Preconceptions

When I first moved to Florida, I drove a rust-bucket Jeep Cherokee I affectionally called: The Heap. I loved that car so much I wasn't even bothered that the A/C didn't work. Sure it's hot in Florida, but that's what car windows are for, right? One day I came up to a busy intersection with shops on four sides and multiple turn lanes in all directions. I had a choice to stop short of the car in front of me and leave a space for oncoming traffic to turn left, or I could squeeze up tight and block their path.

I chose to stop and leave the path open; far be it from me to create a worse log-jam at an already convoluted intersection. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a huge, black Mercedes illegally crossed three lanes to jump in front of me.  I couldn't believe it! How arrogant! He blocked the space where others could turn left, just to jump ahead in line. Why couldn't the driver wait (like me) until the light changed?

Who was he? Just because he drove an expensive car didn't give him the right to violate traffic rules. I guess he thought he was better than I...or at least my car. Well, I figured I'd show him. The Heap might've been ugly, but it had a fine, big engine and it loved to go fast. When the light changed and we both turned left on the highway headed back to the barrier island, I gunned the engine and sped around him.

Yeh, definitely not my finest moment, but it is what I did. We raced onward, one darting in front of the other, changing lanes and trying to move ahead. I was determined to stay in the lead and block him from cutting in front of me again. I'd show him!
Suddenly, he burst through an opening in traffic, swung around my right and immediately cut in front of me across three lanes into a left turn lane...into the hospital.

Uuunnnggghhhh! What had I done?! Was he a doctor, called for emergency surgery? A family member, summoned unexpectedly to the bedside of a loved one? A husband whose wife just went into labor?

There are no words to describe how I felt. My actions were based on incorrect assumptions. I had a preconception about a driver and his behavior. I had personally observed the facts but I didn't have the complete context. Consequently, my conclusions were wrong. How many times had I done that?!

A less dramatic example was my preconception about Sea Salt Caramel ice cream. My friend showed me the container and said "This stuff is addictive! It is so good, you can't resist!" I wrinkled my face and made some remark about the twisted mind who had ever put salt on caramel, and assured my friend that I wouldn't like it. Well, I am literally eating my words!

Do not try this ice cream unless you are prepared to be addicted! Preconceptions aside, salt and caramel work together like the A-Team. It is so good, I have to eat it with an espresso spoon to make it last longer! True confessions.

So, have you ever had a situation about which you formed an opinion that was later disproved? Maybe you were dreading a get-together and it ended up being the best time of your life. Or you were certain you wouldn't like an item on the menu but were surprised when you had a taste. What was it like? How did it feel? I invite you to consider one of your past preconceptions and depict your experience in an art quilt.

The orientation for this piece is landscape:  24" W by 18" H.

I was so much older then...

I've had a lot of preconceived ideas in my life - about how life was supposed to be and what people thought and how things all fit together. I don't know where some of those ideas came from, or how I thought life was so scripted, but there's a lot I've learned over the years and continue to learn everyday. 

When I was a tweenager, I had the good fortune (I understand, in retrospect) to study the piano.  This meant I had weekly lessons with an instructor, who, at one time, was a music professor at Kent State University.  On occasion, this meant taking my lesson on the campus.  

-from duke.edu

As we approached the building housing the music department, we would drive by the student dormitories, which at that hour of the day were busy with students coming and going and always a few perched in their open windows.  I vividly remember thinking how great it was going to be when I was one of those people, when I was wise and mature, when I had everything figured out.

Sitting and reading to my granddaughter recently, it occurred to me, all of this wisdom and maturity stuff, this having it all figured out, has been very elusive.  As I grew older, so, too, did the people that knew all of the secrets.  The people that were successful professionals or good parents, and even grandparents.  And yet, in many ways, I am still the same person that sat on the floor of the library and read this same book for the first time so many years ago.

To me, others just looked more confident, more mature and more comfortable in their roles than I felt.  I knew my doubts, my weaknesses and my shortcomings.  But then, these weren't the things that others saw in me.  

Like so many things, I think it is all about perspective, where we observe life from, which in turn leads us to many of our preconceptions.  In fact, that was the impetus behind Viewpoints 9.  It was born out of my early preconception, that we were all seeing and experiencing things in the same way.  That the idea of beautiful, or delicious, or a hot summer day, were common experiences we all shared - that we all understood - for example, like the number 4.  But, not so.  And each V9 challenge I am so intrigued how similar our challenge pieces are and how dissimilar they are at the same time.

So, thank you, Lisa-Marie.  I think of you each time I walk by the gelato in the frozen food section of the grocery store......but, I have to date, resisted :)  Which reminds me of my own food preconception.  I truly discovered sushi when I was in school in the 80's in California, and frequented a local sushi bar in town.  We were there so often that the staff and chefs knew us pretty well and were attentive to us.  One evening, the head chef came over and gave me a tip - something not all of the other customers would hear about - they had fresh uni that evening.  I'd never had uni, but knowing it was a delicacy and was something special, I knew it was going to be good.  We ordered some and it came and with anticipation, I eagerly took a taste.  To this day, it is, without question, the most vile thing I have ever deliberately put in my mouth.  The chef stood smiling, awaiting my response, while I tried really hard to not think about it, for fear it would come back.  I think he read my face and was suddenly very apologetic.  I, too, was apologetic, because I knew he thought he was doing something nice and I really didn't want to offend him.  In the end, I had to have the dish physically taken away, it was so disturbing to me.  And, again, I know it was only a matter of perspective.  I had a friend who just loved it and ate it with raw quail eggs whenever she could......vive la difference!

I can't wait to see what folks come up with for this intriguing challenge!

I am the Hag

In 1976, fresh out of school, I founded a manufacturing company.

It (still) is in an industrial area of Van Nuys, Ca.  On the way to the plant, about 6 in the morning, I'd pass Beeps, a fast food place geared towards us workers.  The Budweiser plant was down the street, where my brother in law worked the swing shift for 25 years, as well as many other businesses that ran around the clock.  One local bar had a big sign out front that said, Open at 6am!  We install and remove hangovers!

Beep's of course was open 24 hours, and I'd frequently stop by for a cup of coffee on the way in to the factory, as the food truck didn't come until 8:30.  The early shift was run by the ugliest woman I'd ever seen- she looked just like a cartoon hag, warts and all.  However, her heart was exactly the opposite.

She glowed from within, taking such a delight in the world around her that it was truly uplifting to exchange just a few words with her.  I never learned her name, or even saw her again after I broke down and got a coffeemaker at work, but I still remember her fondly after more than 30 years.

As I get older, and continue to morph into an ancient lumpen piece of flesh, I hope that strangers will be able to look past that and take the time to get to know the real me.

I'm in the middle of a very busy work related travel summer, so will probably be late with executing the challenge piece, but will probably do something on the subject of weather.  If someone in Seattle, for instance, hears of impending rain, the news might be greeted with an eye roll and resignation.

However, here, in the dry southwest, we treasure it.

stay tuned :)

Different from Our Thoughts

by Lin Hsin-Chen

I attended an exhibition in France in mid May and met many European artists. I found many groups are quite similar to our Viewpoints 9. Some of them use social network for public viewing and some of them don’t, but they have one thing in common, which is the long histories. Some of them even have been lasted for 20 to 30 years. I was stunned by their attitude and spirit of cooperation. It was truly a valuable opportunity of exchanges and I’ve seen diverse insights from them in the world of quilting, including creating styles, discussion, communication, art work publishing, obligation and cooperation between members. There’s a lot I can learned from them. 

I’m lucky to have the opportunity to visit different cities and experience various local cultures. During each journey, I often encounter something that is “different from my thoughts”, not only in quilting professions but also in trifling matters of everyday life. I always try to blend in and learned from the local people, but maybe I am not knowledgeable enough, I often feel upset and start complaining. Worst of all, the unsatisfied current situation not only affects my emotion, but also violates my creating and self-learning plans.

In fall, 2009, I visited Chicago and stayed there for 5 days to enjoy the arts and architecture and so on of this city. The Millennium Park located beside Lake Michigan let me absorb in its cultural and leisure atmosphere. What a great chance for meditation and rethink about those things that I used to complaint about! When I stood in front the tremendous work, Cloud Gate, all of the people and things looked distorted. Both our attitude and the environment keep changing, so if we don’t keep learning and adjust ourselves, maybe the friends around us would see a “distorted” person. The world is always different from our thoughts. Keep learning and accept the fact seems to be the only solution.

The sudden enlightenment in Chicago helps me a lot in dealing with people and things. Also allows me to adjust myself in a very short period of time in Europe and accept and appreciate diverse groups. Thanks to the previous learning experience that have changed my views. All my best wishes for the future development of Viewpoints 9.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G creatively

Lisa Marie, I have to say this is one tough challenge for me:  In the beginning of our Viewpoints9 Challenges, "exploring sources of inspiration and creativity" sounded like such fun, who knew it would be such w-o-r-k.

"Preconceptions" Hmmm, which modality to I switch on?  I have to thank you for the task....I think...it has been an interesting one.

I don't have a fun, poignant story like our Kate's last posting.  Being a concrete, non-abstract thinker, I've been racking my brain, digging into my past for something amusing.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending) the personal instances I can think of are largely rated non-PG, filled with tales revealing that my protagonist has to learn all her lessons the hard way.  While there are many funny, awkward, revealing, embarrassing tales, there are few I'd share here. Maybe told over a glass of wine sometime.

So, no good Kate tales.  I looked passed the personal to the political.  You remember:  the preconceived idea that the guy you voted for (and 85% or so ARE guys) would represent your district and it's interests.  Instead he somehow goes for some lobbyist's idea of 'greater good'.  Usually means someone other than the voter is getting greater.  However, I had explored this theme before when I vented about our Congress as it tumbled into a do-nothing house of words.

Yes, looking at political preconceived notions lead to severe cynicism.  To quote comedian Lily Tomlin "As cynical as I get, I can't keep up."

I then turned to much more general topics.  I can tell you this:  I'm done. (!)  The piece is completed and has been photographed.  And,  it is rated v-e-r-y G.  General audiences will not be offended and my cynicism will not show.


Here is a detail shot.

V9 Challenge 8 detail

Oh, and please celebrate with me that I completed this challenge a month early....as opposed to the last one that I finished one month late.  There:  balance reclaimed.  Noteworthy for me.

Awkward Beginning

This is a tough challenge, I'm not sure if I have a grip on it even now.  But an old story came up during a conversation with friends - the first time I met my now-husband, Tom.

Before we met, Tom's reputation as a serious sailor preceded him.  My team decided to recruit him to help us win Spring Regatta.  Tom was on the Yugoslavian National Sailing Team before moving to America.  He had his own racing boat and was described as a ruthless tactician, focused, professional, disciplined, and NOT a fan of shenanigans during a race.

To put it nicely, our team "2 Thirsty" was pretty relaxed on discipline during races.  There was always a lot of chatter and joking around.  At one point we actually had a keg on board.  No way was Tom racing with us like that, so we had to get rid of the keg.

When the race began, it was clear who was calling the shots.  Those of us on the rail were there for weight and not to share our opinions about strategy.  I don't think I said a word the whole time.  I was so nervous that when we crossed the finish and heard the gun, I didn't even realize we had won!

Everyone was yelling and moving around, so I started to relax a bit.  I saw Tom coming over to me, but before I could think he hugged me!  I just froze.  He picked me up with this big smile and said "Wooo hooo! Nice job!"  I almost said "for what?" but I was too shocked to speak.  A second later, he had moved on and was congratulating everyone else on the boat.  Once I saw how much he was able to let go of stress and celebrate a victory, I felt kind of stupid for being afraid of him.

The image I had of him was correct, sort of.  It was only one side of him.  He was totally focused and serious during the race, chasing a goal and making decisions.  But once the goal was reached, he transformed into a fun-loving, smiling, cutie pie.  Hmmm… quite cute, in fact. 

He still kids me about it, teasing me that I tried to jump into the ocean to avoid talking to him.  Not true!  But I admit back then I didn't handle unexpected hugs too well.  I'm better at it now. :-)

Travel preconceptions

The challenge set by Lisa-Marie is just as difficult as any other our group has tackled! Lisa-Marie was very open and honest in talking of her preconception in regard to the driving incident of the past.
I am feeling uncomfortable thinking about preconceptions I've had in the past related to people- how wrong we can sometimes be! I've now adopted the attitude that most people have an interesting story to tell if we have the time to listen.

However I can also relate the preconceptions theme to travel, having just arrived home from 5 weeks in Europe, mainly France and Slovakia.

The Eiffel Tower, such an iconic symbol of Paris and indeed France. It is used to death on t-shirts, posters and a multitude of souvenirs. We waited in line, like other visitors, to reach the second floor for a magnificent view over  Paris. Before we arrived at this level we had imagined sitting with a cup of coffee, quietly relaxing and taking in the view.

How wrong could we get! The atmosphere was one of push and shove to get the view and the café area was very uninviting and unappealing to us. We could not get to the third level, as this was very popular and closed to further visitors for an hour or so.
Instead we chose to go elsewhere for our coffee and had a great lunch too, without the crowds!