12.14.2013

12.13.2013

12.12.2013

8.10.2013

epic drive day 4 : i've experienced a broad spectrum of reactions and interactions on this trip that would never take place in an ordinary car with an ordinary camera. two today stood out:
1. i was spotted wandering around this oil field with my little blue cooler when an alarmed, armed worker came flying across the dirt track in his pickup, screeched to a halt in a cloud of dust, and exclaimed, "you lost?!" to which i replied, "no, but you have some beautiful oil wells here." i pulled out the polaroid, held it up sheepishly, and inquired, "is this alright?" as a huge grin crossed his face, he waved, slowly rolled forward, looked back one last time, and drove on, leaving me be.
2. after getting back on the desolate highway, i was starstruck for the first time ever when a group of hells angels, suited up in fully patched colors, surrounded the car on all sides and collectively gave me a round of nods. they knew what kind of engine was under this gas guzzler's hood. i nodded back, lips stern, one hand on the steering wheel, keeping my cool. then, in a symphony of revving engines, they sped off into the distance. and i squealed like a giddy schoolgirl.

8.9.2013

epic drive day 3 : i got this email : "This experience has proven finally that the anticipation of an event is by far the most important part of an experience. The unexpected can be a blast, good or bad, but the withholding of immediate satisfaction adds emotional content that can't be duplicated any other way. This has everything: getting a dream car, worry for your safety, doing my own adventure, controversy,   . . . great on so many levels. As my grandma used to say, 'what a skit'. Love you - Dad"
i sure do love you too.

8.8.2013

epic drive day 2 : this drive called on me to leave behind the digital era for a spell. goodbye sony nex-3. hello polaroid 640. how i missed you. the new film for the original camera just happens to be heat sensitive; i just happen to be driving through the middle of the desert, in the middle of the summer, in a baaaaad ride (as an old-fashioned hustler in oakland called it today), albeit with no a/c. my new camera case just became a little blue cooler. awesome.