Monday, January 19, 2009

The Cable Guy

Just Don't Get Your Wires Crossed

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Walking down Elizabeth Street in the city some weeks ago, I spotted these cable coils on the back of a tradie's ute during a smoko. Okay, I'll stop and explain the Australian slang. A "tradie" is a tradesman. A "ute" is a utility vehicle, or a pickup to most of you. And a "smoko" is (you guessed it) a smoker's break.

The sight caught my eye because of the contrasting colours of the coils, the rusty metal visible and the fact that the neat coils are completely different sizes. Maybe he just wasn't sure whether to go wi-fi or install broadband or cable.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

14 comments:

Carolina said...

I love your fresh look on things I would just walk by without even thinking about it. Very inspiring! Thanks for that.

Richard Lawry said...

I first heard the term smoko in the John Willamson song "True Blue"

An Arkie's Musings

Rune Eide said...

Maybe he was just a cable fiend?

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hi! Just popped over the read your daily musing after you visited my "tea" blog. Must say it is so odd in the middle of a cold windy Sunday afternoon, to read your Monday's blog. Liked the shot and was interested in the jargon!

ArtistUnplugged said...

It is an interesting shot...thanks for the interpretation, I wouldn't have gotten it!

George said...

I liked the shot and greatly appreciated the translation.

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Thanks for popping by my blog. Yes, family is source of all of my joys and most of my frustrations!

I also like the sense of coiled potential in this photo....

Daryl said...

I am LOL since I took a similar shot recently ... alas MacBook is in hospital so it will have to wait til NEXT week's Odd Shot to be shown

:-D

Jinksy said...

Of course the coils are different sizes - they're mother and baby!

Willow said...

I'd never heard any of those phrases before. Thanks for the Aussie education.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the tradie doesn't get cross and cross the cables.

larkswing said...

Thanks for introducing the new terminology - at least for me :)

myonlyphoto said...

David, excellent image. You are so right about the contrast, and actually nice background to make it all perfect. Anna :)

Unknown said...

I'm glad you explained the lingo. Interesting shot!

Mojo said...

Actually I followed that right up until the "smoko". Although a "ute" around here usually refers to a "sport ute" or SUV, rather than a pickup.

I couldn't help but be reminded of a shot I got in Boston (or the Boston metro ta least) a couple of years ago of the back of a van labeled "Waltham Wires Dept." I never figured out if that was a municipal agency or just the name of a company.