signs: a work of nonfiction due out in 2012.

for more details, see right here: if you've been following my blog at all for the last month and a half or so (which i always assume no one has) then you'll theoretically have noticed i've been a little quote-heavy in my posts. i've been doing a lot of reading of the historical/philosophical/political sort, and certain notions have stuck out to me regarding the theory that western civilization is (and has been for a while) in a state of decline. my intention isn't to rain on anyone's parade with these sometimes heavy musings, but i think it's important to recognize the signs that we (i think, anyway) could in fact be heading toward a metaphorical cliff, partly so that we don't end up having a looney-tunes-coyote-esque realization that it's too late. and although i don't know that they're reversible symptoms, either, the effects are, perhaps, able to be slowed. i'm not saying the world is going to end tomorrow (although the mayans might think so), or even in our lifetime, but looking ahead is never a bad idea.

so. where i'm going with all of this is that i was just inspired (and i mean JUST inspired fifteen minutes ago while walking to the grocery store) to start collecting these ideas from historians, philosophers, etc. that i come across and compiling them in a series of booklets entitled "signs"...i don't know how many volumes there will be; i plan to continue stumbling upon new sources of enlightening information as i continue reading new literature. the basic concept, though, is to have each one consist of several quotes or ideas i find notable, and then to accompany them with relevant images that i intend to create with photographs or magazine cutouts. if you'd like to receive the first installment of "signs", i'd be glad to mail you one for free. just email me your address (megan@brightestyoungthings.com) and i'll send a copy your way once i've completed it. otherwise, you can keep an eye out for more "signs" sans visuals right here on the blog. in the meantime, hope everyone's squeezing in the rest of their 2011 goals before we turn over a new leaf in 2012.