Gotta Give Him Props

         Most stage-men and other entertainers have a profound understanding of the power of props. The idea began to make sense to me freshman year of high school when I found a sleigh bell in our junk drawer at home and stuck it in my pocket. It wasn't until PE class that I found a use for it. Most days after the jocks had their pick of the basketballs I was left to walk circles around the track with the Mexican kids and the druggies (That was about as physical as the physical education got at Mojave). I decided I would tie the bell to my shoe and see if eventually I would forget that it was there. It worked. After a while I couldn't hear it until some half-baked acquaintance would pull me aside to ask me if I was a reindeer.

         It wasn't long ago that I was strutting around with a surgical boot and cane which reminded me just how much people enjoy someone who advertises their individuality with things like walking aids. Regardless of the time or place random knickknacks make every experience better. My recent favorite is a birthday present I got from a friend many years ago and I just now decided to bring it along to college. Its an inflatable dragon pool toy that still remains nameless partly due to the fact that the girls I delegated the name finding to have been shirking their responsibilities- and also because the only names my roommates can come up with are associated with marijuana  Apparently Puff the Magic dragon's bad reputation has effectively dashed any hope of other dragons being able to live respectable lives. I hope you're happy Puff you magic turd.

         The more out of place it is the better. Nobody can appreciate 'He who has not been named' when he is quietly saving lives in an over sized bath tub but when hes my wing man at a social gathering he turns heads. Other wing men might potentially do more damage than good if they aren't quick witted but he will never say anything embarrassing and he legitimately has wings.

          Ice breakers and conversation starters like this make life simple the way cheesy pickup lines never could. People may think of props as social crutches but if crutches help you get around I see no problem with having a few of them. Not to mention its October again and its nice to have something to put between me and the zombies. Those jerks are always trying to get cheap makeup on my clothes.

        Don't worry. When we finally decide on a name for him you'll be the first to know -if not the eighth.