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A Coney Island Birthday
Photography by Venessa Nina
I have to tell ya, Coney Island seems as if it's always been with me. It's always been there, lurking in my head since I was a little boy. It's no coincidence that for so long my art has revolved around freak shows and mad clowns.
Hell, I even remember being 6 years old, playing with that old, metal Coney Island toy set at my grandmother's (The toy set that now sits in my living room). This all seems worth mentioning considering I'd never even been to New York until about 4 years ago.
Coney Island is like one of those strange dreams you know you're in while you float through it. And you know when you wake up you're gonna try and fall back asleep and dream it again.
One of those dreams where everyone else has no idea they're part of your imagination, and they are as much Coney Island as the Wonder Wheel, the ocean, razor wire and Projects.
I just want to be a part of it in any way I can. I want to BE Coney Island, and everything it is.
These people are all part of the dream. The Coney Island fantasy I have in my brain.
I think the thing that makes Coney Island so intriguing and wonderful is its broken heart. Its skeletons of past rides, freak shows and dreary ghetto backdrop.
That's what makes it so special.
There's no hope and good news at this carnival. Only desperate escape.
There's no forgetting your troubles at Coney, because your troubles are always sitting right there, behind the rides, in the background, patiently waiting for your return.
It's like coming home to a family that doesn't know who I am, or care about me, or love me in any way, even ridicules and teases me, but still let's me walk through and have a look around.
That's what Coney Island means to me.
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| “i wish from the bottom of my heart to not forgive you and your fate will be the hell..amin” |
how could you crazy make this to jesus are you maaaad??????
you make people dress him on the cross, where he suffered for our redemption.... is that what he deserves!!!..... and i wish from the bottom of my heart to not forgive you and your fate will be the hell..amin
fuck you
huda rabadi
hrabadi@yahoo.com |
And in return to you I hope for your body to become possessed by demons and a bad luck tiki to be strung around your neck so that your soul/ghost will forever be tormented by the curse of dreadful wishes!
That covers your superstitious malarky tenfold!
I sooooo win!
Bob |
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that’s was low. real low. Jeses is not something you can dress up an laught at. Low. Real low!
Beth Schroeder
bethieschroeder991@msn.com |
Who, me?
Bob |
| “please don’t make fun of mine.” |
yes you. The Dress up Jesus thing. I don’t make fun of your religon, please don’t make fun of mine.
Beth Schroeder
bethieschroeder991@msn.com |
But what if I think your religion is silly, and that it's a lie? Then can I do it?
Bob |
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what religon are you?
Beth Schroeder
bethieschroeder991@msn.com |
I am an atheist. Why? What are you?
Bob |
| “And the fact that is is not a lie. You may think that. I don’t care.” |
I am a Catholic. A strong one. And we believe in Jesus Christ. And the fact that is is not a lie. You may think that. I don’t care. But please don’t publicly embarrass him again. He already was one time.
Beth Schroeder
bethieschroeder991@msn.com |
Isn't He alive and living in eternal paradise forever?
He can't be that bad off.
Bob |
| “He will come again. I guess hese not to bad off, lol being perfect and all.” |
lol. Yea he was alive, but died on the cross for our sins. Then he came again and went back up to heaven with the virgin mother Mary. He will come again. I guess hese not to bad off, lol being perfect and all.
Beth Schroeder
bethieschroeder991@msn.com |
Yeah, so quit you're bitchin'.
Jeesh!
Bob |
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| “reply if u have nethin to say...i know u wont ..” |
i hope u dnt burn in hell for that horrible dress up jesus game. shame on you u horrible evil person. waake up and look at wat u've done his ppain to u is obviously a big joke.!!! be grateful! Bob wake the hell up and as god to forgive you for wat u have done. This offends me as a christian and as a person! i'm only 15 and i know that this is wrong...how old are you!?!? reply if u have nethin to say...i know u wont ..
Sandra |
You know what? I've about had enough of this! 15 years old and this is how you write a complaint letter?!? AND this is what you believe?!? How does this happen?
"reply if u have nethin to say?!" That doesn't even make sense!
I want to talk with one of your parents! Whoever it is that's responsible for your horrible grammar and outrageous religious beliefs. I insist you bring them to the computer and make them explain themselves to me!
Bob |
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(I was never put in touch with any parent)
| “you may be going to hell” |
you may be going to hell.
Tanya Cintron-Lindley
lindley@rci.rutgers.edu |
Yeah, and I may get hit by a car one day. That doesn't mean I'm gonna stop crossin' streets for the rest of my life.
Bob |
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| “please to put an end to that webpage.” |
I believe that is in no way amusing and i ask you please to put an end to that webpage.
Lisa McCrink
mccrink_y2k2@hotmail.com |
Your request has been denied.
Please try again at a later date.
Bob |
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| “I think you are threatened by His love and find security in mocking it.” |
you may be used to angry e-mails regarding your web page. there are far more deserving figures to play dress up with. I do not consider myself to be at all a legalistic christian who turns their nose up at everything people say or do negatively in refrence to Christ. Your web page really saddens me though. Christ on a cross alone saddens me, however I know He is no longer there in writhing pain that He so willingly endured for people like you and me. I don't think you hate God. I think you are threatened by His love and find security in mocking it. I feel sorry for you in a very painful way. I think you would be better off playing dress up with the late pope John Paul rather than the Lord Jesus. I pray you will choose another less loving figure for your website.
Carrie in California
richcordero@hotmail.com |
Okay, so I'm not so slick at hiding how threatened I am by God's love. I admit I'm totally blushing right now. I didn't think it was so obvious, especially to someone who doesn't consider herself to be a "legalistic Christian." I feel so silly and naked right now.
But I smile proudly knowing that you couldn't figure out that I'm doing what I'm doing because I was once hurt by someone religious, or that I'm angry at God because He lets bad things happen to good people. You didn't spot those non Christian stereotypes in me, so the score is two to one. I am the winner. Ha ha ha.
Bob |
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| “i meant dress them up u inconcirdent little poopstain.” |
i didnt mean jesus dress up like santa and the easter bunny i meant dress them up u inconcirdent little poopstain.
Bulldg902@aol.com |
WHOOPS!
Boy, did I misread your suggestions! Wow, I guess it wasn't your lucky day at all, huh?
Bob |
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All opinions, writings, illustrations & designs are that of Normal Bob Smith (C) 2000 - 2012
Email bob@normalbobsmith.com. Received emails may be displayed publicly.
NORMAL BOB SMITH DESIGN NEW YORK |
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