"That's the man!"

There is a program in DC called "Street Sense" (www.streetsense.org). Basically, Street Sense is a monthly newspaper that educates people about homelessness and local poverty issues. They hire "vendors," who are typically homeless people, to sell the papers. They pay 30 cents per paper and sell it for one dollar, making about $50 bucks a day, or more, depending on which area of the city they claim.

It's a great cause, and many of the issues raised in the coverage are worth reading. Plus you feel good contributing. The vendors work hard, sometimes in really cold or really hot conditions. And they never complain. After all, this is part of their livelihood and their attempt to get back on their feet.

So I'm walking to work yesterday, and I see a vendor on the corner of 18th and K. I've seen this guy before, an older gentleman probably in his 70's. Wrinkled black face and hands, not many teeth. But always a smile. And a big, "STREET SENSE! GET YOUR STREET SENSE! NEW COPY! STREET SENSE!"

Only this time he looks different. Ah ha! I figure it out. He’s wearing a suit! And not your typical suit ... this one is from way back in the day. It was light tan and would've been perfectly complemented by a top hat, bow tie, cane and a flower in the lapel. And maybe some big band music. No, wait, blues. Yes, blues is much better. This guy has style.

He looks so cute all dressed up that I have to buy a paper.

I grab a dollar bill and make my way over to him. This is the clincher right here. As he hands me the paper, he starts saying, repeatedly, "That's the man! That's the man right there! Mmmmm hmmmm. That's the man alright."

Now, I'm thinking, I'm a girl. I mean, I know I have short hair and everything, but I think I'm undoubtedly of the feminine gender. So I'm confused. I almost say, in my defense, "Sir..." And then I was hoping he'd recognize a girl's voice and let it go at that. I'm also thinking, well, maybe he thinks I'm SO cool that he can include me in his super cool circle of friends, who all, by default, call each other "man?" Sometimes I call my friends man or, more likely, dude so that would've been ok.

So he continues saying, “That’s the man!” Just as I convince myself that I am, in fact, “the man,” I almost reply, “Thanks, man! Just trying to help you out, you know how it is.” But then I realize…

He’s pointing to a picture of himself in the paper itself. He’s the man! He had been featured in the “vendor spotlight” and was so proud to see his picture in print, it was adorable. He just wanted to share his excitement with me.

So, I felt like schmuck, but I was so happy to see his face light up like that. Also helps to explain the special suit. Deep down, though, I feel like he was talking to me. I feel like we have a bond. And I AM the man.

Stamps

So I try to do something for the greater good and this is the response I get:

"here's what i think of your request...see below"
--- From an anonymous, funny, yet bitchy good friend of mine

ORIGINAL EMAIL, SENT BY ME, WITH ANONYMOUS FRIEND’S INPUT IN CAPS

We all need stamps. For an extra $1.60, you can have your stamps and fight breast cancer at the same time. The government actually helps us do this. Plus, $9.00 is a nice even number, compared to the awkwardly changed $7.40 you'd pay for regular (and might I add, boring) stamps. $1.60 CAN GET YOU A BEER AT THE RIGHT BAR ON THE RIGHT NIGHT; IT PAYS FOR 1/2 A PACK OF SMOKES; YOU CAN GET 1/2 TANK OF GAS...WELL, YOU GET THE POINT

Background information (www.curebreastcancer.org):
Despite some wishful reports, breast cancer is on the rise worldwide. In the United States alone, as the baby boomer generation ages, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) predicts that 480,000 women will have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancers by 2017. While similar statistics are not available internationally, there is every reason to believe that such dramatic increases will be global.

The Breast Cancer Research Stamp was issued in 1998 at a White House ceremony following two years of congressional lobbying. It was the first semi-postal (a stamp priced above its actual value) in United States history. To date, more than 600 million stamps have been sold, raising more than $50 million for breast cancer research.

The stamp depicts Diana, the huntress and goddess of fertility, reaching behind her head to pull an arrow from her quiver to fend off an enemy, in this case, breast cancer. The image reflects the same position that a woman assumes for a breast self-exam and mammography.

What you can do TODAY:
1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps. IS THIS CHICK NAKED? CAN I REALLY PUT PORN ON MY MAIL?
2. Forward this to all your friends and urge them to do the same.

Top 10 things you can do with stamps:
1. Pay your bills ALL I CAN SAY IS ONLINE BILL PAY (WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN)
2. Send letters to people (ah hem.... ) EMAIL WORKS JUST FINE
3. Create cool collages STICKERS CAN WORK JUST AS EFFECTIVELY. THAT OR A DECK OF CARDS
4. Use as tape in emergencies HOW DOES THAT HELP IF I'M TRAPPED I A BURNING CAR?
5. Promote breast cancer awareness and help fund research for a cure OK. I WON'T TOUCH THIS ONE
6. Decorate your notebook DON'T LOOK GOOD ON COMPUTERS...HMMM
7. Discreetly stick to someone's back because you want to "ship them far away." People will be amused LOL. BEST REASON OF THE BUNCH
8. Collect them ALONG WITH YOUR COIN COLLECTION
9. Give them as presents. Everyone loves a good stamp EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD...HMMM...USE YOUR IMAGINATION
10. Promote breast cancer awareness and help fund research for a cure (purposely repeated) YES, GREAT CAUSE

Many of us know women and their families who are forever affected by breast cancer.

"It takes so little to do so much..."

So, in the end, it's still a great cause and I fully support buying these stamps. By the way, I do not own a stamp collection.