End of an Era by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Time does not move at a uniform speed; temporal physics has already proved this to some degree. Distortions occur in ways both subtle and gross, depending on one’s proximity to a sufficient gravitational source. The closer you are to a super-massive object, the slower time is likely to move. By this logic, one may say that a person ages more slowly on top of a mountain rather than at its foot.
The movement of time has occupied my thoughts for the past week. As was my custom, I’d filled out applications for new jobs, and as tradition dictated, I anticipated…nothing. One week ago, however, things changed. I discovered this in Morris, Illinois. I discovered this in close proximity to a re-structured truck, an x-ray device, and moving-industry co-workers all edging close, closer, and closer to the inevitable nicotine jitters that often accompany long trips in cramped, diesel-scented moving-truck cabs. The news of better employment came through a cell phone…quietly…a whisper amid louder noises. I was asked if I could report for training the following day.
I said yes.
And later, long after the initial phone call. I stood in the familiar confines of the oft-mentioned truck yard, laughing to myself, and singing the familiar refrain of a familiar song. The words in my throat and the words in my mind bore a different timbre, however. As I sang, I sounded like me. But in my head, I heard Robert Loggia’s playful, graveled voice declaring:
“Hello, I must be going
I cannot stay, I came to say, I must be going.
I’m glad I came, but just the same
I must be going.”
I’d heard that song many times, by many artists, but Robert Loggia’s rendition (at the finale of the Oliver Stone miniseries, Wild Palms) sticks in my head as the best overall take on so classic a song. And so, as I meandered around the truck yard, with Robert Loggia singing in my mind, I snapped parting shots of a place I’d seen for nearly every day of my life since returning to Chicago from Earth…um…I mean Prague. And now—just past my first week with new, more appropriate employment—I can look back at the truck yard and it’s associated grime, grunge, and potential tetanus-sources and simply say: “Hello…I must be going.”
Time. It moves so quickly when you look back at it. Its movement sounds so incredibly strange with Robert Loggia’s voice. Such things, I think, are simply one of the little marvels of life.
*
As I’ve actually been away for a bit, I have quite a lot of catching up to do, but as I now have a regular schedule (and a better paycheck) I can definitely say that I look forward to looking back at all that I’ve missed from the end of one job on through to the beginning of another.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all on the verge of a great week.
Comments (22)
Congrats on the new job! Glad to hear there's been some improvement in your situation. The title seems appropriate not just for your situation, but the object in this photo of yours. I'm sure you chose that deliberately, so it works on a great many levels. Congrats once again my friend!
My week is starting off the better for seeing a post from you. Very cool image! I see a figure in the wood grain of the cabinet, with his arm raised in joy. Many congratulations, Chip. This is wonderful. Superb image and narrative!
Congrats on the new gig, Chip! What a fun 'parting shot!' I hope everything works out perfectly for you. A regular schedule and a better paycheck are two BIG steps in the right direction.
Time is a funny thing isn't it--more distorted and hard to hold as we once surmised which is why it is a topic I love to explore. The new jobby is wonderful news! It is also great to see more work from you as well. Hope u will still be able to spare time to post.
Congratulations! Morris, eh. I've been to Morris. It was on the way from the far Chicago suburbs to the University of Illinois when I went there back in the 80s. Morris. I think there was a McDonald's there, where 47 intersected the highway. Or am I thinking of Dwight? Once, the McDonald's staff thought we were there to rob the place, but that's another story...
I wondered what you'd been up to; perfect image for your news! Good luck with the new employment; you say more appropriate, and I hope that's true. Maybe you're writing novels for a living??? Ooh, I hope so. And wonderful to see you again!
Well done Chip!I think I know how do you feel, because I went through the same thing 16 years ago, when my son was born and decided to change my job of 17 years in search of something better.
Congratulations my friend. God bless.
My congratulations Chip and its terrific to have you back. Nice to hear some good news in these difficult times. I also see Lucinda's triumphant figure in the wood grain of the old stereo. Very serendipitous as it is conjuncted with the old saying, "out with the old, in with the new". I have to admit I will likely miss much of these shots as the discarded items speak to a now lost civilization that once proudly stood in the place we stand now. I can just smell to old vacuum tube warming up right now. That amber glow, that reassuring hum. Ah, the memories.
I hope your new job works out for you Chip. Great news.
Congrats on the new job Chip. That is great news in these times. I have missed you and was wondering if it was literally true or you weren't here for a while.
Love the composition and the repetitive circles. Tire, wheel, holes in wheel, knobs on radio. Then there are the angles of the cabinet, the screen frames, the white metal box thingie and the railroad cars. What a feast! I've missed you immensely ... life is NOT the same when you're absent!
THAT was good news. First that you got a new and better job, Congratulations, and second you are back. Welcome back, Chip. We really missed you :) An interesting image. It looks a bit sad, doesnt it?
Change is a constant, and you now move into another stage of your life, and I wish you well at it! I think we will still be seeing woodlice though, right?
CONGRATS!!! great to 'see' you again... and TY for the good news!!! :-D wonderful capture!!!
I see the celebrating figure too. Well done and good luck. I like this grimy still life.
Welcome back! Great image and I see her as well
I like this shot, sort of quasi "Urbex" come reportage. Hope the job comes good for you.
great image and text!! WELCOME BACK!!
u got me thinking I will move to a mountain lol wonderful words and cograts on moving forward"
THIS IS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR ME! LIKE PROUST'S MADELEINETTES IT MADE ME GOBACK IN TIME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. GREAT CAPTURE CHIP!
I was almost this very second wondering, "Where the heck has Chip been?" Are you reading my mind!! Good reasons to be gone and a great shot to show us. I remember those kinds of cabinets. We had a TV back in the day in something very much like that. I was SO young, I thought if I jumped thru the screen I'd be THERE. Nope, didn't try that. Good thing.