The Bartender

"Not all of us are Bums.Anybody can end up here."

Yesterday was a rainy day.I am Brazilian, therefore, not a huge found of rainy days.It is true that I was out there looking for stories, but had given up hours before (after another story) due to the wet and constant rain.At that point I was, ironically, just looking for shelter and protection from the now one-hour-storm that took place that afternoon, and I found on the subway (light rail) downtown station the perfect spot. So did Glenn, apparently.He was the first person I saw, sitting there, hands in the pocket and vague look. I didn't really think he was a homeless person, but somebody waiting for the train. Nevertheless, homeless ot not, I was fascinated by his expressions and decided asking for a picture anyway.
Glenn was the first person I spoke, genuinely interested in the ins and outs of my project and the workflow of a street photographer, always asking about the camera settings, how I would transfer the files to the computer etc, and that made me very excited. Glenn was born in southern Oregon, has never been anywhere else but the great and awesome (my perspective) state of Oregon.He never got a college degree but has (proudly) never been a vagabond either: " I worked yes, yes (answering my question).I used to be a bartender, labor worker, lumberjack. I've done many things, but when one gets old and the economy crashes at the same time ..." He stops for a minute and look alway, like if he was actually thinking about how he did end up there, but continues: "Not all of us are Bums.I dont even drink. I smoke but a lot of people do. Everybody does". "I don't"I reply, with teasing tom. He laughs.
Not a drunk, not a mugger, not a bad guy at all. I couldn't help but think about that fine line that separate us from being a "person" an an invisible soul...
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