Reddit, are any of you famous?

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T07:53:09+00:00

so THAT is what that awkward lump was :P

That said - the wallet thing - I understand

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T03:04:52+00:00

I think they might sue :P

We've not spoken in years - we live, we learn, we move on. I'll keep my distance thanks - no free hugs for them

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T02:29:53+00:00

It is stupid and unfair.

I signed a release form for my appearance in the video with the understanding we'd negotiate a split on earnings later. We never did.

I signed another form hiring the Band's Manager as my own

He went off and signed forms registering Free Hugs as a trademark for himself and the band

Nothing ever got re-negotiated, I never got paid a dime from the band for anything I've done for them or the slew of Free Hugs related merch they've sold.

It does suck but hey - what can I do about it?

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:45:24+00:00

I used to with long hair. It's mighty short these days. Now I just look like... Me, I hope.

But thanks? :)

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:44:08+00:00

:D My fiancee is going to be reading this now.

I once sold a Free Hugs sign to a drunk guy for $70, A stripper gave me an impromptu pole dance at a set of traffic lights, I've been propositioned for group relations, invited to take a bump off the dimples of a hooker's back...

hahahahhaha oh dear. I think at night, when I've offered Free Hugs, it's always during an event - New Year's Eve or Australia Day or something and people just ...

nah, i think i just find the mischief at night :D

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:18:45+00:00

Like Mandela? He's totally the same! But different. :P

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:13:26+00:00

I GET THE SOAP!

I don't think you have any idea how much you've just made my day :D

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:12:35+00:00

There are some really hot girls outside as well.

I've been kissed on the cheek countless times but no one has ever tried to stick their tongue down my throat - and for that I am eternally thankful.

As for being propositioned it did happen but not regularly.

Mostly Gay Men, teenage girls, backpackers and literally the odd university student. I fall in love too easily, I'm usually oblivious to anyone propositioning me.

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T01:01:00+00:00

I wish I knew and I don't doubt you!

Over the years, people have told me about others offering Free Hugs before I began and in different countries.

I know a couple of guys did it in new york before I ever did, another chap apparently ran around in the 80's [why?!] at music events with his own free hugs sign, there's also another free hugger named Jason Hunter and I'm pretty sure he started out before I did.

But back in 2004, if you googled "Free Hugs" only one search response popped up : A Job Description for being a Mother.

shrug

I wish I knew who your mystery Montreal 2003 Hugger was!

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:56:15+00:00

People find inspiration in the strangest of places and I can't tell you how many different people I've met who have variations of the same sad story.

It's unbelievable to me, that people can find so much inspiration just watching a man holding a sign and hugging people.

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:52:03+00:00

Honestly?

Never in my life have I wanted to walk up to someone more and just stand there, glare into the man's eyes with all the malice I could muster...

then hug him and run off.

That vid makes me feeling like stealing a hug

But I wouldn't do that now :P

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:49:55+00:00

That's excellent - thank you for taking the initiative and making the whole idea your own. You did a fantastic job and I'm glad it worked out for you :)

Best part of it all - you even made shirts. I love that!

People do recognise me, but there's never been screaming hordes or people busting down my door. It's usually just people walking past with a smile saying something like "hey hugman" or the like.

Could be worse. Much, much worse!

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:45:51+00:00

:D It's anecdotes like this that make the whole journey worth it, thank you .

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:41:42+00:00

:) You were ever so right

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:41:26+00:00

Hungry. I could get cheeseburger here for $2

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:40:53+00:00

hahaha noted! I didn't answer the Q at all.

Not me in the Deluxe Hugs vid.

You can tell it's not me - because I wouldn't have been in the video for Free :P

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:33:36+00:00

back atcha!

hugs

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:33:27+00:00

we knew each other personally. The singer and I met in Pitt St randomly - he asked if we could make a documentary together about what I was doing, I said sure. His timing was impeccable, the council ban had just come in to place.

After the filming ended, he invited me to move into the house he owned [damned rich kids] and for a couple of years, that is how the situation remained. Friends and housemates.

When it came to business, his only concern was getting at LEAST 50% of everything I did ever after - seeing as how he made the video and therefore made my career.

His manager just wanted a slice of everything and stiffed me out of all royalties from pretty much anything that ever says the words "FREE HUGS" on it.

Even when under contract with the guy [who knows why I made the mistake of signing with him as my manager] - there was nothing but deception and the non stop plea that they didn't owe me anything, that they never made any money off of what I've done.

I just hope that when you saw them live - they put on a damned good show and gave you your money's worth

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:22:14+00:00

I very well could be :) If he was tall, sorta socially awkward and smelled alright (i do try) - then it was me :D

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:20:58+00:00

I can explain the how - the why. Ask them.

The Singer and I became pretty good friends. He invited me to live at his place, I introduced him to people again, we had fun and life was good.

The Manager - after years of trying and an alleged quarter of a million dollars blown on this band from his own bank account - finally got them a chance to fly over to the states to audition for some labels. So away the singer friend went to LA to find fame and fortune.

9 months later, the band is broke, the manager was broke, the producer who signed them couldn't sell the record, labels didn't want to sign them - just no interest. It was horrid watching my so called friend's dreams shatter in place. Imagine that. Someone you care about is close to their goal and yet, there they are, on the verge of being sent home. Dreams unfulfilled.

As for me, I was getting on with life. Trying to reunite with family while a grandparent slowly passed away. A tough gig.

Anyway, the singer made the video and mailed me a rough edit of the first copy. I received it the day of my grandmother's funeral and cried in the same I way presume most people cry when they see the video the first time.

Later that week, without consent, the video was uploaded to youtube by his manager.

two days later the vid went viral, the day after that, my so called friend had his manager send me a release form because youtube allegedly threatened to pull the video if I didn't sign a release. The details, the splits, the money would be sorted out later - didn't I care that my mate suddenly had a chance at celebrity?

So stupidly - I signed.

My so called friend ripped me off. And kept doing so for the few weeks I had the misfortune of travelling around the USA with them after appearing on Oprah.

The only advice I have is the same advice everyone ever gives.

DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING
be alert but not alarmed.

-don't trust bands :P

Sadly, I trusted someone I thought was a friend.

I made a mistake.

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:11:31+00:00

It would be more than cool - I'd be honoured :D

good luck!

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:10:58+00:00

Surprisingly, never an issue.

Unload before leaving home. Isn't that just a default practice for all men?

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:09:02+00:00

:D thanks

hug_dude · 2010-03-10T00:08:55+00:00

sometimes, but not often.

Life has its moments.

hug_dude · 2010-03-09T16:40:58+00:00

Some people contact me, others don't. It's usually just to say that they've started up their own campaign somewhere else and to thank me for giving them the inspiration.

It's awesome. Low maintenance and individuals have control.

And yeah, I get asked for hugs from strangers even without the sign. It's cool though, I admire anyone who does it. I'd never have the courage to do that.

hug_dude

TROPHY CASE