Life at Metro

My new client is a shoe maker he makes custom orthotics and sends them to Germany to his master German arch-maker who can make the perfect sole with flexible heel and sturdy in-step. He is in his denim apron. "Do you want me to fix those straps on your briefcase?" My polkadot briefcase sits with both straps flopping out, broken from one side. "Yes!" I am elated to finally have my briefcase fixed. I am so bad at making things or fixing things and have let the straps be loose these last two months, constantly getting slammed in my boxy 80s Toyota cardoor and dragging about me.

Sitting with him I remember playing my 3/4 size violin, an 8 year old girl, in John Shriver the bookmaker's shop with leather hanging on every side and boots and thick leather garments for the Renaissance Fair and the smell of polish and musk and leather and loud clock ticking. My boe hitting floppy leather boots made for the next musketeers to take over the Fairfax theater. John the bootmaker playing viola across from my violin to carry my timing. We play in 4 x 4 time and already I want to speed up understanding a 3/4 rest...

Running to the other end of Pacifica to meet with Preeti at her Indian Emporium. My receptionist always smiles when she transfers her to my extension, it's always fun to say: "Pretty is on the phone!" And she has become one of my lovliest clients, grateful and kind and asking for my opinion. I take photos of saris and canopies and intricate carved boxes that smell like somewhere far away. I move the Ginesh statue around to set Swami Vivekenandi's Greatest Works upright and minimize the glare of his glossy rare book.

Melissa from Mantis Martial Art wants to keep her ad staright finishing the ad herself. She sends me new photo of her Kung Fu kids all in a line with their seamless punch. We celebrate the new Chinese Year of the Ox in his ad, tossing out 30% off a month pass. She finishes the ad herself to get the announcements in red balls balanced over black.

In the back of the Vet Clinic, Susan the office manager and Vet and I sit around their freshly made 1/4 page ad beaming. There is a dog under the desk and another in the corner with us in the back room. This ad is easy and fun with lots of white space with one sweet and lonely dog head-cocked pleading to take your Dog in for Dental Care in a nice helevetica font.

I grab photos of my favorite engagement ring for Stephan's fine jewelry with one headline guys will agree with "Nervous?" and reminding them that Stephan can help.