I was Met by Homeland Security

This is a self-portrait at the Capitol Building in DC - February 2007.

Let me tell you a little story about this photo.

I am someone that loves to travel solo. I have been many places alone:

London, Paris, Berlin, Puerto Vallarta, Mykonos, NYC, DC, etc.

I am also someone who's perfected the narcissistic art of self-portraits.

To set up this photo I placed my backpack on top of a trash can.

I then set the timer on my camera and had 10 seconds to run and pose.

Done. Photo taken. Easy as that.

As I was heading back to my backpack I was met by Homeland Security.

He was hand-on-pistol stern, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

I thought it was obvious and replied with a shrug, "Just taking a picture."

He continued, "No." I sensed that things were about to get serious,

"It looked like you were running from an abandoned backpack to me."

I was stunned, "Oh my, no. I am so sorry. It never even occurred to me."

He was obligated to asked, "So what's in the backpack anyway?"

I could feel the sweat start to bead as I answered, "Just my laptop."

Next came a few seconds of bowel-testing silence before he relented.

He let me off with a warning, "Technically I could confiscate your bag."

I apologized again as he turned to walk away, "It won't happen again."

I stood there for a couple minutes a little shaken.

I mean, it's not every day that I set-off a near national scandal.

It's also not every day that I nearly shit my pants.