Monday, November 17, 2008

Retro irony


Look at this charming badge I found at the Hospice shop in the village. It is really hard to imagine what its author was thinking. Are they saying "it's time to rethink your wardrobe and beauty regime" or are they saying, "don't get angry"?   I found it amusing enough to enquire about its price, and the woman behind the counter said, "I just cannot sell it to you for more than 50c "  

That's really saying something because they seem to have no problems selling everything else there for an exorbitant price.

Once purchased I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. It had that slightly antagonistic ambivalence that can only be pulled off by the insouciance of youth : there comes an age when you are too old for retro irony.  I have just the right youth in mind. Someone who has very recently had a birthday.  

And here is the vehicle upon which the badge shall be carried.

Happy 20th Rosie! 


3 comments:

  1. Oh I love a good badge, especially one that makes you double-take when you read it.

    Who you callin ugly, mother-smocker?!

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  2. LOL - it's a badge from about 10 years ago, it was used as part of a promotion to stop violence in sport. Don't Get Ugly was supposed to make you stop and think before you punched someone's lights out. I like your use of it much better!

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  3. You must visit our hospice shop next time you're in the south. The prices are fabulous, so are the staff and the turnover is constant. Always something new and ridiculously cheap. Last year their PROFIT was 180,000 dollars. Their comment on that was that they have a very loyal customer base. Yes they get a dollar or two from me every time. About the only thing that I notice hasn't sold yet is the stack of surgical dressing packs that look like something a district nurse may have left behind before someone...died.

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