old workplaces

Got a call from a magazine to photograph an old work place - a place I had not been back to since the mid-nineties. A work place where there was creativity, yet surrounded by mis-behavior and - bad behavior encouraged. A once in-a-lifetime job, not easily forgotten.

My editor asked me to find things that might today, still be familiar.  At first glance everything was - but now, most surfaces were covered in dust & decay - and the characters were gone - the daily chaos gone.  And surprisingly, the most notable, the quiet and the stillness. Those missed sounds of the 'blinging' and competitive banging of the 'pin-ball' machines, now all pushed aside and forgotten - and now, those long-gone sounds, gone.

outlaws

By voter approval, Amendment 3 to the Florida Constitution, passed in 1994, forever outlawed commercial 'net' fishing across the state. In an over zealous act by lobbyists working on behalf of the 'recreational' fisherman, many generational commercial fisherman and families lost their livelihood and their cultural / historical way of life. Back then I sympathized with them. I covered different story angles on this immediate fall-out for several different magazines, but the issue of over-fishing is a complicated one.

Today, in a few, nearly deserted fishing communities, there are families that still 'run' from the law. Normally, netting under the cover of darkness and knowing the percentages of getting caught - "netting" can still bring in a modest income.  So, it was a surprise today to see a 'mullet' skiff not far off the North bridge in broad daylight with at least 300 yards of 'gill' net set adrift. Wasn't long before the Sheriff Department showed up. At the risk of losing their boat, their equipment and multiple fines - and from a distance - I could see both fisherman firing-up a cigarette and - settin' about - hootin' & hollerin'.

my plumber

RENTAL PROPERTY & TENANTS

Eric, my plumber, had some advice for me after needing to 'snake' out the bathtub drain from our rental property twice in the past three months. "Have them use a hair strainer on the drain - or, use 'liquid plumber' more often - or, the best bet - don't rent to "longhairs".

Noticing the signage and the posting outside the tenants front door, mentioning "Tiki Bar"- we both nodded and agreed somewhat, to that last suggestion. Eric seemed sober enough, and in the end, I will have to weigh-out all of his suggestions.

my accountant

Rob is someone I've known for years - went to high school together. We share a passion for the circus and motorcycling. Rob does not use a computer, only his paper calculator and his mental process. Even without the bright office lighting, I swear he could do all of his accounting in the dark. His fingers move fast over the keys while having a straight on dead-eye conversation. At 7:00 am he appeared to be squinting a little, yet very organized and performing well beyond my capabilities. A good guy.

construction

The new Myakka River bridge.

Mr. David T. Warner

IN MEMORIAM

My long lost book project - this time, almost to the printers.

Mr. David was my buddy and my believer. Over the two years that he and I worked on this project - the David T. Warner Foundation became a major factor and supporter - always. And, I promise you David, when she's finally published, that I will keep your wacky introduction intact, with little edit. I promise.

paperwork & paper

It's been 7 months since our 'Gramma Jo' died.

My mother-in-law was a real sweetheart, but a fanatic about paperwork, receipts, records etc. For many years, in her early life, she worked a daily-life as an accountant - paper, pencil, eraser and a hard-bound ledger ever ready.

So today, I believe she would be extremely proud. Her final paperwork of files, statements, receipts, bills, deeds, wills and last wishes collected and sorted for relevance, that I've kept in my briefcase, are now all complete. But really, Gramma would be particularily proud of 'her' Michele, her grand-daughter-in-law and 'final' executor, who dove in and kept the probate process honest and always moving forward with the attorney's -  all with her endless 'paper-less' e-mail correspondence and those final constant updates.

Sometimes, 'Gramma Jo' would say to me - that I was full of "GÓWNO" (polish for shit) - but I know, she only ever meant it as a sincere compliment.