Kyle (869/900)
I walked past him on Queen Street in Toronto’s east end neighborhood known as the Beaches. He was standing outside the public library and I did a double-take when I read the message on his red t-shirt. I stopped and doubled back. “Excuse me but I just HAVE to ask what your job is” (pointing at his t-shirt). He smiled and said “Oh, it’s really not THAT bad but I did like the t-shirt. I work for a company that makes custom window blinds. Not a terrible job, but not a career.” We went on to chat a bit and he said he needs a job with more of a future and is applying to the Toronto Transit Commission which is a large organization with good security, union pay, and a pension plan. “When I reach retirement age I can’t count on there still being government pensions due to the aging population in Canada so a pension plan is important to me.” I said I have met people who work for TTC and it is, in fact, attractive for its pay scale and benefits. Me shook hands and met formally. Meet Kyle.
Returning to the t-shirt, I told him about my Human Family photo project and said that I would like to include him in my photo project. Kyle was clearly interested but I gave him the details anyway, along with my contact card. “Are you in a rush right now?” “Not at all” he said. “I’m just going to spend some time in the library working up my resume for the TTC job application. I can take a few minutes., no problem”
I got my camera out and realized I had to switch out lenses which I did as we talked. Scanning the immediate area, the best bet for sheltered light was a brick wall next to the library. It was just two steps away but to get Kyle into the shade, he would have to stand in a strip of garden against the wall. I mentioned that concern but Kyle said “That shouldn’t be a problem. It looks like a weed garden anyway and there is a bare dirt patch right here.” He stepped into the spot and I guided him to face in the best direction for the portrait and gave him my usual instruction: “No need for a big Smile for the Camera. You can just try to relax and look right into the lens.” Without being asked, Kyle removed his mirror sunglasses and I had a pleasant surprise. His eyes positively sparkled and gave me a clear view into his alert and friendly personality. He was favorably impressed by the image on my camera display and then I said “Of course I have to get a photo showing your t-shirt since that is what introduced us to each other in the first place.”
I told Kyle I would like his sleeve tattoo to show in the wider shot if that was ok with him and he said sure. We figured out how he could cross his arms so as not to obscure the message on his t-shirt and took this portrait.
About the tattoo, he explained that he started it two years ago (when he was 27) and it’s "a work in progress.” He has always liked tribal-style tattoos with a design element but this one also has a personal aspect. When finished it will incorporate ten faces. “Why ten?” He explained his birthday is the tenth day of the month (I said if I did that I would have an expensive 29 face tattoo.) The ten faces will also reflect the ten virtues he holds important. I couldn’t write them all down but they included Loyalty, Perseverance, Strength, and Passion. When he has more money he would like to get a decent camera to pursue photography and he would like to invest in a sleeve tattoo on his left arm. I asked if his girlfriend had anything to say about the tattoo and his tattoo plans. “Oh, not at all. She’s COVERED with tattoos.” Ah, a relationship made in heaven.
When I asked Kyle how the people who know him best would describe him he said “I believe they would say I’m friendly and loyal. His interests include martial arts and Frisbee golf.
It was time to say goodbye. Kyle had a job resume to write and my wife was waiting for me down the street for our bike ride back home. It had been one of those very rewarding street encounters that demonstrate how quickly people on the street can open up and trust a complete stranger if they are approached with genuine interest and respect. Thank you Kyle for participating in The Human Family. I hope to see you sometime soon in the driver’s seat of the bus or streetcar I am taking on my way downtown.
Kyle (869/900)
I walked past him on Queen Street in Toronto’s east end neighborhood known as the Beaches. He was standing outside the public library and I did a double-take when I read the message on his red t-shirt. I stopped and doubled back. “Excuse me but I just HAVE to ask what your job is” (pointing at his t-shirt). He smiled and said “Oh, it’s really not THAT bad but I did like the t-shirt. I work for a company that makes custom window blinds. Not a terrible job, but not a career.” We went on to chat a bit and he said he needs a job with more of a future and is applying to the Toronto Transit Commission which is a large organization with good security, union pay, and a pension plan. “When I reach retirement age I can’t count on there still being government pensions due to the aging population in Canada so a pension plan is important to me.” I said I have met people who work for TTC and it is, in fact, attractive for its pay scale and benefits. Me shook hands and met formally. Meet Kyle.
Returning to the t-shirt, I told him about my Human Family photo project and said that I would like to include him in my photo project. Kyle was clearly interested but I gave him the details anyway, along with my contact card. “Are you in a rush right now?” “Not at all” he said. “I’m just going to spend some time in the library working up my resume for the TTC job application. I can take a few minutes., no problem”
I got my camera out and realized I had to switch out lenses which I did as we talked. Scanning the immediate area, the best bet for sheltered light was a brick wall next to the library. It was just two steps away but to get Kyle into the shade, he would have to stand in a strip of garden against the wall. I mentioned that concern but Kyle said “That shouldn’t be a problem. It looks like a weed garden anyway and there is a bare dirt patch right here.” He stepped into the spot and I guided him to face in the best direction for the portrait and gave him my usual instruction: “No need for a big Smile for the Camera. You can just try to relax and look right into the lens.” Without being asked, Kyle removed his mirror sunglasses and I had a pleasant surprise. His eyes positively sparkled and gave me a clear view into his alert and friendly personality. He was favorably impressed by the image on my camera display and then I said “Of course I have to get a photo showing your t-shirt since that is what introduced us to each other in the first place.”
I told Kyle I would like his sleeve tattoo to show in the wider shot if that was ok with him and he said sure. We figured out how he could cross his arms so as not to obscure the message on his t-shirt and took this portrait.
About the tattoo, he explained that he started it two years ago (when he was 27) and it’s "a work in progress.” He has always liked tribal-style tattoos with a design element but this one also has a personal aspect. When finished it will incorporate ten faces. “Why ten?” He explained his birthday is the tenth day of the month (I said if I did that I would have an expensive 29 face tattoo.) The ten faces will also reflect the ten virtues he holds important. I couldn’t write them all down but they included Loyalty, Perseverance, Strength, and Passion. When he has more money he would like to get a decent camera to pursue photography and he would like to invest in a sleeve tattoo on his left arm. I asked if his girlfriend had anything to say about the tattoo and his tattoo plans. “Oh, not at all. She’s COVERED with tattoos.” Ah, a relationship made in heaven.
When I asked Kyle how the people who know him best would describe him he said “I believe they would say I’m friendly and loyal. His interests include martial arts and Frisbee golf.
It was time to say goodbye. Kyle had a job resume to write and my wife was waiting for me down the street for our bike ride back home. It had been one of those very rewarding street encounters that demonstrate how quickly people on the street can open up and trust a complete stranger if they are approached with genuine interest and respect. Thank you Kyle for participating in The Human Family. I hope to see you sometime soon in the driver’s seat of the bus or streetcar I am taking on my way downtown.