Friday, May 27, 2016

I hope this worker gets a paid holiday on Memorial Day.



After work reading

Riding the bus west across the Hawthorne Bridge, on my way to transfer to a 12 or a 19 at SW 6th and Yamhill to ensure that I get a seat for the rest of the home-bound commute, I saw this man reading. Seeing people reading is not unusual on any kind of mass transit here in Portland. What's unique for me here is the fact that he's obviously a construction worker, reading at 4 p.m., reading David Baldacci, one of my favorite authors. He's intensely involved with Deliver Us from Evil--look at the concentration on his face. When thinking about this now-upon-us-three-day weekend, I remembered taking this photo and wondered if the reader/worker gets a paid holiday on Monday. I hope so. I hope he'll be reading some of that time, spending time with his family, setting an example of a working man who enjoys a good read. I hope he'll join in a celebration of Memorial Day.

5 comments:

Juliet said...

A repeat that I love candid shots. Reminds me of some taken of people on the subways in New York City (decades ago) by Walker Evans and also by Stanley Kubrick.

Bill said...

Intensely involved in his reading plus he's a Blazer fan.

William Kendall said...

He must appreciate the chance to read when he can get it. I can never read in a car or bus- I get car sick.

Gunn said...

That book must be exciting!

Unknown said...

I hope he gets double time for working Memorial Day. Oh and GO Blazers!!!