Portfolio

2008-01-14T12:33:00.001-08:00

Max Benbow, Athena Benbow and Roxie walking down Noe St. in San Francisco, CA. on Saturday April, 2007. Even during the rainy day, Athena and Max walk the dog.

Masha Matin poses with her unicycle for a portrait on Dolores street in downtown San Francisco, CA. on Saturday May 26, 2007. Matin is a circus performer in San Francisco and has been training for as long has she can remember.

Javier Garcia poses for a portrait holding his shotgun on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 in Oxnard, CA. Garcia believes in being ready for anything from a weekend backpacking trip to a revolution.

Mick digs down to rescue a person in a staged avalanche training course in Sundance, Utah on Wednesday Feb. 22, 2006. To Mick this is just another game he plays with Christensen his trainer on a daily basis.

Tracy D. Christensen and John Maxon help Karen Anderson after she had fallen and broken her wrist in Sundance, Utah on Wednesday Feb. 22, 2006.

Aaron Chabot sits on top of Lizards Mouth for a portrait Friday May 19, 2006 in Santa Barbara, CA. Falling over a hundred feet five years ago in a climbing accident, Chabot is back rock climbing, still using no ropes.

Larry fly fishing in Bishop, CA. on Friday June 2, 2006. Larry lives in San Diego and comes up to fish in Bishop each year because of the natural beauty.

Paul Peterson poses in a light painting portrait on the climbing problem High Traffic at Painted Cave on Wednesday June 20, 2007 in Santa Barbara, CA. This is Peterson’s first time at Painted Cave and he can’t wait to finish High Traffic.

At the Red Bull Rampage Contest in Hurricane, Utah a shadow of a bike rider cast across the red rock on Friday Oct. 29, 2004.

Turning 21 and drunk, Kim Sigsburg rests her face on the toilet of the men’s bathroom in Winchester’s Grill & Saloon in Ventura, CA. on Tuesday March, 2007.

Secondhand Citizens

2008-01-14T12:31:00.001-08:00

Tim Growney (right) relaxes in the backyard of La Siesta Boarding Care with friend Alfred for a smoke on Monday Aug. 7, 2006 in Ventura, CA. Growney has lived at La Siesta for the past 8 years because of his mental illness.

Freddy Tafuga plays the guitar in the backyard of La Siesta Boarding Care on Saturday Aug. 12, 2006 in Ventura, CA.

Bill Blatherwick lights up a cigarette has he reads his book in the backyard of La Siesta Boarding Care on Monday Aug. 7, 2006 in Ventura, CA.

Most do not leave the house during the day. They don’t have to get up at any time so most of them sleep throughout the morning and wake up whenever they feel like. Albert Brost, 74 takes a nap during the day at La Siesta Boarding Care on Tuesday Aug. 8, 2006 in Ventura, CA.

Bill Blatherwick lights up a cigarette as he sits in the backyard of La Siesta Boarding Care on Monday Aug. 7, 2006 in Ventura, CA. Regardless, La Siesta provides a sanctuary for each member to cope with their ailments in a risk free environment. Their acceptance in today’s society, or lack there of, is rarely a factor in their daily lives.

Residents at La Siesta eating their dinner on Wednesday Aug. 15, 2006 in Ventura, CA. They have almost no responsibilities at the house, their meals are made for them and the work staff cleans the house.

There are over 45 people living at La Siesta ranging in ages from 25 to 75. Some of the residents have been living there for over 20 years. The home provides a structured environment but does not infringe on the individual member’s daily freedoms. Residents at La Siesta playing Bingo on Wednesday Aug. 9, 2006 in Ventura, CA.

Many have lived there so long and have become institutionalized. This can be attributed in part to their medication, their social limitations and also the mundane and repetitive lifestyle they lead.

For most of the day, the residents walk around the backyard of the area, smoking cigarettes, playing guitar or just daydreaming.

Albert Brost, 74 smoking with a friend in the back of La Siesta Boarding Care on Tuesday Aug. 8, 2006 in Ventura, CA. Some may excuse their life style as antiquated or simple minded, after further exploration, it is a simplicity we all could do well to embrace.

George Boe

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Secondhand Citizens