Interlude

It's always been fascinating to me that we are each living out our respective lives, but all around us there are billions of other people living out theirs, and for the most part, we are unaware of what happens to them.

I think it's equally fascinating that a single, intense experience can so radically alter one's perception of life, or alter the path that one's life may take. Then, it's mind boggling to think of what would have happened if that experience did not occur.

An example: Just this past weekend, the institute staff went out to celebrate the close of institute - corps members were off and our work was (for the most part) done. It's a last night, of sorts.

I don't know about you, but when I walk around, I subconsciously (and sometimes consciously) make mental notes of people I meet or see. One of those notes is whether I find them attractive in appearance or personality and whether I would be interested in hanging out with them. Most of the time, I just go on about my life and I don't act on any of these mental notes. (on an aside, what makes someone memorable? sometimes something strikes you about their appearance, or something they said, or the context in which you met them, or it's a person you see every day but don't know their name -but it's equally likely all these things happen and they are forgotten)

We ended up at a club called the Lansky Lounge - apparently named after a mobster but run by South Asians. I was having a good time talking, hanging out, and dancing, but there wasn't anyone there in particular that I was attracted to. However, later on in the evening (about 1-2 hours after I'd arrived), another staff member that had not been there previously arrived.

She was one of those people that just stand out - and one of those people I made a mental note about earlier, "She's kind of cute." but then you don't really act upon that note. In fact, I had very little in terms of meaningful interaction with her until this night.

I actually saw her on my way to get some water or another drink (I don't remember), and in a split second, I decided that it would be fun to dance with her. And since she kind of has a silly personality, I danced myself silly. Needless to say, I felt like there was some unspoken connection - we ended up dancing together for most of the evening and then went home in a group together via taxi, and walked arm in arm back to campus.

Four days later, I still think about her. It's strange that I "miss" her, considering that if I had not decided to dance with her that evening, things would have been completely different. Not to mention what would have happened if she didn't decide to come to the club that evening. We would never have danced, I never would have felt a connection, and she would have disappeared and I probably would have never thought about her again.

It kind of makes you think about all the lost opportunities (in all areas of life) that may pass you by each day without even realizing it.