Taking pictures of kids has become such a delicate issue in our culture I even hesitated making this blog entry about them. 
But, then I suppose that's even more reason to do it. I sheldom take pictures of kids anymore, just 'cause of the flak potential from parents.
He picked it up off the sidewalk and presented it to me. He didn't say a word but it was clear he wanted me to have it. A small shiney pin of a "guardian angel"...
...since that day it has served as a talisman protecting me from my tendency to see people as mere compositional elements... reminding me of the compassion inherent in the human condition... 
and its capacity for kindness to strangers.
I'm not particularly patient, but I am persistent - but you have to know when to cut your losses, fold, give up on a bankrupt idea... such as the idea I had about snapping an articulated bus as it rounds a corner -front and rear tires at the frame lines - ensnarling a pedestrian waiting at the curb. Something I blogged about wanting to do way back in January. 
The problems are manifold.
First, you have to catch two moving objects -that you have no control over- at a precise time and place. Second, to make the pic I had in mind , the bus would have to practically jackknife in order to fit a 1:1.5 aspect ratio. And third, it wouldn't really be that interesting of a pic anyway.
Another jackass idea I had was a roll-your-own custom camera bag. Nothing quite like walking around town with a $7 beer bag slung over your shoulder to attract the ladies. I finally chumped off and bought a $32. Tamrac Explorer 1. Great little bag. 
Sometimes all it takes to do the right thing is to stop doing the wrong thing.
When you wear sunglasses people tend to look at you longer and more often. NOT because you look cool, as the advertisers would have you believe, 
but because your eyes are shielded so the "rules" of eye contact with strangers are circumvented somewhat. 
Use it to your advantage.
Muhammad Ali was a master tactician and strategist and toward the end of his boxing career when he could no longer Float like a Butterfly -
or Sting Like A Bee, 
- he used the now famous Rope-A-Dope ploy - resting on the ropes, protecting himself from blows, luring his opponent into a trap then pounding 'em with crushing body blows and uppercuts.
I use the SP(street photography) version of the Rope-A-Dope when I'm tired, frustrated, or just 'cause I feel like it. 
Find a comfortable spot "against the ropes" to survey the scene.. 
then when the time is right, "rope a dope"...
Will image manipulation technologies, i.e. Photoshop and the various new bend,fold and mutilate apps. spell the death knell for street photography? Or should I say ANOTHER death knell, as traditional street photography is routinely pronounced dead. Or is all of photography as we (thought we) knew it already long dead and buried?
First - the shoes. Doc Martens all the way, baby... easy on the feet and since I go for a "conventioneer" look just enough behind the style curve for a three-day-Marriott-staying- Avis- renting-Widget Supply Wholesaler, to be wearing.
The conventioneer can go places where the "working man" would look out of place...
The "tourist" too, has limits on where he can go without attracting attention..
But the "conventioneer" - can go anywhere, he has the keys to the city..
