Dew on a Plastic Cup by Chipka
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Description
I tend to write as I see; I tend to see big pictures, composed entirely of minute details—I dissect as I write. I focus on small things and give only hints of a larger picture. It’s not something I think of regularly. I simply do it. Instinctively. There are times, however, when I step back from life as I perceive it, and actually attempt to dissect what I do, how I see, and how all of it fits together in some way.
I tend to drink copious amounts of tea, both iced and hot. As a result of that, tea is a part of my daily life. There are no rituals involving the drink. I know how to perform a Japanese Tea Ceremony. I’ve participated in a few, and I do find myself—on occasion—holding a teacup, or a mug of the stuff, in polite, Japanese manner (with both hands, always turning the cup so that I never drink from the same part of it twice in a row.) That’s the extent of any ritual, however, and it’s more of a little game I play with myself: usually when I’m attempting to get into the head-space of a particular character.
Tea informs so much of what I perceive, feel, and think, and it is only natural that it would find its way into my photographic files.
It was hot on a day that Corey and I stopped for tea in big plastic tumblers. There was a promotion for 99 cent buckets of the stuff at a local donut place: the one with that garish mauve and orange color-scheme, sometimes touched with hints of metallic green (lent by intrepid houseflies with an appetite for pastries.) We’d ordered tea. It came to us in transparent plastic cups, emblazoned with advertisements for Captain America…a movie neither of us plans to watch. I don’t mind the occasional superhero, but I tend to avoid the jingoistic propaganda machines running around in patriotic colors. I tend to rankle at the idea that US-American propaganda from a bygone era has made a return, rather like acid reflux, bubbling up someone’s esophagus. Odd how such a resurgence takes place during a time of mild political upheaval. I tend to avoid politics; it’s a headache at best and an annoyance at worst, but I do find it ironic that an incendiary (racist, sexists,) group of bigots (in every sense of the word) has decided to “Take America Back.” America is a big place…lots of big places if you consider “America” is a trans-continental region and not a single country. So, my questions : who took it and how many of them were there. America is a huge place, after all…you can’t just walk in and put it in your pocket. Odd that a movie like Captain America would find its way into theaters while references to it find their ways onto plastic drinking cups. There’s nothing new about Captain America the movie; similar movies have come about at similar times. Captain America simply uses the most garish colors. 300, an admittedly a visually intriguing film found its release during the height of our nation’s search for Weapons of Mass Distraction. The bad guys just so happened to be Persians…led by…well…a metallic drag queen. Other movies, farther back in time, have come from similar nationalistic inclinations…
This has nothing to do with tea, I suppose, and yet, there are connections: because of a clear plastic tumbler with all sorts of quasi-jingoistic slogans growing all over it little patches of mold. I was only interested in the tea, however, and not what American runs on and how it all relates to a movie not actually intended for foreigners. I was interested, however, in the condensation forming on the big, plastic tumbler, as I sipped tea through a rather fat, orange straw, and so I took a picture. This is the end result.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend.
Comments (29)
dreampaint
refresh pic :) i love the wet effect on this glass.
helanker
Awesome shot indeed, Chip. Isnt it amazing in which regular pattern the drops are sitting? I love when it does that. I am so glad you saw this. :-)
durleybeachbum
Marvellous ramble and a superb pic. I expected you to allude to the Teaparty: Maybe you did!
auntietk
This makes for such a fabulous abstract! Excellent image. I'll join you in not attending the movie. I basically hate movies, unless they're very, very silly.
fallen21
Excellent capture!
Feliciti
the world behind the drops !! great capture !!
blinkings
Nicely scene Chip. Now I'm thirsty!
sandra46
awesome effect excellent image!
treasureprints
Cool!:)
Sea_Dog
Amazing work - your photographic and writer visions and how you blend them into these intriquing works just blows me away.
MrsRatbag
What a beautiful shot, Chip! I love these little condensation droplets, and I wonder if they form a message in some arcane hieroglyphic mode from another world?
flavia49
wonderful shot and great text!
Lashia
A beautiful perspective and I love the colours and lighting- thanks for sharing :)
Ilona-Krijgsman
what a wonderful dewdrops....you always have such a great ideas
whaleman
I love the link of propaganda to acid reflux. Oh, nice photo too...it's made me thirsty!
kgb224
Like you say my friend. Politics $$%$%$%#. Wonderful find and capture.
pauldeleu
I like it!
Crabbycabby
Stunning image. Great work.
watapki66
Very cool capture!
gonedigital
It is amazing just how beautiful something so simple can be. Thanks for capturing this moment in time and sharing it with us!
RodS Online Now!
Love the water droplets on the glass. Great capture, Chip!
Orinoor
Great shot, although since I don't see the full commercial effect, all I thought was that it reminded me of lizard skin, which I suppose in some odd way, might be appropriate for your little ramble?
Sepiasiren
very creative and cool macro shot
myrrhluz
Interesting narrative and very cool shot! Tiny drops, pear shapes and apple, tiger eyes and dark amber. The translucent silvery tan, and warm golden drops really grab my attention. Beautiful light, color, and detail!
GiMi53
A very fine macro shot, just perfect ! Congratulations for your selection in LWitG #32 (Last Week in the Gallery #32) ! :~)
dadon72
I'd never think of taking a pic of dew on a plastic cup. Fantastic eye.
evielouise
Today I went to my doctor of course being sick with pain I wouldn't have remembered to take my camera,but a little girl drop ice cream she was eating outside, and I looked down the sun was shinning on it and for a second I thought "what a great photo it would make and here I am tonight being reminded of that wehn I looked at this,shinning and crystal like lovely photo and I love it:
jac204
Great capture. I like observation about the "take America back" ideology and that America is not something you can just "put in your pocket".
danapommet
Cool sweat Chip. I like how the groups of different sizes. Dana