I thought of blogging about my best eBay purchases of 2014. But then I realized there's only one purchase worth mentioning: this Polaroid.
It shows a pajama-clad kid -- we'll call him Timmy -- sitting like an Indian on a brown '70s carpet and wondering why that guy dressed as Santa smelled like bourbon and looked sort of like mommy's boss down at the dancing bar.
I hate to impose a narrative on Timmy. I can't help it. Every time I look at the picture my brain starts formulating questions and assembling stories.
Why doesn't Timmy look happier with his large-size action figure and bootleg lightsaber? Did he have his heart set on Han Solo rather than Chewbacca? And what's he nervously glancing at to his right? Is there an evil clown hiding behind the Christmas tree!?
The living room is fairly spartan and sort of . . .transient. Nothing about the photo says "home" or "good cheer." Even the medium of the Polaroid speaks to impermanence.
Maybe these people are on the run from something?
If so: Run, Timmy! Run until your little heart is set free!
What's your take on the photo?
Personally, I'm kinda creeped out by the blowmold Santa hiding behind the tree. It's like: "Soooon..."
ReplyDeleteIt's also weird that Timmy has his back to the front door rather than sitting under the tree to open the gifts. Like he's trying to get as far away from the photographer as possible.