Even though I'm a day late for "Throwback Thursday", I just had to post the following 'photo-op', which took place during a crucial moment in my life (even though the picture itself has almost nothing to do with it)...

It was March, 2007... I had just lost my job as a 'toll collector' on the Sawgrass Expressway (owing to events that were not really my fault). And it would be another eight months before I got my next steady job (as a 'janitor').

To help take my mind off my troubles, I'd decided to drive down to Miami, Florida, and take in the annual event in the 'Little Havana' section, "Calle Ocho". Often called "America's Block Party", this event covers nearly twenty blocks of 8th Street - with live stage shows and bands, plenty of vendors (of food and souvenirs) and a variety of concessions where visitors can get 'free samples' of various products from corporate sponsors.

Bringing my camera along, I took a few pictures of the activities that went on that Sunday afternoon. One of my favorite subjects at "Calle Ocho" was a statue of a six-foot-tall rooster - decorated by one of the locals. (A number of these statues were placed all over parts of Miami, for artists to express their creativity.) This particular rooster stood in front of a local pub/restaurant - wearing a multi-colored apron (or maybe it's a bandana that had slipped down... I don't know).

I'll have another 'photo-op' of a similarly decorated rooster statue I also came across at "Calle Ocho", shortly...