Herd mentality...

How many Strangers does it take to feed a parking meter in South Beach?

End Of The Day

Found this stranger out admiring the sun as it was setting across the sound in Duck, NC. You can see she has her camera with her, but whereas I was keeping busy running around trying to capture the sunset she was more intent on enjoying it for what it was and merely taking a photo every couple of minutes. Makes me wonder if I'm missing out by not embracing these little moments rather than trying to capture the moments to look back at later (my gut tells me her method is going to leave the more lasting impression).

On the front line...

This Stranger deserves a medal. It takes guts to stand at an airport gate and call out delay updates every fifteen minutes or so...when the flight time has already changed a dozen times.

Loyalty...

I don't know who this patient Stranger was waiting for, but they owe him a HUGE apology. He stood in the rain for nearly 45 minutes waiting for someone to pick him up...pretty much right as shown here. The rain ranged from light to moderate, but no umbrella came out. No cover was sought. THIS is a loyal friend!

Going in circles...

This solitary Stranger was hypnotically tracing a medieval-style labyrinth along the rocky coast of San Francisco.

North Carolina Or Arrakis

Found these strangers across the dunes at Jockey's Ridge. I could have zoomed in, but I like the dramatic isolation that you get from the zoomed out version. The sands were really hot, 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the actual temperature. The only thing missing are huge spice producing sandworms.

concentrating on the wrong device

i think this stranger needs to re-read the health and safety guidelines. especially the section concerning 'answering your phone when you're holding a running chainsaw'!!

a friendly face

only in the uk will you find a guy standing in the rain giving away balloon animals! i watched him for a while and i think his sole motivation was to try and cheer up the kids being dragged round the shops with their parents.

Catch The Rainbow

This stranger and myself were taking pictures of the sunset, when suddenly we turned around and there was a rainbow forming behind us so we both turned around and focused on that (no pun intended). Pretty sure he got the better picture since he had a tripod and I didn't.

Surfin' USA...

The freezing cold waters of Northern California never seem to shake the brave surfers. The guy was part of a "pack" along Rt. 1 south of Big Sur.

Coexistence of Different Worlds

It was nearly 100 F in Kansas City last week. This stranger seemed unaffected by the heat.

Missing Something?

From our 2004 trip to Thailand, the tourist seems to just be realizing that the magazine is missing from the guard's weapon.

That's Hot

The beach theme just keeps on going. Local lifeguard on the shores of Duck, NC protecting the citizens on the beach where the temperature was 94 with a heat index of 123.

Catch A Wave

Continuing with my beach theme, these strangers were out trying to catch some waves. Unfortunately over here on the east coast the waves just don't get that big. But at least all of them were able to ride at the same time.

Ok, That's Colder Than I Thought

Despite the temperature being in the low 90's the water was a bit on the chilly side. Especially once you got up to mid-level (if you know what I mean). I can personally attest to this fact, but if you don't believe me, check out the guy on the right.

Vroooom

These strangers obviously knew each other and were having a grand ole time chasing each other around the race track. What was that phrase Cole Trickle used? "I can take him on the inside." Hmmm, how badly have I dated myself by referencing a Cole Trickle quote.

Passing Time

Well as Bullbunky pointed out to me today, it has been a year since Strangers Among Us started. It was a germ of an idea that I am pleasantly surprised has continued for 365 days. In the year there have been 210 posts. We have also added several contributors. One of the most interesting things to me is how the different personalities of each contributor are manifested by the pictures they post.

JamesF got us considered for a Blog of Note, which when it happened, had tons of folks visiting Strangers and ultimately resulted in many returning visitors that we would have not otherwise known. Our blog even became one of the subjects of a graduate research paper.

For those of you who might wonder, some of us have known each other for a quarter century and others are very recent acquaintances.

Zooom!

Nothing quite says summer like the State Fair.

More music...almost...

I waited patiently for this Stranger to begin playing. But instead, he went about a meticulous procedure of arranging tiny parts of his display, pacing ritualistically, and staring off into space. He clearly was waiting for a sign that it was time.

I never saw him play.

Famous strangers...

When is a Stranger not a stranger? And more importantly, when did Mr. Sulu start doing the Vulcan hand thingy? Regardless, George Takei's headline presence in the SF Pride parade proves that 1) he is really trying to join Cher as a gay icon and 2) Google can buy anyone.

A walk in the park...

These happy (??) Strangers were out for a leisurely stroll around the reservoir in Central Park.

enjoying the view

welcome to the north wales holiday town of llandudno. while we were getting some fresh air on the promenade i spotted this couple just observing the strangers around them passing by. i like the fact that the lady appears to be resting her legs on an invisible footstool.

Red Black And Blue

And one last animal one. This was taken on the 4th and I've included it for the humor factor of the color coordination and the fact that yesterday's Stranger is there in the background. I will admit that it's possible (I might even go as far as to say highly probable in fact) that I'm the only one that will see any humor in this.

Out Walking The Dog

Continuing the pseudo animal theme we've got going. This Stranger was on the side of the road with her companion while a parade of kids went by on the street.

Out For A Ride

Continuing with the horse theme. I'll see your one "horse" shot (if you can call it that) and raise you one. I got these shots of some Strangers out for a ride at local park last week.

Horse-drawn carriage...

These Strangers have an arrangement you don't see every day. But leave it to the SF Pride Parade to bring 'em out! The man dresses in a leather harness and horse mask, and pulls around the woman in a cart. I suppose this does fit with the City's green initiatives.

My question: who manufactures leather horse masks? Talk about a niche market!

Painting In The Trees

I stumbled across this woman painting at a local park the other day. She was so completely caught up in the activity of painting that I'm not even sure she knew anyone else was there.

For me it's always difficult to try and take candid intimate shots of people without the act of taking the photo destroying the moment. Think about it, typically people are going to look at the guy pointing a huge camera towards them and snap out of what they're doing. Not in this case though, which is why I think the photo works. That and I've always admired and respected the ability some people have to create a painting or drawing from nothing. It's something I've always wanted to be able to do, but I realized long ago I just don't have the knack for it that some people have. All of which probably explains why I end up taking pictures trying to capture scenes in my head in a photo since in my mind that's significantly easier to accomplish.


And I'll admit that I was insanely curious as to how her painting was turning out, so I snapped a picture of that also. I included it because I figure I can't be the only person that would have gone nuts wondering what she was painting and what it looked like. Although I really should have tried to get a shot from the perspective that she was painting from versus slightly off that angle so we could all see how it compared. Anyway, from what I can see, she's pretty good (better than my poor attempts at painting would be).

What Would Buddha Do?

There are some chores that are more physical than spiritual in nature, I suppose.

This is a shot Cheryl or I took during our 2004 trip to Thailand and when we were chatting with John over the weekend Cheryl mentioned this photo and John said that it should go up onto the Strangers blog, so here it is.

those who serve

a watchful eye amongst the crowd. to all the strangers who are willing to potentially put their lives at risk to keep us all safe. from the frontline in far off lands to these guys patrolling our streets.
we salute you.

Tuning up...

This musical Stranger was preparing for a performance in Central Park. Since this was pre-concert, nobody was paying attention...except me. I am still amazed how people can tune out the hundreds of people walking by...until the invisible curtain goes up and suddenly the audience appears.

Ties that bind us...

New Yorkers seem to have a hard time letting go of the electronic ties to the world...even on a brilliantly sunny day in the middle of Central Park.

Contemplation...

The perfectly-warm air and cheery sun brought this Stranger out to Central Park. He placed himself front and center on a deserted stage and never paid one bit of attention to the Strangers around him.