Jay Walker, architectural photographer and writer (original) (raw)

The term jaywalker, I am told, was applied to rural pedestrians when they visited the big city. These rubes, bumpkins and rustics were supposedly so in awe of the shrines and temples of city dwellers that they stumbled around town, gazing up slack-jawed with eyes fixed on the tops of flagpoles, gargoyles and dirigible mooring masts. They paid scant attention to traffic, paid cursory attention to signals and paid no attention whatsoever to lined crosswalks. Sometimes they paid with their lives.

The term Jay was used since Jay-Birds were (and are) denizens of the country, seldom venturing into the dark brick canyons of the big city down towns. Now we live in an era where we are no longer in awe of tall buildings, but we've retained the fear of being mistaken for hayseeds, rather than the smart, hip and sophisticated city dwellers that we are. We've become so blas� to our buildings that in a recent survey taken in Houston, only one person out of four correctly identified their place of employment from others in a police artist's sketch.

So, since my parents (Mr. and Mrs. Walker) decided to name me Jay, perhaps it was fate that I would write this series and take these photographs. It's easier to believe in predestination than to admit that my parents were just having a cheap laugh at the expense of their newborn.

So look for my articles on buildings around Texas. Occasionally I'll just snap a photo - but you'll recognize my work at once from the pedestrian point of view.

My photos were taken and my articles written exclusively for my friends at Texas Escapes - people who are not afraid to look up, smell the skyscrapers and proudly declare: "I'm a Jaywalker, and I pay taxes" (whatever that means).

Scattered throughout the pages for the larger cities you will come across a photo or two credited to me. In no time at all you'll find yourself recognizing my perspective on the taller buildings around the state.

We always appreciate hearing from our readers - so don't be afraid to let the management know what a fine job I'm doing.

Sincerely,
Jay Walker,
Pedestrian First Class

�

John Troesser
January 2002