On Friday, after we met, I went on my usual adventures. Essentially, a running of errands that took me from the Alachua County Environmental Protection Office to the Main Street Station of USPS to the behemoth on 34th Street. I caught an unexpected ride with a colleague - conversing about the systemic obstacles to the innovative creative process and encouragement as inspiration. I eventually found myself on the 10 bus to Santa Fe College. And just as Ft. Clarke Blvd. terminates at 23rd Avenue, a gaggle of middle schoolers poured onto the bus. They were buoyantly rambunctious, talking loudly, cussing and fussing, or curved raptly over their cell phones. Admittedly, I felt the 'kids these days! (shakes fist)' gurgle in my spirit. But, whenever I've felt a response this strongly, especially one that seeks to distinguish me away from my community, I investigate further. I pursue comradery instead of conflict; similarity, rather than separation. My art practice demands this.

I've been a middle school student, swirling with bravado and hormones, trying out new levels of personal agency, by taking the long way home or discovering a shortcut. Or talking, very loudly on a city bus... I see an opportunity here. An exploration undiscovered that fits into what they already do. I mean, if they are going to be dropped off on campus, maybe they can be radically invited to a brief hike through the North Woods Teaching Area to an unexpected party with swag bags including a headlamp, flashlight, sunscreen, insect repellant, a pair of hiking socks, jerky and a coupon for a percentage off footwear. Music from a playlist of their suggestions. Pizza made from an outdoor oven, soft drinks, with parents attending after work - since they live right around the corner. But this is just a small set of possibilities inspired by institutional collaboration (Santa Fe College, RTS, City of Gainesville, UF Health Arts and Medicine, Ft. Clarke Middle School, etc.).

Experience suggests that these musings will likely remain in your inbox. In our meeting notes. In the memory of Friday's conversation. On my blog. Unfunded. I take some responsibility for this -- for daring to imagine that these ideas are as valuable as our collective agreement that legacies of segregation in natural spaces still exist. While 'outchea' is a word in the Black American Vernacular, I neglected to emphasize its usual expression: "We outchea".

So, if you're motivated towards the 'We', I hope you'll create an occasion to support fiscally.

All my best,

WE outchea.