RELOAD! Reactions

(Reactions besides immediately reloading...)

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This is a family of designs that I feel gets...less reactions than I would like. As much as I might tout my obsession with my arachnophobia, RELOAD! is kind of my flagship design. And even when they do get reactions, I always get a sense that the people reacting to it are not fully aware of what it is that my designs are depicting. As some of you may know, the whole premise behind my RELOAD! designs—which up to this point include the GI1911 2.0, GI1911 1.0 (pictured here), and another which I've yet to present in a blog—feature semi automatic pistols with their slides locked open, signaling that they've run out of ammo. It's that little detail which I feel people don't quite understand, which is fine, but still an unfortunate wasted of human visual recognition capabilities. I think people would enjoy or appreciate it a little more if they were able to connect the text with the imagery.

I suppose that Hollywood is partly to thank for its continual depiction of pistols who only indicate that they are empty when the trigger is pulled and they go click. But mostly, it is the reality that most people don't have any real understanding of how firearms function. I mean, Hell, even during my time in service, a majority of us were taught only as much as we needed to know about the firearms that we handled on a daily basis. Even the manuals I read incorrectly stated that Condition Two "does not apply to the M9 Service Pistol". What?!


But, it's Ok. I understand that most people might never need, or care, to know all of these things. Like the cycles of operation (firing, unlocking, extracting, ejecting, cocking, feeding, chambering, locking), or the differences in between a recoil operated gun and a blowback operated gun, as examples. I get that not everyone's brains are sponges for information. But with that rant (and my revelation that I've got a bit of a hard-on for the guts and inner workings of firearms) out of the way, I think you might have a better understanding of some of the...validation that I felt when the following happened. These are the exact words that I posted as a status on Facebook on the 12th of this month, minutes after it happened:

"So, I'm walking to get my mail, and I notice two Sheriff's patrol cars parked up ahead. I notice that one of the deputies has his passenger side's door open, and he's pouring some kind of solution onto his hands and scrubbing away. (Probably just got done busting someone's head open or something.) Anyhow, as I get closer, he faces in my direction, and then keeps starring at me. I can see he's squinting his eyes even. So I'm thinking 'Grrrreat! What now?...', and right when I'm about 10 feet away he says 'Nice shirt!' So I respond 'Thanks!' while thinking 'Whew.' Figures though, that it would take someone who carries a pistol around all day to appreciate my 'RELOAD!' design..."

Hahaha. I'm such a little kid, huh? The specific design I had on was the one pictured above, in all white and on a black t-shirt, so it's what I'd call high visibility. Speaking of, I've actually been thinking of updating the 1.0 design, since it was one of the very first for Flex printing vector designs that I've made. I've gotten working within the restrictions down to more of  a science now, so feel like I could do a better job. I'll probably leave it alone until I've cranked out several more of the designs on my list though. I've got enough on my plate just with those as it stand. Well, that's about all I have or this update. Be sure to swing by the shop if you want any of these designs for yourself, and to see what's new. (I'll probably get around to updating the look in that place soon here as well.) So, until the next time, y'all get out here!

J, out...

*Biggest* Fan Reactions

(Post last updated 10/30/2010)

Hey there. I just felt in the mood to post something, but not enough to get to my next "deviation" post, so I thought I'd go with something that I can wrap up quicker.

It's been about 2 months or so since I ordered a "*Biggest* Fan" tee of my own to wear, so I thought I'd share, briefly, on its reception by the "audience" that's been exposed to it.

Honestly, I had a doubt or two about this. But after seeing that 4 sold soon after I had made it available on Spreadshirt, as mentioned in the design's introductory blog, the doubt began fading a bit. So, I ordered my own and patiently waited until it came in the mail.

The reactions to it have been varied, but positive overall. One instance that sticks out in my mind was that of an acquaintance from school. When she initially saw it, her first reaction was to roll her eyes and say "Oh my god..." but it was followed by laughter, so I thought "Alright, that's not ALL bad, I guess." Later though, I ran into her again as she was talking to a group of her friends and she went, "Oh my god, y'all have to look at his shirt, it's *epic*."

..."Epic?", I thought, "Didn't she roll her eyes?"


I figured I'd just go with it though. I mean, it is pretty silly, so I suppose a roll of the eyes to the self-assuredness of a claim such as being the *biggest* fan is the appropriate response to expect (can you tell that I didn't ponder what the response to this would be as much as I did with my "Backstabber" tee?).

[1st Update, 10/30/2010]


Just a few days ago, I had a few more reactions to my *Biggest* Fan t-shirt that I thought I'd report, one being a reaction of my own. This first reaction might also be a "note to self", as this could be avoided in the near future (but would I want to?). So, I had some stuff to take care of at my apartments' leasing office, but as I began to state what my business there was, the lady just busts out laughing! So I'm standing there, giving her a bit of a confused look she goes "You are always wearing the funniest t-shirts!", at which point I look down and go "Oh...right. So, anyhow, as I was sayi-", but again, I was interrupted by more laughter. It took a few more moments of this, and of her asking which one I was wearing the last time (it was the "Meat Pyramid" one, by the way) before we could get to talking business. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that I had a sense of urgency about things, I would have found it very amusing. I guess next time I wear this thing out, I'll try to keep the fact that I'm wearing it in mind, so there aren't too many surprises, which directly relates to this next "reaction".

The next reaction, which was more of a thought, came from myself. As the day went on, and I returned to my normal level of self awareness (contrast from self-conscious), again I found it curious that more people than normal (thus making me consciously aware of it) were staring at me with odd looks on their faces. I was having dinner with a friend that night, and after returning from a trip to the little boys' room I sat and told her "Y'know...I should probably try to remain more conscious of what I am wearing when I'm out and about with these on. I keep getting these funny looks and forgetting why..." She agreed.

[end 1st Update]

Most times the response is a smile with a shake of the head, but I haven't actually worn it very much, so I guess I'll wait and see some more. I think that's about all I have for that one. My next post should be on the next "deviation", and for those of you that keep up with what's currently up in my designer shop, the next design should actually be a digital direct design that'll be sure to flare up my phobia. So, until the next time, don't eat that, and carry on!

J, out...