True Confessions
Many years ago I photographed a wedding in Sonoma. The bride and groom had arranged for Aaron Neville to sing “Ave Maria” at their wedding. I was captivated by the singer’s performance (I even had a recording of him singing “Ave Maria”, but I didn’t make the connection.) Was it because it was so unexpected? I took a number of photographs of him singing during the ceremony, was stunned by his performance, but didn’t put two and two together.
Years later I was photographing an Ursuline HS father-daughter dinner dance and Joe Montana showed up with his father and his two daughters. I photographed them…and didn’t recognize Joe. To be fair I focussed on how they were standing, where the arms were shown to their best advantage, etc. Still, it was Joe Montana, for chrissakes.
It happened again this week. Meet my friend MIguel.
For years Jadyne and I watched NBC News, first when Brian Williams was the anchor, then when the job passed to Lester Holt. For eighteen years we witnessed stories that Miguel produced, and for years we saw his face on our TV.
I belong to a health club called 24 Hour Fitness. Three days a week I walk on a treadmill, then swim a mile in the pool. On other days I swim either a half mile or when I’m feeling particularly energetic, a full mile. Seventy-two laps. Twenty-five yards.
For some time I was aware that there was one swimmer, Miguel, who swam very quickly, with an excellent stroke, doing flip-turns at the end. I admired his skill and intensity, noting that he swam well over an hour at speeds much faster than I could imagine. We frequently ran into each other at the pool, and I’ve expressed my admiration for him. What puzzled me all of this time was that I was sure I’d seen him before, but couldn’t imagine where or when.
When I talked to him earlier this week he told me about his NBC connection, and this time two and two fit added up to four.
Miguel works out in the gym before he swims, then swims two to three miles. “In the evening,” he said, “I run ten miles.” “You’re insane,” I said. “I know,” he answered, “but my house is being remodeled, and I can’t stand to be there while they’re working. When they finish I may cut down a little.”
FYI. One Emmy award for a report on San Diego Fires, several others, one an Edward R Murrow award.