Today, a former Grand Forks North Dakota legend of sorts: that’s right… a winking water tower. I’m not sure when this beast was originally constructed (before my time, I believe). Anyway, due to escalating maintenance costs ‘Mr. Smiley’ was recently torn down and replaced with a newer, less winky tank-o-H2O.
Silly as it seems I kinda’ miss this ridiculous thing; (which is part of the reason I made this image so contrasty) I’m a little bitter. I’m sure Mr. Smiley would not have wanted that… he was as optimistic as any inanimate object could be. So long, you oxidized old fellow (I’m off to get a tetanus shot).
About this image: digital photograph heavily modified
Refrigerator Magnate 
I love the picture and I miss Mr. Smiley too! He reminds me of when we first met. 🙂
Thank you, Annabelle! 😉
OOOh Did you two have one of those “Footloose” type dates up on the water tower?? No wonder Mr. Winky is winking! (Is that also why he had to be torn down?? LOL)
Hahaha!
I have to admit I’ve never seen “Footloose”, but now I feel like I should watch it. On a related note, I’ve been told I look nothing at all like Kevin Bacon. 🙂
He looks like he just dropped a load.
He does seem rather proud of himself. 🙂
*spits her coffee out….hahahahaha
It’s sure getting messy in here today! 🙂
I just hate when landmarks are torn down. Just recently a huge water tank that stood proudly beside one of the city’s interstates and touted the one of the city suburbs name got torn down.
And several years back our city suburb has a famous landmark “The Big Chicken” which is actually a Kentucky Fried Chicken store with a huge chicken hovering over it, was about to be taken down, but luckily was salvaged at the last moment by some entity.
I’m sure the next time I make it back to see my family I will miss seeing this tower. It was quite popular with many people (there was even a group that tried to prevent it’s demolition). It wouldn’t have been very practical to keep it, but I was still kinda’ sad to see it go. 🙂
well…atleast you have an amazing photo to remember it with….i mean how truly fab that someone thought about drawing a smiley on a water tank….lmao….
okay…now am gonna go get some work done…its 6.30 am here in New Delhi….and i just couldn’t resist taking a peek at yours and jills page…
ciao
Definitely the sort of thing I wish I could take credit for!
Wow! I don’t know if I’ve ever been remotely conscious at 6:30 am! Thanks for stopping by, Sonny – I always appreciate it! 🙂
great image and I like what you’ve done with it
Thank you so much, N.M. – you are too kind! 🙂
Progress sucks sometimes. Nice shot though.
True ‘nough. Thanks much, Mr. J! 🙂
Also, you may find this interesting.
http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=3223
I’ll check it out! 🙂
A winking water tank….scary!!!!
I think he meant well.
Of course, that’s what all the winking water tanks say…
🙂
Reminds me of the Kool-Aid pitcher guy. Only a bit bigger.
Hahaha!
OH YEAH! 🙂
Oh I like him! Reminds me a bit of the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, except a whole lot happier.
Good point, S.E. – I can totally see that! 🙂
He looks like he’s ready to blast off into space. Farewell Mister Smiley even though we never met you will be missed…
He’s off to the ‘ol scrap iron pile in the sky…
or somewhere in North Dakota, I guess. 🙂
I love the finished product here! Your aging process is incredible. As the nature of my “real” job, I’m a museum guy and I get to see a lot of old pictures and yours are incredibly “realistic”, if that makes any sense.
Thank you so much, Derrick!
That means a lot, sir – especially coming from someone of your expertise! 🙂
so sad for mr. smiley. nice shot.
Poor guy. Maybe I should have inverted his smile in Photoshop?
Thanks for stopping by, U.M. – I really do appreciate it! 🙂