Bystander's Log (Pt. 2)

Well hey there,

Is been a bit! I'm here to tell you about a couple of wonderful people and one not so wonderful one, today. None of them are relatable to the others, per se. These instances were separated by a few different weeks, but certainly all are relevant to life as we know it, or at least as I know it.

First off, I met two individuals that were wonderful in two nearly opposite ways.

The first young man was my first talkative passenger of the day. He begins the ride by talking about company cars and weighing their benefit or detriment to cost of living. Not a particularly promising start. We fall into discussions of behavioral psychology and his professional history as a professional interviewer for the military...I took a beat of confusion over this term. As I was quiet and contemplative, he took the opportunity to confirm my suspicions. "Professional interviewer" is a polite and covert way to refer to interrogation and interrogators. This man was an interrogation facilitator for the U.S. military who through his instruction learned how to count the cadence and sentence structure of a interviewee to determine whether or not they were telling the truth. As friendly a young man as he was it disturbed me to hear that he found it easy to manipulate his interviewees fairly easily due to this unaffected affability. My response being, "That's terrifying! But good for you I suppose...".

He studied under an FBI behavioral psychology specialist, double majored in behavior psychology and scuba diving (in Illinois), and after all was said and done with his military adventures briefly tried his hand at professional sports. All seemingly before the age of 30. He might be a pathological liar, I don't know; We'll operate under the assumption that he's telling the truth.

Perhaps this is you reading this Sir! You were truly entertaining.

There was a lively individual who entered my vehicle in North Dallas. Some people have been blessed with drive, talent, and opportunities as a result of the previous two gifts. It's not everyday you get to meet a broadway actor. This man was in Cats in the last stretch of the original run. He then moved to LA to pursue film and has had success in this avenue and continues to build that resume as he heads own players' troop as its C.E.O.

Alas this man has regrets. Almost immediately after graduating from SMU he had his opportunity to perform in Cats. Then after that he gambled a bit with going to LA, simultaneously having an opportunity after its run to play in a highly anticipated off Broadway play's debut run. He relayed to me that he had been wary of this decision retroactively but why look back? He's gone on to much more success and repute than many are able to achieve in their lifetimes with the same goals. He has had notable work in film and on the stage. He can afford to live in New York and travel! Dude, perhaps my expectations of life are too small but if you're always chasing the 'what if's or the 'yeah...but's what and when will you celebrate? So yes its "2019!" Look at what you've achieved what friends you have and stories you've accumulated. Share those with the world and celebrate because you're lovely and those stories are important to share. Give hope and joy everyway you can. Life's not over if you celebrate. Celebrating can be both a culmination of the events' so far and an initiation for those to come. Why regret or fain regret, just learn!

Our last retelling is not meant to do anything other than be cathartic to myself and discourage people from ordering Ubers for friends that are so inebriated that they teter or dive into the pool of predation.

I said this that night and I'll sing it henceforth (yes I'm a self righteous nerd in this context)! Anyone can be a predator. If you are prone to blacking out, you don't know what you're capable of, and shouldn't trust yourself. This man was thrust into my car by who I assume to be a coworker, who's spouse or fellow party guests he offended. He put the plastered troglodyte in my car, in the front passenger seat. You are equally to blame for his offences. Have a care! First off this drunk ate all my popcorn. That's fine. I gave it to him to occupy his hands but once that was gone his cheddar dust covered hands decided my thighs were fit for groping. After the third time (I'm still learning to respect myself) and 3rd verbal protest. I threatened the bastard with my tazer should he attempt groping a forth time. The reality is he did. I was driving and the best I could do was pull over to a gas station and kick him out of the car. This drunkard had the gall to say "Why?" when I said no. Because No! That's always enough!

I reported him to Uber. I have not made a police report. That is a mistake surely, but not one I will be repeating.

Do not put your drunk blacked-out friend in anyone's car. Don't invite them to the party.