I really wish I knew how to form a title and body in this template. Oh well.
Somehow I was convinced to head out on New years eve to a house party across the city. Only my roommate knew who was throwing it, and even she confessed she would not know many people attending. The crowd was an interesting mix of juiced-up Beta males with delusions of chest-thumping alpha-dom, art students that made up with sheer enthusiasm whatever they lacked in social prowess, and the slightly orange-tinged barstar looking quite uncomfortable in thier semi-formal, half-size-too-small dress.
My usual daily journey leads my path in a deliberate effort to not cross with any of these people, however, it was New years, and quite trapped was I, lacking any form of ride home through the chill-20'C night. Interacting with any present was simple, predictable, and stereotypical. a knuckle crushing handshake, booming introduction, and complete lack of conversation defined every single encounter with the non art student males. the barstars weren't much better, compliments on thier "original" angel-wings-on-the-shoulder-blades can only be sincere the first few times. This social vapidness was to be expected and nothing extraordinary occurred with interacting with these "filler" people.
The art students on the other hand, were a complete surprise. Fully 90% of them were photographers and I was careful to not let slip that I enjoy taking pictures as well. With very little prodding I would recieve thier raison d'etre, inspiration, and plans for the future. A simple question of; "why do you do it?" led me to some of the most disappointing responses I've ever heard. grandiose explanations of best-laid plans and commercial aspirations were the standard reply, A means to an end. I realized right then and there why art school, though an available option, never appealed to me. I'm just curiosity with a camera, no expectations of where photography will take me, other than the next forgotten space.
The answer I was hoping for to my question, was "because I like taking nice pictures".
Somehow I was convinced to head out on New years eve to a house party across the city. Only my roommate knew who was throwing it, and even she confessed she would not know many people attending. The crowd was an interesting mix of juiced-up Beta males with delusions of chest-thumping alpha-dom, art students that made up with sheer enthusiasm whatever they lacked in social prowess, and the slightly orange-tinged barstar looking quite uncomfortable in thier semi-formal, half-size-too-small dress.
My usual daily journey leads my path in a deliberate effort to not cross with any of these people, however, it was New years, and quite trapped was I, lacking any form of ride home through the chill-20'C night. Interacting with any present was simple, predictable, and stereotypical. a knuckle crushing handshake, booming introduction, and complete lack of conversation defined every single encounter with the non art student males. the barstars weren't much better, compliments on thier "original" angel-wings-on-the-shoulder-blades can only be sincere the first few times. This social vapidness was to be expected and nothing extraordinary occurred with interacting with these "filler" people.
The art students on the other hand, were a complete surprise. Fully 90% of them were photographers and I was careful to not let slip that I enjoy taking pictures as well. With very little prodding I would recieve thier raison d'etre, inspiration, and plans for the future. A simple question of; "why do you do it?" led me to some of the most disappointing responses I've ever heard. grandiose explanations of best-laid plans and commercial aspirations were the standard reply, A means to an end. I realized right then and there why art school, though an available option, never appealed to me. I'm just curiosity with a camera, no expectations of where photography will take me, other than the next forgotten space.
The answer I was hoping for to my question, was "because I like taking nice pictures".
posted by Fyrephreak at 2:05 AM
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