From Feb. 2008...

I thought I should add this after being "attacked" with conversation by yet, another stranger...

It was a usual day for me, hitching a ride from a coworker to Castle Hospital to wait at my normal bus stop. I sat down on the bench down a ways from a coworker of mine (what up Charles?). After we chatted a bit, a white woman who reeked of alcohol, laid down on the bench between Charles and me. I paid no attention, for I was accustomed to the abnormal beings that frequented the bus.

As Charles and I waited in silence, she suddenly walked over to the rubbish can just in front of me. I paid no attention as I listened to my ipod until she stood right in front of me, arms akimble. I looked up and she proceeded to tell me how she and this guy had gotten into an argument. Her tears began to flow. I could tell from her repeated phrases and her actions that she was not completely stable, mentally speaking. I decided I would listen to her and try to do what I could to help her overcome this terrible argument. (Plus, I had time to kill as I waited for my bus.) She continued to tell me how her boyfriend, who has been married 5 times already, woke up and started yelling at her. I sat there listening as this poor woman confided in a stranger at a bus stop in the late afternoon to console her.

As she told me her story, she lit up a cigarette and her frustrations with him continued in certain colloquialism I would not use myself. She was shaking as I told her she needs to cut this man out of her life. I let her know that she deserves better than to be treated with disrespect. I let her know it's him who has to want to change as she accused herself of being an idiot for going back to him. I let her know it was going to be painful cutting him out of her life, but she'll just has to recall this day that made her so upset.

After I seemed to sooth her some with a few encouraging comments, she thanked me again and again as the tears began to flow once more. She apologized for talking to me, a complete stranger. She then gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and let me know she was going to leave now. I wished her luck and told her to take care of herself and she walked off.

It reminded me that we are all connected to each other in this life. We are all human and want to feel loved and needed. There is so much pain and grief in this life. We try to grow and learn from our relationships and at times it gets so difficult you just want to scream. Sometimes, we just need someone to talk to -- even if that someone turns out to be a complete stranger. It's interesting to me how somehow, I'm always that stranger...

Lunch Time With Ray Liotta...

My introduction with the man at my work who looks like Ray Liotta was when he came to the copy machine by my desk.  I was struck with awe as I saw the resemblance.  Of course, this would have been Ray Liotta's doppelganger in the younger years...  Would you say doppelganger for Ray Liotta though?  Really?  He introduced himself after some small talk (which I still can't recall his name because all I can think of is Ray Liotta) and asked what it was that I did.  I explained to him that I was in Accounting; Accounts Receivable to be exact.  He then turned to the copy machine (which by the way is meant for Finance and Executive use only) and told me I MUST be smart.  Come to find out, he is in sales and is with the rest of "them" upstairs.

After the first intro, our meetings were few and quick, which is just fine by me.  After all, Ray Liotta freaks me out.  I'm not going to lie.  Well the twin didn't REALLY freak me out until this past Thursday...

I decided to heat up my Claim Jumper frozen dinner (which is delicious, in case you were wondering) and went to the break room.  I popped my food in after detaching a gravy pouch and set it on the counter.  As I waited for my food to cook, Ray Liotta walked in and we both traded salutations.  He then came over to where I was standing and saw my gravy packet on the counter.  He asked if it was mine and I told him it was, but I wasn't quite sure what to do with it because I didn't want it to explode on the microwave.  That's when he grabbed it.  I was not too offended by this because he placed it in a styrofoam cup and put hot water in it to warm it.  Brilliant!  I told him it was a fantastic idea and I probably wouldn't have thought of that!  Unfortunately, he thought I was impressed...

The microwave buzzed to inform me that my tasty lunch was cooked.  I took it out before checking it so Ray Liotta could put his cup of soup in.  After all, I was taught to share and take turns.  I placed my dish on the counter and let it cool off a bit.  That's when he offended me tremendously...  He told me I better check to see if it's cooked all the way.  I partially removed the plastic cover and let the steam come out, letting it cool some more.  He then proceeded to invade my personal space AND my lunch's by removing my plastic cover himself.  He then PICKED UP MY FORK AND STIRRED MY FOOD!  I was flabbergasted to say the least!  Am I in the wrong to think this is too much for a stranger you barely know, who also, let me remind you, looks like Ray Liotta?!?  Am I out of line in thinking this is wrong for a coworker you barely know to do?

The whole time he was in action, I panicked.  SO many thoughts were running through my head.  I even got a little dizzy wondering if I should even use the same fork?  Should I just dump it when I walk out and find something else to eat?  Should I say something?  All I could do was stand there and watch.  What do you say when Ray Liotta mixes your lunch for you??

Well, I ate it...