Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Ode to Wojtek



Today's post is a long time coming. Some of you have mentioned my banners at the top and bottom and wondered about them. My dearest friend in the whole wide world took pictures of himself to portray my MC in the manuscript I'm querying currently. He's in Poland. We met years ago through DeviantArt.com and about eight months ago I wrote this little short about him and posted it on dA.

His page is linked on my sidebar under Wojciech Zwolinski on the sidebar. He did the covers for Melissa de la Cruz's vampire series, the Polish translation. Please, go check out his work. He's amazing (and one of the most popular artists at dA *totally pimping*). He came to America last summer and spent three weeks with me. The above image is a picture I took of him at the Grand Canyon, as he's ALWAYS behind or in front of a camera. I think it was born attached, actually. Yes, I manip'd the crap out of it.

Here's "Ode to Wojtek" (his nickname)

-----------------

Again, I find myself watching the clock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Only it doesn’t make that sound since it’s digital, as most clocks are nowadays. Have we lost something as a society by not having the sound of impending doom echoing loudly in the dark as we sleep? The sound is just in my head, counting off the minutes until it’s okay to call.

I don’t remember what his face looked like the first time I saw him, I only remember the circumstances, which is odd. I normally remember the expression on someone’s face when they first meet me, but we still haven’t met so maybe that’s why I can’t recall. He entered my life through a photograph, years ago. Someone I don’t talk to anymore told me to look at him, so I did. I thought he was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

I disliked him immediately.

We all do, don’t we? Hate the beautiful people just a little bit for being so lucky while we’re not? The internet being the imperfect medium it is, I also perceived arrogance, vanity, and a sense of superiority in him. This judgment was based on nothing but the photographs he posted and the comments he left. It’s enough, isn’t it? We all do the same. We decide a person is deep or shallow, friendly or hateful, cynical or optimistic, and all by interpreting their work and their words with our own voices.

I was dead wrong, and I’m ashamed of myself.

He is that breath of life I needed, the extra piece that was missing from the puzzle that is me. Through his eyes I see the world anew, and gods save me, I feel hope again in a way I haven’t in a long time. I can forgive him anything, overlook any fault without prejudice, and love him precisely as he is. He is my little brother from a littler mother, and though he is just as flawed as any of us and asserts he is no saint, I would still sacrifice a boatload of toddlers if it meant keeping him alive, giving the gift of him back to the world.

Mostly because I hate kids, so it wouldn’t be that hard. I’d hesitate at a boatload of dogs, though.

Sorry, sweetie. You’re just not that special.

25 comments:

A.T. Post said...

Dogs rule and kids drool. Although, as a big kid myself, I am liable to kick you off the jungle gym for saying that.

I can appreciate the sentiment, however. I like your brand of romance, and your description of the ideal in this Wojtek.

But, ahem, um, what, may I ask [pulls collar] is (cough) DeviantArt? [wink wink]

Alleged Author said...

I love you. Have I mentioned that I love you? You are so great.

Christi Goddard said...

Whoa whoa whoa... romance? Not quite. Sure, he's a hottie (if you like the slender Goth type), but he's my lil bro.

And of course I don't mean the part about the kiddies. I've got a couple rug munchers myself. Remember when that term didn't have sexual overtones?

And dA is only the most awesome art website EVAR. No, I won't tell anyone what my account names are. I'm incognito there.

Christi Goddard said...

Penname Pauline: you're going to inflate my ego. It's bad enough I can barely get my ass through a door. I don't need problems with my head, too.

Anne Gallagher said...

I love it when I learn new stuff about people. Although I kind of liked the idea that you were pining for this sexy starving European artist .

And then you go and say, "Oh, he's just like my little brother."

And what's this about you having children? Now you've really burst my whole made up image I have of you.

Christi Goddard said...

Anne: I did pine for him a bit, indeed. I used to save his images of himself and plaster them all over my cubicle. Then we started emailing, then calling, then he came for a visit with a friend (who is also incredibly sweet) and by that time he'd gone from hawt guy to lil bro.

And yes, I've got two teenaged girls who constantly complain that they are more mature than I am and I really need to grow up. :-) I started early so the youngest will be graduated before I'm 40, then I'll have the whole rest of my life to wander free like a bird. Only... on the ground. I'm afraid of heights.

JE said...

Hahaha...someone mentions romance and then you say "WHOA! Back-off, that's my bro!" Totally had me laughing. But, I would have to say I thought the exact same thing until I got to the little brother from the littler mother part. It was the way you wrote how beautiful you thought he was. ;-)

And I totaly jealous of your blog. I've been trying to spiff mine up since I started, but me and html and all the other crap don't get along that well. I'm doomed with coding stupidity.

Christi Goddard said...

My page is not coded at all, Justine. I used the black basic format, then I insert gadgets and upload images in the 'customize' which I know you know how to do because you post your awards in your sidebar.

There's nothing wrong with your blog. In fact, it looks WAY more professional than mine does and is probably easier to read. I just like black :-)

Matthew MacNish said...

Hi Christi, found your blog after reading one of your comments on Justine's. I love your post about your lil bro, and that's incredible that you two "met" on DeviantArt. I don't go there as much as I used to personally but my teenage daughter is addicted to it and posts all her poetry there and even uses the chat system to play role-playing games with her friends (a little nerdy sure, but I'd rather have her doing that than scoping boys at the mall).

Anyway I've become a follower of your blog, please feel free to visit mine and do the same.

Thanks!

Christi Goddard said...

Thanks, Matthew (Matt?). I've gone to your page to follow in return, but I think the follower box went wonky. I'll try again later if I don't show up.

I honestly spend less time at dA than I used to. I post my writing at one account and my art at another. Most of my time now I spend either blogging or writing my manuscript.

Elana Johnson said...

Very cool! And great photo of him. :)

Christi Goddard said...

Thanks, Elana!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Awesome! I've been wondering about your header and footer, too - it's nice to have the story. :-)

Christi Goddard said...

Shannon: I try to not have everything about me be a mystery :-)

Lola Sharp said...

A loving and honest story of friendship. (do your teens girls have crushes on him?)

Thanks for sharing.

I like the full headshot on your sidebar the best.

A.T. Post said...

Ah. I missed that bit. Either you're a master of subtlety or I'm as dumb as a post.

Ironically.

I mistook your effusive praise for romantic sentiment. I tend to do that a lot. Probably means I'm a dirty bugger. I apologize. Haven't heard the "little brother from a littler mother" bit before. Nor do I remember a time when rug-muncher wasn't dirty. I still have much to learn, it seems. Thanks for the clarification.

Christi Goddard said...

Lola: Yes, my 17 year old admits he's 'cute.' My 13 year old declares he's 'the smex.'

Postman: Sheesh, you're not dumb. It's not many people that will wax poetically about a little brother. I caught you off guard. :-)

Julie Dao said...

Love this post. I really admired your header and footer and now I have the story to go along with it! So cool that you guys met on DeviantArt. It's amazing how many awesome friends you can make online just through mutual interests! It's great to "meet" you by the way, I love new blog friends :)

Christi Goddard said...

Julie: Thanks a lot. He's awesome. I just tell him what I want and he makes the picture, then I destroy it by writing all over it :-)

I've met an amazing amount of people online that have turned into real life friendships of travel and adventure. The internet is the best thing ever. Aside from chocolate and Chex Mix.

Unspoken said...

Thanks for stopping by! Love your writing style and will be back again.

mmjiaxin said...

miami dolphins jerseys, http://www.miamidolphinsjersey.com/
steelers jerseys, http://www.pittsburghsteelersjersey.com/
marc jacobs outlet, http://www.marcjacobs.cc/
san antonio spurs, http://www.sanantoniospursjersey.com/
karen millen uk, http://www.karenmillendressesoutlets.co.uk/
chanel outlet store, http://www.chaneloutletstore.us.com/
nfl jersey wholesale, http://www.nfljerseys-wholesale.us.com/
ralph lauren outlet, http://www.ralphlaurenoutletuk.org.uk/
eagles jerseys, http://www.philadelphiaeaglesjersey.us/
designer handbags,handbags outlet,cheap handbags,purses and handbags,wholesale handbags,designer bags,bags outlet,handbags wholesale,cheap purses,discount handbags,handbags sale,wholesale purses,handbags and purses,designer purses
lebron shoes, http://www.lebronjamesshoes.in.net/
camisetas futbol baratas, http://www.futbol-baratas.com/
iphone 6 cases, http://www.iphonecase.name/
jordan 13, http://www.airjordan13s.com/
polo shirts, http://www.poloralphlaurenshirts.us.com/
louis vuitton outlet, http://www.louisvuitton.in.net/
louis vuitton,borse louis vuitton,louis vuitton sito ufficiale,louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet store, http://www.coachoutletus.us/
tiffany and co, http://www.tiffanyandco.in.net/
michael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutlet-store.us.com/

Fangyaya said...

canada goose jackets
rolex watches
canada goose outlet
ugg boots
hollister jeans
uggs outlet
michael kors handbags
burberry outlet online
gucci outlet online
louis vuitton
ray ban sunglasses outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
louboutin shoes
cheap ugg boots
louis vuitton outlet
cheap uggs
ugg uk
cheap oakley sunglasses
coach factory online
coach outlet
timberland boots
cheap air jordans
air jordan 11
ugg outlet
ralph lauren polo
kate spade outlet
uggs on sale
chenyingying2016913

Unknown said...

michael kors handbags wholesale
michael kors handbags
salomon shoes
cheap michael kors handbags
air max 90
michael kors handbags
converse trainers
cheap nike shoes sale
ralph lauren pas cher
pandora jewelry

Unknown said...

kate spade outlet online
louboutin outlet
kobe bryant shoes
true religion jeans outlet
michael kors outlet store
cheap jordan shoes
coach outlet online
cheap rolex replica watches
pandora charms outlet
canada goose jackets
zhi20170122

Unknown said...

jordan shoes
oklahoma city thunder
fitflops
nike store uk
cheap michael kors handbags
cheap oakley sunglasses
cheap nhl jerseys
michael kors handbags
pandora jewelry
cheap ray ban sunglasses