Can't believe I won Seventh Sanctum's ( [link] ) class act contest! Thanks everyone for the comments&favs!

I was at a holiday parade this past Saturday. It was possibly the biggest one I’ve ever been too; so many people turned up. People lined the streets with their chairs the night before, and my Grandmother and I were lucky to find a nice spot even an hour and a half in advance.

There were so many children. Instead of venturing out to the town center to view the pre-parade shows, I found entertainment in just watching the antics of the little kids who were bidding their time until the parade rolled around (no pun intended) by dancing in the streets.

There one little boy near me who captured more than my attention. With a full cotton beard and gold-rimmed rectangular glasses, he was practically Santa Clause himself. (Minus a few hundred pounds, and just as many years.) All the drivers and people on the float waved at him. They tossed candy to him, and he in turn chucked it back at whoever he was staying with- the adults too tall to stand in front without being glared at.

Beside the little Santa, there was a family; a mother and father with two little girls. The man crouched down the whole time, mindful of people behind him. But the mother had to qualms in standing up. As each float passed by, she would jump up and draw her small daughters further out into the street, pointing at them urgently. The girls just stood there, while the children all around them waved for attention on their own. I felt bad for them.

Along with candy, shiny Mardi Gras beads were being tossed out. Some got tossed our way, and the little Santa dove for them. But the vicious mother was much faster; she pushed his hands out of the way, and snatched them up for her own children. I was enraged, watching that. Honestly, what does that teach her girls? But for once, there was a little justice.

Several floats later, a woman was walking down passing out her own satchel of beads. By this time, Santa had shed his beard and glasses; she caught his attention with his mere boyish charms. She began pulling out a necklace for him, but they were tangled. She struggled for a moment, before sliding the whole chain over his neck; about ten in all. She took his head in her hands, kissing his forehead before giving him a ‘Merry Christmas!’ The little boy fingered the beads, before turning around to gawk at his family. His face had simply lit up with delight. It was a great thing to see. Finally, just a tiny hint of the idea that good things come to those who wait. (And don’t push and grab.)

Orientation is now officially over. The upperclassmen are returning, and all former confidence gained is now wavering again. It’s intimidating to walk around so many people who are sketching great things, but also very comforting to be around so many people that you know have at least one common interest.

My first class was the ‘Context Figure.’ I was half-hoping that they would expose us to the full body in increments, but then again this is college: we’re here to work hard now, there is no soft wasting of time like there was in High School. The Professor just threw him at us. We were given one hour to draw the model. The Professor wouldn’t critique us, and we weren’t to ask for feedback. Now, we had all sat down at easels circling a platform before we even saw the model. But it just so happened that I picked the seat that ended up getting the full-frontal view. It was a little awkward at first, no one making a noise. There were three things that could have possibly been going on:
One; we were being very professional.
Two; we were all embarrassed.
Three; we were slowly dying on the inside.

Or, perhaps, a blend of them all. I know I was nervous. But as soon as I put vine-charcoal to newsprint paper, I forgot all about that. I relaxed, and simply drew him like I would draw a still life. Sighting, measuring, and all that fun stuff. Which brings up another point- he stood statue-still for two increments of thirty minutes. Standing up, of all things. That’s a thing to respect in itself; I could never do such a thing. (Least of all naked.) All in all, I’m glad that was my first class. None of my classes can be more of a shocking eye-opener than that.

I’m excited for 3D Design on Friday. The only bad part about that class is apparently we have to supply all of our own things... or that’s what a friend said anyway. I’ll have to wait and see.