Hello all, it's Kay here, back in Alberta after a month away, and I've decided to go 'way outside my comfort zone with this challenge for Real Toads.
I don't know about you...I love parades with pipe bands, brass bands, flowery floats, and dignitaries riding in restored 1950s convertibles, but I do not like clowns.Many people seem to have emotional reactions to clowns, and many (most?) of those reactions can be negative.
I had to sit on my folding cane/chair under a tree on the Barcelona Rambla for 45 minutes last month while my husband took photos of a long, long, seemingly endless amateur parade, which I couldn't watch. I don't like to see people, particularly children, dressed up to look like pinatas. (Nor can I get the the n with a ~ above it.)
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| The little drummer boys and girls were cute, I admit, but that's about it. |
There were no pipe bands or brass bands. There were drum bands—adults playing drums, children playing drums, a few accompanied by some kind of woodwind instrument, but usually just drums. And some of the drums were homemade. Many might think it cute. I had to cover my ears.
Photos by Richard Schear
No length restrictions, no style to follow, just write about the way you feel on the subject and, okay, bring in the clowns.
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| Barcelona, Spain, February, 2013 |
23 comments:
There is something magical in these images from where I'm sitting, Kay. Thank you for bringing this interesting perspective of Coulrophobia as our prompt for today. I regret I am in the middle of end of term exams - piles of tests to mark and reports to complete...I wonder if the is a word describing that particular phobia?
Fantastic photos and a prompt with a lot of scope, kiddo. Good one! I hope you write about what happened when you were a child, you must have been frightened by a clown at the circus. I shall return. I have an Idea!
I live the puppet like figures or life sizes piñatas. They are beautiful. Clowns I rarely like unless well done pantomime. Very rarely are they funny, just corner. But a truly funny clown is wonderful. Of course, a scary clown in a horror story is priceless! I'll be back and thanks for the prompt.
Ok. Typing on my iPhone. Ha can you tell? Among other typos I meant to say most clowns are corny.
Kay, an interesting prompt ~ I am afraid of clowns but have found saintly or religious processions fascinating ~ Will think about this ~
I love drums and loud marching music. My grandfather was a drummer and had his own band. Clowns never bothered me, till two years ago. I took my daughter and her teenage friends to a haunted house. The last room had black n' white clowns and strobe lights. the whole room was black and their make up, all black n' white. They kept popping up right in front of me. It freaked me out~ I never have been scared of clowns-strange!
Perhaps my poem will represent the lack of color, as an artist this does scare me. ;D Thanks Kay~
oh it's so good to get that off my chest, thanks for the prompt to do so Kay.
You reminded me of a piece of theatre history, a piece of my history. I still have one of these Pinata heads as you call them. So the poem bubbled up and I wonder if you will see it with logic as well as with emotion?
Kay,
For some reason I always have problems accessing your webpage! It won't load for me.
I learned to type ñ on the computer by simultaneously holding down the ALT key and typing 164 on the number pad. I'm usually too lazy to do it, but if you need to, it works!
"......"
An unusual topic and a suggestive one. I like the photos and your introduction. The prompt is a real CHALLENGE! Thanks.
I've worked with the elderly since 1988. One time they had clowns come and perform for the residents in a nursing home where I was working. There was one woman, an Alzheimer's sufferer, who was utterly traumatized. She tended to be aggressive but on this particular occasion she was very grateful for my help. She held my hand and let me lead her back to her room. I think a lot of people are traumatized by clowns.
enjoyed this prompt, Kay. thanks for making me think! and feel, even. :)
Hey Kay- I don't know if I'll be able to do a poem, but absolutely understand the phobia! Thanks for all the cool pics. k.
The topic is very close to my heart. Thanks for the prompt:)
I went a tad over the edge on this one!
Interesting and unique prompt for sure. Sounds like you had an unpleasant trip! Or at least that part of it. I cannot see the photos for some reason--that are just squares with question marks in the center. But I think I can come up with some response to the prompt. Clowns have never bothered me--have not seen many that were not just people from the community dressed up to paint kids' faces or something. I guess Cirque de Soleil had clowns in one of their shows. Think I'll go read some of the poems you all wrote for more inspiration here.
Squeezed this in late night... have had a busy past few days... will catch up with visiting on Monday. Hope you all had a great weekend.
I loved the Los Ramblas in Barcelona. We stayed four nights in that old hotel on the right at the far end from the Christopher Columbus statue.
The parade may be the Rice University (Houston) Marching Band, called the Mob. The do not march in an organized fashion at all and are always spoofing someone, generally the opposing football team or their marching band.
I like clowns, all of our kids do. It is the parents' duty to teach the children about clowns and all of the good they do for this world.
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Love all the photos Kay!! The minute I saw the word clown I went to my dark place. lol I even did rhyme something I rarely do!
Kay, my late offering inspired by the graffiti art we saw last Sunday ~
Excellent prompt and photos Kay, thank you! :)
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