Wind 1 - Photo Shoot Anyway

2000

Red flags by morning.
We had picked up Troy, Ron and I, after bagels and coffee and then had gone shopping at a better sports store - for shorts and hats that matched. This time there was no woman shopper who lost it, circling the clothing racks while Troy tried on shirts (at the last store she had come back to where we were three times, the last time bringing a friend. I had found this amusing. I who was serving as a clothing rack while we selected shirts and shorts.)
This time he was to pick out three pairs of shorts and matching caps. I walked off to allow him to try the shorts on.
And Ron and I were to see about a surf board. The one Troy had borrowed, while blue, was covered in goopy wax and looked like it had been to war.
We found a lovely blue one for about $500 - we had to "buy" it - and then would get a refund when we brought it back - minus the "rental" fee of $25.00. OK. I can handle that.
We find yellow shorts and blue ones. We had red shorts in the climbing shots and a red bathing suit. We get a yellow hat, a blue hat and a red hat. Ron and Troy get orange shorts with blue flower blotches. Tory had yellow sun glasses and, a yellow watch!
This will work.
We have roller blades and are hunting a red kayak. I have my towels from Target (the yellow one was judged to be OK). The tops we had purchased earlier are in the car - I had spent several minutes removing labels - for some reason put on the outside of the shirts. I have clothespins. For pinning him up. We have water.
We take off - Ron and I following Troy's black beamer. We follow him though side streets (he hates the main roads, hates traffic) to his friend's house, where he switches to a yellow jeep. From there, it's off to the beach, the yellow jeep leaving a plume behind it. Needs its engine overhauled.
They charge $3.00 per car per entry at the beach parking lot so we put both cars to rest there and go scout location.
Troy is particularly upset - because the red flags are still up and the kayak shot is out. The rental site is locked down. Earlier, when on my morning wind-whipped walk, I had watched a kayak in the waves, fighting them and then coming in. I had gone walking even though my back had been out and was still being cranky. Exercise is the best cure for this so I had walked anyway, with my hat firmly tied on my head.
So is the beach shot (close up on the sand) - Ron says the wind would put sand in his camera. Nix that.
After a conference, read argument, Ron wins and we dress Troy in yellow shorts, cap, watch, glasses and the roller blades and run up to the sidewalk and low wall.
His tan is perfect, the wind is whipping trees over and there is not too much of a crowd to contend with.
We provide entertainment for those who are around. Smiles from the women (every age) and a few remarks from younger men who want us to shoot them instead. I don't think so.
Like how my model is looking thank you.
While Troy is jumping the wall, I am leaning on a post - serving as a bumper guard. Glad to be useful.
After enough of this, Ron likes them and so does Troy, we decide to do the jeep routine. So Troy gets into the orange beach shorts with the blue flowers and the blue hat, we get the blue surf board into the back of the jeep, and Troy takes the jeep out onto the beach (loading ramp). We shoot fast.
Some of these shots look like he is driving since the wind was whipping his hair.
Then they load up - Troy goes for a smoothie since he can't get back into the car park without paying. I take the wheel.
Oh, this should be good!
We drive to Troy, the guys confer, and now we are off stunt-driving. I drive the green machine down the number one lane while Troy drives the jeep down in the number 2 lane. He must stay slightly back while Ron hangs out the window to shoot.
This is better on a freeway. We can't get over 30mph. The sun is going in and out (Ron switches to flash).
I have to be careful of the pedestrians (down from New York they jay-walk at will). We loop around and around. I have to watch for when Ron signals Troy to turn, Troy has to get in front of me and I have to read his hand signals - the jeep's lights go in and out.
Oh this is fun!
After a few of these loops, we are off to other locations.
We find a canal and do head shots.
People lunching on one boat are treated to Troy flexing by a post in front of an expensive boat. Troy at first isn't overly pleased but we get him to relax and get the shots.
This is all we can get in for today due to Troy's work schedule at the club.
I say I might make it over (I didn't). Ron and I are both tired. All this outdoor air. And it has been a hard day.
On the way to the hotel, I get to stop at Target again. I get - a drop dead lovely black bathing suit for $25 - off the rack - and I also get two new suitcases - a purple carry bag (roomy) and a matching one on wheels. I will ship this one home stuffed to the gills and therefore make my life easier on the return trip. I will wear the black suit on the beach tomorrow.
After a brief rest, Ron and I head out for dinner - and stumble into Bravo Restorante and Harriette. This "little" Italian food place is out of this world. I have a scallop and shrimp fettuccine dish, then excellent Cappuccino (so good I had two) and Ron and I shared a teramisso. Excellent.
We have an interesting return trip - the draw bridge was stuck. Up.
We followed traffic, while I frantically tried to read a map, and found an alternative route back. I'm glad Ron was driving - I would have been more timid.
As it was, it took two of us to navigate back to the hotel.
Follow the other lost drivers.
I decide I need sleep more than a trip to the club so I do that. Sleep.
My back is calmer and less troublesome but I am watching it.
A long hot shower has a lot of appeal.