Pool Hopping, Facebooking, and Sandwiching on the Clock

Today was officially the first day of summer and I skipped the Laker parade for work (apparently it ended up being "hands down, the worst lakers parade ever," so I'm not that bummed). On this summer solstice (I recently learned how a solstice differs from a equinox) I was back at it again-- flyering for Gabrielle in Hollywood. I admit that I've had trouble blogging about this job because it has truly been one of the most boring and repetitive jobs that I've ever had, that is, expect for a short stint at Juice it Up a couple winters ago. Thankfully I can see the light at the end of the tunnel; my time with Gabrielle is quickly coming to a end (more on that later), and I couldn't be happier.

Anyways, today I got to Las Palmas at noon thanks to freeways that were remarkably and surprisingly functional. When I got to her office Gabrielle was on the phone with Erick the Maintenance Guy. Upon seeing me walk in she hung up, informing him that "the other Erick" had just arrived-- damn right. She handed me a map of today's pre-selected neighborhood and continued with instructions on how to get there and where to park. After loading about 1,500 flyers into by bag I decided to ask her how much longer she would be needing my services. She informed me that all together she had ordered ten thousand flyers, and that once they were gone I would be free. After finishing with today's flyers I would have posted 6,500 flyers, only 3,500 to go, which should take about three days. I really can't wait to get back to more sporadic and original oddjobs, good bye flyering.

Today's neighborhood was Thai Town, which required me to walk up and down the residential streets between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. Since my last time blogging about this job I have significantly improved my methods, perfecting the art of flyer distribution in just under a week. I've figured out the best way to zig-zag from street to street, and even improved my flyer insertion technique. It's all very technical stuff that I can't get into right now, I hope you understand.

Same old shit in Hollywood. After forgetting mama's homemade sandwiches and my canteen in the car I was stuck without food or water for the whole shift. My randomly timed breaks mostly consisted of me laying on shady lawns and checking my facebook via my cell phone every other hour: no new notifications.

My most refreshing breather came about four hours into the shift with about 50 flyers to go. After peaking over a wall for the Hollywood Premiere Motel, a shitty motel right on Hollywood Boulevard, I was left gazing upon a beautifully clean pool, completely empty and waiting for a happy swimmer; I decided to become that happy swimmer. I proceeded to remove my shoes, socks, and glasses, stuffed these things (along with my cellphone and wallet) into my backpack, stripped off my shirt and hopped the short wall. In order to avoid being seen by the motel's manager I made the jump and was underwater within seconds. Awww, the water felt amazing after four hours of constant walking/flyering, a great way to start off the first official day of summer. I swam a couple of laps, splashed around for about five minutes, and then got out of the pool. Next I threw on my white tee, slipped on my shoes (no socks), and hopped back over to Hollywood Blvd.

I continued flyering with dripping shorts and wet hair, posting the last flyer with about thirty minutes to spare. I made my way back to the Volvo, removed my wet shorts and chomped down the forgotten sandwiches before calling Gabrielle to clock out. The ride home was more pleasant than usual thanks to moist underwear and an avoidance of all freeways. Three more days to go.