This is me holding a copy of the National Enquirer.
I’m in it.
That sounds a little juicer than intended but it’s true-I’m in this edition. Or, rather, my photographs are.
Yup.
My very long-time readers will remember the time that I sold photos from this blog to a tabloid. I’ve already posted about it, but very few reading me know now about it. I think it’s a great story and more then a little hilarious that I’m the shittiest photographer I know and I have a national photo credit under my belt.
I know, right?
Three years ago, I was traveling home through Logan Canyon after a girls weekend at Bear Lake with my friends Karen, Michelle, Brigitte and Cricket. We saw a man on a riding lawn mower with a sign on the back that said, “NEED FOOD”.
We had plenty of food, so we stopped.
The man in the filthy Army jacket on the lawn mower introduced himself as Paul Woods, an ex-Dead Head roadie that was making his way from Alaska to Virginia because his mother died and left him a house.
He was covered from head to toe in chimney soot after doing odd jobs in Logan to make some pocket change and get some supplies. He was down heartened because one of the local motels (that shall remain nameless, tempted as I am to out them) had turned him away, even though he had the money to pay.
Paul was 44 years old.
His traveling companion was an adorable terrier named, Yoda. I was the only one who had a camera and I asked if I could take photos of him and his dog and post his story on my blog. He laughed and said, “Sure thing, pretty lady. Yoda loves having his picture taken.”
Paul loves to talk, mainly about the Grateful Dead, and it was difficult for us get on our way. He doesn’t get the chance to really talk to people that often. He had a love named Annie that he was with for fifteen years. He met her at a Grateful Dead concert and he said that much as he loved her, Jerry Garcia is the biggest influence in his life. He has a sister who owns a cafe and his dream is to rent out rooms to the disabled and disadvantaged and to open a commune for “Dead Heads” and lovers of Janis Joplin on the 12 acres his family owns in Virgina.
He doesn’t like bananas.
He was polite enough to inquire if he could tell a “Dirty redneck joke” and took the decline with a sense of humor. The seat of his lawn mower was completely held together with duct tape and he hugged the jug of fresh milk we gave him to his chest.
We left him with food, gloves a jacket, some cash and a hope that we made his way a little easier. He left us with a hearty appreciation for the warm car we drove off in and the lives we were traveling back to.
A few days later, he was on the front page of our local paper, wearing the jacket I gave him. His mower broke down at a ski resort up the canyon and he attracted local attention.
The story hit the wire and got national attention.
I beamed because I realized that I scooped EVERYONE with this story. Which is why I got a phone call a week later from my parents telling me that the National Enquirer called and asked for my information because they wanted to publish some of my photos and I was the only person they could find in the country that had photos of Paul that were privately owned.
When the editor and I finally talked I told them I was amazed that they tracked down my parents and asked however did he manage to find me?
“We’re the National Enquirer, ma’am…that’s what we do.”
DUH.
We negotiated a price and he said that he’d involve me in the process.
After I hung up the phone I realized that when it came right down to it, ignoring the squee and the cool and weird of it all… I had just agreed to sell photos of a homeless guy to a tabloid.
Umm…I was young? I needed the money???
(Yes, it’s probably just one more reason why I am going to burn in hell. That list is getting pretty long.)
The mock up came and I liked it.
I was really happy with the way the story turned out. And that the name in the right hand corner was MINE.
Even better? A reader named Dave made this for me about things I blogged around that time and it STILL makes me laugh:
I get the occasional email from people around the country who have run into Paul. Last I heard he was on the east side of Montana. I love hearing about him and I hope he and Yoda are doing well and got to their destination safely. At the end of the day, I knew that Paul would probably be thrilled that his story made it to print and that people knew about him and Yoda.
As for me?
Although, I am a little jealous of Karen, Brigitte and Michelle that they were actually IN the photo and I was behind the lens it’s still the BEST. STORY. EVER.
Now, I just need something else cool to happen to fill up my wall space.
Given the way my life goes, I’m sure something will come along.
Heh.
I would love to be the first to leave a comment. I remember you mentioning this – their story turnover is incredibly long! I guess if it has nothing to do with Lohan’s crotch…
I shouldn’t have said that… now that you’re officially on their payroll, you probably have to defend them.
On the upside, you can now officially say that you’ve been in the NE.
Tell people.
But don’t explain why. It’s much more fun that way.
Wow, that is a totally cool story!
HA! Dougie!
Actually, the Enquirer has broken some pretty amazing news stories.
But I am digging the whole “Don’t say why thing”.
Still makes me laugh when I think about it. I take photos for a living, and instead of taking the picture I was in the shot. Too funny.
Thanks to you… I will be able to say a photo of me was in the National Enquirer. I’ll let people decide if I was abducted by aliens, or if I am half monkey.
Great story. His and yours.
Fabulously written and a great story. That’s a once in a lifetime scoop, and the Fake-quirer is bitchin’ (yes, I’m old).
That is sooo neat! Very very cool! :) I feel so bad for him!
I was totally diggin’ this story and then I got to the picture of the dog…
Oh my gosh, I thought, that dog looks just like my dog – YODA!
You can see here her,
http://greeninoc.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-not-easy-being-green-and-lazy.html
Maybe that could be your next National Enquirer story: “Famous Health Care Reform – Who Is On Her Way To The White House After An Awesome Meeting With Valerie Jarrett -Blogger, Infamous For Her Use Of The “PS, PPS, PPSS, PPPPPS” Type Post Scripts, Last Seen In These Pages As The Photographer Who Made Money From A Photo Of A Homeless Man, Responsible For Reuniting Long Lost Canine Yoda Sibilings”
See? They’ve even adopted your headline style writing!!
Congrats.
I’ll bet you’ve been told you have an interesting life ;)
I see the monitor and the progress of the new site design. So far, excellent.
What a cool cool story. And to see your name printed is all kinds of awesome. Bravo.
how cool is THAT???
I better head into down-town Houston and start snapping pictures… Mamma needs a new pair of shoes!!… or a gallon of milk. :)
Fill up your wall space? Would you like a framed 8×10 of that black and white photo of you?
What a cool thing! I’m concerned though…why is he only in Montana when he has to get all the way to Virginia? I’d have hoped that the press would have garnered some money to fly this guy and his dog to Virginia so he could get their quicker. Am I being too logical? That happens sometimes.
Lady, did you forget you have the ear of the President? Frame that up! The President’s ear on your wall…
OK, that sounds worse than it actually is in my head.
Um, I am so privileged to know you and even more so to have had a real live almost celebrity in my home eating lunch with me. Call me and we can do it again ;)
That is awesome Loralee! Love reading about this man. He needs his own blog.
That. is. totally. awesome. (I know, its not the most original comment, forgive me my preggo brain)
He was in Montana as of about 18 months ago or so. That was the last I heard of him. The guy I talked to said it would be really hard to track him down as noone knew the route he was planning to take. I just hope he made it.
I’m impressed with the National Inquirer’s mad tracking skillz. Impressed and a little scared, actually.
(I love that you stopped to hear his story.)
That is a really great feelgood story how come it ended up in the Enquirer hmm. Awesome job love to hear this positive stuff.
You GO girl!
Your photos are really great too! Beautiful lighting, great subject – you have a secret talent me thinks!
Don’t let washergate deter you… I think that you should spill the beans on the stupid hotel that turned him away even though he could pay. FOR SHAME! SHAME ON THEM!
Povertyism: the last allowable form of discrimination.
Awesome story, Loralee!!!
It’s not so much the National Enquirer glam that is actually making me take the time to comment.
It’s that you stopped for him at all…it’s the reminder that despite not having met you, I know you…I’ve often wondered what if–what if we all lived up to the potential of kindness within us?
Thank you–I’ve been so mired in things that are sucking, I forgot about the rest of the world.
A picture tells a thousand words–you stopping your car for him–speaks many more than that.
Jenn,
I have actually thought specifically of you with this story…all the times your thoughts of kindness (and regret for a missed opportunity) have popped up in your beautiful writing.
xo
And…
I’m getting email with a common theme so I thought I’d just answer it with a fell swoop:
I am not ashamed that I worked with The National Enquirer.
I’m just not. I do not consider myself a journalist. I’m just a chick that writes in her pajamas. And yeah, maybe it isn’t the most respectable paper in the world, but you know…they have broken some pretty big stories and they wanted to take this man’s story and shine a light on it.
So? No…I am not embarrassed.
Maybe you would REALLY WOULDN’T if our places were reversed, but I think you should wait until it actually happens to you before making that call.
Anyway…I love this story and I wouldn’t do anything differently.
It really is more about him then the tabloid issue. That part just makes it fun.
I’m still kind of stuck at the part where you and your friends stopped to give Paul things. Not many people would do that, and it makes me like you all the more.
Oh. I just read the last comment and realized she said the same thing. But this is really what I wanted to say…so I’ll just say DITTO (Jenn). (:
You’re really the coolest, you know it? And I’m not just sayin’ that…
I hope Paul and Yoda make it there safely.
Sometimes I can’t believe that I get to talk to you. You’re a rock star.
that is such an awesome story.
You are amazing and wonderful and this story just proves it again.
that is so unbelievably awesome. seriously. i’ve been sitting here reading post after post of your blog. and i’m like crazy about it. and your writing style. and…
how flipping awesome!!!
What a great story! I can’t believe he’s only 44. WOW!
Wow, congratulations, a nationally published photographer! Some hacks take years trying for it, and you just up and done it, good work!
Just another reason to love you.
Your heart is bigger than Texas.
xo
YOU ALL GOT SCAMMED… PAUL WOODS IS A CON MAN… THERE IS NO HOUSE… HE IS A BUM SPINNING HIS TALES TO WHO EVER WILL LISTEN… BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU RUN INTO HIM. HE WILL LIE LIE LIE TO PULL YOUR HEART STRINGS TO GET WHAT HE WANTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT IF YOU DO A GOOGLE OF ‘PAUL-WOODS YODA’ YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS SCAM ARTIST HAS BEEN CHANGING HIS STORY FROM COAST TO COAST FOR YEARS NOW AND NEWS REPORTERS EAT IT UP WITH A SPOON… EVERY STORY IS DIFFERENT AND PAUL GIVES A DIFFERENT FINAL DESTINATION… I HAVE MEET THIS MAN IN CONN. WHEN HE SAID HIS MOTHER LEFT HIM A HOUSE IN MYSTIC.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07238/811695-54.stm
ANOTHER STORY FROM A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THAT
‘Paul and Yoda left Alaska in 2005, headed for Virginia’
http://www.gadling.com/2007/02/01/traveling-with-yoda-by-lawnmower/
John,
That well may be.
However, the man I saw was not in good condition. It was a freezing cold day. I had food, a jacket and some spare cash that while, not blessed with a lot of it, I certainly didn’t miss from giving it away.
I guess that if every word out of his mouth was a lie, it doesn’t change what I would have done for him.
Maybe the press wouldn’t have been involved or stories wouldn’t be published about him, but it wouldn’t have changed one thing about my behavior that day.
I guess at the end of the day if someone has a compulsion to tell such large lies about their life, if what they are in is so bad they do that, then I think I will choose to show compassion. They are obviously in a pretty bad way.
But…I don’t see this guy as a person who is out to hurt people.
People stop and help him before they know his story.
And it is also likely that reporters would still cover him JUST for being on a lawn mower with his dog.
He makes the story more interesting by lying to others and perhaps more comforting to himself.
At the end of the day, I can forgive that and still wish him well.
I still hope there is a house for him to inherit…it would make me worry less.
Right on, Loralee. Someone suggested to me once that if I’m debating whether to give someone a sandwich/dollar/whatever to ask myself, “Do I need this dollar more than they do?” And the answer has never been “yes.” I might not agree with what they do with that dollar, but that doesn’t change the fact that they need it more than I need it.
“if every word out of his mouth was a lie, it doesn’t change what I would have done for him.”
Essence of your heart. Why I love you. xoxo
There is no ‘HOUSE’. Sorry, But if it makes you FEEL GOOD to give this man money, then go ahead. Just know that he has scammed time, labor, parts and materials from TORO dealers all over this country with his tale of a dead mother, pregnant wife or both. This story says it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxdoOTXQ_c
I get paid everyday to take pictures of people because I AM a JOURNALIST and I CHECK MY SOURCES.
When I met Paul Woods a few years back, alarm bells went off and I immediately began to check his story.
What we found was a trail of lies from coast to coast and TORO dealers scammed out of time and money.
So, this is the result when you take 10 minutes to look into someone’s tale.
@john – I think it’s fab that you came back to really punch home your point but I think I understood from Loralee that she doesn’t mind. Away with the negative and the snootiness – it’s not required. Loralee – I loved it and the fact that knowing any different wouldn’t have changed your behaviour just sums you up. I heart u! :)
I really have nothing productive to say.
I just wanted to write my name in all CAPS and be very pretentious and holier-than-thou, but OOPS, it looks like someone already got here first and did that for me.
Oh. And I think they are LOVELY AND VERY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS.
;)
Oh Jesus.
John, way to be a hero. You’ve outed a homeless guy as desperate enough to invent a story that works to keep him fed. You are a monument of class, courage, and compassion. Now take your journalism training and expose that babysitter who had her boyfriend over last week. The world will be a better place if you do.
There’s always someone who has to be the know-it-all. And usually that know-it-all misses the point. This is no exception.
I think it’s a lovely story, Loralee, which I believe was your intention. I admire that you did what your heart told you to do. So many of us don’t do that often enough.
John,
Look, I am not saying that his lying is great. It simply wouldn’t have changed what I did to help him.
And I don’t think that you can speak for everyone else who has helped him either.
Sure, you may have some that feel like they were used and I don’t blame them, but I don’t think that it means that every who gave him parts/labor/etc. would not have offered him help, either.
He had no home and he was on a lawn mower with a dog.
That was not a lie.
I really think that is the drive to offer help more than a dead mother, pregnant wife or possible house.
Some may have retracted or would have chosen to not give him help if he didn’t throw that in, but in my situation, I had no idea of his situation and stopped to help before I heard his story. It wouldn’t have changed anything to me.
The man needed help.
I helped.
Period.
And?
I am going to let the cracks about you being a journalist that bothers to take 10 minutes to check his facts and what I am thinking you are insinuating about me go. You’re obviously really frustrated by the situation.
And I did check the facts.
The point is, there were NO facts to check.
I was the very first person in the country to write about this guy. The very first. A newspaper wrote about him a few days after I did so there was nothing to check, even if I spent way more than 10 minutes doing so. And yes…I went home and Googled him to death. NADA.
I’m sorry you got burned by the guy or felt taken advantage of. I am sorry if that has happened to other people.
As for me, I wouldn’t have done anything differently.
Loralee, I think you’re awesome.
No WAIT, let me put it THIS way,
I think you’re AWESOME. :-)
You ARE awesome. Not many people would stop to help a homeless person. I hate to admit it, but the jaded, skeptical New Yorker in me wouldn’t have ever done what you did. Good on you!
Hello Loralee,
I want to give you an update on Paul and Yoda. I met them Tuesday September 8,2009 on the two lane Hwy 101 in Waldport, Oregon. I noticed them a few weeks earlier up and down the central Oregon coast but didn’t stop. Paul was riding a bicycle with a little bike trailer in tow with a sign that said “Need Food”. Yoda was sitting in the bike trailer . I knew nothing of any articles about them. I am a dog lover and instantly fell in love with the cute little dog that sat so still I wasn’t sure it was real. The dog looked more like a stuffed “Fozzy Bear” toy than a dog. On 9/8/09 I couldn’t resist the chance to see if this adorable dog was real. The bike, trailer and Yoda were stopped on the side of the Hwy at a house with a model train display open to the public. I saw at once that this adorable dog was real as it barked at me as I pulled up in my car. I did not approach it because I didn’t want to cause it to jump out of the trailer and onto the highway. Paul came out and I told him I wanted to give him some money to feed his cute little dog. I told him I wasn’t sure it was real. He laughed and said she was real alright and her name was Yoda. He told me she was eight years old and had been with him on all of his travels. He said he couldn’t live without her. I totally understand that, I feel the same about my dog. He told me Yoda was a Cairn Terrier and Chow mix. He began to tell me about some of his adventures as a body guard at a battered women’s shelter somewhere, when a couple of women stopped and got out of there cars. They were carrying bags to give to Paul. He saw they contained sacks of dry dog food and handing them back, he said “she only eats canned food, I’ve never given her dry”. Funny, I would have brought dry food too,oh well. Paul told me he was feeling pretty bad. He’d been having diarrhea from drinking some dirty water. He asked if there were any free clinics around here. Unfortunately there are not, in fact, our walk-in/urgent care clinics want $65 up front to see anyone. Our health care system is another story though. I told him about the natural antibiotic, colloidal silver which I’ve used for years (I’m not blue) and where he could buy some. Overall, Paul appeared well fed and Yoda too. He said he had been trying to find work on the coast but could not and that he was leaving for Eugene, Oregon in the morning (9/9/09). Paul was a very nice man who likes to talk about his adventures. He thanked me for the money and the info about the colloidal silver. I hope someone in Eugene sees him and your website and gives us an update on them.
Sincerely,
Lisa
my sentiments and I will instantly snatch your rss feed to be updated on any upcoming content you may publish,I am really fan of your post,