DICK is driving me around METROPOLIS for a photo project I’m doing with www.buyusafirst.org. John Gibson, CEO of United Intelligence Corporation, is an entrepreneur who has several business of his own and also works as a consultant for women entrepreneurs. John is also my husband’s, mother’s, cousin’s husband. I meet John for the first time in California a month ago and immediately I like him. He’s Super-intelligent, seems to take everything in stride and is always smiling. Doesn’t he look kinda like Bill Gates?

John Gibson, CEO United Intelligence Corp

We decide that maybe we can work together, benefit from each other’s talents and my first assignment is to capture pictures for John’s website www.buyusafirst.org of  “despondent workers, unemployed people, abandoned factories and manufacturing facilities, abandoned homes, etc.” The assignment is to find photographic examples of affects of American jobs & manufacturing going overseas”. 

Holy shit, what?!?!? This is not my usual thing. I’m usually taking pictures of kids, pregnant women, people and happy families.

I’m worried I can’t get the images he wants. But whatever. You  live and you learn and I decided why not try at least.

Dick is driving me around and um, if you’re going too fast, how am i going to get the shot??? We’re having a good time just cruisin’ and chillin’ so I don’t sweat it at first. In fact, we happened upon an antique car show, starting with a few tractors followed by some sweet ole rides.

We drive around some more but he soon forgets again. I try to be patient and remind him so he slows down. I get some pics but after several times of reminding him,  DICK no longer wants to drive due to my “attitude and manner of speaking”. He pulls over to the side of the road, gets out. He wants me to get out so he can sit in the passenger seat but I refuse to move…I’m finishing my peach. He jumps in the back seat and waits while I finish my peach. When I’m done I’m cussing under my breath while I’m sliding over to the driver seat, “How am I supposed to get any fucking pictures if you’re going to give me whiplash while doing it? Next time stay the fuck at home.” I have a potty mouth, especially in times of anger. DICK does not appreciate this and we don’t speak for the rest of the day.

Nonetheless, www.buyusafirst.org selects a few images that show manufacturing plants that have gone out of business and ones that show patriotism. Still a work in progress but mission accomplished.

-Jane, Disgruntled Photographer