drawing | matchbox

♪♫♫ learned how to get along ♫ ♪♪ has more to do with matchboxes than you would think at first hearing. let's start with the fact that the town i live in has a thing with matchsticks and matchboxes. like, a huge thing. CITE UNAL is an uptown area littered with comely scandinavian and belgian designed villas, at the time built to accomodate international union match staff. 

the area is a fine one to take a stroll in. i for one love climbing the winding path leading absolutely nowhere. but what joy to be peeking through luxurious blinds for just a moment, all while leisurely ascending. why the song though? when clubbing in the eighties, the belgian pop group scabs was big. big as matchsticks and matchbox cars. one of their biggest dance hall hits was called matchbox car. 

i'm not into matchbox cars, although i have a few favourite ones. they may however be a telltale more of my favourite city, than orchestrate a belated passion for miniature toys. turn this whichever way, matchboxes are terribly belgian. i bought a few vintage ones last year in a local thriftshop {image right below}. ofcourse you are familiar with the designs, you've held them, most probably. know that when you do, you actually hang onto belgian nostalgia pur sang, and i am breathing in your neck. ☻

geraardsbergen has its very own matchbox museum, no kidding. passionates around town owning thousands of boxes is no exception here. yeah, we're weird like that. last december t. sent me this tiny box, in which santa, a mouse and a bird delivering mail reside, snuggly pressed side by plywood side when alongated. it made my adult heart melt, both contents and box. let's try not to dither withal.

.. but simply add i happened upon laura stoddart's exquisite OFF THE BEATEN TRACK quotes book in my bedroom poetry section, as one stumbles upon proper stuff at the right moment. not always, last night i did. these honeys may not be sleeping in matchboxes, but imagine? the sheer happiness to extend limbs between crisp sheets? arrghghg. my above matchbox scene is a modest attempt at using an original matchbox for a far quirkier goal: showing off my nighttime man! eric, the hero, third time challenger. thxs!