Day 66 (Fri., August 12)

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!

With sad, but glad feelings I walked out of the Standard-Times newsroom for the final time. Well, at least as an intern. Who knows where life might take me, but I am sure I will at least visit the place. Maybe work for them again someday in the future. This is a great place to be, so I wouldn't mind coming here and working.

So, w/ it being my last day in the office, there was cake to celebrate. Turns out it is not only the last day for me, but also for Sarah. She's going to go teach journalism and English at a local high school. Cool! That's what I want to do once I am old and stubborn (more than now, of course). Becca is also leaving the paper, she's going back to school to finish her degree. Next Wednesday will be Liz' last day, she's going back to California to continue her schooling.

And me? Well, let's just say that I have a big surprise for readers of www.JulyThePhotoGuy.com. If you recall, a few weeks back I was given a tough decision to make. I didn't disclose it as I was not sure how I was going to choose. I've made my decision, but I still won't disclose it. You're going to have to come back and see the web site in a few days so you can see where I am headed. I know some of my close friends and co-workers know where I am headed, so y'all better keep quiet. Just come back and read the web site soon and you can see what I am up to.

During cake time, Standard-Times Managing Editor Anthony Wilson gave a few words on the parting souls. He said some really cool stuff about everyone. I especially liked what he said about me. Very positive things as he seemed to be very happy for having me along. He spoke on how quickly I returned his first email that one morning in May when he sent me his proposal. "I had an email from Julio within 45 seconds. Then, Julio was on the phone two minutes later... As we talked, we both got more excited." He added that there were calls from people in the community that had said good things about the way I carried myself at different events. I think I made the guy proud. He is pictured below (right) as he attended my first assignment of today. It was a change-of-command ceremony at Goodfellow Air Force Base. The catholic priest is on the left hand side. Mr. Wilson suggested that he was doing some sort of exorcism.

It was quite ironic that there was a change-of-command ceremony at Goodfellow today. The commander of the base is headed off to work in the Pentagon. I am headed off to some "secret mission". So today's cake celebration was sort of the way it was at the ceremony this morning.

I love the above photo because it has so much symbolic meaning to me. First, because the sergeant stands out. Also because I framed the photo so that it can look kind of like a United States of America flag. I also like it because of all those people, no one is looking at the camera. I was able to frame it just right.

The old commander (left) and the soon-to-be new commander of the base.

She was very emotional as she left the post. I also had to fight back some emotions as I said "see you later" to all my coworkers. I didn't say goodbye, as I hope to see them in future.

I worked up until the final minute. I headed out to a volleyball game. It was my final assignment. One of the coolest things about the internship is that almost every day during the summer I did something different and new. That's the way it was all the way to the end. I had not been to the main high school and/or the air base in town. Those are the places that keep San Angelo running. I am wondering how many more things and places I didn't get to do and see this summer. I guess it's a good reason to come back.

Being that it was my last day of work, my boss LaKeith Kennedy, who you have seen on the web site before, asked me if I was ever going to display the "chicken bone" photo he has been worrying about me publishing. Mr. Kennedy is a really cool person to work w/. He and Roberto Sanchez at Al Dia have both influenced my photography. I've learned so much from them. One of the things that I learned from Mr. Kennedy is to step back from time to time and shoot photos that give you an overall sense of what's going on. I also learned that it's easier to do a great job if you have fun. He proved that one day back in July when he did not have time to sit down for lunch on a busy work day. Yet, he still got in his lunch as he walked around eating chicken and doing his administrative duties. That's when I shot the above photo of him looking into the system while he had a bone in his mouth. Not the most corporate photo of him, but it shows that you have to relax and have fun when you're on the job.

I learned a lot this summer because of a lot of people. But if it wasn't for Mr. Wilson and Mr. Kennedy's opportunity and faith in me, I wouldn't have been here. Thank you both. I appreciate it.

There are too many people at the Standard-Times that I will miss and always remember. I am almost scared on naming a few as I don't want to leave anyone out. Y'all were great to me. Whether w/ good conversations, working side-by-side, a lunch, party time at Grahams and many other activities I shared w/ most of them.

Thank you San Angelo!

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