Lunch Saturday was at Dolce Arte, a bright and airy Italian restaurant at 3622 S. Morgan in Bridgeport, attached to an enormous art gallery space. My meatball sandwich was just so-so, but the pastries we shared were first rate. Afterward, we poked around, looking at the enormous photographs of David Yarrow — I liked his shots of animals; less so, the staged tableaus of Wild West models and wolves on LaSalle Street. The prints cost over $40,000 apiece, so somebody must covet them.
Above one door was the sign at top. Not sure if it was an artwork or mere decoration. Moreover, I'm curious as to whether what stopped me, reading it, will also stop you. "My world is full of possibilities."
What's your reaction to that? I instantly, well, not took offense, but found fault. It seemed needlessly reductive. I'd have gone with "The world is full of possibilities." There is a stench of ego to "My world is full of possibilities." My immediate reaction was along the lines of, "Fuck you, buddy, everybody's world is full of possibilities. Whether they act on them or not is another matter...."
Am I wrong here? Maybe I was feeling unusually touchy. I'm still sleeping in a chair in the TV room. But it reminded me of the taint of ego, how it can poison an otherwise positive thought. Of course, there's a lot of that going around.
Sounds like a mantra tossed out by a two-bit shrink.
ReplyDeleteIt DOES sound like a mantra! I don't know any shrinks who toss these things out, but I do see cards with Positive Affirmations like this stuck on bathroom mirrors.
DeleteYou're right. I should've said "phoney baloney life coach."
DeleteWhat someone might say to ones self, stepping back from the ledge...
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder who "My" refers to. I would have gone with "Your".
ReplyDeleteI read, and thought about that line before reading your column, and I thought it was a nice sentiment.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that it was intended specifically to provide a momentary reminder to the individual reader, not address the whole of humanity. Many of us get caught up in the chaotic swirl of our lives and could use a little reminder to think of our own lives from time to time. So yeah, just to give our stinking ego a little bump.
Yes, the stench of ego is a very good way to put it. It is such an obvious statement as to be meaningless.
ReplyDeleteThe use of the word 'my' seems rather arrogant and condescending. And forty grand for an enormous photographic print? My immediate reaction would been more along the lines of, "Fuck you, buddy...eat the rich."
ReplyDeleteBut the quote immediately made me think of a long ago NBC sitcom that only lasted for one season...just 26 episodes. "My World... and Welcome to It" was based on the humor and cartoons of James Thurber.
It starred William Windom as John Monroe, a Thurber-like writer and cartoonist who works for a magazine closely resembling The New Yorker. Monroe observes and comments on life, and Monroe's frequent daydreams and fantasies are usually based on Thurber material.
The series, which ran during the 1969–1970 season on NBC, included Sheldon Leonard as the executive producer. Henry Morgan had a recurring role as a writer who was based on humorist Robert Benchley. A female writer who appeared in one episode was loosely based on Dorothy Parker.
Despite many positive reviews, and winning two Emmys, the show was cancelled and replaced by Red Skelton. It is not on DVD, although bootlegs exist. Do you remember the show at all, Mister S? You were just a kid. I was finishing college, and I bailed after a few episodes. Was never into Thurber very much. My loss.
For some reason I have some memories of that show. The daughter, played by Lisa Gerritsen went on to have a lot of parts as she grew older, especially on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as Phyllis's daughter & the spin-off Phyllis. Wikipedia says she quit acting at 20 when Phyllis was canceled!
DeleteI remember that show. My dad disliked TV but loved Thurber, so we always watched.
DeleteI remember liking that show, which is somewhat surprising since, given my age at the time, much of it must have been over my head. I found the first episode on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAJCJfddxqM). At first brush, it seems somewhat cynical, which I appreciate, and somewhat misogynistic, which I don't. I see the main character's daughter is played by the same child actress who was Phyllis's daughter on the Mary Tyler Moore show and its spinoff.
DeleteI loved that show and was so disappointed when it was cancelled. Too hip for the room no doubt.
DeleteIt just seems like an odd thing to put in a public place. Ostensibly, the message is meant for the reader. If that were in someone's home, I'd think they just wanted the reminder. (Though I'm so tired of the neon-signs-in-homes trend.) But as Carol wrote, "Your" would be better, a little offering to passersby.
ReplyDeleteIt’s there for selfies boomers.
ReplyDeleteBoomers? Why the ageism? Millennials and Gen Z folks are the selfie addicts. You one of those? And one of those Boomer-haters? Don't know too many Boomers who are addicted to selfies. Have never taken one in my life, and never will.[Forget] selfies.
DeleteTake my comment (and its poor punctuation) with the affection intended. The youngsters stand in front of the neon, pose and post. I’m Gen X, I love everyone. Never taken a selfie, but know a selfie magnet when I see one.
DeleteI thought "MY world is full of possibilities, nice" Must be by ego! Agree that THE WORLD is better. Or, OUR WORLD.
ReplyDeleteYou got a lotta possibilities in that chair.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read it I thought it said my world is full of painkillers. Now that I can relate to.
ReplyDeleteIt reads clearly like an affirmation. it's something you would say to buck yourself up when your life feels bleak. You might write it on a Post-it and stick it to the fridge or the bathroom mirror, but not form it in neon and hang it in a public place like that.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have with the phrase is that it is incorrect the world is not full of possibilities possibilities are limited by your status and wealth.
ReplyDeleteIf a person wants to tell them self a lie who am I to say they shouldn't but don't miss out in the opportunities did to present themselves they may not pass by again
You can never be too touchy for me, Neil.
ReplyDeleteLinda C-B
ReplyDeleteWent to that restaurant a few months ago, with a couple of my sisters. It was an occasion of some sort and the owner gave a self aggrandizing speech, if my memory serves me right. I don't remember what I ate.
ReplyDeletetate
Gen Z invades Bridgeport. At least you didn’t have bao buns. Richard J is rolling over in his grave.
ReplyDeleteThere were a lot of trendy bars and asian fusion restaurants.
DeleteContrast this signage with the flowing, giant pink neon script at the St Pancras train station in London: “I want my time with you.” The day I first saw it, in 2019, I learned that a good friend had died back in the States following a long illness.
ReplyDeleteThe artist’s (Emins) words had been installed atop a large staircase beneath a large clock; above that, an archway. I snapped a photo that hangs in my office today. In some way or other, this speaks to each of us, uniquely so. That’s art.
I'm fairly certain that's not neon; it's too thin and tightly constricted, and doesn't show the high-voltage cabling required by neon tubes. More likely that (and the wall-mounted heart to the left) are simply twisty low-voltage LED strips that can be shaped and stuck together in minutes.
ReplyDeleteI say that not to be nit-picky, but to reiterate my own view that I'm more impressed by art that clearly took time and effort to produce, even if I'm not a fan of the result, whatever that may be. These items that are tossed off in minutes and stuck on a wall that afternoon do not rise to the point that I'm going to put much effort into studying or appreciating what they're claiming to say.
I'm with you. Flip it the bird and tell it to "Fuck Off". Same with dimwit dorks that tell people to "Smile".
ReplyDeleteLighten up Francis. The emphasis is not on the pronoun, but on the “full of possibilities”.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling well enough to be out and about.
It seems to me the meatball sandwich got lost here. In my experience you need two hands to really do a good one justice. Does this mean you have use of your left hand now? Or was it those tiny meatballs that usually look like oversized mouse turds?
ReplyDeleteBut you forget I'm also a diabetic. I ordered a meatball sandwich so I could eat the meatballs with a fork, breaking them apart, and leave the bread.
DeleteI was 16 when that show was on and loved it. You described it so perfectly. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI did some searching on the internet. The sign is, indeed, a piece of art, It was created by Arica Hilton. She describes herself as a "visual artist, poet and global advocate based in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteBased on the discussion here, perhaps we can describe this piece as 'provocative'.
Not art.
DeleteOh, look at the Sun. pic, isn't that Holy Name Cathedral
ReplyDeleteNo. See below.
DeleteYeah, in my humble opinion, you're wrong. Maybe if the meatballs had been better. The slogan includes "My" but it's available for anyone to say. I think it's the difference between "It can be done" and "I can do it!".
ReplyDeleteIs it too late to ask what church is pictured in the magnificent photograph that's been atop the blog all day?
ReplyDeleteNope, this shop is open 24 hours a day. It is St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bridgeport. I thought it was beautiful.
DeleteYou were right! I didn't recognize it, and I've been in plenty of Chicago churches. Thanks for the reply.
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