Day 6

This morning I was at Einstein's Bagels by 7:30. I was meeting a guy who had contacted me about my project. He was interested by the idea and wanted to help with the bartering part if he could, so I told him there was the Scarborough Fair ticket that I entered to win but had yet to hear back from the radio station, and then there was this "battle of the bands" show my friend was competing in with his band. After listing all of the things I was willing to barter with, he chose my painting I had completed a couple of weeks ago.

It was a great deep blue wave about to crash on a warm and bright yellow background. He asked if I was really willing to part with it. I told him I really enjoyed painting it and would much rather someone else enjoy it too. It was another one of those like v.s. want moments. I liked the painting, I liked painting it, and I was happy it existed in the universe, and because of all of those truths, I didn't feel the need to own it at all.

I chose Einstein's because, yes, I had printed off a couple of coupons again for a free bagel.

I sent a text telling him I would be the one sitting with the giant painting.

As I waited, one of the employees came by. He was an artist and wanted to check out my painting. He told me a little about himself and I told him about my project. He asked me what kind of bagel I wanted and brought it to me along with a smile and some encouraging words. Soon after, his boss came to talk to me. It had only been about 5 minutes but he had already heard about the project from his employee and wanted to know more. I told him how things were going so far, and he told me about a project he led as an Eagle Scout in Las Vegas for Scouts with special needs, and how it had grown exponentially since it began. I told him I thought that was great and that sometimes I don't think people know how much power they truly have to change the world around them.

My phone began to ring and it was my bartering buddy, wondering where I was.
"I'm right here". It turns out he was "way over there".
...unfortunately, he was at an Einstein's Bagel on the other side of town.

*Logistical Fail*

We decided to try again Sunday. The good news is he was able to put my name on a list for the show, so I don't need to have a ticket physically in my hand for that one. I'm not planning to go to Scarborough Fair until next weekend, so I will have time to meet and trade my painting before then.

After reflecting on the morning, I was happy for the accident. Because of our lack of communication skills I had time to talk and share ideas with two interesting people while I waited. The manager even offered to buy me coffee next time I came in.