Posted on February 19, 2020
April 14, 2019 – San Francisco, California
“On belay.”
I confirm with Tara to ensure that she has set up the belay. “Belay on,” she responds. She works at a climbing gym in the city and offered to treat my cousin Kelsey and I to an afternoon of fun.
I met Tara during my year in Montana in the most random of places. Wading through the Boiling River in Yellowstone National Park, she reached out to my cousin Reese while losing her balance on the rocks. As we exited the river, we engaged in conversation.
“Climbing!”
I state as I begin my ascent up the artificial rock wall. “Climb on,” Tara replies. Our visit began early yesterday morning with a mandatory filming session—yoga, meditation, and hiking near the Land’s End Labyrinth followed by an interview at the gym. This morning, we filmed some outdoor climbing at Ocean Beach, then eventually met back at the gym. How fortunate I am.
My other cousins (Molly and Kelsey) ask Tara where she’s from, which leads us to discover that she is on a nomadic journey across the states. I’m obviously immediately intrigued. I give her my number in hopes to connect and learn more about her story.
After a few hours of climbing, Kelsey and I part ways with Tara. I thank her for the opportunity she has provided us. For participating in my project. For her friendship.
We head to Kelsey’s place for the night, where I’ll leave my car and prepare for my first solo trip out of the country.
“Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.” – Charles Kettering
Posted on October 30, 2019
February 10, 2019 – Kirkwood Mountain, California
“Do you want to use this as a pillow?”
I ask a guest as I present a bag of small towels. “Oh, thank you so much,” he responds as he lays across a number of lined up chairs and covers up with a Kirkwood-issued sheet. I go back to the storage room and repeat this process until I have no more to offer.
Well, this is a first.
Our restaurant is being used as a makeshift overflow sleeping quarters for stranded guests due to the current blizzard that’s pummeling the mountain. Some guests were lucky enough to commandeer cushions from the couches around the connected hotel; others are sleeping directly on the floor. I was lucky enough to receive a sleeping bag and pad from a coworker. Most of the stranded guests are in a different building altogether, but there are about fifteen in and around the restaurant. Okay, that seems to be the last of them…
I begin watching a movie on my laptop and serve as night watchman, which I volunteered to do. At this point I’m used to it, as a recent series of snowstorms kept me on the mountain for five days straight. Those nights were much more luxurious; Kirkwood put us up in suites, and I was lucky enough to stay with Melissa and her boyfriend Andrew for two of those nights. Card games. Hot tubbing. Hotel room mini golf. Video games at The Cornice. I even had the privilege of helping my friend James dig his truck out from under a mountain of snow.
I wake up and clear some space on the bar. Put the coffee on. Lay out mugs, tea bags, accoutrements. Various guests indulge and express their gratitude for our hospitality. I thank them in turn, unknowing as they are of the genuine pleasure I receive from practicing such a small act of kindness.
“Hospitality is love in action.” – Alexander Strauch
Posted on September 30, 2019
December 4, 2018 – South Lake Tahoe, California
“That’s the best shot I’ll have all night.”
That’s what I say to Emma after sinking a stripe into a corner pocket. “Oh, yeah?” she replies as we look at each other and smile. She takes a drink of cheap beer du jour as I line up my next shot. This girl is dangerous. Should I feel lucky, or be worried?
Miss.
Emma’s turn. I take a swig of my beer and replay the events of Thanksgiving in my head.
Decide against traveling to Petaluma to see the family for the holiday. Receive invitation from housing managers to attend Thanksgiving dinner at employee housing; happily accept. Start drinking merlot from the winery in the afternoon. Deem it acceptable.
Emma is the kind of young woman that attracts attention at the Classic Cue. Especially since she can hold her own at billiards. She knocks in a solid, then another.
Scratch.
Attend dinner. Provide a few bottles of merlot for the table. Get to know the housing managers and their friends. Consume, consume, play Farkle. Things start to get foggy. Enter: Emma.
Her error gives me the opportunity to end the game. “Side pocket.” My stripe finds its home, followed by the eight ball. “Good game,” we tell each other as we shake hands. Emma then suggests that we have a seat and talk.
Emma sits next to me as the game continues. Immediately recognizing her beauty and not hesitating due to my decreased inhibitions, I introduce myself and converse with her. At some point, she admits that she is looking for a roommate. It’s just a futon in the living room, but her price is lower than here, and I would be sharing the space with just her, not a ton of other Kirkwood employees.
A very intriguing offer.
We sit and chat for awhile, getting to know each other a little better. We’ve only been roomies for a couple days, but things are going well thus far. She opens up and shares some personal information about herself and her current situation. She expresses her deep gratitude for being here and helping her.
The words feed my soul, providing me with a sense of service for the first time since I left my last host.
“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” – Kallam Anji Reddy
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