Fondness, Illusion, and the Journey

I hung out with an old friend from college last night. He was in town for a family member's graduation and was able get away for an evening to have a few and see the town. We had a grand ole time catching up. I even got a few unbiased opinions about how green my grass is and heard about how other people live.

We haven't completely fallen out of contact, speaking on the phone every few months. Nonetheless, the conversation was rich with retelling stories and honest confrontation of life's challenges (ours and those of mutual friends). I was told I haven't changed dramatically, but that I look good and reflect, quite clearly, the changes that come with adulthood and a career. I think my buddy appeared happy overall, not to be confused with his general happy-go-lucky outlook on life or some fleeting moment of excitement, college mop hair and all.

We talked at length about romance and our current happenings. I wouldn't venture so far as to say I learned something great, but I was reminded of some very simple truths. You see, when he and I first became good friends, I was still chasing and trying to live out some great human experience with as little personal risk as possible. My buddy had just begun dating a girl who excited him to no end. Little did we know what changes were ahead of us.

I was reminded that simpler is better, inspiration is found in the trenches, and life's gardens are surrounded by seemingly insurmountable brick walls (thank you Gary Paucsh). And while I usually poke fun at fortune cookie wisdom (and spend a good amount of time hoping I'm not becoming a middle-aged, 20th century woman), I've found yet another case in point for things working out as they should.

I live thousands of miles away from those whom I care about now and while I complain all the time about it, I live a relatively painless life and have perspective on what is important and what is vanity. Even more, I'm finding myself actively prioritizing the important things. My buddy met a really nice girl this past year. After the sixth attempt, she even let him take her out on date. I hear a lot of nice things. And although most of them are from him, that itself is pretty telling.

The Storm after the Calm

Seattle is renown for its constant drizzle and absolute lack of sunshine for most of the year. But from late-June through Halloween, it boasts sunny days and 70 degree weather, and is, for all outdoors-related purposes, paradise.

I think we had an unusually dark and cold winter this year that lasted through March, but about two weeks ago, the blanket of clouds openned up and we got our first taste of summer. And as expected, the weather turned back into crap about a little over a week ago. I haven't lived here that long, but I've come to know Seattlites as laid back, easy going people, but this cold/rain snap appears to have broken everyone's spirit.

Honking in traffic.
Angry pedestrians waving fists.
Coworkers snapping (at each other, at shuttle/bus drivers, at receptionists).
Lifetime Seattlites openly questioning whether they should finally give it up.
Midwesterners swearing.

Putting a Face to the Name

There's nothing as exciting as finally seeing someone you've known, whether it be through letters, phone conversations, electronic correspondence, or through friends for the first time. This even holds true upon seeing someone again for the first time in a long time, or getting together with someone you once spent a brief period of time with.

The details of a person's face, their expressions, and their gestures all thrust themselves upon the vague impressions and suppositions you have in your mind. What do this person's mannerisms (inflection, pitch, moods, etc.) look like? Will the immediate, and granted much more sensory-rich, experience of being around a person eclipse or replace the things you've come to know? It's an extraordinary experience.

And no, I'm not e-dating. Not yet at least.