Broke-Ass of the Week – Devon Michael
Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit'probably not.
Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week? Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.
I was gonna write an intro about Devon, but an email he sent me does a much better job than I could do, so I’m just gonna cut and paste it. Here it is:
People see me as a Jack of all Trades. I love to learn knew things and pick peoples brains. I have been published in print 3 times for short stories, contribute to numerous blogs, work as a freelance creative, hopefully publishing my first book in early 2010, work client relations for an advertising agency ( a smooshzer), organize and throw parties (A gala for raising sponsorships for life cycle this October). I’ve lived in one bedroom apartments in the city by myself for free and paid dimes to live in closets. I love my friends, who are also my roommates, I get into mischief and shenanigans far to often and I am in Love with the SF breed of women. I have a story for every occasion, and some that are just crass and in bad taste. I came to SF because it had something NY and London didn’t. It’s a community. NY, 7 mil people, London, something ridiculous, IDK, wiki does. SF 700k. I always run into someone I know. There is a bond that people have in this city. My website www.dontjinxyourself.net covers a lot of what you talk about, and whats going on in the city. I grew up on a ranch. Live all over. I think your book is the shit and that you’re living the dream. Props to you.
Name: Devon Michael
Age: 22
Occupation: Hmmm. Thats kinda hard to describe. I”ve been freelancing for the last four years, as a graphic designer, writer, and consultant. I can’t decide on an occupation, I want to be a little bit of everything. If I had to choose an occupation, like a dream occupation. Art thief, or con man, something like that.
What neighborhood do you live in?: Pan Handle. I love the fact that you can never get tired of the city, you just move to a new neighborhood and everything changes.
Best money saving tip: Don’t buy girls drinks. You can buy your girlfriend drinks, but don’t buy girls drinks. Women should like you for the same reasons you like them, and neither should involve alcohol or money, thats how politicians are born. Your main squeeze is an exception. Oh, and try to ride the bus for free by using the same transfer all day long. Don’t pay your credit card bills.
What do you refuse to spend money on?: Meat and Gypsies.
Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: A relationship, and cigarettes.
How’d that feel?: Like getting drunk for the first time. All laughs and fun, then vomit, a huge headache, and regret.
Favorite cheap eat: Friends dinner parties. Us 20 somethings love to get together for a big dinner. Everyone I know likes to get people together for a big ole dinner and show off their culinary skills. As long as you bring a six pack, your good.
Favorite dive bar: I love the Elbo Room, and I adore Zeitgeist and Kilowatt, but the bar that stuck with me the most is the First Chance Last Chance in Oakland. I mean the bar is built on the water from the wood of a ship from 1800 something. Jesus Christ that’s awesome. It’s in Jack London Square, the bartender always has a new story of the week, the beer is good and not too pricey and the fucking bar is slanted. When the 1906 earthquake hit, the bar acquired an interesting slope, it’s obvious to the eye and you know your wasted when it’s level.
Best deal you’ve ever gotten: I’m always getting deals. My rent, my drinks, oh and my bicycle. I traded this guy my graphic design skills and got a bike. I love that thing.
Favorite free thing to do: Learn about other people and they’re passions.
If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: Mine and My family’s debt. Then some building in the city and open a bar and a bunch of other things. Or maybe the MUNI.
Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: I love it so much. San Francisco gives me butterflies. I constantly step back, evaluate my life and smile. I like to quote Oscar Wilde about this. “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from lack of imagination”. I got the imagination of a twelve year old.
Do you own my book?: Bought it for $1.95, on sale. Sorry Stu.
Best hangover cure: This sounds cliche’ and everyone tells me I’m wrong, but coffee and smokes always do the trick for me.
Are you a hipster?: Being a hipster is too expensive.
