This caught my eye at the home improvement store.

Reminded me of the patent leather hats worn by the Spanish Guardia Civil.

Which evolved from the classic tricorn.

 

The Guardia Civil were strong supporters of Francisco Franco's military rebellion and fascist dictatorship, and in a large part of Spain were generally considered oppressors and an occupying army. They were seen by much of the world as classic "bad hats" or bad guys.

So ... WTF?

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We put the "salt" in saltines. Then we didn't.

The Ruth Laid Bare

This mini Baby Ruth candy bar somehow made it past the enrobing machine and went on to get wrapped without its chocolate coating. More curious than disappointed, I sent an email to the Nestlé customer service department with this photograph. What would they be able to tell me about this? An answer showed up in my mailbox the next day, but when I opened it there was no message. Just a blank window. They seem to be experimenting with some kind of Minimalism.

Mmmm, Cheesy.

According to urbandictionary.com:

"Trying too hard, unsubtle, and inauthentic. 
Specifically that which is unsubtle or inauthentic in its way of trying to elicit a certain response from a viewer, listener, audience, etc."


Is using the Royal baby to sell cheese a cheesy thing to do? Maybe. Do I care? No.
This is somewhat unique in that it is not like most commemorative collectibles, for the longer you keep it the more it will smell like a Royal nappie. 

Mind The Pits

Virginia Is For (Gun) Lovers

This on the northbound lane of state highway 29. I think he wants me to keep going until I get to the Socialist Republic of Charlottesville.

Attitude Marketing

This guy knows his customer base and how to rally them. 

An Unfortunate Juxtaposition

First day at school I saw this announcement for a class next to a sign welcoming the new class of 2016 at the entrance to my building. Inadvertent, no doubt, but also very careless. 

Part of the problem is the poor design of the Third Reich poster, the choice of typeface and its small size cause it to disappear. The welcome "poster" is not much better, but the message is big enough to draw the eye away from the other text, making one think that Hitler is glad to see the new students. 

Every Vote Counts

No Pie

Most restaurants do not allow smoking anymore, and reminders are not as necessary as they once were. I like this bit of creative re-purposing done by someone who wanders around with a black marker in his or her pocket. And they were right on, because sadly this restaurant did not have pie on the menu.

Creationism, Evolution, Who Cares?

 I see lots of fish symbols on the backs of cars, along with religious messages and yellow ribbons. Many of the same people like to proclaim their patriotism with red, white, and blue bumper stickers.

The response to fish are fish symbols with feet and the name "Darwin" underneath. This bumper sticker  responds to another religious message we often see. 

 

I like how this person opts out of the conversation all together.

Where's Waldo?

He's picking up trash along a Virginia highway.

Piano Crossing

Man of the Futura

Another sign inspired by the electrified Spanish gentleman. I think that Futura typeface works especially well here.

Can't Get Enough Of This Guy

Shopping For Jesus

This arrow is painted in a Walmart parking lot. See the cross at the top? Was that done on purpose? I know that crosspieces are necessary to hold the middle part in the stencil, but they are generally centered for better support all the way around. I am sure that Walmart is willing to take money from people of all races and creeds, but it looks like they do not pass up a chance to proselytize.

In Case Of Fire, Break Symmetry

The campus at Sweet Briar College has many beautiful buildings, many date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some are quite similar to buildings at Princeton University, and they were designed a hundred years ago by Princeton's official architect. There is much symmetry in the architecture, so much that this small detail caught my attention as I passed by.

This blind arch near the entrance to an art gallery frames a later addition of a fire ax in a glass case. It is obvious that utilitarian additions like electrical boxes, gas pipes, air vents, air conditioners, and a large number of etceteras are installed by working men who do not seem to notice or care about the visual effects of their handiwork. But this frame is so even and symmetrical that I was forced to wonder whether the ax was not purposely hung off center. It is interesting to me that the height of the case is very correct to my eye, the top just above the line of the white blocks. I cannot say that I dislike the composition, since I have a preference for asymmetry, but I wish I knew whether it was placed here long ago by a visually literate rebel, or an uncaring Physical Plant employee. And when did they stop hanging fire axes by doors, anyway?

Symmetry yrtemmyS

I have been driving past this sign for several years. It is on Highway 29 South at Lovingston, VA, and it is probably one of the most symmetrical signs in the state.
Driving is very much a visual-spatial activity for me, and I spotted this marker driving alone to work. Nowadays my wife rides with me, and I am forced to partially inhabit the left side of my brain so I don't miss anything she says in case there is a pop quiz at a later date. Who knows what visual roadside wonders I am missing now?

A mirror image of the left side of the sign

Bilateral symmetry

Radial symmetry

Venison Again

A Sweet Sign

This is the Colleen Drive-In in Colleen, VA, about 45 minutes south of Charlottesville in Nelson County. It has a more typical sign out front, no images, just hand-painted vernacular lettering. But the Ice cream cone is what everyone sees. How can anyone pass by without stopping for an ice cream?