Words
I've scribbled the alphabet for meaning since I can remember.
![]() “Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden."― Phaedrus I'm traveling around to some new places. It takes me a moment to ground in - to breathe in the vibe. One of those is the Dog Patch of San Francisco; it's actually pretty sweet when you take the time to check out the nooks and crannies. I told my host, a sweet yogini, that I had taken to local coffee shops as a ritual to wander the neighborhoods and connect with community. "Oh, we have a Philz." "No? You have a Philz," I sigh relieved as my GPS had told me I would be hiking for miles under freeways to find anything. "Yes, totally top secret - just down that alley." "I just learned about the one in Santa Monica. Everything is so new and "secret" here." "Yes," she laughs. "Go there you will love it." I had woken up a little disoriented just feeling in to what the next three months of travel and unknown would bring. This little coffee shop seemed like a good sign: Something known. I walk past a patch of green, down the industrial alleyway and find the huge, bright new Philz: easy. The door had a lock and a keypad - no go. I walk past the windows where two employees have their heads tucked down. Probably not open yet, I thought. I walk on - but stop to check my phone. It was 8:28am on a Sunday - of course they are open. And then a man walks towards me - smiling - with two coffees in his hand from Philz. I feel like an idiot: Maybe the entrance was around the corner? Maybe there was a universal cool San Francisco code? Maybe I had not tried hard enough? I sashay back to the door. Punch a few buttons: nothing. Gently turn the handle: nothing. Yank the handle: nothing. Walk up to the corner: nothing. Try the door again with a calmer breathing rate: nothing. Gah. A little fixated, completely humiliated for not getting such a simple thing, I defeatedly do something I never do, the unthinkable: I ask for help. I stand stupidly at the window while shrugging my shoulders and motioning towards the door at the employee who has caught my eye. At first, I was proud that I had asked - but then I see the guy's body language: completely frustrated. He saunters across the large coffeehouse, opens the previously locked door, steeling a smile and says: "I can help you." Confused, I blurt: "Oh?" "Sure." "Are you open?" "No." "Oh. What time do you open?" "Tuesday." "Tuesday?" I began to shrink in embarrassment, and the guy begins to soften seizing up the moment. Simultaneously we both speak: "I am visiting and had no idea --" "Totally come in, I can help you." As we walk in, I explain hesitantly, "I thought you were closed. Then I thought I was an idiot," I continue to over explain, "when I see another other guy with coffee....." He giggles, "Oh my god don't worry about it. Are you really from Hawaii?" "I live there yes, and I had just found the Philz in Santa Monica. And loved it + got really excited when I heard about this one. My friend said it was secret, but didn't say you weren't open." "It is totally cool. I am glad you found us. What would you like this morning?" I look up: "Whatever is the easiest you are totally helping me out." "They are all the easiest, but I am gonna make you something good. We actually have our grand opening in 2 days and are only responding to people that are like, "Hey can I like come in?" "Like me." ![]() "No, you're fine totally. You have to come back for opening party on Tuesday though," he invites. "I fly out Monday. Thanks though." "Well then you were SUPPOSED to be here today." I smile and look for a lid. "Wait, try it first and make sure it is perfect." It didn't matter, I am already warmed by his kindness, but I sip anyway. "Perfect." I reach for my purse. He shakes his head, "This is totally on me today. Come back when you come back to visit San Francisco." I well up, just for a moment. Not the real tear kind, just the watery shock of unexpected kindness. It seems I am more braced for anger than kindness in a seemingly rushed and scared world. "You just changed my day," I smile, walking slowly. "Enjoy your visit," he calls after me. Seriously people, just be nice.
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January 2019
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