The final photo in this series is one that I post with great sadness. On the 22nd of December I was confronted with the sudden loss of my dear friend Richard. We met 15 years ago on the dancefloor of a bar in Chicago. After a brief relationship, a rich friendship developed between us. Richard was an extremely passionate guy who courageously followed his interest in International Relations around the world, becoming an elections supervisor for the State department in war-torn Bosnia, a job that changed everything for him. I watched him turn from a strict conservative into a staunch liberal, eager to get involved in politics and effect social change. When he returned from Bosnia, our friendship had only grown stronger. Richard kept meticulous journals and was obsessed with recording his own history and travels. I had promised to help him set up his own weblog this week. I took this photo of him in July at the house where he lived in Los Feliz, CA. I will always remember his compassion, curiosity, laughter, and endless optimism. Richard, I miss you so much. I love you, and I will never forget you.
