richard radstone

Box City, Fry’s Electronics, Office Depot, you know, you’ve been here, Errand night.

It’s 5:45pm, winters do get dark early, don’t they? But there is something about the night air that is spectacular, and I am happy to be out.

I am not alone, as expected by my daughter, the promise of shopping, even at Box City, is a calling to her, so she is by my side.

I tell her, no problem, but we will be on the lookout for 365 friends. Like I’ve said before, “My family is in great support of 365,” but I have to admit, the thought of backgrounding her this evening is sitting a little roughly with me. Especially after hearing her smiling response to a 365 outing, “Aaahg.”

Aaahg, Not sure how it sounds to you as your read it, but I think you get the message.

And even though we are in no rush to speed through our route, I am resolute to do my best to find a friend that she can both appreciate, and one who will help me in making our interview short and sweet.

We enter our first stop, Box City, our local pit stop for UPS shipping. The store is empty with one young couple leaning at the register ringing out a stack of boxes.

They depart, leaving my daughter and I alone with four shop keeps behind the counter. I throw an invite, and even as I am explaining 365, I know the answer, “We are not interested.”

It was a no brainer; this is a feeling that I have come to identify with often. It’s not a negative sensation, just a little voice that says, “Not these guys or these ladies.”

It’s weird coming to identify with it. I’ve had times where I’m standing in threatening places, yet the voice says, “Stay.” Or the exact opposite, people jumping to be interviewed and the prompting saying, “Not here, not now.”

So all I do is listen, and every time I force it, nothing happens.

The big question I am self-asking, “Is tonight’s interview going to be short.”

And in my gut there is something telling me it will be.

Perhaps it is a reprieve being delivered to me by a higher power, wanting me to focus my attention to my daughter this evening. But, whatever it is, it is evident that I will not be taking photos of the Box City guys.

We leave the store, only minutes after the young couple before us. The moment I leave the shop, I know I see my new friends–the above mentioned couple as they are putting the last of their boxes into the back of their hatchback.

What is amazing to me is that I know, even before introduce myself, they are prepared to share a needed point-of-view with the simplest of narration. And after several weeks of rather lengthily 365 searches and interviews, I welcome the prospect of a short meeting.

Trust, me, I’m not complaining. I’m loving the deep discussions I’ve been blessed to be part of, and if that is the pre-ordained path of 365, I’m all in!

Needless to say, I am learning to accept the promptings I feel as correct.

I have to tell you the scene. The Box City parking lot is not really a parking lot, more like a few painted parking slips in a very dark alley. An alley that is not heavily trafficked or lit, the sort of space that keeps you hyper aware and very reserved in being willing to lock eye contact with anyone. After all, muggers come in all shapes and sizes, even dads with daughters.

Maybe, the fact that I am traveling with a nine-year old in a beat up Honda, lessons the intimidation factor; but whatever it is, the air is filled with a peaceful spirit, telling us all, “This is a good thing.”

It’s all smiles as I speak with my new friends Emma and her boyfriend. They are in the middle of a move, yet are in no way rushed to get away.

We talk about 365 in generalities for a while, highlighting some of the experiences that many strangers have shared with me. We agree that many things happen for a reason as we look at how the links of 365 are forming.

Emma is the only of the two who is willing to be photographed, but her boyfriend is extremely supportive of the message 365 is forming.

Per my earlier muse, Emma, without hesitation, throws a to the point and youthful council.

“Be nice to everyone, because bad Karma sucks!”

We all smile huge on that one, and with one fun little message, Emma encapsulates one of the strongest notes coming out of 365, “Just be nice.”

In thinking about the future, Emma wants the world to be more developed.

At first, I question if she is talking about technology and industry, but that thought does not sit right with me. I have to inquire further, “What do you mean?” I ask.

She clarifies, “I’m talking about people, we all need to be consistently looking through other peoples eyes. To do our best to understand each other and overcome ignorance.”

Ignorance? A bold and powerful word, one that contrasts with Emma’s youthful and soft energy. Yet, a word that tells a lot of Emma’s character.

In speaking of the topic, I realize what Emma is saying. If used incorrectly, ignorance, can be perceived as a judgmental term. But in speaking with this sweetheart of a young woman, her point speaks volumes.

What Emma is telling us is to educate ourselves. Not only of trades, or of tasks, or in knowledge of the planet. But to humble down in looking at the lives of others with a “what if we are in their shoe perspective.” Sort of a great little recap of the discussion I had only yesterday with our friend George.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve written this header often, “We are all in this thing together.”

Emma has delivered us a lot this night in her truncated and impactful words, “Be nice, and see others for who they are.”

In this, she is not telling us to be friends with everyone, but challenges us to a minimum of a least respecting each other. To accept individuals at face value, for who they are, not what they are.

Because after all, “No one wants bad Karma.”

Thanks Emma, happy moving!

I break a rule this evening; I’ve promised myself not to mix 365 with my livelihood. A business; that through thick and thin has graciously supported myself, and my family, for the last thirty years of my life.

But tonight, the 365 voice is stronger than my reservations, and when a moment of individual time with my new friend George, the owner and CEO of a company that I am meeting with for the first time arises, my hesitation subsides and I know that I am in the right place, at the right time and with a person who has a strong message for all at 365.

The prompting is fulfilled when George blazes a trail of wisdom.

What I thought was to be a short interview, turns out to be an amazing discussion of humility and love. Life gauges that, sadly, are often the first principles to be stripped in the corporate world.

George, however, grasps these principles as the leading force in creating his corporate culture, and it is empowering to witness. What is amazing is the commitment, professionalism and endless skill set I see in all of the working with George. That’s right, I said, “Working with George.”

“Working with George,” I’m very selective in making this observation. In a world where so many  “Work for,” All I can say is, “I am in a culture that is united, not only in the business of marketing, tactics and strategy, but even more powerfully, in the pursuit of a greater humanity.”

I’m deep enough in 365 to have received many compliments regarding the content. Content that I claim no credit for, and admit it really is beyond me.

There is an invisible web that is continuing to form, with strands of silk beyond my control, all somehow coming together to weave a framework of life concepts for us all to grasp.

365 is created not for any personal means or any self-gratification, although I’d be a liar to say it is not changing my life for the better. I just report my findings and do the best I can to make it somewhat entertaining. That’s all.

George, forgive me for throwing one global bounce back to a few not so positive comments I’ve received regarding my service in embarking on 365. I’ve been accused of loving to hear myself speak, that is so far from the truth. It’s really quite the opposite. My purpose in 365 is to be the voice of others, not to boast of my own agenda: It is about hearing, seeing and accepting each other. And my words are simply that, words.

Words to the readers, not to myself; words that for three to four hours of every day, I do my best to smith in a way that does justice to the many who so bravely step up to share what they have to share. So the tribute is not to myself, it is to you, my 365 friends. OK, enough rebuttal.

George, thank you for allowing me that clarification. Much appreciated.

Now, here is the golden cap to that statement, and I feel part of the reason for my meeting George this day.

To sit with one who is, by the world’s standards, highly successful in business, it is exceptional to also find a man who is a champion of humility in honoring all, no matter what their situation or ability.

He knows where he is going, has the smarts to do it, and is obviously on course. But with the thought of business mastery set aside, and in the context of getting to know each other, George and I have a chat of a higher nature.

George possesses a great self-awareness, one that he does not covet, but has sincere desire to share. So much so, he gives me a literal glossary of life perspectives, perspectives that so ground where we are thus far in the 365 journey. And somehow, I can not deny one simple fact, “With this being the first day of a New Year, we are meant to hear Georges council, and great council it is.”

The first philosophy that George shares with me is the concept of “True Beauty.”

He likens it to a gift, saying, “Life give’s gifts and it’s a gift to just be here,” posing this question to us all, “When did you stop taking off the wrapping paper and take the time to unwrap the gift.”

I ask, “What if life is difficult? Is that still a gift?”

George has a way of answering with parables and questions, really makes talking to him more than just a conversation, but a fascination self-discovery and challenge to look into oneself. He talks in the perspective of self, never delivering a “What about George?” premise, but rather speaks in the “What about you?” All with the greatest of humility and respect, both supported by an infectiously engaging sense of humor. George is the kind of guy that you simply want to break bread with.

His answer to my “What if?” Question.

In perfect George grace, he let’s me answer it for myself.

“Regardless of where the ship seems, the captain knows where the port is… And, it is the same port that we departed from.”

“The road to epiphany is for people to gradually de-hypnotize themselves and rediscover choice.”

“Life is collaborative theatre, and we are in the process of real time character development.”

“No one can master pride. They can only master humility.”

Read them how you want, Here is my take: “Sure, life deals us blows and blessings, some are self inflicted and others are inflicted upon us. But no matter what the infliction or gift, it is for our self-development and also provides us a greater empathy for mankind.”

The key is this self-question, At the end of the day, did we choose to be the best person we could, and did we do our part to, in the words of George, “Master our humility.”

More gems from George, “There is always room for an epiphany, and there will never be a last epiphany. The hard question is, do we act on them, or are we calcified by life experience?”

In making decisions, he give’s us this, “Think less, know more. Make as few decisions as possible, but make the one’s that are required. No biases, no judgment, no rash decisions, but the right decisions.”

I mentioned George’s sense of humor; here is a rather fun, yet powerfully subtle parable to support his thoughts on humility.

“The smartest human is no smarter that the smartest ant.”

Meaning, no matter how large we think we are, there is always more to learn, and there is always a greater intelligence than us.

He defines it as possessing a, “Gifted Conscience,” Explaining, “This gift is simply humility… The more we listen to the words of others, the more we will discover how to hear the gifts.”

George departs these words upon us, three words that he openly proclaims are guide marks in his life: Love Truth, Beauty.

“They are barometers for where we are. Many see them as three separate words, but if we live at the highest, they become the same word.”

With a warm mile George tells me this, “I want to write a book, a compilation of the ongoing essays I am writing.”

The title of that book, suitably: Love, Loves, Love.

George, Thanks for the New Year kick off.

Talk soon, my friend.

Thirteen has always been a lucky number for me. Perhaps the fact that I am born on May 13^th is a contributor to my choice of fortunate digits, or maybe the point that I got my first drivers license on Friday the 13^th, and am happy to say my DMV record is stellar, are both good reasons for my affinity towards this ominous numerical value.

But I learn something new tonight, 13 is a special number in the tattooing world. Don’t know why, it just is. So when on day 113, I stumble a tattoo parlor in suite 113, I take notice.

How did I get here?

I am never without my 365 kit, it goes with me everywhere, and tonight is no exception, as my family and I are in commute to the wedding reception of a best friends son. Of course I’m behind the wheel, after all, “I do have a stellar driving record, you know?”

And with an hour gained via my eighty-mile-an-hour freeway cockiness, we find ourselves, at said wedding reception venue, with one hour to spare.

With thumbs twiddling, my lovely better half (got to love her), encourages me, “We have an hour to spare, lets find your 365.”

Here we are again, car-constricted family outing, and looking for a 365 friend. Man! I’m going to owe my familia big time when this thing concludes on September 9, 2012.

I find myself a little lost, not sure where to go as we cruise down Beach Boulevard. This is not, in the adapted lyrics of Frank Sinatra, “My part of town.”

Feeling a little road weary from a foggy skied commute, it’s hard for me scan the area. Honestly, I’m really quite out of my element, when, as we pass an obscure tiny strip mall, my wife does a passenger seat sit up, “Stop there!”

She points, directing my 45-mile an hour glance to a tattoo parlor, which is somewhat hidden in the shadows.

I don’t really see it, but I’m in, I’ve been married for 18 years and am happy to share a key for happy married life. Got your note pad and pencil. Here it is, “When the misses speaks, listen, she is usually right.”

Hey, I’m a self-respecting man; have to at least keep the word usually in my claim.

Tonight though, my lovely is right on. I’m dubbing her, “The 365 divining rod.”

We park and find ourselves settled in front of Players Club Tattoo Parlor. Now, the tattoo experience is one that I have never partaken of, but at first sight, there is something magnetic about this 365 prospect.

I kill the engine and turning to my daughter, “Guys I’ll be right back, want to check the place out before I grab my gear, probably best for you to wait here.”

I’m telling you, I’m going to own these guys.

The place is buzzing (no tattoo gun pun intended), and I hang in the reception for a second, before I am met by one of the owning partners of the establishment.

I quickly tell him about the project, and that I am on day 113. He patiently listens and responds, “Follow me.”

We head towards the front door; I guess I’m getting tossed out…

How wrong I am, we round the front door and he points to the number of his suite, Suite 113.

He nods at me, “Lets do it.”

Coincidence or fate, who knows? But bottom line, we are both thinking that Suite 113 on day 113 is telling us something.

My new friend, J.J, is right in the middle of creating arm art on one of his customers, a very detailed fish, but even in the middle of work, he still invites me to chat with them as they go on. It’s around 6pm and they have been at it since 4:30pm, so I just promise to settle in beside them in allowing them to continue as I conduct my interview.

The place is very chill, but the music, pole dancing mannequin and wall art are way over the head of my nine-year old, so to the car I go to break the news of another car wait and to grab my camera bag.

I’ve said it a bunch; I owe them. But on the other hand, they too are growing with me in 365. I guess we are the new three musketeers of outreach, “All for all, and All for All.” I’ll get back to you with the theme music later. Yeh, Radstone, we believe you?

With family patiently waiting, once again in auto bliss, I get my first lesson about tattoo community; “Tattoos are more than art, they are statements to the character of the wearer.” I do not publish the name of J.J’s customer, yet the few comments he shares with me regarding his tattoo are impactful.

“Why a fish?” I ask him.

“It has a lot of meaning in the Asian culture and I have chosen it because its virtues are important to me,” He responds.

Those virtues: Good fortune, strength in adversity, ambition, aspiration and determination.

I don’t know this man, but by the tone of his delivery of this explanation, I know his reasoning behind his choice of tattoo art is for good purpose. New customer friend, I appreciate the education.

So here I am, observing a tattoo in progress. No time better than now to ask question one.

“What words of wisdom do you have for my readers?” We bounce a few ideas and settle on one very strong statement.

With a confident smile J.J give us this, In Latin: “Sic Vis Pacem Para Pellum.”

If you know Latin, great! If not, keep reading, I’ll give you its translation later.

I’m careful to not distract J.J too much from the tattoo he is applying as he talks. His customer is very cool, and even thought I can see him striving to stay focused to not move, plus, I’m guessing, keeping his mind off the needle, the last thing I want to do is be the one responsible for a mistake. Cause after all, there is no erasing in tattooing, and I assume a serious butt kicking to the distractor who causes one.

Question one down, on to number two:

“Where would you like to see the world, yourself, or any combination of the two in the next five, ten, twenty or beyond years?”

Remember, J.J is concentrating deeply on the tattoo he is applying. “I just want to make it past 2012.”

That’s right there are a bunch of predictions floating out there. Here is a link I found that lists what many are prophesying: http://www.2012predictions.net/articles.htm

J.J share one more, “I’d like to see more people taking care of themselves and the planet.”

We all agree big time on that one.

I’m thinking we’re done with the interview and ask my last beat, “Is there anything else you’d like to add.

“I’m good, but you may want to ask some of the other guys.”

Catches me completely off guard, this studio rocks! And everyone perks up they’re interest in what I’m doing. All are down to contribute.

Tattoo world, I’m loving your community. And even though not all want to be photographed, all contribute.

From Capone (he has chosen not to be photographed):
“The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.”

There is no photo for you, but this is my take away of the guy, “He is a mountain of humility, life experience and brain power.”

Sanding next to him is Niz. He looks at Capone, “Come correct or don’t come at all!” he says.

Not being sure what his statement refers to, I ask him to elaborate.

He is talking about professionalism,

“It ain’t about looking pretty, it’s about sitting pretty. People don’t realize what we do. We are not like what is shown on TV. We are professional, working every day, and we know a lot of things.”

Being an artist myself, I can relate to what Niz is saying. It is simply this, “Yeh, we are artistic, but we are also businessmen, fathers and husbands doing our best to make a living. In his poetic sentence, “It ain’t about looking pretty, it’s about sitting pretty,” Niz is referring to responsibility and respect of community. I like this dude.

Last on deck is Dominic, J’J’s business partner.

He comes out of the blocks with, “Do what you love.”

“We’ve talked about that a lot in 365.” I mention to him. “And though this statement has been a constant through-line in 365, it’s never old to hear.” Yet, I challenge him to think a little more about the statement.

Dominic hits a home run in expanding on the premise.

“Don’t settle, never get too content, and always shoot for the stars.” He calmly expresses.

Let me expand. In this simple improvised phrase, Dominic has shaken all of us. What he is saying is this. The evolution of a person is never-ending. He has given us permission to reach high, to not only push ourselves, but also to never stop looking, even when we are content. I’ve seen it time and time again, friends, neighbors and family saying, “I’m bored, I don’t know what to do now, or suffering from the chronic “I’m tired bug.” Wealthy or not, I’ve seen it, and Dominic, with his in-the-moment premise, has given us a soulful means to act upon.

“Don’t settle, never get too content, and always shoot for the stars.” Killer stuff!

Dominic’s wishes for the future. In perfect form of the spirit of Players Club, “I hope everybody is successful in meeting the goals they want to meet.”

I’ve been schooled again, for almost ninety-minutes I have communed with men of wisdom, at one point I laughingly shared, “This is not a tattoo parlor, it’s a ministry, proclaiming the Gospel of Community.”

All smiled, paused for a flash and resumed their work.

But kidding aside, A Hispanic friend of mine told me once of a cultural philosophy, “The truth is in between the humor.”

Men and customers of Players Club, “Thank for allowing me in, lack of tats and all.”

Oh! The translation to J.J’s Latin:

“If you want peace, prepare for war”

Poignant.

SHAMELESS PLUG:
On Friday, January 13, 2012, Players Club Tattoo Parlor will be presenting the Suite 113 Art Show and Party.

For information go to www.playersclubtattoo.com

I might even see you there.

In the game of baseball, the rule is “three strikes and you’re out.” Tonight 365 has reformatted, pulling from this sports regulation, a new decree for life. That decree, “Three strikes and you’re in.”

I’ll illustrate this in noting the route I take this evening in meeting my day 112 interviewee’s, three best friends, Alicia, Krystal and Michael, as they share a moment with me during their break from studies at Humboldt State University.

My meeting with them is not forced, but is found somewhere in the middle of chance and destination.

“Three strike’s and you’re in,” I say.

With that in mind, let me start my explanation with a short timeline.

2:30pm: Take walk. Meet interesting couple on street. They are on their way to a meeting, but are into 365. They promise to call me after their meeting, in one hour, and agree to meet on a corner near my house.

2:40pm: Much wanted nap. Phone by my head to wake me when friends call.

4:30pm: Wake, dry mouthed, tongue stuck to pillow. No call, Crud! strike one.

5:00pm: Lovely wife kicks me out of house to find 365 friends. With this sweet instruction, “Dinner is at 6:30pm and we have a meeting to go to at 7:00pm.”

5:15 to 6:25pm: Meet amazing neighbors (I’ll save name for later entries), but run out of time for photos. Plus, they also tell me, “We want to share in 365, but not tonight.” I respect that and we exchange cards. Bummer! Strike two.

7:00pm to 8:00pm: Earlier mentioned meeting, daughter by side (I see her 365 eyes turning).

8:01pm: Meeting over, my daughter says, “I have a 365 feeling that we need to go to Petco.” Not wanting to crush her, and guessing it is a con-job to buy another Hamster, I agree with one concession, “We’re not buying anything.” She reluctantly agrees. I know her well, my take, “Kid, great negotiation for an extended bedtime.”

8:15pm: Petco drive by. The store is empty. Oh well! Strike three.

8:15pm and not a 365 prospect in sight, when this idea pops into my head. Just across the street is a Starbucks, where only a few weeks ago I interviewed a father, son and nephew, see “The Motley Crew Presents A Better World”

With this, I am prompted by a question, “Who is at the same table this evening?”

“Hey, that’s different, Let’s try.”

8:20pm: Pull into Starbucks parking lot, target table is occupied. Things are looking up!

8:25pm: After fumbling in setting up my iPad and business cards, I leave my vehicular sanctuary to say hi to table number three. Wife and daughter decide to stay in-car in having their own mommy/daughter moment. And I know what that means:

“Mommy, can I have a sugar rush inducing hot chocolate? Not now, it too close to bedtime? “Mommy, can I have a sugar rush inducing hot chocolate? Not now, it too close to bedtime? “Mommy, can I have a sugar rush inducing hot chocolate? Not now, it too close to bedtime? “Mommy, can I have a sugar rush inducing hot chocolate? Not now, it too close to bedtime?… Parents, you know what I’m talking about.

Free and clear of the coco debates, I approach my possible friends and give the 365 pitch. I must be a little fatigued, because tonight it comes of as bla, bla, bla.

They are in, but I can tell by the glaze in their eyes, I may have over explained the project. Maybe, I’m feeling a little desperate after three friend finding failures this evening.

8:30sh: As I am prepping my camera in continuing my discussion with my Starbucks compadre’s, lights begin to flash, and up walks the shopping area security dude. My wife tells me later, “He pulled into the parking slip right next to her with intention and walked directly to you guys.” My guess, someone reported me as a solicitor.

First words to us by our new security friend, checking the eye-lines of us all as he says, “Soft money, or hard money?”

I instantly get his message. He thinks I am harassing innocent store patrons for something. Got to support him in his obvious mission of being sure I’m not pressing my new friends for money or worse.

I respond, “No money.”

Trying to figure out if I’m the real deal, he banters with us all for a while, and after about ten minutes, we are all buddies. Even turns out that our yellow shirted security friend has loosened us all up, and he is a really great guy! Even takes a 365 card, as I extend a 365 invite to him.

“Maybe later, I’ve got a few other issues I have to deal with,” he says. I hope he calls me, a very funny and articulate guy, I’m sure it would be an awesome interview.

All in all, the security visit is a wonderful icebreaker for us all, and we are a little reminiscent that he will not be joining us in our interview and photos. So security man, thanks for breaking bread with us.

Alicia, Krystal and Michael are meant to be, in stepping to the 365 plate tonight. I keep saying, “I have no idea of where 365 is taking us.” But for whatever reason, it’s always the right place at the right time.

“Three strikes and you’re in.” If it were not for my earlier rejections, I would not be with these three remarkable friends tonight. Even my daughter’s promptings have been active in brining us together for tonight experience.

We’ve spoken often of life in 365, with many friends prescribing to “The only living it once” theory.

There have been discussions of the pace of life and the stresses we all bear in this mortal existence.

Living life to the fullest, being good to your neighbors, environment and self have also been big topics, but what is revealed tonight strengthens many of these point of discussion with the introduction a yet another key virtue, trust.

From Krystal:
“People need to live listening to their emotions, and not get desensitized in giving up on their dreams.” In this, she is saying, trust yourself and have the courage and tenacity to, in her words, “Do something unconventional.”

From Michael:
“There is so much anxiety in the world. We don’t talk about things. We need to trust each other and work together, as a community, and not on our own.”

From Alicia:
“We have to trust…But we need to be smart.”

I’m loving their combined council: Trust Yourself, Trust Others, but listen to your emotional self in how you discern your choices. And from what I’ve learned in my life is this, “The first impression you receive about a person, or decision, is usually the right choice. We just need to learn to identify with, and trust, our instinctual self. And practice makes perfect.”

Alicia, Krystal and Michael unanimously make this claim; “People need to work together more as a community, face to face, and not in the virtual world.” Sort of a contrast to even this blog, but I get it. Even though 365’s findings are housed in a virtual vault, it’s works happen on the streets, face to face with people, all joining in the growth a community.

The question then lies within this context, what do we all do every day in our lives? As Michael states, “We need to trust each other and work together, as a community, and not on our own.”

Alicia kicks in, “We have to love ourselves for who we are, telling ourselves, we deserve it and have permission to take it.”

Love, for ourselves, love for our neighbors, love for the planet, I keep hearing this over and over again, and it is becoming music to my ears. An affirmation to us all that is OK to live by the simple premise of love. It is not sign of weakness and does not need to be expressed in words. I realize it is a very vulnerable self-resource. But it links so eloquently with the power of trust, doesn’t it?

I agree with the topic of desensitization that Krystal has brought to the surface. In this, she has given us permission to say hello to a stranger, pick up the phone in hearing a voice to replace our overly used text lingo, or to click to the off button on the 60inch Plasma screen in dawning a pair of hiking shoe for a day’s outing in real sunlight.

Sunlight, that is a challenge in itself. Sans Alicia, “I remember being a kid, I was never in the house. I’d use every excuse for a bike ride or trip to the park, not like the kids today, all who addicted to video games.”

Alicia’s thought sobers me. Yes, we don’t have a video game console in our home, and I think we don’t text too often. But I do see my daughter becoming alarmingly addicted to the TV remote.

Alicia is college age and she remembers the wonder of playing outdoors. I’ve got a nine-year old, and am seeing a generation that is at risk of losing one of the greatest health benefits, the outdoors. Scares me a little to see how in literally ten years, technology, although a great tool, has also pulled so many away from each other. My plea, use it responsibly.

In this, we can close with words from Michael, “We need to do our part on protecting the environment. Learn about and contribute to anything that promotes sustainable agriculture and evolutions of actual green.”

In retrospect, I am grateful for tonight’s prior set of three rejections and failures, for without them, I would not have had the opportunity to commune with three more great young adults.

Like I said, “Three strike and you’re in!”

Following in the footsteps of my new Starbucks friends, I’ll continue to trust the voice that is guiding me in 365. For without listening to it, I’m sure 365 would be in a very different place.

Alicia, Krystal, Michael, keep trusting, the world needs you.

I’ve spoken often of the youth of today. Tonight’s entry is yet another tribute to the young women of this generation. I’m finding it very interesting how certain messages are starting to rise to the surface, finding their way to us through close clusters of varied interviews. And, I’m unquestionably not seeking continuity, it just seems to finds me.

My path starts this evening rather late, had a full day of business today, resulting in my hitting the road a little later than I expected. What I find peaceful in seeking my destination is this assurance; there is no question in my mind as to where I need to go.

It’s as clear as day to me, with the voice inside my head whispering, “Go to the catering truck gathering in Granada Hills.” I’ve been there a time or two with my family. It’s a great dining retreat, with literally six city blocks of bumper-to-bumper gourmet food trucks, all serving culinary delights from around the world. If you have never attended a gourmet catering truck gathering, you’re missing out. Who says you have to sit in the dining room of a star graded establishment to experience well-prepared and colorful dishes?

I arrive towards the end of the usual serving hours, but there are still a few trucks open for business. Plus, it is a winter night, and the crowds are thin. But I have to say, those who stayed home truly missed out. The night air this evening is perfect, rather warm for this time of year, making it a brilliant evening for an outing in browsing mobile kitchens.

It does not take me long to meet today’s friend. Somehow it almost feels as if I have followed a predetermined and direct path to tonight’s friend, Alice, and her family owned business, Oooh LaLa, where she her mother and father make the most amazing crepes.

I’ve only wandered for around five minutes, but the instant I see her, I am positive she has a message for us. And true to 365 inspiration, Alice delivers an impactful call to action:

“Fathers of daughters, you have a great responsibility in determining the kind of women your girls will become.”

Alice is beautiful, intelligent, spiritual and very well grounded. As I said, I did not seek a follow up interview to last night’s meeting with Amanda, another young woman of great character. But for whatever reason, I have been led to back-to-back interviews of these two very special young ladies.

Both share hope and council for the future, both are within years of each other and both exemplify my premise, “The future is in good hands.”

I spoke enough of Amanda last night, and in preservation of needed word count, I’m diving right into what Alice and I discuss on this lovely fall like evening.

Fathers of daughters, you have a great responsibility in determining the kind of women your girls will become, a powerful call to action, and having a young daughter myself, one that I am able to personally wrap my heart around.

Alice exudes great self-esteem and compassion in making her claim for the young women of the world.

“I plan to go into law enforcement,” Alice shares.

I can guess what you are thinking, “Why would a beautiful, petite young woman want to enter such a field?”

Alice explains, “It’s more than a job choice, it’s a calling that I feel deep in my heart, and I know it is what I am supposed to do. I want to do my part to ensure that those in need get the justice they deserve. And, I want to be able to protect young girls and keep them safe from harm.”

I called Alice petite, how wrong am I in this theatrical description, what better describes young Alice is this: Clear, Powerful and Full of Grace.

The source of her power, not aggression, not physical size, not even wealth or status, but love, compassion for others and virtue.

“We need to love others above ourselves, how else can we understand each other. If we step into other peoples worlds and stop living in our own little worlds, the world around us would be a better place.”

Maybe this though is popping into your heads right now, “Easy to say at the beginning of your life. But we’ll see how you feel when you are my age and have seen what I have seen.”

Perhaps, but something core to me says, “Alice is on the right path.”

I can back my claim with the evidence that has been shared with me by so many great young men and women I have interviewed, all with similar hope for the future. There are too many to number, more like an army crusading for a safer and kinder planet. This noble generation is not politicking, not rallying, not condemning the current state of affairs and definitely not passive. What they are doing is this, silently and skillfully preparing to do their part in bettering the world to come. And my prayer is, for the sake of my daughter, that they succeed in their mission.

Alice goes on, “As best as we can, we need to have more compassion and love for others.”

In my mind love and compassion are power. Yet they are not always easy to obtain.

I ask Alice, “What if someone is just unlovable?”

“You have to look at it differently,” Alice tells me, “Its really just hurt, and despite how difficult it may be, they still deserve to be loved.”

Even though very young, Alice is not naïve. She brings me up to speed in sharing with me a little of her life, and I assure you she is not speaking without the experience to support her perspective.

Alice speaks of her life calling with the aforementioned clarity and grace.

An advocate for family, virtue and service, Alice talks of her years to come.

“I see myself married, with kids and helping other young women in every area in of their lives,” a path that she is undoubtedly on.

“I want to help young girls grow into healthy womanhood. So many of them have a void that has never been healed.”

I’m united with Alice as she works to qualify this statement, and I have a little idea of what she is referring to, so I help her with a question.

“What do you mean by void?”

She focuses her message.

“The void of loneliness, and a lack of real love, love that sometimes get filled by a bad example of an earthly father.”

Earthy Father, that is key to what she is saying. I review what I am hearing back to her. She smiles and with a nod of approval, confirms my perspective and gives me permission to share her council in my words.

Here is my translation of Alice’s call to action, “Again, fathers of daughters, you have a great responsibility in determining the kind of women your girls will become. It is you who teaches your girls true self-esteem, and through your example, you show them how they should be treated and respected. If you do your part, and excuse the corny lyrical symbolism, they will not be looking for love in all the wrong places.”

And if you have sons, teach them right, respect, courtesy and honor.

Please forgive me if I am getting a little preachy, this is just a charged topic to me. I mean not to pressure, but to share what I hear.

Along with the memory of a delectable selection of made to order crepes, Alice leaves me a few spiritual passages to share in offering us this challenge:

Men: “Be the man you need to be.”
Women: “You too, be the woman you need to be.”

For the men of the world
From Ephesians Chapter 5
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

For the women of the world
From Proverbs Chapter 31
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

My take, love for one another, both men a women are equal partners in life, putting each other first, expressing kindness, and above all, respecting the sanctity of womanhood.

I see where Alice is going and why she is so impassioned to be a protector of virtue.

Alice: My wife, my daughter and I thank you for your courage in challenging us with a call to action.

May all your dreams come true.

Arizona was great, but there really is no place like home. I’m happily settling back into my schedule, with only one bummer at hand, having to return my temporary Dodge Durango.

It’s a really fun vehicle: Push button starter, back up camera, a memory for seat settings and a very high tech audio system. Please forgive me if I sound like I’m having a man’s temper tantrum, but I need to vent, “It’s a great guys toy! I want one! Enterprise can’t have it back!”

OK, my brief vent is over, and with the reality of a daily charge ticking away, I hit the trails to auto return land. I’ll just put a Durango on my gift list. Who knows? Maybe my brother-in-law will give me one for Christmas 2018 (Steve, hope your reading this entry).

Off to Enterprise I go and in the door I proceed, where I am greeted by the warm and servicing welcome I have come to expect at this particular location.

I say hello to my friends, Drew and Julia (Day 103, “The Golden Rule”). In perfect Drew form, he is talking a customer off a ledge. As proven by him in my last visit, he quickly resolves the issue and all is well.

In walks Julia from checking in another customer, she hits me with a smile, “Loved the article, thanks.”

Drew is finishing with his customer, Amanda buy his side, “So how did you win?”  She asks.

Turns out my co-car returning friend is just back from Vegas. “I won on Roulette,” And he goes on to share his secret with the eagerly listening Amanda.

You have to know, I was raised in Vegas, no one wins big on Roulette, so my ears are perked. I lean over to listen what my gambling friend has to say. His method is systematic and involves observing the table for some time before he places a bet. He looses me somewhere between the odds are 50/50 and you’ve got to keep doubling or it won’t work.

Good thing I don’t gamble, or I might have kept the Durango for another road trip to Sin City. Still, he is a co-human, I shake his hand, “Thanks for the tip.”

The store is empty now; the buzz of 365 is still hanging in the air, so I extend an invite to Amanda. She is in, but very reserved about the proposition, “It’s a really cool project, but I don’t like having my photo taken.”

“Trust me,” I tell her, “I promise you are very photogenic and I’ll make it quick.” Amanda is one of those people the camera loves, and I knew it the moment I saw her. Only takes us a few frames to get a great shot, and how can I miss with a smile like hers.

I have two sisters and have spent a career working with women. One thing I know for certain is never to ask a woman her age, or worse yet, share it with the public. But I will tell you this; Amanda is in her early 20’s. Why do I publish this trivia? It’s makes a bold point to her character and her outlook for the future.

I’ve said in earlier posts, ‘The future is in good hands.”  A claim I feel inspired to state after meeting so many noble and intelligent young men and women during my 365 experience. Amanda is no exception to this observation.

She speaks selflessly in sharing thoughts like, “I don’t understand how people can be mean to each other.” We talk about this topic for a few minutes. What Amanda is saying is not a fairy tale statement, but a challenge to us all to think before we react.

Amanda is not proclaiming that we wear rose-colored glasses. Yes, life can be stressful, and yes, the world is not always kind to us.

But, this, in my words, is what I think Amanda is saying, “We don’t have to be best friend with everyone, or take abuse, but we also don’t have to contribute to the downfall of human kindness.”

With that, it is in our power to either build people up, or to break them down. I go with building them up. And yes, Amanda, I agree with you, “Good guys can finish first!”

“It’s not about how much money you have or where you live, but the feeling you have at the end of the road.”

I’m fifty, twice the age of the lovely Amanda, and just beginning to understanding this claim, which by the way, rolls out of Amanda mouth as if a foundation to the core of who she is. Again, the future is in good hands.

In a way, Amanda is a world watcher. She tells me of her observations of the people around her, citing one example of a close friend of hers. She uses an explanative in describing this friend. In setting it up, she tell me this, “I can tell you that, because I told it to my friends face.”

Never once did Amanda character assassinate of bag on her friend. Her perspective was completely compassionate. “’I gave her a book to read, ‘Be Nice or Else,’ reading it changed her life

, and she thanked me for that.’”

How many of us have dismissed friends for their bad attitudes or negativity. Yeh sure, sometimes it’s all we can do to protect ourselves. But do we have the courage to speak up before doing so. Amanda does, and for this, she has helped another to have a better live.

Great job Amanda! Early 20’s? Right? Hey us old folks, let’s listen to her.

“At times, I’m sad about the world. We have to be careful or we’re gonna be in trouble.”

Amanda speaks with true concern for her friends and humanity, it is wholly apparent she is doing her part for the community around her.

“Where will I be in fifteen years?” She questions… “Married, with adopted children and running my own business.”

Oh, I forget to tell you, Amanda’s father owns one of the largest production lighting companies on the West coast. She was raised to be an entrepreneur.

Amanda’s closing advice for us, I’m taking a little liberty to summarize her message in my words. But they are simply this, “Do your part for the world, we need big change in how we treat each other and the planet (referring to the energy and waste problems).”

Day 110, 265 to go, I have no intention of slowing and will keep 365 alive.

Still, no idea of where we’re going, but one thing is coming to focus. There are a lot of good people out there, rich, poor, endowed or struggling, it matters not.

We are a world community and combined in perspective, have the power to see each other with I’m happy to say, rose-colored glasses.

The message is getting clearer, isn’t it?

Thanks for staying with 365; we’ll see what happens!

Come rain or shine, city landscapes or barren desert, 365 will roll on, no matter what. So with the failure of my good camera, please excuse the grainy photos from my back up rig. What’s most important are the messages of my friends anyway.

Now with that compulsive disclaimer over (my wife calls me a perfectionist, I prefer the title of lovingly retentive), it’s time to move forward with todays story.

Arizona Christmas behind us and we are backtracking our desert drive of last week.

It’s a little different from the calm departure of our previous 4am push off from Los Angeles. This time, we are all buzzing on sugar from the endless trays of holiday treats.

Just for perspective of my insanity and lack of self-control in my festivity consumption, I scaled myself prior to our leaving the in-laws, plus 15 pounds since Thanksgiving. To repent of my wrong-doing; I’m debating of grabbing a bike to pedal the rest of the way home… Though gone now, back to reality.

Not sure how many of you have been through the Arizona wilderness, but it’s deserts are a mix of barren beauty and brutally rugged horizons; the sort of place where I would never desire to be stranded, or let alone, look to as a place for a week or two of relaxing refuge.

There are parts of our travels that I’m sure have never felt human footsteps, my wife even grabs a few quick passenger seat snapshots for you to see. We pass trough one of the several isolated sections of highway, sign reading, “No services the next sixty miles,” and I’m glad we rented a reliable Durango.

It’s easy to get over confident on the modern highways, so many cars, loaded with travelers all around us. But I am sobered by two sightings:

A rolled car in the middle of nowhere, standing on its roof, demolished. Looks like it has been there for days, no human presence.

The other, and not as gruesome, a mini van buried up to it rear axels in the deep sand that parts the East and West bound lanes of Interstate 10. Guess the driver thought the, “No U-turn” sign did not apply to a four-wheel driven family mover, still no human presence.

I try to imagine the shame the driver of said mini van experienced as he was rescued, and in thinking that, I take a double gulp of my 64-ounce Doctor Pepper, check my eye sag and refocus my eyes forward to the road.

A sign grabs my attention, Quartzsite, 30 miles. I remember a Huell Howser show years ago that featured the stop as a must see.

“Must see what?” I ask myself.

We stop, and here is my first finding, “every year, and I’m not exaggerating, one million visitors flock to this desert destination for the largest of the largest swap meets, gemstones to shaved ice, it’s all at Quartzsite.”

There is only one motel in town, The Super 8 Motel, the next closest is eighteen miles away in Ehrenberg, then twenty-two miles in Blythe and so on.

So where do the millions sleep? You got it, in the desert.

It’s December 26, the festival doesn’t even start until January first, and the parking is already limited. A single, double lane, road runs through the center of town, and it is packed like a Los Angeles freeway during the much feared Friday rush hour.

Every where I look are desert dwellers of every type; Retirees in state of the art motor homes, earthy families packing tents and even braver desert conquerors residing in even simpler desert dwellings (got to love the open air of a truck bed). All are seamlessly coexisting, all with one constant tone: We are a community.

Being somewhat vicarious, I blend in, circulating with the newly curious to the most seasoned of Quartzsite visitors. Visitor is the wrong word. What I mean to say is city citizen; this place in no rest stop and not even near its target of population of one million. And the ten to twenty thousand that are already here make this place a city in my book.

The law puts by, three guys, riding on one of those ATV things. I lock onto them, following as if I’m being guided to where I am supposed to be. After one hundred yards, or thereabout, I realize the scale of this event, and it is gigantic.

My uniformed friends stop to chat with the eyeglass guy and a few of his customers, and as they are talking, I scan the scene. The eyeglass tent is stocked and ready for the masses to come. And it is only one of countless vendors.

I can’t fully express the magnitude of Quartzsite. But picture this macro view of the eyeglass guy, a twenty by twenty open tent, filled with racks of hip eyewear, hundreds of frames, and he is one of the smaller nomadic shops.

My un-named eyeglass selling friend, his customers and the law-men are jovial, expressive and united in dialogue, here is when I begin to understand the culture I have stumbled across, and in the blink of an eye, I get why I am here.

Simply this, plus one million people will be here soon, a community is forming, and watching the communion between, shop keep, the law and a few Quartzsite patrons, I see the 365 statement in full color: “We are all in this thing together”

OK, I’m being a little weird now in obsessing in watching the eyeglass hut, and with my wife and daughter catching up to me, it is time to move on. Also, the eyeglass guy has caught eye-line and it feels a little uncomfortable. I’m sure he’s thinking, “What are you staring at.”

I don’t have to go far, really just a 180-degree turn that carries me East a few yards, right into the heart of one of the huge tents, K&K Kitchen supply.

Its like being in a sun shielded William Sonoma, less the annoying mall music, and the over aggressive sales force.

In walks, Kevin, the proprietor of the tent; He is inquisitive as I am talking to his son, who even though taking a 365 card is reluctant to be interviewed, but Kevin shows no fear, and with a, “’Here is my council to the world, ‘Be good to one another, and kindness goes a long way,’” he joins us in 365.

We chat for about twenty minutes, all the while he answers the questions of countless costumers (really more like friends).

“How much for twenty of these sugar shakers? I’m buying them for my church.” One asks.

“Your church,” Kevin says, “How about a buck each.”

“A buck!” I think, “This is a very generous man.”

The dialogue continues: From across the tent Kevin sights another gentleman surveying some sort of kitchen apparatus (I’m clueless to what it is), and with a sincere “How are you my friend.” Kevin and the browser are instant pals, like they have known each other forever.

Kevin turns to me, “That is just the way it is here. Everybody is like an old friend.”

Not knowing, I’ve stumbled upon one of the main arteries to Quartzsite: Kevin, his family and the community of K&K.

How can I call a store, community, easily, that’s just what it is.

Kevin does not sweat to make a sale; Quartzsite sells itself, like I said community.

“I used to live in Phoenix, fourteen years ago we did our first Quartzsite event, a very small tent, and ever since then I have not missed an event.”

That is an understatement in introducing you to Kevin, He tells me, “I love it hear, so much so that we moved here eight years ago and have not looked back.”

“Everybody has their own desert,” Kevin shares. “For me, it is the desert, this is where I connect with my soul. For others, maybe it is somewhere else, but we all should be lucky enough to find it.”

Think about that statement, it’s huge, and it in itself is a great take away from the wisdom Kevin shares with us.

When I ask, “Where do you see yourself, or the world, in the next five, ten, fifteen or so years,” Kevin gets a bit choked up. “Things are kind of hard right now.”

I’m a little thrown off, and noticing that I’ve hit upon a tender subject, do not full court press Kevin. But he holds strong and continues, “I’m going through a divorce, we are still great friends, but it is hard.”

And knowing that his wife is standing with us, I swallow a little, but there is no contempt between them. Even in the middle of the moment, they joke about a dent in one of their high-end products, a large $240 pot (probably $500 plus in the mall).

I think about Kevin’s beginning statement, “Be good and kind to one another.”

Kevin and family, I know it is forward of me to say this, we don’t really know each other, but there is a spirit in you’re tent, I felt it speaking with you, witnessed it from you customers and respect it in the way you and your wife are parting.

What hit’s me to share is this, “Thank you for your courage in sharing the good and difficultly of your life. Hearing it helps us all to know this. “We are not along in our blessing and trials, and seeing how you are living is an inspiration to us all.”

You say, “You quest peace in life, but it is hard to obtain.”

Perhaps today, this blog is for you, and your family, as much as it is for us.

Kevin, Keep going; we’re with you my friend.

And, as far as the Quartzsite experience, I’m in; see you next year!

Christmas day, presents unwrapped, huge meal three digesting, and settling in after a neighborhood walk.

A small side note: My family is getting used to me typing my 365 entries, so no matter what is going on, I’m usually somewhere in the background, writing away. Even now, as I journal this entry, across the room from me is my family, happily playing Mexican Trains.

For those of you who have never played the game, think of one part comedy improve, one part espionage and one part large-scale dominos, and you have the game. Bottom line, as my wife puts it, “It’s family feud.”

The game is a blast to play, but even with the blurt, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” delivered by my brother-in-law, I remain glued to my laptop. Day 108, there is no way I’m stopping 365.

This last week has been filled with hopeful wishes for the future. Again, I state, “It looks like the best of humanity comes out of people at the year-end.”

With that said, it does not surprise me to have chatted with a couple who share this positive outlook for what’s to come and an affirmation for dealing with the present.

I ran into them during our earlier walk, grabbed by the sounds of family laughter.

That laughter I am speaking of is coming from the home of Eric and Ivona, my newest Arizona friends. Only a dozen or so houses from my sister-in-law’s is where I met them as they shared their front yard “good-night” to family and friends.

We keep the meeting brief. It’s family time, and with my own family waiting in the wings, all is well.

Their comments are hopeful and thoughtful. And what is especially uplifting is meeting a united couple. I notice this in the way they respond, answering as one to all of my questions.

“Our advice to the world…” they stop for a moment of shared contemplation.

A minute or two passes, and while looking eye to eye at each other, they reply, “…enjoy what you have, don’t stress the small things. What is important is family and friends. They are your support system. Especially your family.”

“We are optimists. People need to think more about each other, not like in politics, where the thinking is not always about the people.”

Tomorrow we travel home. What I will take with me is the peace of a comfortable suburban neighborhood. Streets that are busy with families, quite skylines and groups of children playing.

I had grand intentions of a deep message for my Christmas day entry. But the more I think, the more I realize, it’s better to be short.

We’ve spent over one hundred days meeting a plethora of personalities, in becoming a community and reaching out to simply say, “This is who we are and what we believe.”

Just a friendly hello to the world. An invitation to appreciate your neighbors for who they are, no more, no less. And a call to do what you can to make the world a better world.

It can start with the voice of one. From the one can become many, and who know what can happen.

257 more day to go, with every day of 365 making me less aware of the end, and more present to the now.

And for now, the words of Eric and Ivona are ringing in my ears, “Family is first and enjoy what you have.”

Let’s just leave it at that for tonight.

Tomorrow, we travel back to Los Angeles. We’ll see who we can find on the way.

Later Gator!

Shameless Plug:
If anyone in the Phoenix area is looking for a great realtor, give Ivona a shout out, she may be able to find you your dream home: ivonab88@cox.net. Tell her Richard sent you.

I’m slowing a little this week, spending time with my family in enjoying our yearly tradition of Christmas Eve dinner and games. The day has started at around 8am, and split between my in-laws homes, is a typical functional/dysfunctional mix of human relations, the tone depending on who has gotten the most sleep, or has KP duty. But non-the-less we are all family, dogs, cats and all.

Lots of emotions are shared and the stress in minimal, you know, the usual distractions that happen in homes during the holidays. Oh, let’s say our food-frenzied Yorkshire, decides to jump for the rising rolls, bringing the tray and a rather large potted plant, soil and all, crashing to the floor. Or what if, after weeks of menu planning, it comes to mind that we forgot the Little Smokies?

So with sausage, terracotta and other last minute revision to our shopping list, barked at us my sister in law, Kathy, AKA the Queen of OCD (she proudly wears the title with regal honor), my brother-in-law, Steve, and I mount the sleigh to procure supplies, always a pleasant task at last light of holiday shopping and sister-in-law madness.

It’s 4pm; Steve and I are pulled away from our emerging food coma (what there’s enough food, isn’t there?). Thus creating the ultimate male internal conflict, I’m too tired to move, but food is involved.

So with the promise of an even larger assortment of hot snacks blared into our meal conquering minds, we hit our stride in embarking on our grocery quest, propelled by these encouraging words, (oh yeah, my wife has now joined the cheer section), “Dinner is at 5pm sharp, don’t be late.”

What, two men, the grocery store, Wal-Mart, and home, one hour… Right? That’s gonna happen!

Well, we blow it right out of the gate when we decide to meet the Schwan’s man.

Say hello to Paul, single father of one (I’ve got a lot of respect for single fathers)

The clock is ticking and Steve and I are in fear for our holiday wives, Opps, I mean   holiday lives, and not wanting to bear the burden of being responsible for a delayed meal, we cut to the chase in interviewing Paul.

He is on the same page with us, the sun is setting, and knowing that his day started at 10:30am, we feel it right to free him to his life as soon as we can.

What I really like about Paul is his simplicity in comment. What he says is direct and to the point.

Words of council to the world,
“Love one another.”

Wishes for the future:
“I would like to see people be more thoughtful towards one another.”

That’s it, short and sweet.

We’ll see if his words stick. It’s 5:15pm. Yep, dinner is starting late… Wish us luck!

“Life is like a buffet, there is something for everyone.”

Good words to hear as I heal from last nights pre-holiday warm up meal.

Today, I’m adding to my bloated stomach as we find our selves on a luncheon exploration at not the most typical of Christmas celebratory places, The Goldfield Ghost Town, home to Rusty, the man who departs the above quote.

At first meeting, he is extroverted, funny and subtle in his presence. He, my wife and I palaver for a spell (I’m in Arizona, palaver for a spell, just feels right to say).

This buffet idea, what the heck! I love food; is Rusty telling me to love life? I guess so.

Originally from Missouri, Rusty moved to Arizona for love of his wife, a sufferer of several medical conditions that required her to live in a warm climate.

Rusty is a man who apparently puts others before himself; he speaks of people with compassion and understanding.

“In Missouri I started as a Minister, then I got into comedy. My comedy was clean and for families, but my heart is still in the Ministry.”

Like I said, Rusty is funny and a people person. He breaks away from our interview, “Excuse me for a second, I have to announce the mine tour.”

It is a tad more than a standard amusement park announcement; it is a well-constructed and humorous call to action. Makes sense coming from a man who has opened in Branson, at venues like Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater and warmed up crowds for performers such as Yakov Smirnoff.

“I’m working two jobs to make ends meet, here and at Wal-Mart. I see a lot of people and have this to tell them. Slow down, everyone is in too much of a hurry. It’s a shame, we miss out in striving for things we may never get in life.”

He continues, “If there was a little more respect, we would not have as much trouble. I see too much of it’s about me, and not enough of it’s about us.”

“Working at Wal-Mart, and with the holidays, I see this every year. People fighting over plastic junk, junk that is only to be returned the next morning.”

Rusty councils, “Take what you need, no more, no less, there is enough to go around. Greed is the downfall of man.”

Now, he does not deliver this council in contention, a judgmental attitude or with any message of class distinction. What he shares he delivers with a sentiment of respect and in an encouraging tone. Even relates it to his earlier “buffet” parable.

“Life is like a buffet, there is something for everyone.”

He adds this to the equation to humble it a bit, “Good thing there is a sneeze guard.”

That sneeze guard? He calls it a mindset, a protective device in not buying into other people’s negativity.

“We have to all realize we are here for a reason and learn not to judge, we have the power to set a positive example. And if we become negative, we can do no good.”

“God created the Earth with enough beauty around for everything. We just need to appreciate it, and each other.”

My take, it’s been interesting to see the year-end shift in the perspectives of those I am interviewing. Sure, 365 is carrying a positive message through the life perspectives shared by its participants, and, through the words of others showing us “we are all in this thing together.” But what is really interesting to me is seeing how so many are turning towards a higher power as we get closer to the new-year, for many, a time of self-reflection. That in itself is telling me something. What do you think?

I’ve got to go now, Wal-Mart presents to wrap. Just kidding!