Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Homeless get creative


So I was walking down Market Street today on my way back from a job interview and I happened across this homeless guy. Now, not to confuse anyone - San Francisco has a lot of homeless people, I mean LOADS! Personally, I think it's because of the ridiculous rents people charge here, but that's just me. Anyway, back to THIS homeless guy. He was carrying a sign - like many of them do - but this time, I happened to glance at it.

It read: WILL TAKE VERBAL ABUSE AND INSULTS FOR SPARE CHANGE

Funny in a sad way. But it showed me that this guy had actually thought about what he was doing. Most homeless people carry those generic, "No home, no job, no food. Please help" boards. Not this guy. he figured out that when you live in a creative melting pot like SF, you had better get in there and do something different. He did. And for that, I gave him my spare change.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Me, myself & I


I've always been very good looking. Even as a child, passers by would often exclaim what a good looking child I was. As a teenager I was blessed with near perfect skin and very seldom, if ever, had a pimple. My eyes are a glorious green blue with a hint of hazel. My hair, when it's natural, is a soft golden blonde. My physique, while not statuesque, is slim yet toned – much like a Calvin Klein model.

At school, I was never one much for study. But my potential for greatness was omnipresent. I was wildly popular. Everyone wanted to be my friend and sit with me at break times. Quite often, I would have to turn people away in fear that the crowds would revolt. My devilishly good looks and boyish charm worked wonders with my teachers who would always give me good grades. I remember once my Math teacher, despite being a total bitch, passed me in a test I had taken. "It's okay you didn't know to carry the two. I know you tried."

I would spend weekends at the beach and try squeeze in some surfing between signing autographs and handing out my phone number. The girls were all over me. In fact, my sister would get horribly jealous because when she had friends over, they would sit and fawn over me instead of pay attention to her.

I grew up poor in an upper middle-class neighbourhood. But I still had my good looks. The school bus driver, bless him, would deviate from his prescribed route to wait on the corner of my street, just so I wouldn't be late for school. None of the other kids ever got upset. They would cheer when I arrived and insist I sit next to them. Our neighbors would often cook elaborate dinners and drop them off. My mom would send me over to thank them, and they would insist on giving me a kiss. Husbands grew weary.

But money was never an issue. If I needed money for the tuck shop, my many friends were always more than generous, some even being quite adamant in my acceptance of their total tuck shop allowance. Not one to upset others, I would graciously accept.

Later in life, I realized that self tan is to a man what silicon is to a woman. I was blessed with a fair complexion, meaning that I would remain ageless into my mid 40s. But I have learned that a healthy glow brings out my green blue eyes. So, on occasion, I have been known to stand my lithe body in a tanning booth and endure a light spray for the sake of a little bronze. It also looks really good against my blond locks.

In my chosen career of advertising, I have won over clients during presentations with just a single wink. There's a legend that I once sold an entire campaign to a client by simply smiling at her. This legend is true.

I turned down several lucrative modeling assignments to pursue my dream of selling credit cards to John and Jane. Fortunately, with my ageless skin and flawless complexion, I could still pursue a career in modeling (or acting) if I so wished. But many of my friends work in that field and I don't think it would be fair for me to steal their thunder. I'm not a greedy person.

I have beautiful feet. Not many people look good in flip flops. I do. Very often I may be seen sporting open-toed shoes. I do that because I can. My toes are long and slender and I have good nails. I have no need for pedicures. My hands are supple yet strong. They have evoked orgasmic bliss in many instances. I have no need for manicures either.

My natural 6-pack is the envy of most of my friends. But I do not rub it in their faces by wearing short vests. This is cruel punishment and totally unnecessary. Many of them have learned that too many beers can expand the waist area. I don't have that problem. I have a very fast metabolism which keeps me slim. I could eat a 3-course meal and put back several desserts. But I choose not to. People often comment on how wonderful I look. Age will never catch me.

I have a naturally small-but-pert posterior. Very often, while walking in public, my posterior gets pinched. I seldom know who has pinched it, but that doesn't matter. I look great in jeans. I also fill out a Speedo more than sufficiently.

I don't have a driver's license. But then again, I have never needed one. Once, while driving my friend's Z4, I was pulled over by a policeman. He asked to see my license. When I replied that I didn't have one, he smiled and told me to be careful. There are many bad drivers on the roads these days and while I may not be one of them, not all were as good as I was. I am fortunate enough in that I am never left needful of transportation. I have a plethora of friends waiting to drive me wherever I need to go. They are just grateful to be seen with me in their passenger seat.

Very often, I get mistaken for famous actors. Perhaps this is why I very seldom pay for movie tickets. I think the last time I paid for a movie was back in primary school when we each had to bring in R1 to watch a nature documentary. It was to aid the SPCA. So I gave them R10. A friend gave it to me.

I'm a very generous person. I give more than I should. I'm a generous tipper. Often, waiters and waitresses will insist that I take back my tip. But I couldn't do that. I know they work hard. Besides, someone has to pay to get into movies, right?

Photo credit: Getty Images

Self-doubt & skepticism


Am I doing the right thing? Yes, I know I need to work but I'm about to pack up my few belonginings into two small boxes and head out to Vegas. VEGAS!!! To join an agency no-one has ever heard of. And why am I even considering it? Because I need to work.

I'll be honest, I'm scared shitless. Yes, I get itchy feet, and I move around too much. Americans view that in a not-so-nice light. They regard it as being 'disloyal'. Whatever, that's like blowing smoke up my ass. But back to the issue at hand. I could take the plunge and leave beautiful San Francisco. And land in semi-arid desert with affordable housing.

Decisions decisions.

The offer is a good one. So at least I'd be able to save. But I need to remember that from that position, I would have to move to another agency as a CD. Would they value my time with XXX in Vegas?

Okay, let's weigh up the pros & cons. San Francisco is a lot more beautiful, a lot more cultural and has more possibilities (you wouldn't think so though - no-one here is hiring at the moment). Vegas is dry, small, and there are fewer agencies. SF has world-class agencies. Vegas has one (sort of). Vegas would give me a chance to showcase my work and ability. Mind you, so would San Fran. There's a job offer in Vegas. There isn't one in SF.

Shit! I don't know. Any suggestions?

Photo credit: Getty Images (just so I don't get sued)

Friday, April 6, 2007

Why can't I perform miracles?


We see them every day. People get knocked over by cars. Get up. And walk away. Miracle? Or luck? Moses parts water to allow people to cross an ocean to escape persecution. Miracle? Or just a really hot day in which the sun managed to evaporate water REALLY quickly?

I want to perform a miracle. Like maybe paying my rent without scrounging for pennies in my kitchen drawer. Or sleeping a solid eight hours a night. Or maybe just looking into a mirror, wishing I looked more like Brad Pitt and it happens. KAZAM! Like that. Or going to the local market, buying a few avocados and they don't go vrot by the next day. Yoiu know, simple miracles like that.

How I would love to be able to perform the 'money-increasing miracle'. The one where you open your wallet, see $1, close it, and open it again to find that that $1 has miraculously grown and multiplied so now you have $1000. I'd love to be able to do that.

Or my personal favourite: the miracle where while you're walking along the side of the street, the 3 foot 2 inch Asian woman who is walking directly in front of you actually steps aside inside of glares up at you as if to say, "Hey, white guy, move or else I commit a Hiroshima on your ass."

Just one miracle would be nice. Okay, so i don't even have to be the one performing it. Let it happen to ME! Just once, I'm not greedy.

But none of this Moses miracle stuff. I don't need parting seas. I need growing $$$s.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

They upgraded me




So I was booked into the Suncoast Casino & Hotel here in Las Vegas. Regular room. Until I checked in. They upgraded me to a deluxe suite. Now THIS is how I was meant to live!

Monday, April 2, 2007

Vegas, baby!


So now with the memory of Albuquerque far behind - okay, so maybe not soooo far behind, it was only a few days ago - I prepare to saddle up my pont for yet another adventure. This time to America's Dubai. Yes, only in America (and the U.A.E.) would they plonk glass buildings and fountains and replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Giza smack-bang in the middle of a desert. Yup, I'm off to Vegas baby!

Yet another freelance stint but this one may lead to a job offer (I'm hoping.) Never been to Vegas before but my friend C in London has and she LOVED it. As the Las Vegas Convention Bureau TV commercial goes, What happens here, stays here." Ooh, I like the sound of that *evil wink*

Will try make a post from there and let y'all know how it is.

Until then, I gotta get all my quarters together to win next month's rent on one of those one-arm bandits pull machine things.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Pampered with a pedicure


I don’t care what anyone says. I’ll have a damn pedicure if I want one.

I see eyebrows (and questions) being raised. I mean, come on, how many of you have had one? Okay, so it was not quite as relaxing as say, a massage, but it was good – if not a little ticklish. I almost kicked the poor woman in the face with a reflex heel to the chin. She ran her nail under my foot! Of course I’m going to boost out my foot with force.

Anyway, so after clipping and rubbing and massaging and pouring of oils, I was done. I admit, I felt a little self-conscious sitting in this chair with my jeans rolled up to my knees, flanked by two women having their pedicures as well. People walked past the pedicure/nail salon and took a double take when they saw me sitting there.

But the highlight of the pampering came when the woman asks, “you like dining?” I didn’t know what she was going on about (she’s foreign with an odd accent) so I just agreed. A few minutes later she says, ‘Okay, me finish. You wait. Relax.’ I was like, mmmmm, this IS the life. After about 10 minutes, I slipped into my flip flops, paid my $20 and left, beaming from ear to ear because I have just had my transporters pampered. Then I looked down at my lilly white transporters and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. She hadn’t asked if I like dining. She had asked, “YOU LIKE SHINY?”

My toe nails now reflect the sun with a blinding brilliant translucent shine!