We’re going on a mental adventure

Okay, you all asked for it and I won’t apologize for the “format” of my stories.  So buckle up and get ready for a lot of back stories.  

1. I played competitive basketball from basically 5 years old through college, including junior nationals and Division 1 for a year (that is another story).  In my sophomore year of high school, when play and training got really intense with the varsity team, there was a moment when one of my coaches thought I had sports induced asthma.  Long story short, they were wrong but the series of appointments to find that out eventually lead to me seeing a cardiologist.  I am 6’8” (2 meters), but my mom and dad are only 5’7” and 5’9” respectively. Upon entering the cardiologist‘s office the first words out of his mouth were, “are these your biological parents?”.  Another evenlonger story shortened, this gentleman had a hobby of tracing family lineage and was fascinated by my unusual height (both of my brothers are also under 6’ tall) and wondered where it could have come from.  After a few months of research and talking to my some of my extended family, it turns out that my great grandmother on my maternal side was a 2nd cousin blood relation to Abraham Lincoln.  Honest Abe was 6’3” (with inflation that equates to about 6’8” today) and also had an enlarged heart (what took me to the cardiologist in the first place).  
2. In my early 20’s I was randomly approached by a “telent agent“ who asked if I had ever considered modeling before.  I laughed it off but the guy was persistent saying it would be a great way to make some money.  In particular, there is a niche market supporting agencies that market to “Big and Tall” clientele, and that finding tall models (over 6’5”) was not easy for these agents.  After a few conversations he talked me into doing a free photo shoot with him.  He sent these photos “out” which led to me going to a large modeling convention in NYC where I was one of many folks on parade for many different casting and talent agencies.  It was very weird. I didn’t get a lot of interest, but as he had mentioned, the “Big and Tall” people came up to me and asked me to come back to NYC a few weeks later.  I was brought back, along with a handful of other tall men, to do a runway audition in one of their storefronts and then pose for a few photos in a selection of their clothes.  Although very short lived, I did have a mini career as a print model for the Big and Tall clothing company here in the States.  
3. I worked in the hospitality industry for about 14 years, and had every role from dishwasher to floor manager in many different restaurants and bars.  Early on in my career, when I was a bus boy, on a slow night, I was at the hostess stand of one of these restaurants. At the young age of 16/17 I was still quick to anger when strangers made off the cuff, and usually tasteless comments about my height (remember, 6’8”, and I hit that height at the age of 15).   Much later in life my emotional intelligence slightly increased.  A few customers walked in, I don’t recall the specific comment that came from these newly arrived customers, one gentleman in particular, but I do recall not liking what I heard.  As I walked away from the hostess, I mumbled under my breath (at least I thought it was under my breath), “It’s always the short shits that have to say something”.  A few minutes later in the kitchen the woman waiting on his table came back all a flutter.  She was super excited and kept saying, “Oh my god, Sugar Ray Leonard is sitting at my table”.  She also went on tell me he heard what I said and thought it was funny.  But also that it was obvious I had no idea who he was.  And he was right, as I know nothing about boxing.  Very glad his reaction was laughter.  

Okay @witcher.watcher @UnholiestJedi @Eris_Goddess_of_Discord @chronotriggered @Chunghauphoto @Nuclear1711 @Droptuned83 @MinnKonaMike @WatchN @mjosamannen @Polishmadman @Aurelian @Sinnguy @tainanball @MegaBob @whitesalmon @HotWatchChick69 @Ichibunz @lmchew @Stricko @Fiatjeepdriver @street.credor @64spoons @NorwegianWatchGuy @bigwrist415 @Trophyhusband @cornfedksboy  have at it!!