Northampton Street

I asked for advice and he said, "I'll write it" and took my notebook. Here's what he wrote:
"Live life to the fullest, like every day was your last. The only shame is to have shame, most importantly live life w/ no regrets and never apologize for being you…"

West Ward: Northampton and 6th, Hump Day

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"I wanna be a POLICEMAN!"
"That's great! Why do you want to be a policeman?"
"Because I want everybody to BEEHAVE!!!"

West Ward: Northampton and 5th, Hump Day

"I'm one of the owners of Porter's Pub, along with my brothers. Opening up my own bar/restaurant has been one of the best things that's happened because I met my wife" (smiles).
"What else is cool about owning the Pub?"
"Definitely learning about people skills that come along with serving people, like the those who come in all marginal and then become happy."

West Ward: Northampton and 6th, Hump Day

"The coolest thing that ever happened to me? Right now--Some guy running up to me with a camera from a social network and asking if I wanted to be on their website!"

Fourth Street

"I noticed your tat says 'Born to Lose.' Do you mind if I ask you about it?"
"You're kidding, right?"
"No, but if you don't want to talk about it I understand…"
"Nahh, I was crazy living in Bethlehem. I was the wild one. Ended up losing everything, like all the girls I went with. But now I have a girlfriend that loves me."

West Ward: Northampton and 7th

"Having kids is number 1. It's what it's all about."
"What's the most important advice you could give to your daughter?"
"Always be confident in yourself. (Looks at her) Whatever you do, do it with confidence."

West Ward: Northampton and 5th

"Start with a good, solid beard and then shave the beard off."

West Ward: Northampton and 8th, Hump Day

I asked what we need more of, and the woman on the right did not speak English, so her daughter had to translate.
Mother: "Más paz en el mundo, y ser feliz. No juzgues. usted tiene que entender."
Daughter: "She says 'More world peace and be happy. Stop judging others and you have to understand people.'"
Mother: "Ah, y mucho amor!"
Daughter: "And lots of love!"
Mother (crosses herself, smiles, and looks up to the sky): "And too much pray!"

West Ward: Northampton and 7th

"What can playing the sax teach you about life?"
"Ooooohhhhh… That's good. How about this: 'If you open your ears and listen, the opportunities are endless.' Yeah, I just came up with that."

Northampton Street

I asked her philosophy. She made me promise to write it this way: "b ur selfie!"

Hugh Moore Park

"What are you proudest of?"
Man on left: "To finally live in a state with marriage equality. This is my husband."

The West Ward is hopping tonight with music, food, camel rides, warm and friendly people, and a beauty all of its own.

Hugh Moore Park

"What's the weirdest face painting request you ever got?"
"Today. This little kid wanted his face like the killer, Jason, from 'Friday The 13th'."
"Did you do it?"
"...I was afraid to say 'no.'"

Hugh Moore Park

"What are the three coolest things that have happened to you?"
"Wow. That's hard. Three cool things? Well… I was born. And I saw a U2 concert. Oh yeah, and I got to help Obama get elected."

Hugh Moore Park

Me: "What's something cool that happened to you?"
Her: "Well, I'd say getting to live in Alaska. My husband was stationed there."
Me: "What was the coolest part about living there?"
Her: "Definitely the ice storms."
Me: "Ice storms are cool???"
Her: "You got to learn how to drive on ice--they call it 'sideways driving.'"

Pine Street: Someone's personal oasis.

Northampton Street

Me: "Can I get your picture for my website?"
Him: "Is it a website for senior citizens about to keel over from the heat?"
Me: "Well, I have a wide range of people who look at my pictures…"
Him: "Oh, a photographer. I'm an artist too."
Me: What type of art?"
Him: "I do life drawings. My girlfriend threw them all out, though. She got jealous."

Northampton Street

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
She points upward.
"Bigger!"

What the younger set wears to the Easton Farmers Market...

"No matter what happens, there are always people there for you. Aside from my family, for me it's my close group of friends. I went through a dark period recently, and without them I might not be here."

Larry Holmes Drive

Me: "What makes for a good relationship?"
Him: "Communication."
Me: "What's the best way to communicate?"
Him: "We just talk."
Her: "And if we have a hard time communicating, we just yell at each other."

Obligatory dog picture #2: Let us mix...

Northampton Street

"Once, when I worked on a dairy farm, I was attacked by a bull."
"What happened?"
"It kicked my ass."

Artists In The Alley: Bank Street

"There's so much that's art… Art should strike an emotional chord. It should make you think AND make you feel."

Artists In The Alley: Bank Street

"Art is creativity. Art is Love. Art is patience. If it makes you feel emotion (points to his heart), then it's art. I look at all the Artists in the Alley and I say, 'That's art!'"