Samantha and Alex
Samantha (Sam) and attend acupuncture school in Sarasota. Whhaaa? Yep, the East West College of Natural Medicine. http://www.ewcollege.edu/ Who knew? The each are looking forward to a career in acupuncture; In two semesters they will be treating patients in a clinic.
Sam was born in Guiana, South America. Her parents are of Indian descent, but she is not sure of what part. Alex is from Philadelphia, and is here only for the school.
“Will you go back to Philadelphia after graduation?”
Eyes rolling, “Maybe.”
Each liked the 100 Strangers project and thanked me for including them. But they didn't want copies of the images. :-(
Bob
Arika (#803) 03-08-15
While driving into town, I had the inkling of a minor sore throat. Drat! I usually take Zicam at such times, but mine was at home. So I pulled into a Walgreens and got a bottle.
The checkout line was stalled, and I heard a woman's voice say, "I can take you in cosmetics." And there was the most hair that I had seen in quite a while. I asked for the 'favor', and she was happy to comply. In fact she stepped outside for a moment while I ran to the car and got the camera. She liked the images and gave me her e-mail address so that I could send them.
Ya never know when and where the next portrait will come from.
Bob
Coral (#802) 03-08-15
Coral is from upstate New York, near the Canadian border. She has no discernible accent. She wanted to study medicine, so she spent three years in pre-med at Nova Southeastern University. After deciding that she was disillusioned with allopathic medicine, she was $70,000 in debt. Now she's taking a breather, saving some money, and looking at alternative medicine programs. I cannot imagine how many mugs of coffee need to be pulled to make 70k.
She is often confused with her coworker, Stephanie (#399) https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobdeinphoto/15016197129/ We both agree that they don't look that much alike. Stephanie's dreadlocks are fewer and thicker. Unfortunately Stephanie changed jobs since this encounter. :-(
Bob
Coral works in 'my' coffee shop, Pastry Art. I personally think that allowing me to photograph should be a condition of employment. But she was more than willing anyway, and she had a free minute to step outside. Anyone with dreads like that should be willing to be photographed.
Alexis (#801) 03-07-15
Two days ago I met Samuel again (#792), this time he was beaming when he saw me. With him was Alexis, a recent graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design, who joined Samuel working for the Sarasota Film Festival only two days earlier. They had been talking about - ME, and the possibility of putting together a brief video of me at 'work'. Samuel felt like it was an omen that we met again at that moment. Now the question is, should I allow my story to be told by such youngsters, or should I hold out for Steven Speilberg?
Bill (#800) 03-07-15
Bill was sitting on a wing wall by Starbucks. I'm not a big Starbucks fan, but I usually pass by as I have found several strangers here. The light is more closed shade than I prefer, it's a bit flat. But for an interesting face, it will do.
Bill is from New York, and was a hippie. He didn't attend Woodstock, but he went to Watkins Glen, and he says that it was bigger. He was in the Army during the cold war, with secret nuclear training. Bill was forbidden to discuss it for 10 years when it became declassified.
But most of the discussion was about how Sarasota has changed. He's upset at condominium dwellers who complain about noise, like evening parties. He pointed to the condo behind us, “There's a woman on the 10th floor who says that she can smell cigarette smoke from passersby on the sidewalk. Well here (as he blew some smoke into the air).” “This city ain't what it used to be – more action in Bradenton.” Bradenton is 10 miles north, and not renown for 'action'. Then Bill went into an anti-Obama rant...
Bob
Wendy (#799) 06-03-15
Wendy was waiting on the coffee line behind me. She caught my eye, and I hoped for a chance to meet. I took a table outside and darned if she didn't take the table right next to me. So I introduced myself and the project. She immediately smiled and looked a bit embarrassed, I held my breath. But she was game.
It was immediately obvious that she was from the UK. Brits talk funny, you know. After coming to America, she lived in Connecticut for 25 years before moving to Sarasota. Her husband died of pancreatic cancer ten years ago; the clinical course was only three months. Now she lives near the overdeveloped University Parkway.
"Oh where all the traffic is?"
"Yeesss..."
Wendy gave me her card so I could e-mail the photo. Her full name is Winifred, I hope that Wendy is the correct spelling. She is a licensed social worker, licensed to do clinical assessments at home. She often works for a Jewish ministry. As my wife and I live in a Jewish retirement facility (we're the token Gentiles), she knew our home well.
Bob
Daniel (#798) 03-04-15
I had to eat an ersatz dinner early, because of, all things, a camera club meeting. So at 5PM, I grabbed some Italian food at a “joint.” I just got out the door when Daniel was right in front of me. “Mr., do you have a few dollars to spare so that I can spend tonight at the Salvation Army?” I was totally off guard. The confused mind says “No”, and I declined. I am usually mentally prepared for this situation and would offer a few $$$ to be included in the portrait project. But the moment was lost. Or so it seemed.
I minute later I was driving past the next block and saw Daniel walking fairly briskly. A hundred yards later I found a parking spot, parked, and headed back toward him. Now prepared and with my wits about me (half of them at least) I approached Daniel and made a proposal. Deal accepted, although he was a little concerned where the pictures would be displayed, as he was on parole.
Daniel is from Sarasota, but never finished high school. He got involved with drugs and is not eligible for a GED. His family is financially well off, but will have nothing further to do with him. He told me which business they own, and I recognize the names from being on trucks; I see them almost every day.
After getting a few shots, Daniel said that he had to get moving, as the shelter dinner was in about 45 minutes. The Salvation Army was about a mile from where we were, so I offered him a ride. Approaching the Salvation Army facility is daunting. The homeless encampment at the perimeter looks like a refugee camp. While riding, he asked if I could increase my contribution.
No, not today.
Bob
Janel and friends (#797) 03-04-15
The Blue Owl Bar on Main has an indented entryway that is always fairly dark. Street light reflects everywhere – I love the spot. One recent afternoon while I was across the street, there were three women seated there, two with their backs to me. The one facing me had bright strawberry blonde hair, I think that Brits would call her a 'ginga' (ginger). My wife's hair is similar and her birth certificate calls it 'Titian.' The 16th century Italian painter, Tiziano Vecellio (Titian) often used this color for women's hair. Actually, Jenel's might be a bit lighter. Anyway, when I introduced myself, all were outgoing, friendly, and more than happy to be photographed.
Janel has lived and worked in a number of locations. Currently she performs in a circus, aerialist and fire eater.
Fire eater.
I get heartburn from eating chili. Janel "partakes" up to 30 times per day."
"Have you ever had an 'accident?"
"I burned my tongue slightly, once. Actually, the aerial work is more dangerous."
"Ever fallen"
(Eyes looking up) "No."
She happened to be sitting in front of a red lit sign. The colors were so compelling to me that I included a color shot in the comments. I got the posted shot first, but Janel prefers the more smiley one.
Gigi works in film photography, so she knows what she wants in a portrait. I got a few of my usual fairly serious looks that she didn't like. So I just asked her to pose as she wished, and she gave me the movie star look. I like it!
Ilonka is, well, the first Ilonka who I've met. In the arial font, the capital "I" and small "L" look identical – confusing. Her parents were of Hungarian and Puerto Rican origin. You can guess which language the name Ilonka comes from. At the time, something rang a bell about that combination. Now I remember that the late comedian Freddie Prinze Sr. claimed the same lineage. He called himself Hungarican, and said that his parents met on a bus while trying to pick each other's pockets.
Ilonka plans to move to Portland to study fashion design. She has modeled in the past. Sure enough, when the camera came up her modeling background became obvious.
Bob
Irum (#796) 03-02-15
Irum was sitting alone, doing some serious work on her laptop. She wore movie star-like sunglasses that nearly blended in with her dark complexion. Honestly, she didn't look too approachable, but fortunately I tried anyway. As I spoke and explained the project, the sunglasses came off and were replaced by a huge smile. Irum was totally into 100 Strangers, and later thanked me for including her.
IRUM IS Pakistani, but has no accent. She and her husband live north of Toronto, where she is a real estate agent for Keller Williams. She is SO glad to be spending a little time in Florida. But like many real estate agents, she is always working and on call. The laptop was for business, not enjoyment.
She is Muslim. We spoke at length about discrimination and how it was probably a little less in Canada. She pointed out how the media often mis-portrays Islam. We were frank. I said that the number of terrorists is probably a tiny percentage of the Muslim population, but to Americans, it seems that the rest of Islam is not outraged by the acts of this minority. She said that this very point is under major discussion in the Muslim community. Being a newer religion than Christianity, Irum feels that Islam is going through growing pains similar to Christianity during the Crusades. I was surprised at how deeply we discussed this after knowing each other for only a few minutes.
I promised to send her an image, and we exchanged cards. I laughed when I saw her last name, Doyle.
“Oh, you're Irish” (wink).
“Well, my husband is.”
Bob
Deborah (#795) 03-02-15
I have seen a lady multiple times, walking downtown. Her hair color and length reminds me of a friend named Deborah. Other than the hair and general size, there is no resemblance. Definitely no facial resemblance, none. They don't look alike, yet one always reminds me of the other. Weird.
So one day this lady had the audacity to be sitting in front of “MY” coffee shop, so a portrait request was in order. She was reserved, pleasant enough, but not chatty. Her name is Deborah. Quite a coincidence! Deborah is not a rare name, but not that common either. This Deborah was originally from Miami and has lived in Sarasota since the 50s. She is a self employed seamstress. Now when I see her, the two Deborahs REALLY come to mind.
Bob
Weylan and Ann Marie (#795) 03-01-15
Weylan and Ann Marie were seated undercover, in Zs restaurant. Nice light, so I had to meet them. And Weylan's tattoos were rather distinctive. If I had to guess Weylan's occupation, RN at a local hospital would be down on the list. Far down. But that is him, and he has to cover up well before appearing at work.
Ann Marie is a Behavioral Specialist at an alternative school. She works with troubled students who have been expelled from traditional schools.
They are both from Philadelphia. They like the 100 Strangers project, but had no interest in obtaining copies of the images.
Bob
Five (#794) 02-28-15
I have seen this lady inside the coffee shop many times. I vowed that when I saw her outside, I would ask for a portrait. But I never saw her outside. So one day, as I entered, she was getting up from a seat by the door; she was heading for more coffee. I waited for her to return. I planned to meet her and ask her to step outside. When she came back, I made my ask with these words, “I have made a million of portraits right outside...”, and then she cut me off. With an indignant look and hands on her hips, she said “What? You've made a million portraits and never made one of ME?” Oh, this was going to be good.
I introduced myself by name and held my hand out. She shook it and gave her name as Five.
“Five?”
“Yeah, Five”
“That's your name?”
“Yeah. Don't you understand Five?”
“Uh, I guess.”
She turned to the woman behind the counter; “Laura, isn't Five my name?”
Laura shrugged and pointed, “She's Number Five.”
Five is the fifth of nine children. When she came home from school, her daddy would say, “Well, number five is still alive.” So she's Five.
Number Five went to the University of South Florida four years after me. She had an eclectic career, but spent a lot of it as a school teacher of grammar. She has no children of her own. As a young woman, she had uterine fibroids, a large problem in the African American community. This required a hysterectomy, but Number Five says that she was 'spayed'.
Now she volunteers as a teacher at the Precious Jewels Academy in Newtown, an African American, and troubled neighborhood. The private school was founded by a retired educator who opened it up for troubled, at risk kids from a nearby housing project. Ironically, just yesterday the local newspaper had a human interest story about the academy. It is inspirational.
Five has been living in the same apartment for several years, but the rent goes up and up. She is ready to move. Five was about to catch a bus to check out a possible new residence, and then another bus home. I offered to drive her. It was to a neighborhood plagued by many motels housing prostitutes. After a police crackdown, many properties were purchased by developers who upgraded the motels into permanent apartments. An affable Brit named Toby was at the front desk (he refused the opportunity to be photographed :-( ). The outside looked nice and the price was right, so Five put her name on a list for occupancy. Toby said that he 'couldn't' call her, that she would have to call daily to check. It struck me odd that he would not call, and that Five didn't check out the interior of an apartment.
A few days later she informed me that all was not as it seemed. Five called Toby who said that a unit was available for her. But upon arrival, he was hostile and uncooperative – he was suddenly not sure that he would have an apartment for her. Confused at his change in demeanor, she met another potential renter outside. Apparently the apartments were only minimally improved inside; vestiges of previous history remained. And she confirmed that Toby was unpleasant and uncooperative. Five feels lucky that she didn't sign a lease, and explains Toby's original nice behavior on my being present.
Life is tough.
Bob
Xavier (#793) 02-27-15
Xavier was manning a booth at the Farmer's Market. He works at Mangia Gourmet Restaurant in Gulfport, 40 miles north. I remember seeing it, almost right on the bay. I told him that we've been there several times, and like the funkiness. At Mangia, employees wear tie dyed shirts. We agreed that Gulfport is a throwback to the 60s, with wall air conditioners and terrazzo floors.
Xavier was wearing a Queens College shirt. He did not go there, but his brother did. He is now an investment banker and in two years will be making nearly $500,000. There is no labor, but a lot of stress.
Xavier prefers wearing tie dyed shirts to work.
Bob
Samuel (#792) 02-26-15
A young man wearing a stylish hat walked toward me, and I was ready. Samuel was very quiet and reserved, but was happy to be included in the project. He is a graduate of the dreaded Florida State University; dreaded if you are a University of Florida Gator. Samuel is 23 years old and recently moved to the area, from Los Angeles.
He now works for the Sarasota Film Festival, a 10 day event each April. https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=1312
His work largely revolves around youth programs, getting high school students into film making.
Samuel was very interested in how I go about meeting and photographing people. He suggested making a short film of me at work. Maybe I'll need an agent! :-) If that were to happen, it would probably be during the summer. I'll keep my fingers crossed...
Bob
Leyana (#791) 02-25-15
While sitting outdoors sipping a cup of Joe, I saw two stylish young ladies across the street, outside of the Blue Owl Tavern and Bar. One wore a bandanna and movie-star style sunglasses, and the other had green hair. I thought that it might be dyed. The light is nice in the alcove in which they were sitting, so I left my half empty cup and headed across the street. I was simultaneously trying to avoid being run over and being sure that no overzealous busperson removed my coffee.
As I addressed them the movie star said, “Oh, you've photographed me before, and we're Facebook friends”. I hate it when that happens! When she removed her bandanna and sunglasses, I recognized her as Alaina, stranger #428 https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobdeinphoto/15343669680/in/set-72157627425474507
She realized that she looked different and was cool about it.
So I turned to Leyana. She moved to SW Florida two years ago, from New Jersey. It was just too expensive to live there. So She got a job at Trader Joe's in Sarasota, and worked with Alaina and Vince, stranger #445 https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobdeinphoto/15669207135/in/set-72157627425474507 But sarasota was too sleepy for Leyane, so she moved to St. Petersburg and works at Trader Joe's there, managing the flower section. She says that the flowers are cheap, and second to none. Leyana doesn't know how TJ's can get astromerica from Peru and roses from Columbia, fresh, and sell them so cheaply.
Since photographing Alaina, she has quit TJ's and started her own company, Fresh Farmer. https://www.facebook.com/freshfarmerart Leyane came for lunch, and to help Alaina plan product lines. She loved the 100 Strangers and gave me a 'high five.' This was my first stranger high five, a couple of days later I would get my second.
Bob
Kristen (#790) 02-24-15
Kristen was sitting outside of the coffee shop. This winter has been merciful, seldom has outdoor seating been out of the question. Anyway, she was working on a laptop, and I do mean working. She was affable, and happy to be included in the project.
Kristen attended Lakewood Ranch High School, about 6 miles north. She was a basketball athlete and got a scholarship to a small college in High point, NC. She now works for Comcast, in the advertizing department – that's the work that she was doing on her laptop. I admitted that Comcast is not my favorite company. She doesn't like the service either, but they treat their employees well. Kristen said that Comcast has grown too quickly, and customer service has not kept up. Amen. But they are implementing a program attempting to have all calls answered by a real person – immediately. Refreshing.
Kristen informed me that she does not look good in pictures. Yawn. So I took a few of this smiley face. Then I said, "I'm going to move to the side a little", but she put her hand up, "That's all. That's all you get."
And that's all I got.
Bob
