Ctrl Alt Del
(Ctrl Alt and Del keys on my street: Glasgow, Scotland)
I don’t know if I could ever be as happy living in suburbia or in the country as I am in a city. I think the open spaces and the low buildings would intimidate me and make me feel exposed, whereas I am content to dwell in the tight jumble of central city buildings. I like having people living above and below, under and over each other, in flats like nest boxes, it makes me feel secure in a way I can’t really articulate. What I would miss out there in the wide expanses of outer cities are these; the surprising, omnipresent comments of the city, pushed into unexpected places.
About a year ago, the school on the next block from me renovated its outdoor play area and with it came concrete in abundance. A few weeks after all the cement had dried and the trucks pulled away, I spotted these three stray computer keys had found a new home. I openly laughed in the street at discovering ‘control’ ‘alt’ and ‘delete’ (one of my favourite computer manouvres) pressed carefully and solidly into the concrete on the corner of the playground. I wish I could take the credit for putting them there, but I have no idea where they came from. I took this photograph last November on the evening I noticed them, and I have meant to introduce them to you. Since I saw them again tonight, it seems fitting to document them properly. When I see these things, I wonder who else notices them and whether they laugh, forget immediately with indifference or frown with disdain. I think they improve the slab of grey enormously and are a witty edition to an already interesting street of tiny wonders. As an example, once I watched as a hedgehog shimmied right across the road, hurtling towards the high kerb of the pavement. I had never seen a hedgehogs long, bandy legs exposed before, but this character scuttled his hind legs on the road, trying to get a foreleg onto the step. It eventually managed and darted under the nearest hedge (a cliché hiding place, really). I also keep an eye out for the occasional cheeky fox that trots along the road; half feline, half dog without a home.
It’s been a busy week, this one, with next week set to be even tougher. I’ve set myself a few goals that might be unachievable, but at least I’m not bored – just exhausted! I’m gearing up for a short, sharp trip to London with friends at the weekend. Here’s hoping I finish everything.
– Today Rosie is working avidly and eating cake in Glasgow, Scotland –
You use a Mac, I believe CTRL+ALT+DEL is CMD+OPT+ESC!
I know…nobody likes a smart arse…