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Showing the Japanese fighting spirit of "gamman," advertisements for long-ago films endure on the wall in the "Gaado-Shita" (Under the Girders) eating and drinking district of Yurakucho
Friday is pizza day for the guys in the neighborhood. I told Tony I would meet him on Oakley today, and, true to his word, he was there at 12:00 as I drove up. As I went to park, I noticed a figure asleep on the couch. He turned his head to look at me, so I asked him if he wanted some pizza and root beer too.
"No. I want a steak is what I want."
"Wel,, I don't have no damn steak. I got pizza. You want it or not?"
Sure, I guess. I got nothing better to do."
That was my introduction to Tommy Lee, aka Old Man. It turns out that Old Man was best friends with Too Tall, a local resident who died about 5 years ago. I told him he looked a bit like Too Tall, and he told me the story of how Too Tall died, and that he was with him when he died. He said that Too Tall knew he was going to die, and he asked Old Man to do him a favor and score him "one last rock" before he went. He got it and gave it to Too Tall, but that Too Tall didn't even smoke it. He died in the Nursing Home, with the rock in his hand. Maybe he just wanted to hold it one last time.
I'm never really sure how much of these stories are truth, how much are exaggeration, and how much are "delusions of grandeur". And since I will really never know, I cannot argue if Old Man tells me it's true.
Here's a little flare I shot on the Winter Solstice. Happy Flare Friday everyone! I hope you've enjoyed your day : )
Quite a rare site to see...an empty city.
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I was glad to catch up with Levita today, as I had been carrying around some prints for Tony for the past couple of weeks, but had not seen either of them. I asked her where he was, and she told me that he is in the hospital.
Tony fell off a fence after dropping off some pallets. I don't know what he was doing on the fence, but I do know that Levita is very sad and very worried about him. I could read it in her eyes and hear in in her tone.
Today was a cold day, with strong winds that made the day worse than the 45 degree temperature should have been. Levita is now living in a large cardboard box under the tracks, with a mattress and a couple of blankets as the only thing protecting her from the elements. I feel that she is missing Tony because she relies on his protection as well.
Levita asked me today if I would take her picture. Maybe, for a moment, it takes her mind off things. Maybe it makes her feel needed that I like talking to her and taking her picture. I'm always very complimentary of her, because, in all honesty, she really doesn't need to let me into her "world" like she does.
There is a community of homeless people in my work neighborhood. Once a week, I bring food. Pizza, water, cookies, snacks, fruit, etc... I don't do it so people say "What a nice guy". I do it because it reminds me of a lot of things. To be grateful for what I have, to be respectful of those around me, to treat people like I would want to be treated if the tables were turned.
I can't believe that Dwight and his wife (pictured) CHOOSE to live, eat. sleep where they do. Whether it is addiction, mental illness, just bad luck, whatever, this is what they deal with on a daily basis.
They are very grateful whenever I bring food to them. They are always very respectful to me, as I am to them. I feel a little guilty as I drive away.
I met Aaron and his cat Sylvester today. They frequently stay under the Metra tracks on Hoyne, because it is close to the pallet yard, and sometimes Aaron can get scrap pallets to recycle. He was a bit leery about getting his picture taken, and would only do it if he could pose with his cat.
"I love cats. It's people I don't have any use for. You seem like a good dude, though." Aaron seems like a genuinely good dude too.
Long story. I apologize in advance.
We had a good bit of leftover food at work today, and I was going to bring it home. Kathy suggested that, instead, I bring it over to this group of homeless people that is living under the Metra tracks on (address removed to respect their privacy). I liked the suggestion.
I introduced myself to the first gentleman, Calvin. I brought him the food, and he was polite and grateful. I talked to him for a few minutes, and asked if I might be able to take a picture of him. He said he would, but he has some warrants out for his arrest and can't have his picture taken. I told him I understood, that I respect his privacy, and I wouldn't ask again. But I did ask his neighbor Willie.
Willie had a great laugh and seemed very open. But not about having his picture taken. Seems he and Calvin have some things in common. As did Janice, although I tried to desperately to get a picture of her with her blond wig and hot pink dress. Same with Gregory and Ed.
Since that wasn't the sole purpose of me going there, I thanked them all, I shook their hands, and I said my goodbyes to each. As I was driving away though, I saw the bear. I knew I had to get a picture of that.
Ed was standing there, and as I waited for him to move (I didn't want to upset him and just take a picture), I asked him if he would be willing to stand there with his back turned. That worked for him.
I left feeling like I had done something decent. I am certainly NOT patting myself on the back. But I try to talk to and show respect to these people because they are people. If, for even a few minutes, this group of people can take their minds off their situation in life, then I think it was the right thing to do.
Toledo and Central Ohio railroad station; Columbus, Ohio. Yashica Mat 124-G twin lens reflex camera with Ilford HP5 film.
Davis Street, Long Island City, Queens, under the elevated 7 line tracks, adjacent to what was then still 5 Pointz.
I don't know who is doing the interior decorating under the tracks on Wood St., but I'm glad that they made a few upgrades overnight. And their choice of placement is impeccable.
Project 365 = Day 136 = 15 May 2024
Day 866 (Since 1 Jan 2022)
© 2024 Jeff Stewart. All rights reserved.
Stopped by a yakitori restaurant for dinner tonight between Shinbashi and Yurakucho stations in Tokyo. Under the tracks, the interior was well worn and the walls a little brown from the years of use. I liked all the laterns and paper lights they used for the lighting. My kind of restaurant. Took this image from where I was sitting. Simple and easy.
and dirty and yummy. :D A new location, under the trussels from the previous senior shot of him on the tracks. I'm loving the train in the back w/the grafitti on it.