So They Say It's Your Birthday

Zach and Jon picked me up to go to our friend Ginny's party on Sunday. Remember those guys? They played guitar in Agni? Anyway, I hopped in the car, and we watched the Slow Jerk video on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UJ9Ggs3Dkk). Watch it, it's funny. Plus, then you'd understand what I mean when I say that Zach and I agreed that Jon was the slow jerk guy. He didn't really know how to handle that assessment. "... I'm... The slow jerk guy? What does that even mean?" "Don't worry about it, dude, you're the slow jerk guy. That's who you are in the group. You jerk slow. Just accept it." "Haha, yeah, dude, he's totally the slow jerk guy!" I don't really know how Zach participated in all this while driving. It is a mystery.

We got to the party soon enough. Incidentally, it was right by my friend Nikita's house, so I sent her a message telling her that I was right outside her place and that I couldn't see her through her windows. Zach and Jon agreed that my concern for her welfare would help her to feel safer. Then, we walked into this:

Wow. Great party, guys. Seriously. Did I mention that Ginny has an excellent voice? She's been recording with Zach. She's also a violinist. Very talented woman, and this was her 21st birthday party. She could rock if she wanted to. I'd never before met the guitarist, but he's got some serious chops, too. His wife was there and she and I spoke briefly. She's the one who readjusts my camera from Zach, sulking in the shadows. Clearly, she knows what's worth filming. This is why I love partying with musicians.

I ate food, made friends, laughed, made fun of Jon... It was a good night, but all things must pass. I left after a rousing game of truth or dare, during which I learned new things about myself. Zach had left earlier than I wanted to, so I walked to the subway station a block away, only to find out that I had missed my ride home by a margin of two minutes. I sat down on a comfortable-looking block of concrete and pulled out my phone to play Scramble with Friends, when a young skateboarder approached me. It was maybe 2:15 in the morning at this point.

"Yo dude, you got a cigarette?" he asked.
"Don't smoke, sorry."
"Ah, yeah, alright man, it's cool..." I didn't have any place to be, and he didn't seem to either, so I figured we might as well strike up a conversation. He must've had an interesting night too, yeah? What else would he be doing at a subway station at this hour?
"Hey man, what're you doin' here this late?"
"Homeless." Ah. Yeah. Okay.
"... How did that happen?"
"My family and I agreed it was for the best." I wondered what sort of family situation he must've had, for homelessness to be an upgrade for all parties involved.

We proceeded to talk for the next half hour about what life was like on the streets, how it affected his relationships, his career, his passions. Apparently, he showered every day, worked a job parking cars at a nearby mall, managed to take care of his own needs without imposing upon his friends, and owned his own cell phone, all of which impressed quite a bit. He was a nice guy, I really enjoyed speaking with him for the hour I had 'till my bus arrived (yes, a bus at a subway station). When it was time for me to go, we exchanged numbers. I hope to speak with Gio again soon.