Start My Day with a Bang

Today my sister Patti took me looking for loading dock photos I needed for an illustration in a 2nd grade social studies text. We went to a Cox Lumber in Ocala, Fl. I took a decent shot of their loading docks. We went down the highway a little further until we saw another industrial complex. Inside the office I talked to Ty. He said, "Sure, we can help you out." "What type of distribution center is this again," I asked. "TNT Fireworks," he replied.


Johnny Rocket-Seed

My niece Taira's boyfriend, Johnny, was pulling his Harley Fatboy out for a cruise as soon as we arrived back from the fireworks warehouse. Of course I couldn't ride on the back! ... What kind of man do you think I am!? (Okay, I went for a little ride through the yard.)


Home Clinic

I also needed a photo of disinfectant being sprayed in a clinic or hospital. Because my Mom is fighting cancer she had enough props around the house to play the part of the patient, and to give the kitchen wall the clinical look. My niece Carol (who wishes to pursue a career in the medical profession when she graduates) was getting ready for bed in her scrubs. Perfect.

Beached Ideas

Today I tried to tie together some loose-end photo assignments ... It didn't work. I received permission to shoot a hospital's dietician from their public relations office, but never got a call back from the dietician. Also, I'm in frickin' Florida and I can't find a Honda jet ski anywhere! (It has to be a Honda.)

Punta Gorda vs Hurricane Charley

This in Mr. Burton, resident of Punta Gorda, Fl. Despite the wreckage that lies on top of his car, he considers himself lucky ... to be alive. He parked his car away from his house like many others who expected high waters in their neighborhoods. What he didn't expect was the hotel he parked it next to, to topple over.


Closed!

The window stickers of a Punta Gorda business were placed neatly on the sidewalk by Hurricane Charley.


No-Car Garage

A car sits on a hydraulic lift, apparently in the middle of an oil change, where there use to be an enclosed garage.


Climate-controlled Laundromat

Twenty-four hour laundry? The Laundry Depot in Punta Gorda is as opened as it ever was.


Beans, Bullets and Bandages

Taking a break at the Ice and Water Distribution Point, Spc. Steven Laney and PFC Bill Booher discuss the wreckage they have witnessed during the relief efforts in Punta Gorda. They and other members of the National Guard's 153rd Combat Engineers came to the rescue from Lake City, 200 miles north.

Nicest Post Office on Earth

Today my niece Carol, who received her drivers license less than a week ago, drove me around all over the place. We were in and out all day. At one point we had to evacuate my mom from her house to my sister's because of local tornado touchdowns. After that, but before we drove to a DSL internet cafe in Ocala I had to send a CD of photos to LA. I called the post office in near-by Belleview. "We close at 1 o'clock," said the lady. When I got there a minute after 1pm she unlocked the door for me.

Friday the 13th Luck

Today we got ready for the storm. Putting things away in sheds, taking lawn ornaments out of the ground, going to buy batteries, water, ice and Mike's Hard Lemonade. In the afternoon me and my older niece Becky decided to go to the liquor store for some beverages. When she got back she fixed herself and her husband Bill a drink. Bill drank about two sips before his cell phone rang ... it was his 1st Sergeant telling him their National Guard unit was activating. Bill is on his way to Orlando to help with looters (if there are any) and clean-up efforts. We are still here drinking beverages.

Hurricane Reba

Hello friends! Today I had a great trip out of DC. Caught a taxi that smelt like urine ... I love those cabs. Had a nice flight down. I arrived just in time to see a good part of the region evacuated. The only hurricane I see here in Summerfield is my great-niece Reba.

Through Hail and Back

Today we saw golf ball-sized hail in some parts of DC. I peeked my head out of Swing's Coffee Shop and saw these loyal customers and some brave Fairfax County school bus driver braving the hail on 17th St NW. These folks didn't actually come into the shop, but a regular wadded in and ordered a cup ... then realized he had forgotten his wallet. He gave the shop a verbal IOU and the sale was settled with the old form of credit, trust. It's nice to see human compassion in these modern days of iced coffee.

The Big Hunt

A long lost friend Paul is back in town. He came here to go to college and when he graduated he moved back to Costa Rica. We met Paul at "The Big Hunt" on Connecticut Ave. Aside from the "good ol' days" the main topic of conversation was how Paul recently broke his arm while surfing in Nicaragua. I had forgotten that Paul surfed. One thing I do remember about hanging out with Paul is that 10 out of 10 times I'll wake up with a hangover.

Bush Opposes Redskins Fans?

I went to watch the pre-season game tonight at my friends' place. Another friend Theo (pronounced Tao) showed up to watch the game. Theo knew I was actually there more for Maris's hot wings and less for the game. Theo wonders why I am not into football much, but especially the Redskins. "You like DC don't you?! I mean, look at your website ... full of DC," he added. I do find it exciting that Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs has come out of retirement to take control of the team he took to the Super Bowl four times, winning three.

Mount Pleasant Street Culture

It seemed like I had moved out of Mount Pleasant during a period when another layer of gentrification was spread over the neighborhood. It has become a bit different place over the past year. But some things don't change so fast, like its Latino and especially Salvadorian culture. My friend Brandon wanted to know if I knew an inexpensive Salvadorian eatery up in Mount Pleasant. I took him to El Polo Sabroso on Mount Pleasant Street. They have the best chicken sandwiches and rotisserie chicken in DC. The summer might be the best time to eat in Mount Pleasant because after lunch you can get a shaved ice. They shave the ice off a giant block in the center of the cart. The flavoring is mixed with condensed milk to make it even sweeter.

Projecting a Weekend at Homes

I stayed at home all day moving my belongings around and figuring out what I need to buy. I have been surviving off a wedge of garlic jack cheese and a variety box of crackers. Tomorrow I have to go to my old apartment and pick up some minor things and throw away a pile of unwanted things I left there. Something I'm glad I brought with me was my very archaic "negative projector." I used it to project this negative I found in one of the Corcoran College's photo labs. It appears to be a caucasian American of possibly "biker/trailer-park culture" sporting the facial hair of a "Chinese wise man."