10/2: going up

leaving work yesterday i ran into a very confused man in the elevator.

he asked me..."how do i get to the lobby?"

surely, you would think..hey- that nice "lobby" button might be your one way ticket to getting out, buddy.

this man looked very confused. so i just said, "oh don't worry, these elevators are a little wacky sometimes." (pushing the lobby button, trying to ease his frustration). he smiled. im glad we didn't stop on any of the floors down, because the second i got out of the elevator, this man was arrested.

for what you ask? apparently this guy assaulted some worker on the top floor. i just happened to be the person along for the ride on his escape route.

for some reason, getting off the elevator i didn't even stay to watch. i didn't care- the guy did nothing to me. walking out, it didn't even phase me that i was in the elevator with a criminal.

it was just another day in the elevator.

i know some people who hate the 30 seconds of elevator music-being stuck in a confined space with people you don't know. yeah, i get it. but why not try to take it in for what its worth? how many opportunities do you get to meet someone interesting on an elevator?

when i first started working here- taking the elevator up in the mornings, i met 2 interns working on the floor above me. for some reason, i was always on their elevator. they were friends. both went to Wisconsin, and of course- i gave them shit for it.

i always looked forward to those 30 second elevator rides with them. they were pretty great. they had their whole senior year to look forward too and all i could do was be happy for them. they were having fun, working hard- and first thing in the morning- they were willing to meet people in the elevator.

i hope that i run into them again this summer.

there are some people that ive only seen once. but that one encounter will always stick with me.

leaving work i met the most nervous looking man i had ever seen. sweat dripping on the side of his face, pale and jittery. "finally its the weekend," i told him. he looked at me and immediately said, "im proposing to my girlfriend in 2 hours. shit im an adult..."

(great realization)

"that's amazing, how long have you been together?"

"3 months"

in my head i thought..kill me right- 3 months and your making that commitment? but i stopped myself. this guy was making a huge decision and the expression i saw on his face only made me realize- hes about to make his girlfriend the most happiest person in the world tonight, and i was witnessing what happens 2 hours before the one moment you decide to be with someone forever.

leaving work that day, i knew that guy was going to be happy. i don't know why.

striking up conversations in elevators has been a good eye opener. it gives you the opportunity to be on someone elses level- even if it's only 30 seconds to a minute.

the woman who got off on the 12th floor- she got to work an hour earlier than usual on a friday because she wanted to watch her nephew play soccer in the burbs.

the creepy guy my dad works with- ive watched him hit on 3 separate women in the same elevator at the same time.

the guy who's dog takes a shit on the sidewalk in front of the elevator by the parking garage- yeah- he still has no idea how to warn you that his dog has taken a shit and you should not walk there.

the "im going to try to impress my boss" elevator situation...well, usually they just look like their happy you talked to him.

and there's nothing better than the one person in the elevator that knows you have had a long day-and says something you want to hear.

"tomorrows a new day"

ive got 16 floors, and 30 seconds to meet someone new. why shouldn't i talk to them? if your nice to them, well- maybe you wont get assaulted in the elevator, but maybe you'll meet someone that changes your perspective on something.

now that is worth it.