One of the funniest things my sister ever told me was that her friends think she has 8 brothers; our brother Mike and seven versions of myself. I'm past the point of overt explanation, so the 'splainin' will evolve organically.
This week or last I was looking through pictures I've posted on social media. I thought I might be able to find ten - whether they are self portraits, or photos taken by others. These may or may not be in any particular order.
#10. I can tell you the time (clock) and place this image was created, but I cant remember the year, or the photographer; either Tim or Jackie. Looks like their work. This diner is no longer a diner. It was called Midtown IV and we'd often... very often stop in here after clubbing. It was open all night. In fact we were there so frequently we got to know the waitress; which is another story. I photograph well in diners, I think.
#9. Self portrait, "Chained" September 2008. It was the first year I did a self portrait project; take one every day of the year. This is what I came up with for September 18th. Some people thought I was making a statement, or that I was into bondage. Nope. Just thought it looked cool.
#8. This image is another self portrait that's gone through some changes. I named it after the Yes song, "
Your Move" which I used to hear in my sleep. I had no idea what it was until I grew up. There's something haunting about it and the lyric represent(ed) (maybe present tense) my willingness to do what was necessary to make something work...
#7. From 2003, this is the last self portrait I took using film. When I think back on the 2003 - 2004 era, however short and sometimes sweet it was, it was also turbulent romantically. That turbulence and a few other factors saw me bench press 300 lbs for the first and last time as well as run 3 miles straight, for the first but not the last time. This photo, however is about two elements of your humble author; his body and his hair. 2003 was year 8 of a 5 year project to get in shape. That "5 year" project continues to this day.
#6. One of the coolest things I ever did was wake up on Oahu on a milestone birthday. I met up with two friends, (one of whom, Dania, took this image) who'd relocated to Hawaii from Philly. Dania showed me around the island and we went hiking up to this point. Pretty good day. And yes, I have amazing friends. Oh yeah, a tsunami hit the island 10 days later. Yeah, it was that one... 2011.
#5. This one is 10 years later than the other one. Self portrait, digital camera, 2013... could be 2012, I forget. I think I'm do for another update. The theme remains the same... hair - body. Progress.
#4. This was taken on October 10, 2010... 10-10-10, my brother's birthday and probably the last time I felt like I looked "young." It's a self portrait and maybe it was because of the day, or the moment, it came out ok. I've used this in several profiles and I probably like it because my daughter does.
#3. As you will see, this is kind of a theme.. Also from 2008, when I was taking a lot of self portraits. That year I was doing a lot of just hanging outside and chillin' and I'd snap a pic. This one got goot feedback on social media. I still have the hat too.
#2. I'm going to add this one because it suggests my DJ days. I was done spinning wax by this point - well, out at clubs anyway, I was still making mixes just for kickses (ha ha). But this also got some favorites on line.
#1. This was truly the end of an era. San Diego, California days before I enlisted in the Navy for active duty. I'm 18 years of age. I'd moved to Cali months earlier and I was evolving into this guy... the California guy I always thought I should be, kind of a zen-hippie. Closest to freedom I've ever known. My Dad came out to visit before I went to boot camp and he snapped this photo, with a 110mm pocket camera. The image held up as good as it did. This is what late November/early December was/is like in Southern California. In many ways I've been trying to reclaim this fellow - it's kind of like being reincarnated; like I had to pass through the seven Hells on Earth to emerge cleansed and renewed on the other side. On this side I can add philosopher to the zen-hippie moniker and perhaps, in the future,
sage might even become applicable.
And there you have it. I've been many places and many people in my life, thus far. I tell people I'm a high functioning schizophrenic to explain why I've done so many jobs/projects, under so many different names... and apparently looks.
I am anticipating that there will be more to come, but for now... good night.
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