A while ago, a guy from South Africa heard that I was an artist---or pretends to be. He contacts me and asks if I would be willing to do some artwork for a project that he was working on. He said that he was hoping to market his project in American and South Africa!
"Woo Hoo," I think to myself. "I can make lots of money if his product takes off in both places!" You know---America and South Africa.
"Yes, yes," I exclaim. "Why don't you come over to my house and we can discuss what kind of artwork you want me to do."
"Great!" he replies. He sounds almost as excited as I am.
We make the appointment for the next day. When he arrives, I am full of anticipation and excitement. "Woo Hoo" I say under my breath, "I'm gonna makes lots of money."
He tells me what he has in mind and says he needs artwork depicting his country---South Africa. He then asks, "Do you think you can do this?"
"Oh, yes!" I enthusiastically exclaim.
His eyes light up.
To confirm, I ask, "So you want me to draw "Azteck'y" symbols and stuff around the borders."
Long, awkward pause.
Puzzled, he looks at me and replies, "No . . . I'm thinking more along the lines of elephants, tigers, lions, etc."
I interrupt, "No, you want "Azteck'y" looking artwork . . . you know, like Azteck'y' drawings.
He says slowly, "Noooooo .. . I would like elephants, tigers and lions . . . you know, South African stuff."
I'm stumped. I pause for a few moments, then blurt out, "Yah, like Azteck'y' stuff."
"No . . . like animals and stuff."
I can plainly see that we aren't on the same page (or continent as far as he is concerned).
We are both frustrated. I can't believe that he doesn't want Azteck drawings for his native South Africa and he can't believe that I want to draw Azteck drawings for his native South Africa.
He leaves without signing me up to do his artwork. "No lots of money for me." I cry.
When hubby gets home, he asks how the meeting went with the guy from South Africa.
I answer, "Can you believe that he didn't want Azteck'y' artwork to depict his homeland of South Africa?"
Hubby shakes his head. I hear a couple of screws rattle around. He then asks, "Just where is this guy from---South Africa or South America?"
I answer, "What's the difference?"
He shakes his head again.
"What?" I ask.
He tries to explain the difference---all of it is over my head.
Defending myself, I quip, "But, but, it's all so confusing. Both those names start with the same letters . . . S and A. I get 'em mixed up. Besides, I thought South Africa was in South America . . . or . . . the other way around---I can't remember."
"Obviously."
"It's an easy mistake." Still pleading my case.
"Not really." Hubby frowns.
Lesson Learned: Next time, offer to draw Azteck'y' stuff AND safari animals.
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