Ryan

So I think I said before it had been too long.  In fact, I know I did (see last post- "Mickey").  And it had.  Then, and tonight.

Tonight I met Ryan.

(Actually, I first met Maximo, Puerto-Rican American singer and guitar player...but he got off the train before we had a chance to take a photo...alas.)

But then I met Ryan.  Ryan grew up in Indiana and now works as an architect in New York.  This made me laugh, as this makes him the second architect I have met on the subway in Brooklyn, and the first one has subsequently become a friend I count among my most valued.  You just never know who you might meet onthetwo, or otherwise.

Ryan's favorite food is "anything spicy," although he went on to further specify that he really prefers Indian food.  Yum.  As someone who definitely relates, I told him about one of my favorite places to eat in the city.  Mmmmmm.  His favorite movie is Motorcycle Diaries, and his favorite thing about New York is that "There's nothing you can't find here."And the one thing Ryan wants to tell the world:  "Explore."

I concur.

Now, in a brief personal remark- I'll keep it short, I promise, as this is NOT a blog about me-however, I tend to think this particular sentiment of mine might not be completely unique.  I have felt lonely- really, really lonely- in this city lately.  I continue to be amazed at just how lonely a city with this many people can feel.  And tonight, I remembered something I knew, but had forgotten, yet again.  Something so simple, and yet somehow so hard to hang on to: the simple truth that just by being human, by opening your heart a little bit, and then maybe your mouth, to say hello, life is made better. 

You might still be lonely, but in a city with this many people, you never have to be lonely alone.

I also want to offer a special shout out to the girl who watched me talk to Maximo and Ryan, and asked for an onthetwo card as she got off the train.  I didn't catch her name, but she asked for a card so she could check out the site, and it completely made my night.  If there is one thing better than connecting with people, it's connecting with people through connecting with people. ; )