Sunday, December 27, 2009

PERSONAL: "When life hands you lemons... make PINK LEMONADE!"

Today was one of "those" days that all of us at one point have gone through in our lives. I started my day off right. I woke up jiffy pop early! I put on my running shoes and did an early 9AM jog. I had an awesome cup of coffee, nice luxurious hot shower, and on my way to a model/fashion photo shoot in North Hollywood. Little did I know I had another thing coming...
Twenty minutes into my drive I started to smell something burning and of course I didn't think anything of it. I figured L.A. always smells like burnt rubber on the freeway. As I am passing the exit for the Pantages Theatre my car is filled with smoke and I immediately exit Highland near the Hollywood Bowl, pulled over and then "SKY" (that's my car's name and yes I named my car!) is sitting on the side of the road like the little engine that wouldn't! Of course I don't have triple A roadside assistance and I keep meaning to get a membership but I only think of getting one when things like this happen and what do I do? I call triple A anyway! LOL
The lovely operator says to me: "This is a member only hotline" and I tell her politely: "Well can you sign me up then?" (That's so samoan of me!) in hopes that I would somehow get the "members only" treatment and she says: "Unfortunately I am unable to do that" and after 15 minutes of trying to convince her that she can take my credit card info down and just hook a brother up, she finally transfers me to the nearest towing company to help me out. I am finally connected to the towing company and able to get a towing company to take me to the nearest PEP BOYS Auto Club down the street.
In the meantime while I am waiting for the tow truck I call the one person that knows all about cars... My dad! Reminder my dad is in San Francisco so I thought I would ask him some questions. I call my brother Roy and he contacts my dad who is normally at church on sundays with my mom. I get a phone call from my mom & dad and here is how the conversation goes:
*Phone Rings* 
*RM - "Hello? Hi Dad!"
*Mom - "Ralph??? What happened are you okay?"
(my mom is chuckling with laughter & my dad laughing hysterically in the background!)
*RM - "I am okay Mom! (chuckling) I was on my way to a photo shoot and my car broke down with smoke!"
*Mom - "hahahahaha on Sunday? That's the lord's way of telling that you to "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy".
*RM: (rolling my eyes and laughing) "I know right Mom? Well that won't happen again..."(trying to rush her off the phone to talk to my dad and she is still laughing.) "Is Dad there?" 
*Mom - "Yes! He is right here calling you on his cell phone... "(my dad still laughing in the background).
*RM - "Hi Dad - I have no coolant in my car or water. The stupid jiffy lube guys that did my oil change says they did on my receipt but of course they didnt!"
*Dad - "Well have it towed and have the guys look at it and let me know what they say... we love you son."
*RM - "Thanks Dad! I will call you in the morning!" (at this point were all laughing including myself!)
For those that don't know my parents they are the most funniest people but yet the most spiritual parents. Sundays are strictly for the Lord as we were taught. The whole lesson from that was don't play on the Lord's time as my parents would say.
After I hung up with them, the tow truck guy shows up and low & behold he is a samoan guy! What are the odds? He comes out the truck and says: "Leave the car I will take care of it for you" - Did I mention again that he was "samoan"? Sweet!  He actually resembled my dad.. He seriously did.(Kind of scary?!)  His name is "Fatu" and not only did he help me out but he discounted the tow! Now you know I tipped my fellow uso!

...and the HERO of the day Award goes to Fatu!
(pic taken off my blackberry)
You can still see the smoke!




I dropped the car off at Pep Boys for evaluation and have to come back tomorrow to see what the diagnosis is *cringe* because I know it's going to cost me!
Well being that this Pep Boys is literally down the street from the famous Hollywood & Vine strip. I called one of my besties "Will" to pick me up and w
hile I was waiting for him I didn't want to make the day a total loss! I just started walking down Hollywood Blvd and I took "Isyss" out (yes that's my camera's name!) to take advantage of the scenery...


 


 Half a block away I run into some musical guests...


 
 

then ran into where I would love to work!!!




Where I really submitted my job application! 

 

Where I wanted to have a cocktail...




But didn't because... I literally got this text from my parents while I was contemplating it...
(CTR! LOL) 

 

 

Found my transportation... Uncle Party Bus! 

 

Wishing she was here to join me on the bus to give my car a spoon full of sugar!





Wondering what this musical would be like? 

 

Looking at the most dependable form of transportation! 




How I feel about my car! Cost & Failure! 




Saw the real streets of Hollywood minus the Glamour and Glitz... 



Homeless...

 




Wondering... WHY???? The purpose is?




Tourists... Meh. 




...and coming back tomorrow to pick up "Sky" from here...





and thanks to all of you that prayed for me on facebook!



-RM

7 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow Ralph! This was hilarious!

    Funniest pick was the parking meter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LMAO, what an adventure you had yesterday! You are too frickin' hilarious for your own good. Way to turn your frown upside down by taking some awesome shots sweetie! I'm loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's awesome! Glad you were "looked after" that day! :o) CTR!

    ReplyDelete
  5. that was too funny Ralph but I enjoyed it!!! Have a great day!!! Sarah :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love love love love it!!! ok i was BUSTIN up SO loud at the ATM!!! dude what the? why??? yeah i asked the same dang thing. is that supposed to help the customer if a robber sneaks up behind them? seriously LMBOOOOOO oh ralph i miss you!! love your work! come to utah and do my family photo shoot please! we will pay you samoan/family way.... room and food!!! hahaha LOL jk for reals we will pay, you need to come visit anyway. we just bought a new home in Layton.... you are welcome ANYTIME!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ok...totally loved your lil story!hahaha so creative you! lol well atleast you learned your lesson!...haha or maybe you didn't! hahaha

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails