Day 45 (Tues., July 13)

I am soooo tired. I woke up at 3:30 a.m., picked up everything from the campsite and drove 280-plus miles back to Dallas. I had to be at work at noon, so I woke up that early to make sure I got back in time. Once I was back at the metroplex, I had driven 683 total miles in the last two days. Man, this past weekend was definitely the best out here. I was able to enjoy nature, see the places I have been wanting to and think more about myself and my autonomy process.

I am sort of happy that I was able to do the trip alone. I don't mind, it was great for me. However, I think that if I had company from any of the interns, I would had more fun. I always have fun when I get the chance to hang out with this group of people. Especially the hard-core guys and gals that always make it a point to come along. The above photo was taken two weeks ago at Mike's Tree House, a bar on Greenville Avenue, which is one of the better hang out spots that's relatively close to our apartments. That's me on the left with Edmund Fountain, the photo intern for the Dallas Morning news. I don't remember what he was trying to do to my head. I rather not remember. Man, I will never have a drink in my life. How could have this happened? I wonder if I can file for harassment? Oh well, looks like I am having a good time. So, I guess in the end, it's all good.

Today was a pleasant surprise. I picked up the Dallas Morning News and saw one of my photos on the cover of the Metro section. That's cool beans! That's definitely cool beans for a beaner like myself! My photo ran in the front page along with the story Ernesto Londono wrote for Al Dia. If you remember Day 22, I shot a photo of a family that was about to lose their house because of fraud. Well, that story ran in the Al Dia newspaper on Saturday, and today in the Dallas Morning News. I can't believe I had the photo on the front page. I have had many front page photos before, but today's was great because I had never been on the front page as the main art for a newspaper that has such a big following.

Finally, I forgot to mention that one of the good things about camping alone was that I get to be a little artistic. I got real inspired to do some painting this past weekend. Luckily, I brought my canvas and oils and was able to do a painting of the camp site where I stayed the past two nights. A photo of the painting is below.

Yesterday-Main-Tomorrow