The Empty Pursuit

Vijay Raju- The Empty Pursuit- Word Count:365

His feet padded against the wooden floor of his room as he rose from the bed. Sweat tingled from his pores, chilling his skin and leaving him in a cold shudder. His mind wandered to the dark house at the far end of the street, a relic of past solemnities and mysteries. With his eyes fixated straight ahead, he walked out into the lit street, each foot propelling his body yet retreating back in fear, fear of the dark and sooty night surrounding the old house. There it was, the streetlamps tunneling him towards its foyer, trapping and ensnaring him in a vicious grasp. Because it is what youth must discover, must rectify on their own free will that bring out the real demons and shadowy figures; stories long forgotten, fears once so visceral, now mere smoldering ashes kicked and mixed in with the dusts of history. His heart beat a slow, voluminous thud, muffled under his crawling skin. He was as much a part of the old house as its very front door, having been born in the neighborhood. He was raised with it in his sight, matured with its presences looming over his entire life to a point where it seemed as if it spoke to him, watched him. His mind snapped back to reality, he was at the front door, his feet now resting on the rotting porch supported by the peeling paint of the columns. The yard was rife with tall grass uncut for years, the entire property seemed a capsule of time forgotten, left to pickle in its own mystery, barred from dissolving into present and future and forbidden to return to the glories of the past. The stories never really changed, the past of the house, the family that once resided in it and the traces they left behind all morphed into a tale meant to scare children. He wanted to end uncertainty, end childhood and blissful ignorance, to face what lurked in blackness. So he opened the door. Liquid-black air condensed around him. Everything felt heavy, and there was no light. The entire house seemed dead, empty of even mystery itself. “It’s nothing, it’s always been nothing,” he said. “Even nothing was once something.” Said a small voice deep in the darkness….

Point: Your illusions are as much a part of you as your flesh and blood.

Outside Cultural Event #2

The second Outside Cultural Event that I attended was a collection of over 70 photographs by N. Jay Jaffee. This exhibition was located in the Library and was open to everyone. The exhibit included photos that were all black in white and were all taken in New York City during the 20^th century. The black in white photos truly astonished me because it felt as if I were actually there in that moment. The absence of color didn’t take away from the photo’s meaning; instead it gave a very authentic feel to the exhibit. Jaffee’s photographs mainly depict daily life around New York, he especially centered himself in capturing sides of different culture and values, while still drawing the importance of New York. My favorite photo was of a two boys playing with toy guns, called Boy with Mask and Gun. This was my favorite photo because even in 1955, when the photo was taken, kids were still doing what they are doing today; having fun. When I was younger I remember going outside and pretending to play war with my brothers, this photo reminded me of those memories and how even when times are changing, kids will be kids.

                Jaffee shot these photographs to almost create a time capsule of culture. He wanted future generations to see what times were like in the past. Whether they look the same or if they are completely different, we can connect to the photos. There are photos of everything from buildings and advertisement to people and their daily life’s, almost the same as it is today. I believe these photo’s are timeless and we can always look back in the past, and see the future. 

The Town by the River

The old style shops open and people begin to flood the streets. This is the daily scene of Old Ellicott City, Maryland. All types of people visit old Ellicott City, whether it is for a fancy meal in one of the various 5 star restaurants or a pleasant stroll through the historic streets. Many people during the weekend tend to be younger and looking to purchase something from the various stores littered throughout the area. During the weekdays, the older generations come out and enjoy a day of leisure walking the streets. Whatever age there’s something for everyone.  

Word Count: 98