Balloon man.

His business card says “BALLOON ART … TEAM BUILDING”. with the words “Expand and Elevate” underneath.

Addi Somekh was at the University of California networking event last night at Quixote Studios in Los Angeles.

He told me that among other talents — he’s a producer as well — he does balloon art.

“Don’t show anyone,” he whispered, “I don’t want to start a controversy.”

“I like controversy,” I breathed.  “Bring it on.”

I didn’t know what he meant — if he was going to do something the UC system would disapprove of, but I let him go for it…

and suddenly, I saw him twisting a yellow balloon in his hands… and out emerged a ring!

He put it on me, and then we talked about the class he’s given at UCSC — with the late Professor Mary Holmes — on the topic:  “Meaning, Paradox and Love.”

I told him about my ‘thank you notes’, and why I believe they also convey love and show someone I’ve taken the time to care.

“What you do is the same,” I told him.  “It’s a way of making someone feel seen.”

I wore my yellow & blue (UC colors, of course) ring all night, always appreciating his talent — and what a great way it is to make someone feel special.

http://www.newballoonart.com/addi-somekh-bio/

And a note back from Addi, the talented professor & balloon man, received 11-3-14:

“I hope you are well. 

I finally got back to LA for a couple days, and collected all my mail and then drove up to SF and finally had a chance to sit down and catch up. Your letter was a delight to receive and read. Partly because it was the only real human communication in a large stack of bills and snail mail spam, but mainly because your insight into the nature of being recognized. Even tough I have made something like 50 million balloon rings for people, I never really thought of it that way before.”