After another week of reading Mother Goose to my son, it's become obvious that he has a clear preference for a certain kind of nursery rhyme. Namely, one in which people (or in one case, an egg) fall down. And there's a lot of falling down in Mother Goose. We all know about Jack and… Continue reading Falling Down in Mother Goose
Tag: danger
This is a test, this is only a test.
"The more we rehearse disaster, the safer we'll be from the real thing.....There is no substitute for a planned simulation." So says a character in Don DeLillo's 1985 novel White Noise, as a midwestern town is overrun by men in Mylar suits, conducting a simulated evacuation from some vague chemical disaster. Yesterday we had out… Continue reading This is a test, this is only a test.
If you’re a terrorist and you’re reading this, then the terrorists have already won.
I just can't leave the nuclear power plant in my backyard alone. I recently discovered a site from the Eyeball Series that lists formerly public FEMA information about McGuire Nuclear Power Station, information which was taken offline in the aftermath of 9/11. The Eyeball site faithfully reproduces the FEMA information, which, according to what I've… Continue reading If you’re a terrorist and you’re reading this, then the terrorists have already won.
Warning!! Duke Power!!
High Voltage in Suburbia (top) and detail (bottom) (Larger Image) Here's a common sight in my neighborhood: a locked utility box. I've already posted on a similar box powered by Energy United. This one is Duke Power. The warning is pretty straightforwardly lethal. The scary killer lightning windmill guy says it all. I guess all… Continue reading Warning!! Duke Power!!
Warning!! Playground Jungle Gym!!
Playground Jungle Gym (Larger Image) Posted to Flickr by samplereality. Continuing my series of posts on Danger in Suburbia, I want to highlight another lurking horror on the playground in my subdivision. Here is a sturdy metal and PVC slide/tunnel jungle gym, with a warning sticker posted in several places on the equipment: "Warning: Installation...may… Continue reading Warning!! Playground Jungle Gym!!
Warning!! Playground Swing Seat
Playground Swing Seat (Larger Image) Posted to Flickr by samplereality. There's a playground around the corner in my subdivision, and it's loaded with warning signs. There's even one on the toddler swing seat, alerting all who read that "improper installation, maintenance, use, or vandalism can damage seat and lead to serious injury." What I find… Continue reading Warning!! Playground Swing Seat
Warning! Better Lawns through Chemistry
Lawn Doctor (Larger Image) Posted to Flickr by samplereality. Here's a sign in the front yard of a house in my subdivision. The "Lawn Doctor" has been there, doing whatever it takes to make the grass green, green, green. What's with the blue thumb? Instead of signaling competence with gardening (a green thumb) it's as… Continue reading Warning! Better Lawns through Chemistry
Warning! Energy United
Here is a power transformer on my street, operated by Energy United, one of the two power companies in the area. (The other is Duke Power. I'd have to say that having their own nuclear reactor probably gives Duke some sort of competitive edge.) This sign (larger image) gets right down to business, no subtlety… Continue reading Warning! Energy United
Warning: Invisible Fence
Invisible Fence Posted to Flickr by samplereality. Here's another sign common in my subdivision. It's an Invisible Fence (r) sign, and in terms of semiotics -- i.e. the study of signs, signification, and meaning -- it's surprisingly dense. The sign is not a warning sign per se, but it does evoke several implied threats. The… Continue reading Warning: Invisible Fence
Warning! Southern Bell!
Southern Bell Uploaded to Flickr by samplereality. Lately I've become aware of all the danger signs and hazardous warnings in my subdivision. Who knew suburbia could be so dangerous? I've decided to document as many of the warnings as I can find, beginning with this sign. It's on a Southern Bell utility box, located in… Continue reading Warning! Southern Bell!
Update on Burglary
First the facts...the word floating around town was that there were over thirty break-ins over the holidays. The police have announced that there have actually only been twenty-four reported break-ins. So already I feel safer. (So already I feel safer?) Other facts: mostly jewelry was stolen. Yes, some Oreos. And in one case, seven bars… Continue reading Update on Burglary