Hi! These are the subjects from week 35 of the 365 More People Pictures project.
Day 238 - Sandy
This is Sandy. We met at the park, where he was out walking his dog, Henry. Actually, I sort of approached Sandy and Henry at the very moment Henry was doing his doggy business, and for that reason, I don't think Henry was all that pleased with me.
"Henry went outside today," Sandy answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now. I gathered from Sandy's statement that Henry is in training.
Sandy's recent act of kindness is that he purchased shaving cream so that his daughter could swirl-color Easter eggs. (I'm running behind. This was Easter.)
"I'm really devoted to my wife and daughter," Sandy answered, when I asked his life's purpose.
When I asked Sandy something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he answered, "I taught Henry how to go outside."
Thank you, Sandy & Henry.
Day 239 - Erik.
This is Erik. We met at a restaurant where my friends had taken me for my birthday dinner. Erik was our server.
The happiest thing happening in his life right now is spending time with his 9 year old daughter.
When I asked Erik if he's recently performed an act of kindness or if he's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness, he answered, "my whole life I've been on the giving end." Erik then explained that he was on the receiving end of an act of kindness when he got this new job.
"To be a good example for my kids," Erik answered, when I asked his life's purpose.
When I asked Erik something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he answered that he played in the NFL for 9 years. If he looked familiar to you, you were right! This is Erik Wilhelm, quarterback. Erik played for OSU and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. He then went on to play for the Phoenix Cardinals and NY Jets! You can learn more about Erik's football career here. But, he's so nice, you could probably just ask him about it in person at The Top Shelf in Vancouver!
I thought it was pretty cool that a former NFL player was just an awesome, humble man who just wants to be a good influence for his kids.
I just never know who I'm going to meet in this project!
Thank you, Erik!
Day 240 - Alan
This is Alan. We met at the bus stop. Unfortunately, our interaction was quite brief because the bus arrived just as we got started.
"My job," Alan answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
It turned out that Alan is an acquaintance of one of my co-workers! I love it when that happens!
Thank you, Alan.
Day 241 - Brenden
This is Brenden. We met on the street. Does this picture make you think of the "Ponyboy" movie picture too? (The brunette Ponyboy.)
The happiest thing happening in Brenden's life right now was that he and his girlfriend just moved into their first place. For Brenden, it's actually the first time that he's had a residence to call his own. He's been living on his own since High School, but he's been staying on friend's couches and now he's happy to have his very own place.
I asked Brenden if he's recently performed an act of kindness or if he's been on the receiving end of an act of kindness and he explained that he was recently on the receiving end of an act of kindness when his boss gave him sort of a gift/bonus of $100 so that he could go to Seattle. Brenden had never been to Seattle and his boss knew that Brenden really couldn't afford to go, so he gave him an extra $100. Brenden loved seeing Seattle for the first time!
"To make people laugh," Brenden answered, when I asked his life's purpose. Brenden has aspirations to be a comedian. It was tough choosing a picture to show you. Given Brenden's aspirations in comedy, I thought I should share one of the more light-hearted, laughing pictures, but I chose this one because he did a great squinch and I just felt there was a lot more to Brenden. This picture shows his depth. And, I think it does remind me of Ponyboy.
"The fact that I'm still laughing," Brenden answered, when I asked something about himself which he would consider to be a success. Life hasn't been easy for Brenden, but not only is he still standing and laughing, but his life's purpose is to give laughter to others as well.
Thank you, Brenden. Wishing you luck and success!
Day 242 - Tucker
This is Tucker. This was another short, too short, interaction as his bus arrived after the very first question I asked.
"I just got accepted into college," Tucker answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
Thank you, Tucker!
Day 243 - Travis
This is Travis. We met on the street.
"I have a girlfriend," Travis answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
Travis had just been on the receiving end of an act of kindness just moments before we met. He was riding his bike and accidentally dropped his seat cover which he had removed and placed in his pack. Another cyclist picked it up, chased after Travis, and returned the seat cover.
"Be kind," Travis answered, when I asked his life's purpose.
When I asked Travis something about himself which he would consider to be a success, I read a look of complete satisfaction come across his face. He reached up his hands, petted his beard and answered with a grin, "this beard." Yes, that is a successful beard, even by Portland standards.
Thank you, Travis!
Day 244 - Chris
This is Chris. We met at the convenience store where he was working. Chris saved the project which was 8 minutes away from failure!
This was not a good day. An earlier trip to the dentist left me in so much pain that I didn't feel like going out in search of a subject. I decided that my husband would be the person of the day. We only had a few minutes minutes for me to take his picture before he had to leave for work. Already pressed for time, my camera started doing some weird stuff I had never seen it do! I've still only scratched the surface on how to operate my new camera and because it's several steps up from my first camera, it's much easier to really screw things up, especially because I'm still learning! I wasted several of our few short minutes together, trying to figure out what I had done wrong with the camera settings. I finally managed to get a picture.
I didn't sit down to process the picture and post it on instagram until after 11:00 pm. When I saw the condition of the picture, I was pretty upset that I couldn't even take a decent picture of my own husband. It was awful...probably the most unflattering photo of him ever! I've seriously taken better pictures of him when he's been sound asleep with the dog, and the dog is practically sleeping on my husband's head and smooshing his face into the pillow. (Any picture where a dog is asleep on another person's head is a good picture.) I knew my husband would eventually get over me posting such a horrible picture, but I just couldn't do that to him. It would have been embarrassing for us both.
Still in terrible pain, I got dressed and headed for the convenience store nearest my house in search of a new subject. It seemed like the only people there were under-age kids and with a few exceptions, everyone in the project has been an adult. I asked the cashier if I could take his picture for the project, but he was beyond camera shy. No amount of encouragement on my part, could convince him to let me take his picture. He would have made for a great subject, but he wasn't having any of it. I totally understand that some people don't want to be on the internet and I completely respect that and I don't push it when I sense that Ive met someone who is opposed to social media/internet. I just got the sense this guy was lacking confidence and that with enough encouragement, he would let me take his picture. Ultimately, I was hoping I'd take a great picture of him and it would help to boost his self-esteem. I even explained that the fate of the entire project was resting on his portrait, but he declined.
I was hurting so much, I felt like I only had two options. End the project, or post the awful picture of my husband. I decided to suck it up and consider a 3rd option...I could race to the other nearest convenience store and hope there would be someone there. So, I did it! I made it to the other store with less than 10 minutes before midnight. I rushed through the door of the store, in pain and probably looking desperate. I quickly explained to the cashier that I only had a few minutes to take a picture of a person before midnight, for my 365 Day project. I asked Chris he would let me take his picture and he agreed, and he did so with a smile and kindness! I was so happy to have met Chris!
"Spending time with my son," Chris answered, when I asked the happiest thing happening in his life right now.
Chris' recent act of kindness is that he babysat 7 kids! A friend of his was going into the hospital to deliver a baby and Chris watched her other children and the children of those close to her so that they could also go and support her during her delivery. See, he is a great guy!
"To try to uphold my values and morals," Chris answered, when I asked his life's purpose.
When I asked Chris something about himself which he would consider to be a success, he answered, "my time working here."
Thank you, Chris! Thank you for your kindness and for saving the project. You are awesome!
Here's a summary of the life's purposes of the subjects from this week:
- I'm really devoted to my wife and daughter.
- To be a good example for my kids.
- To make people laugh.
- Be kind.
- To try to uphold my values and morals.
Thank you!