Happy People

Ok, so for me I am having trouble getting the picture I really want with people I don't know at all. There seems to be the perfect level of association where they know me enough to know that I am not some freak and before they start playing up to the camera. These people were new friends when the shot was taken (I know here I go breaking the rules again ;-)

Moving' out...

Well, I'm not the BEST at keeping up on these photos, but I do love this one. Saturday morning seems to be the busiest for the shopping cart guys.

Leg Cramp

I figure I've posted the lifeguard enough that I can post this without catching too much heat. I don't know what was going on, but it didn't seem like she was comfortable.

Miami Vice

The other post title I considered was "Lifeguard Redux". I can only postulate that out pool lifeguard saw the new Miami Vice movie on opening night and decided it's a look that works for him.

Traveler

So after hearing about Bullbunky's latest travel tribulation I was reminded of a shot I took in France (I know it should be a new shot, but I couldn't help myself). We were in a big hub in Paris where the metro and trains meet. There was this guy with his roll-on luggage in tow looking tired and a little lost has he tried to move from subway to passenger train.
Around him are all these advertisements with happy people...especially this one of a frenchman that looks similar to our traveler.
When you zoom in you will see that like Bullbunky...he was not amused at all...and after a rough trip who would be? I can imagine him whispering the French equivalent of Bah...Humbug under his breath.

I own this town !

This young man strolled Main Street like he owned the town... had a real swagger in his step.

Sake...

I photographed this waitress at one of our favorite dives in the city--Bagdad Cafe. I loved her shirt and asked her if I could take her picture. She was a good sport.

Woman's Best Friend

This person is actually friend of mine, but I thought the picture really did capture a candid moment with her and one of her dogs. Christine and I are dog people and totally identify with this picture. The dog literally leapt into her arms. One of my favorite things in the world is to spend time with 'The Boys'.

Entertaining the kids...

I just love this snapshot from Venice. We were wandering through the San Marco neighborhood, when I spotted these two kids buried in their Gameboys, oblivious to the ancient city around them.

Goth Guys Head for Concert

There was a Heavy Metal Concert in Waynesville last weekend. The concert didn't start until about 8:00 pm, but at 3:00 in the afternoon these guys were out in the full sun wearing their full black concert outfits. I think they had to be hot. I also think it is interesting that so many of these non-conformist groups can be easily recognized by an established unwritten dress code.

I was also a little jealous. Why didn't I let my hair grow long like that when I had the chance? It will take me until I am 80 to cumulatively produce as much hair on my head as any one of those dudes has now...and nothing is ever coming back on the ever expanding extended forehead zone :-)

Man Candy

Another salute to those that serve. The ones that give, and suffer though the extreme heat, so that we may enjoy the pool. Mr lifeguard, we salute you.

Inclement Courage

I was in Greensboro, NC today at a meeting and after the meeting let out a massive storm hit. Several traffic lights were knocked out in the land of NASCAR. This officer quickly pulled over and began directing traffic arriving from multiple directions.
People like this risk life and limb for what? There must be something intrinsic driving them. It certainly couldn't be for the money. Granted they have to enforce some pretty silly laws sometimes, but they always seem to be doing the jobs no one else wants to when they are most needed.

Now boarding...

One of my favorite subjects over the past few years has been my "airport series"...my attempt to capture the mind-numbing mood of business travel. Nearly all of my photos in this series were taken with my Treo, which produced stark, grainy images. I've begun using my Canon to take this series a bit further, and here is one image from today's flight.

Boy Fishing

Don't think he ever caught anything. At least not that I saw. He seemed to be enjoying himself though, which I guess is all that matters. I get the impression fishing is a Zen type thing. I've done it in the past, but I'm too goal oriented to truly appreciate it. The idea of fishing for simply the sake of fishing seems odd to me.

The Gentleman and The One-Sided Conversation

I remembered that great skit they had on SNL a few years ago where the ultimate evolution of the human male was "Retired Guy." Dignified, wise, able to concern himself only with things such as lawns, beer, and poker night. "Middle-Aged Guy" and "Divorced Guy" often sought his consultation. I saw this man and I thought there is "Retired Guy." He looks like he would have lots of good advice, he is relaxed...and most importantly he declares his financial independence with the lack of socks ;-)
I watched this couple from across the street for about 4 minutes and the man on the bench never flinched...He seemed to have entered a zen like state where he was focused on things far from the present. Meanwhile the lady next to him never stopped speaking the entire time. It is obviously a skill he learned from years of committee meetings. He manages to look interested while doing important thinking unrelated to the current communication stream targeted at him.

Alone In The Crowd

I'm guessing I'm going to be the junior contributor here, since I rarely find myself out and about in public with my camera handy. Having just returned from my beach vacation, I have a couple of shots of individuals, but I've already posted most of those I considered worthwhile to my own blog (if I get desperate I may double dip and they'll end up here also). I also managed to get some crowd shots.



This may already be violating the spirit of this blog, but considering the title is "Strangers Among Us", I thought this was fairly appropriate. I say this because when you're at the beach, you're surrounded by people, most of whom you have no idea who they are. The only thing you definitely have in common is that you're there to enjoy the ocean and possibly get away from other aspects of reality. But you're not concerned with who else is there, nor do you really care. Almost all the groups of people have their own agendas and plans. And for the most part, no one interacts except maybe upon initially showing up for the purpose of staking a claim to a piece of real estate on the beach. In a very real sense there are vast numbers of entire microcosms operating in harmony, yet completely independent from each other. This obviously occurs in real life all the time such as at the grocery store, sporting events, and especially restaurants. The thing is, in those situations, you may not be as readily aware of it. It raises an interesting question on the dual nature of humanity. Human nature seeks out company, but not too much company. It may be that no man is an island, but it also appears that most men are not continents either.

Individuality and Love

This guy flew by me on Main Street and struck me as a true individual. Remember, this is the land of NASCAR and Harley Davidson. I tried to imagine what type of music this dude listened to on his iPod.
The noses indicate that these ladies are probably related. I think that it only takes about 40-50 years and the role of leader in hand holding are exchanged. I bet if I asked the older of the two ...she could remember when it was her daughter who needed assistance across the street. It was really nice to see the time and care the younger woman took with the other.