truly beautiful.
This is another panel from the cARToon tic-tac-toe game that I am playing with Pamo. You can read more about our project at my January 29th post, here.
So all is right with the world, and we must celebrate, dear citizens! Nature and man, and technology and man, are in perfect synchronicity and forever evolving. It is like the sky, with clouds and sun, always perfect no matter the weather.
And if the above tribute has left you scratching your head, no matter. Be happy anyway. This is because I have in mind the words of William Kentridge, and I am uplifted. They are: "I am only an artist. My job is to make drawings. Not to make sense." So let's celebrate!
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William Kentridge was a WISE man, and you Dan are wise to remind us of his words. I'm not sure how the parking Overlord rules.. as a TYRANT that must be worshiped and fed and polished... is obvious from your humble obsevations. Great sketch as always.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI used to live in the part of South Miami that was called Perrine and worked for Ma Bell in Homestead. That was 41 years ago. I'm sure I wouldn't know it.
I love the sketches you do and your prose is a pleasure to read.
xoxo
I sure love that quote! You got a brake with the pieces fitting together---maybe meant to be..I'd rather be the photographer and sketch it later--- with selective memory..Vive La Differences !
ReplyDeleteSorry for my absence as of late! Been busy, busy! Just realized I missed a few posts!
ReplyDeleteI love the words you put to this, and of course, it is an excellent sketch/painting! Soon we'll be looking at the Terminator movies with the same awe as we do for Jules Verne novels...wondering if the authors were psychic!
You are too much! Did you have lots of coffee before heading out to sketch? I enjoyed this so much because when I visited Los Angeles a while back, they had the same kind of meter system. I prefer the old meters where you could possibly have some time paid for also. This way the city just gets more! Your attitude on this is so fitting!
ReplyDeleteDan, this is why I feel sorry for studio painters...they don't get to relate stories like this! lol! Man polishing the overlord is great! We have parking "overlords" in Portland (we've had them for some time, but we don't have sun, so no solar panel). Well, I used to work downtown and everyday (every single day) I had to explain how the parking payment thing worked to scads of people. Smart looking young people too! ...LOL Even though the instructions are posted on each one...people stand before it looking befuddled. I explained how it worked to so many people I felt the City of Portland should have given me a job. I'm telling you all this because I forecast that your Miami-ites are going to be equally flumoxed. You can draw that next! hahaha! Feel the same about the extra $$ the city gets, although in PDX if you have time on the ticket you had to paste in your window and you move spots you get to still use the time on the ticket. See, I know lots on this subject. haha.
ReplyDeletep.s. do you remember how people would try (and sometimes succeed) to break into a parking meter??? It is a vague recollection, and I don't know how they ever managed it because those suckers were like mini vaults! and I wonder if 60 years from now people will be nostalgic over the "overlords!" lol
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that there are areas on Europe that have "overlords", too. Try figuring them out in a foreign language. LOL! Your comments are priceless and your sketches are unique. Love your collaboration with Pamo, it's a good mix.
ReplyDeleteDan... YOU'RE BACK!
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here with my mouth wide open in awe, so excuse me if I type slow. What can I say about your drawing? It's well composed, expertly colored and it tells a story. I'm drawn into it. Simply FABULOUS!!! I really can't say enough about how great it is. This is YOU, Dan, ALL YOU!!
Beautifully written post too. And you know I'm diggin the whole cartoon thing. Makes me smile every time.
It sounds like an interesting sight. We have to pay at a nearby bar or newsagent for a little card to display while parking...not nearly as much fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat sketches Dan!
Makes me glad that I live in a small town. It will be years and years before we have overlords installed here. We still have someone (an actual person) that goes around marking tires in all the one hour parking spaces! Another great drawing and story too!
ReplyDeleteLove your inspiration...great how one thing inspires another!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully drawn, this homage to the "Overlord," accompanied by your delightful narrative. Georgetown, Texas, still boasts at least one hitching post . . . how's that for the other end of the spectrum?
ReplyDeleteYour tribute to the Overlord is a thing of beauty and offers forth the worship it demands. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWe have Overlords in downtown Las Vegas and they quietly rule the streets with a disdain that truly befits them. The thing I hate is how much easier it is for the Overlord Enforcers to know when the Overlord has no been paid His just due. Within seconds their tickets of shame will reside upon your windshield. Take it from a recent sinner...
-Don
Brilliant post - such a sense of fun! I have always enjoyed reading science fiction and now I am older, I see all the things I read about coming to fruition!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! And yes I have bought one of those small Moleskine sketchbook as well. Once I am done with my first large one, I am going to move to the small one ^^ I like drawing smaller things too, probably because I could get the proportion right more often if I do that.
ReplyDeleteThat tic tac toe sure looks fun!
And yes Dan, I agree, my previous post is a WHOLE lot better than my current one ^^
Two great drawings Dan!! And I have to say it is refreshing to see at least this city worker had his pants up to where they sould be (my man and I were out this weekend and we walked past one of our city workes and he had the biggest plumbers butt we had ever seen... It was almost painful to see, no wait, it was painful). Great drawings and stories behind them, and the tic tac drawing is funny (love his face expressions).
ReplyDeleteHi, Dan! Love this post! Drawings are great, specially I liked the first one and all the story around it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
@Celeste - I am a studio painter that still manages to get out into the world to draw what I see =) No need to feel sorry for me!
ReplyDeleteDan - true about no longer being able to give your leftover minutes to the next parker, but these things take cards, which is ever so convenient, because there's no more spending valuable laundry quarters, rooting around for change in drink holders that are sticky with particulate soda residue, or begging some shop owner for change when he's heard it already 800 times that day and just wants you to scram.
Love the painting and the cartoon! You have a wonderful way of expressing your ideas and experiences. I'm a big fan!
ReplyDeleteOkay, something is wrong. This is the second time I have noticed that my posts are not showing up on people's blogs. I clearly remember this one...I remember what I said...I called that stinking machine "His Royal Highness" and commented on the bird getting back at the human. What is happening??? Am I in another dimension??? help.....
ReplyDeleteOh new style meters just to confuse everyone, thank goodness you were there to record it and warn us. Great sketch.
ReplyDeleteYour X is good too.
Hi Dan. I've given you/your blog an award which you can see in my post here: http://freebirddrawing.blogspot.com/2011/03/stylish-blogger-award.html. If you don't want to participate it's okay. Sometimes these awards can become too much when they go around too often. I did want to share the link to your wonderful stories and sketches though so I included you on my post.
ReplyDeleteTimaree