Hitchhiking with Art Supplies

Last night, the manager of Utrecht stopped by one of our art classes to talk about some of their products and I started thinking about my relationship with Utrecht. I am sorry to say that while I have mostly positive feelings for Utrecht, our relationship has been entirely based on location. Hahaha... memories are starting to flow over me like an ink wash, swept across the page with a medium bamboo brush!

Two years ago

I had a hard time

Finding Warehouse 10

I asked for directions

Even university employees

Didn't have a clue

It's the back side of Campus

Where you don't want to be

Especially at night

Even if you have the code

Especially when you have

To carry a 30lb pad of newsprint

Along with a giant folder

And a giant bag of supplies

Especially when

You don't have a car

I was given a list

A list

That is too long

A list

That is too expensive

A list

That is too confusing

A list

That requires a trip

I planned

Every outing

Down to every

Detail

You have to

When you take

Terrible transit

9:15 - Leave apartment

9:30 - Catch bus #24

If that bus doesn't come...

10:30- Catch bus #24

10:25- Arrive at Metrorail station

10:28 - Metrorail Leaves

If you miss the train...

10:40- Metrorail Leaves

Then walk

Walk underneath

The train tracks

Listen to rush, rumble, tumble above you

It won't last long

Mind Your Own business

Ignore the homeless

Ignore the cat-callers

Ignore the old men

Wait for bright light up sign

Look for cars

Hope the cars stop

Hope the cars stop

With right on red

Long enough to cross

One, two, three, four, five, six

It might be lunch time by now

Luckily, McDonald's is on this corner

Finally, Utrecht

Pearls was further away

Find everything I need

Nice store

Helpful staff

Student Discount

Now the hard part

Getting Back!

Sailing down

A1A

In the sun

Big drawing board

Sways in the breeze

I sway under the weight

Drop it

Pick it up

Drop it

Pick it up

Zooming Zooming Past

Truck!

Move out of the way

"Hey, girl"

Stare

"Hey, You look like you need a ride"

Stare

"Look"

"Here is my license"

"See my name"

"It's the same name on my truck"

Stare at the truck

"See it's also on my shirt"

Stare at the shirt

"This is my business"

Penetrating Stare into face

"Well, Ok"

"You can take me to the Metrorail station"

Next Year

Bus #8

One bus

Bus #8

Jerry's Artorama

Cheaper

Can't find anything

No one to help

No one knows