Hollywood, FL
Man, there’s a lot to put in here for today. I rose up early from Grandpa’s in Boynton Beach. I was running late as usual and had no time for breakfast. I showered and packed up. It was a sad goodbye for the both of us. Sad in a way because our schedules and locations make it difficult to know when we’ll see each other again. But I left his place happy as well, knowing that my journey brought me closer to a great man who I never would’ve gotten to know. An hour with someone is great, but spending 2 days with someone and talking about life’s highs and lows is incredible.
I headed out south on what has become old faithful, I-95. Locals rant and rave about it, bit I’ve found it to be great thus far. I’ve come and gone as I pleased with minimal slowdowns. The Strokes and I hit the somewhat open road and headed to Fort Lauderdale for my first interview. I stress out about running behind, but I actually made it to the diner for a breakfast interview 10 minutes early.
I interviewed an editor for a local paper. His path was very interesting and how and why he got to where he is was good to hear. We ate and went our separate ways. It was 10:30 and I had to be back up north in Palm Beach (15 minutes north of where I started) at 11:45. The old Hyundai needed her first oil change and I had no time to try and find a dealer. I drove down the road and found two. One was packed and one wasn’t. Sometimes that might tell you something, but I went to the empty one. I was in and out in 10. All set except some wiper fluid. I was back on 95 going north to Palm Beach.
I met my next interview in the Best Buy parking lot. He picked me up in his Lexus and we headed to lunch. He was on the phone talking shop when I got in. We used hand signals to say he would drive and I should get in. A firm handshake later and I was in the passenger seat. It felt good not to drive.
It also felt good to see a familiar face. I was meeting with a sales rep from my old company. What a guy he is. He works not because he has to, but because he has to for himself. And work he does. He was the top seller for the company last year. I respect his opinion. The company had him call me when I first resigned to see what I was thinking. So he was in a different position than others I’ve been meeting because he knew who I was at work and where I was headed. He has the gift of gab and I could listen to him tell stories all day. We had a great lunch and a very trendy place. I t actually turned out to be the second place I went to last week with Mark and the girls I met. I wore shorts again today, but didn’t have a care in the world. After lunch he drove me around and showed me more of the mega houses. It’s sick and I just can’t get over the places on the water here. It was great to see him again. He dropped me off at about 2:15.
I was back on the road south, this time to Hollywood (just north of Miami). Me and Jack Johnson hit the road on my way to have dinner with Joey, Terry and their new baby JJ. Joey and my brother are best friends from growing up together in Key West. I hadn’t seen them in a long time. I was also interviewing Terry later that night. I’m typing this from their guest room. Again, I can’t get over the hospitality I’m receiving. Taking me in and then having an authentic Cuban meal. Steak, pork, rice and beans, a potato like thing (It’s a root and I can’t remember the name), and a banana dish. And then a Cuban desert which again I can’t remember right now, but it was like a better formed jello with caramel on top. Great stuff. I love to try new food.
It was fun to see them and JJ. He is 8 months and a chunk. My mom would go crazy for this guy, pinching him and hugging him. He’s a happy one, smiling, talking, and playing. It was cool watching him as he sat in a play toy. They turned the bath water on and as soon as he heard it, bam, his head turned and he was ready. He likes a bath.
We talked about a lot of things. We talked about their families and Key West and their schools (they both are in education) and my journey and a lot of things. My interview with Terry was great because she is so into what she does. She loves kids and making a difference. As the night wore on, I realized that I should have interviewed Joey too. He is a former baseball player who went into business and then decided he wanted to be a teacher. It was nice to be here because they were excited about helping people more than helping themselves. I began to think about teaching.
I could go on and on about my day and what I learned. I’m way tired. Time to check email and do some website updates.