"Sure, more than happy to show you around the base!"
Me and my work colleague M, followed T through the awkward crowd of Christmas Party people, covered in flies in the middle of nowhere, where this helicopter base was located. The hanger was hot and the people murmuring amongst themselves about idle things I am sure.
T enthusastically showed us around the base. He was about 45, a bit unfit, in a blue collar overall outfit, talking about mechanical devices in the control room. M and I both nodded with enthusiasm even though we had already said we were going to the General Manager but hey, this guy obviously loved sharing his passion, and we were not going to refuse that.
He showed us the bathrooms, the gym, the kitchen and the TV room. And somehow every room was just as exciting and cool. His genuine expression and love of the service they provided, rescuing people from the surf down the Sydney coastline with helicopters, was refreshing. Even though the tour was kind of boring, to be an audience for him was worth it.
With a firm handshake to me, we said goodbye and his eye contact showed he really meant what he said, so respectively gave it back to him as well.
Then we walked back to the car and saw 3 priests walking out of the bushes.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
B from U S of A
"Gday Mate! Is that how you say it?" He said when he shook my hand.
B was a producer on a small little show they have in the US with a woman who starred in the Color Purple. He was in Australia because this woman was doing on of her shows here.
He had very striking eyes but had a warm and friendly presence. Not saying his eyes were the opposite of warm and friendly, just perceptive and spoke by themselves.
He had grown up on a farm in the US and sadly his father killed himself because the farm turned bad and he was ashamed of his loss. His mother then turned into an alcoholic, burned down her own house to get insurance money and his sister turned bolemic. He is the good son, one of three, he is the youngest of the boys, and his sister is the baby of the family. Just. Like. Me. I smiled inside and out when I had heard that, because the way he talked, I totally related. B was the peacemaker, he wanted to help everyone in the family and make sure they got along. And in the process forgot about his only feelings and how his family affected him.
We talked about this at the Opera Bar, in front of a beautiful Sydney night looking across the harbour. Gin and tonic, and he complained Australia does not free pour.
He is full of career and also didnt trust others for ages, and took a while to let his current partner in.
We joked that I was the Aussie version of him. It is fascinating when you see people who mirror you, the common experience. Even when you feel you are so unique.
He encouraged me to keep going with my dreams, as well as to keep riding the adventure of where jobs and life can take you. Which is spot on what I love. His good will and calming presence through a chance meet, has made me think a lot and just remember that I am a good person too, and my heart always has the best intentions.
Enough of the sob.
B was a producer on a small little show they have in the US with a woman who starred in the Color Purple. He was in Australia because this woman was doing on of her shows here.
He had very striking eyes but had a warm and friendly presence. Not saying his eyes were the opposite of warm and friendly, just perceptive and spoke by themselves.
He had grown up on a farm in the US and sadly his father killed himself because the farm turned bad and he was ashamed of his loss. His mother then turned into an alcoholic, burned down her own house to get insurance money and his sister turned bolemic. He is the good son, one of three, he is the youngest of the boys, and his sister is the baby of the family. Just. Like. Me. I smiled inside and out when I had heard that, because the way he talked, I totally related. B was the peacemaker, he wanted to help everyone in the family and make sure they got along. And in the process forgot about his only feelings and how his family affected him.
We talked about this at the Opera Bar, in front of a beautiful Sydney night looking across the harbour. Gin and tonic, and he complained Australia does not free pour.
He is full of career and also didnt trust others for ages, and took a while to let his current partner in.
We joked that I was the Aussie version of him. It is fascinating when you see people who mirror you, the common experience. Even when you feel you are so unique.
He encouraged me to keep going with my dreams, as well as to keep riding the adventure of where jobs and life can take you. Which is spot on what I love. His good will and calming presence through a chance meet, has made me think a lot and just remember that I am a good person too, and my heart always has the best intentions.
Enough of the sob.
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