Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Happy Trees, Sad Trees

Well, I'm back from the world of IT hell, and into the world of squidgey tummies, non-hot flash fevers, and the head rush/spins.

So, I'll keep it brief. No, really.

Nothing gets in the way of The Baroness and her sick-naps. Nothing.

Here goes. One last Vegas story. It's late in coming, but I've been without communication for days. Days. Maybe that's what's making me sick.

One day while the Baron and his associates were having their morning symposium, I busted out of the Land O'Canals to take a walk. In the real world.

OK, the sort-of-real world.

As I am usually based in a geographical location where it is gray and gloomy about 2/3 of the year, I felt compelled to walk on the sunny side of the street. To grab me some Vitamin D, as it were.

It was on this stroll that I came across what Vegas is all about.

Happy Trees.

And Sad Trees.

Standing on my side of the Strip, looking at the view across the boulevard, I saw this:

Here is Vegas at its shiny best: The Wynn Hotel with it's lustrous, well-tended palms and assorted pampered arborage. The whole landscape exudes privilege and opulence, whether you can afford it or not. Here is a Las Vegas where they go out of their way to make everything appear flawless, down to the grooming of the plants. Happy Trees.

No doubt inspired, in turn, by this guy:


Then I looked at the empty cement lot next to me. It was filled with refuse, and the withered near-dead trees. Neglect, and potentially some abuse seemed evident:

Sad Trees.

This, I'll posit, is the real LV. And these sad trees? Like the city itself and its current condition, perhaps the result of a little too much greed and a lot too much overreaching.

Here's the weird part. When I went to zoom in with my crap phone camera, this is what was painted on the side of the container:

click to see the larger weirdness...

Coincidence? I think not.


6 comments:

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I just totally snorted Coke out of my nose (the legal kind, of course)when I saw the Happy Tree painter dude. I should know better than to read your blog while drinking a beverage! Love ya!

Mental P Mama said...

Oh I loved that painting whisperer dude. I was so sad when he died. And that lot says so much about boom vs. bust. Sad trees, indeed.

imom said...

Haha, you've still got it, sick or not!! It's great to laugh first thing in the morning.

Anonymous said...

Darling!
I'm so sad that you're feeling peaked. Poor dear! No doubt that nasty casino air played a part!

And I do miss Bob Ross, purveyor of many of my better naps. Happy little trees indeed!

Feel better soon Baroness!

Not Afraid to Use It said...

It's amazing how the desert brings such diversity in growth. Gardens can be fabulous with just a bit of attention or sad without. Great pics and post. I've missed ya, gal!

Shelley Jaffe said...

Countess Tracey: I thought we had that talk about drinks in front of the computer. Don't make me say it again!

(seriously out your nose? Ouch-ey, but kind of funny...)

Countess MPM: Ah, Bob Ross. No one could rock the WASP 'fro like Bob.

Countess iMom: Mornings around here? Not so funny. Until after the coffee.

Countess AG: Merci for the soothing coos. You're really good at it - you would make such an amazing grandma. Oh, wait!

Countess NATUI: Neglect vs. nurturing - who can ever tell what will grow strong and what won't thrive?

 
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