Today was interesting to say the least. I found my mom's old 35-mm camera and decided to go take some black and whites to test out my new found hobby. I parked my car and walked about 5 blocks down town. I was walking around this big business building of some sort taking pictures of the elaborate ashtrays when I wandered up on to the top of the parking garage. I noticed a guy in a business suite relaxing in the pavilion and nodded. When I made it to the top I was looking at the different angles of these medal beams I found when the guy in the business suite came up the stairs and cornered me.

Business Suite: "HEY! What are you doing up here, don’t you know this is government property!?"

Me: "Uhhh, government what? I was just taking pictures."

Business Suite: "Why are you doing that"

Me: "It’s my new found hobby"

Business Suite: "Well, you can’t do that! You’re going to have to come with me to talk with security"

Me: "Why can’t I take pictures of your parking garage?"

Business Suite: "Because it’s the governments"

Me: "do you work in this building?"

Business Suite: "Yes"

Me: “Does that mean you’re a part of the government too?”

Business Suite: *apprehensively* “Yes”

Me: "Can I take a picture of you?"

Business Suite: * looking deadly serious* "...No"

Me: "So I have to go to security huh? Some security you have, you guys should put up some NO PHOTOGRAPHERS ALOWED signs, that would get rid of us unwanted artists pestering your parking garage!"

Business Suite: "So why were you taking pictures of our building in the first place?"

Me: "I’m interested in photography as a possible hobby"

Business Suite: *looks of disbelief* "uh huh"

Me: "WHY CANT I take pictures of your place?! What kind of government building is this? I thought this was a coffee shop for gods sake"

We entered the security desk, which was a podium at the side of some lobby. The Business suite made a frantic phone call to somebody and gave them the 411 on the "suspicious suspect". While we were waiting for the "go-a-head" on me, a fat security guard showed up. He apologized to Business Suite for not being on his post. Then they both looked at me as I starred back in disbelief and bafflement. The Business Suite then spoke again;

Business Suite: "What made you think you could wander around and take pictures our building in the first place"

Me: "Actually, to tell you the truth the only picture I have taken in the past hour was of a dirty ash tray out front"

Business Suite: *confused and a little not wanting to believe me, but seeing no point in why he shouldn’t* "Hmm, that’s a pretty crappy camera you have there"

Me: "Yeah, I’m just starting out it’s the only thing I have at the moment"

Business Suite: "You know were probably going to have to confiscate your film and destroy it"

Me: "You know what, how about I develop this film and bring you guys the doubles!" *The security guard laughs* "Shit, I'll even frame the ones you guys think I took of your building, and you can hang them in this nice lobby for everyone to see, you never know I might be famous some day"

At that the phone rings, the business suite talks to someone and hangs up the phone. He then turns to me and says frankly: "Get out of here" I tried my best to pull an apology out of my ass and said it will never happen again. I laughed all the way back to my car though. It was a moment greatly needed.

The only crime I was doing was looking suspicious. If I had been a 35-year-old woman taking pictures of the city he probably would have taken the opportunity to pinch my butt or something. But I am not a 55-year-old woman; I am a 21-year-old male who just happed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was a victim of my youth. But hey, I’m not complaining. He didn’t have to be so uptight about the whole thing, although I can understand that if it is a government building there security HAS to be tight and I was probably an example of the fat security guard’s lack of security. Business Suite probably said to that security guard after I left something like, “What if he was a terrorist spy who was studying our building for flaws in our foundation” I wonder what kind of trouble he got into? I guess I’ll never know.

It is kind of scary to think that me walking around that building a year ago probably wouldn’t of sparked any sort of problem, but after the trade centers came down our lives in America changed weather we like to admit it our not. I didn’t think much of it until today. I mean, this was just a small minor incident, but it’s those small freedoms in America that make it what it is. I am lucky I can wander around at my own will taking pictures of (almost) anything I want. Who’s to say what they would have done to me in a different country? I could have been instantly shot for trespassing. So, it could have been worse. But it wasn’t. And I survived. But really, who would have guessed my mom’s camera would have got me into mischief with the government. I think I’m really going to enjoy this photography thing on all kinds of levels.