Justin : Living on your own is expensive!
This is a photo of Justin. He looks pretty laid back, no? I was walking down the sidewalk and saw him relaxing on his bicycle taxi. I told him: “Looks like you have everything under control”. He laughed and said that business has been really slow, but that he could use some relaxation time. He said that he works about 70 hours a week. He has a full time job at a restaurant and then drives this ‘taxi’ about 30 hours a week and he was thankful that this summer has not been so hot. You could have fooled me!
I asked if I could take his picture and he said: “Sure. What do you want me to do?”. I told him to go back to what he was doing, so he reclined back in his seat, and resumed what he was doing … not much. I only took one picture, the one you see here, then struck up a conversation. He asked if I was a professional. I told him that I was a hobbyist. He said that he thought that everyone should have a hobby to get them away from the stresses of life, but he admitted to not having one.
We talked about a myriad of things, life, jobs, parents, etc. He said that he has been on his own, mostly, for the past 3 months and is enjoying his freedom, but he was not quite prepared for how expensive it is to live. He admitted that he isn’t fully on his own as his parents are still paying for his car insurance, cell phone, car payment, and a couple of other things. He’s paying rent, food, utilities, and gas for his car. He said that being on his own made him really appreciate what his parents are doing for him because he’s not sure how he would survive without their help and that he liked the freedom, but could appreciate the responsibilities!
We talked more about life. He just graduated from college but is not sure of what he wants to do and asked me for advice. Of course, I couldn’t give him answer except to say that there are as many ways to live life as there are people on the planet. He said that some people were telling him that he needs to get a good paying job, but that he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. “What if I get a job that pays well, but I don’t like it.?”. I told him to find something that he loves to do, whether or not the mainstream thinks it’s a ‘good’ job, and do it. Further, I told him that he may have to adjust his lifestyle to accommodate his passion, but that I didn’t think it was a good idea to take a job just for the money. He really liked that idea and said that no one had ever told him that. He always thought that he had to go to college, get a good job, marry, have a family, etc. He said that he was really glad that he met me and feels somewhat relieved, now. His mother had suggested that he go to a college job fair and he’d been resisting the idea, but after talking to me, he thought that he’d go and see if it sparked any ideas of what he might want to try. “It can’t hurt and I don’t have to do anything!”. Smart fellow!
He asked if I liked my job. I told him that I did and I was one of the fortunate few who have had a job for 25 years that they really liked, but I did admit that I’m getting very weary of the software ‘game’. We chatted about so many things over the hour, but had to cut our conversation ‘short’ as it was starting to rain, so we parted ways. He told me that he’s usually right there our in front of the Market Pavillion Hotel. The next time that I go down there, I’ll be looking for him.
Now, that’s a story to accompany you picture. It’s unbelievable how much more content you can stuff into a picture this way. Photojournalism, light.
Interesting that he never heard or thought the idea to do what felt best to him, how the standard life route can block your mind into thinking more creative. You really have to step aside for a while to see more clearly. He seemed very sympathetic, Justin, taking on responsibility as good as he could. He will do fine.
Holy cow~~ Your photography and writings grow every single day! I really love reading you in the morning. Photographs are bang on amazing.
@Ove: I don’t know if it is a cultural thing, but I’m pretty sure that it is. So many people have bought into the idea of “The American Dream”, which is basically one of consumerism, living life unconsciously, and keeping up with “The Jones’”.
If you are not familiar with that expression, it means that I have to have what you have. You have a big house; I have a big house. You have 2 new cars, I must too! I must have the right house, car, wife, job, degree, etc. to be respected.
Given that, so many people pour their lives down the drain giving it ‘all’ to the job, taking little time to think, or feel, what kind of life that they might like to live until it’s almost time to die, then they figure out. Too late!
So, it doesn’t really surprise me at all that he’s never heard of this. I never heard of it until I was in my 30′s when my wife brought home a book about living simply, or simply living, if you will. I’ve been enamored with that thought ever since, though admittedly, I’m not there, yet, at least to what my ideal is.
I try to spread this ‘gospel’ whenever I have the opportunity. To plant seeds, if you will. Nothing forced, just a few ideas sprinkled here and there.
I think this is what street photography is all about; connecting with people, finding out about their life history. Well done, Paul and looking forward to more.
Yes, it’s surely a cultural thing if ‘most’ people thinks this way. I didn’t know about the expression with keeping up with the Jones, but we have the corresponding kind of people here as well. It’s not that polarised, though, and I believe there are much, much more people that actually are quite happy with what they have and not strive to get more. It’s cultural, for sure, but also political, where our conservatives in many North American eyes would be considered socialists. It’s good there are people like you to make a balance, spread your seeds well.
Paul, great story and photos!
@Ove: The odd thing is, Ove, that here, in some people’s eyes, if you are satisfied with you have, you are considered as lacking ambition and unmotivated. There’s something wrong with you. You need to ‘make something of yourself’. It can be a stressful culture if you buy into it.
@Earl: Thanks, Earl. Wait until you meet Dave, tomorrow! He was quite a character!
Paul great story I agree with everything Monte said, there are so many of these stories out there whether the big city or the little country village. Breaking the ice with people and getting them to relax for photos and talk is what it is all about.
Damn, don’t you just love it when life throws interesting people into your life, even if for only a few moments? Somehow, I don’t think that these moments are accidents. As for advice, it seems we both give the same advice when asked. As Joseph Campbell would say, “follow your bliss.”