:: Life on Planet Dan-E ::
Thoughts, observations, and introspections from an
:: Saturday, April 24, 2004 ::
It's a truly small world we live in. Back in my early college days there was this coffee house called brew.net across the street from campus that was unique from other coffee houses. (This was just before the out-of-control proliferation of Starbucks.) It had seats but it also had sofas and couches so you could just sit and lounge around… kinda like Central Perk on "Friends" now that I think about it. They had some cool people working there.
:: Friday, April 23, 2004 ::
So I'm working the outside tables Friday afternoon and this couple (a girl and her "gay boyfriend" as he later put it) sat outside, order some drinks and some appetizers. They're enjoying the warm weather and good food, just another friendly set of customers who I hope tip well. It's when I drop off a third mojito that I get asked by the girl "do I know you? I just know I’ve seen you before."
"You sure?" I reply, thinking she might have waited on me at some restaurant.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Are you from New York or L.A.?"
"L.A."
"Okay. That’s where I’m from."
"Cool," I say, now knowing she’s a fellow Angelino but still wondering how the hell she'd know me since I certainly didn’t recognize her. "What part of L.A."
"Well, Hollywood now but I used to live in Redondo Beach."
I hear a "ding, ding" in my head.
We eventually discovered that we both went to El Camino College from '93 to '95.
"But we never had any classes together?"
"I honestly don’ t know."
"Did you ever hang out at brew.net while you were there?"
"Oh my gawd, I used to work there! Did you go there a lot?"
(Smiling) "I was there almost everyday."
This girl's name was Sarah and she made coffee for me all those days when I had a morning class. I remember her being very friendly, artsy, and quite the wiz with an espresso machine. And now, almost ten years later, she's still very friendly and now I just served her a calamari salad and mojitos.
It’s a truly small world we live in.
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 11:26 PM [+] ::
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It's unfortunate that in the otherwise great country of ours, our infatuation with the absurd concept of celebrity only allows for the recognition of those we see on the news. Some aren't so deserving. Others, like Pat Tillman, are.
And yet we often fail to recognize these types that we see every day. Every now and then we hear about people who put their careers on hold, or even end it, to become teachers. I know of many people who dedicated their lives to church. Many knowingly subject themselves to a life of near poverty by going on extended missions trips to far off lands where even their return isn't always guaranteed. I know people who waited on lucrative medical careers by enlisting in military service to heal the men and women of our armed forces.
But one doesn't have to look that far. Just look at those who delay their possible financial success by working behind the scenes at a church, even those who venture into vast uncertainty of starting and building up a new church, even if it means forsaking the life that they've grown comfortable with. I've had a distinct pleasure of knowing a few people like this during my lifetime and they deserve our deepest respect.
People like this aren't just at churches. They exist in many facets of our lives, sometimes hidden, too often unheralded.
It's odd. I love this new stage of my life and I have no idea that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing... and yet... I can't shake the feeling that it's utterly pointless at times. Hearing about people like Mr. Tillman and knowing the people that I do, there’s a still a part of me that seeks something... greater.
I don't know how many people read this blog any more and I'm not sure that I care, but this is something I had to write for no one but myself so at least I know in my mind that I've paid homage in my own little way to the lives of those who, on many levels, serve a greater purpose than mine.
May God bless you all.
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 7:44 PM [+] ::
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:: Monday, April 19, 2004 ::
There are those who seek a life of servitude over a life of success, who sacrifice personal freedoms to ensure the preservation of those freedoms for others, who desire to live up to their sense of responsibility before living out their personal ambitions, who wish fulfill their duty before basking in glory. There are people who reject fame and fortune for God and Country.
Pat Tillman’s life was exactly that and I hope the memory of his life will inspire those to follow his example. We salute you, and all of us owe you our gratitude.
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 6:54 PM [+] ::
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:: Monday, April 12, 2004 ::
Part of that was because of this new job that I mentioned on my last post. My first day was last Wednesday and I also worked Friday to Sunday, all 9-5. I'm usually exhausted after those shifts, not necessarily because it's been that physically taxing but I'm just not used to waking up before 11:00am on weekends. Not that I've exactly helped myself by going to bed earlier. I was up late Saturday night at a friend's place doing homework until about midnight or so but instead of going straight home, I stop by my favorite bar to catch game one of the Lakers/Rockets series. Keep in mind that this game started around 8:00 Pacific time. Yeah.
I finally got a moment of reprieve today since class got out a little early so I headed over the that same bar for lunch and watched the Red Sox/Yankees game. It's those quiet moments during a slow afternoon that I've really come to appreciate while living here. I'm probably gonna appreciate it even more since those moments are becoming fewer and far between.
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 1:39 PM [+] ::
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The first week of school was a lot busier than I thought it would be. Not just because of the classes but I went to a couple of job interviews at some local restaurants. I was hired as a server at this trendy joint on Lincoln Road called "The Cafeteria." I was trained Friday and Saturday morning, and Sunday night (until 1am =P), which I think went well, but seemed at times to be needlessly complicated. Fortunately all the people on the wait staff seemed like people I'll enjoy working with. I haven't received an official "OK" from the owner yet but being as it I displayed a decent level of competence I doubt I'll get turned down.
:: Monday, April 05, 2004 ::
Wish me luck anyway.
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 8:52 PM [+] ::
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Today was the first day of spring quarter and I never thought I'd say this but it's good to be back in school. I like all the classes I'm taking but mostly, it's kinda nice to have something to do. Sounds odd to say and you'd think I'd be out partying it up being as it I live in South Beach, which just happens to be a spring break Meca for many coeds. But I'm not typically one for crowded, rowdy parties with masses of drunk people (any more =P) so I've been avoiding that as much as I can.
It's easily avoidable since my apartment is on the west side of the island where you mostly see locals. All the wild parties happen on the east side, which is where the actual beach is. My apartment is only about 7 blocks or so from Ocean drive and you wouldn't think it'd be that different but at nights it's almost, well, night and day. Walking around West or Alton, you wouldn't think the island was overrun with tourists. Which is fine by me.
Besides, I'm too old for that s**t. And YOU try reading "The Hobbit" with club music thumping in the background =P
:: Miscellaneous Ramblings by Dan-E at 7:24 PM [+] ::
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