Can You Spell Razor?
Seems as if things have gotten to the point where I shave on the weekend. Work, life, everything piles up to force choices. Last night someone told me I look like Steve Jobs. I don’t see it.
I was staring into a 16mm lens when our photographer snapped this picture. He was reminding me how the camera works as I was recalled to action for a photo assignment. It wasn’t on my list of things to do when I arrived in my office in the morning but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
Quiet Commute in the Fog
Riding to and from work provides a fantastic opportunity to quiet the mind before the day spins up. The weather has been warm and misty this week with some lovely fog to ride through. Just down the street from home I took a moment to take in the sunrise before continuing on to the office.
This scene would look equally nice with a motorcycle.
Ice Cream at the Penn State Berkey Creamery
Senator Tim Kaine made a campaign stop at Penn State today. After a speech to students at the Hetzel Union Building he made a quick stop at the Berkey Creamery for some ice cream. It’s always interesting to observe how these events unfold from the staff and press corps to the work of the Secret Service. I could see a lot of agents and assume there were others that I didn’t. Security was more intense when Senator Obama was campaigned for President. And even stricter when I photographed President George W. Bush. When President Clinton was here there were snipers down the hall from my office.
There’s a lot of energy in these events. As a photographer, especially one not engaged in the business anymore on a daily basis, the crowded jostling of the press corps is a unique experience as everyone pushes for position. Behind me were a dozen or so photographers, videographers and writers.
Live Free or Die
New Hampshire’s state motto seems an appropriate life strategy when things get particularly chaotic. Riding the scooter can shine a light on what’s important and what’s not. I still marvel and how easy it is to break life down into the simplest of components. Live free or die makes total sense.
The warm weather is departing as autumn advances toward winter. It’s all happening too fast.
Steve Jobs? Some what, yes, although Steve’s head was more angular and he had less foliage on top. Still one of the best photographs of you in many a moon!
Politicians and their entourage; love them or hate them.
In a firearm happy country one has to be even more wary.
Still kept thinking of the torrential rain we’ve had here in Southern Ontario the last few days and trusting you did not get doused in the process. Riding (like singing) in the rain requires a certain skill set.
It is time to be wistful Steve, you’ll not be riding
to regular employment 12 months from now.
The clock is unwinding in your favour; best enjoy and record these special timeless moments while you are able.
I think often it’s the photos made unexpectedly that reveal the most about a person. When Mike pressed the shutter button he was telling me something about an SD card — the image captured by less-than-excited face at the approaching assignment. Mostly because it interrupted a difficult writing assignment that I had just got my head engaged with.
You’re right about being wistful. I’m seeing everything a bit differently now. Might now be a bad idea to document some of the unwinding…
Hi Steve,
I think it’s the plain t-shirt with the jacket combined this is a typical cool simple look that was Steve jobs standard regular attire, maybe the facial hair growth too.
Couldn’t agree more that we seem to be entering the cold-darker months all to quickly…..still it’s a season I know you find pleasure and enjoyment from, looking forward to some festive posts with a coffee and mince pie!
Regards
Len@RE-GLAZE-IT Derby uk
Mince pie! I’ve heard the words for decades but have no idea what it is. We’re an apple pie country here. Peach in the south. Don’t know what in other parts of the country. Myself, I was never a pie man. Give me chocolate cake.
Still, the festive season approaches and I will no doubt picture it in future posts.
In the PNW I think of berry pie & apple pie. My grand mother would bake the pie if my grandfather would pick the fruit. Here in So. Ca. I think of peach, apple, & strawberry pie, don’t forget lemon meringue. My mother and her siblings grew up with a family that created a dynasty off of boysenberry pie. But I am with you chocolate cake is the finest of the flavors, the being said I will never turn down a pice of pie when offered.
How do we credit the pumpkin pie too? It’s my daughters favorite. Thank you Marylou Coronado for giving my wife the recipe to your pumpkin chiffon pie, a slice of Tx. heaven.
You didn’t mention rhubarb pie. And I’ve seen a lot of berry pies around here come to think of it — blueberry, blackberry, and strawberry.Pie eating contests too.
As good as all that sounds — I still want chocolate cake. Like this ONE!
Yep, I see the Jobs resemblance, but it’s slight. Great pic, though.
It’s funny how you write about the Secret Service and presence of snipers as if it is sort of routine, or at least only a little remarkable.
I love the Vespa in the fog, but what I love even more is that you took time to stop and enjoy the sunrise on your way to work. ?
I think the part of my career behind a camera has put me in so many unique situations that my responses are measured and mechanical. The excitement is secondary to the task at hand. Even so, seeing grown men with weapons has retained a certain level of awareness that makes me stand up straight and pay attention. Not hunters or sportsman, but those people who are empowered to shoot another person. The snipers looked larger than life. Perhaps they were.
I remember arriving at the airport in Cologne, Germany many years ago and seeing soldiers with machine guns on the terminal roof and walking through the airport. You just don’t see that sort of presence in “normal” life here. Or tanks on the road.
As far as stopping on the way to work — I do that a lot. Maybe it’s a way to give thanks for the day and the life I have…
It’s sort of Forrest Gump like the flow of Presidents and such to the building next to yours. Forrest, “So I went to the White House again, and I met the president again.”
Hah! Hadn’t thought about it that way.
Steve Jobs, yup.
Well, maybe from the right angle, in the right light, and after a few drinks…
Thanks for another fine post.As a resident of NH. I can appreciate the reference.Have you given any serious thoughts to your life after retirement?Looks like fall is finally arriving. Safe riding!!
I have a retirement plan. Riding, writing and related projects are involved. I’m looking forward to pursuing some creative projects on my own terms.
Autumn is here. Tomorrow morning the thermometer will hover at 40F. Need to break out the electric gloves!
I could see the Jobs look, if you got yourself a black turtleneck shirt…..
I think I’ll stick with my Fruit of the Loom black t shirts for awhile!
It’s uncanny. I have developped a similar relationship with my razor, and a crew neck black T-shirt under a suit jacket or blazer is my favorite office attire.
Oh, and you’re way, way, way better company than Mr. Jobs ever was. Better looking too.
Black worked for Steve Jobs and Johnny Cash. Should be good enough for the two of us. A jacket or blazer over a t shirt does wonders.
As far as the razor goes, I can almost get through a week without shaving before my beard begins to snag on the fabric inside my helmet. Drives me nuts!
I must admit that there is some resemblance there with Jobs. As Dom said, just exchange the t-shirt for a black turtleneck and add jeans. Oh yeah, maybe a little arrogance and several billion dollars…
With all the people and press, did you get many good photos?
I always wear jeans — blue or black. But I’ve not run across those Jobs style turtleneck shirts.
I got a few photos that were ok. Nothing startling — just the candidate in the Berkey Creamery ordering and eating ice cream. Not the greatest photo opp…
Coming to this just a tad late, but:
– Yep, see the Jobs resemblance right away. Just need the round wire-rims and you’re a ringer.
– Shaving: it’s a pleasant ritual for me, done the classic way (brush, shaving soap, double-edge razor…and no rushing). I’m pretty beard-y as I type this, so off I go to the shower.
– That lovely, truly autumnal photo….yes, that’s where the “live free…” part starts.