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[adamantlyardent]

There is a cruel comfort in knowing that trying to talk to self-declared artists is, regardless of realm, an exercise in patience quite hard to master. I desperately do not care if one has crafted a pinwheel out of garbage, nor shall I be inclined to call it art, thank you very much.

Dare I even send this thought into this void? Perhaps I'll just be inadvertently drawing more of these sorts, eager to fuel some unconscious need to be offended and fight for their honor; it seems to be the way out on the street, in the magazines, and everywhere else...

There must be truly something to the notion of being "spoiled for choice" -- this world seems the absolute perfect example of it. Do parameters of quality even MATTER anymore when there is just so damn much of anything and no one can seem to agree at all?

Sure, why not. The ink you accidentally dripped onto your shoe is now "art."

Gods help me. Rather, someone else just kindly mark a map for me so I know how to avoid these weird avenues in the future and spare us all.

Comments

[adamantlyardent]

I suppose it depends on how deep your connections go. It's hardly a DIRECT offense so much as trying to learn from experience and avoid oversharing to strangers and assumed allies alike.

[batgirl_babs]

Hah, connections. I'll let you know if I get any.

And I'm Barbara Gordon. There, I'm not a stranger anymore. :) Just a curious busybody who likes to know stuff.

[adamantlyardent]

[a stranger with a name!!!]

To what end?

[batgirl_babs]

To get to know people better. I don't know anyone here, I sure as heck like the arts (you can take the girl out of the piano and cello lessons, but not the piano and cello out of the girl?) - and who knows, the answers might be interesting.

[adamantlyardent]

I see. So that means you are one of the newcomers, fresh to the fray?
Are congratulations or condolences in order?

[batgirl_babs]

Well, introduce yourself, maybe I'll have someone to talk to whenever I figure that out?

But yes. Freshest produce on the shelf, that's me.

[adamantlyardent]

Cecelia Ardenbury.
My tenure here is well over two years now, though I'm hardly the longest lasting. I'm not sure where to scale that in terms of vegetables, however...

[batgirl_babs]

That's a lovely name! Also, best to just drop the produce metaphor there. It only works at either end, and down the far end is not the sort of thing I want you to take from this.

So let's do something small. If a Cecilia Ardenbury were to have any painting in the whole world in her home, it would be...?

[adamantlyardent]

[after a delay:]

Perhaps something of the Silver Grove, were that possible. It's not a place of this world, however.

[batgirl_babs]

Well it SOUNDS beautiful. I'm sure it is. I take it that the place means a lot to you.

[adamantlyardent]

It has personal significance, yes. And in any case, it's a sight much more enjoyable to behold than most of what the cities here have to offer...

[batgirl_babs]

Yeah, modern architecture isn't my thing. I grew up a city girl, but it was an Art Deco city from top to bottom, really hung on to its history. If you ever see Tullio Crali's 'Cityscape', it's how I always see home.

[adamantlyardent]

If I'm recalling what Art Deco entails, then at least it includes SOME notions of nature in its design, yes? Not just concrete, glass, and steel?

[batgirl_babs]

Supposedly - the city was certainly designed with a variety of park features. Which definitely qualifies as 'some.'

[adamantlyardent]

Hopefully a better showing than what passes for a park in these cities...otherwise, perhaps, you are missing out as well as everyone else here.

[batgirl_babs]

Can't say for sure, but that's why getting out of the city on occasion is so important.

But gonna take it the words 'country gal' apply in big, bold font to you.

[adamantlyardent]

Cities are much different where I am from; people live much more in tandem with the land, as opposed to dominating it.

[batgirl_babs]

A trick I wish we could manage better. I'm sure it's beautiful, where you're from.

[adamantlyardent]

I don't have much globetrotting experience, but my understanding from reading is that there is no truly idyllic place save for fiction itself.

[batgirl_babs]

See? Now you've done it. We're going to be friends inevitably, sooner or later.

Because I smell a big reader, and they are always the best people to talk to. We need to meet up and discuss where all the hidden gem book stores are. The ones that, like the man said, are somehow bigger on the inside.

[adamantlyardent]

[is this a trap??? she suspects a trap. why so nice to a stranger what's the motive here.]

That might be doable, perhaps.

[batgirl_babs]

There's this little coffee chop in De Chima I like, I'll text you the location. They haven't kicked me out for reading yet.

[That arrives shortly, along with a small selfie. She is waving.]

And that'll be me. The dorky one with her head in a poetry book, more than likely. So whenever you're free?

[adamantlyardent]

[gods. she's not one to throw phones, but she kind of wants to yeet hers off a balcony.

why is every imPort besides herself attractive?!? life isn't fair.]

I know of the place, yes. [it's close enough to where she used to work as to not be unfamiliar...]
I suppose when I find myself in that area again...

[batgirl_babs]

Great! I'm usually there in the late afternoon, most weekdays. Hope to meet you soon!