Waking up in Vegas

Katy Perry popularised the catchy song, but until recently that's all it was. Then I saw the video version and realised that it carried a powerful message. Her Vegas setting is an allegory for our dreamscapes and illusions, the utopian places where all our dreams can be fulfilled and where we all live happily ever after.

Our beautiful young singer goes to Vegas with an actor who is renowned for his dodgy roles - he is far from good looking, unkempt and beneath her. Yet in her illusionary state all is forgiven and they enjoy abandoned love as they soak up all the allures of Vegas.

Then she wakes up, sees what is next to her and realises that all her dreaming was just one big fantasy - and even then the fantasy involved a frog not a prince.

It is a provacative illustration of the illusions that are driving our culture to the edge - only the frog in the real story is a devious serpent.

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net