Portraits of Americans: Tennessee

[peacetraveler22]

The mind is often engaged in trickery, particularly when it comes to human relations. We create illusions and fantasies about others, mentally molding them into the person we wish them to be rather than letting actual words and actions be the guide. In relationships, this is usually a very dangerous game. Women, as overly emotional creatures, are probably more susceptible to this phenomenon than men. In my younger years, I was a master at twisting the actions and words of others, conforming them to my particular needs at the moment. But with age comes wisdom and I think I'm now a good judge of character, though human and certainly capable of being deceived. Usually I'm only close with a few people at any given moment and these people I know extremely well, so well that I can almost read their minds and anticipate their actions and responses in most situations. People still disappoint and surprise me on occasion, but it's now much easier to weed out toxic people and conserve my time and energy for those worthy of it.

Sometimes this game of illusions can be fun, particularly in travels. In every city, I photograph people from afar and occasionally in close proximity with permission. Certain faces, smiles or behavior attract my attention and then my mind begins to wander. Who is this person? From where do they come? What's their life story? Has it been an easy or hard road for them? During a recent trip to Tennessee we encountered a lot of colorful people. A joy to photograph them and many wanted to take time to chat. Something recently where everyone on the street wants to speak with me. I have no idea why, but it's a good thing for travel stories.

I know most of my readers are intelligent, but how creative are you? Let's play a game and focus on the people in the following portraits and cover photo.

What do you think about them? What's their story, profession, or passion in life? I've already created my own visions of them, some are young children and just starting their journey through life. Pick one or more people from the portraits and tell me what you think. As an incentive for participation, I'll send a gift from America to the most creative story in the comments. I'll pick the winner on Wednesday evening.

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Happy New Year! Later in the week, I'll start a series of posts about Tennessee.

Comments

[musashi-ii.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And what about the people in the photos? You find them boring or interesting?

[rollson.livejournal.com]

on top - Good guy, loves his wife and grandchildren
1. First US president gay in 2046
2. Day time -broker, nighttime -Serial killer
3. He will steal your wallet in 15 min
7. Family man, cheated by his wife, brother and his dog
10. Nice looking girl on the right!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Great!! :))) You have set a high example for others to follow. I especially like your creation for photo 2. And thank you for nice compliment.

[tabarhsak.livejournal.com]

С новым годом!)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Спасибо, тебе тоже!

[fesma94.livejournal.com]

top- happy grandfather, may be was gov. worker in past

1) next Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy
2) writer, local politic
3) Be careful ), don't buy nothing from him , sell bad junk ))
4) next Cyndi Lauper
5) Aretha Franklin's niece ?
6) No comments ) in love )
7) Freak )
8) need doping we go to shopping )
9) Single mum ?
10)Beast and beauty )

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

(3) I do not believe you. He does not wear a bow tie!

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

A good job, please continue :)

Do you run your calendar the Russian way? ;)
Then Merry Christmas (come Tuesday)!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

No, I don't adhere to the Russian calendar. I'm American. :) Have you been to Tennessee? It's a great State but if you like big city life you will be bored out of your mind there.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Very good! Next Cyndi Lauper, it's an interesting observation. I see the resemblance. :) No. 6 "no comments, in love..." You're in love with these cute girls, or they're in love with each other? :)) I think they are sisters because they have the same facial features.

[rider3099.livejournal.com]

Top - He plays the saxophone for his own pleasure. Retired. He had been a guard at the bank in the past.
1 - This little man is the youngest kid in his family. He has 3 sisters and 1 brother. He is fond of hokey.
2 - This imposing man is the owner of a small but popular bar.
3 - Cardsharper
4 - Her future - general manager of bank
5 - She is working as provider for an old people. She is fond of poetry and music.
6 - Close friends, secretly hating each other
7 - Sweet couple :)
8 - These nice girls have one lover. The same. But they don’t know about that fact.
9 - Mother of the little girl is a programming developer. Her daughter is a future Pink
10 - Children of different nations ;)

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

No, not in TN. I had a relative in MS and know how it is down there. She used to send me a package with a couple of dozen of NYT bestsellers every two weeks - even churches there would not take books as donation. Now she moved out to OR ...

[yarowind.livejournal.com]

I don't write as many words in English:)))

[popados.livejournal.com]

Yahoooo! First time I read your post in my Top-25 of cyrillic LJ! Congratulations!))

[general-denikin.livejournal.com]

You are good photographer. This people look like regular guys from next door.

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

1, 4. I have no idea about children!
2. This man work in a plant or something like that. He is a chief of a workshop.
3. This guy related with music or theater industry. He have to wear beads and stuff like that, although he doesn't like it. (I knew such a person in real life)
5. I think she is a doctor or a teacher. She loves her work.
6. They are roommates. They are going to a concert of classic music. The girl with flowers likes a hard music.
7. This man worked as a police officer, as a postman, as a plumber and finally bought a cart and drives tourists for free. The dog is an alien.
8. The left girl works is a office manager. She wants to quit a job. The second girl came to visit her.
9. This couple very tired and they want to go home. But they are very glad that they spent time together.
10. This is the best photo!

[zavkafedroi.livejournal.com]

Very nice, I love portraits.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Top 25, really? In the main TOP LJ category, or one of the sub categories? I never saw it on the main page. Usually my travel posts will be in the Top 25 in the Cyrillic travel and media categories for a few hours, but never on the main page. I saw you there this weekend, with your post about women. :)) Congrats to you also.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

So many blacks in your mostly Russian neighborhood? :)) In Memphis, they are the majority.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You can always write me in Russian. I can read a lot of words and use online translators to understand the rest. Btw, what will you do tomorrow for Russian Christmas? Just go to church service?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks! You still read me? Good to know, as you were the first person to ever inform me about LJ. :) Btw, have you started reading your Christmas gift? The lessons learned from the book will come in handy if you visit Memphis because there are A LOT of black people there. You'll fit right in. ;))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"The dog is alien." :)) Thanks, Denis. Very creative stories.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Olga, you're brilliant! I already know about your creative capabilities from reading your blog. I especially like the comment about photo 8 - "these nice girls have one lover. The same. But they don’t know about that fact." Perhaps they should start a blog on LJ and write about their lover? Stories are sure to be in TOP LJ everyday. :))

[popados.livejournal.com]

No, I mean my personal Top-25, I banned many shit-bloggers))
In official top it was on 61 position))