Today is Sunday, Easter Sunday. Day 5 was actually Thursday evening. I’ve been drained and depressed about my circumstances as well as avoiding going out to sell Streetwise. In some ways it can be motivating as I tried to spend my entire Saturday sending out resumes and filling out online applications. That was the opportunity cost. I had to give up selling to be able send out resumes. Friday night was a different story. I got off work at 3:30 p.m. I was expecting the early release. In addition, I received a $100.00 bonus for making the most phone calls for the month of February. I decided to take the night off and go to the movies to see Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too.” I think I have about nine Streetwise magazines left. I want to get rid of them. School is starting tomorrow. I have six weeks to go. I’m afraid that if I continue to sell Streetwise that I won’t have the time to study Algebra. That means this will probably be my last week selling Streetwise as the only time I will have to move 15 papers is on a Sunday. Even then I’m giving up my painting as an opportunity cost.

Evening Customers:

1. 6:20 p.m. White male – 40′s – $1.00 tip
2. 6:25 p.m White male – 20′s – $2.00 magazine -$3.00 tip
3. 7:05 p.m White male – 40′s – $2.00 magazine
4. 7:15 p.m. Asian male 40′s – $1.00 tip
5. 7:20 p.m. White male 20′s $1.00tip

Thursday night was the first time I had a conversation with a customer I didn’t know. He first asked me how was business. I mentioned that it was slow. Then he stopped and gave me a tip. He had his newborn in a stroller waiting as I later found out for his wife to come out of Starbucks. He started the conversation by asking me where I got my Streetwise magazines from. I told him the address on Lake street. He asked if I made a lot of money out here. I told him the truth, “I average about two dollars per hour.” He then made a comment about the “cheap bastard around here.” I responded by telling him that I just have the wrong product. I said to my new customer, “Everyone that walks past isn’t going turn into Starbucks  and buy coffee.” He then asked what I did with my time when I wasn’t selling Streetwise. I told him I worked. I tried to down play it by saying that it didn’t pay much and I didn’t have any health insurance. He said he thought I was well put together All of a sudden, I had an urge to prove I was just like him. “I also go to school too. I’m going to write a book.” He said,”There you go, Street selling.”  I told him I had a forumla for wealth and this was a part of the forumla. That where I think I lost him. He saw is wife come out of Starbucks and wished me good luck.

Day earnings: $10.00

Hours worked: 2 hours

Total hours worked: 13

Total Earnings: $36.83

Average Per Hour: $2.83

After last weeks experiences, I’ve decided to turn up the volume on applying for jobs. Today, I’m going to focus on hospitality. I’m going keep track of the companies I apply for here.

• Trump Hotels
• Marriott Hotels

Yesterday was a turning point in selling Streetwise. I went to pick up the new issues around 7:00 a.m. I arrived at my location by 8:00 a.m. I dreaded that this day would come but I guess it couldn’t be avoided. I encountered not one, but two people I met on a more social level. The first was Tracy. Tracy and I use to work together about a year ago. She was apart of the my hire group at the company I still work for. The first question she asked me after the shock wore of was “What was I doing here?” “I’m selling Streetwise” I told her quite calmly. Tracy can be very animated. She replied, “Why?” I hadn’t rehearsed what I would say if I met someone I personally knew. But, the truth was the only answer I could come up with. I served back my reply, “For money.” “Are  you still working in sales?” Now I don’t normally lie and it was almost an unnatural feeling when I told Tracy “No.” Tracy then went on to tell me how well she was doing in her life, and the ex-boyfriend in Florida that she was dating when we worked together. Then she told me about her meeting she was going to in Starbucks. She went inside and I continue to sell Streetwise.

The second person I ran into in the two hours I stood on the street was Peggie B. She was the main camera person on the film crew of “Before Mirrors” that I had met just this last Sunday. Peggie seemed shocked seeing me too. One of the first personal questions she asked me was I staying in a shelter. I confidently told her I had a home. She then wanted to offer me a dollar but didn’t have one. I let her know that it was OK.  The second assumption she made was asking if I was doing this between work. I again, confidently told her I had a job. I think my answer really confused her. I then told her I guess there should be some explanition. Peggie assured me that no explanation was needed. It’s funny. I only knew Peggie for a day. I’ve had hours of conversation with Tracy. How come I didn’t make this comment to Tracy?

Morning Customers:

1. 8:15 a.m. – White female – 50′s – $2.00 magazine
2. 8:20 a.m. – White male -50′s – $1.00 tip
3. 8:45 a.m. – Hispanic male – 50′s - $1.00 tip
4. 9:00 a.m. – White female -50′s – $1.00 tip
5. 9:03 a.m. – Black female – 30′s – $2.00 tip
6. 9:05 a.m. – White male – 40′s – $1.00 tip
7. 9:06 a.m. – Whilte male – 40′s -$0.83 tip

Evening customers

1. 5:55 p.m. White female – 50′s – $1.00 tip
2. 6:00 p.m. Black male – 30′s – $1.00 tip
3. 6:30 p.m. White female – 40′s – $1.00 tip
4. 6:35 p.m. White male – 50′s – $1.00 tip
5. 6:45 p.m. White female – 40′s – $2.00 magazine

*** Sometime between 6:00 p.m. and 6:45p.m, a white male (possible tourist), offered me a 1 sewing kit. He said he only needed it to sew a button on his blazer jacket. ***

Total Day Earnings: $14.83

Total hour worked: 4 hours

Total hours to date: 11 hours

Total Earnings to Date:

+ $23.25

-$11.25  15 new issues of magazine

+$14.83

$26.83