December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

This is who I strive to be.

It was from the street food scavenger hunt, held in August. The resulting image was this.

Due to the nature of who was available, the camera was mounted to my car’s driver’s side window with tape and my mini tripod. It was set to take multiple photos at a time after a delay. It was taken in front of my garage with Chris and Toad as the hapless victims.

My intent was to create a short story of how a superhero heard a cry for help, took a bite of the tamale pie and ran to save the day. Of course, not before showing off a little bit.

I remember feeling hesitant coming out to the busy Valencia street in my getup, but the moment that I stepped out, I suddenly felt powerful. Most importantly, I knew that people could not recognize me. Although they sort of knew where I lived.

I was wearing my old swimsuit (all the way from high school), a cape for the Phantom of Opera costume, and my very expensive Italian handcrafted mask that I purchased impulsively.

It’s confidence that I seek to have. I just wish that I didn’t have to put on a mask to have it. Because the mask shouldn’t have to exist.