It’s okay to follow patterns. Some think you get in a rut if you do the same things in the same pattern regularly.
However, sometimes being a “regular “ at certain places is healthy.
Lately I’ve become a creature of habit. That is, I’ve started to frequent some of the same establishments on the same days at the same times.
Monday at 5:00 Sal and I can be found at Lakehouse. Our friend, Heather, is there as our server.
Tuesday (and sometimes Thursday) we have a corner table at District 9 Draught (AKA, D9). We love their mushroom soup. And Alex, the bartender, always greets Sal warmly.
Wednesdays and Fridays we enjoy a stop at Oak Highlands Brewery (OHB) or Urban Vines wine bar. The wait staff knows us at all of these places, too.
Most mornings we can be found at Well-Grounded Coffee (WGC). Natalie and the barista sisters welcome Sal by name.
Yes, sounds like an “vintage guy tour.” Yet I have met some fascinating people and had most interesting conversations.
What brought this up is over the past two weeks I’ve met three women who are experienced musicians. Ms D and I chatted on a random Monday cocktail hour at Lakehouse, both of us with dogs in tow. Her “day job” is as a music teacher for elementary school kids. After our first conversation, she suggested we meet on Mondays at LH. “Next time I’ll invite my friend.”
Her friend is a writer and lyricist. Both women play guitar and other instruments. I hear Ms D plays a mean sax!
Fast forward to just this morning. On my way into WGC, I ran into a lady who seemed familiar. Turns out she is also named Sally. We have a future meeting planned to talk about the love story between she and her late husband.
Then there is Deb, the tennis pro. We met at Lakehouse as well
The list continues to grow and bear fruit. Stories, laughs, tears, ideas.
The point of all of this is to never underestimate the power of a random conversation. Some last just encounter, others go on, perhaps for a lifetime. But you won’t know un less you venture into that space between you and that stranger at the next table. And, really, there isn’t such a thing as a stranger.
See you soon. You can find us at our regular table.
Relentless (and Sal)
