San Diego, CA | Diani Mini | Stock Lens | Ilford HP5 Plus B&W

A few weeks back, I searched far and near for any rolls of film that I needed to get developed. I found a few in the car, and there were several tucked away in a pocket of my messenger bag. This roll happened to be one of the newly found and reclaimed.

I had the Mini Diani tucked away in the glove compartment of my car for several months, as the Ricoh KR-5 Super and Minolta XG-A were being given the majority of my attention.

Enough time had passed that I had forgotten what was the subject of my captures. All that was written on the canister was the date – where was I on October 29, 2011? It was a pleasant surprise and a reminder to reconnect with my Mini Diani and to save her from the caverns that is my glove compartment.

This series brought a child-like smile to my face. The giddy of surprise of discovery and the delight of pride in what was created. I am drawn to the haunting (minus the creepy) and aged feel of these images.

Albuquerque, NM | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak Gold 200

Nob Hill neighborhood in Albuquerque, NM.

Every trip to Albuquerque requires a visit to Nob Hill – be it a coffee/tea trip or to experience some good eats.

It is a nice little neighborhood to document and I had brought my Ricoh KR-5 Super with me on my trip. A roll of film, a camera, and my stomach guiding me to find a treat, and it was a good roll of captures.

Phoenix, AZ | Diani Mini | Stock Lens | Kodak Gold 200

Albuquerque, NM | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak Gold 200

Gathering of Nations 2012.

Is the bread holy or just that the hogan is sacred???

Stage 49

Grand Entry Saturday Night

Aberdeen, WA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak Gold 200 | March 16, 2012

I would like to introduce you to Mr. John Rath.

You will learn more of him in a few as for now I will set-up the story.

In moments where the situation brings forth set-backs and you appreciate that you still have your well-being and good health, there is the delight of the most interesting experiences that occur.

Maybe you have exhausted all your financial resources, with your car running on fumes, and stranded in a town that is fifty miles from where you need to be. You have no phone. You have no one to contact. It is just you and the world (and your dogs).

Maybe you are starting out on your road trip, you park your car to run into the store to purchase a few items, and when you get back the car – of which is suppose to get you twelve hours down the road – and it won’t start.

These two “maybes” met one day in Aberdeen, WA on March 16, 2012 in the parking lot of a craptastic stale-blue big-box store.

Again everyone, meet Mr. John Rath who was parked next to us.

The gentleman who is maybe #1, travels with five small dogs, a bag of dog food, an old trusty guitar, and in a very late model Civic. Meet Mr. John Rath who for the hours we were stranded sang several blue-grass and folk songs – and the worn voice was pleasantly good. Meet Mr. John Rath who with all of the randomness seemed fitting to raise everyone’s spirits.

The word was that we were stranded in Abderdeen for the night and the car would not be fixed until the next day. We had the option of getting a hotel room, seeking warm food and laughing over our experiences. Mr. John Rath did not have that luxury.

I thought I would write a song inspired by him. If I only had the ability to draft an appropriate sonnet.

We were about to leave when I felt responsible for this man who was down on his luck. After all, he kept us company while he offered advice, sang us songs and shared stories of his life. Who hasn’t been in those shoes of needing help. If we had parked in another row, or the car had started we would have not had experienced the entertainment of Mr. John Rath.

I told Mr. John Rath to meet me at the gas station that was a few hundred feet away. With the most humble expression of words and the look in his eyes offered a good feeling to give. I paid the cashier as Mr. John Rath proceeded to pump a full tank of gas into his car. An offer of paying back the gesture was given, however, I told the weary voice and weary guitar playing new friend to pay it forward.

I proceeded to walk back to the tow truck and Mr. John Rath hit the road.

I wonder how he is doing. Maybe I will pen that song one day.

Temecula, CA | Minolta XG-A | Minolta 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak Gold 200

This is a series with the Minolta XG-A. I had recently purchased the camera and felt eager to take test images. I threw in a roll of film to get a feel for the camera and to make sure it was working properly.

Coronado, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Kodak Gold 200

A walk along Coronado Beach.

San Diego, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800

A phone booth in Hotel Circle in San Diego, CA.

Oceanside, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800 | January 27, 2012

South view of the ocean at the Oceanside Pier.

Highway 15 – Fallbrook, CA | Ricoh KR-5 Super | Ricoh 50mm f/2.0 | Fuji Superia 800 | January 26, 2012

The morning fog was rolling over the hilltops. I wished I had made the time to capture more images. Unfortunately, I was running late for work.