Where Are My Keys? Outside. In the Road.
This entry was posted on Mar 27 2008
No really. They’re IN the road.
What happens to all of the trash on the road? Some of it gets picked up, some of it gets washed away by the rain. But some of it – usually small and metal – gets compressed into the asphalt.
Aside from all things photographic, what makes this photo interesting to me is trying to determine the origin of the debris. What does the key unlock? What drink was contained by that bottle cap? How many nails were picked up by the tires of unsuspecting motorists before the rest decided to stick around? How old is all of this stuff?
I suppose that might be a weak argument to some, but I can rationalize my intrigue with road debris through mystery. With mystery, there is potential for a much more robust story. Without mystery, there’s a better chance that there’s no amazing story. (OK, maybe there is, but it’s not nearly as compelling to me.) A mildewed and worn dining room table on the side of the road is far less interesting and mysterious than a key embedded in asphalt. Maybe it’s the metal and the endurance. Maybe it’s the timelessness of it.
Maybe I’m just crazy.
…deep thought…
…deeper thought…
Yes, that’s must be it.
In this picture:
- bottle caps
- a key
- washers
- aluminum can
- nails
- screws
- nuts and bolts
- a paperclip
- other bits of unidentifiable metal
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7 Responses
to “Where Are My Keys? Outside. In the Road.”
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You’re not crazy; I like things like that too. Unless we’re both crazy.
Stephen’s last blog post..Tweets for Today
I like that you even noticed this stuff – never mind that you took a great shot of it
Diane’s last blog post..Honey! I’m home!
Most time people who admit they are crazy, they aren’t!
I like your thoughts behind the picture, it brings a “simple” picture to life.
susanne49’s last blog post..Charleston’s Flowers
Hey in the USAF on the flightline we walked the whole pavement everyday several times to pickup the FOD as it is referred to in Technical terms and I never saw anything embedded in any concrete or Asphalt on an Airbase maybe I just was too busy marching or performing a FOD Walk. Everything left on the flightline is fairgame to getting sucked up into a Jet Engine and being expelled as a projectile much like a bullet. Thanks for your view of how our Great State takes pride in a job well done and nothing is left out of their paving projects. I figure that I would share a longer comment since your narration was so informative. Take care.
Well, a treasure hunt all in one place! I don’t think I’ve seen that much in such a small amount of space. I have heard where people will embed a coin in the pavement when it is being set, just to watch people try to pick it up off the ground later on.
dcr’s last blog post..U.S. Congress to Ban Affiliate Marketing
Crazy? Certainly not! Creative, thoughtful, and contemplative? Sure!
I love the photo and the thoughts that went along with it.
Fascinating stuff!
soapbox mom’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
That’s cool. I usually don’t think of a story behind the photos I take. Perhaps I’ll start doing that.
shiera’s last blog post..The Vineyard Man