Roommates

It has been one of the most interesting weekends of my life.

Last night, for the first time we broke out the beer and the music and enjoyed what my Sigma Chi brothers would call our first “late night.” There are all sorts of people working here, but fortunately I am part of a core group of employees who are younger and more entertaining. As in any environment, certain people will gravitate to each other and it is somewhat obvious after only a few days who will immediately sit with each other in the EDR. Tonight we even used my laptop to play a movie trivia game that uses a DVD to play clips before asking the question. Moreso, however, I am somewhat amazed at how fast we have already grown so comfortable with each other, even if I am, once again, the Old Man of the group.

This afternoon, for the first time since I have been here, I also found the time to go for a run on a trail that leads from the campground to the lodge. It honestly was like a New Balance ad at one point on the trail. After I rounded one corner, there it was – the incredible panorama of the North Rim and everything that is on the south side and beyond. There is a simple bench that serves as a viewing point, so that served as a resting point for a few minutes. But, of course, soon this will be routine, so you don’t stay much more than that.

And now for the news everyone seems to be waiting on. I have a roommate. He is from Phoenix, by way of the beaches of Southern California. A surfer and competitive swimmer named Jeff. We are listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers on my laptop while I write this, so the first night is already going well. But that is not a surprise, since he wasn’t simply assigned to me. We actually met several days ago and after a few days it was apparent he was not enjoying his original assignment, so in one of those “never underestimate the power of the chance encounter” moments I said “sure” when he asked me if he could move in. Are you surprised? You know how much I believe in the value of a friendship that begins like this because most of you happened just the same way. It was also the one uncertain and I am relieved that it worked out so well.

Tomorrow begins the first full week, but the lodge is still in a state of confusion, so I don’t know what we will be doing. Jeff’s a shuttle driver so he might be out in one of the vans and I believe there will be training in the office because we are implementing all new systems with the change of management from last season. I will try to take that pic of the view from my office as soon as possible.