December 22, 2015- Stranger Off The Street

" Hey, buddy, can you give me a hand?" Says an anxious, somewhat disheveled stranger who just came off the street and shuffled into the Frothy Cup. There I was sitting at my usual table working on my blog, minding my own business when he came in.

"I need someone to go down with me to Golden to pick up my car. I'd give you $20." I replied that I would like to but have to be somewhere by 2pm and it's already11:30 now.

"Ah, it'll take only an hour. Half hour there and an half hour back. Tops! I just bought a new car and drove it up here and left my old car at the dealership. I can't drive 2 cars at the same time so I need you to drive one of the cars."

"Alright, but then let's get moving." I finally relented against my better judgment. On the ride down the hill to Golden Tim told me the whole story about buying this new 4 wheel drive BMW at some dinky little used car dealership operated by "Eddy."

In a not too bright moment, Tim, purchased a Car Fax report, AFTER he bought the vehicle, only to find out his used car he just bought this morning was totaled in a wreck 2 years ago. And, to his consternation, Eddy failed to disclose same.

So, as we arrived at Eddy's car lot Tim jumped out of the car but before he did he reassured me this wouldn't take any time. He was going to confront Eddy and give the car back.

Well, over an hour later I see Tim walking sheepishly towards me as I was waiting in the car, his head bent over, shoulders shrugging. He gets into the car and tells me the "bastard" won't take the car back. Eddy showed Tim the title which did not have the characteristic " S" stamped on the face which would indicate that the title was a salvage title.

Now pissed off, Tim asked to see my drivers licence and attempted to keep it until we arrived back at his home up in York Gulch. I told him I didn't think so and snatched my license out of his hand.

I took off with Tim following me. My phone began ringing. It was the lady I was supposed to meet to get her some groceries from the store. Told her I was running late. She replied that she had an appointment so I wouldn't have her car to get to the store. Told her no worries I would walk.

I hung up. I was seething about Tim's lack of concern for keeping my appointment. He exhibits a lack of empathy I'm sure is a characteristic endemic to Tim's personality.

We finally arrived at his home about a mile up York Gulch Rd a couple of miles away from my campsite. His driveway is at least a 30% grade and about a thousand feet long.

We then hop in his car and he takes me home back to Idaho Springs whereupon he tells me he doesn't have a $20 bill just $100 bills. I said no matter I'll just take a hundred. He tells me we will go to Safeway and get change.

So, here it is 4 hours later he finally breaks one of his big bills hands me the $20, tells me not spend it all in one place and off he goes.

These are the kind of small jobs or chores I do for people sometimes for remuneration sometimes not. I usually enjoys these little experiences but not this one. For one, I failed to keep my promise to this lady. And, dealing with Tim and his lack of ethics was the worst of it.

But, in fairness to Tim I must admit that my ego got in the way too which explains my quick anger. How dare he waste my time and pay me such a pittance for 4 hours out of my day?

This is the work I must do daily: keeping my ego in restraint. Denying myself. I learned from this experience how much work I have yet to do. Yet, at the same time I know this is everybody's struggle and that for every step I take forward I may go back two steps. And, that's okay too.

This life is about learning and testing. I'm just a pupil. That's the biggest role I play in life. So, just lay back and enjoy the ride, I tell myself.

BR Schoenbein
December 22, 2015- Tuesday