It's not unusual, around here, to see sneakers hanging from the power lines, like these ones, which I came across while out walking the other day. This, is something that has always puzzled me, as I don't recall seeing this back in New Zealand.
I've been told that they are....
* A way that gangs mark their territory. Well, I suppose that's better than peeing on the street corners or painting graffiti on walls....
* Crack dealers advertising their presence. The police in those sting operations, that you see on TV (not that I watch those programs, mind) need to look into this. All they'd need to do is rent a house in the hood and sling a pair of their size 12's over the power line and sit back and wait for the knock....
* Sign that the owner of said boots has just lost his virginity. Can't wait for the next boot slinger I see. 'Hey kid, congratulations on popping your cherry!'
* Signifies that someone has died at the house and the hanging boots are a sign of respect. So, why don't you see high heels ?
* An expression of Americans need to decorate, especially for the holidays. Hmmmm ... maybe that explains them wooden, ring thingys, that are displayed next to those boots. It's an art display!
Taylor and I came across these socks, at a local park, on Saturday. They're artfully arranged, toe to heel, on one of the concrete block structures, that the local council has installed for skateboarders.
They've been decorating that block for a couple of days now. Previous to that, they were hanging over the back of a seat on the opposite side of the park.
So many questions here...
Who moved them from one side of the park to the other?
What is the significance of them being arranged in this way?
A local vagrant's laundry ?
Somebody, inspired by 'The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants', is filming a local version entitled 'The Brotherhood Of The Travelling Socks'? (They look like men's socks, so it must be a brotherhood.)
If I go back to the park tomorrow, will they be in a different place?
Same day, same park.
Okay, the main explanation here, is that some people are pigs !!
But, you have to admit, the elastic Ace bandage is a bit of an anomaly. So what's the story here?
Did it go down like this ... 'Look George, my sprained wrist (from throwing boots over lines) is all healed.' (removes bandage and drops it on ground)...
So, do you sometimes wonder about the story behind discarded objects you see lying around?
How they got there?
Or am I just plain weird? :-)
16 comments:
Nothing wierd about you kiddo. In my neck of the woods, the shoes are a sign of drug availability. Good idea for the cops to use for a sting. Why do we have to come up with all of the good ideas. Seems they could think of it themselves.
Yes people are pigs. I get so disgusted when I go to public places and have to clean up after someone else before I can enjoy the space. Could go on and on about that one.
I NEVER knew that! I learned something new today...I always thought it was just teenagers being stupid!
I am ALWAYS fascinated by why people do the things that they do. I suppose that is how I ended up majoring in Anthropology.
And the people that litter. That just drives me nuts. I don't get people that throw stuff out their car windows. Why can't they just wait until they get home?
I see the shoes on the lines all the time, but I never knew it had any meaning. Interesting! I wonder about stuff like that, too.
Yes Kat....I majored in Anthropology too. People fascinate me. I'm addicted to some of the reality shows because I just love to see people interact and watch as their personalities reveal themselves. But I watch things like Deadliest Catch, that Mountain Everest thing, those kind of reality adventure shows. Fascinating.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Ask me, ask me! See my hand waving madly.
Actually I haven't a clue but there's some kind of footwear hanging from lines that cross the road somewhere between Coromandel & Thames .... New Zealand. Don't think they mean 'come & buy' because they're in the wild hills miles from obvious habitation. My question is how did they get there. Those lines are not only live but high above the ground.
After driving the length of the North Island a few times recently I can assure you we DO have sneakers/shoes hanging over power lines etc!!!! Tis weird.
Yep, plenty of shoes on power lines here in Wellington!
Interesting about the boots on the power lines. Can't remember the last time I saw anything like that here.
Thanks for your lovely and supportive comment re our daughter.
Good to see you back!
Meant to say we are in the country - so probably the reason no boots on the power lines!
I've always wondered about the shoes-thrown-over-a-powerline-thing.
The socks are mysterious...and kinda gross. But I did love this post--good stuff, Karen!
How crazy! I'm disturbed to learn that about the sneakers, 'cause there was a pair hanging in our neighborhood for about two years when I was growing up. Those shoelaces must have been made of some tough stuff.
Very, very funny post. When getting in my car in CA (in the dark), I dropped something and reached under the car to see what it was. Imagine my surprise to pick up a CONDOM! NO, that's NOT what I dropped, and NO, it was unopened. Whew!
Oh, I have those thoughts all the time. What IS going on in people's heads. You may not want to read my letter to the women of my office. I sadly, can actually top all that. *sigh*
Oh my! How utterly strange! I can't imagine throwing my shoes up like THAT! And, yes, I do wonder about the story behind the one shoe on the side of the road.
This post just cracked me up!
I have to admit I don't understand why people need to litter- I mean...can't they wait a few minutes and throw the stuff away in a trash can?
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