dayton is not in ohio

When I arrived at the Art Institute I got a pretty good draw in the ’studio lottery’ where student’s names are drawn at random and you may pick the studio you want from what’s available. We first year student got to pick from the dregs, but I did end up in one of the nicer of the studios that was left. I’ve enjoyed it.

Last week on the drive to a Bible study during rush hour, I called in for a contest on ESPN 1000 radio here in Chicago. I won. Now just in case you folks that live way out don’t understand, a whole lot of people listen to sports radio in Chicago. I’ve tried before and never gotten through, but this time I was caller 10 and won tickets to a Fantasy Football Convention. Oh, speaking of fantasy football, I got home that night and I had been randomly selected to pick first in the draft. I’m on a roll here…

So now comes the ‘07-’08 studio lottery, and, face it, Fortuna’s wheel spins both ways. What goes up, must come down.

There was a studio that I have coveted ever since arriving at the Art Institute. Our studios are in the basement, so while we get 15-foot ceilings, we get no natural light… except this one studio at the front of the building. Its ceiling is two stories high, about 30 or so feet, and so it has huge windows high above so that folks can look down on you from outside the building while you work, and the sunlight can stream in. I like two things: natural light, and company. I also don’t mind 30-foot ceilings.

I wasn’t picked first. The first four or so folks were pre-set for various reasons, but then the real lottery came and someone else was picked. They picked me next. I seriously couldn’t believe that that studio was still left. Some folks are just bothered by people spying on them, I guess. Understandable. This studio is nearly twice the size of my previous one (not counting the ceiling) and the studios got a lot smaller after that pick. I’m a very, very happy camper.

Studio from up above, outside.

Looking up.

From the hall.