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.
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