Raleigh Fire Department ladder truck heading down East Martin Street. This was taken from the same vantage point as the CAT bus in motion post.

This is Alvin. He’s married and runs a landscaping business. He moved here in 1985 to seek better opportunities than were available in the small town he departed from. I was stuck here on Wilmington Street while trying to stay dry during the downpour Friday before last. Alvin came by and introduced himself, especially after noticing I was holding a camera. He wanted me to share his secret to life with everyone I know:

In all things, every day–be happy, be joyous, and be free.

He was saying it while raising his hands in the last photo. I’m really glad I got to meet Alvin, as his optimism and happiness were quite contagious. It was most welcome while I was initially bored stuck under an awning.

It wasn’t exactly planned, but today must be “alley day” as I also posted an alley shot for Goodnight, Asheville! too. This one in particular is by the old Water Works building in the Warehouse District. If you look carefully you can see the Clarion Building poking out above the horizon.