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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Portland Say Hello to Mr. Balloons!

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Oct 1, 2009 at 4:42 PM

I was just at the Verizon Wireless store downtown, which I find to be a depressing place because it's where I learn the cold, hard facts about the embarrassing number of text messages I send (319, somehow, in August). But as I was waiting for my turn at the counter, numbly reading the backs of Blackberry boxes, in walked none other than Mr. Balloons!

"Hi Steve," said the Verizon clerk.
"You can call me Mr. Balloons!" said Mr. Balloons. He had a large black bag full of thin balloons and a large black cape and large black top hat. Mr. Balloons, like us mortals, had to pay his cell phone bill. But unlike us, he could twist balloon animals while he waited. He's offered up balloon animals to the children at various outdoor festivals around town this summer. Maybe you've seen him.

This is one of the best photos Ive ever taken.
  • This is one of the best photos I've ever taken.

"What the kind of balloon do people want most?" I asked.
"Swords. Everybody wants a sword," said Mr. Balloons, twisting me an orange flower.
"What's the most popular animal?" I asked.
"Dragons. Dragons are a three balloon deal. They're big," said Mr. Balloons. "But I don't do them except for tips. Not unless the person tips $5 or more."
"I understand that, using three balloons must cost you more," I affirmed.
"How did you know I use three balloons?" asked Mr. Balloons, suspiciously.
"You just said it," I replied.
"Hm..." replied Mr. Balloons. He started twisting a poodle on a leash for the Verizon clerk.

"Thanks," said the Verizon clerk, handing the small pink poodle off to the manager. "Take this poodle on a leash for a walk."
"I'll need to bring along a plastic bag," joked the manager. THANKS MR. BALLOONS!!

 

Comments (10) RSS

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1
That guy gets sooooooo much pelt.
Posted by Marq on October 1, 2009 at 6:01 PM · Report
2
What a cute story. Balloon people are a kind of their own. Very fun and sociable. :D
Posted by Elizabeth M.H. on October 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM · Report
3
He must be given a weekly column...immediately
Posted by farmstyle on October 1, 2009 at 8:44 PM · Report
4
hey that manager sounds funny!
Posted by blouse party on October 1, 2009 at 11:20 PM · Report
5
Sweet-another entertaining nutcase to watch out for!
Posted by pork chop on October 2, 2009 at 12:51 AM · Report
6
Mr. Balloons strikes again: http://www.bloodsarover.com/?p=949
Posted by bloodsarover on October 2, 2009 at 7:59 AM · Report
7
I laughed at the display of your investigative reporting skills, S.Mirk - "How did YOU know I use three balloons?" Always there with the tough facts! :)
Posted by Reymont on October 2, 2009 at 10:07 AM · Report
8
Yay! Thank you for making us smile, Sarah. :)
Posted by real_life on October 2, 2009 at 12:50 PM · Report
9
Sarah, you can check your text usage anytime for free by dialing #DATA on your phone. Then you receive a free text message w/the # of texts you've sent, received etc.
Posted by bikefor1 on October 7, 2009 at 12:24 AM · Report
10
Sarah, don't worry--319 texts in a month doesn't sound hugely excessive. Also, while I assume you have an unlimited texting plan, I thought I'd mention how you can find out for free if you can get a better rate with Verizon as there generally is room to lower your costs. I work for the consumer advocacy division of the company Validas, where we electronically audit and subsequently reduce the average cell bill by 22 percent through our website, http://www.fixmycellbill.com. Validas is the wireless bodyguard protecting against frivolous charges that over-inflate 8 out of 10 cell bills. You can find out for free if fixmycellbill.com can modify your wireless plan to better suit your usage by going to the website.

For more info, check out Validas in the national news media, most recently on Fox News at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/… .

Good luck on cutting your wireless expenses, especially in light of this tough economy.

Dylan
Consumer Advocacy, FixMyCellBill.com
Posted by dbb10001 on October 8, 2009 at 2:15 PM · Report

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