Look Closer
Just add water
Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, FL, United States) on 22 February 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
Back in Florida again (and this is a pretty recent capture) -- an unexpected place I happened to notice as I drove homeward, at one of the backstreet intersections of Bradenton.
Divorce - Florida style. It's instant -- just add water and mix...
For those here who are not familiar with Americanese, ASAP = As Soon As Possible.
Sad commentary on society's trends, I think.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AT AM3. I am out and probably away from the computer all this week. We are headed to north Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with our son and his wife and her family. I hope everyone who celebrates this holiday has a wonderful day, filled with turkey and gratitude for every blessing. And those who do not, I hope will remember to count their blessings and be thankful. Packing and getting the SUV all set for the drive today; we leave very early Tuesday morning and plan to return sometime Sunday.
@Michael Rawluk: ROTFL!
Mandy from South Africa
Oh my word!!! hahahaha......sad but true, a sign of the times. I had a good giggle atthe sign on the window too...."Love is grand...Divorce starts at $295" .....man, oh man...LOL, thanks for the smile VF! You've started my friday off on a very nice light note!
22 Feb 2008 6:17am
@Mandy: That little sign is perhaps even funnier than the big one.
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
I love the price shown. And I bet he gets a lot of business. It brought a smile to my morning.
22 Feb 2008 6:25am
@Michael Skorulski: Don't know about how many customers, but it must be enough to keep the doors open and the lights on.
e. from New York, NY, United States
Wow, that's a really rather odd sign. I particularly think that sign in the window is really sad too.
22 Feb 2008 7:57am
@e.: It one of those things in modern life you just have to shrug at.
Paul van der Meer from valkenswaard, Netherlands
Nice work!
www.paulvandermeer.aminus3.com
22 Feb 2008 10:23am
@Paul van der Meer: Thank you Paul.
Man With 101 Names from Hamburg, United States
I bet if they have a website it's www.getmeawayfromthisbitch.com .... I have never seen anything like this before, too funny . Good eye for spotting this vf
22 Feb 2008 10:46am
@Man With 101 Names: It's definitely a first for me too. Thanks.
MJ from Delaware, United States
Leave it to Florida.... Great siting....clear and sharp.
22 Feb 2008 12:35pm
@MJ: They probably offer discounts to fly to Vegas for quickie weddings, too.
Betsy Barron : www.thebetsy.com from Glenmoore, United States
outstanding capture - LOL!
22 Feb 2008 12:53pm
@Betsy Barron : www.thebetsy.com: Thanks Betsy. It is sadly funny, I think. Definitely weird.
Barbara from Florida, United States
Great find. Sad indeed that marriage is so disposable. But from another angle marriage is so easy to get, like in Vegas or at a local courthouse. No courting necessary. Life is on a whim and someone is going to capitalize on it. Excellent caption.
22 Feb 2008 1:49pm
@Barbara: Thanks Barbara. It is one of those things no one who is AARP eligible (starts at age 50) would ever have expected to find out there.
Melissa from Warsaw, United States
Thanks for the chuckle. You're right, that is a sad commentary on our society.
22 Feb 2008 1:55pm
@Melissa: Thanks for dropping by; glad my pic gave you a smile. I just remembered what brand my Mom's box/target-type camera was -- I think it was an Ansco. You might find this camera museum site interesting.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
SAD 'signs' of the times for SURE!
If our appliances and so many other things are built to 'self-destruct' or simply be more expensive to repair than to replace, after a given period of time, I guess marriage is one more of those items . . . for SOME.
I thank God for our commitment to marriage - it's approaching 49 years!!!
22 Feb 2008 1:57pm
@Judy: Congrats to you and your husband for being long-distance runners. My wife and I will hit 36 years in July, and still going...
@Dylan: Thanks Dylan.
@Lorraine: Dark humor and irony does have its appeal...
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
What a find and yes, it's a sad message about our society. Exceptional image.
22 Feb 2008 2:46pm
@sherri: Thank you Sherri; am happy you stopped by here today. BTW, I really like the white cat on the porch shot at your place.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
what a sad joke,that was my first thought,businesses trying to make light of others' separation but to have an office like this probably means there is a huge market for it.I salute you and Judy,GOSH.Please share with me some of your secrets of keeping marriage alive when you are free.My husband and i would have been married for 4 years in a few months' time.You must be thinking,gosh,4 years,when was that for me??You have already gone 9 rounds of 4 years ahead of me.Congratulations!!!LOL.On a more serious note,looking at the increasing rate of divorce in my country,the number of broken families does strike a chord of fear in my heart.Even in my son's kindy,there are lots of brochures on maintenance and divorce-think twice- etc.
22 Feb 2008 2:48pm
@tyan: My parents divorced after 10 years of marriage; I was 9. That was almost 50 years ago; I still feel the pain. Divorce is destructive to far more people than just the ex-husband and ex-wife. There is much collateral damage done to innocents (like children) who happen to be part of that former family relationship. I am convinced the high divorce rate is right near the heart of why our society is in such sad shape and why gangs and senseless violence exists in such numbers. The other part of the why has to do with single moms with children/children with no known (to them) father. I read last week that 40% of all births in the U.S. next year will be to unmarried women. Between high divorce rates and men who can biologically father a child, but not be a father to that child, we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction.
You ask for some of our "secrets" for a long marriage... I don't know about secrets, but in no particular order (except for one) I do have some notions as to why and how a marriage can last...
commitment
friendship/best friendship
hard work
being positive and encouraging
knowing when to say "No!" to something
God's grace (this is #1)
love and sacrifice
faithfulness
willingness to forgive and forgive and forgive...
truth
loyalty
self-discipline
physical and emotional attraction
choosing your mate wisely
faith in God
faith in spouse
faith in your relationship
knowing yourself, your weaknesses and strengths
humility
allowing your spouse to be "only human"
allowing yourself to be "only human"
knowing that real love is far more than just a feeling
communicating well
fighting fairly
making up when you've disagreed or fought
knowing how to say "I am sorry" and mean it
knowing how to accept an apology
not keeping lists of wrongs done
understanding and embracing the truth in 1 Corinthians 13
These are just a few things I've picked up along the way. It's a long-distance run, not a sprint. Pacing yourself a day at a time is often the best way to begin to practice some of these tips. It's also one of the best ways I know to not have to go through the doors of a place like I've photographed in my post here today.
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
I guess when you want a divorce you want it ASAP! Great find VF!
22 Feb 2008 2:49pm
@Craiger: Right you are Craiger. It's always easier to "jump and dump" than it is to work at making things better.
Images by KC Photography from Redmond, United States
Well it could be worse, it could be a drive-thru! Great shot
22 Feb 2008 3:22pm
@Images by KC Photography: Yes, thankfully the drive-through window isn't there yet.
Chris from South Jersey, United States
Funny and sad. With our throwaway culture it is too easy to just give up and try again (and again and again...) instead of working hard to keep a marriage alive. It is not always easy but I believe always worth it (19 years this July).
22 Feb 2008 3:47pm
@Chris: Congrats at the coming 19 years. Many more!
Jen from Alpharetta, United States
Wonderful capture and so sad to think that our society has come to this and takes marriage and divorce so lightly! Chris says it very well...and btw....19 years in October for me.
22 Feb 2008 4:03pm
@Jen: Well done Jen; 19 years of marriage these days is a big achievement.
Ron from Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
This (the title and subject matter) would make an excellent sequel to the 1970s program "Love American Style" – sadly. The sentiment in the window says it all…
22 Feb 2008 4:09pm
@Ron: Capitalism can have a rather ugly underside.
@HorseRotorVator: Appreciate your comment my friend.
vu@granby - Wolfgang Prigge from Granby, QC, Canada
Great find! Now there is a "slow food" mouvement in many countries, I wonder if we are going to see a "slow divorce" mouvement soon?
22 Feb 2008 4:26pm
@vu@granby - Wolfgang Prigge: I believe a slow down and think about it process would be an excellent change of pace.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Oh VF!! This really is rip snortin' hilarious!! It's that lawyer chasing the ambulance joke... Great find and nicely done!! And yes it is also a very sad state of affairs. Too many are too ready to "jump and dump". I've been married since the tender age of 18... almost 28yrs of marriage through all the trials and tribulations. It's been a hell of a ride and I'm still not ready to get off!! LOL
22 Feb 2008 5:51pm
@amy: Way to go, gal! 28 years and still the best is yet to come. Terrific attitude -- makes for good marriages. Oh, and I am glad you like this shot - I agree, it's like that joke. Bloodsuckers come in all professions; but ambulance chasers and legal divorce pimps just invite the worst in all of us to be directed at their way of making a living off of the misery of others.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
What an amazing business advert! Very well captured
22 Feb 2008 8:32pm
@standley: Truly. I was amazed to see it. Am just glad to have had my camera handy when the light turned red.
danthro from Suburbia, United States
great shot! very funny (in a "though not funny in real life" way)!
22 Feb 2008 8:46pm
@danthro: Thanks for the nice comment, danthro. Editorially speaking, I've got to wonder about the character of a person who will advertise his/her services so blatantly.
Ken McCoy from Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Yes, right back to earth :) You have a good eye for signage :)
22 Feb 2008 10:17pm
@Ken McCoy: Lol. Thing is, there's just a lot of good signs out there just waiting for a guy with a camera to find them. I figure that could be me.
@Daroru: :o)
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
I so agree with your sad commentary, VF but this post really took a serious turn when you shared your notions. Thanks for sharing!
23 Feb 2008 5:53am
Rags from Plano, United States
This is really a very awesome shot. I find it sad.
25 Feb 2008 12:42am
Tricia from Melbourne, Australia
i dont know if it's me but this world is starting to get quite warped and sad. sigh.
25 Feb 2008 1:28am
Panasonic DMC-LS70
1/160 second
F/14.0
ISO 100
105 mm (35mm equiv.)