Foosball With Kafka by Chipka
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Description
Though the bulk of my Czech Republic photos remain in the Czech Republic (under dubious, quirky, and somewhat dramatic circumstances) a number of images have made it out: such images have found their collective ways to the United States, to Russia (particularly Moscow) and to…well…other parts of Russia, too; that isn’t surprising since Russia is the largest country on Earth: it's inordinately hard for things not to wind up there. This particular photo is actually the accompaniment of a group of images very early in my gallery. On the day of this particular photo, I’d gone with my Australian (and fellow Prague-local) friend, Tara. We were interested in roaming around and hanging out at some of her old haunts. The bar surrounding this photo is one such haunt. I don’t remember the name of it, but I remember that it had a green chair, incongruously placed near a stairway, and a really nice, dangerously cute bartender. I’m kicking myself for failing to get shots of him.
This particular shot was taken at the start of a foosball game: I’d decided to play against Prague’s reigning foosball champion, Franz Kafka. I won’t tell you how the game went, but suffice it to say, it was pretty tense for a while there.
After the game, Kafka, Tara, and I had drinks.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (19)
Nathan_Ruby
lol I wish I could have been there to see this game! I love this picture to go with it. Very cool picture and story. I also have to say I have not played this game since I was a teen...I need to get my game on!
Faemike55
Very cool image and great story Thanks for the entertainment
kgb224
Outstanding work my friend. God bless.
rainbows
A wonderful capture, dear Chip. Neat write up too. Hugs for all day. Di. xx
ronmolina
I love foosball. Used to play a lot of it on the 60's. Nice shot.
helanker
SUper shot and fun story, Chip :-) Bed you had a fun game :)
MrsRatbag
LOL! It's a strangely enigmatic scene, and I'm sure it has a story seed lurking somewhere within...
durleybeachbum
What fun! Was he any good, I wonder, or did he end up on his back?.
Wolfenshire
omgosh, I remember those games, haven't seen one in ages. Very cool.
photosynthesis
There's a definite surreal quality to this. Perhaps this could be a Kafkaesque nightmare in which he finds himself attached to metal rods, alongside multitudes of fellow captives who are all controlled by unseen, malevolent forces? I could also see it as an Orwellian fantasy in which the portrait of Kafka represents the omnipresent Big Brother...
jendellas
Very interesting, great pic!!
treasureprints
Excellent photo...I like your perspective and the dramatic lighting.:)
sandra46
SUPERLATIVE IMAGE
auntietk
I know just how the game went, even though I wasn't there. (It was the other Tara, or perhaps I'm the other Tara, but still, the image remains.) You and Kafka got into a conversation, a competition of sorts, (albeit a respectful and friendly competition), and the foosball handles never got touched unless it was to illustrate a point. Neither of you would bother with a bar game when you could talk to another brilliant writer over a beer! (Or next to a beer, if memory serves.) I've missed your friend. It's good to see him again! :)
nikolais
they showed a wonderful documentary on Kafka on Russian TV late last night, mostly about his private life. seeing your image I wonder if coincidences do exit
KatesFriend
It's a shame that Bill and Ted did not pick up Kafka on their 'Excellent Adventure'. Somehow, being swept up by such unlikely events would be right up his alley. I mean, bowling with Napoleon Bonaparte? False dichotomies be damned! Yes, I'm drinking again. Chardonnay and a peanut butter sandwich - all natural peanut butter, none of that processed stuff. All that aside, it is interesting to ponder what observations Kafka might glean while indulging in a foosball game. Are events in a game co-incidental? The players (both yellow and black) are controlled and orchestrated by authorities beyond their understanding or escape. Kafka might find it refreshing to play the role of overseer for just once. Or perhaps, as your photo suggests, Kafka is attempting to rally the unwitting foosball players (regardless of alliances or latex stain) to stand against their unnoticed overlords and kick the marble out of the playing field and onto the bar floor. Thus earning the wrath of the establishment's owner who will toss the players' oppressors out into the street - 'like a dog'. That actually happened to me so don't laugh. Okay, you can laugh.
wysiwig
So everything winds up in Russia? I wonder if that's where my missing socks are? Great image and story but I can't get the idea out of my head that football with Kafka would end with the football turning into a cockroach and crawling away.
myrrhluz
I love this image! Wonderful light and perspective! The little foozguys seem to be standing at attention to Kafka. Their loyalty might be in question. I love the atmosphere! The light seeming to rise from the game table to the undulating earth toned ceiling, setting light to Kafka and the spinning fan on the way. I'm listening to an opera sung in Czech right now. I don't understand a word, which makes it perfect to listen to while commenting.
billcody
Great idea a fine story! Hope that Tara, Kafka and you enjoyed the after-game drinks!