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.
This is my friend M.E. Sprengelmeyer. I saw him and a few other people at an opening at Fusebox Gallery tonight near 14th and U St NW. A lot of artsy people showed up. Alas, a wineless reception is no reception for me, so I left.
Everyone has some things that stay in the fridge forever, I am no different. This bottle of Thunderbird citrus wine has probably been in my ice box longer than anything. There's just a little bit left I'm not throwing out. Hey, I paid $2.79 for it.
This is Tang. He is a Fine Arts Senior at the Corcoran. He has a very distinct style of work. His art pieces are iconic and they have blunt social satire. His style is marketable. Well, he does share names with "the beverage of the astronauts".
Houston, I've Landed On Mars
I could fill my pockets with money from the Martian money scheme? Wait! ... I've got it! There must be oil on Mars!
I bought some batteries yesterday walking through the park at the corner of Mt Pleasant and Columbia Rd. Two guys were walking towards me. One had two big packs of batteries in his hand. "Are they having a sale on batteries somewhere?" I asked. He handed the DUELCELLs to me and said, "Give me $5 for both." His friend gave me a bag and said, "Make sure you put them in that bag before you get out of this park." Two 16-packs for $5, not a bad price. I thought I could use them in my flash ... not enough power. They work, but they work like old batteries and it takes the flash a while to warm up. Tonight I was walking through Meridian Park. I like to cut through there every once in a while in hopes that I stumble across a body or something in the labyrinth of stairs. Tonight I was walking up the steps and someone at the top looked at me and stopped. I thought they were selling drugs and said, "I'm cool. I don't need anything." They waited anyway and said hello. I continued to walk up the steps and another dude was urinating or something in a doorway at the next flight. I kept walking. When I got to the top I had to take in the beautiful, panorama of D.C. I looked down and saw the urination man taking a path out through the park wall. I looked down the steps and the other guy was walking up spitting every other step. He said hello again and asked me if I knew what went on in this park. I said I guess some drug dealing and probably some muggings. He said that I was right about the activities and added in more or less words that he was a male prostitute also. Then he turned around and said, "The people." And suddenly I saw about four people in different areas of the park walking toward us. "They are the zombies walking toward me," he said. I didn't want to get in the way of any of the man's business ventures so I said, "Take care, I gotta get going." As I was leaving the park I found a broken CD walkman sitting by the steps. The low-juice batteries I bought are perfect for it.
Scuffle at the Bus Stop
Today I was waiting for the bus making designs in the snow with my feet. I was standing on the crowded sidewalk in front of 7-Eleven. I heard a scuffle. I turned around and saw a kid getting hit in the face. About three other kids were hitting at him and they were trailed by maybe four others. I got my camera out as soon as I could but all I managed was the gang of high schoolers fleeing the scene. One of them yelled, "Hey, that #@#@s got a camera. Beat his @&&!" I thought it was funny. I used foul language to tell him I would most definitely hurt him, and they all proceeded with their initial retreat. They should have waited for the bus because it pulled up right after that. We passed them less than a block away.
I usually only use photos that were taken the day I posted them, this photo is from yesterday. I have been panning everything since I bought a monopod. I thought it would be great to capture someone walking with one of those roller bags. The thought went to the back of my head for a few hours until I was walking with a couple school friends. I don't know anything about fashion ... but to me this photo says a lot about fashion. Joyce's leopard skin jacket represents of the past hundred years of fashion. (The past few thousand years if you count the Flintstones.) The most significant fashion item is Lechaun's carry-on bag. I have a theory that the wheeled carry-on will be the largest fashion trend of Post 9-11. It's similar to the camouflage in fashion. There were travel industry-induced trends in the past. But we live in a time when being a carry-on toting stewardess is as dangerous a job as being a camouflaged soldier in combat. (Well, not quite.) I hope that's behind us now.
I was suppose to have a class tonight but I dropped it before I started. I'm still a full-time student. I was advised against taking it this semester because of the involvement of my other classes.
I've made a couple other photographs of the Columbia Road Discount Center a while back and, Curren, a friend and native of D.C. commented on them. It turns out its Deco overhang was once protected moviegoers from rain while they waited in line for their tickets. She said from 1951 to 1987 the building was a theater. Curren said in the early 80's the theater hosted such musical greats as U2, REM, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Judas Priest, the Police, Minor Threat, the Ramones and more. She also said she remembers going there to see Purple Rain with her mom when she was young. I have a similar memory of seeing Purple Rain with my Mom, only it was a drive-in theater in Orange County, CA. The very same drive-in that I saw Rambo II and Top Secret in a double feature.
I had my first studio lighting class tonight. I know I'm going to love it. One thing I wasn't expecting was that it is strictly a film class ... back to the darkroom. I was hoping I could avoid was the cost of film and photo paper. Aside from the benefits of learning studio lighting this class will also be my introduction to the 4x5 large format camera.
My neighborhood has a lot of bicyclists, especially in the summer. I'd rather walk than ride a bike when the weather is too cold. I ended up taking the bus home tonight. When I got to Mt Pleasant I did a little grocery shopping. I found a great place to buy the good Bowl 'O Noodles, with the dehydrated vegetables packet and seasoning packet. I use to buy the noodles at 7-Eleven (below). At the Super Save Market three doors down they're half the price.
I met my friend Chris at McDonald's and got a couple hamburgers. After I ate them I was still hungry so I went to the counter to order another. I looked down at the register and saw a roach on the counter. I pointed. The girl at the register was startled. Then she grabbed the counter clothe, swatted the roach to the floor and stomped it. She looked back at me. It was a strange moment. It was repulsive, but it takes more than that for me to loose my appetite.
