9 comments: 9 comments
@njcarron 11 months ago
Heat Index No. 1 : "In Search of Relief", July 6, 2012, Downtown Columbus, Ohio It's mid-afternoon. I need air and freedom from the confines associated with corporate employment. I need a walk. I need a cold drink. I pause by a medium-sized tree next to a bus stop on High Street between Long and Broad. Voice (jiving) : "Do you think that shade is doing you any good?" Me : "Not at all. There's a heat index of 107 today." Voice (informing) : "And the temperature is going to be 100 tomorrow! But next week it will be getting down into the 80s." Me : "I'm more of a mid-70s guy, but I'll take 80s over this any day." Voice (inquiring) : "Would you know where I can find a pool?" Me : "Downtown? There is always the fountains on the riverfront..." Voice (laughing) : "No, I'll get kicked out of there for sure! I'll get patted down and taken away!" Me : "You should just run through! And then keep on running!" Voice (pointing) : "I am staying over there, they have a pool." Me : "The Y?" Voice (confirming) : "Yes. You know? The water in my room is warm! My soda pops can't stay cool in the fridge!" Me : "Do you mean the fridge in your room?" Voice (grinning) : "They told me they gave me The Presidential Suite too!" We chatted for a few additional minutes and continued to make comments about the heat even as we gradually took steps away from each other. Incessant heat can literally slap the face, punch the gut, swell the feet. Voice was cheery but beaten, a man obviously uncomfortable but with few options. He had mumbled something about his citizenship and continuously grasped a duffel bag in his hand. He didn't ask me for pity or money or a hand out. He just wanted relief, a brief human connection. I find that extreme weather conditions are often vehicles that loosen our social and cultural inhibitions. There is a sense that, no matter where we are in life, we are in this uncomfortable situation together. Many people like Voice take the brunt of these hard conditions more than others and must literally surviving the days. Like a swimming pool relieves the physical body, a simple conversation relieves the anxious mind emotionally. SERIES : nj_HeatIndex APPS : cameraplus : snapseed : photoforge2
@njcarron 11 months ago
Thank you Sandra L : I stepped out of work for an hour and had a bit of an adventure that day... more to come :)
@muzbanger 11 months ago
Nic you are a talented writer (&photographer :-) well done, great read✨✨✨
@njcarron 11 months ago
M A R I A : Such big smiles here! Thank you for your kindness and time to read! My best...
@eM1 11 months ago
agree with MARIA :))
@LynetteJackson 11 months ago
so much character
@njcarron 11 months ago
@LynetteJackson : He did! It was fun interaction too... very kind guy. I actually hope to see him
@njcarron 11 months ago
@LynetteJackson : He was a really great guy who in fact did have character! I actually hope to see him again... it nice to make spontaneous connections.
@njcarron 11 months ago
@muzbanger @eM1 : Thank you both very talented creative individuals! So glad to have met you on EyeEm and receive such genuine comments! My best...