This is my friend Valerie. We took a ride down to the Lincoln Monument to get some photos for a class. She decided to donate money to the Park Police during their U-turn o' thon fund raising drive. For every U-turn you make the Park Police take $25 to feed their horses. If you're an animal lover I imagine it would make you feel good.
"The job of a U.S. Park Policeman is never done." ... They don't really say that. Although it might possibly be the single fraternity of men with whom this motto seems likely. This nameless officer said there are approximately fifty small parks throughout the District that the force patrols through. "Not all in one day," he added. I think the horse was trying to tell me something.
Today I was going through my collection of military rations (MREs). I cooked an ultra-preserved ham slice in the frying pan and ate it with a serving of Bowl Noodles. The ham tasted better than it smelt. I had to use an air freshener around my entire place. Later I went back for some dessert. I found a Snickers Munch Bar, a common piece of many MREs. I took a bit out of it, swallowed it. I took another bit and realized that the peanuts were so old they tasted just like dirt. I have a beer.
Pedro Santos makes arrangements on the phone as his daughter Marina waits to have her picture taken. Marina is celebrating her 15th birthday. He said he invested a little more than usual for her birthday this year. "Do you know the [metaphor] of the budding rose?" he asked. According to Salvadorian tradition, at fifteen his daughter is now a woman.
The National Mall has some creepy looking places. The carousel in front of the Smithsonian Castle is a classic.
How long can one live on Bowl Noodles, McBurgers and hot dog vendors? Answer: Forever! (It has something to do with the perservatives.)
A burst water main on G St NW diverted hundreds of pedestrians in the White House area. Jimmy, owner of the Xchange Saloon (I designed their logo) built a bridge of pallets across the urban rapids. "Come on in and get something to eat," he encouraged the bridge crossers.
Daniel, a historic gas lighting specialist, cruises his Segway down Connecticut Ave. from DuPont Circle on his way to Capitol Hill. He said he's sure everyone will have these remarkable machines when the price drops. I was also amazed that he could look through his pockets for a card while still moving down the sidewalk, no hands.
On my way back from getting 4x5 film for my studio lighting class I saw two bums fighting. A bearded man had knocked another homeless guy to the ground knocking his shoe off. As the bearded man walked away his victim got up, grabbed his shoe, and hit the other bum in the head with it. I ran down the sidewalk and got to them while they were fighting at a park bench in front of the World Bank. I started taking photos waiting for some action and the bearded bum came over and popped me in the head. My immediate reaction brought him to the ground. The other man came back and started yelling. I thought they might start fighting again. Then the man lunged at me again saying he was going to "cut my face off." At first I was a little worried ... until I saw that his knife was a hair comb. I told him I didn't want to hit him again, but again he found himself on the ground. I felt bad the second time and was trying to walk away when the he started walking after me yelling derogatory obscenities. I started throwing snow at him, he kept following me. The last time he charged at me I kicked him on his butt. All for an action photo and I didn't even get one. I did get a decent portrait (not pictured).
Runnin' from the Law
A.J., a fine arts photography student, sometimes finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
I was walking back from doing some work at school and three blocks of Columbia Rd. were taped off. This was very strange because Columbia Rd. is a large traffic artery, even at night. I took an alley to the blocked-off section of street. At the center of the activities were about six police cars, two buses, and a fire truck. I couldn't smell fire. I saw two firemen helping a woman who could barely walk, down some steps and to her walker. She was getting on one of the buses, which I then realized were full of old people. I looked across the street down Ontario St. and saw what looked like utilities workers. Maybe a gas leak. I was too hungry to stop and ask.
