“Any able actuary actually acquires accomplishments after an anniversary and after artistic antics” -Assumably an Actuary
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Wednesday, Sept. 24
As an experienced college student with a full five week tenure I feel compelled to brag about my newfound sense of direction at and around Virginia Tech. A typical Wednesday consists of a minimal amount of walking if you’re me. Admittedly, I spend the majority of Wednesday mornings inside of Turners studying and doing work for virtual classes. Additionally, my Wednesday evenings are full considering I have work directly after my Python class. Although both those things occurred today as well I had to make a mad dash through the campus to stop by Owens in between Linear Algebra and Python. And while I was scurrying around campus I looked down at my phone and realized I didn’t have google maps up. Actually I hadn’t needed to use google maps in weeks. After weeks of cringing when I saw how obviously you could spot me as a freshman based solely on the phone in my hand and held up to my face I’d evolved into a frantic blond girl sprinting across campus with an Amazon package and somewhat steadfast confidence. (180)
“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” -The buffaloing buffalos of Buffalo, New York
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Monday, Sept. 29
Being a creature of habit creates strife when thrust into new environments with new expectations. Before, my car was always just a few steps away, ready at a moment’s notice. But here, I had to walk ten minutes just to reach it, which felt strangely inconvenient. Barely driving for weeks made commuting seem distant and unfamiliar. Because walking replaced wheels, I noticed how much I had relied on quick access accustomed to an attached garage. By the end, I realized how disorienting it can be when daily conveniences suddenly disappear. (90)
“Cool cats can’t create constitutions cause communication can cause covid, consequently creating chaotic circumstances. ” -Cantaloupes
2.28 War Memorial Chapel; Image and Text; Tuesday; Sept. 30
Considering my mother’s employment at our local church and her audible disappointment when I didn’t go to church the first Sunday I made the journey there for church the following week. Concededly, I went more out of obligation than genuine desire. Cruising along the same path I took today, I walked to the chapel that day and continued the same walk again today. Cautiously, I sat above the chapel because I knew my parents were tracking me. Cold weather convinced me to actually go inside for the service since sitting above the building provided a pretty view but no shelter. Considering myself someone with no architecture or arts experience, I can’t really speak on the decorations within the chapel. Churches I’m familiar with are a lot less metaphorical with their art and often just depict their deities as a crucifix or show Mary with her Immaculate Heart without bothering with a giant hand that kinda resembles the shell in The Birth of Venus but it’s a hand(???). Consequently, I don’t really take that building seriously solely because of the statue. (180)
“Dover Delaware doesn’t do dancing donuts during December days, deliberately delaying delicious desserts” -Dancing Dan
3.19 Considering Gender; Audio File and Text; Wednesday, Oct. 01
During a group walk back to everyone’s respective dorms today at like 2 am, anti rape techniques became our main topic of conversation. Dancing up and down the stairs one friend announced that she drank two liters of lemonade earlier so that if attacked she could gross out the assailant. During that exchange she decided that rape alarms were for suckers who could remember to take them out of one bag and into another so she began shouting as loud as possible. Deeply eerie as it sounded, the recording couldn’t capture how crazy robotic her voice appeared to us. Deliberately, we practiced walking with heightened awareness and 2 am levity while trying to get my friend back to her dorm. Despite no gender being fully safe from rape, it’s sad that a group of teenage girls felt the need to discuss what would happen if it occurred, and it’s sad we had to walk together as a group until the last people reached their dorm and went inside considering this campus is our home and should be a safe space. (180)
“Everly effervescent Emma effortlessly explains exponential equations ensuring each eager ear eagerly enjoys every enlightening example.” – Emma!
2.09 Hahn Horticulture Garden; Image and Text; Monday, Oct. 07
Elaborate assignments from a one credit class should be expected considering how rigid expectations are yet there was no warning for me when I suddenly realized I needed a portfolio of nature photographs before the end of a fortnight. Every aspect of the garden was beautiful so it wasn’t difficult to acquire aesthetic photos, but it was nice to manufacture a moment where I could appreciate my surroundings within this beautiful campus. Essentially, I had never been there before and didn’t actually realize how giant and pretty it was there. (90)
“Fervid friends form friendly forums fostering fellowship, forging fruitful futures finally feel fulfilled.” -Fancy fellas
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Tuesday, Oct. 07
Frequently I find myself out and about with others when all of a sudden I remember that tomorrow morning will require waking up eventually. Finding myself on route from the newman library my astigmatism started progressing more than is typical. Futilely I tried to explain to a friend what it looked like and how the lines were longer now than normal. Finally I took that photo because I didn’t remember that google was a thing. Finding differences in something as universal as sight was impactful for me and our bonding. (90)
“Gentile Giants gracefully gathered grooming green gardens” -Gerald
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Thursday, Oct. 09
Going from the dining hall, we sprinted across campus togeter, my friend worried about being late. Gasping, we dodged people and bikes, legs burning, hearts racing. Gliding around corners, we finally reached our destination. Grinning, she said we weren’t late after all despite her fears. Giggling, she suggested I pose for a photo. Gradually putting things together I realized I only assumed we’d be late because of her nerves. Gaining insight from asking, I soon found out that the bible study started in forty minutes and her panic was unfounded.
“Heroic hikers hurriedly headed high hills, hauling heavy hampers, humming hopeful harmonies.” -Harry (Potter)
Original Prompt; Video and Text; Friday, October. 10
Having concluded a birthday party, with seventy balloons between us. Hovering carefully, we tapped most of them to Callum then taped balloons onto the balloons on Callum, until the rest of us could comfortably hold what remained. Heading past dorms, the balloons made us the strangest sight most people saw that day. Happily, we strolled slowly, asking people we passed if they wanted one. Having a stroke of genius, I started telling people it was an anti hazing campaign and that taking a balloon would free Callum from hazing’s chains. (90)
“Inquisitive idealists immersed in isolated islands, investigating invisible insects” – Intuitive Individuals
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Tuesday, October. 14
I grabbed my phone and headed to the garden, to take photos for my agriculture class portfolio. I wasn’t used to focusing on plants (I’m a CMDA and Math major) but I was in a class which asked me to be. I framed shots carefully, thinking about composition, light, and angles, trying to make the images look intentional rather than random. I noticed patterns and symmetry in the inherent beauty of nature and focused on that. I ended the session with a few strong photos that captured both color and structure. (90)
“Jubilant jaguars jauntily journeyed, jumping jungles, juggling jade jewels, joining joyful jackals” -Jackie
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Thursday, October. 16
Joyfully journeying back to my hometown, I happily rode in the passenger seat while someone else drove. Jamming out to musical theater, we sang along to every song, laughing at missed notes and exaggerated performances. Jokes popped up between songs, keeping the mood light as we drove through familiar streets and highways. Just seeing familiar buildings and landmarks made the trip feel comfortable and easy. Joy built with each mile as we shared music and lively conversation. Just before arriving, we all realized how much fun the ride had been. (90)
“Keen kangaroos kicked, keeping kiwis, kindly knowing kindness.” -Kendra
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Thursday, October. 18
King George, Virginia is the county where I grew up. Keeping with the traditions of smaller towns it is impossible to not know everyone, everywhere you go. Kinship formed after years in the one high school we have predated by more years in the one middle school we had made this homecoming a bit of a public event. Knowing what time the theater kids would begin to assemble for the days performance and knowing that it was the exact same time I agreed to pick my sister up from band practice, I walked into the high school with zero difficulty. Kitted out with gifts and candies I had the chance to walk around the halls of the place where I spent the last four years of my life. Kind underclassmen explaining all of the new things the theater program got and all the problems which arose during rehearsals. Kinda cried a little bit during the show because the whole ordeal was such a blast from the past but I love all of them so much and couldn’t be more proud. (180)
“Lively lions love living, laughing, loving, leading legendary lives” -Leo
Original Prompt; Video and Text; Thursday, October. 20
Lowkey keep forgetting about this assignment. Like, every time I’m walking I’m in my own head instead of focusing on being introspective. Literally makes no sense since that’s where introspection happens but I digress. Lounging about campus with my friends is different though. Looking out for them/keeping up with antics makes me see more than just where I plan to put my feet next. Loving vibing with them despite only knowing them for a few months. Loving every single one of them and am so glad I met them. (90)
“Making mankind must’ve made many mad” -Macho men
Prompt 2.16 Waiting in Line; Image and Text; Tuesday, October. 21
Making plans is final and absolute for me once they’re in my calendar. Many would not have gone to the “Edikted” pop-up after finding out the person who asked them to keep them company slept in, but I was already committed in my mind. Maybe one of my dumber moves, I waited in that stupid line for well over an hour all alone. Months must’ve passed as I stood there watching other girls let friends of their cut in the line ahead of me. Maybe I’m too spiteful for boredom. (90)
“Nervous newts nibbled neon noodles near noisy narwhals” -Nice
Prompt 2.17 Desire Paths; Image and Text; Thursday, October. 23
Never have I been so frantically rushed that I felt that maybe saving less than 10 seconds was worth cutting the path. Noteworthily, once my entire Kindergarten gym class was punished because two kids got in a fight and a bunch of us cut the corner (a big no-no) instead of going all the way around her. Neither of the fighters were given a bigger punishment because Ms. Libby was more mad that we cut corners. Naturally, she expected 4 year olds to be able to run for 5 minutes straight, no stopping, no slowing down, and no cutting the corner of the track (if anyone broke any rules the timer would be reset). Now I think about that every time others take shortcuts. Not because I cared for the gym, or the teacher, and not because I’m judging others but because my impressionable mind associates shortcuts with not being allowed to stop running for the rest of the block. Now, I have cardiovascular issues and understand why I was always more miserable than those around me and she’s retired. (180)
“Old otters organized outrageous outdoor obstacle outings” -Octopuses
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Saturday, October. 25
Outside of scouting I’ve never really done any community events. Occasionally my county would have a festival/vendor day but I’d always be working a booth to recruit. On a similar note my troop would give away pancakes at the summer farmers market most weeks. On days I wasn’t volunteering I’d be out of town. Often I don’t actually get to experience the arts within my community. Occupying the Blacksburg farmers market gave me the chance to meander and engage for the first time despite it being for a project. (90)
“Proper people peel pears partially pre-palpation” -Princesses perhaps
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Monday, October. 27
Prompted by a friend at Dartmouth I was showing her all of the Autumn-y sights on campus while on face time. Particularly careful, I complained about how random the weather was while shivering into the phone because despite being comfortable when the walk started I was swiftly chilled. Probably with a lot more class than I could ever possess she told me about her time in New Hampshire. Patriots might not realize this but it is actually exponentially colder there than in Virginia due to its proximity to the arctic. (90)
“Queenly quails queued quickly, queries quenched” -Questionnaires
Prompt 2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Image and Text; Thursday, October. 30
Quiet mornings before rain often bring a dull pressure to my head. Quick shifts in the air let me know what’s coming long before the clouds do, almost like a quiet signal that only I can feel. Quiet patterns like this stopped surprising me years ago, though they still shape how I plan my days. Questions about why it happens don’t bother me much anymore, since no one ever seems to have a clear answer anyway. Quaint advice to “just rest” makes me smile, because after more than a decade, it’s second nature to pace myself and keep going. Quite often, I go about my day anyway, moving a little slower but still managing fine. Quiet breaks help when the ache lingers, and softer light makes everything a bit easier. Quicker storms pass without much fuss, leaving me tired but calm. Quite simply, rain and migraines have become constant in my live. Quick hurricanes, which many ignore, can leave me bedridden for days. Quite literally, it’s frustrating but oddly helpful, a personal weather forecast I can rely on and utilize. (180)
“Rowdy raccoons raced rapidly round rusty railings” Randy
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Friday, October. 31
Rocky Horror Picture Show, when performed by Blacksburg shadow cast has a star trek reference and I nearly died of joy. Recounting the star trek lore to explain my costume all day wasn’t the goal but when one stranger told me they liked “Whichever version of Dax” I was I nearly died of joy (considering I was an AU Dax I invented) and telling people why that was an option was a bit tiring. Regretfully, I only encountered that one person who understood the lore but it was worth it. (90)
“Silly snakes sang softly, sipping strawberry smoothies” -Sisters
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Saturday, November. 1
Stupid West End doesn’t let their employees leave through the main entrance/exit even if its several hours past close. Since I live in the building attached to West End this is especially inconvenient considering it turns a 0 second walk into a 2 minute one in the cold. Sincerely, I truly think this is stupid and I hate it and also nobody cares what I think and also I haven’t actually asked if I could have an exception because of my living in the building because I am afraid. (90)
“Tiny turtles tiptoe through tall tulips” -Tolley
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Sunday, November. 2
Though I spent the majority of Halloween weekend sleeping/working a bunch of people came in from out of town to visit. Travel is actually quite scary at our age (maybe just for me cause I’m a cautious driver) and its obviously sad to walk away while everyone you spent the weekend with stays behind. To be as kind as possible a caravan of people walked to the parking garage as chipper as possible on a Sunday morning. Trying to make a sad moment positive we laughed through the end. (90)
“Unicorns usually use umbrellas under unusual ultraviolet universes” -Ursula
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Monday, November. 3
Usually I respect teachers and their assignments cause everything that they assign they also have to grade and I’m wordy so sucks to suck. Unfortuanately, my LLC 1 credit class teacher thinks that none of us have other classes or commitments and I spent a startling amount of time watching visiting lecturers for a grade, outside of class, with 24 hours warning notice, and no way to opt out for a different assignment. Ultimately the donuts provided at this event quenched my anger, but like only by a little bit. (90)
“Vivacious velvet vultures valiantly vanish via volcanic valleys” -Violet
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Tuesday, November. 4
Vivid colors from the hallway lights greeted me as I packed up my things. Vanishing sunlight wasn’t something I expected when I looked out the window. Venturing outside at 6:15 p.m., I blinked in surprise at the dark sky. Vehicles passed with headlights on, and it felt much later than it was. Voices from other students echoed down the path as we all noticed the same thing. Various streetlights were already on, casting long shadows across the parking lot. Vanishing daylight really snuck up on me this semester. (90)
“Wiggly walruses waltzed while whispering whimsical words” -Watchers
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Wednesday, November. 5
While I may be a die-hard boy scout/eagle scout/grand slam recipient there will always be one aspect of scouting which triumphs over all others, NYLT. Wearing my NYLT merch is inevitable because it is half my wardrobe but I must admit the hat is too much. When at camp that hat and jacket and shirt (not pictured) are my uniform but in that moment I felt excessive and overdressed. Which is ridiculous considering I’m literally wearing a baseball cap and thats as dressed down as one can get. (90)
“Xenophobic xylophones xeroxed x-rays” -Xenon
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Thursday, November. 6
Xander’s name popped into my head as I left Bible study, because I knew today was going to be ‘x’ in my walking journals. Xander could probably have once said the walk back from BCM was long and creepy. Xander probably wouldn’t bother calling anyone (he is imaginary and presumably, a dude after all), but that’s not relevant, and I don’t believe I could fight off an attacker in my ice cube state. Xander is not a person I know, unfortunately, so I called my best friend, Breslin. Xander and Breslin are probably similar (if he were a real person whom I met on a cruise and lived in Florida) and would both pick up my call to virtually keep me company and call for help if I started screaming. Xander would probably be upset that I called Breslin first, but I did it anyway since she is a real person whose number I have. Xander has also not been met by Breslin, but I hear he is friends with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so his social life is fine. (180)
“Yodeling yetis yanked yellow yo-yos yesterday” -You
Original Prompt; Image and Text; Saturday, November. 8
Yawning as the sun rose, I decided to head to the farmers market early. Yesterday’s chill had vanished, leaving the air surprisingly warm for November. Yielding to the sunshine, I ditched my jacket for a tank top and carried my bag with a grin. Yarns and apples filled the tables, their colors glowing brightly. Young kids and dogs filled the area creating a community atmosphere, laughing in the heat. Yellow leaves clung stubbornly to trees, probably confused by the warmth. Yet somehow, the day felt perfectly right despite the heat. (90)
“Zany zebras zigzagged zestfully, zooming zealously” -Zane
Zephyrs whispered through the trees as I opened my eyes after sleeping for mayhaps longer than normal. Zigzagging flakes coated the ground in sparkling white with a few staying unmelted. Zombies of yesterday’s routines seemed to pause in awe. Zooming thoughts ran through my mind about accidentally sleeping for two months because there is no way it’s snowing already. Zany shapes formed on the windowpane where frost clung. Zippers and scarves suddenly felt essential as I stepped outside. Zipping through the morning, I realized the day had become unexpectedly magical. (90)