Saturday January 25 2014

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Waking up freezing underneath the covers at 10:50 a.m.

Strawberry Honey Bunches of Oats with Almond Milk.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Kale and Arugula Salad with Tomatoes, Dried Cranberries, and Almonds. Popped Potato Chips. Honey Black Tea. Maple Leaf Cookie.

Listening to a Radiolab podcast with a theme on stress.

PB&J Chocolate Bar.

Delivering an order to the Sheraton on 35^th Street. When looking for the customer's room I walk by two middle-aged guys and one lady. I can see the alcohol heavy in their red eyes. They seem to be having a somewhat secretive discussion about something, maybe a conspiracy. They don't pay me much attention. Everything is said with sheer enthusiasm.

Apple.

Out of all the years that I've worked here I never once tasted the General Tso's Chicken. I realize this and decide to try it to see what all the fuss is about.

Off work and back home.

General Tso's Chicken with Broccoli and Fried Rice.

The boys are drinking hard downstairs. It's just Josh, Darren, and Kevin. I can hear their rumbles and hollering.

...

I allow Darren to use my computer to upload some music from his external hard drive onto his phone. In my room, he hits me with the usual questions, "What should I do, Robert?" It's mostly about this girl he says he'll never fall out of love with but the question also deals with his future. He's too smart for his own good, too smart for the world in some ways. He sees me as this wise experienced person with a positive outlook. He comes to me for life advice. Lately I've noticed a New York accent in his voice. He's obviously doing it on purpose but I don't know why. Maybe he feels it gives him more sass in his character.

I tell him how important it is that he let go of this energy sucking force he calls the love of his life. Get rid of any means of communication with her. Push forward and focus on his path. The idea of starting our own restaurant or food truck comes up. Maybe we should just do it. Either way this time I'm the one going on a rant about my observations in him.

Me: "You've got so much potential. I feel like you could do anything you wanted!"

This is a pivotal conversation between Darren and I about the state of his life, the state of things.

"It's coming to an end," he says.

Me: "Or a beginning."

Darren: "See, that's why I like you. You're always so positive."

...

I announce to the drinking kids, "I want to petition to have one night a week where everyone in the house is sober!"

Everybody protests, especially Darren, "Are you kidding me? I could not do that!"

Me: "Just one night, Darren, just one night every week where nobody in the house drinks. I think it would be good discipline."

Settling down in the bed with Ana. She doesn't expect much from me tonight as we didn't plan on spending time together but she wanted to be in Virginia Beach for an early meet-up with Stephanie in the morning. I'm exhausted. We briefly reflect on the day we had.

Me: "You are nothing but added joy to my life."

She doesn't believe me when I say such charming things but I always make clear that I mean what I say.

Sleep at 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.