the beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Well people, the job hunt is still in full swing. I have sent out a stack full of resumes this week already (can it still be a stack if they are all digitally sent through website and email?) and will probably send out a few more before I allow myself to put on my costume for the upcoming festivities of Halloween. 

In the meantime, I have been attempting to keep myself busy. A good friend came to visit this weekend and we had a blast, exploring both Black Mountain and downtown Asheville. We wove up and down the busy Saturday streets, popping in and out of shops that promised excitement and fun from sidewalk displays and window trimmings. But now, alas, the week has begun again and company is all gone. I’ve returned to the long days of reading and puzzle completing. While fun, these activities remind me of my 86-year-old Gram. Even retired, she seems to have more on her to-do list than I do, at least from where I’m standing.

Luckily, mostly because of a fabulously talented (and employed) friend, I have been given the opportunity to write a piece for my home town newspaper. Each month they produce a supplementary magazine that reflects on the community in creative and artistic ways. The theme is “Get-Away” and my angle is describing the “Lifelong Love Affair” that I have with the mountains (yes the piece is intended for the February issue hehe).

It’s been hard to get back into the writing mindset. Writing is something I had to do often throughout college. As an English and Journalism major, papers were expected and had to be cranked out every week or so. I’ve made my way through many english classes and journalism classes, not to mention the random creative writing class thrown in every now and then for good measure. I’ve given speeches that demanded draft upon draft for church and school alike.

This piece, not yet completed, has given me a bit of trouble. Not knowing exactly what is expected is difficult. And yet, I’ve enjoyed it immensely. Writing about what I know. Writing about a place I can truly call home. Writing about the life around me. It’s forced me to look beyond the cozy cafes I have found comfort in. It has pulled me out of my little box and demanded that I explore different streets, different views, different lifestyles.

The success of any artistic endeavor is subject to the widely differing opinions of the viewers, readers and/or listeners. The audience can make or break you solely depending on their individual perspective. Arguably, there will always be some sort of standard. Does it present a story, is it well written, is there technique in the dance or song, is the painting pleasing to see or does it pull some emotion out from the viewer. But, I still submit to you that even this, even at the most basic level, this is filled with a subjectivity that is often hard to deal with. While one might tell you a work is complete crap and does not paint that ever desirable picture, another might proclaim the work to be beautiful and full of emotion. 

“The beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Lucky me. Between my photography and my writing, I am dependent on the ever changing, ever clashing opinions of the masses.