At the corner of Geary and Powell, I was just kicking back watching the activity on this bustling corner when he approached me asking for help in getting something to eat.  I told him about the $2 Portrait project and he immediately agreed, stuck out his hand and introduced himself as Ricky Brandon.  Ricky immediately apologized for his appearance; said he followed a strict dress code in the car business where he had been a salesman for 27 years.  Ricky said he loves sales and loves talking to people.  In addition to being in the car business, he worked for JC Penney and most recently worked a telemarketing job in Oakland which he lost 5 months ago.  He had a small place in the Tenderloin but he lost that because he couldn&#39;t afford it any more.  He talked about how expensive it is in San Francisco and complained about all the crackheads on the street.  When asked if he messed around with drugs, he adamantly replied, &quot;Never have, never will.&quot;  <br><br>Ricky is 54 years old and divorced.  Said his ex-wife hates him.  His only son, 34 years old, died 2 months ago of a heart attack brought on by the psychotropic drugs he was taking for bipolar disorder, which Ricky admitted to having also.  For as tough as his life is, Ricky did not seem downtrodden or depressed.  There was a spring in his step, an upbeat tone and cadence to his voice and a brightness in his eyes.  I gave him $2 and wished him luck.  He shook my hand, said thanks and walked on to talk to other folks in the area.<br><br>7/14/11 - Week 28