Fort Lauderdale, FL
Today added to the surrealism that has encompassed me. I left Hollywood to go to a photo shoot. A photo shoot of me. Believe it or not.
I pulled up to the parking lot in Fort Lauderdale that is 100 yards from the ocean. I was a bit early and sat in the car for a second. Two fine, upstanding pillars of the community salivated as they saw a lone traveler with North Carolina license plates.
One of the shirtless saints approached. He motioned for me to roll down my window. I stared. He motioned again. I opened my door, “Hey man, how long are you going to park here?” “What?” “How long are you going to park here?” “I don’t know, as long as I want,” I shot back rather coldly. “Man, I can help you.”
“What the heck is this guy talking about? I’m sitting here in a public parking lot that is metered. I just saw this guy come from down the beach. He can help me? He can help me help him.”
“No thanks dude. I think I have it under control. Have a good day,” as I shut the door and pretend to make a cell phone. I’m no sucker, sucker.
After my helpers left, I got out and went to the beach. The waves were crashing and there was not a cloud in the sky. I stood in the shade and waited for the photographer.
After a couple of minutes he arrived and I crossed the street. I hadn’t had anything to eat unless you count a cup of Cuban coffee from Joey and Terry’s. Cuban coffee will get you jumpstarted. I don’t drink coffee, so I was moving.
We met and talked for quite a while. We talked about my journey and about his career. He was a really nice guy who has found a great niche in South Florida. He told me about a place he had recently bought in the mountains of NC. We were then on to business. I was nervous. This was my first gig. There was no makeup or wardrobe. Just he and I.
I’ll let the article show and tell you about the picture.
We shook hands and he left me to bask in the sun. I will have to admit I was pumped that I had just had my picture taken for a major newspaper. The article will be in Sunday’s edition of the Miami Herald. Also, still very surreal.
I’m sitting here typing in Kinko’s. Staring out the window are the buildings of downtown Fort Lauderdale. It takes me slightly back to Charlotte. Very clean and new buildings.
I hit the beach with Mark and Jay today. The Fort Lauderdale beach is amazing. The sun and the bikinis were great today. The water was very rough. A rip current was causing the lifeguards to work very hard. We were there for close to 3 hours. I would guess the lifeguard had to jump in and snag at least 10 people. And that was the guy near us. One girl had to go to the hospital. I only went in up to my knees.
I’ll be at the Compound tonight. Mark is waiting on me to get home with a chicken dinner. Their internet connection wasn’t working, so here I am in my bathing suit and a smelly plain white t shirt. I haven’t showered since the beach and after washing my car. Too bad for the people next to me.
Outta here!