Walmart Photo Shoot

So how did my photo shoot go yesterday at Walmart?  Great!


I had a suspicion that would happen.


Every year I try to have an "official" portrait photo taken of myself for posterity.....and my profile pictures on Blogger and Facebook.  


Back in my cash flush days (when I worked at a major Philadelphia bank), I would spend up to a $1,000 to have pictures taken of me and my Pomeranian dogs for my annual Christmas card mailing.  After I lost my job at the bank I couldn't afford that particular extravagance any more.  


Fast forward to today.  Now that I have my mortgage paid off I can indulge.....a little bit anyway.  I can't put out $1,000 for my annual vanity photo session but I do have some disposable income to indulge myself.


Last year I had my photo shoot at J C Penneys at the Dover Mall.  It didn't go well because I was distracted and stressed because of two little girls screaming and chasing each other while the photographer was taking my pictures.  I have a hard enough time smiling on command (I'm a spontaneous smiler) but it was obvious that my smiles were forced as I listened to the piercing screams of the two little girls running around.  


Significant Other and I shop a lot at Walmart.  I've noticed while I'm in the checkout line the Walmart photo studio on the other side of the checkout lines.  Knowing Walmart, I suspected that I could get my photos taken at their photo studio but I didn't want to join all the moms and kiddies who were usually packed into the photo center.  But this summer I noticed two gay guys (my gaydar was working) enter the photo center and there were no moms or kiddies around.  I thought to myself "Now this will take some investigation." 


If a couple of older gay men were willing to use the Walmart photo studio, why not me?  The only thing was I had to time it just right.  I had to arrange an appointment for a photo shoot when the moms and kids weren't around.  I don't need any distractions.  


On Friday, when Bill and I were stocking up on Walmart's low priced goods, I noticed NO ONE at the photo studio.  After checking out I walked over to the girl at the desk.  She was making telephone calls to former customers offering them a discount to drum up business.  Hey, this was a good time.  The Christmas Rush was finished and it was before the Valentine and Easter Rush.  A good time to have my photo session!


I arrived yesterday right on time.  Vanessa was my photographer.  After filling out my information on the sheet of paper she handed me she asked me if I wanted my first picture taken on the floor?  Say what?  Uh......I don't think so.  I think she had me confused with the little babies who usually come in for pictures.  And, the "floor" she was talking about was a nasty looking, faux white fur rug.  Perchance did she think I wanted one of those nude baby photos showing my butt cheeks.  OMG.  No one wants to see that!  I answered "No" of course.


Then everything went uphill from there.  She had some wonderful suggestions for poses with the result being I got my  best portrait photo ever!  Who would've thunk?  


I don't have the finished product yet but what I can say is that Vanessa performed magic and she captured the essence of Ron!  She performed a miracle in making this 69 year old, gray and grizzled, skinny prospector type of gay guy look good.  I knew it! I had a gut feeling that Walmart would take the best picture.  And I got the whole package of pictures, including an 11" X 13" that she threw in for free (I'm such a charmer) for just over $50!  


I don't have the finished pictures yet (January 12th they will be ready) but be prepared for a fantastic new profile picture of me on this page and my Facebook account.  


More proof that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good product.  


I love Walmart! 

The Beard is Back

The Beard this morning at 8 am (big schnooz and all) 

A few weeks ago a friend of mine suggested that I shave off my beard.  He said it would make me look younger.

I shaved off my beard.  I did not look younger.  I looked every day (and then some) of my 68 years.

The suggestion was made because I have a white beard.  I no longer had the luxurious dark brown beard that I had when I first started to grow a beard in 1972.

1980 - Phillies World Series celebration in center city Philadelphia

Twice before I have shaved off my beard only to be confronted with a face that I did not like.  I could not imagine spending the rest of my days looking at that face in the mirror during my daily shave.  Oh no.  Not that face.  Gravity had taken its toll.  I had a saggy face. I had jowls.

White first began appearing in my beard twenty years ago.  A white whisker here, a white whisker there.  I wasn't alarmed because the "little bit o'gray" gave me a distinguished look.  However, all too soon my whole chin was covered in white whiskers hairs.  My chin had disappeared.

The White Chin appears - 1986

I am fortunate that I have an angular face with high cheekbones.  A well trimmed, dark beard completes my look.  To those of you who think I am too narcissistic, get over it.  I don't apologize for caring about my appearance.  I don't apologize for having a healthy self-esteem.  After having spend the formative years of my youth constantly berated by my father for being "stupid looking", I am thankful that I got away from home at an early age (joined the Army) and came to the realization that I wasn't any "stupider looking" than many of my fellow soldiers.

My Pop 1991 - Tough Love

Self image and self esteem is so important to mental health.  There is that fine line between self esteem and conceit.  I am not conceited.  I know the difference.  I know conceited people.  I know good-looking conceited people and I know not so good-looking conceited people.  I also know people who have a healthy self-esteem.  I notice that those people who have a healthy self-esteem aren't necessarily good-looking in the Hollywood measure but they are very attractive none-the less because of their healthy self-esteem.  I've also noticed that the so called good-looking conceited people aren't so attractive once you get to know them and their conceit.  They are very unattractive.


Having said all that, I look better with a beard.  I look even better when I color my beard.  Now where did I put my Just For Men?

By the way Pop, I'm still "stupid looking" but a cute stupid looking.

November 9, 1976 (my birthday) Stupid looking me with my stupid looking hat