Before the days of the internet. Before the days of gaming, our webmaster had one obsession. He was 13 and totally into art. He subscribed to art magazines, toured art museums, and even tried his hand at creating works of his own. Where most teenage guys his age wanted to make a name for themselves on the bathroom wall, our webmaster decided that he would make a name for himself in pottery (not the potty). He started as all good pottery students start. He made an ash tray. Our webmaster didn't smoke, didn't even know anyone that smoked, but he made an ash tray anyway. It was a rite of passage that every famous potter had gone through. From ash trays, he worked on bowls, then a vase or two, before finally setting himself the ultimate goal of making a coffee cup. But when the cup came out looking more like a deep ash tray with a handle, he decided he had better get advice. And so off he went in search of pieces after which to model his style.
He attended several pottery showings and even made a special effort to see an exhibit on Native American pottery designs. That's when inspiration hit. He saw a water jar that sold for $300 (
http://www.pueblopottery.com/other/7395.jpg ). Hilda Coriz was the artist and her work was stunning. Our webmaster was overwhelmed by the subtle geometric patterns and contrasting shadows.
He harbored his secret love for years, not daring to tell his friends or family about his secret obsession. Later in life, when looking for a pseudonym on a role-playing bulletin board, he chose the name Ziroc as a tribute to his secret inspiration.
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Most Subtle Official Straightman of the Laughing Hyenas -- Grammarian Brigade.