Meet David, Jason and Luke - this week’s “faces of Klamath Falls.”
David - 16
David - 16/111
Q: What’s something that brings you delight?
A: “Traveling with my family.”
Q: What’s something great about yourself? (a trait or accomplishment)
A: “I’m creative and artistic.”
Q: Do you have a life dream or goal, and how are you working towards it?
A: “To spend time with my family and see the world.”
Q: Is there a problem for which you have a solution?
A: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.’
Q: How would you like to be remembered? (Do you have a personal legacy statement?)
A: “I want to be remembered as a good father to my kids, and as a good husband to my wife.”
David is only the second subject, so far, who’s been a complete random stranger. We met at a vaccine clinic this week. Sort of an odd time and place for me to ask to take a person’s photograph, right? I just had to make use of the waiting period after we received our vaccines. David is an artist and he didn’t seem too phased, or too bothered, that I asked if he would be included in the project. I’m so glad he agreed! We didn’t have the most ideal lighting conditions…but we need to push ourselves in less-than-ideal conditions in order to learn and improve. (We’re already several people into this project, but I’m still making super beginner mistakes after having had such a long hiatus. It’s embarrassing and frustrating to be so rusty, but photography is something that we never stop learning.)
What do you think? Should I push myself even further and start approaching random strangers again? I absolutely loved that aspect of the last project. It’s no big deal approaching strangers in a bigger city, but I really don’t want to freak people out here by asking strangers if I can photograph them, so I’m a little hesitant. Talking with David reminded me that I enjoyed the challenging aspect of photographing strangers in the first project.
Jason - 17
Jason - 17/111
Q: What’s something that brings you delight?
A: “My Dog.”
Q: What’s something great about yourself? (a trait or accomplishment)
A: “My sense of humor.”
Q: Do you have a life dream or goal, and how are you working towards it?
A: “To get as good at what I do as I possibly can.”
Jason was being pretty modest when he answered that his sense of humor is his great trait or accomplishment. He does have a great sense of humor, that part is true, but he’s also pretty special and has an incredible skill, gift, and/or talent. (I’m not even quite sure what to call it! It’s both an acquired & learned skill, but he also has a rare gift.) Jason does body and energy work on people and animals. He’s able to help heal injuries and release restricted movement using “manual and energy treatments such as myofascial release, and craniosacral and trigger point release techniques.”
A while back, I overheard a coffeeshop conversation in which a woman was telling another woman about a guy who had helped her with an injury. As I continued to eavesdrop, I realized they were talking about Jason!
I was hoping to be able to video a treatment session Jason was going to perform on a horse, but it just didn’t work out in time for this post. He intends to film a session soon, and when he does, I’ll be sure to share it with you. His work is something that one needs to experience, or see, in order to fully understand and appreciate.
Q: Is there a problem for which you have a solution?
A: “Listening.” Jason is hopeful that if people could just listen to each other and “hear the other side of the coin with open ears, we could get our country back.”
Q: How would you like to be remembered? (Do you have a personal legacy statement?)
A: “I would like to be remembered as white light.”
Luke - 18
Luke - 18/111
Q: What’s something that brings you delight?
A: “Fishing brings me joy.”
Q: What’s something great about yourself? (a trait or accomplishment)
A: “I have a pretty good sense of humor. I can usually diffuse situations that are tense or awkward with humor.”
Another great accomplishment is that Luke has caught close to 600 different fish species. He’s in the top 20 fishermen/women worldwide, as far as the variety of fish species caught.
Q: Do you have a life dream or goal, and how are you working towards it?
A: “My life’s dream is to get a book published.”
Luke is so very close to realizing this dream! He’s already completed his first book and is currently just looking for a publisher! Luke also dreams of being able to write full time. (Wishing you the very best of luck and success, and that you find a publisher soon!)
Q: Is there a problem for which you have a solution?
A: Luke identified our current climate of polarization as being a big problem right now. His solution is for us to view and see people holistically, instead of pigeonholing people based on labels. Luke is optimistic that if we could view people for who they are, and seek common ground, there would be less hate and disagreements.
Q: How would you like to be remembered? (Do you have a personal legacy statement?)
A: “I would like to be remembered as someone that treated people with love, and that I helped them however they needed it.” Luke went on to explain that he hopes people will remember him as a person who gave them kindness and encouragement. “I hope people will be glad that we crossed paths,” Luke added.
This was the first time I had actually met Luke in person. He was, until this day, a stranger, but not a complete random stranger. We had pre-arranged our meet-up and his participation in the project. I have to confess…when Luke answered that he’s able to diffuse awkward or tense situations, my heart sank a little. I know this firsthand. My little lightbulb went off and I remembered that the whole reason that I know Luke, or know “of” Luke, is because of a tense and awkward situation.
Luke is the writer behind the weekly outdoors and fishing column, “Caught Ovgard.” (Luke’s column is published in our local newspaper and other Oregon and Washington papers.) A few years ago, I completely misunderstood the intent of one of Luke’s pieces. I think it may have been the first time I read his column. I don’t remember the exact timing, but I think the piece was published during a time when tensions were high here, due to drought and a stressful water year. I was concerned with a portion of the article about endangered species. What did I do about it? I mean-tweeted him! (I think that was my very first mean-tweet.) Luke could have easily ignored or dismissed me. Instead, Luke took the time to explain the full intent of his article and statement, and he did so with patience and a sincere desire for clarity and understanding. I also had a sincere desire to understand, and was open-minded enough to be receptive to his explanation. Now, fast-forward a few years, and I’ve become a fan and regular reader of Luke’s column! Luke’s writing is witty, funny, and informative! Even if you’re not into fishing, I know you’ll enjoy his column. (Also check out his blog/website to learn more!)
Luke, yes indeed! I will remember you as kind and encouraging, and I’m glad that we crossed paths.
David, Jason and Luke - thanks so much for being in this project!
Thank you for following along for another week!