Sunday, July 19, 2009

Free Ball

A group of teenage boys managed to play beach volleyball at Eddie Park the other day. Barefooted and shirtless, they didn't need sand or seawater. They had the net, the ball, the sun, the savvy, and absolutely no responsibilities on a Friday afternoon other than pwning each other with killer spikes and, in all probability, insulting each other's moms.

I saw part of the game as I drove by. On the drive back, I caught these three walking away with the joyful swagger of victory. Summer. It's such a grand battlefield for the young.

19 comments:

Shanna said...

So much to say...
The diagonal on top of the hedge is leading right into the spine of the scapulae (former Life Drawing teacher speaking here) of the figures.
Good lighting on the shoulder girdles, indentation of the spine, and tilt of the pelvic girdle.

Something about the number three going on here. Wedges or something. Plus three figures.

Dixie Jane said...

Having spent a large part of my life married to a swimming coach who loved the beach and was a body surfer, these boys remind me of beach volley ball and nursing sunburns. Early on, during our brief life in California (he was a native, he plucked me from the tip of Texas) our favorite place was San Clemente where there were no crowds and the surfing was superior. One difference: the trunks were shorter then. Thanks for the memories, Laurie.

Judy Williams said...

All I can think of is THE BOYS OF SUMMER

That could be my kid as easily as anyone elses. Thin, shoeless. I like the symbolism of them walking away from their youth, headed for adulthood, totally unprepared. Great shot. Kind of makes me nostalgic.

Judy Williams said...

HEE HEE, I like how it was Shanna, Mom and me that commented first. I'm wierd that way. :~)

Yakpate said...

I like it that Laurie is an equal opportunity artist... she lauds children, the elderly, men, women, girls... babies, animials vegetables, minerals... and boys!

Trish said...

shots like this remind me of my summers running around SoPas. I recall them vividly whenever I walk across asphalt on a hot day or smell hot, freshly cut lawns, or hear kids zipping by on bikes.

The days of having no responsibilities, no real worries and my only goal was to have fun. Summer!

Yakpate said...

Hee-Hee... I like it when I get to comment along with Mom, Shanna and Judy!

Yakpate said...

OOPS! Trish beat me to it! Lots of Sunday morning visitors today!

Anonymous said...

Swagger is right!

Mister Earl said...

I like how no men have commented yet.

Leslie Saeta said...

Wow! What a small world! That is my youngest son on the right!
The boys have been playing volleyball for teh past few weeks at Eddy Park. They all played on the same club team and my husband was the coach. Too funny!
Leslie

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of catching this old rickety bus line that picked me up at Fletcher and Huntington, wound it's way through South Pasadena and dropped me off at the York Blvd Bridge. For lunch it was a bean and cheese burrito at La Cantina or a fried burrito at Taco Treat. Sometimes we 'd wonder into Highland Park to eat at Bobs or hang out in the Jack N the Box parking lot and flirt with the low riders.

We did other things besides eat...like throwing slime at one another from the LA river.

dbdubya said...

But for the lenth of the shorts they are wearing they are wearing, this photo is timeless. It takes you back to a more innocent time. Beautiful shot.

dbdubya said...

They are wearing, they are wearing??? I just read what I previously posted. I should do a better job of proofreading my own stuff.

WV: Framy - what Laurie does when she crops a photo.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi gang,

Leslie, that is too funny! You're the first to identify someone in a photo ... and it turns out to be your own son! Love it.

I'm particularly fried today after a particularly hot weekend so I'll catch up with all of you tomorrow. Thanks for being here! Til tomorrow...

Sally said...

They could be my 15 year old son too. I had a couple of thoughts - will their feet be burning as the summer sun heats the pavement, and two - I wonder who's pool they are off to cool down in now!

Cafe Observer said...

Interesting that you picked "Free Ball" as the title of this post. You're very imaginative, LA.

Petrea Burchard said...

Prizewinner, my friend. Summer, complete in one image.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, you guys.