Being Awesome // Liana Liu
Down the street from where I live, there's this man that hands out fliers. Actually, there is a lot of fliering all around the neighborhood as this is a high-foot-traffic area (annoying! I hate people!), but this guy deserves special notice.
First, I must reveal that he's not fliering for just anything: he's fliering for a "gentleman's club." Second, part of the reason I've noticed him, probably, is that his job requires him to wear a yellow vest emblazoned with the name of said "gentleman's club." However! What I find most striking about this guy is his dedication to both his job and himself.
Let me explain. Because of the nature of the business he represents, this guy must only deliver his wares to gentlemen (heh). While most flier-dispensing folk stand numbly on the corner, fluttering brochures and coupons and circulars, hopelessly hoping that someone, anyone, will take the meekly offered item, this guy is pro-active and selective about his approach. Say the sidewalk is crowded with soccer mom, a pair of business ladies, a suited man, and a teenage girl. Bam! Flier Guy has pushed his way right to that suited man and is handing him his card (heh). I've seen this happen time and time again, and each time it remains impressive.
But what's more, my sister and I have both been catcalled by Flier Guy. Separately, we have been greeted with a "Heeeeeeeeey." And separately, we have been impressed that while this guy has got every man covered (heh) in Flier (heh--yes, I'm not sure what I'm laughing about anymore either), he still manages to keep his own interests covered. Yes, we were so impressed that we had a conversation about Flier Guy, to acknowledge both his fliering skill as well as his romantic moves. That, my friends, is a man living life to the fullest.
And what does this have to do with books? Well, have you ever read any Shero fiction? Like, girl-hero young-adult stuff? About girls with swords and magic powers vanquishing evil and saving kingdoms? No? Well, you should. Like this guy, it's awesome. I like to think of those books as the anti-Twilight; although I have neither read any of the books or seen any of the movies, I am comfortable in my superiority to state that yes, these books are the anti-Twilight. In the best pre-marital sex with multiple partners (there's love there, don't judge) and girls kicking ass kind of way! Some authors to check out: Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, and Sherwood Smith. So yeah, do it. Live life to the fullest! Just like Flier Guy.
photo by amahra58/flickr