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A JAY WALKER'S
GUIDE TO
TEXAS BUILDINGS
By 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
© John
Troesser
January 2002 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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