The Murder of Ashlyn Dyer

I only saw her once, and that was across a crowded conference room during a photo briefing we were having a month & a half ago for a catalog. I only found out after she'd been the victim of a hit & run while running in the Presidio that she was a marathoner, and just a year younger than me. She'd been at the RE for not even two months, and people seem to stream through here without introductions & without goodbyes, and I don't remember ever having seen her in the maze-like hallways. So we were never formally introduced, and I hustled out of that meeting, fluttering with stress for all the work to be done. Knowing what I know now, we could have been friends.

Well, the person who hit her, the person who left her lying in a ditch on the side of the road, could have saved her life if they'd called someone. But the wait was too long -- 10 minutes or more without oxygen to her brain -- and the damage was irreversible. I'm thinking of all the miles I logged in the Presidio while training for the SF marathon last summer. (Running right by where Ashlyn was killed, actually). Streaming down the street, seeing the Pacific Ocean all around me, the cypress trees, the smell of eucalyptus, and knowing I was absorbing one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I'm sorry I didn't know you, Ashlyn. Rest in peace.

.....

Info about the accident & how to help

When: March 2nd in between 6:45am-7am
Who: Ashlyn Dyer was struck by a vehicle
Where: Washington Blvd. and Kobbe Avenue in the Presidio.

If you recall seeing Ashlyn Dyer in this area during this time OR recall seeing any suspicious vehicles with damage in the area contact:
Detective Sgt. Jansing @ 415-561-5144, US Park Police

AshlynDyer.com
The Chronicle, "Jogger struck by hit-run driver dies in hospital" - March 13, 2006

It's getting better all the time

In October, on my first day at my new job, I decided I'd be there for 6 months, and then I'd quit. Life's too short to live half your waking life in a job you hate - you know? If there's anything I've learned from my last year of heartache, it's that love exists and I need to go find it again.

There are so many incredible people doing their thing out there, and I'm working overtime for a gift catalog co., hiring kid models for nearly $200/hr, and standing behind the camera at the photo shoot trying to get said kid model to stop screaming and smile to sell our product. At the gig, I'm the odd ball (in SF, can you believe it?) with all of these expensive people around me talking about products, money, multi-million dollar homes, & reality t.v. In short, they're mainstream, and I'm not. I'd rather spend my time seeking out the incredible people.

So after the first day, I counted up all the work days I'd have til then, and started a countdown. Every day, I come home & mark off the day. Some of my friends (like Ladd) think it's unhealthy, but I think it's quite the opposite. It keeps me focused and aware of what I really want; what life's really about.

In February, I thought I'd extend my stay an additional 6 months so I could take a long trip to Asia. I want to get back to shooting, and I have some projects on my mind. (At the moment, Tibet, Nepal & Thailand are on the list). Yesterday was day 99.