It's 9:30 a.m., and I'm scheduled to meet our cover model, Flo Jalin, at the studio down the street from our offices. Just as I'm about to book out of the office I get a phone call from Flo saying she's lost. As she explains where she is, I ask her if she's north or south of the freeway, and her response caught me off guard; then I remembered that Ms. Jalin is a Hawaiian local and has just moved out to L.A. She further tried explaining her location by giving me landmarks and street names. She still didn't know which way was north and which way was south, and went on to explain that in Hawaii you're either on the makai or mauka side of the island, and the best method of knowing where you are is by looking for Diamond Head (a mountain that can be seen from almost anywhere on the island). I got a good laugh out of this and finally got her back on track. Before getting off the phone I informed her that I was going to stop by Starbucks for a coffee, if she wanted one. Small soy latte was her response, and at that I was on my way, ready to tackle on this month's interview. So here she is, the new girl in town, Flo Jalin.
2NR: Are you finding the L.A. life much different then life in Hawaii?FJ: It seems like people here are all about things I don't have and I should have, whereas in Hawaii they are about more appreciative about things that they were given. The people in Hawaii are very warm and open. They have a word that they use, "ohano," that means family. That's the type of treatment that you are given in Hawaii, you're treated like family. Even if you're an outsider, you're treated like family. Hawaiian people are much more mellow. I really miss them. But I'm going back soon, so that will be fun.
2NR: Well I think, L.A. people are different from everyone else in California. What would you say about the men in L.A.?FJ: Well, I'm dating right now, but I seem to always think I'm in love. What's really hard is if I go out with one guy, and later I go out with someone else, I really don't want to give one up 'cause I like both. Sometimes it's hard for me to decide.
2NR: Have any of them ever asked you anything really weird that they wanted to do?FJ: I met one guy that told me he likes to watch porno, and asked me if I wanted to watch one with him. That normally wouldn't bother me too much, but it was only our third date.
2NR: Oh, have we gone out before? Just kidding. So I take it you're single?FJ: Yes, I am.
2NR: OK, so explain your guy turn-offFJ: My biggest turn off is when guys only look at me externally instead of how I am on the inside.
2NR: You mean you catch them staring at your big boobs?FJ: (giggling) Yeah, they're like (staring at my chest as she says this), "Hi, how are you doing? It's nice to meet you!" That is the biggest turn-off of them all. I don't always wear revealing tops because I don't want them to focus on my body, I want them to focus on me, meaning my personality. Shows not included.
2NR: Well, I don't care what anybody says, physical attraction is always the first thing that draws a person in and it's not until you get to have a conversation with someone that you realize what kind of personality they have. Your face and your boobs would have been the first thing I would have noticed.FJ: Oh, I know that. But it's not only guys that I catch staring at boobs, I see girls doing it, too. They don't stare forever, though, they just glance and that's it. I also think that if some girls are wearing revealing clothing they want you to look at their breasts. You're right though, but you only need to have a short conversation when you first meet to understand how some guys are, and if they are staring mostly at your boobs while having this conversation, then that's wrong.
2NR: I'm sorry, what were we talking about? I was busy staring at your breasts. Kidding. I'll admit I've been caught a couple of times, but what goes through a girl's head when you catch him?FJ: Oh, I don't know, but I lose respect for the ones that stares for a long time. Like I said, some girls invite it, and they would think you're weird if you didn't.
2NR: Good thing I have no respect. What was the shittiest job you ever had?FJ: Oh my god! I could remember the whole thing. In Hawaii, I use to do these promos for sports drinks at 7/11 and Long's Drugs. I had to go with my little TV table and stand in front of 7/11s and try to get people to try sports drinks. To top it off, my boss didn't pay me for three months after. Oh, I hated that job (giggling).
2NR: That's not that bad.