what a lovely monday morning - cloudy and drizzly and perfect. we don't get a lot of these days in virginia in the summer, so i'm loving it. also, i can't believe it has been so long since i updated here. no clue why not, as i've had the time. huh. well, here i am now.
i thought i'd post a scan from one of my sketchbooks. i just finished this spread, and it cracks me up! the odd lady face is quoting me, and so i think of this a journal entry of sorts. i love the idea of visual journals, but i haven't ever found my groove with them. i'm starting to wonder if i have been putting some pressure on myself. not pressure to *keep* a visual journal, but pressure for it to look a certain way, you know? well, this is the way my sketchbook/journals look, and i might be a whacko, but there you are!
so, one time i was telling phil(husband) about how horrible it was to walk through campus when i was working at a local university. i was gettin' all worked up about how the freshmen, especially, liked to walk 7 abreast on their way to class, the cafeteria, etc.. and take up the whole dang sidewalk and *not move over* when someone was coming the opposite way, even though it was clear there was nowhere else for someone (me) to walk. i'd have to stop and let them densely bump around the sidewalk and pass by. i started getting angry about it. but you know what they say - don't get mad, get even. actually, that might now apply here. but i did take action. i thought: i'm obviously older, i'm not afraid of the teens, and they need to learn. so, i started playing Chicken. i simply would not stop walking when a large group of students approached. (let me clarify: these were not tours, they were just gaggles of students who had to go everywhere in groups) so.....when you play chicken, you have to be prepared to get into a collision. but do you ever think i did? that's right: never. invariably, the youngsters would panic and move. i believe i increased sidewalk awareness by employing this technique. but it still makes me mad and i don't even work there anymore.
anyhow, i was telling phil about it and getting all crazy and yelled out "I WILL get in in a chicken fight!" and it cracked us up hard. so that's my journal entry. like i said: whacko.
Obviously, I WILL get in a chicken fight! should be your epitaph, but I think my favorite sentence in this post is: "i believe i increased sidewalk awareness by employing this technique."
Posted by: Jessica | 06/20/2011 at 07:06 AM
This never gets old, babe. I think that was the face you made when you first told the story.
Posted by: Phil | 06/20/2011 at 07:11 AM
I like that that was the face you made when you first told the story. And I like the story.
Posted by: P.Q. Jeter | 06/20/2011 at 01:44 PM
I work at a large University here in GA and know exactly what you mean! after being pushed into a street I once admonished a group of boys for there lack of manners.
My son the Marine told me they were not taught manners and really don't know better.
Well luckily there are souls who "Will Get in A Chicken Fight!" Love your blog and this post made my day!
Posted by: Carol | 06/21/2011 at 06:19 AM
Ha! (That is all.)
Posted by: catherine | 06/21/2011 at 11:17 AM
this is great. love the colors and the story. "sidewalk awareness" is something i just wasn't conscious of until this post. you are so fearless. i'm usually the one who moves to the side.
Posted by: aijung | 06/28/2011 at 12:32 PM
Sidewalk awareness!!! LOL That is awesome.
This is a great page spread. You already have your own style, so try not to worry to much about doing a "visual journal" a certain way. Your way is the right way for you!
Smiles to you,
Briana
Posted by: Briana | 07/09/2011 at 09:05 PM