h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There's an exhibition on here in Polokwane featuring local artists. A friend of mine told me about it. I went to the opening a few hours ago. Well ... the art was not bad, there were a few outstanding pieces, a bunch of stuff I can't really get excited about, but it's still good for local artists to get some exposure.

But ... the spelling and other mistakes on the labels! How about misspelling an artist's name consistently? That's not very respectful. Or labelling paintings as being oil on canvas when they are charcoal on paper? Doing this several times? And other misspellings ... inventing things like 'bun flowers' and 'clan pots'. There were a number of misspellings of Latin and Greek phrases as well which people can't be expected to pick up, but I did. The exhibition was held right next to the library, so they certainly had access to reference sources.

Also I was very ill at ease ... the friends who told me about the exhibition did not turn up. I went mainly because I wanted to spend some time with them. It's very awkward for me to be in a strange crowd. And I was also worried all the time about my car parked outside, always fearing it would get stolen, and I even worried about my cat waiting for me at home.

There was a girl I had studied with at the University of Limpopo, and though I never knew her very well, we did chat a bit which was OK, she now works for an NGO and was involved with the exhibition. There was also an old school acquaintance but I had forgotten her name! And I am much too flustered to ask her. I didn't do well this evening.

Anyways ... I spoke about meeting people earlier. I do fine when I meet people one-on-one or in small familiar groups ... but when there are lots of strange people ... when it is crowded and noisy ... I don't do the things I should, I have difficulty paying attention to anything, I have difficulty speaking, and I may seem rude or thoughtless.

Willem, I'm not sure you feel about people touching you but

*grabs Willem by both shoulders and looks him in the eye and gives him a good shake*

You did amazing! You are too hard yourself.

You went!You looked around! You had conversations! Yes, you got flustered. You know what, I'm sure this seemed so much worse to you than it did to them. I'm not trivalising how it was for you.

You coped with your friends not turning up. You put yourself in a situation in which you knew would be challanged.

Now slap yourself yourself, on the back man, before I does it for you *respect*

PS spelling that is bad I am a rubbish speller as everyone knows but I'd always check my labels

slap yourself on the back man, before I do it for you *respect*

that is better

Hi Peanut, I don't really have issues with people touching me, *if* I know them! Anyways thanks for that, but I am still going to try and do better next time.

Sounds like a cool outing.

Wille, yes you are too hard on yourself. You did well to go at all and stay long enough to make those observations. You are looking at yourself from within. I bet those who saw you got a completely different perspective.

I found years ago that what I felt was quite different from what other people thought of me. I was so self conscious I couldn't react or respond or show how I felt rationally. Being overly self conscious is a real drawback, but honestly it is only overcome by repeatedly putting yourself through it, till you relax a bit.

Incidentally, I was amazed you weren't exhibiting, it sounds as if the exhibition missed out on a star performer. Either that or you should have been put in charge of accuracy of information. It is rather an insult for those mistakes to have been made.

Perhaps it was done in a rush with no real thought. The next one could be a whole lot better with your expertise on board.

Not remembering names from years back is nothing to be embarrassed about, and you remembered her which is a feat in itself.

As for your car, we all get those feelings but somehow we have to switch them off or we would never do anything. If it is any consolation I feel precisely the same when I leave my house but I force myself to do it or I would become a recluse.

Why not drop a note to the organiser of the exhibition saying you enjoyed it but was disappointed at the inaccuracies and could you help in the future? It might even be possible to do it without meeting too many people.

it is worth a try and your skills are so unique, and clearly needed there.



Websailor

Willem, not a spelling error a finger mistake. Too hurried and didn't check ...... sounds familiar huh?

Websailor

Hi Dmitri and Websailor! I don't know if I want to offer to help ... as it is, I'm very involved with our art group here and with our own exhibitions, and my skills are needed there as well, and it is a group I already feel comfortable with. But I'll see ... I'm not sure exactly who organized it all, except for knowing that one girl who I don't know that well. I would feel very awkward telling them about the spelling mistakes!

I know it takes courage to do these things and it is difficult to find a tactful way to do it. You never know, they might welcome advice or help.

Websailor