photography

I’ll call no shame in stopping at Starbuck’s again. But tonight the tone of the establishment turns dismissive when one of the employees exits as I am photographing my group of friends this evening. “You can’t take pictures on our property,” we are told.

No big deal. Five feet to the left of us is neutral sidewalk; we happily shift our little meeting to the safer seas of paved asphalt.

Now I said, “Group of friends…” didn’t I?

Exactly right.  Group is correct.

Introducing center stage… for one night only… Give it up for the Michael Olivieri Band and their new release, “Broken Glass.”

I had no idea of the depth of individual personalities I would be meeting when I rolled in for my end-of-day search. And not wanting to keep revisiting the same demographic, I even told myself that I would probably not approach anyone at this frequently visited haunt of mine.

And as a regular, it adds a bit of insult to injury in being thrown off the patio.

Perhaps it was the judgment of the counter workers, thinking that we were an aggressive bunch, and if true, an assessment that was far from the truth. I’ll let go of it at that, for to harp on being tossed-off an empty rain wet patio would make me a bit of a hypocrite to my views of getting along.

Wow, I’m trying to suppress my emotion and I am fully surprised that this point has stuck in my mind as I am writing this entry.  Maybe it is the fatigue of my now 20^th hour with no sleep, or perhaps the cold drink I did not get to finish, but what I really think has gotten under my skin is the thought that perhaps myself and my new gang of friends have been typecast in some way.

Oh look out! There is a rowdy group of rockers outside! let’s not let them become a distraction! A distraction we are not, as you will now see.

Let’s start with Michael, the lead singer and founder of the band. His first advice, with smile on face, “Run…! But be happy while you do it. And love your neighbors on the way.”

For the future, “People will still be all about themselves – we need to spread love!”

K.K goes next in his council to us, “Forgive, hope, love, live and be good to each other.”

In looking ahead he gives this, “We can choose, and I believe that if we can do that, it will be a better world.”

Paul kicks in, “Just love each other and help when you see that you can.

“We are heading towards a change in the world that we can dictate the outcome of, if we love each other, that’s all we need to do… the rest will follow.”

Now here is what is amazing. I do not individually interview these guys; time is way too short for that. You see the band has met here to grab a few guerrilla street pick-up shots with their videographer, Anjani (who, by the way is the first person I speak to in approaching the group).

And not wanting to distract too greatly from their production schedule, I challenge each band member to privately write their responses to the 365 questions. I have not guided or edited their words, and what is striking to me is the unity of perspective these guys have with one another in their outlook for a better future and the lack of focus they put on themselves. They are really cool dudes, as well as highly talented and established musical artists.

Buzzy goes for it, a little on the darker side, but relevant, “Stop having kids.

“I believe some of our greatest problems are due to the lack of birth control. The starving kids on TV… we’ll see their kids on the same network. Crack whores, criminals, poverty-stricken should not have kids.”

Sounds harsh, I know…but the more I think about Buzzy’s written responses to my questions, I have to acknowledge the reference he is making. A through line that leans to the responsibility of anyone engaging in unprotected sex. I can’t say that I fully agree with Buzzy’s tact, but as a parent, I do appreciate his perspective.

My wife and I have only one child, but in growing our family we are realizing that there are a lot of abandoned children in the world, children that we are considering looking towards to adopt. Some come from tragedies that have left them alone, others are a result of broken marriages… while sadly, an overwhelming amount are born due to lack of responsible birth control and of simple forethought.

This fact bewilders me… and to see the loneliness and resulting unstable juggling of orphaned kids is something that I find rather upsetting.

Dan is last to complete his questionnaire, well sort of.

“Words of advice…?”

“Looking towards the future…?”

“This is too funny,” his final words.

I see through it though. Dan was one of the first in the group to react positively to what I share of 365. Perhaps he is overwhelmed at the pressure of responding in the moment. Literally, within 10 minutes of chat we move on to taking photos. The whole meeting, written words and photos, goes down in under twenty minutes. That alone is a thought-stopping proposition. No worries Dan.

We wrap our shoot and as we do one final band member approaches.

Last, but certainly not lease, meet bassists, Tom. Wish I could write a few more words about Tom, but Tom didn’t have time to send me his answers before the deadline for today’s blog.  Hey Tom, that’s OK — They say a picture is worth a thousand words and my wife thinks your photo says just that.

Hey guys, great meeting you!

Until tomorrow…

It’s been another nomadic night of auto travel. Twenty-miles up Ventura Blvd. Several stops and double digits of rejections are behind me. 9pm is approaching and hampered by the pending onset of rain from a blackening sky, the streets are clearing.

To continue in my in car-stalking of the area is transforming my presence to that of Creepy Abductor, and not wanting to bear that title, I submit to my now becoming regular fall-back plan, The nearest Starbuck’s Coffee house.

“Hey Starbuck’s, you owe us a few for the exposure you’re getting!”

And readers “I promise that I am not trying to do any product placement on a regular basis. Just an easy stop for WiFi, hot beverage and a place where there are friends to meet.”

The rain is starting to drizzle, and as expected, the store is filled with people. I order my drink and standing back from the counter to wait I take in the culture of the room.

Against the south wall, three senior citizens are engrossed in a mini backgammon tournament, through the window to the north the last of the weather-fighters sits at a table applying polish to her fingernails, and to the west corner are the couches of leisure, filled to capacity with a diverse cross-section of society.

Even though there are a few open tables to sit at, and tens of strangers to approach, I find myself stupored in thought. My brain waves are blurred and the depth of the diversity has merged into one big mass of indecision as to whom to approach.

I stand vagrant in the center of the establishment, again beginning to feel like a stalker. I relax my thinking for an instant, “Perhaps I am trying too hard and have put myself in a state of profiling my potential friends.”

“Time to let go Richard,” overpowers the radio like static that has captured me and as it does, one gentleman, buried in study, comes into complete focus.

“Great! Thanks brain…! You’re pointing me to the most-engrossed-in-study person in the room. He’s gonna brush me off for sure.”

This subconscious finger of direction has been very active this week and I’ve learned by the school of hard knocks that when it points, I must listen… without pause and unconditionally.

It has proven to me that whether dark circumstance to the easiest of meetings, it has never been off-base. And to ignore the blend of powerful presence and peaceful countenance that my un-introduced stranger is radiating would be a sin to 365’s mission of extending a welcoming handshake to all, even no’s as well as the yes’s.

“OK risk it, so what if he turns the offer of 365 down, you at least followed the prompting you felt,” I conclude.

“Please forgive me from interrupting you, I was standing in the center of the room and a feeling told me that I must introduce myself to you.” My still unknown friend listens to me babble.

“214 days ago I embarked on a project to meet the world around me, and to blog the stories of those I meet. It has been an amazing journey and I am learning that we are all really in this thing together.” He begins to break a smile, and I am unsure if it is a smile of skepticism or acceptance.

Yet, he listens on, “The premise of it is, we are in this thing together and should put our feet in the shoes of the people around us in passing on any goodwill we can. Would you be interested in contributing? It will take us only about five to ten minutes?”

“Sure, you can interview me. And you promise it will only take five-minutes? I’m busy studying,” my new friend comments.

Brent is his name, and shortly into our conversation I am brought up to speed as to the magnetic aura that first drew him into focus. Brent is a man of God, and his study… the Bible.

By no means let me misdirect you in thinking that he is clergy; just a fellow human, doing his best in doing his part to reach out to the world with his words of faith and conviction; a shining example of a person following his belief in a loving God throughout all that he does in profession, family and personal life. And a man courageous enough to not hide his spiritual views under a bushel.

“My advice,” Brent shares, “is that we seek God.

“We are precious to God in that he created us, He knows us down to the number of hairs on our head, and He desires an active relationship with us.

“I believe that we are called to care for his creation, with special emphasis on caring for each other, the creations God loves the most.

“We are insignificant in that God’s plan will be done, his will will be exercised, with or without our individual participation. His desire is that we take part in his good work, and that we are reconciled to him, but we are free to focus elsewhere. Indeed, many fall away. Following God requires sacrifice and may not be easy. However, ‘Easy is the road, and wide is the path that leads to destruction… Narrow is the gate that leads to life.’ (Mat 7:13)

“My pastor answers the question of whether things will get better or worse for mankind with the answer, ‘Yes.’ In this he means the world’s troubles and bad human behavior will increase just as God’s church grows in number and in good deed. Ultimately, our good God is sovereign and we are encouraged to take strength in that fact.”

The brain static that began tonight has departed, and Brent, thank you for the spirit you emit. May your example grow forward.

To “the gate that leads to life…” however we choose to follow. And to paraphrase the thoughts of Brent, “May we choose to care for each other and embrace a loving God.”

“’Let me give you an analogy from the documentary. ‘See the world as one big house, and each country, or city, is just another room in the house.’”
—Bruce

“Bikes are people too,” at least that is my belief. I figure if we talk to our plants, cars and lucky charms, it is fair game for me treat my bike, or should I say, bikes, with a humanistic slant.

Let me tell you a little more about my compulsion, 4 bikes I have, that is not including the three that belong to my wife, my daughters one and the tandem that she and I share rides on. Yep that’s right… We are quite a peddling family.

And as the team captain of our bicycling trio, it is embarrassingly shameful to know that I have neglected my two-wheeled family members for far too long. A point that becomes horribly apparent as I take note of the dust and grime that has formed on my favorite cross-country racing rig.

Dirt that in years past I would have painstakingly removed with gentle strokes of chamois and brush. So as I walk past my memory-sharing friend, the decision is obvious. Like a neglected relationship, it looks at me on this fine spring day, pleading, “I’ve been cooped up for way to long, set me free!”

Accepting my role in ignoring a loved one, into my peddling spandex I change. “Ouch! Richard! Did you have to put that vision in our minds!”

Hey, if you are a cyclist… you understand… If not, now you have some harass Richard material, “Spandex man to the rescue!”

I quickly get a reminder as to why I teach spinning when I hit the trail with an addition to my usual riding kit. That addition, forty pound of camera gear, 365 is never left at home.

Up hill one my firm seated friend carries me. Stroke by stroke I conquer warm up climb one, the adrenalin is beginning to flow and I’m joyfully entering what I loving refer to as cyclist nirvana. A place where time stands still and all you can hear is the pace of your breath entering and exiting your lungs. It’s a state of connection with powers above myself, and in a strange way, connected to mother earth. If you have never mountain biked, I encourage you to at least try it a few times.

Over the summit I emerge, and hitting the pedals hard, I enter into a downhill sprint. The exhilaration is empowering, wind in my face, speed opening up, 12mph…15mph…20mph…25mph… I’m in the moment.

Now there is one very important factor to riding off-road, especially when descending with momentum… “At all times… LOOK AHEAD…! WAY AHEAD!”

It’s a kind of cover your butt situational awareness; eyes scanning the trail and horizon while mentally logging all you see, constantly acknowledging it will be in your face sooner than you know it.

There is nothing more miserable than performing a handlebar vault over an ignored log, rut, rock or worse yet, and very rude, a human. Not all that promising for trail moral, I assure you.

Towards a favorite banked turn I rocket, a two-wheeled grove is raging throughout my body and mind. Nothing can stop me… Well… Almost nothing.

No I don’t wipe out (Sorry gore fans), literally as I pick my line in entering my approach path to a ripping right hand turn, I am distracted.

Emerging in stride down a slope to the South I spot the figure of a mountain trail runner. He is small and distant. At first my selfishness sets in, “Keep riding… this is your time… your going to kill that banked turn… you’ll meet a 365 friend later… pass on this gentleman.”

It’s crazy how much can go through your mind in a nanosecond and I nearly buy into this subconscious diversion. I engage in the intensity of my eye-line, yet it is impossible to escape the small voice of my sub thought, “Stop and wait, this unknown hiker has something to say.”

Ultimately, I listen in bringing my descent to a halt at the apex of my much-anticipated corner.

A couple of minutes pass before the man on the hill crosses my path, “Pardon me, I’m a photographer. I apologize if I am disruption your hike, but 214 days ago I started on a challenge. That challenge…” I explain the purpose and why’s of what we are doing in the 365 journey.

Bruce accepts the collaboration and again the voice has led me in the right way.

He begins with a point that we are hearing a lot lately, “This may sound cliché,” Bruce starts up, “The Golden Rule.”

“Not at all,” I assure, “‘we’ve heard it often, but with every offering of it, we always receive a different spin on its application or explanation. No two people are alike and that is what is so amazing about this project and the words so many have shared with us. So let me ask you this, ‘Why The Golden Rule?’”

Bruce replies with the grace of British valor (Oh, I forget to tell you, Bruce hails from the UK… place of my birth), “Because at the core we all have values, desires to be respected and desires for our voice to be heard.

And we all have dreams and hopes. None of these can be achieved on our own.”

Bruce is a committed advocate for a united society, so much so that he has put his money, time and talents behind doing something to get his message out.

First, I must inform you that Bruce is a little bit of a celebrity, an extremely recognized entertainment correspondent. I had no idea. There is no air about him, just another humble guy on the trail.

Bruce has traveled much, commuting often from the UK and America as well as many other stops in between.

I’m positive that he has experienced a vast range of cultures and individuals; an observation that I am comfortable to assume by his considerate outlook towards humanity and worry for the future.

“We all should become more conscious of the violence in the world, and the frustrations of the people towards the warnings around us.

Genetically Modified Foods, the conflicts between the haves and have nots.

What is encouraging though, is that I am noticing that the values of the younger generation is more aware… for sure.”

“’All good council, but Richard, you quoted, ‘Bruce is a committed advocate for a united society, so much so that he has put his money, time and talents behind doing something to get his message out.’”

To respond, and I know this is why I have been directed to Bruce this day, I summarize in the opening line from a documentary that he is producing and directing. Its title “Equation Of Change.”

That line, really more of a question that sets the stage for his life statement, “Could a slight change of how we live our lives day-to-day impact the world?”

The magnet that pulled me towards this stranger turned friend, and even co-advocate for a better world, has been revealed. He is an ambassador for bettering the planet. You’ll see what I mean if you view the trailer.

“’Let me give you an analogy from the documentary. ‘See the world as one big house, and each country, or city, is just another room in the house.’” Bruce expounds.

And with that he encourages, “It’s there for us to explore and even more, to take care of.”

Bruce, Thanks for the trail time, Time for me to sprint home.

9:00pm, hanging out at game night with my daughter during our monthly restaurant gathering of schooling friends and family. I sit for a while at the man cave (the table in the corner where several of us fathers gather to shoot the breeze while our kids blow off steam).

It’s a community in itself, a group of eclectic families, all with one united purpose in finding a safe haven for our children to play, and an opportunity for parents to meet.

All who now know me as the 365 guy, having come to accept my commitment to the project. And, knowing that the eve is drawing to a close, and supported by my friend Heidi, who watches my daughter, I take leave to seek tonight’s friend.

Out of the restaurant doors I go, and with a vibrant Saturday night street before me, I scan the horizon. To the left, street traffic and coffee houses; to the right, music and dining and across the street a small mass of eclectic diversity enters and exits the Fabien Castanier Gallery… It’s a no brainer… I’ve got to go there and I’m sure I’ll meet an edgy group.

It’s a trippy installation, one that has drawn quite a diverse crowd. I wander from wall to wall, wrapping myself around the artwork and absorbing the rhythm of the room.

Now I have to tell you, although I am an artist myself, working the gallery scene is not my area of expertise, so I settle in to people watch and in extending a greeting smile to all who engage in my path.

Choosing to not force any conversation, I submit to allow whatever energy finds it way to me.

I wander on, partaking of the spirit of the gallery while appreciating the art, and in the midst of the hum of room noise and the starkness of spot lit white walls, a kind face appears out of the mass of moving shoulders.

“Is this your gallery?” I inquire.

“How did you know?” comes back at me.

“I don’t know, you just looked to me like a man who has something to say,” I second.

He smiles, “It’s not really my gallery, just kidding, but let me introduce you around.”

Dennis is his name, and with the grace of a seasoned diplomat, he guides me to an introduction of what is little less than all who are in attendance… I’m overwhelmed.

What I thought was going to be a chance meeting with sir, or madam edgy has transformed to an evening of inspiration that is in contrast to the provocative subject matter of the art that is before me.

Dennis gives us a quote from Founder of The Peace Alliance Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

In this he asks us to “Shamelessly embrace our personal value.”

As we talk, another stranger turned friend reaches out with a handshake. “How can I help you… and what’s your story?” Josh invites himself into our conversation.

His Boston accent is infectious and his genuine interest is refreshing. We exchange the usual social pleasantries, and after a brief talk of the 365 mission, he kicks in with an ingratiating, “I’d be happy to contribute.”

Turns out that Josh is a publicist (Wickid Pissa Publicity) and is way behind what we’re doing with 365.

He explains his link to the PR world, “I specialize in indie film, but really like what you are doing. I have a few words to share.”

At first, I’m not certain where things will go, thinking that we will be promoting his projects, something that I am happy to do, but also cautious to not pull too far away from the 365 message of “passing it on.”

Again, I am about to get another lesson in the misconceptions of pre-determining the direction of a conversation. Turns out, Josh is a superstar of positive outreach.

He opens, “Life is what you make it. While we are here we need to soak it up like a sponge. Inject it like an everlasting slush puppy.”

A rather fun and creative call, and one that I hope brings a glimpse of light to how we view our circumstances. He pauses in thought, “’I’ve got a quote that come to mind, it from a Robert Herrick poem. Funny how some things just stick in your head: ‘Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.’”

We talk about it for a minute or two. The conclusion, enjoy what we have as we do not know what will happen tomorrow; yet, another review of the living in the moment through line that has fallen upon us this week.

For your reference I have looked up the whole poem:

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting. 

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former. 

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.

Two other friends approach, Josh’s clients, actors Patrick and Bryant. I wish I had enough room in this entry to express their humanistic outlook and acceptance of people. You’ll just have to trust me on it. Time is getting very short with my needing to go back to my daughter before the game night ends at 10:00pm.

I’ve been here forty-five minutes now, and as a responsible parent, it’s time to wind down our discussion.

Bryant does give us a word of council in following our dreams “You have to be crazy to be successful. You can’t believe the odds that are against you and most importantly you can’t be afraid to fail.”

No fear, go forward with faith, both in yourself and in a higher power, and walk with peace towards your future; a theme that is becoming the poignant topic of this night.

Josh reflects on the future. “I see us living like The Jestons on steroids, and wonder what would Hemingway or Shakespeare would think if they could see the social media that we are utilizing in our everyday lives. And in that, I have to question, what will the future of technology, and what will our leaders do with it to make the world a better place?”

A better place, interesting and contrasting words to hear as I stand in front of vicarious artworks.

Josh concludes. “We have to take care of our planet and it inhabitants. Treat them with the respect they deserve. After all, we live in it… and we are it.”

In a later sidebar Dennis concurs, “For the future — There is far more for us to do than simply obey. We are all brilliant gifts to humanity and to all that occupies the limitless space we live in. Let’s freely express our gifts and receive the gifts that others have for us.”

Like Josh says, “We live in it… and we are it.”

Thanks guys, this truly has been an emotionally uplifting and esthetic evening.

“Everything is about an open mind and heart. As long as we understand that everyone has their own truths, and that we don’t need to change them. What we do need to do is respect them and acknowledge that everyone is uniquely different. Out differences are a good thing.” – Luis: Dentist, Photographer, and Stranger Turned Friend of day 211.

“Dentists are artists and my focus is on cosmetic dentistry; every patient is different and to be able to help in taking them out of pain and in giving them a nice smile is the best part of what I do.

“It’s about helping a person to be what they want to be, and to help them feel better about themselves. I’ve seen people’s personalities change. It’s great to see their esteem grow in feeling they can do what they want to do. I love my job.

“You have to like what you do and do it your best. Life is about enjoying what you do and work and life have to be together. Everything: from family, to work, to relations, to play.”

An ambassador for what I am calling “life-sight,” Luis speaks of the world, “Everything is beautiful. So many people go through life in a tunnel. They not stop to see the world.”

I ask Luis about the future and in harmony to his outlook on beauty, he realistically phrases his hope for the future, “We are in difficult cross roads and I’m not sure what will happen. We need to integrate ourselves in a heart/mind way. There are too many extremes. I’d like to see the race barriers disappear. And for that to happen the hate and extreme points of view need to disappear.”

What of this beauty for the world thing that Luis talks of?

He and I chat for some time regarding this topic and as we talk it is obvious that he is not wearing rose-colored glasses. Luis is no newcomer to his perspective. This is evident in his disposition. I will not say that he and I divulge any deep life histories, so I am reading between the lines; lines that are opened in knowing that Luis has kept his family values.

As an immigrant to the United States from Guatemala, Luis carries a humanistic wisdom and an understanding of global community. A community that is of obvious priority in the way he speaks of the people in his circle of influence. Luis is a man of balanced perspective.

I meet him, along with his wife of forty years, Olga, this day at a rather upscale park in Laguna Hills. The moment I step up to him with a hello, he is warm and charming. No pomp, no barriers, and no dismissive responses. Really quite the opposite in expressing his interest in who I am and in what I am doing.

Truly I can say that I have met a new friend, and not only a friend, a fellow photographer.

“Photography energizes me,” Luis exposes (no pun intended).

Luis is a true artist through and through. Not only in the way he views everything in his path, but also in his compassion towards his co-humans; a man of real compassion and conviction to do what he can to leave a positive footprint in his life and to be of service to those he associates with, patient, family, friend and stranger alike.

They say that beside every good man is a good woman, and in briefly meeting Olga, this sentiment is manifest.

We don’t speak for long, the grandchildren are calling and with a personal dinner commitment drawing close, we summarize.

Her advice is simple. “We need to get back to loving family values.”

Olga, Luis and I ponder the power of her council and conclude with a few observations.

Things like the pace of this generation: media, new technology, religious alienations and the pressures of a difficult economy. We come to a conclusion. “A good family will always survive any obstacle. No matter where, or with what, it will carry forward and its influence will go around everywhere.”

Olga wraps our discussion, and with the warmth of a seasoned mother, she smiles, “Family values…we need to get back to that.”