>> "Star and Stooges" I like it! You've hit it right on! I always >> liked Eddie Irvine because he took the money and sucked up to Michael >> without pretending that it was anything else... Don't get me wrong, >> I'm a HUGE Ferrari fan and I hope Michael wins the championship again >> and ties Fangio for 5.
But Michael Andretti's an ass. I had a pit pass once and took some nice candids of a number of drivers. But the best shot of the day eluded me. I was wandering alone in back of a garage, when the most amazing scene presented itself to my camera. It was simply a window, but the crowded stands and blowing flags were reflected in part of it. Through it I could see out the front of the garage where there was an Indy car and a throng of fans. Sitting just inside the window, with his head right where the window was open, was Michael Andretti. He was talking to a mechanic, just shooting the breeze. Well, I was about three feet from him, and the window was open. I had the picture just perfectly framed. It was _glorious_, one of those setups you just come across once in a blue moon--that makes your heart pound until you know you've gotten it in the can; the kind of shot where you'll mark the roll so you can treat it with extra care. You couldn't even invent a shot that nice. It wouldn't occur to you that it could all go together so well. All I needed was for Andretti to turn his head and glance out the window. Too much to ask, it turned out. I waited until the mechanic he was talking to walked away, and asked very politely if he wouldn't mind looking at the stands for just a moment. He ignored me. I waited a few moments and asked again. Finally I tried explaining that I had a very nice picture framed and just needed _someone_ to be looking out the window, so, even if he didn't want his own picture taken, would he mind asking the mechanic to come sit where he was sitting and just look towards the stand for five seconds? Slowly and deliberately, he finished his soda, got up and walked away. Never once glanced my way, never answered. No chance he didn't hear me, unless he's stone deaf--I was a yard and a half from the guy. I've got one word for that guy: PRICK. Selfish, swell-headed, self-centered, rude prick. (Uh, well, okay, so that's seven words.) I'll never wish the guy anything but ill. I don't hope he crashes, but I'll always hate him. --Mike - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
