In a downtown store, on a sunlit shelf, I caught sight of the crystal pineapple. It felt as if lightning had struck me. The early afternoon sun shone directly on the shelf, and the crystal pineapple sparkled and bathed in its rays. I knew instantly that I had to have it. Its price was quite exorbitant, but I couldn't leave it behind. I was aware that this purchase might be deemed madness, as it would definitely mean I'd have to tighten my belt for the rest of the month, but I was helpless against the charm of the crystal pineapple.
I love this short story because it shows the plight of the working poor (count me a foot soldier there) and how we all want something in our life that provides a little light and joy now and then, as purchased in this world of growing expenses and dwindling incomes. My radical sociologist prof @ uni called this phenomenon the "Pink-Telephone Syndrome." He theorized that we all want a pink phone (from Ma Bell, this was the ''80s) when all that was available were ugly black ones. His theory of late-stage capitalism predicted the iPhone, viral media, and just about any object worship of the past 30 years or so. I have had to decide whether to eat or to buy a shiny bobble, many times over in my life. While I don't have a crystal pineapple (I sure would like one), I do have a painting paid for out of the rent money that reminds me of my now-passed Mum. The moment I saw the painting at a local gallery I knew I had to have it - I made the artist (a pal) take the painting down from the opening's wall and wrap it up on the spot! Now, like you, I have a "crystal pineapple" on the shelf.
I love this short story because it shows the plight of the working poor (count me a foot soldier there) and how we all want something in our life that provides a little light and joy now and then, as purchased in this world of growing expenses and dwindling incomes. My radical sociologist prof @ uni called this phenomenon the "Pink-Telephone Syndrome." He theorized that we all want a pink phone (from Ma Bell, this was the ''80s) when all that was available were ugly black ones. His theory of late-stage capitalism predicted the iPhone, viral media, and just about any object worship of the past 30 years or so. I have had to decide whether to eat or to buy a shiny bobble, many times over in my life. While I don't have a crystal pineapple (I sure would like one), I do have a painting paid for out of the rent money that reminds me of my now-passed Mum. The moment I saw the painting at a local gallery I knew I had to have it - I made the artist (a pal) take the painting down from the opening's wall and wrap it up on the spot! Now, like you, I have a "crystal pineapple" on the shelf.