TED.com presents Carl Honore (thanks for the pointer Eolake):
Speed, notes journalist and author Carl Honore, has become a combining form: speed dialing, speed reading, speed walking, even speed dating. Modern life is stuck on fast-forward to such an extent, he notes, quoting Postcards from the Edge, that "even instant gratification takes too long." But there’s a backlash brewing, he says, as everyday people start putting the brakes on. He concludes with the results of his own attempt to get in touch with his "inner tortoise."
While I was listening to Carl, ironically speeding through his presentation on slowing down, I got the idea that I wanted Suzy and me to place a nice industrial strength, artsy-craftsy bench in our common area for the hundreds of people who walk by our community.
So do we want a simple design, like in the bench above or something ornate like this one to the right? Whatever we get, it would be nice for it to be made of materials that don’t need annual sanding and refinishing. Both of these models are plastic but look like wood.
I think the park bench is something that we just don’t see enough of as people hurry through life, trying to get to the next thang to do. Suzy asked me if anyone would even stop to sit on the bench and enjoy the view. I think that the neighborhood would be surprised by the number of people, besides me who would indeed take full advantage of the seat.
Now I need to run it by the homeowner’s architectural committee for approval. I’ll let you know how it goes. :o)
Update: The whole deal is being squelched because of the liability associated with having a bench on the homeowner association’s property. Oh well, maybe I should move to Daphne’s world where benches are ubiquitous? Even my wife is concerned that someone would fall off the bench or run into it with their bicycle and then sue the owners. I just don’t think that way, but I’m running into the problem with the overly litigious US society more frequently. :o(
On the plus side, it saves us the ~$500 it would have cost to put a bench there. And we have a park with a beach within a mile of our place and other huge county park within two miles. Suzy and I also have a nice bench on our front porch that we really enjoy.
The Bis Key Chronicles 
Gandalfe,
The bench with the arm-rests is my favorite. Older people like a little extra support. We put a bench at the entrance of our house when we first moved in, and my mum and I enjoy sitting there with a cup of tea. You are so right about needing sanding or sealing and it is something my husband will be doing. The plastic benches DO look like wood! You have a fantastic idea, and I am sure people would take advantage of being able to sit and enjoy the view. Hope it gets approval.
Beth
I vote for the more ornate – both for looks and for comfort – I LOVE park benches – not enough of them! When I used to take my kids to the park in the Vegas heat, i used to lean against a tree while they played sometimes. Not a afun thing. Sitting on the ground was not fun because of the many (roaches) in the desert. EEEEWWWWW! A couple of years ago my family bought me a park bench for mother’s day with the green colored metal and ornate metal work. Love that bench. Thanks for coming by Gandalfe. take care ttfn ~ tressie
I love the bench idea! I think we all should slow down and enjoy the things that pass us by…literally! ;)I think that with the amount of books that we have (overwhelmingly the children’s books are beginning to outnumber our books) we could start our own library as well. :) I’m trying to encourage Emily to read books that I read as a young girl. I love to watch her read. She falls head first into a book and doesn’t emerge until she’s finished with it. I am listening to Dan Brown’s Deception Point (What a concept! Listening to a book!) and reading The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho and Because There Was a Fire In My Head by Lynn Stegner. I’ll have to admit to being pulled in by Paulo Coelho first. :) Have a great week!
Those parkbenches look great! We have an awful lot around here, i think there must be law or something 😉
The one with the arm-rests looks pretty, but i think i would prefer the one without, because that way, more people can use it (a family of five for instance).
I had never heard the music on your Space before, it is really nice.
love, daphne
I think the ornate one would look best. Too bad we live in a "poor me" society that won’t allow for something so simple as a park bench.