Back in late 2000, I was pretty lost. At least, professionally speaking. I had recently quit my job working at a financial planning firm, and I was in the midst of a brief period of unemployment. One thing I did enjoy doing during this time of "finding myself" was taking pictures. So for the heck of it, one afternoon, I went to the local ice rink with my camera to take some shots at a high school hockey game. I didn't know anyone playing, I was shooting for practice and portfolio-building.

Anyway, while I was snapping away, I noticed another guy also taking pictures. The reason why he stuck out was because he was using a Kodak DCS 620 with $1000 of lens attached (at the time, at least $6000 worth of equipment). I didn't talk much more then than I do now, so I passively went closer to catch a glimpse. He noticed my peeking, so he came over and started talking to me. His name was Charlie.

We talked for only about 5 minutes. About a week later, he was my boss at my new job. I worked at that photo lab primarily doing Photoshop work, as well as some photography (using that same equipment I was ogling at the rink). I worked there for about a year, with Charlie as my boss for 6 or 7 months. He had his quirks, but he was a good boss. And a better teacher.

I have MAD skills with Photoshop right now because Charlie saw enough in me to give me, an unemployed kid with a degree in Finance who had no related professional experience, an opportunity to prove myself. I'm good at action photography now for the same reason.

Wednesday night, we got a call letting us know that Charlie died the day before. I went to calling hours tonight, and was not at all surprised to see that the parking lot was full, or that the line of people waiting to pay respect was out the door. He was a tremendously nice man. And he gave me a great opportunity at (what I now know was) the perfect time.

I'm not sure I ever specifically said thanks, but I hope I showed him I was grateful.