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A
JAY WALKER'S
GUIDE TO TEXAS BUILDINGSBy
Jay Walker |
Jay Walker's Perspective
Photo Jay Walker |
The term
jaywalker, I am told, was applied to rural pedestrians when they visited the big
city. These rubes, bumpkins and rustics were supposedly so in awe of the shrines
and temples of city dwellers that they stumbled around town, gazing up slack-jawed
with eyes fixed on the tops of flagpoles, gargoyles and dirigible mooring masts.
They paid scant attention to traffic, paid cursory attention to signals and paid
no attention whatsoever to lined crosswalks. Sometimes they paid with their lives.
The term Jay was used since Jay-Birds were (and are) denizens of the
country, seldom venturing into the dark brick canyons of the big city down towns.
Now we live in an era where we are no longer in awe of tall buildings, but we've
retained the fear of being mistaken for hayseeds, rather than the smart, hip and
sophisticated city dwellers that we are. We've become so blasé to our buildings
that in a recent survey taken in Houston, only one person out of four correctly
identified their place of employment from others in a police artist's sketch.
So, since my parents (Mr. and Mrs. Walker) decided to name me Jay, perhaps
it was fate that I would write this series and take these photographs. It's easier
to believe in predestination than to admit that my parents were just having a
cheap laugh at the expense of their newborn.
So look for my articles
on buildings around Texas. Occasionally I'll just snap a photo - but you'll recognize
my work at once from the pedestrian point of view.
My photos were taken
and my articles written exclusively for my friends at Texas Escapes - people who
are not afraid to look up, smell the skyscrapers and proudly declare: "I'm a Jaywalker,
and I pay taxes" (whatever that means).
Scattered throughout the pages
for the larger cities you will come across a photo or two credited to me. In no
time at all you'll find yourself recognizing my perspective on the taller buildings
around the state.
We always appreciate hearing from our readers - so
don't be afraid to let the management know what a fine job I'm doing.
Sincerely,
Jay Walker,
Pedestrian First Class
January 2002
© John Troesser | | |
