#junior_studio

Danielle Schmidt

Writing Share

  This semester I walked into junior studio not knowing. Not knowing what I would be doing, creating, or with what knowledge I would inquire. Little did I know, ironically, I would be walking to answer these questions. With my walk, I felt limited as to where I could go. I definitely did no want to “Forest-Gump ‘it” across the state of Texas, nor did I want to walk from my apartment that is located on campus. Out of all my favorite spots in Austin, none of which are within a mile or less from Campus. Yet, do I really know all of my surroundings? I haven’t spent much time exploring around campus because I am always searching for activities far enough away to get a break from always being on campus.  My freshman year I did not have a car, so I did a little exploring, not much, mainly to Magnolias and back. But when I brought my car down from the beautiful but cold, very cold, state of Wisconsin the following year I did nothing but travel around Austin. Hell, I would have traveled the state of Texas if I had more than a two-day weekend. But I am not at all complaining about the hot spots I’ve found.

  When my aunt from Vermont came into town, the first thing she did after checking in at the San Jose Hotel on S. Congress was rent a bike.  She told me that she biked down congress a little but mainly looked around First Street and the connecting roads.  After meeting up for dinner, I took her on a grand tour of south Austin and downtown.  I was constantly pointing out great restaurants, cool hangout places and telling her stories of whom I went with.  She told me that I was a great tour guide and that I have clearly emerged myself in the Austin culture and have tried to make it a point in doing all things that are unique to Austin.  So after getting the prompt I was hoping to find new “hot spots.”

  However, I did have a concern… Walking vs. Driving? Driving wins every time in my book. I mean hell, I drive from the apartments on campus up the big ass hill to the parking lot behind Rags. I drive this almost everyday. Not because I am late but it’s either cold or I’m just too damn lazy. By walking instead of driving you obviously are much more susceptible to discovering minor details.  Everyone knows that.  After my first walk to South First Street I discovered that residents in this area have customized their house numbers that are painted on the curb. Something I would have never noticed if I was just driving by and something I did not know you could do. My first walk was a great eye opener. And I hope to find more unique things around me as my walks continue. With my first experience going so well I came to these connecting conclusions between walking and knowing.

  Walking is knowing. Walking is also discovering new things. Walking is the feeling of total freedom. What can you discover from the ground you place one foot after another on? The trash you stumble over, the multi colored leaves crunching, the hopscotch drawn in chalk on the sidewalk, the lucky penny?  What changes or alters your experience from walking one day to another? Is it the weather, your mood, the time of day, who you are with?  I walk to discover. I walk to learn about the area in which many just pass by.  I embrace the alterations from day to day. Expecting true characteristics to pop out after a change. Walking is freedom that inhabits your soul. Sparking childhood memories, all good and some bad.

Walking is knowing. It seems like generations that follow spend less and less time outside yet alone walking. What are they missing? I mean I don’t walk religiously so I am missing possible discoveries but who is going to reinforce the connection between inquiring knowledge and the liberation of walking? Must there be an incentive to walk? Is knowledge not already desirable and priceless to have? I say knowledge is priceless yet here I am going to a private university to gain knowledge and it charges over $10 for a flavorless sandwich. Who does that? What some might not have the financial ability to go to a well-known private liberal arts university can make up with walking to discover. Walk from home to school or work, maybe take a different path each time.  

  With this realization about the variations in generations, I want to know more about childhood memories, specifically the ones outside. I remember taking my favorite childhood toy, humpty dumpty, outside in the grass and playing with him. I also loved the kiddy pools and hopscotch. I even in my first year of college, bought a rug that was actually a princess hopscotch game. I would toss the pink and purple beanbags and hop to them. I felt childish in my dorm room playing this game but I sure did smile every time. There seems to not be a greater smile than that of reminiscing in a childhood memory. Can walking bring this out of us?

  Walking is discovering new things. I am a true believer that life experience is more valuable than any book can have you just imagine. Going through an experience first hand makes you an expert. Makes you discover what the author of the book left out. You mature as you age but really you mature with life experience. Something that just reading can only get you so far. Walking is a mobile way to get out in the great big world and to open your eyes to what descriptions in a book can’t see.

  Walking is freedom. How do you define freedom? Is it entering a liquor store on the day of your 21st, walking around naked in Austin because there’s no law against it, or riding on the back of a Harley with your Raybands on? Now I realize these might be college student’s definitions of freedom, and lets be honest it’s not your first time walking into a liquor store, but I think we can all agree that freedom is an awesome feeling that sometimes we over look.  Like I said earlier generations that follow seem to spend less time outside and more time on their iWhatever, but what about the means of transportation.  What makes riding on the back of a Harley so “freeing” is the wind and uninterrupted view by aluminum doors that cars and trucks block us from.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my car and I find true joy in just cruising around with the top down and beats coming out my speakers, but I don’t get the full experience of being outside even though my windows are down. I am still confined in a “bubble” as Andréa geniusly described cars as being.  The evolution of technology is impressive but I believe the technology advancements of transportation is a never ending competition that keeps vehicles gaining more and more speed and style.  If you cant tell by now I am kind of a car fan, to say the least.  My first car was a Chevy Camaro SS.  I think I talked my dad’s ear off about Transformers that he too couldn’t resist. Man, sometimes I just miss that car. I called him Marro.  Regardless, we can all agree cars have changed. The newer models are becoming more sporty and sleek, which appeals to our generation.  I can only image that this style will continue for following generations and also it seams as if technology compatibility is an important feature to bring the iWhatevers along for the ride. 

  With new car models coming out, what does this mean for time being spent outside? And sitting in traffic is not considered being outside. I hate traffic! I am use to the open winding roads in the countryside. And honestly, I do not find the point in owning a sports car in the city. You can hardly get past fourth gear. I mean what’s the fun in that? I don’t know about you, but if I had a fire engine red Ferrari, I for sure would want to let the horses run at least every time I drove it.

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