Balaclava Banshee
I went out for awhile last Saturday night with designs on a certain type of moon shot. At one point, two RCMP (Canada's national police force) cruisers surrounded me and both officers jumped out, aiming their weapons at me, and demanded that I put my hands up. Truthfully, I never at any time felt afraid of being shot. My concern was that my camera would fall from the roof of my vehicle while I was standing with my hands raised. It was precariously perched on a rounded cushion and the roof was sloped.
Both I and my camera survived the incident and the police officers were visibly relieved that their lives weren't in danger from a drug lord with a sawed-off shotgun. Apparently, that's what the astute citizen reported when he/she phoned the police.
I'd like to add that I hold absolutely no ill-will toward the RCMP or its members. They're doing what they must to protect us and I appreciate it.
I'm just not used to my new-found violent lifestyle. This is Canada, for pity sake! The only other time in my life that a policeman has ever unholstered his weapon around me was when I accidentally ran a red light in Pasadena, California during a 1976 visit. Apparently, I made him a little nervous, too, because he aimed his gun at my car as he approached from behind, keeping low and occassionally bobbing up to see in my back window. He relaxed when I rolled down my side window and said, "Hi."
Running the red light really was accidental. My friend and I were holidaying in California and, at the time, were looking for a roller rink in Pasadena to try out the new precision-bearing rollerskates that we bought that day in Hollywood. We were avid rollerskaters. Every light was green for a few miles and I was distracted looking for the roller rink so when one light turned up red, I didn't notice in time. No vehicles actually connected but the cop almost rear-ended a car that had to slam on its brakes to avoid hitting mine.
So, does any of this go toward my street-cred? Anyway, make sure your cameras are loaded and the safety is off. Let's be careful out there!
P.S.
I didn't get the type of moon image that I was looking for but here's one that I took from my backyard just before going out into the neighbourhood for my take-down. :)
Balaclava Banshee
I went out for awhile last Saturday night with designs on a certain type of moon shot. At one point, two RCMP (Canada's national police force) cruisers surrounded me and both officers jumped out, aiming their weapons at me, and demanded that I put my hands up. Truthfully, I never at any time felt afraid of being shot. My concern was that my camera would fall from the roof of my vehicle while I was standing with my hands raised. It was precariously perched on a rounded cushion and the roof was sloped.
Both I and my camera survived the incident and the police officers were visibly relieved that their lives weren't in danger from a drug lord with a sawed-off shotgun. Apparently, that's what the astute citizen reported when he/she phoned the police.
I'd like to add that I hold absolutely no ill-will toward the RCMP or its members. They're doing what they must to protect us and I appreciate it.
I'm just not used to my new-found violent lifestyle. This is Canada, for pity sake! The only other time in my life that a policeman has ever unholstered his weapon around me was when I accidentally ran a red light in Pasadena, California during a 1976 visit. Apparently, I made him a little nervous, too, because he aimed his gun at my car as he approached from behind, keeping low and occassionally bobbing up to see in my back window. He relaxed when I rolled down my side window and said, "Hi."
Running the red light really was accidental. My friend and I were holidaying in California and, at the time, were looking for a roller rink in Pasadena to try out the new precision-bearing rollerskates that we bought that day in Hollywood. We were avid rollerskaters. Every light was green for a few miles and I was distracted looking for the roller rink so when one light turned up red, I didn't notice in time. No vehicles actually connected but the cop almost rear-ended a car that had to slam on its brakes to avoid hitting mine.
So, does any of this go toward my street-cred? Anyway, make sure your cameras are loaded and the safety is off. Let's be careful out there!
P.S.
I didn't get the type of moon image that I was looking for but here's one that I took from my backyard just before going out into the neighbourhood for my take-down. :)