Hi everybody. Welcome to the blog where I talk about my present.
I’ve been reading what I wrote about last week on my blog. I just want to convey that my assistants made my life so much easier. I want in no way to imply that they contributed to my current condition. They were amazing actually. I wouldn’t even have to ask for something. It was as if they read my mind. For example, if I needed a certain lens, it was in my hands before I even asked for it.
One assistant in particular stands above everyone else. The guy actually saved my life. You see, on August 18, 2009, I was on a commercial shoot in NYC. That’s when I had my first brain bleed. After I called the shoot, the assistant managed to get me back to my hotel. He called his mother who was a doctor in Mexico City. She said to get me right to the ER. He managed to get me to the ER and I just made it. So, you see, the guy saved my life. The last time I spoke to him, I said, “You saved my life, I’ll buy you a beer.”
I want to tell one other assistant story. I mean, I’ve got many, but this one stands out as being kind of funny. I arrived on location on a photo shoot. I walked up to the location van and my assistant came out and he was angry. I said, “What’s wrong?” He said, “I can’t believe you’re shooting a plus size model catalog.” I said, “What’s wrong with that?” He said, “They ate all the food! There’s nothing for breakfast.” It was pretty funny. He said, “I’m going to the deli to get something. Do you want something?” I said, “No I’m good.” Well, I got in the van, and he was right, there was nothing left. The bagel basket was empty. There was a silver platter with limp lettuce and a few orange wedges half eaten. The girls ate everything. Hey, they were happy at least. And that’s what counts on a fashion shoot. You have to have happy models.
Oh man! What an epic journey. I’m not talking about my general journey I’m on right now, but I’m talking about going down to the local store to get a bottle of wine for some guests tonight. Now, if you’re normal, you would just hop in the car, go to the store to get a bottle of wine and come home. I have to make sure my power chair is charged up, make sure I have all the proper items in my backpack. I have to prep a lot of things, then I have to make the journey down to the store. The sidewalks are in really bad condition, so I have to navigate each pothole and find the path of least resistance. If I tip over, it’s a disaster. So, I go extra slow. Now, getting there is one thing, but getting back, oh man! I’m exhausted by the time I get 3/4 of the way home. Concentrating when you’re in a condition like mine is tough. It really wipes you out. It’s hard to explain. It’s kind of like trying to explain surfing to someone who doesn’t surf. It’s kind of like trying to explain an experience. Anyway, it’s exhausting by the time I get home. Any kind of thing that requires concentration seems to be very difficult. Maybe they’re right, ignorance is bliss.
Bottom line is You gotta keep at doing things, even if they’re challenging. It’s the only way you’re gonna advance yourself. Besides, getting out feels good. It’s nice to get out of the house.
That’s it for this week. Love and miss you guys. Don’t forget to check out my blog about the past.
Love, B. Nice