a blast from saturday mornings past
Across the Bored makes a point of getting out on a regular basis with Miss Z to visit those places in town that are currently the rage and in doing so we often rediscover old haunts that have either softened with age much like ourselves or have been gentrified beyond recognition. It is nice to see new blood come in to old neighbourhoods and revitalize them, making an effort to start small businesses that are not only eco-friendly but fun and interesting at the same time. On one Friday lunch outing we caught a glimpse of vintage advertising still claiming a place of prominence on a street where new boutiques rub shoulders with old storefronts, hipsters hang alongside the homeless and the gentry come down off the mountain in search of good food and one-off fashion.
The sign reminded us of a different generation, the ones that made this area its home when they first arrived after the Great Wars, the ones that settled into too small flats with too much family, the ones that brought their food and traditions and zest for life with them from homelands that many would never see again. Their first order of business was to get a job and make money and in order to do that learning English was top of the list. In the factories and sculleries or on the street, making oneself understood was key. Like this fortnight’s Two Cents Tuesday Challenge theme – Words – were the only way up the ladder in the New World.
Last week, Across the Bored had inquired “How do words manifest for you?” – Are they printed on the page, all the rage, do they make a song or string you along, in a magazine, newspaper, novel or monitor, on the wall or as a sign, manuals long or fonts fine … We would love to see your vision.
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, some great entries and the guidelines for this fortnight’s challenge can be found here. Need more info or want to browse past themes? Have a look at HOW DOES THIS WORK.
ACROSS THE BORED 
Great shot. :)
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Thanks – had to stop for that shot!
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Here’s my entry: http://goomfh.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/two-cents-tuesday-challenge-words-week-2/
It’s belated and I hope that this is ok.
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It’s never too late for the challenge lasts two weeks! Thanks for your wonderful entry – had to go and listen to Dido again…
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Here is my entry for this week’s challenge: http://wp.me/p24idL-1Gx
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Sort of the story of my life – thanks for your entry!
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I echo Frizz’s words, and also–is “one-off fashion” the same as designer “knock offs”?
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I wish! It’s where a local designer produces clothing in extremely limited runs – like one in 4 sizes (most of which are unbelievably tiny)- usually due to financial constraints but often attributed to promoting the cachet and uniqueness of their brand…
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Ohhhh. Tiny wouldn’t work for this gal….
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There seems to be a conspiracy in the sizing department…
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I like (your photo has no human beings),
that your words are human related:
~
“…hipsters hang
alongside the homeless
~
and the gentry come down off the mountain
in search of good food…”
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I hadn’t thought about that! It would make a good poem, yes? So odd that this photo first made me think about how my husband and his siblings would spend their Saturday mornings polishing the family’s shoes, then about how we, as young adults, would scour the European stores in this area for treats to the present day where Miss Z and I amble along, idling our time in leisurely pursuits….
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