07/30/2004: "Restoration in the faith of humanity"

music: Russell Watson (opera and such)
mood: Friday. You figure it out.

So, the other day I was walking neighbors dog outside of work when a man came up and asked if he could pet her. I said sure and where as he was not the first one to pet her that day, nor the last, there was something a bit different about him. I am not a paranoid person by any means, but sometimes you just know when you are being hit on, or when someone is a bit off, or as is the case with me much of the time, both. He kept trying to get closer and closer and strike up conversation without really saying any thing. I was polite but after a bout a minute it was time to move on. I was't in any danger, but the situation was uncomfortable. So we moved on.

The next day I was in the coffee shop (where I can now order "the usual" (a large white moca and a bagel and cream choose)) and the young dude (with those huge black spacers in his ear lobes and more jewlery than I think I own on) who usually helps me, asks me if "that guy was bothering me yesterday". And all of a sudden I felt very safe when I didn't even know I felt unsafe. Coffee Dude was looking out for me as he smoked his cigarette across the street from me. It's nice to know that the effort I put into being a good samaritain to strangers does come back to help me. That when I give a woman $5 for the parking lot because the machine doesn't give change, that she writes me a check for $6, and when I forget my parking pass the next day, I find a parking premit good for the day in the machine that someone has put specifically for someone to reuse. It's the Pay it forward kind of attitude that in the midst of ugly campaigns, war, crowded street and personal turmoil makes you stop and say thanks to your fellow humans, your guardians angels and confirms that you go about things the right way. Letting someone cut in front of you in line at the grocery store, or merge in front of you may seem a lot smaller or bigger action depending on your mood but I like the reminders that come every now and then that no matter the size, it is the thought that counts.

Have a great weekend and pay it forward...