What an exciting day I had! The morning was normal and filled with light errands and housework but in the back of my mind I knew there was a challenge to fulfill. It was unseasonably warm in the city, and will continue to be that way for a couple of days, so taking advantage of the warm weather while accomplishing my goal seemed like a no brainer. The plan was to snap some photographs in the city and figure out some way to engage a stranger. I hopped on the green line train and made my way to downtown Boston, Haymarket station to be specific. As I turned the corner onto Boston’s trendy Boylston Street I was struck by what seemed to be an infinite number of protesters. Apparently the “Occupy Wall Street” movement has made it’s way up north, which doesn’t make much sense but who am I to walk away from a phenomenal opportunity to capture some exposures.
Despite their vast numbers, the police ended up corralling most of the protestors onto the sidewalk and down Newbury Street, conveniently out of my way, leaving only tourists to deal with. Plowing through the crowds I eventually found myself at the Apple store and gazed upon the memorial dedicated to the late visionary CEO, Steve Jobs. Most of you reading this probably don’t know that I’ve been a huge Apple fan for many years so I wanted to see this spectacle with my own eyes and capture people paying tribute and their respects.
This gathering also presented an opportunity to achieve my goal for the day. After capturing some photos I decided to stick around for some people watching. Eventually I found myself standing next to a women maybe 10 years older than me who was also taking pictures of the various flowers, apples, candles, and sticky notes filled well wishes. She was my target. I waited for her to remove the 3 inch screen from her line of sight and would go in. Waiting is the worst because, as is currently the norm, I cannot think of a thing to say to her. My mind is totally blank. Normally procrastination and rationalization will flood my thoughts by creating excuses, but I couldn’t let that happen this time. I have to make genuine conversation with her, and it has to be more than a friendly “Hello.” Knowing I had a blog post to write I didn’t want to abandon this chance so I opened with a simple observation.
“It’s pretty amazing, one man’s impact.” I said turning my head as to signal her attention.
“He changed so many people’s life, and his influence was enormous.” She replied.
“Yeah, and not just once or twice, but many times over.”
After a little more back and fourth I wished her a good day and continued down Boylston. 1 down 29 to go! In hindsight it seemed easy, but I still found myself stricken by a lack of inertia. That phrasing feels like the best way to articulate my state before attempting to engage her. To say I’m afraid wouldn’t be right even though deep down fear is stopping me. It’s hard to put it into words at the moment so maybe with more experience I’ll figure it out.
My social skydiving didn’t end there though (Bonus points on my first day). If you’re familiar with the geography of Boston you’ll know my next destination was the Public Garden and Boston Common. Since it was so nice out the grassy hills were bustling with activity. Groups of people tossing around a football, playing Frisbee, couples laying down embracing each other, and individuals relaxing with a good book and coffee plugged into an iDevice were everywhere I looked. I had put away my camera for the moment and was heading toward Barnes & Noble to purchase the first Game of Thrones book until I passed a man walking his dog along a path.
“No…it couldn’t be, could it?” I thought.
An A list celebrity just walked by me talking on the phone, at least I thought he did. I immediately turned 180 degrees and followed the presumed celebrity, now keep in mind I’m toting around a Nikon D3100 DSLR camera and wearing a bright red plaid shirt. I think he’ll spot me staking him and assume I’m paparazzi instead of a curious lad. Instead of continuing down the path he stops to rest on a bench still speaking into his white iPhone 4. I plunked down under a nearby tree hoping to snap a shot, but my damn kit lens zoom isn’t enough. So I decide to sit down at a different bench, one that he’ll have to pass. Roughly twenty minutes later the presumed celebrity and his dog pass me and I’m sure…it’s him. He manages to create quite a bit of distance between me until a girl spots him waiting at the cross walk. She talks to him for a little while and from a distance I see her reveal her phone for a picture. They part ways…time to skydive J
I walk right up to her.
“Hey! Wasn’t that Kevin Bacon?
“Yes!” she promptly answers still on a high from her experience.
“I KNEW IT! But given my camera equipment I was way too intimidated to ask him for a picture.”
“I know was you mean, I was soooooooo nervous and intimidated but he couldn’t have been nicer.”
I give her the run down of my stalkerish behavior and my surprise that no one noticed it was him outside of the two of us. Some small chit chat went on until we both parted ways, all the while I was thinking how cool it would’ve been for my first day of social skydiving to be with Kevin Bacon. This girl was terrified but took a risk regardless and Kevin Bacon couldn’t have been nicer…I guess I have work to do.
I’ll probably do more reflection later in a weekend recap, but there are stark contrasts between my two encounters, which should be pointed out. The lack of inertia wasn’t present the second time around, and this girl was beautiful. Under different circumstances I would never talk to her, but I was genuinely curious to know if that was really Kevin Bacon. The curiosity took over and didn’t allow me to over think the situation. This is good. This is progress.
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