He said, “The city of Los Angeles has a lot of different cultures and economic classes, and I’ve always been one to blend in well with everyone. That’s why I love living here in San Diego. The city’s diversity gives you an opportunity to enjoy and learn from a lot of different people.”

Asked what his ultimate goal would be in the San Diego area, Ivan answered, “I would love to just be that guy who you can count on to bring everyone together.”

Ivan did a third interview for the San Diego News Link. In none of the conversations did he push his website, promote his birthday party, or talk about making money. Eddie K. had helped put together a strong press release with bullet points that did all of those things for him, and without Ivan needing to toot his own horn, including his employment at Hutch & Mitchell Accounting. Each publication had the information handy to plug right in, including the list of sponsors who supported his IDPromotions.com website, and his upcoming birthday party at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which spoke volumes all by itself.

When Ivan had completed all three interviews, with radio spots and flyers still to come, closer to the week of his big event, he told himself, “The setup is all done. Now it’s time to work my plans to perfection.”

Fourteen

Celebrity Status

IVAN CONTACTED the West Coast Travel Agency, a contributing advertiser on his website, to secure the best flight rates for round-trip tickets and hotel rooms for the celebrities he planned to bring into the San Diego area, starting with Eve, the rapper, fashion designer, and movie star. Busta Rhymes, another multiple-career entertainer, made plans to drive down from L.A. on that same weekend in late February.

Ivan and Lucina secured the location, travel, and hotel plans, and got back to their promotion to make it work. Only now, Ivan figured he had a lot more showing off to do to live up to the hype of the articles about him that would hit the public soon.

“I gotta upgrade my wardrobe and show up in style now,” he told himself.

Lucina advised him to let her girls select his new clothes.

Ivan joked, “Naw, I’m not trying to spend a million dollars on a wardrobe. Your girls all got expensive tastes.”

“Ivan, you simply take them with you wherever you go to shop, and they will pick out the things that they like for you.”

Reluctantly, Ivan went along with the program and ended up having pretty girls of all nationalities surrounding him after work.

“This looks good on you, Ivan.”

“Ivan, you just have to have this shirt.”

“Oh, those shoes are just you.”

“This sports jacket really sets off your eyes.”

“I just love this color on you.”

But as Ivan had already guessed, their personal tastes elevated the costs quickly.

“What about a Rolex watch for your wrist?”