While contemplating my new goal of writing in every campus building, it occurred to me it would be fun to chronicle the buildings as I go along, so I don’t forget the flavor of all the new places I’m seeing. Of course, this is a a bit of a gamble…I am essentially betting that writing in buildings will motivate enough extra dissertation-writing hours to more than make up for the hours lost to writing about buildings. If I’m wrong, my collection of detailed building descriptions will be my only consolation prize for never graduating.
A friend suggested I photograph the buildings as I write in them. I like this idea, but am a little nervous about it—after all, I am trying to be a writer, not a photographer, so writing is the craft I should be practicing. I also recollect a wise observation by my brother Dave, after he read my summary of a 10-mile running race: “These days, so many epic, story-filled adventures, so many journeys of self-discovery, get reduced to thirty photos on Facebook. I fear the art of the narrative trip report is slipping away.” So this will be primarily a writing tour of Texas A&M, not a photo tour.
Nonetheless, even Dave concedes there are times a photo can add to a story, instead of taking away from it. So, I will allow myself to indulge in an occasional photo, as long as it adds something unique, that can’t be added any other way. One photo per building—no more. The photo must be of something interesting that can be seen from my writing location.
So, dear reader, thank you for joining my odd little tour of a unique university. Sit back, relax, and don’t forget to look around.
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