So, it is January 1999, I started classes at Eastern
Washington University, I put in my application to be apart of the opening team
for the new Gap opening in the summer of 99, and I am working at The Bon
Marche, while still living at home.
My boyfriend moved to Houston, and I’m getting acclimated to my renewed
life in Spokane. I hate that I’m in
Spokane, but hey, I had to do it for the time being.
I’m working at the Bon part time now that classes had
started, and while getting to know people, I was introduced to the program
director for the EWU radio station, Jazz 89.9 FM. I told him I was a communications major and
while at Bowie, I was one of the on-air personalities. I didn’t tell him my hood ass on-air name was
“The west coast shorty” because I wasn’t trying to deter him from the
possibility of offering me a position. Shout out to my Radio Station partner in crime Raina, where it all started!!
Yes, I picked the on-air name “Westcoast Shorty” because not
only was I from the west coast going to Bowie, but it also was to pay homage
to Biggie…
“…My west coast shorty, push the chrome 740
Rocking Redman and Naughty, all in my kitty-kat
Half a brick of yay, in the bra where her titties at.”
I know, I know…I didn’t know any better, just glamorizing
drug dealing, defamation of women and just no respect for anything….but that shit
was hot….HEYYYYY
Anyways, lo and behold, the program director said,
“Well, we’re looking for someone to take the night shift on
our Sunday World Sounds show, you would work from 6pm-11pm.”
I asked well if this is a jazz station, what type of music,
so he said
“World music, like Bob Marley, Tito Puente, Fela Kuti,
etc.”
Did he just say Bob Marley?
Did he know that anyone who knows me know that I LOVE ROBERT NESTA
MARLEY!!! I was all in, AND I was going
to be paid $6.80 per hour. Cheap ass Bowie State damn sure didn't pay me shit to be on air....Where do I
sign up?
I told the Bon that I needed to go to part time, needless to
say, they were not happy with that, but hey, they got over it. So, I’m in school, working in the radio
station and at the Bon.
I was doing a great job at the radio station, when the
program director approached me and asked if I wanted to take over the weekday
night shift since that slot was now opened due to a graduating senior. That meant 6 days a week at the radio station
and that meant less hours for me at the Bon.
Therefore, being though I had dreams of radio broadcasting, I thought,
this is my ticket; sure I’ll take the radio station and gave The Bon the
deuces. I gave up health insurance,
making $10/hr to work part time at the radio station. Okay, so sometimes, we all make dumb
mistakes, but I felt you have to sometime sacrifice in order to pursue a
dream. Well, at the time I thought it
was a dream. You know, waking up to your morning drive, and hearing my voice with the latest music and gossip...I wanted to be a morning show host on an urban station....yeah well that dream was deferred.
I was on air and the format was all classical jazz during the weekdays. You know your John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Chick Corea, and Frank Sinatra. Yo, I was hyped, because this expanded my jazz knowledge, and to a music lover like me, it was key to be well rounded in my music collection. Being on-air is scary and kinda lonely, if you're the only one in the station. My voice was all meek and little, it sounded like a 12 year old introducing jazz songs....what does a 12 year old know about Sarah Vaughn? NOTHING, but hey, I did my thing on the radio, I didn't have ANY COMPLAINTS! humph!
I was on air and the format was all classical jazz during the weekdays. You know your John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Chick Corea, and Frank Sinatra. Yo, I was hyped, because this expanded my jazz knowledge, and to a music lover like me, it was key to be well rounded in my music collection. Being on-air is scary and kinda lonely, if you're the only one in the station. My voice was all meek and little, it sounded like a 12 year old introducing jazz songs....what does a 12 year old know about Sarah Vaughn? NOTHING, but hey, I did my thing on the radio, I didn't have ANY COMPLAINTS! humph!
This was my FAVORITE CD to play, aww memories
(someone can buy this for me for Christmas, hint hint)
So, the radio station and classes became my life as Winter
turned to Spring…., then one day I FINALLY received that call…
“Hi, Lisa, this is (bleep) from the Gap, we would love for
you to come in and interview for our downtown Spokane Store.”
I went in, and NAILED the FUCK out of that interview. Ya’ll know I am Gap material. I was in there being my charismatic
self. Talked about my love for Gap
clothing (at the time I loved it), and how my personality was synonymous with
The Gap. Stop it, now, don't front like The Gap 10 years ago was not the shiznit. EVERYONE loved The Gap back them. The Christmas CD's, the commercials, the ads, the celebrity endorsements, I was ALL over it!
Needless to say, I got the job,
however they threw a wrench in my dreams. See how rapidly my dreams changed...shaking my head at my own self.
They said since I was such a fan of The Gap, they thought it was best to
utilize my energy for their Gap Body store that was opening next door to the
store. Gap Body was the intimate
collection of Gap, you know, pajamas, underwear, bath supplies, etc. BOOOOOO your ass…. I want to work with the
clothes!!! However, I figured, let me
start with this and work my way around.
My start date would be in June, so I had two months before I officially
became a Gap employee. The best part,
they were certainly flexible with me working The radio station and my class
schedule. I was all set for operation
Gap take over.
Gap hat, Gap Shirt, Classic Gap Khaki's and even Gap socks!
All of this at the time was showing me the fundamental skill
of multitasking, and bullshitting. I
will admit, I’m a great bullshitter when I need to be, especially in
interviews, arguments and getting my way with men. Don’t get my bullshitting mixed up with being
a liar, that is not what I’m promoting.
I exaggerate my points. For
example, I love The Gap, no lie, but in the interview, I made the Gap to be like
Jesus was the CEO and I was auditioning to be a Gap disciple. I didn’t kiss ass, but I was very
convincing. This was pivotal because now
I’m starting to learn the power of words and the power of follow through,
because although I sold myself as The Gap disciple, I had to live up to that on
the floor everyday, and have you ever tried being a disciple of
anything??? It can be hard and
challenging…ask Jesus’ former homeboy Judas.
Learning the lessons of life is very hard especially when
you’re trying to mold your future and your career.
Up next….The Gap Playette, Rockin the Radio and EWU
Admissions!
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