I like to think I keep on top of the news, which usually means checking sites during lunch for the latest and greatest. Or when I’m at home, like any normal person. Of course, most news lately has been about the presidential campaigns, and I’ve had a few fun moments while reading about what’s going on.
This week’s delight has been watching Republicans try to attach the moniker “Tampon Tim” to the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee. Seriously? Did the entire right-wing transform into 10-year-old boys overnight?
Seeing all the political headlines, though, can get a bit overwhelming. But once in a while, among all the doom scrolling, something will pop out that gives me a chuckle or two. Like this gem from around this time last year:
Massive gay festival gives off Fyre Fest vibes after douching station disaster prompts emergency shutdown.
Yes, you read that correctly. Just when you think you’re having a bad day… oof! Nice to know it could be worse. That’s the kind of headline and story that’s fun to share, and you’re crazy if you think I didn’t.
This August (not sure why both stories happened in August – maybe it’s the heat), among all the crazy political headlines, CNN published this:
Giant pigeon to loom over New York.
Again, a headline where you have to pause and reread, because that’s not something you come across every day. And then read the story. Apparently, a Paris-based artist is installing a hyper-realistic 16-foot-tall aluminum pigeon sculpture on the High Line plinth at Tenth Avenue. Because what symbolizes New York City more than a pigeon? I’m sure that will be quite the sight for everyone walking, biking, or driving down Tenth. Possibly a bit alarming.
I cannot wait to see the Instagram posts of the pigeons on top of the pigeon. We all know that’s happening.
But in addition to the fun headline, that story got me thinking: what really symbolizes Dallas? What iconic figure could we place at one end of Klyde Warren Park to loom over Woodall Rodgers that says “Dallas”?
Given that the park is in the Arts District, my first thought went to a sculpture of past elderly arts patrons, proudly observing what they helped build. But I suspect people driving down the freeway would simply look up and say: “Grandma?” Not as much fun if something requires a sign explaining what you’re looking at.
How about we move the Eye from downtown? Or is that too creepy and likely to cause more wrecks than anything else? Maybe a bit Big Brother-ish? I mean, it’s not like they’re placing the sculpture on random people’s front lawns overnight, although that would be great. Leave for work in the morning, and suddenly there’s this giant eye watching you.
We could try something nostalgic and have a sculpture that commemorates white flight, when families fled to the suburbs. A nice family of four in their Chevy Subdivision pointing north.
Or for the truly nostalgic, we always have the option of an oversized JR and Sue Ellen. After all, what is more Dallas than Dallas? With all their bickering, we’d never be able to have them together, which would be perfect, really. JR with his giant cowboy hat at one end. Sue Ellen with her bottle of hooch at the other. What better way to commemorate and welcome people to the city?
Not to mention providing writers with fodder for the perfect headline that will catch the attention of readers like me. Especially knowing how much crazier politics are likely to get.
