As someone who possesses five working senses and nearly average intelligence, I notice a lot of curious things happening in the world.
As someone who possesses a healthy distaste for looking like a jackass, I do my best to laugh at the funny curious things and shake my head condescendingly at the offensive ones.
The problem is, sometimes I can't tell which is which.
This album cover*, for instance. Is it fair game to look at it and be amused by the combination of the artist's name and the photo's, shall we say, "unorthodox" orientation? Or is it rude and juvenile and tasteless and should I be embarrassed for even asking?
Don't answer that.
The reason I bring any of this up is that I saw something today that was so curious that I feel compelled to share it. I just don't want to offend anyone or look like an insensitive jackass. Especially the jackass part.
Is what I saw funny? No. It's not. Definitely not like my new favorite Rock/Pop artist's album cover. Is it offensive? I worry that it might be, even with all of the qualifiers I'm attempting to set up in advance. I guess I'll just assume that most people have already reached a verdict on the jackass question as it applies to me, and I'll take some solace in the protection afforded by the doctrine of double jeopardy.
It was this morning that I saw what I saw.
I was exiting the local JCC (Jewish Community Center), where, I'm delighted to say, I've once again returned to regular engagement in That Activity Which I Already Jinxed Once Before And Will Not Be So Foolish As To Do So Again By Direct Reference To Or Celebration Thereof.
What I saw was right in front of the building when I saw it, parked in the fire lane. I was so tired from almost forty-five minutes of almost drowning that I almost missed it anyway.
Here it is:
I'd actually passed it before I'd fully processed what it said. I walked back for a closer look and, naturally, a closer photo.
Adolph Sufrin Office Products.
Adolph.
Sufrin.
Office Products.
Parked outside of a Jewish Community Center.
Hopefully you now appreciate the difficulty that I faced in deciding whether or not to post this. And the difficulty I now face as I try to decide whether or not to discuss it any further.
I think I'll just begin and end by saying that there has to be some other "Office Products" company somewhere within the state of Pennsylvania and that whoever at the JCC chose this one instead should be fired immediately. Or at least forced to listen to the latest Jay Reatard album.
Have I offended you? Do you think I'm a jackass?
Please don't answer that.
*In the interest of full disclosure, a cursory Amazon search seems to indicate that the picture is intended to be oriented normally, and that eMusic's album page just screwed it up. This obviously doesn't resolve the original question; it just re-frames it slightly.
11 comments:
All I can say is "wow" on both counts.
No, pointing these things out (and somewhat poking fun at them) does not make you a jackass. There is something much greater out there to give you that opportunity.
Am I a jackass for laughing? I'm all for ethnic sensitivity but sometimes irony is funny. Racism is never funny, unless it's against white people...that's what I hear.
BK
O MY WOW! That is too ironic!
HA! If you are a jackass, then I think I would be considered on too because I definitely laughed. Maybe the people at the JCC just have a dark, dark sense of humor.
Maybe they liked that his last name was Sufrin. Like He's suffering. That's the way I looked at it...
I'm Jewish and not offended...does that make me a hypocrytical jackass? I thought that it was wonderfully ironic and it made me chuckle.
I don't think you're a jackass. I think all of the things you've posted about in this entry are funny.
Then again, I have the same debate with myself pretty much every time I write a blog post, so I may not be the best judge.
But I still think that we need to take a moment and at least appreciate the weird irony you've come across in this photo.
"some other "Office Products" company somewhere within the state of Pennsylvania"? i'd suggest dunder mifflin. although i suppose i can't guarantee the non-offensiveness of that.
God, you're too awesome. Love this blog.
Anonymous - That's one heck of a backhanded acquittal.
Anonymous BK - I think I'm even more confused now.
Anon5bn - Thanks for at least mixing it up.
Roscoe Jenkins - I'm afraid that doesn't make me feel much better.
Anonymous - Did you mean to capitalize the H in "He"? I'm not nitpicking; that just seems pretty pivotal.
My J Friend - Thanks, friend! (And no, it most certainly does not.)
Sari - Again, this doesn't really feel like a "misery feels better with company" kinda situation, but thanks. (And you're probably a jackass. Sorry.)
lucy - Excellent idea. Except they're like 50 million miles away from here. And pretend.
Ms. A - Did you mean to post that on God's blog or mine? Either way, (we) thank you (very much).
I am going to go against the grain on this one; Yes, you are a jackass.
It's okay, so am I.
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