Now, let me start off by saying that the Trib is actually a pretty decent paper. Sure, it's got its slant, and they often cover things that I think are ridiculously pointless, but on the whole they do a pretty decent job of conveying the news to the people.
One thing they have become absolutely bat guano crazy over the past few months is launching a blog for everyone and their dog on the Trib's staff. They've got blogs for everything from bowling to LOST to politics to you-name-it. Along with this, there's been a explosion of additional online content like photo essays, videos, etc.
Whilst enjoying a rare moment of downtime today, I came across a slideshow on the Trib's homepage that showcased a uniquely Central Texas phenomenon: photos of kids/babies in bluebonnet fields.
Friends, I grew up in Texas, have always lived in Texas, and will always be a proud native son of the Lone Star State. Granted, I grew up in the part of the state where a bluebonnet was about as common as an NYU Master's Degree, but even I, an isolated rube from the Panhandle, can appreciate the beauty of roadsides covered in a profusion of cerulean splendor.
What I can't appreciate, however, is this:
The horror ... the horror.If ever a picture encompassed most of the standard stereotypes of being a Texan, this is it. All that's missing from this bluebonnet nightmare is a bottle of Budweiser and some Whataburger wrappers. I mean, sweet creamery butter, the Shrek doll's even wearing a UT Longhorns cap!
I don't know what bothers me more: the obvious redneckery of this image, or the fact that our local newspaper included this ... this ... THING in the midst of some genuinely cute, charming photos of kids sitting in fields of bluebonnets and looking as innocent as they can be. Either way, it says a lot about where I live that this is considered post-worthy content for the newspaper's Web site.
Of course, I write a blog that 3 people read, so what do I know, right?
Until next time, this is the Curmudgeon saying that I'd love to hear your thoughts on this "unique" photo from our local paper, and if you run across any bluebonnet fields and feel like taking a picture, please, do us a favor and leave your rifle, plush toy and branded merchandise out of it. We'd all appreciate it.
-- The Curmudgeon
I don't know what bothers me more: the obvious redneckery of this image, or the fact that our local newspaper included this ... this ... THING in the midst of some genuinely cute, charming photos of kids sitting in fields of bluebonnets and looking as innocent as they can be. Either way, it says a lot about where I live that this is considered post-worthy content for the newspaper's Web site.
Of course, I write a blog that 3 people read, so what do I know, right?
Until next time, this is the Curmudgeon saying that I'd love to hear your thoughts on this "unique" photo from our local paper, and if you run across any bluebonnet fields and feel like taking a picture, please, do us a favor and leave your rifle, plush toy and branded merchandise out of it. We'd all appreciate it.
-- The Curmudgeon
3 comments:
No, no... I'm totally with you. That is easily the most horrible bluebonnet-related thing I've ever seen. And I'm as surprised as you that it made the slideshow. Oy.
I love that you labeled this post with "Sweet creamery butter". I actually thought to myself as I was reading the post that I need to start using that as an exclamation.
I'm a big fan of the SCB -- it really throws people off, not to mention the fact that it reminds me of one of the greatest smearable food products ever devised. Glad you enjoyed it!
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