2 tanks later
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Conversation with a bum
Some people look at me and tell me "Chris, one day you are going to have to grow up and get with it." As if my happy go lucky self has never faced any trials or tribulations, unable to accept the facts of life... I know that they are really only projecting their unresolved sorrows onto me.
Great people I meet never complain about their past or try to bring others down to their level. They accept circumstance and find a way to turn frustration into inspiration, and continue to be a positive force in the universe.
I met a great soul last weekend who understood it... who got it... who was just down to be a brother. I use the word bum loosely to describe a person without a home in the four walls and a roof sense.
--------------------------- A short story---------------------------
I was trying to find a parking spot in Brooklyn for my friends' party. There weren't any so I decided to circle around the block and try again. On the way I saw a gas station on the corner and decided to pick up a six pack.
Standing by the door way was a man just hanging out. I approached him and, to break the ice as I walked passed him, asked "They sell beer here right?" already half knowing the answer. But I was trying to be funny so he said of course. Grabbed a six pack of Modelo, and paid. Friendly people were making small talk with me as I finished my transaction.
I walk out and the man I first saw by the doorway was standing next to my car. I knew from before he was friendly and wondered why he was checking out my car. Then I thought about it and realized, who wouldn't be checking out my car? My car doesn't have a back bumper, it's very noticeable to say the least. As I got closer, within speaking range, he made a joke about it.
I laughed and introduced myself. His name was Matumbo. I got a good vibe from him right away and I asked if he would chat and have a beer with me. He said sure, finished the one in his back pocket and took one of mine. He told me just to watch out for cops.
He told me he would fix up my bumper for cheap, but I explained my situation and told him I would only be around for one night. I gave him the only cash I had, two singles, and wished him luck. Then I went to pick up my beer when he warned me of a cop. I became alarmed and he told me to relax.. to show no fear. That is to say, not to have fear in the first place... why be afraid?
The thing that impressed me the most was his demeanor. Always listening, didn't have a motive, only wanted to share... from one human being to another. I felt like we were two stars shining back and forth.
He wanted to wipe my car clean since he didn't have time to fix my bumper. I told him there was no point... my car is already a piece of crap (though I love it). He further pushed it and he started wiping my whole car with a sweat band on my parking break. All the windows, hood, wheels and all, with a little wrist band. He even went dumpster diving to find left over oil to polish my tires. We found a bottle but it was empty. He said you always find things when you don't need them and can't find what you want when you want. I didn't say anything but I thought maybe we shouldn't be attached to what is supposed to happen in the universe... for our script of life can never outmatch the universal script.
This was too much... I walked back into the gas station as he wiped my car. I took out $20 from the ATM to give him. We finished our beers, finished sharing stories, exchanged hugs and wished each other a good life. He said that night that God sent me to him. I said I don't know about that but that I was glad to have met such a soul as his.
I handed him the $20 dollars and he thanked me and started to take of this necklace of his wrist to give me. I refused, it was one of the only other possessions he had besides a crooked bike. But he insisted saying that $20 for simply wiping down my car was not a fair exchange, so I took it.
The necklace Matumbo gave me... I wear it when I feel like it, like everything else.
The story is only significant and beautiful because of all the contrasting encounters I have had lately. People can be unfriendly even when they are materially satisfied. They turn off or put a wall up as soon as you approach with a smile that's too good to be true. Even music can't reach people sometimes, it is up to each individual person.
The theme here is "Get as much as you can while doing as little as possible for it." But I strongly suspect that the acquisition or external and material goods does not make one happy. At best it can only help facilitate and make things easier for certain people. And that the alienation of people in order to acquire money, to quell our own fears of inadequacy only leads to a more ugly world. If that is the world that we choose then so be it... all I want to say is that I believe we can bake the cake and eat it too.
Great people I meet never complain about their past or try to bring others down to their level. They accept circumstance and find a way to turn frustration into inspiration, and continue to be a positive force in the universe.
I met a great soul last weekend who understood it... who got it... who was just down to be a brother. I use the word bum loosely to describe a person without a home in the four walls and a roof sense.
--------------------------- A short story---------------------------
I was trying to find a parking spot in Brooklyn for my friends' party. There weren't any so I decided to circle around the block and try again. On the way I saw a gas station on the corner and decided to pick up a six pack.
Standing by the door way was a man just hanging out. I approached him and, to break the ice as I walked passed him, asked "They sell beer here right?" already half knowing the answer. But I was trying to be funny so he said of course. Grabbed a six pack of Modelo, and paid. Friendly people were making small talk with me as I finished my transaction.
I walk out and the man I first saw by the doorway was standing next to my car. I knew from before he was friendly and wondered why he was checking out my car. Then I thought about it and realized, who wouldn't be checking out my car? My car doesn't have a back bumper, it's very noticeable to say the least. As I got closer, within speaking range, he made a joke about it.
I laughed and introduced myself. His name was Matumbo. I got a good vibe from him right away and I asked if he would chat and have a beer with me. He said sure, finished the one in his back pocket and took one of mine. He told me just to watch out for cops.
He told me he would fix up my bumper for cheap, but I explained my situation and told him I would only be around for one night. I gave him the only cash I had, two singles, and wished him luck. Then I went to pick up my beer when he warned me of a cop. I became alarmed and he told me to relax.. to show no fear. That is to say, not to have fear in the first place... why be afraid?
The thing that impressed me the most was his demeanor. Always listening, didn't have a motive, only wanted to share... from one human being to another. I felt like we were two stars shining back and forth.
He wanted to wipe my car clean since he didn't have time to fix my bumper. I told him there was no point... my car is already a piece of crap (though I love it). He further pushed it and he started wiping my whole car with a sweat band on my parking break. All the windows, hood, wheels and all, with a little wrist band. He even went dumpster diving to find left over oil to polish my tires. We found a bottle but it was empty. He said you always find things when you don't need them and can't find what you want when you want. I didn't say anything but I thought maybe we shouldn't be attached to what is supposed to happen in the universe... for our script of life can never outmatch the universal script.
This was too much... I walked back into the gas station as he wiped my car. I took out $20 from the ATM to give him. We finished our beers, finished sharing stories, exchanged hugs and wished each other a good life. He said that night that God sent me to him. I said I don't know about that but that I was glad to have met such a soul as his.
I handed him the $20 dollars and he thanked me and started to take of this necklace of his wrist to give me. I refused, it was one of the only other possessions he had besides a crooked bike. But he insisted saying that $20 for simply wiping down my car was not a fair exchange, so I took it.
The story is only significant and beautiful because of all the contrasting encounters I have had lately. People can be unfriendly even when they are materially satisfied. They turn off or put a wall up as soon as you approach with a smile that's too good to be true. Even music can't reach people sometimes, it is up to each individual person.
The theme here is "Get as much as you can while doing as little as possible for it." But I strongly suspect that the acquisition or external and material goods does not make one happy. At best it can only help facilitate and make things easier for certain people. And that the alienation of people in order to acquire money, to quell our own fears of inadequacy only leads to a more ugly world. If that is the world that we choose then so be it... all I want to say is that I believe we can bake the cake and eat it too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
