Cleaning Out The Memories...

In my career I've changed jobs several times and except for one occasion, I had to move to a different cubicle with each change. Many times I had to move to a new building. Usually I've liked the changes--I get to meet new people, see new scenery going to and from work. Overall, changing desks and buildings has been positive.

But, there's always a drawback or two.

For me, that means each move's produced a box of stuff sitting in our basement.

We've been decluttering our house of late, and by "we" I mean my wife, and by "decluttering" I mean throwing stuff away. We should have been doing this for years, but we didn't. We let things pile up until the basement shelves get weighed down and walkways get thinner and thinner.

This week, my wife took on that basement and I came face-to-face with my past, in the form of box after box of stuff from work. Each time I moved desks or buildings, I brought home another box. It's the way of things.

Digging in boxes of old stuff isn't all bad. Sure, you've got to now make a choice of keeping things you haven't seen for years and possibly decades, but hey...it's also fun when the memories come flooding in. I found milestone certificates--five year/ten year acknowledgements. I found nameplates and toys that once sat on and around my desks. I found posters I once hung on the flimsy cubicle walls. I found pictures of the way my family used to look.

I'm sure, if I studied psychology, I could explain the need and desire (even, perhaps, obsession...) of saving stuff. There must be papers and books written about the subject because we all do it, or most of us do. It is, after all, only stuff. I saved ticket stubs from Utah Jazz games I attended years ago. The games were great (especially since they were floor seats...), but why keep them, and if so, for how long? It's the eternal question.

And that's only two things out of hundreds.

I got rid of many things in the boxes and I have a few more to go through. When it's all said and done, the room will be leaner, the shelves will be lighter, and the walkways wider. This last work move may indeed be my last--I don't know. Time will tell, I guess. I do know that if I ever do move to a new desk/office, I'll probably leave another box of stuff behind.

It is, after all, the way of things.

That Moment You Learn...Your Friend...Is Gone

I had a job interview this afternoon. I still have my current position, but when something comes up that interest's you, you've got to take a chance. The interview occupied my mind for the past couple of days, as these things tend to do. I researched, thought about what I'd wear, how I'd answer various questions. I've done dozens of interviews during my career so I pretty much knew what to expect.

I arrived early and sat in the lobby. After speaking with the receptionist for a few minutes, all the preparation, the interview, the rehearsed answers flew from my mind.

I found out a friend of mine passed away.

We weren't close of late--it's been years since we last spoke. Janet and I began our careers within a few months of each other in the late 1990s. We worked in the same department--she was my lead and when she was promoted, I took over her job. Since then, we hopped from position to position, chatting whenever we'd see each other. I'd ask about her family and she mine. She stayed in the same building--I ended up working in different offices across the state. Her last position was on the same team I applied for today. If I were to be chosen for the job, I was looking forward to working with her again.

The position for which I applied doesn't come open very often. I casually asked the receptionist why the position was opening up now. "It may be because we had an employee pass away," she said.

I asked who it was--I still know some of the workers on the team.

"Janet passed away last year."

I was floored. It's like hearing news a high school friend--someone you used to hang out with back in the day, but grew apart--died. I looked around, wishing I were with our old gang, those of us who would go on walking breaks, have lunch together on the second floor. I wanted to speak with them, swap stories, commiserate, share. But there was no one. Those of us who worked together have all gone our own ways, raised families, experienced life...

And for some, experienced death.

I had to quickly push the awful news aside and focus on the interview. We'll know in a few days how I did, but as I left the room and walked passed the offices where she worked, my mind returned to my friend. And as time progresses, those of us remaining will experience the same shock again and again. To Janet, a smart funny, complex woman--good-bye. I'd have loved to sit down and have lunch with you again. I guess we'll have to do it another time.

Casting Call...If You've Got What It Takes

I am what you'd call, a part-time performer. I have a day job, a family, other responsibilities--it makes it difficult to pursue an acting/performing/entertaining career full-time. But, when I see a casting call posted, I still take notice.

Because, who knows?

After I read the write-up of what they're looking for, I knew I wasn't their man.

But maybe YOU are.

Ben Hansen, actor, producer, promoter, all-around great guy, posted on Facebook that he's looking for someone to be part of a reality TV show he and his production company, Hypocenter Productions, is developing. 

Here's what they want:

NEW TV SERIES:  We're currently casting a reality TV series for major cable TV network and we need an adventurous male to fill a key role to uncover and solve some of the world's greatest mysteries! Specifically, we'd like to see casting submissions from men with energetic personalities and backgrounds in decoding and/or analyzing information and then using the results to execute a plan of action. Examples of experience might be found with those in military and civilian intelligence, cryptography, academic symbology, criminal investigations, linguistics, or investigative journalism. If you have a mix of some of these, we'd be interested in seeing for example military guys with special forces experience if they they were part of the intel process. We'd be interested in those with history degrees if they also have research and analysis experience. 

Our host needs to be physically fit so he looks good in a suit but equally comfortable repelling in a jungle. You should be refined and classy so you're not out of place interviewing academics and experts. Your friends might describe you as a book and history nerd, except that you're also very extroverted and always love a good quest! 

I would apply, but I lack a couple of the requirements...I have no background in decoding and/or analyzing information nor have I used these skills to execute a plan of action. I have no experience in military and civilian intelligence, cryptography academic symbology, criminal investigations, linguistics or investigative journalism. I'm not a military guy with (or without...) special forces experience with (or without...) part of the intel process.

So, just a couple of things holding me back. But it does sound like a blast!

This blog post, once published, has the potential to reach almost every human being on the planet, so there's a good chance the right person for this gig has access to this very post. IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, click: HERE for more information. Ben would love to hear from you!

Dining At Sapa...An Amazing Experience

Friday last, noon, a few of us met downtown for a business lunch. I should say, at this point in my story, that I don't do many business lunches. The last one I did might have been back in 2013 when I worked at my friend's financial planning office.

Last week I arrived at a restaurant called Sapa. I'd never heard of it, but everyone else had. It took a few minutes for all parties to arrive. They put us in an overflow section--incredible space (I think it was once a mechanic garage...). I could have taken picture after picture of just the room.

But we weren't there for the ambiance--we were there for the sushi!

If I knew more about sushi, I would be able to let you know what it was we ate. I have no idea, but I do know it looked beautiful. I had several items off the twenty-or-so rolls we split between the six of us. The best one was something that's not even on the menu. When that happens, it means those doing the ordering know the place very, very well.

Another thing I'm not used to is having a lunch last almost three hours. 

Yup.

During the workday I eat lunch at my desk. I usually snarf it down as quick as possible in case I get a call. I've got to admit, taking time, enjoying the conversation, hanging out--I had a great time. I could get used to that kind of lunch. Of course, I'd have to be independently wealthy. I have no idea how much our lunch cost, but it had to be expensive.

At my previous business lunch back in 2013 we met at a restaurant and discussed financial plans. We ordered sushi. Personally, I can't remember if I actually had any sushi--I most likely did. So, last Friday was the second time in my life I ate sushi (the first time I remember eating it...).  It might be another six years since it happens again.

Then again, it might happen sooner than that. Time will tell.

I'm Almost Afraid To Open The Facebook Page...

We live in a very close community. Many of us have lived in the same neighborhood for decades. Because my parents bought undeveloped land in the late 1960s, I had a chance to build a home on a lot next to the house where I grew up. Most of my friends who grew up in the neighborhood didn't have that chance--not that they wouldn't like to live here, but their parents stayed and they had to find homes of their own. It's the way of things.

I consider myself lucky, or to use a term more familiar in these parts...blessed.

And because technology allows us now to be connected digitally on social network platforms, our little neighborhood has its own Facebook page. It's centered around our local church congregation, and since most in the surrounding city blocks adhere to the same religious affiliation (at least, on paper...), the Facebook page works well as a neighborhood source for news.

There's posts most would find interesting, jobs postings, things for sale, boy scout projects, but since February 2018 the site has been flooded with news of deaths.

It's the way of things.

It's getting to the point where I'm afraid to even open up the page for fear another person I know has passed away. Today I went back and counted--there were news of nine deaths in the last twelve months, two who died were related to those still in the neighborhood and seven were those living in our congregational boundaries. We've lost three in 2019 already.

Because many of us love where we live, we stay. And since we stay, we end up passing away in the same neighborhood where we raised our kids. And each year we grow another year older. Our neighborhood has gone from mostly young families to empty nesters. It's the way of all things--for the young to grow old and the old to stop growing.

We've had a tough twelve months--friends, neighbors, children, parents--we've lost all kinds. And when inevitably another of our friends, neighbors, children, and/or parents pass away, the news will be sent out via the Facebook site.

And I'll almost be afraid to open the page...

But I will. And I'll think of how we've lost another wonderful person.

It's the way of things.

You Know You're Getting Old When...

I supposed you could say the phrase, "You know you're getting old when..." in your twenties, thirties, forties...well, you get the picture. Realizing the fact you're getting older can happen anytime you see someone younger than you doing things you used to do.

Or seeing your friends's kids all grown up.

Wednesday night I participated in a small book fair (I blogged about it yesterday...). Most of the authors were set up and ready to go at the appointed time. But one came a little late, so I didn't get a chance to introduce myself to the newcomer. That had to wait for a break in the line of kids/parents making their way through the library.

"Hi...Scott Taylor." I extended my hand.

He did the same and told me who he was.

His last name sounded familiar.

All the other authors were local--two even had kids who attended the school we were in. The newbie--nope, he's from down south--even farther than Provo. I should have made the connection with those two clues. Lives south and has a familiar last name. But I didn't--not then.

Another break. This time the young man came over and bought one of my books--that's the best compliment you can give an author. He asked about the anthologies and how he'd like to know more about getting some of his stories published. I told him that I had writer friends who have had great success getting short stories published. I told him I connect with him on Facebook.

It's when I checked his name on FB that everything clicked--the name, where he lived. I asked him how he knew Keen and Sunny.

"Yeah, they're my parents. How do you know them?"

"From the mission," I said. I've known his parents since the mid-1980s.

And I knew I might have been the oldest person, not just in the room, but perhaps then entire building at that moment.

Personally, I try not to let my age get me down. I mean, it's going to happen--can't stop it. Plus, worrying about it and wishing you weren't getting older only compounds the problem.

And to Keen and Sunny--I only spent a few hours with your son, but he's total class. He treated everyone with respect, spoke to every interested child and parent that approached. He also made sure he talked to every author and even bought our books. Yes, he made me feel a little old, but that's okay when you've got such good friends.

Hanging Out At A Little Book Fair...

Just like with anything, I suppose, authors have varying degrees of enthusiasm when it comes to promoting their works. I've seen writers who have published picture books that contain only slightly embellished stick figures. We all have our own opinion about what is good and what is not good art. Personally, I probably wouldn't have published books like that, but they did.

Wednesday night I had the incredible experience of participating in a book fair at a local elementary school. I don't attend a lot of these type events. In fact, it was a first for me. I had no idea what to expect. Okay, that's not completely true. I knew there'd be kids and parents and other authors. All of that happened. I didn't expect the students to make me an adorable poster.

I met some amazing local authors that I hadn't met before. As they unpacked their books it became obvious my books were not quite tailored to the age group (especially my copies of Redneck Eldridge...). And my book Chaser was written for jr. high schoolers. 

I wondered if I would sell any books. I ended up doing pretty good. Plus, I met parents who were invested in getting their kids to read--that's a great thing.

After the parents and their children all had left and us authors had all our books packed and loaded into our cars, I thought about my night. With all the options our society has these days--streaming videos, movies, sports events--it felt good to be part of an event that celebrated the written word, and that, in a small way, I was part of that world.

Yes, I need to do more self-promotion. And if that means doing more events like the one this past week, what a wonderful way to do it...

Even if it's embellished stick figures.