I've gotten much better identifying people I shouldn't spend time on, something I was godawful bad at through my formative years. I wish I could get better identifying the people I should spend more time on though, the people I encounter who deserve more of my time and attention. I realize a good chunk of these people may have no interest in spending more time on me. I'm OK with that.
I look back to identify some of these folks, not to be nostalgic or rueful (I think), but to inform myself and learn so as not to repeat. Or at minimum, to try to be better. Or as Bart Simpson said best, "I can't promise that I'll try. But I can promise that I'll try to try."
From my Spanky's days during and after college: Dave/David McDonald, Kenny Smith, and Phil Demby. David used to read the paper at the bar before his shift. Every day he would mutter, "Today's the day." I finally asked him what that meant. "Today's the day Garfield makes me laugh." That still makes me laugh. Wherever you are, Dave McDonald, here's to hoping Garfield will one day be funny.
Kenny Smith, not that Kenny Smith, the Kenny Smith who worked at Spanky's. Kenny was this terrific, free spirit I just couldn't appreciate at the time. Kenny and I went mountain biking one day and every time we'd shoot down a hill or hit a fun spot, Kenny would whoop in delight. At the time it just struck me as goofball weirdo stuff. In hindsight, Kenny was teaching me to embrace the moment. Wherever you are, Kenny Smith, here's to hoping you still hoot and holler down a dirt bike path.
Phil Demby. Phil was this strikingly handsome fellow who also happened to be one of the most genuinely nice guys I've ever known. This entry may be a bit rueful because the very last time I saw Phil I behaved as a drunken, offensive buffoon. Perhaps because at the time I was a drunken, offensive buffoon. What I learned from Phil was that it's just as easy to appreciate the people around you as it is to denigrate or dismiss them. Wherever you are Phil, you're the man. And I apologize for my drunken buffoonery the last time I saw you.
