10/12/2004: "Firsts and The Return of the Redheaded Discount."

music: Oliver, The Musical/Weird Al
mood: Focused for the time being

So, I rocked up to my parents house this morning after soaking at the "spa" for a clensing and I was greeted by a a Kerry and Edwards sign in the front yard. Hmmm I thought. I wonder if Dad knows that there. SO I inquired within. Thought my father is indeed one of the most politically opinionated and active people I know (save you Jamie) he (and my mother) have NEVER placed ANY political sign in the yard, bumper sticker or publicized thier views to the general public via and banner or pamphlet ( Save the Flag going up on military holidays, when Jason my borther in law was in Iraq, and the Brazillian flag during WorldCup Soccer in 92.) If you ask him, he will tell you his thoughts, and sometimes you don't even need to ask him and he'll tell you, but just like I was raised, he does not preach, he lets those walking by the house make up their own minds. So, you can see why I was intrigued by this not so small indication of the house feelings on this election. Pus from a gardening perspective, I think my parents have always felt that signs were tacky. They live in a pretty liberal area so I don't think they are worried about having their cars keyed, but I have NEVER seen a sign in our yard. So of course my assumption was, Dad didn't know. Here's actually how it went down. My Brother Sandy, conversational wizard and stranger to none was in the front yard when a man walked by and asked if he could put the sign in the yard. He said sure. The man did. Dad saw the saw, asked where it came from, Sandy told him and then he asked mom if she wanted it moved. She said no. And there it stayed. Since mom has never voted, I guess this is the way she petitions the Bush Administration. That and yelling at him on TV and calling him an evil idiot at intense volumes. So, even late into life, your parents can surprise you. There is always time apparently for a first.

And speaking of firsts.. I have an interview with Children's Musical Theatre San Jose for a directing position tomorrow...my choices would be a musical version of Tom Sawyer, Sleeping beauty with 6-9 year olds, or Bye Bye Birdie....The timing of Tom and Birdie are better but birdie is not my favorite. We shall see. Also Auditioning for a show at the Pear theatre in a few weeks.

On a different note...B flat I think...I went to the Auto Interior place to get my Jeep window zipper fixed ( yes, it is a large version of a Fischer Price Car...it it held together with zippers) and the guy quoted me $150 plus tax. Hmm. It's $240 to replace the whole new window. I went in and two funny things happened. He needed the top of the jeep to match the zipper and I said that was fine, I just didn't bring tools to remove it. And of course he said...."I can take your top off for you". He then corrected himself ans said the top of your jeep....it was funny. So now that he was embarrassed I figured I could work it to my advantage. I have vowed to never make poor financial choice again and this new philosophy include not being too shy to ask for a discount. So he asked if he had given me a quote over the phone when I called in the day before and I said "yes, $150, but I think becuase i am cute and redheaded I should get a discount." He smiled and said " I agree on the cute and redheaded part, tell you what $120 flat if you pay cash." And that....is kicking ass. So there you go...My red hair and perhaps my balls are worth at least 20%...and I wasn't even showing any cleavage. This redheaded discount worked once before in the flower district in SF many years ago when I went with my friend Tom to get palm fronds for Props for JCS. I think I was only taking in about a 10% discount there thought if I recall correctly. I also asked for Chai a week or so ago and they were out, so I said, fine can I have the display chai from the box on the counter. he said sure, and gave it to me free and gave me a free refill on regular chai the next week. So you you see, it pays to ask.

Presently I'm working on trying to get tickets for a KTEH pledge event, to meet Craig Charles who plays Lister on Red Dwarf. this one is a long shot...it was a $180 pledge prize, and I'm asking prety much to get in for free....fingers are crossed...

Smoke me a kipper...