(243) Mommy, can I keep him?

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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

	dm74 says: ha! that's awesome Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	C-Wex says: I love the stray eggplant. I need to go buy my own art from a vending machine. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	gordy1 says: be good to yourself . great picture. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	Childlike Emperor says: There is nothing more rewarding than being a smart-ass. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	ir0cko says: i love it! i want to buy art from a vending machine! how much did it cost you for one? -- Seen on your photo stream. (?) Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	Sarajea says: Randy, it was $5 per. Definitely worth it. There's a list of locations here. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	myguerrilla says: I need a t-shirt like that.. eggplant and all! Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	wan · der · lust says: how freaking cool. i've never heard of this before, i'll have to check it out. -- Seen on your photo stream. (?) Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	a_m_shea says: But you're adorable when you get a bit snarky. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	hannabear says: 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! :) Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	indy42 says: I'm only blocks away from the Art o Mat in Minneapolis. I'll have to check it out. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	Sarajea says: Thanks for the comments, everyone. =] Indy, you definitely should. Hannabear, you should, too. And yeah. I know how you feel. Good luck, wanderlust! Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	jpre86 says: oh, I'm definitely going to the one in chicago, in fact, i think i might go today. art in a vending machine! Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	jpre86 says: P.S. I went to the Art-O-Mat, I got a tooth. Pictures will come soon...thanks for the idea! Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	b1LL_in_AL says: The artist used to have "strayeggplant" as her id on flickr. Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	strayeggplant says: 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!) Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	sophielovespeanutbutter says: Ohhh. Is ok to covet thy neighbors Art-o-Mat haul? :) Nice work, Laura Gentry! Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )
	ansy says: pffft. smart ass. Posted 5 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on February 29, 2008

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(243) Mommy, can I keep him?

Comments

dm74 says:

C-Wex says:

gordy1 says:

Childlike Emperor says:

ir0cko says:

Sarajea says:

myguerrilla says:

wan · der · lust says:

a_m_shea says:

hannabear says:

indy42 says:

Sarajea says:

jpre86 says:

jpre86 says:

b1LL_in_AL says:

strayeggplant says:

sophielovespeanutbutter says:

ansy says:

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