What You Least Expect

After a brief hiatus, but it's nice to return to the blogosphere.

What a weird, yet satisfying week. This time, a week ago, I was in Norfolk with two close friends, wandering around historic Ghent in 70-degree weather. During the intervening time between Ghent and now, I've traveled to Waverly, Virginia, to visit my friend, Terrell; drove four hours to Lynchburg for VOP's three-day intern training and statewide canvass setup; problem-solved all-day Thursday, our first canvassing day; and occupied Friday and today, getting my personal and domestic life together. A lot hectic, little stressful, though.

Most of all, I was pleasantly surprised throughout the week. Small things which eventually acculumated, catching my attention.

Like last Sunday, while visiting Terrell (located at Sussex One State Prison on deathrow), another visitor was unable to buy vending machine snacks for her "brother" because the prison's change machine was broken. We learned about this after I had retrieved a five dollar bill from my car for her (since she only had a $20) and no one else in the waiting room was willing to be generous with their change. At the time I went into the "Contact Room" to buy Terrell full lunch, an extremely kind soul randomly offered me several dollars in change. I explained to her that I had more than enough, but suggested we offer the change to the particular visitor I previously mentioned. So she was able to give her "brother" a hot meal (she later flashed her visitor, hence the quotations :)

Among four interns for whom I'm supervising this summer, there was a specific intern from wealthy McLean area, I assumed I wouldn't have liked. She's turned out to have a bright, open personality which I enjoy.

Another W&M intern with whom I had interacted a few times was happy to see me and catch-up. Later learned that she was queer-identified.

My fifth intern is somewhere in Latin America (and is no longer my intern)...

After numerous setbacks on Thursday, my intern team was prepared to complete their first canvass. But alas, before leaving my parking lot, Lauren's SUV had a complete flat tire. I was able to use my AAA membership to fix it. (We documented the event on Facebook.)

My hairdresser? A lesbian. Imagine the look on my face when she told me that she and another hairdresser (who is obviously gay -- black hairdresser stereotype) were going to Pride this weekend. She whispered in my ear, "Not trying to get into your business, but are you a lesbian?" "Oh, yeah!" I had a hard time hearing her over the gospel music in the background. Apparently she puts the "D" in "Dyke." Who the hell knew?

Finally, I received a very unexpected letter from GW explaining that there's no room for me in their fall class. I'm happily attending American. The most perplexing part of the news is the misinformation that I had received from a phone psychic I consulted a couple times. I'll share the important lesson from this in a moment.

None of these surprises, however, had me miss a beat. I found myself amused as my expectations--about what was and what ought to be--were quickly deflated. Life's a funny thing.

I was admittedly a little distressed about the wrong prediction made about the law school I'd attend. I considered several possibilities: the prediction could have been wrong, the psychic I consulted could have had lesser abilities, her prediction could have been right at the time, but circumstances changed, etc.

I don't think any of this much matters, though.

This question about law school is the only direct knowledge I had ever sought from a spiritual advisor. And now, I know that I was wrong to do it. The universe is complex, and more significantly, it's fragile. Every decision you make, intention you have, action you execute, changes its order. Because of this seeming disappointment and because of this week, I'm appreciating the thematic lesson here, that what you least expect, can happen. It's all the more reason to be mindful of your future, yet be willing to truly embrace the present.

I'm swimming with the current. Feels great.

See ya,
R.