OTPYM - Angelo

Hi Divergents,

It was a big deal going out to eat by myself. I dressed up, in a way that I would feel myself. Occasions to dress up are few and far in between. My plan worked, I did feel myself.

I opted for a leather jacket and leather boots that carried me to my solo brunch date, in the Mid-Town area of Sacramento. Searching for quality French toast landed me at a Southern food restaurant.

By the time I walked from my overnight accomodations through the restaurant doors, I was thoroughly chilled from my sustained walk in the windy, cloudy, low 50 deg temperatures. The chill didn't temper my spirits: I was calm and equimonious.

I had a pleasant interaction with the attentive yet busy host. There was enough authenticity there despite the brevity that we discussed challenges sleeping, possible remedies, and the detrimental impact of sustained insufficient sleep.

Angelo's eyes scanned the room - from bar, to door, to customers' tables - and then back to his wait list of walk-ins and reservations. His eyes shown tetris and mental math. Not all those waiting seemed to notice the care he was applying to his work, but I was taking it in - wondering what all he was juggling.

He quickly offered me my choice of seat at the bar. My tendency was to follow and make it "easy" and not prioritize patience by knowing and sticking to what I want. Halfway to the bar, it flashed in my mind - this is not what you want.

True it was easier to slide me there, rather than take up a whole table, but I envisioned sitting at a table and being served. It was essential to my plan that I pay to be served for this meal and I almost gave up something so important. For this reason during my earlier search, I intentionally avoided cafes with counter service.

So back to the waiting area I went.

Eventually nearly everyone was seated, except me.

Then his face lit with the expression of a lightbulb turning on. I observed with no idea what it meant, as he bee-lined for the outdoor seating area which, for good chilly reason, was void of customers. Suddenly he picked up a table and began to come back inside. It turns out he was taking noteable liberties to do his job well.

Moments later I was seated - surrounded by families, couples, and friends enjoying their Southern brunch delights together. I sat there - splurging on my 1/2 caf oatmilk latte, waiting for my classic French toast and 1/2 order of potato tots to arrive. As I waited and sipped and warmed my hands, I wrote. After all, I'm a writer trying to figure out how to be a writer through all the various phases of life that I have no idea to navigate.

My spirit was really fucking proud of me for showing up in that new city and taking the day for myself - company or no. So I wanted to document it.

I wanted a picture. I leaned in to my desires, casting out fear. I wouldn't settle for a selfie. I would ask for my picture to be taken.

Angelo was clearing tables nearby, I leaned over as he walked past.

"Would you be willing to take my picture? I'd like one with me looking at the camera and one without me looking at the camera."

To my delightful surprise, Angelo took the assignment seriously - moving in diagonals and squatting, shifting in the manner that a photographer assumes to get the proper perspective for a compelling composition.

Who is the person who does and acts such things? It is I and my new friend, Angelo.

Thanks for being you, Angelo. Thanks for the seat, the photos, and the opportunity to share my experience of you with you.

Rooting for you.

I hope you sleep sweetly tonight.

-esb

#otpym

Rooting for you!

-esb

1. Are you comfortable being by yourself?

2. What’s the last thing you took yourself out on a date to do?

3. Do you follow through as much as you can on your plans to treat yourself well?

4. Are you practiced at asking strangers for assistance?

Here’s the smiling one!

I’d love to hear from you. How are you? In what ways are you diverging? How is life landing for you?