I went on a business trip to Fullerton, CA last week. I flew into LAX and caught a bus to Santa Barbara to spend some time with my brother and future sister-in-law, then I spent a day with my good friends in Carpineria before taking the train to Fullerton for work on Monday. Whenever I travel, I try to meet new people.
Everyone has their own story, and most will gladly share their story for free. Their stories are more bizarre than most books, and they're non-fiction. All they need is someone to show interest and ask a few kick-start questions.Here are a few:
Dan. I met Dan on the Amtrak trip from Carpinteria to Fullerton. He plopped down next to me as I talked with my wife on the phone. His clothes were scraggly and very worn--like his beard. When I lost the connection through a tunnel I started up conversation with Dan. He travels America for free with his two companions (one he met in Florida, the other in Atlanta). He was on his way to Texas.
Instead of asking about how he financed his free continental travel, I shared with him my own enjoyment of travel--including international. I then came up with a way that he may be able to legally get to travel South East Asia (a bit of work required). He sounded interested but sidestepped the idea of working on a barge to Thailand. When I got reception again, I excused myself to finish my conversation with my wife.
A conductor came by and asked him for his ticket, but he said that the other conductor already got it. She didn't look convinced and called the other conductor over to verify. She tore into Dan for lying to her face and demanded that he show her his ticket. Dan started fumbling in his pockets, trying to hold onto the lie. The conductor got madder by the second and continued to speak harshly with him. (Fun fact: did you know that freeloading on Amtrak is not a misdemeanor but a felony?) Needless to say, Dan was escorted off the train at the next stop, and his travel companions exited the train with the other passengers at said stop.
Collin. After a fun filled first half of the trip with Dan, I decided to get some dinner in the dining car three cars back. It's a good thing I got my food and a seat before arriving at Union Station in Los Angeles because every seat was full by the time we pulled out--including the booth across from me.
This guy was sharp. He wore black slacks and shoes and a striped blue and white button down shirt. He looked ready to walk into an executive office and give his report. When I asked him what he did, I was surprised me with junior high soccer coach. He makes a decent living in the North East doing individual and team coaching pretty much part time. He was on his way back from a bachelor party in Las Vegas.
He came from a lineage of lawyers (not courtroom, business law), and after several years doing part time soccer coaching (avoiding the family expectation). He's come to the conclusion that he wants to practice law on his own accord. We talked at length about the importance of doing good work--work that first provides for your family and secondly that has a greater impact on the world.
I wish that I gave him my contact information. He'll be a great lawyer one day.
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