The Best of Friends

Most people can admit to taking their best friend for granted at least once in their lives. But these are two men that I can say truly never take those words for granted. Wayne (left) and Mike (right) have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They stick together no matter where they go. They sleep in the same place as the other so they can be there to protect each other if they need to.

People always wonder, how does somebody end up homeless? And Wayne was happy to tell us his story. He used to work at the Lunchbox in Bricktown for 11 years as a chef, but it was on the land that Devon Energy bought out. He said he didn't really have a good job history so he lost his job when Devon took over. Although he lost his job due to this expansion, he did not seem bitter about it. Instead he said it was interesting to watch the development of that area.

When I asked them why they were hanging around the Botanical Gardens, they said they were waiting for the mission to open to eat dinner. They seemed a little skeptical about even being on that part of town and they told me they hate going to the mission because "that's where you run into trouble. You're liable to get stabbed over there, but we have to eat."

Since they were so open with me, I asked what was the most interesting thing that has happened to them living on the streets. Mike said that sometimes people will drive by and throw things at them. He said people have tried to throw water bottles at their heads before. They never cause trouble, yet since they are homeless people always draw those assumptions.

These men really made me think. I never thought about how grateful I was to have friends that are there for me, but they know the true meaning of best friends. I've never thought about the lives that are impacted when big companies come in and jobs are lost. And the biggest one to me, is I've never had to fear eating a meal because I was worried I would lose my life.

It was very humbling listening to them, because everything average people take for granted everyday, these homeless men appreciate them more than anything in the world.

The Mystery Man

As I set out this week to downtown OKC, I was expecting to have my usual encounters with people and to learn more about their lives. But this week was a much different story. 

As I was walking around looking for someone to pass out a sandwich to, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the man sitting on the street corner. So naturally, being the outgoing person I am I approached him and started talking to him and asking him questions.

I offered him a sandwich and he gladly accepted, but then realized it was a ham sandwich and said he couldn't eat it. When I asked if it was something to do with his religion as to why he couldn't eat it, he replied with "Not necessarily. While I sit out here I've had time to think about many different religions, and I just don't think I should eat a pig." 

As the conversation progressed I asked him if I could snap a picture of him for my blog and he quickly, but politely, refused. He told me that he doesn't think we should have cameras because if God really wanted up to remember something he would keep it in our hearts and minds. And he didn't want a picture out and about of him because he said it could leave the story up to the viewer and he doesn't want that.

After we spoke some more about how "the japanese tourists are taking over the world with cameras," and he explained more and more about why he hated photographs, he asked if I thought he was crazy and I quickly replied with no. And told him he has very valid points.

And as I thought about it more and more I knew he made a great point. Every picture that's taken is left up to the disgression  of the viewer to draw their own conclusion of the subject. And I think this is what this blog is all about. Teaching people how to not judge a book by its cover, and showing them that there is always MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.

A Fair Occasion

This is Ervin Waters. I had met him a few weeks back when I was downtown shooting pictures for one of my photography classes. For some reason these last couple weeks I couldn't get the curiosity out of my head wondering who he was and what he was all about. When we made eye contact at the fair, I instantly recognized him and I knew there was a story waiting to be told. 

Ervin graduated from Langston College just a few years back with an Organization Management degree. When I asked him what he does for a living he told me he is a writer. He lives in Oklahoma City, but hopes one day to move to Seattle to pursue a career with his writing. He is currently a writer for "The Curbside Chronicles." For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a magazine about homeless people telling their stories, and they sell them to help them make a little bit of money.

This was a true inspiration to me that he wants to pursue his writing so badly that he will do whatever it takes and take advantage of the opportunities he is given. I am so thankful that I was able to run into Ervin at the fair and get a chance to thank him for letting me take his pictures and to check up on how he is doing. 

The fact that he recognized me and thanked me for what I did for him makes me realize that this blog is more than just writing for you all to read. Its about the lives I get a chance to impact on the way, as well as they impact my life. I love that I get to share this wonderful journey with you.

What a Small World

As I set out this week to find someone I felt had a story to tell, I instantly thought of the State Fair. There are plenty of interesting people out there with very interesting stories. As I was trying to find the "perfect subject" I ran across a man that I kept making awkward eye contact with. 

I knew he looked familiar but I could not remember how I knew him. Then it clicked. As I was in a summer class I went out to downtown Oklahoma City and passed out sandwiches and water to homeless people, and in turn they would let me take their pictures. He was one of the people I had photographed so I went up and spoke to him and we remembered each other.

I found it so ironic that I ran into him at the fair and that we both recognized each other. I instantly knew that he would be my spotlight this week.

For You and Me

This blog sparked from my inspiration as you saw in my last post. It is something that I find that I am passionate about and think it is interesting. 

I can't help but wonder, if I don't tell these people's stories who will? If I don't take these photographs who will?

I plan to start by posting one blog a week to ease myself and my readers into this. As I get more comfortable I hope to start posting at least two a week so that it will give my readers something they want to follow and something they look forward to.

I would love feedback from my readers to hear what they enjoy reading about and seeing, because if it weren't for my readers this blog would just be empty words.

These stories have touched my life and made me view life differently, and if nothing else, I hope that is what my readers get out of this blog.

The Inspiration

Everyone needs an inspiration behind what they do, and this man was my inspiration behind my blog. His name is Mr. Blankenship and as I was walking out of the OKC Bombing Memorial I stopped to say hello, ask him how he was, and asked if he needed a water or a sandwich. As I asked him he first hesitated and thought I wasn't talking to him. Once he realized I was his face instantly lit up and he told me how happy he was I had taken the time to talk to him, because no one does.

As our conversation progressed he started sharing stories about himself and I learned that he had graduated from college with a bachelors degree, and had served 5 tours oversea. His life started going downhill after his divorce with his wife. He also told me that he loved poetry.  He then shared a touching poem about his life and all the struggles he has gone through. It brought tears to my eyes hearing some of the things he told me. He told me now he is just worthless and has nothing else to live for. I told him that was far from true and that there is a reason for everything in life we just have to find out what that is. 

After spending just 20 minutes with Mr. Blankenship it opened my eyes to the lives of the homeless and made me realize that there is always
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE