annual brush with stardom
Guess who was at the coffee place when we were last Friday? Yes, Shaquille O'Neal. I was so concerned about not running into anyone I knew, I didn't even notice someone that everyone always brags about running into. One of my friend's friends who happened to be there when we were (see what I mean?) saw him.
Last Thanksgiving, I was hanging out again in LA with a few friends when I saw Jennifer Lopez and Puff Daddy (aka J.Lo and P.Diddy). I guess running into stars must be a yearly event. Ah, my life is so glamorous. Ha.
11/27/2001
11/24/2001
old friends
It's really late and I couldn't sleep. I just keep thinking about tonight and how our lives are so interconnected... Here's what happened:
There is always the possibility for an uncomfortable, awkward, shocking run-in with an old friend/acquaintance/classmate when I return home for the holidays. Normally I prefer to hide in my house and only make quick outings to meet up with select friends in more secluded settings. However today I met up with three friends, one for an afternoon coffee and the other two for late-night dessert/coffee. The potential for the ever-so awkward "oh, hey, um, so what are you doing now?" conversation doubled during the second rendezvous with my two friends.
The risky part: We decided to go to a coffee shop that's notorious for random run-ins. Since I was with my two friends, I figured, hey, strength in numbers, right? It turns out that one of my closest friends from high school, whom I lost contact with when I went off to college, works there. It took the entire 3 hours that we were there for me to run-in to her. It was great to see her and I was definitely taken aback to see her. Along with seeing an old friend, I also noticed an entire table of people who I met through a friend's church. I avoided their glances and they managed to leave without having the dreaded awkward conversation. Phew. That story is for another entry.
Bumping into people you know whom you haven't seen in ages is kinda stressful for me in that I never know what to say and in my mind I'm thinking, gosh, did I make any sort of effort to keep in touch? Are they happy to see me and just as weirded out? How do I look? Yes indeed, I do think about the third question a lot although I hate to admit it. Anyway, I'm kinda reeling in that I've seen a lot of old friends today and talked a lot about the past. It's kinda nice to be talking about old times as I've been so focused on the work that I've been doing.
Okay, so sure, the run-in wasn't so random as I went to a place notorious for this. However, I'm thankful for these random run-ins, however awkward, because I know that in these brief meetings, I often reconnect with people who were a very significant part of my life. Maybe next time I'm at home, I'll think more about coming out of hiding and reconnecting with those who were in my life, even if we have grown up and grown apart.
It's really late and I couldn't sleep. I just keep thinking about tonight and how our lives are so interconnected... Here's what happened:
There is always the possibility for an uncomfortable, awkward, shocking run-in with an old friend/acquaintance/classmate when I return home for the holidays. Normally I prefer to hide in my house and only make quick outings to meet up with select friends in more secluded settings. However today I met up with three friends, one for an afternoon coffee and the other two for late-night dessert/coffee. The potential for the ever-so awkward "oh, hey, um, so what are you doing now?" conversation doubled during the second rendezvous with my two friends.
The risky part: We decided to go to a coffee shop that's notorious for random run-ins. Since I was with my two friends, I figured, hey, strength in numbers, right? It turns out that one of my closest friends from high school, whom I lost contact with when I went off to college, works there. It took the entire 3 hours that we were there for me to run-in to her. It was great to see her and I was definitely taken aback to see her. Along with seeing an old friend, I also noticed an entire table of people who I met through a friend's church. I avoided their glances and they managed to leave without having the dreaded awkward conversation. Phew. That story is for another entry.
Bumping into people you know whom you haven't seen in ages is kinda stressful for me in that I never know what to say and in my mind I'm thinking, gosh, did I make any sort of effort to keep in touch? Are they happy to see me and just as weirded out? How do I look? Yes indeed, I do think about the third question a lot although I hate to admit it. Anyway, I'm kinda reeling in that I've seen a lot of old friends today and talked a lot about the past. It's kinda nice to be talking about old times as I've been so focused on the work that I've been doing.
Okay, so sure, the run-in wasn't so random as I went to a place notorious for this. However, I'm thankful for these random run-ins, however awkward, because I know that in these brief meetings, I often reconnect with people who were a very significant part of my life. Maybe next time I'm at home, I'll think more about coming out of hiding and reconnecting with those who were in my life, even if we have grown up and grown apart.
11/01/2001
thanks gorgeous
The first rainy day of the season was on Tuesday and of course, I was recruited to fill in as a volunteer for a Meals on Wheels route. Since I’m supposed to do “site visits” for all the programs I work with, I agreed to brave the rain and pack up my car. Besides, I loved seeing the faces of those senior citizens and disabled people when I delivered their meals at lunchtime.
Everything was going smoothly – that is, until I made my first delivery. Apparently my car decided that locking the door when the engine is running is a good idea, regardless of whether there’s anyone in the car or not. So after I delivered the meal, I ran through the heavy sprinkle, to discover that I had locked my keys in my car with the engine running. Luckily I left my trunk open.
My initial reaction was one of horror – “I’m the volunteer coordinator and I can’t even coordinate my own volunteer efforts!” and then panic “Oh no, the meals… those poor old people will starve!” and then madness “I think I can use the heel of my boot to break the window…” I spent a half an hour on the phone at the client’s home – i'm thinking oh my goodness, he’s disabled and can barely walk and I’m in there asking to borrow a hanger, his phone… I felt like I was horribly abusing him and hoped that my stupidity wouldn’t reflect poorly on the Meals on Wheels program. I learned a few things from this experience:
1. I’m no longer on my parent’s AAA plan. Oh, so this is why I need to get my own AAA membership…
2. Cell phones are a useless “security measure” if they’re locked securely in the car and you aren’t.
3. Locking your keys in the car with the engine running is very stupid and can be accomplished by even the most rational and intelligent human being.
So after calling AAA and promising them I’d pay when the tow truck driver came, I managed to use a long stick-like thing in my car to open the window (which was already open a crack). Ah. I was only 30 minutes delayed in delivering the meals, but I know that older people rely on the routine for their health. When I finally arrived at the homes, they were all so thankful. They greeted me with comments like “Thanks gorgeous” and “I hope your day goes better.” I was touched by their understanding and thankful for their gratefulness. Once again, I’m humbled by examples of mercy and grace, things I so desperately need but often fail to give.
The first rainy day of the season was on Tuesday and of course, I was recruited to fill in as a volunteer for a Meals on Wheels route. Since I’m supposed to do “site visits” for all the programs I work with, I agreed to brave the rain and pack up my car. Besides, I loved seeing the faces of those senior citizens and disabled people when I delivered their meals at lunchtime.
Everything was going smoothly – that is, until I made my first delivery. Apparently my car decided that locking the door when the engine is running is a good idea, regardless of whether there’s anyone in the car or not. So after I delivered the meal, I ran through the heavy sprinkle, to discover that I had locked my keys in my car with the engine running. Luckily I left my trunk open.
My initial reaction was one of horror – “I’m the volunteer coordinator and I can’t even coordinate my own volunteer efforts!” and then panic “Oh no, the meals… those poor old people will starve!” and then madness “I think I can use the heel of my boot to break the window…” I spent a half an hour on the phone at the client’s home – i'm thinking oh my goodness, he’s disabled and can barely walk and I’m in there asking to borrow a hanger, his phone… I felt like I was horribly abusing him and hoped that my stupidity wouldn’t reflect poorly on the Meals on Wheels program. I learned a few things from this experience:
1. I’m no longer on my parent’s AAA plan. Oh, so this is why I need to get my own AAA membership…
2. Cell phones are a useless “security measure” if they’re locked securely in the car and you aren’t.
3. Locking your keys in the car with the engine running is very stupid and can be accomplished by even the most rational and intelligent human being.
So after calling AAA and promising them I’d pay when the tow truck driver came, I managed to use a long stick-like thing in my car to open the window (which was already open a crack). Ah. I was only 30 minutes delayed in delivering the meals, but I know that older people rely on the routine for their health. When I finally arrived at the homes, they were all so thankful. They greeted me with comments like “Thanks gorgeous” and “I hope your day goes better.” I was touched by their understanding and thankful for their gratefulness. Once again, I’m humbled by examples of mercy and grace, things I so desperately need but often fail to give.
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