Rochester, NY
I’m not sure where to start. I am overtired, a bit buzzed, and starving. It’s 11:00 PM and I just got home from Brian’s house, after going to Lynne’s house, after a quick mini dinner, after an interview at the Rochester paper (Democrat and Chronicle), after lunch, after golf, after waking up at 5 AM. A great day but one that I will probably not do justice for because of my state.
Golfed with Dad, Brad, and Mr. Chenette. 7:30 AM start at Shadow Pines. Shot 83.
I had a 2:00 interview set up with a columnist from the paper here. Golf ended at 12:15 so I decided to shower at the course. I had packed stuff to do so, but most of us guys would rather shower at home, rather than a public place. But, time beckoned, so I sucked it up and hit the showers. The locker room there was small and there were 2 private showers. In high school I worked at golf course in the locker room. I cleaned the shower area each morning. They didn’t have a locker room kid here. It wasn’t make you sick nasty, but it wasn’t my handywork either. I edged my way in, armed with my sandals from Key West. The water leaked out of the shower. I could’ve gotten more pressure form a cup and the sink. It was one of those things out of a move or a camera show. The water would go from ice cold to scalding hot in seconds. I had to bob and weave in the shower to avoid the ice or fire. I was dancing in there, getting my hair washed and then face. The temperature change was really strong during the body time. A hot fire water hitting your skin is not fun. Following it up with ice is not much better. But, I was clean and made my way to the locker I borrowed.
I got out the clothes I wear when I have to go into the business world. I have not made the transition to shorts and sandals to every interview. I’m not sure if I will. I guess khakis and a button down beat a suit. I left the course and hit a sandwich spot for a sub. I’m not sure why, but a sub in Rochester kills a sub in Charlotte or Little Rock. Mom and Pop versus Jersey Mike’s or Subway. No choice. Then the rain came. I thought we could drive here. People were almost stopped on the highway. I thought I was back in NC where people make me wonder what they’re thinking. I almost rear ended a car and cut someone off since I couldn’t see. It was coming down in a blinding amount. I guess that’s why they were slow. Anyway, I made it downtown, parked my car in a lot where I had to give the guy my keys. That made me nervous. I remember a Seinfeld…
I made it in on time, early even, and sat and waited. I realized I hadn’t brushed my teeth since 5 AM and that worried me a bit. I was soaked from the walk in. I walked around and made small talk with a lady who did not want to make small talk. My interviewee, Mark, a columnist from the paper, arrived and we went to the cafeteria. We sat in the corner.
We began to talk. I guess his interview skills took over, as I found myself talking for most of the first ten minutes. That is not normal for me. I’d rather be asking than telling. We talked about him and how he got into the writing business. A lot of the things he said rang true to me. That was cool to here. He had a lot of good stuff to say to me, but also for others. We talked for about an hour and then I followed him up to his office. There were a few other writers up there and it was fun to talk with them. They got a kick out of what I’m doing. It made me think about the camaraderie of an office. I built some good friends in this type of setting. It was fun for me to talk about work. I seemed to be one that would try to stir things up. At one job I tried to get our compensation plan changed. My coworkers liked it, but I don’t think management did. They didn’t do anything. I left after a month anyway.
Then it was back home for bills and emails. I was here for about 45 minutes and then made my way to Lynne’s place. She and her husband have a house not too far from the lake. I was there once for a Christmas party, but it was a while ago and a party, so I didn’t recall too much. She gave me directions and I arrived to see her daughter. A smile was plastered on her face. What a happy baby. Lynne and I were very close in high school and during the early years of college. We kind of lost touch, but it’s one of those friendships that pick up from where it was left. Laughing is a good part of it. It was good to see her baby and hang with her husband, who I hadn’t spent much time with before. Beth, another friend of mine from school was there, and we all laughed and rehashed some of our better stories. We have a lot of them. I had a couple of beers there and also a couple of slices of pizza. Pontillo’s, extra sauce. Then it was time for Jenna to go to bed, so I hit the road.
I had a message from Brian, a friend of mine from soccer, church, and the neighborhood. I had lost touch with him for the most part. I saw him a couple of years ago in Charlotte. So, I went to his new house and saw his wife and oldest son. My namesake was already asleep when I got there. We caught up and talked about a lot of different things. It was cool to hear (I forgot) that he and a few other couples had started a share group of their own. It sounds similar and still different from that of my parents. It sounds like a smart thing to do. We had a few beers off of the kegerator and then my eyes were beginning to shut. I’m not sure where the energy is coming from as I type this, but the words are coming out.
Now it’s 11:30. The kids will be up by 6 AM and I am downstairs on the couch. When they wake up, so do I. It’s another busy day tomorrow. But, that’s what it’s about. Do something you are passionate about and the other things will fall into place.
As they say upstairs, time for night night.