I love Nashville at night, especially downtown. You see so many interesting people. On this evening I saw this man lighting his cigarette. I took a quick picture of him and he looked up and kindly said, "I'm sorry." He thought he was in the way, but in reality I was capturing him.
Don't give away...
"Don't give away anything you could sell," he told me as he slowly lowered his cigarette. I quietly snapped the photo and walked away. Advice from the homeless - I should start a book. They often have better and more down to earth advice than the bankers, lawyers and doctors I know.
Life, always interesting to me.
Card Tricks
Step right up, let me show you a card trick... Stop me if you have heard that before. I met this man in Nashville, but he told me he is actually from Louisiana. He was just passing through.
“Everyone should be able to do one card trick, tell two jokes, and recite three poems, in case they are ever trapped in an elevator.” ― Lemony Snicket
Hello Mr. North
He smiled as he stated to me... "Hello Mr. North." I said, "Hi, do you need a blanket for tonight? It is 33-degrees and that leather jacket does not look warm." He responded, "No, I will be alright Mr. North, I'll be alright. I'm gonna sleep right here. Right here Mr. North."
As he spoke he continuously folded a small piece of paper between his fingers switching from the right hand to the left. "Have you done any drugs tonight?" I asked out of concern. "No, no Mr. North - drugs are not good for you. I was told never to do drugs or drink," he said with a smile.
He called me Mr. North because I was wearing a North Face coat. Mental illness is very much alive on the streets and in homeless communities all over our country.
I want to spank you!
Something you don't expect to hear on a busy street by a passing woman... "I want to spank you." That is exactly what the woman in the hat stated to the man laughing. I happened to catch it as she was finishing her sentence. She suggested that she gets paid to spank people and wanted to just offer a little "Tap, tap." By the way, no one took her up on the offer for the spanking.
Watch this...
When I am doing street photography, I love hearing the magic words "Watch this." This man said those two words and then jumped on top of a trash can. He then jumped back down as his friend reminded him that he has already been arrested six times in the past few days. His response, "But, the police like me."