i like to tell stories

#1RN | New York, New York

by Andrew

by sasha

by evan

Jonathan can now be found in Texas.

Listen and watch me drive it.

It was late in the afternoon. I had walked into her home and immediately fallen asleep on the couch.

It was not because I was sleepy, she could see this and I could feel her sitting at my side.

She had to ask me three times, she then took me by the hand outside, “Would you like to take my picture?”

–  –  –

Saturday, March 27, 2010 | 4:31:15 PM

Thank you Sidney.

“I am a lucky man.”

“Stay with me.”

“I am a fool.”

The only song on my radio today. 23h, 29m play count = 62.

March 28, 2010 | 10:21:13 AM, 2:06:13 AM, 2:00:33 AM

March 28, 2010 | 109 Minutes In An Afternoon

Me, My Father and His Mother

My Hand On The Glass Looking Out | The Homes Of My Blood

March 28, 2010

March 28, 2010 | 11:03:15 AM, 12:35:21 PM, 1:11:53 PM | San Antonio, TX

March 28, 2010 | 12:30:45 PM, 12:29:02 PM, 1:18:34 PM | San Antonio, TX

#1RN Aimee | February 24, 2010 | The Last Portrait I Ever Made In #1RN

I drove 15 hours, then I drove 11 hours, then I drove 8 hours.

I only had radio, I was at it’s mercy as one station faded to the next over the hours.

I made these to send away, each and every single one, one by one from the road.

The urge was as strong as it ever was, all my love was there, yet I just couldn’t touch that blue send button.

Please press play in no particular order.

18 Photographs | March 18, 2010

March 18, 2010 | 8:47:23 PM | The Family Of My Brother

March 18, 1995 | (Written) October 24, 1997

“It was my brother’s wedding night. I was the best man. I was to drive the big fancy town car to the reception. We all got in the car. My brother and his wife and her sister, the maid of honor. Just before we left the church for the long drive to the reception the wedding photographer took this picture of us. But just before he did my brother’s wife said, “This is so stupid.” My brother said nicely, “Shut up and smile.” They did. I started driving. When we got to the highway, I punched it. I drove until that white dotted line seemed solid. The maid of honor was squeezing my right arm. My brother and his wife were laughing in the back. I passed cars like they were rocks. I raced through that fucking Texas night like it was my last night on earth and that damn picture is the best one I’ve ever seen.“

Fifteen years ago not so far from here on this night, I did again what I did then. Only tonight I was alone, the music was up, the windows were down and my foot was again on that floor. This fucking Texas night had no chance.

Doug & Tiffani – 15 Years This Day | Sidney – 50 Days From Her 6th Birthday

This Gathering, This Night, Was Not A Party | March 20, 2010 & March 21, 2010

please press play for 90s video | not safe for work

March 20, 2010 | 6:53AM-7:03AM

I have not eaten a single bite in almost 48h and have slept only a handful of hours. I am not feeling well. This morning I sat on the porch and watched through the screen this storm shed it’s light on what I had not seen or heard before even though I’ve seen this view for a long time now. Moment by moment in different flashes in this dark I could see these same trees and sky like never before but not like they look here. Later when the water stopped falling from the sky and the sun gave me these moments, I made what I could of what I could see.

This is where I live, this is how I love, this is where you can find me.

I Am King Edward

***I was just told this post made a 23 month old man cry. Luciano, I am sorry.

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Today I again spent my time waiting. The things for which I awaited were all capable of taking my breath away, totally and completely away, with only a few syllables worth of words spoken into my ears. Joy could then begin, pain could then begin. Only unknown syllables could tell me and again today I heard both answers.

I have taken a very deep breath, held it in and not been allowed to exhale.

Today terrible teeth tore through this terror trapped tortuously together.

March 17, 2010 | 9:42:51 AM, 9:47:11 AM, 9:49:00 AM, 12:00:47 PM, 4:37:35 PM

Today I ran an errand that was not mine. Errands for or with a love are unlike any other.

March 17, 2010 | 3:33:52 PM | 3:46:48 PM

Last night I looked Eastward so I could touch that circle setting on the opposite horizon in the West.

March 14, 2010 | 7:43:18 PM

(The Numbers Never Set On This Circle)

I Am King Edward {forthcoming} | March 13, 2010 | 4:36:25 PM | San Antonio, TX

The last time I was in a hotel room before #116 I heard a distant train whistle. I ran to the door, opened it and stood there in the joy of this noise. Today, I wanted to hear that train sing to me again just like last time, down to the last detail.

So I got my ear down low, as low as I could and pressed down and down hard. I waited for that far away siren, that distant tremble. I did this in room #116 and I never heard what I wanted so I did this again today. That train, that damn train… I am afraid she just may not be coming.

March 8, 2010 | 8:43:01 PM | Room #116 – Cookeville, TN

March 12, 2010 | 8:57:10 AM | San Antonio, TX

I have been coming back to Texas several times a year for 22 years to tell stories. Yesterday, for the first time ever, I drove across that line that makes Texas its oh so lovely shape. I want this next story to be like no other I have ever heard before, like no other I have told before and like no other I have seen before.

I Am King Edward {forthcoming} | January 1, 2010 | 3:46:43 PM | San Antonio, TX

touch and own | iliketotellstories seven

PDF | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

The Family Kafka

March 5, 2010

Everyday countless thousands go by my door while they are only 22 steps away from me.

They have done this now for 4387 days.

The End of November | 1993
touch title for PDF | 19 color copies onto card-stock with wire bind

This is my left hand in one moment and this is my left hand in one moment 59,473 seconds later.

I was invited to a bar to watch a woman I did not know and had only met once before breathe fire on my behalf. I could not turn down this offer. When we arrived, she ran out from behind the bar, gave me a giant hug and said, “What the hell are you doing?” I replied with what the hell I am doing and she just shook her head and began talking to our mutual friend. I reached out to grab her necklace and take it’s picture. As my hand approached, she squeezed and lifted her world together in what to me appeared an offering. I also could not turn down this offer and my left hand found more than a necklace. We waited for the flash of my camera then she let go and I let go. She then went back to behind the bar.

Moments later I heard faint cheering and turned to the bar. Her mouth was ready, her flame was lit and then came the big ball of fire… All for me. No warning, no set up, no time to make any images. I saw the flames, I smiled, I finished my one beer and as we left I told her, “Thank you.”

59,473 seconds later, I accidentally cut the ring finger of my left hand with a box of Polaroids.

One of these sensations I can still feel, the other, I cannot.

March 1 – March 2 | 2010

21,120 Seconds | Ohio

“A friend’s city, a friend’s home, a friend’s children and a friend’s camera; all borrowed and lived amongst as if my own while I made my last photographs of L during 21,120 seconds of photography in Ohio.”

Title: 21,120 Seconds | Ohio
Artist: Jonathan Saunders
Type: (POD book through creator)
42 pages, 9.6in x 8.25in – 24.45cm x 20.96cm
open edition hard cover with dust jacket
published 365 days after creation

Independent Photo Book