Monkeyland
First off, what is Monkeyland?
Monkeyland is a song by the post-punk band ‘The Chameleons’. ‘The Chameleons’ formed in 1981, ‘Monkeyland’ was featured on their 1983 debut album ‘Script of the Bridge’.
I titled my first post after the song, as it represents where I am currently; trapped in ‘Monkeyland’. Of course, ‘Monkeyland’ is a metaphor for the mundane, the rut of suburban life.
Surroundings affect us; from how much light we receive, to what we see. It’s what I see that displeases me, granted there are a few houses that I pass whilst walking, that take my fancy. They are rich with character and age, they also have three floors. I think they are of the Victorian period (I’m not sure on this).
Also this particular road has huge overarching trees, which have been there since my childhood, and I’m pretty sure, are over a hundred years old.
I’m curious as to why people are so satisfied around here, why are they so pleased by their underperforming schools, their cigarettes and Sky television, and getting drunk on a weekly basis, is something that is performed with a religious zeal.
Take for instance, my local newsagent; they stock up on ‘The Sun’ a right wing conservative paper. However they have few copies of the broadsheets, and for some absurd reason don’t stock ‘The Independent’.
Not just that there’s a local McDonalds, we have two betting shops located nearby (in case one was never enough). Surely the local businesses here just show what people consume near me, a plethora of fast-food, alcohol and ignorant views printed by ‘The Sun’.
The local telephone booths get vandalised fairly often, who ever smashes the glass must get a kick out of being destructive, but given their surroundings why not?
It feels like where I am it’s a social experiment, a test of integration, identity and culture. Can all three co-exist, or will they invariably segregate themselves. I guess I just recall seeing a bus top full of people of different backgrounds and races. Yet, they were all distanced from each other; their body language was closed up and defensive.
We need literature here, we need art. We need a place for music, a place to grow. We do not need another generic shop.
Sure there’s a library but they have new books every so often; the library is losing its place in the 21st century, it needs to be modernised, it needs a better selection of literature, some cult authors and other interesting works, works that will reinvigorate people’s interest in literature.
Only we don’t get this, we get a new KFC instead.
For the times they are a-changin’ but not for the right reasons Bob.
