The Visitation: Lakeview by Chipka
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Description
Only the most egomaniacal among us dared to believe that we were the only developed intelligence in this universe. They were wrong. Egomaniacs are seldom right about anything substantial.
When They arrived, everything changed and the egomaniacs fell into chagrinned silence. There were, as expected, religious meltdowns: the patriarchal authoritarian faiths self-destructed in bursts of fire…or simply faded into whimpering histrionics. New Age religions spilled to the forefront, promising us that our advanced brothers and sisters were here to enlighten us, to show us a series of really good, touchy-feely-happy days. And, of course, there were those who spoke of invasion, of conquest, of humanity’s fall.
The New Agers were wrong. Our visitors, in scores of glowing, blue vessels, were not interested in showing us anything at all. Those who spoke of invasion and conquest were equally wrong, as our visitors simply hovered over every major city on Earth. They did not respond to attempts at communication. They did not attempt contact of any sort. Their vessels, like strange, metallic jellyfish (minus tentacles of course) simply hovered in hear silence. There were hundreds of them. Thousands. They moved like indolent fireflies with their glowing bellies stuck in fail-on condition.
For exactly four hundred days, we saw them and wondered at the reason behind their visitation. We know only one thing. They are representatives of an alien intelligence. As such, they are incomprehensible. After four hundred days, they simply vanished. And when our skies were devoid of their odd, disk shapes, we were left with questions, the most prominent of which was: What was that all about?
***
Though I write science fiction, I find a good 100% of the UFO phenomenon to be hard to swallow. I don’t doubt that something is happening, but I suspect that the common UFO event says more about an odd and unexplored human phenomenon than anything else. I also find it rather odd that in nearly every UFO contact/abduction case, the supposed aliens tend to express rather typical contemporary US-American and West European social prejudices and assumptions. Ethnic and sexual minorities are seldom (if ever) contacted or abducted, and the aliens (if you listen to what Whitley Streiber has to say about them) sound like Norwegians when they aren’t busy telepathically communicating with you in one version idiomatic English. I’m from Chicago…most Chicagoans don’t even communicate with one another in one version of idiomatic English. I also find it odd that the aliens in question seem to know only as much about science and scientific methods (especially of physical examination) as those they abduct, and they aren’t in the habit of abducting scientists and medical doctors, or even politicians. I find this…
…curious.
And rather telling....
As for this picture: it’s just a bit of fun. It’s a composite of the Belmont El hub, and the front-left burner on Corey’s stove, photographed in nearly perfect-dark conditions. That neat, blue flame looks like a flying saucer when you turn it upside down and tweak it (slightly) with the Gimp.
As this represents my final photograph for 2011, I decided to do something…well…like the image you’ve just seen. I had fun doing it and I hope you’ve had fun seeing it.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and Happy New Year to everyone.
Comments (23)
bmac62
I believe, I believe...I see them with my own two eyes. Oh, that doesn't really count anymore does it? Remember when seeing was believing? It wasn't all that many years ago the Ansel Adams said, "Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs." Well Ansel died in 1984...just three years after the first IBM PC appeared in my office. Little did anybody in 1984 know what was going to happen with digital photography and digital editing software. This photomanipulation is so cool. Well done Chip!
Jay-el-Jay
A fun image for the close of the year and the beginning of 2012.Your story reminds me of Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke,one of my favorite stories.Great image.
brewgirlca
You gave me a real WTF moment here Chip! 'cause what you wrote about UFO's pretty much matches my beliefs word for word. Yea, something almost has to be out there. On the other hand, have they made contact like all the abductor victims say they have....phhhhffff! It does seem rather strange why aliens would have a preference for dumb white American male hicks fresh off the farm and not some smart black chic scientist with a postdoc degree in astrophysics and a minor in political science. It would be a cool pic even without the fixing. I like the strong contrast of lihgt and dark and the great clarity of the lit up area. Often these lit areas just get blown out when there is so much darkness to be captured. Thanks for the detailed comments on my work Winter Moon! It is neat to hear from an experienced photographer that what we experience in the poser studio happens in the real world photostudio. That was an amazing bit of insight. Hope you have a great 2012 Chip and I look forward to spending some virtual time with you.
Faemike55
Great image and write up! Actually I think Chris Rush had it right - the aliens might view earth as something that you accidentally step in and had to wipe your feet!!!! and I really question the concept that we are intelligent life.....
auntietk
Corey's front burner makes a most excellent UFO! I like the idea that they stay for a certain number of days and they go away. Enigmatic is good, when discussing UFO behavior. I've forgotten if you and I have ever talked about David Brin. Have you read his stuff? He has an interesting short story, which I've now found on line! You can read it here if you've a mind to. It's two narrations ... one from the point of a scientist taking crackpot calls on the radio, and one from the life form in the UFO. Good stuff! Have a wonderful 2012, my dear friend ... may the new year be good to you in all ways!
whaleman
That is so funny! And somewhere soon somebody will copy that photo and add it to their voluminous collection of photos 'proving' the existence of alien life and 'proving' that the US government (the Department of UFO Discreditation) is hiding everything from us, including exactly how old washing machines became the first vortex by which aliens were able to land on earth. Yes, the US DUD is still at it, and now carving out new hiding places under the wheat fields of Minnesota, without even disturbing the Canada Geese above them! Happy 2012 Chip!
durleybeachbum
Brilliant pic! They are perfect for purpose, and your masterly manipulation makes them most believable. The Health and Safety Executive in the Uk would have a lot to say about how close they are hovering to each other.
CoreyBlack
Great shot, but how am I supposed to boil my eggs now? I mean, really? You took my gunked up nasty burners and turned them into interstellar cool rockin' space ships and made an already very cool shot even better, but now I don't have any frackin' burners on my stove. That's the last time I cook pork chops for you, pal. P.S. Now that you mention it, it is funny how only a certain kind of white person ever seems to get abducted by aliens. In all the zillions of abductee stories you here I think Barney Hill was the only Black guy ever "taken", and that was 50 years ago. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I can't remember where I was going (he said after numerous glasses of bubbly)with this. I think there was a very important point I was about to make. Maybe. Maybe not. I have to pee. Goodbye.
rocdan
great great scene well done
jayfar
And thankyou for your visitation to my gallery this morning!! I like your shot, it has some great lines in it!!
Feliciti
it's an excellent manip and nightshot too ,like all the lights of the city too ...all the best wishes for the new (and creative) year to you too :)
EJD64
I like the photo and the use of front gas burners for UFO's. It reminds me of all the science fiction movies I watched over the years with UFO flying over the city. Happy New Year.
wotan
Not the only & not the most intelligent, I believe my friend... Beautiful text as usual... Have a Happy New Year!
helanker
Excellent photo and the visitors look quire realistic :) Happy New Year :)
MrsRatbag
LOL @ Corey! I share your disbeliefs regarding alien visitations too; but if I didn't know better this shot would certainly work as proof of their existence! Excellent manipulation, and that burner certainly does make an excellent spaceship!
kgb224
Amazing post work my friend. God Bless.
sandra46
LOVE THE UFO-LIKE LAMPS!
flavia49
wonderful image!
RodS
Well, this definitely rocks, Chip! A great job on the "UFOs" too! Gas burners..... Now that's thinking out of the box - most folks use hubcaps, frisbees, or plastic lids - this is creative! As to UFOs themselves, well, I think there is something out there - I've seen things in the night sky I couldn't explain... But (fortunately) I've never been abducted, or had sexual encounters with beautiful alien babes (dang it). If there are space aliens out there, I'm pretty sure they've adopted a "hands off" policy similar to the "Non-Interference" policy of Star Trek. Frankly, if they're intelligent enough to travel through interstellar space without the journey taking generations, they're probably intelligent enough to figure out the obvious.... This planet is a galactic nut-house... And best left to its own devices.. A Very Happy New Year to you and yours!
angora
wishing you & your loved ones a WONDERFUL 2012!!! great pic!!!
icerian
Night mood and rail-way atmosohere. This is beautiful.
marybelgium
excellent !!!
tibet2004uk
Ahah! Excellent! I didn't see the spacecraft at first! So very well done and what a brilliant idea! Love it!