Day 36 (Wed., July 13)

Today was very philosophical. Everywhere I looked there was some sort of philosophy explained, talked about and thought.

First, when arriving into the office I saw Arthur Spragg, the veteran photographer at the Standard-Times. I had not seen him in almost two weeks and I wanted to catch up on a lot of things that happened on his trip to Peru. It was good talking to him. I mentioned that I loved the blog he and Bryan had. He mentioned that he liked mine, too. I was happy to hear he liked it. In talking about it, he mentioned that he likes what I am doing, but that I need to relax some times. The first philosophical aspect of the day came when he reminded me to "come out from behind the camera" and "not get all caught up in the career." I totally agree w/ him. Especially after what happened this past weekend.

I keep on going back to the moment Saturday night when I was in the car accident. I replay the moment and can't seem to come up w/ clues as to how and why such thing happened. The more I think about it, the more my shoulder hurts. It's probably not hurting, but I guess I am psyching myself into thinking it hurts considering the only think that stood between me and that SUV was the door. Literally, the truck hit me at less than arm's length. That's too close to get hit by a car. It's too close to even be tackled by in a football game. And it's definitely too close within my personal space. I can't believe that w/ all things considered, I was not injured badly. I keep on thinking how, if the car would have hit a little more in front of the car, and not so much the doorframe and seat, that it would have crushed my legs. That's a scary thought. The fact that my life was in such a thin line. What would have happened if the SUV hit on a weaker part of the side panel? What if we were stopped when we got hit? There are so many questions and it's very scary to think about all the "what ifs?".

In talking about enjoying life and coming from behind the camera, I was able to remind myself how much fun I have when I do come out and enjoy life. Like the day I went and bought me a doggie bowl just to give myself a laugh. The day I went camping all by myself last year. It's all very simple. Have fun Julio.

I was all excited about the shuttle launch from Florida today. I wanted to be in front of the tv at 2:50 p.m. to witness this great thing in life. Then, it was cancelled. I don't blame the people in charge from canceling it. The last time we had people in space, there was a huge tragedy with the Columbia imploding as we saw it fall to the ground into pieces. While listening to talk radio, the host asked someone about the real reason why we are doing space exploration. Then Joe Thomas, picture editor at the Standard-Times, and I got into a conversation about how it's a waste of money to do so. The radio host asked if it's a waste of money. The interviewee was sort of stumped. He said it was good in long term, but not so good in short term. Why do we need to worry about finding if there's things in other planets? Is it because we are killing Mother Earth so much that we need a new place to mess up once this place is inhabitable? Then Joe said the coolest thing I have ever heard "we are killing the earth, we are a virus." I was amazed at this great philosophical quote. It's true. I agreed as Joe continued: "we are going to die before the earth does. We are going to be gone and the earth is going to heal itself."

Something to think about.

Later in the day, Bryan Russell came into the photo department to talk about photos from Peru. We started talking about the things that happened to him and Art in Peru. We discussed their likes and dislikes. Things they were shocked by, like eating Cuy (ginuie pig). And things Bryan loved, like Inca Cola and Peruvian women liking him. Tonight Brandy Ramirez, an intern in the news desk who attends the local university, invited us to dinner at her warm home. Her husband, Isau, cooked up a great Native American meal. We heard stories about life in their hometown in Phoenix, Arizona. Bryan was there and he continued telling us about the difference of life between the U.S. and Peru. In all, it was a good get-together w/ great people. I was excited to be there as I don't have too many friends in San Angelo. Hanging out w/ cool people around here is a novelty. Not that there aren't cool people around here, it's just that I haven't had the chance to meet them too well.

While hanging out we saw the Kings of Comedy. That's when I heard another great quote. Steve Harvey talked about the difference of Old School music as opposed to Hip Hop. He said that Old School music talks about love. Then he said something that stuck out: "If you haven't been in love, then you missed the whole point." I truly believe that. You have to love once, twice, even three times in life to really get a chance to live life. But, then, the question of what is true love came into my mind. Is it the type of love that allows you to show all you can to that special one? Do you let someone who doesn't really love you walk all over you and treat you bad? Do you show unconditional love w/o ever knowing what it will give you in return? Do you let love walk by and let it be on its way because you've too weak? This weekend I was exposed to something genuine. I felt it so real. It puts a lot of things into perspective. Do you just let it take you over, or do you take control over it? Either way, love is love and we are never sure what it means. But boy it sure does feel great.

It's nice to talk to people and learn about them. It's good to hang out w/ good people. Today great conversations made great time. Time that I will never forget.

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