In our local newspaper many months ago, there was a big story about the remodeling of our town’s train station. We live within walking distance of the train that connects our suburb with the city that gave birth to it and continues to color its everyday existence.
Our station is one of the line’s hubs and is, in fact, the first stop once you leave the city limits. Originally built in 1867, it was razed and rebuilt in 1933, meaning that since this is now 2008, it’s due for another update.
The story in the paper included a ballot in which the reader could vote for their choice of design and help pick the future structure. Husband and I opened the paper to the centerfold where the three architectural renderings were pictured. Since we pass the station every day, sometimes many times a day, we were excited to be in on the process. We looked from one photo to the next, studying each one intently. Then we studied each other.
OSV: Is it just me or are these pictures identical?
HUSBAND: It’s you. Tell me you really can’t see.
I pored over the centerfold spread.
OSV: No, I really can’t. I feel like I’m back in my dentist’s office when I was a kid and he had those Highlights Magazines with the page where you had to find what was different in the two pictures. I couldn’t find the missing whiskers on the frigging cat then and I still can’t now.
HUSBAND: You just don’t like cats.
OSV: I’m allergic. It’s a blessing Princess passed on before you met me or you’d have had some choosing to do. But that was then. Show me the whiskers now.
Husband pointed to the pitched roof on the turret atop the station building. In one picture the flag was in the center of the roof. In one it was on the right. In the last one – you guessed it – the flag was positioned on the left.
OSV: You expected me to see that?
HUSBAND: No, I expected you to see we’re being hosed. They couldn’t care less what the public wants. They’re going to build what they’re going to build.
We filled in the ballot, choosing the one with the left-leaning flag to reflect our political preferences (change is good, you know) and mailed it off. Months passed and construction began.
Husband came home last night and asked if I noticed the new station building was almost finished. I told him I hadn’t looked lately, but could he see where they’ll be putting the flag. He said he’d tell me after the election.
Daughter’s Featured Fotos seem Obliquely Related
bowery mural tribute to keith haring
phil collins
appreciated
a freegan’s dream