12 Days: The Backdrop

Come now, the curtain is about to recede
the backdrop poised in hope as you read
this simple re-telling, a story for the ages
may you, too, find yourself in these pages.

SYNTAX:
Nativity.
Birth, 
esp. the place, conditions, or circumstances of 
being born

Scene.
A picture or 
prospect as seen 
by a view; 
View

Song.
a melodious 
utterance, poetry, 
Verse, 
a lyric poem 
or ballad

“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” (luke 2:15)

1st Day:  Song of the Messenger
Gabriel

2nd Day:  Song of Humility
Mary

3rd Day:  Song of Faith
Joseph

4th Day:  Song of the Crowded

5th Day:  Song of the Babe

6th Day:  Song of the Forgotten
Shepherds

7th Day:  Song in the Heavens

8th Day:  Song of His Brightness

9th Day:  Song of the Seekers
the Magi

10th Day:  Song of Wonder
Mary

11th Day:  Song of Fulfillment
Simeon

12th Day:  Lullaby for a Savior 

© 2008 Haley Montgomery

W is for Whole

A whole defies mathematics.  It adds up to so much greater than two halves, especially in hearts.  Just the added “w” makes it the opposite of hole.  Where a whole is given, there can be none of the empty void of hole.  A whole is full and complete–the thing in its entirety.  A whole lends importance to anything it touches.  I should do, see, love with my whole, or not at all.

S is for Squiggles

Squiggles are squeal-fueled giggles–the language of toddlers who haven’t quite learned the words.  Some sneak out, burst, or even explode.  They have an uncanny power to multiply without effort.  They are joy that needs no articulation

Vernacular Signage

I’m starting a new blog category today called Vernacular Signage.  It reflects a curiosity I’ve had for a long time, and I have an ongoing random collection of photos to show for it.

The term “vernacular” has most often been used to describe language or architecture.  In those contexts, it represents the idioms, phrasing and built environment that has been produced within a native culture out of necessity, habit, or life experience–regardless, without the help of outside “experts.”  In my years of architecture school, we called it “architecture without architects.”  I like that description.

In my graphic design world, there is a growing interest in “vernacular typography.” I’ve seen the classification defined as “type” that is produced without the contribution of professional designers or those trained in typographic disciplines.

I’ve termed my interest as “signage” because it implies an element of communication.  It is more than the forming of letters, but also the putting together of words to make a statement. The combination of how words are chosen and ordered, and how they are drawn and visually expressed really reflects the creativity of an individual.  Dictionary.com tells me that the word “vernacular” may derive from an Etruscan word “verna” meaning “home-born slave.”  Interesting–as if the creative product is somehow inately bound to its creator, a slave from its conception.  

This creative aspect of vernacular implies a tactile quality.  I’m most interested in signage not applied by a machine, but produced, drawn, written, or painted by hand.  Yet, signage is also functional.  It does not exist strictly as a creative pursuit.  Although what’s produced may be attractive and artistic, it was not conceived as “art.”

The communication may be a hand-written note using a familiar pet name, a flyer announcing an upcoming local event, an impromptu statement of belief, a spontaneous “I was here,” or a hand-painted business sign or notice.  I’m very intrigued by the possibilites.  Stay tuned and add your comments!

“Citizen Media”

Cultural Context:  The term used to describe media content or forms produced by private citizens who are not professional journalists.  One of those forms of content is the weblog.  A Global Voices Citizen Media Summit was recently held in Budapest, Hungary highlighting issues related to citizen blogging.  Global Voices is a non-profit advocacy group that seeks to highlight significant conversations arising from existing worldwide citizen media, facilitate new citizen media outlets and foster global freedom of expression.

My first exposure to the term was reading an article last week about the Summit that wrapped up in Budapest on June 28.  I’d never heard it phrased that way (although, I’m a little behind — it even has a Wikipedia entry!) and I was shocked to realize that I am actually a member of the Citizen Media trend that has been growing across the globe.  Who knew?

An article about a document produced by Global Voices’ Rising Voices initiative called An Introduction to Citizen Media highlights the phenomenon:

“Everyday citizens across the world are increasingly using blogs, podcasts, online video, and digital photography to engage in an unmediated conversation which transcends borders, cultures, and differing languages.”

This phenomena of media has been greatly spurred by technology and the growth of the internet.  The unique perspectives and grass roots access to newsworthy situations or disaster-ridden areas provided by Citizen Media have found their place even in professional media outlets in the form of IReports, UReports, etc.

I’ll admit.  I once thought of blogging as a waste of time, or self-absorption or even arrogance  — until I decided to try it.  Now, through my own short experience in the Citizen Media corp, I have seen for myself the various perspectives of those I never would have had the opportunity to read or share my writings with.  Even a simple, uneventful account of the daily life of another broadens my world in a way that CNN never could.

Today marks the eight-week anniversary of my first post on EyeJunkie.com.  As I’ve been thinking about and evaluating my experience so far, I have prepared another post that contains some of my own personal “rules” for blogging.  But, knowing the chorus of global voices that are joining me, the pursuit is somehow larger than it was before.