1. The biggest prize I ever won was a computer for a Design an Ad contest for the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer newspaper. I was even competitive and driven back then. I actually had entered the year before and was featured, but didn’t win. The second year, I came up with a concept and really thought about ad copy and design. At this point in my life, I had a basic understanding of ads and layout and that is what you see here. I guess I always intuitively had a graphic style to my artwork even before that, so it makes sense that I’m a graphic designer now. Anyway, the computer was a Hewlett Packard (not really all that great, but it did the trick at the time). I took it to college with me. I remember at the time, I got no recognition for this at my high school. They only seemed to focus on announcing sports recognitions. My high school wasn’t known for it’s academics, really, and they didn’t stress it, so needless to say I was disappointed.
2. I have worn glasses since the second grade. Both my mom and dad both have glasses, so I guess it only makes sense that I have poor eyesight as well. I went through a phase in high school and college where I wore hard contacts for appearance sake. I didn’t like my glasses and I thought I looked prettier without them. I’m greatful, though that I found a pair that reflect more my retro/modern style. I actually love wearing them now.
3. I prefer baths to showers. Always have since being a little girl with wrinkly prune fingers. I guess I just find it more relaxing sitting than standing and I also like to write and read while I’m taking a bath. Seems like I always have to be making something of every little ounce of my time.
4. The first record I ever bought was Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All”. I was so inspired by her and found her to be the most beautiful woman on earth with her mega-wattage smile. I also think she just represented that time period for me…I loved the colors she wore and the very 80’s vibe she put off in her videos. I even wrote an article in high school about her inspiring me for this senior writing project thing we had to do for the state. I actually still have the record, but it’s broken now.
5. My friends say that if there were faux senior superlatives, I would win for “Always having a cheesy song for every occasion” and “Best funny faces”. I guess it’s true, if we were to have a conversation, and you say a certain word, I can come up with a random song from my head to go with that word. My sister said it reminded me of a patient she had that had head trama (she’s a speech pathologist) who did the same thing. Thanks sis! Ha ha. As for the funny face thing, I used to be uber serios when it came to my faces in pics, but with the whole digital camera thing and having so many different, unlimited pics, I guess I’ve eased up and have more fun with it. Also, I guess I try to hide my double chin a lot and anything to defer from that is a good thing.
Well gotta go pack and get my camera ready for a big photo taking day back in my hometown.
Until we meet again, Swellions…
Alexa
