Weeks' Journey

Car problems. Everyone hates them. However, when they happened to me a few weeks ago, I enjoyed them. Ok, not so much having them, but the situation that it brought to me.

I walked into Weeks Automotive shop and felt as if I had stepped into a playground of photographic opportunities. The shop was a typical mechanic's shop - parts scattered around, old rusty cars waiting to be refurbished, dust and grim layering the shelves, pizza numbers written on the walls for easy convenience, and the mechanics's cigarette that should have been ashed out last Tuesday. The shop, as well as the mechanic, Ian Weeks, were busting at the seams with character. I was in for a treat, and I could barely wait to start capturing it all.

While Ian worked on my car, he shared stories of his life with me. Being in the military, it allowed him to travel the world - 35 states, and 14 countries. Through his stories he made me think, wonder, and laugh. He took my mind on a journey. "Being in the military taught me a lot. But I never understood why we would wake up at 5 AM, go for a 5 mile run, and end up in the same spot that we began." Having me laughing, he continued, "Sure, let's go for a run, but this time, let's actually GO somewhere." Unique thinking, uncommon character - I loved it!

The photos of the shop tell a story in themselves. That's one of my most favorite things about photography, it allows you to tell a story without saying a word. Photography takes you on a journey. Please enjoy, and let your mind GO somewhere.

Heck of an Alley Cat

Growing up on a farm, it always seemed like we had a million cats to keep the mice population to a minimum. Cats always amazed me by the way they could be pushed away so many times, and still always come back, brush upon your leg, and give their love. In the same way, my mom has gone through a lot with me. She is one of the most positive, zestful, and relentless people I know. She has shown unconditional love through all the years of my life. She nurtured me as a child. She loved me unconditionally as a teenager, even when I pushed her away with my 16 year-old attitude. She continued to see the good in me as I shunned her for decisions that she made in her life. Just like a cat, she keeps coming back. She keeps loving me. I appreciate her drive, spirit, and love of life. She's my role model. She's one heck of a cat.