(243) Mommy, can I keep him?
I found a stray eggplant!
I'd heard rumors of art*o*mat vending machines—old cigarette machines that have been revamped to dispense pieces of art, instead. Today I set off to find one. After much drama and adventure, I made it to the very place, and I bought not one, not two, but three pieces of art. From a vending machine. Because that is too darn cool to pass up.
"a real smart ass" was the second thing I bought (the other two will probably show up later). It's part of the Stray Eggplant project that you can read about in the link above (or, for the lazy, here.) I was the tiniest bit disappointed when I first saw the words on it. "Smart ass" isn't really my language style, and I'd been hoping for something more quirky or inspirational... and less, well, smartass.
But I've come to embrace it.
I'm a nice person. To some people, it's almost frustrating how nice I am—and they take great delight in trying to get a rise out of me. I don't mind (which probably irks them more), but I see where they're coming from. I bite back probably ninety-five percent of my cynical, sarcastic, or off-color comments... So when I actually say something smartass, people tend to be shocked and think it's really out-of-character. (It's not.)
And you know what? Their feigned dismay makes me feel guilty about making one comment of the kind they make regularly. That sucks, and I'm fed up with it.
I'm keeping this little guy as a reminder that, yeah it's great to be the cheerful, sweet, loving person of the group. But it's just as damn fine to be myself.
My adopted aubergine has found a loving home.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, I am sweet, loving, and cheerful. But sometimes I'm also a smart aleck. You can deal. =p
Comments and faves
dm74 (52 months ago | reply)
ha! that's awesome
C-Wex (52 months ago | reply)
I love the stray eggplant. I need to go buy my own art from a vending machine.
gordy1 (52 months ago | reply)
be good to yourself . great picture.
Childlike Emperor (52 months ago | reply)
There is nothing more rewarding than being a smart-ass.
ir0cko (52 months ago | reply)
i love it!
i want to buy art from a vending machine! how much did it cost you for one?
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Sarajea (52 months ago | reply)
Randy, it was $5 per. Definitely worth it. There's a list of locations here.
myguerrilla added this photo to her favorites. (52 months ago)
myguerrilla (52 months ago | reply)
I need a t-shirt like that.. eggplant and all!
wan · der · lust (52 months ago | reply)
how freaking cool. i've never heard of this before, i'll have to check it out.
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a_m_shea (52 months ago | reply)
But you're adorable when you get a bit snarky.
monsterhugs (52 months ago | reply)
That's so cool! I so want one. That website says there's one in DC yay!
I know exactly what you mean about the whole "nice" thing because I'm the exact same way. Sometimes I feel like I just have to act a certain way around people because of these boxes they put me in, but I'm trying to deal with it now. Glad to know I'm not alone! :)
indy42 (52 months ago | reply)
I'm only blocks away from the Art o Mat in Minneapolis. I'll have to check it out.
Sarajea (52 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the comments, everyone. =]
Indy, you definitely should.
Hannabear, you should, too. And yeah. I know how you feel.
Good luck, wanderlust!
JennaPrete (52 months ago | reply)
oh, I'm definitely going to the one in chicago, in fact, i think i might go today. art in a vending machine!
JennaPrete (52 months ago | reply)
P.S. I went to the Art-O-Mat, I got a tooth. Pictures will come soon...thanks for the idea!
JennaPrete added this photo to her favorites. (52 months ago)
b1LL_in_AL (52 months ago | reply)
The artist used to have "strayeggplant" as her id on flickr.
strayeggplant (52 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm the stray eggplant artist, Laura Gentry! I was delighted to discover your post. I'm going to add it to the official eggplant owner's gallery so you'll be immortalized (even if you are a smart ass at times!)
sophielovespeanutbutter (52 months ago | reply)
Ohhh. Is ok to covet thy neighbors Art-o-Mat haul? :)
Nice work, Laura Gentry!
sophielovespeanutbutter added this photo to her favorites. (52 months ago)
ansy (51 months ago | reply)
pffft. smart ass.
Plush Mistress added this photo to her favorites. (49 months ago)