I got a lot accomplished today, which I owe partially to coffee, partially to networking. My problems seem on their way to being solved. And I heard some great news from Joe Armstrong, a contract worker for Hardesty, Inc. He said they're opening another coffee shop in the White House area. Caribou Coffee, right at Pennsylvania and 17th NW, across the street from Starbucks, a block from the other Starbucks at 18th and H St NW, and a half block from M.E. Swings at 17th and G St NW (Which has been distributing coffee to the area since 1916).
[Joe Armstrong and other crew workers carry duct work into an old investment banking office, starting the renovation for a Caribou Coffee. The shop should be operating well before Christmas.]
Yesterday I picked up a old Veiwlex negative projector. The last time I saw a negative projector was in a photojournalism class at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. I took the class in early '98 as a Visual Communications major. I picked up this old soviet helmet in Kandahar. The negative is a pic I took of Marine Meduim Helicopter Squadron-263's Vietnam-era mascot, Ready Ape. His name comes from the crew chiefs' verbal verification to the pilot that the helicopter is ready to start. The crew chief would stand at the rear of the helo and shout to the pilot, "Ready APU (auxillary power unit)!"
[This is the image that appears to me when I have post-traumatic flashbacks. Unlike other vets who duck for cover, cry or end up mute and go crazy, I just kinda' stare at this old soviet helmet in my living room and a fortune-telling monkey appears.]
This is Andrew. He goes to the Corcoran College for fine art photography. I took this while I was on my way home from shooting an assignment at the Corcoran where I heard New York Times Photographer Stephen Crowley speak. It was a show of pictures that would captivate any photographer. I'm certain I'll be happy to have Mr. Crowley as an instructor next year.
[Behind Andrew is where the Secret Service physically detained me and forced me to delete my camera's memory card. All for snapping some pictures of them removing a psychotic homeless man (Warren) from the steam grate pictured above.]
For a long time now I've been trying to perfect my touring methods. It started shortly after I moved to D.C. I looked around and saw mostly tourists. As nature would have it I felt the need to fit in with the mainstream society. Now I wear a backpack, have a camera around my neck, and never leave home with less than two maps.
[I forget . . . don't seagulls like Alka-Selter or something?]
This is Joe. He is from Morocco. He works at M.E. Swing's Coffee on 17th St NW. Sometimes he makes esspresso. Sometimes he washes the windows.
[If you want real reflection ask to speak to Lauraine.]
Saw Solomon walking down Columbia Rd. Got this picture of him getting splashed by two girls on a bicycle while simultaneously being cut off by a car.
[Constantly in hope that I stumble across some excitement.]
I was exhausted from insomnia and stress today, stayed in bed til 3pm. Woke up, started laundry and walked to Adams-Morgan for some food. Of course I took some photos, that is always the object of my waking moments. I met some very pleasant, beautifully-minded diplomats from Nigeria. (Maybe Cameroon too?) Great weather!
[This is a busy intersection of neighborhoods, 18th and Columbia Rd NW.]
I spent most of the day trying to decide how I could better react when authorities infringe on my rights as a citizen and a photojournalist. I haven't had too much time to work on it, but figured joining the ACLU was a good start.
[This is a pumpkin on my neighbor's porch. Like a Cinderella carriage my freedom turned into a pumpkin at the strike of a Nazi-fied Patriot Act.]
The Secret Service had me erase my camera's memory card today when I took a picture of them kicking a psycotic man off the steam grate in front of the Corcoran Gallery. They actually used force against me! It was somewhat scary, not that these guys were going to do me any physical harm. (The two that had ahold of me couldn't have run a block without stopping to catch their breath.) It was scary to see the rights i supposedly have, vanish by the hand of two should-be rent-a-cops!
[I felt trapped so I surrendered my fake (or Constitutional) rights as a U.S. citizen. I was caught by surprise. Hopefully next time I'll be better prepared to argue my rights . . . if I find I have any! This cop also tried to compare his being in the Secret Service to being in the Marine Corps. He said that Al Queda was going to come after him and his family if I took his picture. Pointless Fear or Abuse of Power? Either way it's frightening!]
Hung out with ol' Cory Riggle, a fine art photographer. We went visiting some African art exhibits for a class we are both taking. The class is okay, i don't agree with the teaching methods and ideology. They might be compared to a schoolmarm's in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. (Didn't they do away with instructors like that at the end of WWII?)
[This is Solomon spinning, he had the same instructor a couple years ago and says her old-fashion teaching is like a novelty at the school.]
Today started out rocky on account of a disappearing magician. He even gave me a conformation call 3 hours prior to his 2pm meeting . . . never to be heard from again. Hopefully I will remember this as an elephant would, and learn from it! (Elephant are always learning from stuff like that.)
[Took this on 19th NW. Went to get some grub, mirrors, and a sewing machine with Solomon and Susan.]
