The Irony of Everyday Life

Human beings are interesting creatures.

Going back to my first post, I spoke of the fact that many of us in JOUR 1550 have all of the same classes together, yet we barely know each other. After a month of being in school this semester, two full semesters previous and a lot of classes together, I still find it ironic how awkward people are. Whether it be passing someone on the street or avoiding sitting next to someone in a class, the habit of humanity is a very interesting aspect to explore.

For example:
You're walking down Wisconsin Ave. to your 12 p.m. class. You're just passing Raynor and a person that has been in atleast four of your classes is walking toward you. A couple of those four classes were of very small size. The person continutes toward you, looking every direction possible except at you. As the two of you finally pass each other, this person either looks up quickly and gives a small smile, or just keeps walking on by with their head down.

What? Awkward.

Individuals show a very distinct discomfort while walking on the street. I will admit to doing the same. It's an intriguing couple of seconds leading up to passing someone you "semi-know". Your mind kicks into high-gear and you start to think "Do I say hello to them?", "Should I just smile?", "Maybe I'll just put my head down and act like I don't see them."  These are common thoughts that go through everybody's minds on a typical walk to class. Even the most outgoing individuals fall victim to these mind games.

In order to change this, we need to revert back to a more comfortable time of years ago. A time when saying hello to a passerby was common courtesy and when ignoring someone you have seen/know was something only done out of anger. As college students, we are supposed to be more comfortable with ourselves than in the odd stages of high school. We need to not worry about what others will think or whether or not the person opposite us will wave back. Just do it. It will cause a lot less stress on the walk to class and there's absolutely nothing to lose.

I'm Falling Behind! Frantic.

This post is late. I've had some family issues to deal with over the past week, so I really haven't been able to get very much done.

For last Tuesday, we were supposed to tell a story in photos. While I was in Ohio at my grandmother's funeral, I made a photo of a pink carnation that came off the top of her casket. I was actually very happy with it(it was really artsy and I wish I was cool like that more often). I felt it would symbolize the story of my grandmother's life. Even with her old age, she still thrived with life and was one of the most beautiful individuals I have ever known. The carnation portrayed the beauty of life and that even when it is over, not all is lost. There are memories and laughs that can be looked back upon. My grandmother was an amazing woman, and with her passing, I felt the most important story for me to tell was one involving her.

Unfortunately, I left my camera at my Aunt's house in Ohio...therefore I need to make another picture. Disappointing.

I've never truly thought about the art of photography in its truest form though. Yes, individuals of all ages take pictures in order to record their lives, but photos can mean so much more than that. The way photography has developed and grown over the many years astonishes me.

While I was in Ohio, my cousins and I spent a good amount of time creating picture boards for the viewing. We rummaged through photos dating back to the 1930s. It was amazing to see the contrast in those images to the ones of today. Although they were black and white, some tarnished and some bent or folded, there was one thing that remained the same in every picture. Spirit. Even in the pictures of 70 years ago, the same individual spirit of now shone through. People of then not only laughed the way we do now, but they even posed and came across similarly in the photos. It was hilarious to see my grandma at the age of 20 posing provocatively(jokingly) for the camera. It brought her to life in a way that I never had known or seen.

Photos are not simply for recording events, they are for bringing life to a moment and broadening our horizons to things we might not have even known otherwise.

Photography. Not my area of expertise.

Warning: This will be a little different...

So the past couple of classes have been dedicated to photography. Am I good at photography? No. Am I decent with photoshop? Yes. The kid sitting next to me definitely knows photography and photoshop.

But in complete honesty, to me personally, the idea of photography simply depresses me. One might ask, "Why would the art of producing beautiful photographs make you sad?" There is a simple answer. By saying it, I will most likely paint a pathetic picture of myself, but oh well. I am a person of association and strong emotions, and when I am reminded of something from my past, I struggle with it.

My ex-boyfriend of over two years was incredible at photography. As a freshman at Notre Dame, he already was on the field for football, basketball and soccer games making great pictures. Now, in his junior year, he is the Photo Editor of the newspaper and covers everything from lectures and speeches to athletic events to simply photographing the beautiful campus.

Not only does he make wonderful pictures at school, but fills his time outside of school(breaks and summer) with photo shoots of our friends and the surrounding area. In accompanying my family and I on vacation three times, he took some of the most breathtaking pictures of Corolla, NC I have ever seen. Together we did many photo shoots and he attempted to teach me how to take worthy pictures on multiple occasions.

As dumb as this all may sound, I was absolutely in love with him and even now, 9 months after breaking up, I still am. He was my first love and will always be a part of me. Therefore, when I spend multiple classes learning about something that he feels such a burning passion for, it simply makes me feel nostalgic and sad. I miss him and miss seeing his love for photography among many others things. These past couple of classes have made me revisit this after I had worked so hard to push it from my mind.

After taking that little trip down memory lane, it can be said that this is merely another instance of not knowing the many deeper thoughts and secrets of those around you. How many other people have some sort of odd connection to photography or other things we will eventually learn in class? What are others' thoughts? How well do people hide their emotions? I know I hide mine very well. But like I said, this is just another way of showcasing the fact that we have much to learn about each other. We might not learn much of personal lives, but it is comforting to know that at least one other person throughout the course of the class will probably have some sort of deep thought in relation to the curriculum that is not to be revealed.

Reflection and Looking Forward

Looking back on the past two weeks, a whirlwind of events have occurred. I returned back to the oh-so-wonderful MKE, orientated a group of fantastic new students, settled into my OWN life, got my wallet stolen and began a few classes that I have extremely high expectations for. It amazes me that all of that can happen in a mere two weeks. Looking forward, I cannot even begin to comprehend the events that will take place over the course of the year...especially in Digital Storytelling 1550.

What sounds like a fairly normal and straightforward class, turns out to be a highly entertaining adventure with unexpected words with every moment. From the first class filled with witty jokes, not-so-awkward introductions and many shared laughs, it seems as if the two hours of class every Tuesday and Thursday provide promising friendships, knowledge and enlightenment. 

On the second day of class, we all revealed a specific story about ourselves. Tales ranging from dogs to liberal bias to joys of concerts filled silence within the room. Although it was refreshing and interesting to learn things about people that if it weren't for the class, probably wouldn't ever be known to each other, my favorite part was seeing a different side to the people that fill so many classes of mine. Being of similar majors, we all know that we have seen each other before, taken the same classes and have even been in some of the same discussions. We're all facing the same assignments, tests and boring lectures. These people that have merely seemed like distant subjects for over a year now are finally having their individualism unveiled. 

In my opinion, one of the most rewarding things in life is learning of others' passions, dislikes and quirks. It is always a wonderful surprise to learn something unexpected of someone, and be able to give something of the same in return. I strongly believe this class will offer that in a wide array of ways. Whether it be in regards to learning of each others' strengths in storytelling, or even just of personal characteristics and personalities, something new and different will occur over the course of each session. This sets 1550 apart from other classes-the interaction that will take place and the things learned will not only help us in our studies and our futures, but it will help us to see others for who they are, what they do, and their eternal greatness. 

So the above is what this blog is about-the greatness of others, the trivial aspects of ourselves while in class, and the utter eccentricity that will surely come from it. 

Enjoy :)