From the Midwest to Hollywood

t’s true. When I was in high school, I thought it sounded like the ultimate in affirmation for someone to say to you, “please come model for us.” This implicitly says that they like the way you look and that they think you COULD be a model. And on a more buried implicit level, I think it implies they like something about your personality, too, particularly if you are a person whose personality comes forward while working or acting.

Let it please be clear that I know think this sort of information SAYS NOTHING ABOUT HOW VALUABLE ONE IS AS A PERSON. But, for a person whose appearance was made fun of a lot while growing up, it produces some serious momentary happiness. In fifth or sixth grade, I received one particularly nonsensical jab, “you could ice skate on that nose.” This was one of the less hurtful remarks.

So yesterday, I went to get new acting head shots taken with a couple of different photographers. They were both very positive about taking pictures of me. One asked if I was six feet tall and said that if I were, I could be making a lot of money. The other thought there was something interesting about my face and wants to photograph me again. It is worthwhile to note here that neither of these photographers was creepy, and neither wanted me to take my clothes off. That happens to both ladies AND guys, folks. In Spanish, I’d write “ojo,” which means “watch out.”

I signed up with a modeling company about a month ago, but so far have not been checking my inbox to see jobs I could apply for. I’ve been in a moving process and am only now settled in where I am. Today I got an e-mail saying I had a “booking request,” which means someone is interested in me modeling for them. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

I Here I am as a “hood,” as my mom would say it.