26 years ago, I was driving around Cleveland with a car full of Balloons...
I wanted to get into show business and I thought it might be fun to deliver singing telegrams.
I ended up delivering Balloon-a-grams, singing as well, for about six months before I decided that maybe I should try for a band instead.
Not to say that I didn't have a lot of fun because I did, but it was also a bit of a hassle as I took a job with a smaller local company than signing on to Eastern Onion Telegrams which was a national chain.
I think if I had taken the Onion instead of the Balloons to You, I would have probably be acting and singing in local musical theater.
I was so turned off by it that I went into the bar band thing.
I once made a promise to myself that I would make money doing the things I loved; performing, writing and politics.
Needless to say, the politics was the money maker. I still make some money doing work for various candidates but those days are gone. I also supported myself for a while writing and editing a local Independent newspaper. That was a lot of fun and I had the most leeway with that.
And as far as performing, well, I made a good bit of cash running around in a white tuxedo. But I also made a good chunk of change playing out in bar bands.
Anyway, that one and only VD that I delivered Balloon-a-grams was eventful. I think I did about fifteen deliveries over the course o the day. One to an inner high city school and the other to a suburban high school.
Guess which one treated me like I was from outer space.
I also delivered a balloon-a-gram to a construction site where the Forman's wife had ordered a "risqué" delivery.
They were pretty disappointed when I showed.
I ended up the night at a rundown strip joint. It was a young woman’s first "legal" day on stage and i got to go up and bump and grind a little before I tied the balloons around her...
I'll leave that to your imagination.
Now I am on disability and still write occasionally for publication. Like I said, I also still keep my finger in the political pool. But performing, Well those days are probably over. Although I may get out to an open mic now and then.
One thing I know, realizing those dreams have made me feel kind of special. I'm not rich; don't have much money when you come right down to it. It just means that dreams can be realized even if they don't happen to plan.
Happy Valentine ’s Day and if you ever get singing telegram, give them some slack. They are the grunts of the entertainment industry.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I think it's really important to have fun with whatever you're doing...knowing how is key.
Being rich is not just about money...
You got to bump and grind? I can just see it...
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, and Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm so glad you did! You won't be lying on your death bed regretting all the years wasted at the Widget Company. Good life, WCGreen! 
