Was in Tuscola, IL today railfanning from my aunt’s yard (she lives right up next to the CSX-UP mains) Okay, let me paint the scene for yall: I was sitting in the yard, scanner on the ground beside me and a camera in my hand. and a little old lady came walking up to me. She asked, " Are you going to commit suicide?" and since I was in a “good” mood then, I replied “YES I Am, want to join me?” She gave me a funny look and stomped off. Shouldd of took a picture of the look on her face! This event cheered me right up!
Alot of suicide by train these days , it’s all over the news . If I were near the tracks and saw someone lurking in the area looking despondent or whatnot , I may ask the same question. Naturally if I saw a camera I would assume that the person was a rail photographer and all would be well as long as they were behaving safely.
Of course her motivation might have been to tell you move along further down the tracks because if you did the deed there , all the emergency workers would have to walk through her yard , they might drop some parts on the way back through.
Terrific response; I love it! But Crazy, what would have done if she said “yes”? [;)]
Such a response, be glad she didn’t call the authorities, who would’ve taken you to the hospital or to jail or somewhere for psychiatric evaluation, and might have made you personna non grata in Tuscola. Sometimes, a cute answer leads to unexpected consequences but I guess if you’re crazy, you’ve already learned that
Someone is reading my mind again! [:)]
…Oh the current atmosphere and ambience of times…Someone will read anything into a vision…even a person simply setting in a back yard quitely passing the time with a hobby or just to be enjoying the scene…
UPDATE:
Saw that old lady again today, and this time she saw my camera. Here is what she said:" Are you going to take a picture of the train as it hit you?" My reaction: " You think the camera can survive the impact?"
Again she stomped off.
Should have told her “nope, just waiting to take a picture of a nosey old lady to post on the net”.[:D]
Next time I see her, I will