Rick Hughs throws a nice workshop. I like interacting with people… so for me, it was quite enjoyable. I started the day by interviewing Rick & Frank at the hotel. They were pretty funny. I am very happy that despite being really talented, Rick is really down to Earth. I mean, there’s nice talented people everywhere… but there’s that saying “Those who can, do… those who can’t, teach” but Rick certainly can. I spent much of my time interviewing people. That was really neat, because you get to know them a bit, and you learn what techniques they offer… more than technique, I was very interested in how people got to where they are. It’s also very noticeable that different things work for different people. One thing that made me chuckle a little bit is that photography is just like life… people like different things, and one thing that can repulse one person, can attract another person. The same is true for taste in models and their physiques.

It was fun to be my goofy self. Everyone has the same models/makeup/location to shoot with… so, your pictures will stand out as yours based on the quality of your lenses, your angles, your posing of the model, and what part of the set you use. The models already knew that when I shoot, they can smile, laugh, and be goofy. This club we were at today was called “Kobain” after the late Nirvana singer. It was a cute place, and was even open during the day for people to come in and watch the game. We shot inside, and outside. The outside area was a gated in courtyard, with round tables that had folded up beach umbrellas. I took this giant umbrella out of the table, took it’s leg off, and gave it to Ginger (the model) to hold as a prop. Everyone liked the shot… I’m sure a bunch of people were sniping it. It was so cool in fact, that Rick came outside “Who’s idea was this?” me “Who do you think?” Rick “It’s fucking genius!” That’s what I like to hear That’s why it’s fun to be goofy. So goofy was I, in fact, that David had asked me if I can be a goofball in his shot. I didn’t get to do too much of that though, because Tiffany was getting a little angry that I’m just chatting and being a goof instead of shooting her. It was not because she’s not pretty, it’s just that I was speaking with Wai Wong, and his stories are just amazing! What a cool history of life and photography. Models are everywhere… amazing stories from amazing photographers… that’s another story.

I left by 3:30. I was supposed to meet Mike near Dallas. It was supposed to be a 4 or 5 hour drive. Mike however called me up to let me know that the weather in Kansas / Oklahoma is pretty bad… so bad in fact that he is now not just running late, but what takes him 1 hours to get to, has taken him 3 hours to get to. He then called back shortly later and said he’s turning around because it’s taken so long, and it’s only getting worse. I figured it was also getting darker, and he’s used to worse weather than I am, so forget about trying to get to Kansas that night… I had him call his people who’s couch we’d be surfing on, and tell them I’m still coming. So, this is about 3 hours before I get to John’s place…. This is the 1st time we’ve spoken, and the 1st time we heard about each other. It was mighty cool of John to let me crash there.

With lots of phone calls to make, I passed some time. I watched the temperature drop from 72 degrees, to 54 degrees, then down to 30. I remember thinking, “Hey look! That’s the temperature that water freezes at” I passed more time in this pitch dark road by talking to my camcorder. I then decided to sing! Yup… sing! I don’t think I’m a great singer, but I could be if I practiced! Initially I wanted to buy an acoustic guitar to bring with me, so I could practice, and be able to perform or express myself with it…. however, that takes up a lot of space in a car. I decided to go with a Chris Cornell song from his solo album, Euphoria Morning. The song I chose is called “When you miss someone” I tried it again and again and again until my voice started cracking. That’s when I noticed I was doing about 95 mph and it’s pitch black and rainy! I slowed down to about 80… but everyone was still passing me up. Crazy Texan drivers! When I got to the Dallas area, streets became lit, more traffic filled the lanes in, and some phone calls came in. I got to talk to my buddy Johnny, and a minute after I hung up with him *phummmm* (I’m open to other sound effects if anyone wants to suggest any) my car slid quickly to the right, and nearly bumped another car. I turned my wheel left, and hit my brakes, and next thing I know, I’m facing the wrong way on the freeway, drifting across the 4 lanes of traffic on this road. As I drift backwards, an SUV that didn’t want to slam their brakes the way I did, they slid right into me. We crashed head-on, as I was going backwards, and them forwards. This set my car in to another drift / rotation. So, 270 degrees, and 3 lane widths apart, I ended up smashed into a concrete wall, perpendicular to traffic. It was a good time to pray if I believed in praying… instead I just wholeheartedly hoped that none of the vehicles that were heading right towards me would have enough time to stop… and they did, yay! So, the people who smashed into me kept driving, and pulled off at the next exit (which
was about 30 feet in front of the collision. I followed them, but my car was making strange noises (which I later found out were my bumpers were dragging on the ground).

We pulled off the road, and thankfully everyone was ok! I am indestructible, but I was concerned about the other people. It turns out that all 3 of us, and both our cars are in functional condition. The rain was falling on us, and freezing. We started exchanging information, and a cop showed up. Once we all confirmed that we’re all ok, she took off. I then asked them “I have an odd request… would it be ok if I interviewed you?” They gave me a very surprised look that said “Are you serious?” “Well… you see… I’m doing this cross-country roadtrip / reality show, and I’m interviewing all the cool people I meet along the road.” Now their faces started shifting towards anger… the ol’ “You can’t be F#@!$’ing serious!” look. “I assure you I did not get in this accident to get footage… I would never be so retarded as to endanger other people’s lives, or my own… but I just figure… since we’re all aready here.. I’d just ask” They replied that they’re really rather not be on video.

We drove our separate ways,

I made it to John’s place. As I said, it was nice of him to let me crash there…. although that’s pretty ironic, since I did just crash. I went upstairs, and figured I’d check my car in the morning. I hung out with John & his buddy Tanner. They played some video games, watched some TV, and I made calls to my insurance. We then put on “House of Wax” which scared Tanner way too much. That was kind of amusing. I made sure to call my parents many times to emphasize that I’m ok. My mother tends to worry, and I Really was fine. When I arrived at John’s, I called her to say that I arrived, as I’ve been doing for every couch arrival, or crossed state-line. This time however, it was “I made it” “Oh good…” “wait… there’s more… I made it.. but I got in a car accident.” “what?” “Yeah.. but I’m ok… I gotta go though- gotta go find this person.” because I pulled up to the wrong gate at John’s neighborhood. I have some really great parents. I was such a little ungrateful prick for a bunch of years, but now I know better. I still seem ungrateful at times…. impatience, that kind of stuff. But just like the rest of my friends, when my help is needed, or if I just see something they would like… I do it / get it….

My parents are pretty excited about my trip, it seems. They started off a bit concerned, but I proved to them that I’m a big boy. My dad was surprised to hear me on the phone interacting with models / clients… “You sound professional” “I am professional! I’m a pro damn it! Try not to sound so surprised!” – or when on my birthday I took them and 4 of my friends to a nice restaurant, got lots of food and drinks for everyone, and picked up the $700 tab by taking pictures for the restaurant for their website. What a great meal! I love surprises, and that was a big one. I think in the end we all just want to make our folks proud. I just had a late start They were uber-impressed when they went to my launch party. They had never been to a place as posh as Pearl – the VIP club at Niki Beach… I hear it’s rated #11 top lounge in the world. It was hard to pull it off, but that’s where I had the party… the talent I recruited was equally impressive. 16 models doing a lingerie / body paint fashion show, a samba dancer – that also did some belly dancing, a singer, and of course my Vodka Sponsor (free Vodka based drinks all night long!) sent girls that looked pretty hot in their tight 1 piece swimsuits, as they served their drinks. It was an Herbal Vodka, and quite good… It’s called Sonnema Vodka. I kept sending girls over to bring drinks to my dad, and dance with him. Funny enough, I’ve never heard how proud they are of me as much as when they did after that party. Bottom line- they’ve finally accepted my trip, my photography, and I did not want them losing sleep over me… especially when I’m just fine..