Graffiti. We don't think much about it, even if it is a constant image in our everyday lives. There is an exception of course, if you are a saint and cleaning graffiti off buildings and walls. We thank you for sparing us a few minutes each day of peering at graffiti muttering, "What did that say? Brenna is-Oh, okay. Did not need to see that." The truth is, we can't avoid graffiti. It's everywhere: bathroom stalls, park benches, lockers, even a few things in the alleyways behind our house.
Sometimes, I play a little game with myself while riding the bus. I try to find a piece of graffiti that's in a real unusual spot. I one time saw a few hearts near the ceiling of a bus. I remember saying real loud, "How the heck did they get it way up there?" I got a few strange looks from a lady behind me, who kept putting on her glasses to see what I was staring at. She must have been a tourist, because in New York, you hear people muttering to themselves all the time.
That brings me to my next point: the bigger the cities, the more graffiti. That is usually the case, anyways. I live in New York City, and graffiti is around every corner. You get used to it after awhile, it just fits into the surroundings. For some of us that live in the likes of Chicago, Toronto, Los Angles, and other huge cities around the world, it seems that the main streets in town would feel almost empty without graffiti.
There are a few exceptions, I'm sure. One thing I noticed is that even though Seattle, Washington is a large city, it has a lot less graffiti than other cities its size. Why? Maybe because the population's class is a touch higher than other places, and of course, helpful volunteers that want to keep their city beautiful. To all of you I say "Rock on," or I guess the better thing to say would be "Scrub on," you won't believe how calloused your fingers get. Personal experience.
Still, graffiti is a bad thing, and you should not follow in the paths of other building artists.
I remember one time I was using the bathroom at the mall, and noticed some graffiti in sharpie that said, "Warren from Vandals is hot," in the stall I was using. I laughed, and told my sister when I got out. She chuckled to, and pointed to a thing on the wall near the paper towels, I looked closer and saw that it said the same thing as in my stall. That Warren, he's a sly one :P.
The fact of the matter is: you see graffiti everwhere, and might be tempted to write down your favorite band's name on the subway wall, too. (okay: You did not hear that from me) Even though there's a little pressure, don't. This column is rambling on how graffiti is all over, and humorous at times, but it also makes things look quite a bit less clean and pretty. People took time to put up that concrete siding, and that slide at the park. Don't ruin it my scribbling a few words that won't really make a difference to anyone. Of course, if you live in a small town, graffiti can hurt people's feelings, too. I'm honestly sick of graffiti that says someone's name followed by: "SUCKS!" Seriously. How old are you now? You just look mean, stupid, and kiddish when you say stuff like that.
So, for closing: Graffiti is a small but always-present factor in our lives. It is a immature thing to do, and apparently Warren is a very well liked man.
Keep rocking,
Glitsygrl
