The garbage truck appears. Tim’s eyes flare. The truck is bright green, Repco Domestic painted on both sides. Two tiny men sit in the cab…
The garbage truck appears. Tim’s eyes flare. The truck is bright green, Repco Domestic painted on both sides. Two tiny men sit in the cab talking about the weather. Tim rubs his tiny hands. Today the bastards are in for a fright. Eight stories up, high enough to see forever and close enough to call his mates on the ground. The truck turns right into the entrance, disappears behind the first block of flats. In two minutes it will be here. Tim jumps onto the walkway wall. Propped on his elbows he leans over. At ground level Toby and Mike are playing penalty shoot-out. Mike reckons he’s good enough to play soccer for Brazil. Toby’s in goal, he shifts his feet trying to be tricky. Mike’s already scored four times. Five means Toby has to call him ‘master’ for the rest of the day. Tim’s shout is a loud falsetto. “They’re coming, hurry up.” As Toby starts for the stairwell Mike shoots at the goal chalked onto the brickwork. “You have to call me master,” he says running up the stairs after Toby, “I scored so you have to be my slave.” Another day Toby would have turned around and lamped Mike as he rounded the next bend of the stairwell. He doesn’t take shit from anyone, especially no four-eyed weakling. But he knows that to reach the top in time they both have to keep running. He can sort out Mike later. They reach the eighth floor out of breath. Tim is gone. Toby curses whoever broke the lift and they push up the next twelve flights gasping, speechless. They summit the block wondering if ten year olds can die of a heart attack. Tim hangs over the walkway watching the garbage truck reversing into position. “Didn’t think you fat boys would make it,” he says. “Good job we prepared.” Three old bricks lie dormant on the concrete floor. Above the bricks a metal square is bolted into the wall in the centre of the stairwell. Pull the handle on the metal square and it opens like a post box. This is the garbage chute. Every landing on each block of flats has a garbage chute into which residents post parcels of domestic debris, unwanted cats, drug paraphernalia, and the like. When they were younger the boys took great pride stuffing trash into the chute. They would stand hunched over like old men, straining to hear the rubbish echoing it’s descent before crashing into the giant repository far below. The boys have never been interested in the giant repository, that huge metal dustbin squatting with it’s mouth wide open at the bottom of the chute. But they are interested in scaring the shit out of the bin men who come to empty it. Tim waits for the garbage truck to finish manoeuvring. He wishes he could have his own flat up here on the top floor. Where the air is wider and it’s easier to breathe. Where the bigger boys don’t hassle you because they’re too lazy to climb the hard cold stairs. Where the view across jaundiced suburbia makes you feel like you own the world. A place where he can come on bad days to get away from Mum. Where he can smoke the cigarettes he steals off her, silently wishing he had the strength to drag her up with him, kicking and screaming all the way, before shoving her over the edge, watching her fall kicking and screaming all the way down. A place where his child’s thoughts of merciless revenge can be real and nobody gets hurt. The garbage truck rolls back until only the front of the cab is visible. Tim smiles. “They’re in,” he says. + + + Ian jumps out the cab. Today is a good day, a special day. He made love to his wife three times last night. They haven’t done that in ages. Years probably. He laughs to himself, remembering. Metal arms project out the rear of the truck embracing the giant bin as if it were a long lost lover. “Hang on Macca,” says Ian, “it’s blocked.” Macca chews the skin off his lips and waits. He spends his life waiting. Driving a garbage truck for a living is not what he ought to be doing. But do it long enough and you’re not fit to do anything else. He grinds his jaw and his lip starts to bleed. Ian climbs over the lip into the giant bin. He keeps meaning to tell someone that the chute goes down too far into the bin. It needs to be a few feet higher. Then they wouldn’t have any problem with blockage. It’s not major. It’s not like solving this problem would stop kids starving in Nigeria. In fact probably the only people whose lives would be made easier from having a less intrusive garbage chute would be his and Macca’s. But if it’s such a simple thing to fix, if it’s so easy to put right, then surely it deserves to be sorted out? Ian whistles his wife’s favourite song. He supports himself by holding onto the edge of the chute with his left hand while scooping out the rubbish with his right. He spreads it neatly toward the edges of the bin. He knows there is something intensely satisfying about watching refuse tumbling out the funnel. Ian grins as he realises that what he is actually doing is relieving a blockage. That’s a good one. He has to tell Macca. That’ll put a smile on the miserable bastard’s face. Ian hears the sound coming down the chute like a kind of roar. His ears are filled with it and even as he looks up he knows he should be diving away. The first brick crushes his arm. It’s force draws him down and forward. Now his head has become a bullseye. The second brick nails it’s target. Bradley guns the truck’s engine. “Listen you bugger I didn’t come here for a fucking picnic,” he says leaning back out the window. But as he speaks he feels the air change and the tiny hairs rise up on the back of his neck. Later he will say he just knew something awful had happened, he just knew. That it was like an invisible force made him get out the cab to check if Ian was all right. + + + “Did you hear that?” says Mike, “Sounded like a man. Do you think we hit them?” “Shut up,” says Toby straining his neck like a tortoise so he can hear his own brick plummeting. It ricochets against the metal pipe once, twice, the reverberations chasing each other in the darkness. A dull wet thud announces the journey is concluded. Something strange happens. Silently, a noose of despair threads itself up the chute and fastens around the necks of Toby and Mike. Something terrifying is happening. They know it but they can’t explain it. “Let’s get out of here,” says Toby. “Yeah,” says Mike, “If we get caught I’m dead.” Tim picks up his brick. “Piss off you two,” he says. He hasn’t felt the noose yet. “It was my idea so I’m chucking my brick.” Toby holds open the chute. “Chocks away fuckers,” shrills Tim tipping his brick into the black. Mike starts giggling, then Toby, then Tim. Adrenalin is produced. Their arms and legs turn to jelly. Mike says he feels faint. Their mouths become sand dunes drifting in the desert. Tim’s pupils dilate and lurch in their sockets as his mouth spews laughter. Down the landing a door clicks open. Short-sighted Mrs O’ Driscoll steps out in her old pink robe. She squints menacingly towards the sound. The boys freeze, blink like rabbits, and run flinging their elastic bodies down the stairs to reach the safety of their own floors, their own homes. Like three separate armies that have been routed. Only Tim’s house is not a refuge. He slams his bedroom door shut as the neighbours’ gossiping voices crack like whips against the windows. A moment ago he was a young boy mucking around. Now he knows he is something else. Outside a commotion is rising up out of nowhere like a leviathan from the bottom of the sea. He can hear a man wailing. He can hear sirens in the distance. He knows one of them belongs to an ambulance. Another to a police car. He can feel his heart punching through his chest. How wonderful it would be to stand on the twentieth floor, watching the rapid lights rush between the yellow islands of suburbia. Tim is there now, watching as they weave through the scattered traffic, coming for him. His mother crashes through the door. Sees him curled on the bed. Her voice like a thousand shards of glass lacerating him. From the twentieth floor he hears her, feels her, but faraway. Up here he cannot drown in a river of his tears and her saliva.
I just saw that Kathryn Potempski posted a pic of Geelong footy clubs president with the AFL premiership cup ~ i got to hold it too / / ...
I just saw that Kathryn Potempski posted a pic of Geelong footy clubs president with the AFL premiership cup ~ i got to hold it too /
Somehow … I think I’ve done well. 3 weeks ago I sent out several emails to newspapers in my area letting them know of my photographi…
Somehow … I think I’ve done well. 3 weeks ago I sent out several emails to newspapers in my area letting them know of my photographic skills and available services. Within 10 minutes, I was contacted by the Editor of the newspaper … in my town. As of today … I’ve had 10 photographs printed in the newspaper … including a scoop concerning a recent AFL draft. This is a totally new area of photography for me, being journalistic and sports. I have so much to learn but I am enjoying it immensely. If that’s how you spell it. Who cares … it’s still fabulous! :) life is good x x x
just home from surgery typing with one finger and lots of drugs thank u all for comments will catch up eventually need to re…
just home from surgery typing with one finger and lots of drugs thank u all for comments will catch up eventually need to rest now love you all u too Basil Butterfly face x x x
OK. I’m home after the shoulder operation. There was no computer where I was for the past 3 weeks so I have a squillion bubblemails …
OK. I’m home after the shoulder operation. There was no computer where I was for the past 3 weeks so I have a squillion bubblemails to catch up on, not to mention all the new work etc. I managed to sell 3 t-shirts while I was gone! WOOHOOOO how cool is that? Thanks to Meach for keeping my Bubble dusted and free of cobwebs. I’ll be busy uploading some stuff as soon as I have gone through all the new work I have. Love you all / well most of you / x x x x x x
These games are watched by a great part of (above all the male half, but still) the European society! Thought all of you living in the r…
These games are watched by a great part of (above all the male half, but still) the European society! Thought all of you living in the rest of the world should know !!! / This is much better than sending young athletic men to fight wars against each other!!! Something Europeans have done at length !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Olympic Games: / Pausanias, who was a historian living during the 3rd century BC, wrote that the first Olympic Games, the Heraias, were invented by the 16 heads of the villages of Elis on the Peloponesis around “Olympia” several hundred years before the male games. / Each elder was the most revered woman of her village. The reason for the games was to settle grievances between Elis and Pisa in a nonviolent way. Girls were to run a stadium length (shorter than the present one), and that would settle the differences. / You can check this out on the internet, that´s where I found the (not very widespread) information. P.S. Sweden loses the game 0 to 2 against Russia, our arch-enemy since there were national states !!! 45 seconds to go…
My photo “In A Flash” is one of the Top Ten in the Challenge for the Speed...
My photo “In A Flash” is one of the Top Ten in the Challenge for the Speed group.
Thank u who ever u are that purchased 5 cards of “Clatter of heads.. Much appreciate it. !http://images-0.redbubble.net/img/art/backin…
Thank u who ever u are that purchased 5 cards of “Clatter of heads.. Much appreciate it.
It was featured in the Speed groups. “Featu…
It was featured in the Speed groups. Featured
Today I went to Melbourne to watch the AFL Grand Final Players Parade through the city, thanks to some really nice tradies I was lucky…
Today I went to Melbourne to watch the AFL Grand Final Players Parade through the city, thanks to some really nice tradies I was lucky enough to get a vantage point above the crowds…. / / 1 / / / 2 ~ a one-eyed Geelong supporter / / / 3 / / / 4 ~ a throwback from the eighties?? / / / 5 ~ Leigh Colbert / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12 / / / 13 ~ Brownlow Medalist – Adam Cooney / / / 14 ~ Geelong coach – Mark Thompson / / / 15 ~ Jimmy Bartel and Cameron Ling / / / 16 ~ Brad Ottens and Joel Selwood / / / 17 ~ Mark Williams and Buddy Franklin / / / 18 / / / 19 / / / 20 / / / 21 / / / 22 / / / 23 / /
The stage was set for a determined Hawks outfit who defied the odds and overcome a strong Geelong outfit to down last years premiers in …
The stage was set for a determined Hawks outfit who defied the odds and overcome a strong Geelong outfit to down last years premiers in exciting game of footy on the last saturday in september, what a year 2008 has brought us. Tell us what you thought of the game and the excitment surrounding the game? / / GO THE HAWKERS PREMIERS 2008 and thanks shane for a great rollercoaster of a career, well done…. / ........GO HAWKS….....
The gauntlet has been thrown…and as…
The gauntlet has been thrown…and as any good Sydneysider who loves a good bet would do…I accept. Manly will woop the Storm…and havoc will be wreaked upon the Melbourne Group for 2 whole weeks. And if by some freak chance the Storm do beat Manly, then we will brave our punishment stoically and wait for our opportunity to strike back. BUT in the meantime…LET THE GAMES BEGIN! P.S. Sydney men are WAY cuter than Melbourne men!
It was featured in the A Beautiful Blur group!! / ...
It was featured in the A Beautiful Blur group!! Featured
Added a Sports Calendar with Baseball, Baseball Parks, Hockey, Football, Golf, Snowboard, and Hockey photos. !http://images-0.redbubbl…
Added a Sports Calendar with Baseball, Baseball Parks, Hockey, Football, Golf, Snowboard, and Hockey photos.
“”I Love My Football”” was featured in the group Cats and Dogs
“”I Love My Football”” was featured in the group Cats and Dogs
WOO HOOOOOO! Sugar Bowl Champions…. Utah 31 / Alabama 17 13-0 They may not be the national champions but they should be! / ...
WOO HOOOOOO! Sugar Bowl Champions…. Utah 31 / Alabama 17 13-0 They may not be the national champions but they should be!
28-03-09 Break-away / !http://images-0.redbubble.net/img/art/mattec…
28-03-09 Break-away / / has been featured again in the Sports for All from Our Gym Group. Many thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this work. GB / Dennis
the Geelong Cats held their Members Brunch on Saturday morning, and I was lucky enough to be asked to take photos for them…. these are …
the Geelong Cats held their Members Brunch on Saturday morning, and I was lucky enough to be asked to take photos for them…. these are just a few of the images I took… 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12 / / / 13 / / / 14 / 15 / / / 16 / / / 17 / 18 / / / 19 /
Yes All Features Are Very Special…........Every Painting created comes from deep within the heart and soul. / To get it featured is very…
Yes All Features Are Very Special…........Every Painting created comes from deep within the heart and soul. / To get it featured is very special…......and an Honor.,........ / Bits and Pieces featured / MY Moon / / 50 tHiNgS featured / When You’re A JET /
Whether shooting professional, college, high school or junior league the concepts of photographing football remain the same. The offensiv…
Whether shooting professional, college, high school or junior league the concepts of photographing football remain the same. The offensive players will carry, pass, and punt the football towards the goal post and the defensive team will try to stop them. A good sports photographer will know the game, know the players and know the stadium. Is this a passing or running team, or do they try to inch close enough to achieve scoring by field goals? Shooting the action is typically a sideline adventure. And the sidelines can be dangerous so a word about safety. The camera will not protect you from serious injury should you be run into by a football player. Always be aware of the action and the flow of the action. Credentials are required for college, professional and some high school game coverage. Your local newspaper may assist you with obtaining credentials in exchange for access to and use of your photographs. To reach out and capture mid field action will require a telephoto lens of at least 135mm for sideline shooting and end zone photographers frequently use lenses to 600mm in length. This University of Georgia vs Florida play was selected as the college football play of the year as it saved the day and season allowing Georgia to become the National Champions. The action occurred across the field and a 300mm lens was perfect for capturing the action. / Sideline action usually requires a short telephoto or wide angle lens. Many classes of football regulate sideline activity and may limit photographers to a line 3 feet outside the actual field sideline. And the team is required to remain within a marked box with photographers remaining outside the box. Even if you see photographers mixed in with team members don’t go there without prior permission of the teams head coach. Most football is shot with available stadium lighting. Some venues prohibit the sideline use of a flash during the game. Position yourself to best capture the action. Quarterback action often occurs behind the line of scrimmage. Offensive and defensive blocks and tackles occur often at the line of scrimmage. Pass receptions can occur from the line of scrimmage and downfield. Kick returns and special team coverage is near the goal post. This information will prepare you for general all around football coverage but you still need to be aware of the unusual action that may turn out to be the best shot of the day. Have fun and get some great footbal shots this season-Larry Grayam
The Semi Final was held at Hume Reserve, North Geelong today. / Lara won 3-1. / Next week, it’s the Grand Final against Barwon Heads. / 1pm,...
The Semi Final was held at Hume Reserve, North Geelong today. / Lara won 3-1. / Next week, it’s the Grand Final against Barwon Heads. / 1pm, Howard Glover Reserve! / Good luck boys! 1. Shaun Levett with the ball, watched by goalie Shaun Murphy. / 2. Tony Reid, beating a Breakwater player to possession. / 3. Tony, again, playing a blinder! / 4. Not sure who this player is, will update when I know! Sorry! / 5. Top corner from Tony! / 6. GOAL!!! The breakwater goalie, missed it by a whisker! / 7. Nice smile Ollie! / 8. Dylan, doing an impression of a Spanish Andalusian Horse! / 9. Tony, contesting a header! / 10. Shaun, saving another shot at goal! / 11. Hey Tatey, (another Shaun) looks like this guy wants to be your friend! / 12. Shaun Levett,, determined to get the ball! /
For featuring my image “Friday Night Lights”. It turns out that there is nothing like High school football (the American version):~))
For featuring my image “Friday Night Lights”. It turns out that there is nothing like High school football (the American version):~))
So I am starting a little web-site for a hobby, featuring ladies wearing the football top of my football (soccer) team back home in Engla…
So I am starting a little web-site for a hobby, featuring ladies wearing the football top of my football (soccer) team back home in England. (Queens Park Rangers). I can take some blinding photographs but when it comes to putting pen to paper I’m useless. I’m looking for a logo/header and a mascot/cartoon girl to adorn the website and use her for promotions, t-shirts, mugs etc. Different poses would also be nice to adorn different pages/products. The chances of me making any money from this are pretty slim and like most artists I’m broke. So the artist would have to do the work on a promise that they would be paid later and under the understanding that it might fall flat on it’s face and no money will come from it at all. The site will be called ‘QPR Bush Babes” The team clothing can be seen here and here Below is just one type of image that I would consider suitable (although maybe not so raunchy) The same guy who did this image (he seems to have disappeared) also did this T-Shirt logo which is almost exactly what I want only in the team colors. Anyone want to give this a try or give me an educated guess as to how much I would be looking to pay? Please remember that this is only a hobby site with no start up capital at all. Thank you all. Terry / PS. I will post a link to the beta version of the site here soon.
Lots of features last week! Thank you so much to the groups hosts! :) !http://images-0.redbubble.net/img/art/cropped/size:xsmall/vie…
Lots of features last week! Thank you so much to the groups hosts! :) Snowy afternoon was featured in the group Dimensions Stone bench, closed shutters and graffiti was featured in the group Simple by Design Stone bench, closed shutters and graffiti was featured in the group Cee’s Fun Artsy Friends Vase was featured in the group Numbers One to a Trillion Stone bench, closed shutters and graffiti was featured in the group Wall of the World Table football was featured in the group I Love Italy Sicilian Wheel was featured in the group I Love Italy Sicilian Wheel was featured in the group EMI – The Group I feel the wind was featured in the group The Woman Photographer 7 Submissions a week only please At the window was featured in the group Windows and Doors
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