More Desolation

Ah, the suburbs. Fast food, parking lots, and at least nine pharmacies per square mile. Nothing like sun bleached pavement and empty storefronts to enrich the soul. If you're bored one day why not visit Clayton Plaza? Sadly, the Peddler's Mall Flea Market has departed, so you won't be able to buy any virgin Mary candles or ninja stars. The Publix anchor store left years ago and has been replaced by a Badcock. Those fellows are getting their asses kicked by places like Rooms To Go, and when they move into a place, you know the rent's gotta be cheap.

While I was there I took a few quick shots of the main drag. It made me miss the time when strip malls made no pretensions towards aesthetics; it appears customary now to dress up the facades like quaint European villages, which is pretty hilarious. I'm sort of a fan of manufactured character, like when corporate chain restaurants hang phony "vintage" advertisements on the wall.

Anyways, I like the loneliness of these shots. My girlfriend said they made her feel like a homeless person, which is a pretty apt description.