Hot Child in the City

Okay so I have been here for about a year and a half now and yet everyday I remind myself that I am still somewhat new. It is such a hassle making the effort to get out and about and get your name and face out there that sometimes it feels almost better left undone. Needless to say, I NEVER quit trying.

Last week I was invited to a going away party. The going-away-er was a friend of a friend. We don't really even know each other all that well, but the gesture was well recieved when they invited me. I decided that I MUST MUST MUST go and meet some new people and if for no other reason AT ALL, then at least to possibly network somewhat for work. It's hard out there for everybody but in retail sometimes there are unseen customers that just need a little reminder that we exist. Often times this is enough to get at least a few bites in commissions.

When I recieved the e-vite I pondered over the idea of arriving by myself which would be somewhat scary to do (yet I am almost used to) or taking my buddy Lil'Mikey, or possibly my kindred spirit, Jo. I clicked "Accept" and R.S.V.P.'d for ONE. I decided to face my fears head on and venture out on this one alone.

I left work somewhat early to get a haircut, but on my way to my new fav barbershop realized that they were on vacation until next week. So I drove down Mass. Ave until I came upon a barbor known as "Fast Phil". $10 a cut! So whatever, He cut it, I'm not thrilled, but at least it is shorter. I rushed home to change, take a minute to sit down in front of the fan and try to cool off. It has been so hot and humid these last few days, it can really get the best of you from time to time. I made my way to Porter Sq. which is the closest T that I know of with a free parking lot for my car. When I got off at my destination I was anxious to make my way to the apartment. I had google mapped it on my phone and when looking at a map on your phone one truely never knows exactly where he is going. I began to cross the street while anxiously anticipating the changing of the lights. All of the cars except one had completely passed through the intersection and way back in the distance approached a beat up old Mercedes, which the yuppie driver probably elects to reference his car as "vintage"). Of course by the time I was halfway through the road they decide to speed up as if to not see me in the middle of the road. I know this trick, because I invited it myself. Then when they approached they slammed their breaks and caused a scene of dramatic affect. They threw up their hands and pointed at me, they did the Massachusetts sign language for "What idiot crosses the road on green?" In my typical fashion and as a part of my new found love of this MA culture, I yelled back, "I'm in the middle of the road now, asshole what do you want me to do? Run me over then!" Of course my array of 4 letter words was much more detailed and indepth than as described here, but nevertheless, you get the idea.

At the party it was beautiful. On the roof top. The weather had somewhat cooled off. It was perfect. That is until many many other people started to arrive. On the roof that was about an 8 foot by 8 foot space there were well over 20 people. This, of course, counteracted the benefit of the nice cooler night air, since there was all of the sudden, so much hot air, in the midst.

The party consisted of MOSTLY Harvard Alumni. This, I assumed, was the first of many to come for me. If I plan on being in New England much longer then I might as well get used to being the only person at the party with JUST an undergrad degree. Doctors and Lawyers and their allies were the majority. On 5 different occasions I was asked if I was in Medicine as well. I kept wanting to reference Grey's Anatomy, but just felt like that would have made me look and feel like an even bigger idiot. When they were not talking about medicine they were conversing about past, present, and future athletic endeavors. Marathons, Half-marathons, biking, hiking, running, and swimming. "Great," I thought to myself, "I'm either dumb as fuck, or fat as fuck!"

While in the beginning of this party I felt like it would be well on its way to nowhere for me, by the end I was having a great time. I had found a few small circles that allowed me to be the center of attention. In fact, once people heard that I was the host's personal clothing stylist they were all over me. They were intrigued by my profession and they were in awe of what I do. I had people coming up to me asking "Are you the stylist?" "How do you become a stylist?"

It was insane. I handed out all the business cards that I had on hand. I promoted my blog and hopefully will be seeing some additional "followers" in the near future.

When you live in a new place (and Boston is still fairly new to me, as everyday I discover another part I love about living in this city) it is important to try. You don't have to always be pleased with the result or the consequence, but at the least, you have to try.