Moving Magic Makes Friends and Chairs Appear...Nice to Meetcha Along the Way

Maybe it's no surprise to hear I meet people when I'm out and about in Brooklyn NY or the Northwest Corner of CT or on Metro-North going back and forth. This last trip found me in the first seat I saw since the ticket machine at the Wassaic station wasn't working

.( note: I just misspelled Brooklyn as Brooklny..but I like it and may use that on a T-shirt..what a conversation-starter That would be...), it could be BrooklNY, NY...to emphasize the importance --and coolness-- of Brooklyn as part of the NY Metro Area...)

I thought we'd be leaving promptly and I heard we could buy our tickets on board for the regular station or machine fare. Before I had a chance to do so, I decided to move to a seat where I could see the scenery and maybe stretch out for a nap on the 6;08pm train, so I moved to the next car.

As soon I was settling in, a middle-aged fellow (still younger than I by a decade), took his seat in a disgruntled way. I asked if there was a problem since he was saying something wasn't fair. It turned out his fare was charged at the higher train rate, instead of the normal one we'd been told. Since he'd paid with a credit card, one man selling the ticket had told him he couldn't do anything about it. 

As we chatted a bit more, the man, we'll call him Sam, said the ticket fellow knew they'd be buying the ticket since the machine was out, but he forgot. When Sam pointed that out to him, the ticket seller said, "You should have reminded me."

Let that be the take-away for everyone, when expecting certain terms, to review them Before Paying (especially by credit card.) I may have mentioned buying something at a large store in Torrington Ct and feeling the bill was too high.

When I asked the cashier to make sure I got my discounts, she said everything was right. I took a few minutes to review items carefully and found that the cash register had not scanned the right number or had added 60 dollars for the cost of one item!

 I got that corrected promptly, but at this point I would say Everyone Should Make an Effort to Go Over their Receipts more often than not, scanning quickly and if possible in more depth. Here in Brooklyn NY the items are not on the slips on some small stores, just the prices.

Even there someone added 20 dollars in by mistake once (just typing in the wrong number..)When in a hurry or leaving the store, it would be hard to stop and check things out and get them corrected.

Another time I realized a cashier actually kept 10 dollars of my change for a 20 for a 5 dollar cup. He 'Put the change in the back with the receipt" and when I found the problem the manager actually ran a video and counted out the change to find the 'error' (the missing 10 dollars). I had only thought to check for it since the friend who'd given me a ride that day to do errands asked to borrow the 10 dollars.

Otherwise I would have been a half hour or more away from discovering the error and it wouldn't have been worth going back. More recently I was shopping for sheets and pillow cases and managed to put the wrong size sheets in my carriage.

I wish I had checked over my items more carefully Before going through the check-out line (this was at Walmart.) I hope to return them soon and took a picture of the receipt 'code' that was on the bottom part so they can look things up that way, since Keeping Track of Receipts is not the easiest thing to do (but again, a good project to pursue and often can come in very handy.)

An extra tip is to see YNAB.com --You Need A Budget or for those on a shoestring (me included, mint.com, note to self. Just Writing Down expenditures for a month in a little book can help you keep track and not spend as freely, if that is one goal, or mindlessly, or sporadically...)

Since financial literacy is not taught (likely intentionally so banks and others can collect on bounced check fees or thereabouts is my guess) in schools or even college, everyone could help themselves and one other get a clue.

Especially the younger set who may feel 'someone will help them' or they will likely 'get a job in their field.' I recommend everyone learning to do some personal care and see care.com for other types or work from pet-sitting to even housesitting to help pay for college or other basics.

Now back to the shopping info insights for myself and others, I'm 'thinking out loud here as I am apt so do.' I will say I've met some nice folks even in stores when waiting or just happening to bump into them and get chatting

Once I got a job caring for someone when I met their regular caregiver in a thrift shop and asked her opinion on an outfit I was getting to wear to a Women of the World (WOW! Forum in Torrington CT with Gayle King speaking, one of their first annual fall events by the NW Chamber.Worth going to Atl Least Once..and I may muster a way to attend this year or next.)

 She was looking for some relief, so I took on some of the 12 hour shifts and it worked out well for both of us. It turned out he'd been in WWII photographing tragic scenes.

When I told him he was changing my life by sharing that experience and I wondered how he could have done that, he said he had to let people know lest the tragedy occur with no intervention!

Okay now back to modern day shopping (or helping someone with a couple of my pals move a few loads on a pick up. After a lot of hard work in a short single day (and learning the volunteer fire department could not help nor did the police have any ideas for this crazy pressured person, we had a mishap. 

She realized there was a chair missing ( again a good idea to take inventory when moving things or even doing laundry..how many loads, or even take a video of one's home and count how many boxes etc.)  We discovered her chair had blown off a truck--it's so crazy it's okay to laugh for a minute imagining that at the end of a steep hill off a load improvised packing, that might make people riding on the backs of trucks, yes even Fire Trucks, Think Twice!

Thankfully  the Flying Chair (upolhersted and part of a set maybe worth a couple hundred bucks per chair ) did not cause injury or an accident but landed on the side of the road in high weeds, sustaining too much damage to be revived sadly. Trust me we were hoping to figure out some remedy...and yet, only harrassment and a renegging on a promise to trade something decent for the hours of hard work was given.

Plus a longterm trusty friend did a 180 even though he was also a witness to the heroic volunteer effort we were making. He helped too but was charging her, maybe unbeknownst to her. When I asked him if she thought she'd pay, he smugly shared. "Trust me, She'll Pay.." Good grief is all I could think even before the chair decide to fly the coop. Maybe it had had enough of her antics and felt it was worth some fleeting thrill before meeting it's humble end lost in the bushes (almost, we gave it back to prove we hadn't eaten it...)

 I thought of starting the Flying Chair Mediation Center (or maybe Meditation Center for starters to help people think lofty thoughts and prepare for the element of surprise...)

That flying chairs become a point of contention as to 'who should pay for That kind of mishap even if only volunteering to help under pressure...but that's Another Story and thankfully one that occurred long ago.)

Adding up the amount of purchases Before going through the check out line could be easy if one has a calculator or at least guesstimates (pen and paper may be a plus there to have in one's bag more often than not.)

So, back to Sam, who became a nice companion for the remainder of the trip after my nap. We had lots in common and exchanged numbers. Maybe we can get our families together for a visit sometime. I think of sharing a few high lights, but the areas are so small, after a few details, half the town would know who he is and he hopes to enjoy the solitude of the the tri-corner area. I mentioned that if he hadn't had a problem with being overcharged five dollars for his ticket, we likely wouldn't have had a reason to chat much and become friends.

Another train man was actually able to write a nice note to clarify the error so that he will be able to get a refund at a ticket booth...so problem mostly solved. I mentioned my blog to him and the post about the six-dollars for laundry that I loaned someone, he feels he paid me back and I maybe directed him to just donate it to our block party but forgot so mentioned it to him mother (who I met from his description of her) and then had more go-rounds, mostly friendly but some a big bumpy.

All said and done, he and I feel there is a 'bigger reason' we met (including afterward when I saw him late one night on the subway and he said hello again and had to remind me of who he was.) "Looking out for one another" to help each other, be on a team, understand the give and take of even light social relationships and small monetary transactions are all part of the 'outputs' of being in community.

Tonight I went out for a quick walk, so my one friend in the neighborhood and walked with her for a bit. Then on the way back, bumped into a couple other key people in my life, so enjoyed a little chat.

Turns out one of those folks is under a lot of pressure to get some important work done within the next few days, so send out positive thoughts to help the team pull through and succeed, we'll call him Joe (but the universe knows whose who, some say and I feel that's more likely than not..and it likely is One Way to the Other and May Depend On What We Believe or Trust may be the case...

See Rudolf Steiner, Edgar Cayce and The Reconnection and lots of 'online woo-woo' folks like Jen McLean and You Wealth Revolution.com if you don't believe me. For timely insights check out Steven Greer on youtube and Netflix, Disclosure. Those are a few Basics I share with people if it seems to pertain or there's a chance to share 'just in case', especially with The Crazy Weather/ Climate Change Symptoms we (and the rest of thw world) are having.

After my chat where Joe shared he pursues piano, a good de-stressor hopefully and one that will also meet with success timing hand and mind coordination with those 88 keys), I saw a woman walking ahead of me who was struggling to carry two chairs. I helped her get those to her new digs in NY (she's a world traveller putting roots down here now and works in documentary films.)

Earlier in the day I met a nice set of people who I likely will get to know better and an older fellow Marisimo who gives tours of the Clinton Hill area. We had had lunch together a few months ago and he remembered my name! That's my kind of tour guide. He got my email again to let me know of the next programs he'd be doing so that was a reminder about follow up. I had hoped to get to a free sewing class at the Brooklyn Library but maybe next time.

Little by little, I find time to stitch together the stories of the day and capture a nice feeling about the people I meet or even see during the day. The latter would include the guys and gals playing basketball at St. Joseph's College. I had just told "Carol" the chair girl  about this blog and gave examples of the Black Lives Matter type posts I'd made, reflectiong on Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown for instance and thinking of what the protocol was for police training and responses.

I offered the idea that if it were a more common response from the community to have a think tank which included many perspectives people would not struggle quite as hard or for so long. Maybe new ideas, such as the body cameras, would pop up earlier and the community could be thinking of ways to prevent the likelihood with earlier interventions if people are in crisis or having challenges.

There is a need for help for most people around the edges of their lives and to anticipate 'the next big things' they need to know about. She mainly agreed, whether to be polite or as she offered insights, seemed to feel this all made some sense.

I had told her about my son Kaelan (which comes up much more than I expect it should and yet less than in the past when I would summarily tell people whenever they'd ask "how many kids do you have" or "how many kids did I have" (give birth to...). Sharing the news is something I try to do by prefacing it with 'there were some major challenges, or we had a serious family loss, or something very sad happened unexpectedly..."

The overall 'take away' I convey to people is that 'things like that could happen to anyone' but ideally we would be more clear as communities about supervising teens and encouraging everyone to think about being a team player for safety and not causing alarm or letting things escalate in any area (conflicts, custody, divorce, high costs or challenges...)

Most people are so busy keeping their own lives on track, it's hard to accept 'trouble could be just around the corner' if certain things are going on over time or even happenstance. There's lots to consider and making the time to do that seems harder or less possible than dealing with serious damage or longterm challenges.

Now I wanted to mention the inspiration I found in watching the young adults play basketball for a few minutes. Hopefully more talented youth could use that buddy system or the versatile plays of 'throwing the ball to another then switching to defense and keeping them from making a basket' when going through their days and when making important decisions. What if someone had realized their friends were rushing into 'decisions to jump into the river' the day our son perished trying to rescue his friends after he had jumped in and gotten out from the strong water twice?

At least one fellow jumped in thinking Kaelan's track record of two jumps in and getting out meant the coast was safe and clear. Kaelan may have been trying to warn people the currents were too strong and crazy to navigate with certainty and to not jump in, but 'haste makes waste' took on a whole new meaning when his friends got caught on the currents.

Kaelan was able to get two out while he was still on land by reaching out a hand, a motto I would like to promote to mean help early on as it's safe to do so (ideally not even near dangerous water or other situations, but more with Talking Strongly and with Common Sense and Back Up from Other Responsible People, ideally adults and mature teens but police or others as needed, such as coaches, other parents, teachers and so on. Sometimes it's Good and Important to Spill the Beans on Dangerous Plans for Adventures or Shady Deals..and of course for all women and plenty of guys that means a lot in 'relationships' which can be controlling, abusive, unbalanced, confusing and complicated if not based on mature, secure parameters and clear guidelines...no matter what age or stage of life one is in.

The same thing goes for any one drinking or drugging (see how similar those two sound..and yet how much 'worse' do we paint some drugs than others, and the huge amount or PR for drinking stands in strange contrast for the dire drug situation. Few people brave allowing recognition of the overwhelming damage alcohol has done to millions and what a gate-way drug it is to harder substances.

That's another Elephant in the Country, but for now, the overall idea is to use one's Thinking Cap (as in brain and values, Community Active Planning and the notion of Thinking KAPP (our son's initials) for meaning Kids, Adults, Parents Partnerships (or PLANS--which has more meaning too...people living and learning with agreements and networking through schools and society.) Okay, I need to post this before it may get glitchet out. But more practice and drills to know how to respond in a crisis (even saving someone with CPR as I was able to do once and hope to feel competent with more current trainings should that be needed again.)

That person was too shy to ask for help and assured me he never would have tried even with 30 people not far away rehearsing for opening night of Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (which I danced in back in college at The Sharon Playhouse.) So, if that fellow wants to let me know how he's doing (should this ring a bell... I hope it's all aces!) The lesson he convinced me of was Do NOT Be Afraid to Ask for Help (the silence could prove deadly.) He was eating stringy roast beef and had hoped to cut off a bite with his teeth, but it was not easy to do. (He Should have simply taken the whole wad of RB out of his mouth, but some people are not used to thinking with their hands and just doing what needs to be done.)

When I gave him the Heimlich (which I'd learned in junior high), it looked like a hot dog! Gross but what a glorious thing that it came up and was not the cause of his demise. The show could not have gone on without him...and the idea of 'something funny happening on the way to That show' wasn't funny but was informative for me and now for all of us 30 years later.

During warm ups just after that, another dancer kicked someone during her grand batements warm ups, right under the chin. I was afraid he might be knocked out but thankfully he 'never saw it coming and was relaxed enough to just have his head knocked back and thankfully recover...so the wisdom there is to Look Before You Kick' (especially in tight quarters with people mulling about!) I only felt like a nervous wreck about 20 minutes later as the show was about to begin and I'd realized I'd saved someone's life and saw another crazy mishap.

Two close calls in one night hopefully would be the limit and the show could go on. My Dad did tell me that wasn't the kind of show he thought I should be in and while it was all in good fun, I came to realize over the years, 'what he was talking about.' But overall the theaters the cheapest therapy and easiest way to get people to step out of their comfort zones or smaller lives and feel like a part of a bigger show, make friends and learn a few things the easier way...to help life go along more productively and like a good game as most hope to be. 

Whether your moves are about the world and back home again (and some in my circles like Carol are international as was another video gal pal I made on another train ride whose an EMT in her spare time--with many a tale she can't tell but most realize no small town or bigger one is immune from crime or tragedy so again keeping track of people and especially keeping kids involved with positive groups and programs so they are less prone to run off and pursue the more dangerous or dark circles or be caught up in a vicious downward spiral) the better. Where might your next moves take you? How about our collective ones?

Let's think out loud and consider books like A Whole New Mind (if I recall a book rec from Sam, who also recommended Coursera..which I am using currently to get my Free IBM BlueMix 6 -month trial though you can maybe get a month for free. Learn about it so you can set up and account and benefit from it if you can only do One Month to see how your interests professionally or personally are being analyzed online to gain insights and maybe come up with solutions to concerns or get an edge. The more people to pursue their skills and think 'team earth, team heart' the closer we can get to achieving a brighter, more stable future for more people.

Even if the 'climate wins' then we can evolve with love spiritually if we end up living St. Elsewhere in the universe, likely with many of the spiritual team players we have met hear on earth with heartfeld connections. That would mean most family, friends and likely even some of our livelier 'chance encounters'.

Check out psychics Mark Anthony, Bill Phillips, Jonothan Edwards, Patti Sinclair, John Holland, Theresa Caputo and many more, who say lots of love in behind our universe and human orchestration of connections. Just considering the Possibilities is very cool and maybe even more important than cool... Your Life, Why it is the Way it is by Bruce McArthur is one key book to ponder a bit at a time (based on Edgar Cayce readings...)

Ciao for now and hope the journey is good to you. Keep in mind What You Bring to the Experience. See Option.org and other sites from this blog and as you may find of interests online.  Happy Travels and Good Company!! Next time I will note two couples, both breaking up, who I have met because I asked if they were okay. Maybe I shared some of that before.

To the young man who was left with the alligator tears pouring down as we left one station, I send you sunshine warmth and a bird whispering you your next best plan to you as you take a walk when you wake up tomorrow. Enough rain and tears have been shed this week...we need the sun and promises. Same goes for the other parties in those and all relationships.

To care for someone and have things go awry is the risk anyone runs. Sadly too many 'run the other person off the road' when it's time to part ways. And that's not really in anyone's best interest, hard as it is to have to allow each person to find their way through this big world. Let's again learn to listen to one another and 'bear one another's burdens' and keep people safe when the waters of life get rough. Keep the life vests and rafts of friends close and let the eyes close for a good night's rest and feel one is 'off duty' from the pain, worry and wonder of What Will Happen Next.

It may not be as bad or scary as you think.. yes, trust me, even with my 'limited love life and real life experience', the downhills can be followed with some level ground and upbeat experiences. It's okay and maybe the reason we're humans...to learn to Choose our responses and not feel overwhelmed by what life is dishing out. I do have a life long faith in the values of honesty, care, divine love (and that has varied over the years from theories and practical safety boundaries to more heartfelt connections with others and lots of coaching from others who seemed to have a nice way of living...) Okay with all due respect to the many people and divine beings who've blessed me, it's time to put this in park for now and tune into the dreams waiting to carry me to the morning... peace and love, Catherine, aka Livfully