You Take the Good, You Take the Bad

The worst sting is not when you approach and get a bad reaction, but when you fail to approach at all. It's 8'oclock p.m. and I'm on the subway coming home from work. I've spent the last 9 hours reading through an 800-page, very boring trial transcript. I am freakin starving. My thoughts are consumed with the possibilities of what I'm going to devour for dinner.

And then, when I least expect it, she appears. Blonde hair, blue eyes, soft skin, carrying about three shopping bags. She is standing in front of me while I'm sitting, almost towering over me. The subway is packed.

What do I say? She's got a cool ring, say something about the ring. What about the shopping bags, I can banter about that. Hestiation, hesitation, hesitation. Ok, I'm going with the ring. Just open your mouth, Joey.

And ... "This stop is 23rd street, the next stop is 28th street." It's her stop. Damn it. She merges with the rest of the people, and fights her way out of the subway car.

A couple seconds of hesitation and the opportunity is gone. I get off at my stop and try to not beat myself up. I focus on staying present, and realizing that I couldn't have been any different at that moment. But it still stings.

However, the universe always presents new opportunities for you. You just gotta keep your eyes open.

As a walk toward my building, I spot a cute girl walking toward me (I love New York City!) I plan on telling her that she is cute to put a smile on her face. I have no further intent, other than fueling my karma.

Oh wait. She's going into my building. We make eye contact and she gets to the door before me. She opens the door and waits till I arrive (she's a keeper).

I just start talking. I don't even know what I am saying, but she is laughing and smiling. We get into the elevator. We talk more, about work, the holidays, our roomates and living situation. We reach her floor, but keep talking. I'm holding the door open button.

"We're having a little Christmas party Thursday night. No big deal, just some friends coming over to have a few cocktails. You and your roomates should stop by."

She agrees, but only if she can bring a bottle of wine. That's fine with me.