(Disclaimer: It's a long read, but a worthwhile one)
Last night was real interesting.
I had made plans w/ Hannah after work to hit up the NikeID studio at Niketown NY. She been askin me for a minute what do I want for Christmas, and like on most other gift giving occasions, I tried to be politically correct and tell her that it doesnt matter, lol.
Well she kept asking and I finally told her, you wanna do somethin dope? Let me ID some shoes at the Studio, and we were out (they take about a month to get made for those of yall that are wondering).
On the train ride there, we came across a guy asking for change, who said he was homeless. If you've been on the NYC subway more than once or twice in your life chances are you've come across someone in a similar situation.
Now, having taken the train so many times before, I've admittedly built myself up to pretty much not pay attention to these cats. Most of the people I see in the train cars do the same, for whatever reason.
The Gods honest truth is that last night I had NO cash on me, change, nothing. But after we got off the train and headed towards 57th street, I started talking to Hannah about how I don't usually acknowledge the people I encounter like that in the subways, but that I really want to change that. Mostly because of this past Saturday night when I was waitin on the platform by the R and saw a dude give a man who was asking around, some extra change. I've seen people reach out and spare a few bucks before, but that time it just struck me as different. And so I spoke to Hannah about how lately I've been jus looking at things differently, and that from now on I'll spare some dough whenever I have it in my pockets. Earth-shattering news? Not exactly, it was something I couldn't stop thinking about.
So we get to NTNY, and head upstairs to the studio.
As we're on the escalator heading upstairs, an employee behind us notices my red St. John's hoody (yea I still wear it from time to time).
Dude: St. John's? Nice, thats my alma mater.
Me: Word? Thats wassup me too, when'd you graduate?
Dude: '05. You?
Me: This past May. Staten Island campus. You probably went to Queens right?
Him: Yea man. Thats wassup. What are you doin now? School again or workin?
Me: Workin for now, probably goin back to school next year though. Im workin at Nike actually, out in Jersey.
Dude: Word? Lemme guess, sports management major right?
Me: Haha, yea, you too?
Dude: Yea man. You intern anywhere?
Me: Yea, with the Knicks and Rangers at the Garden. What about you?
Dude: Yea, I did one with the Mets. It was great. Shit aint easy though yo, 4 years after graduation and Im workin here. Keep bustin ya ass man, and work hard, its what you gotta do, you know?
Me: I feel you bruh. Appreciate it. Be good.
Dude: You too.
The convo finished as he got off the escalator and we continued up, but I thought that was an interesting discussion to have with someone, who's in a (somewhat) similar position to me, even though he may be a few years older. Let's me know I aint the only one, you know?
Anyway, after that we finally reach the studio.
I've passed it many times before, but this was the first time I stepped foot inside, and it was dope. Different displays of all the shoes offered on NikeID, in different colorways, with sample strips of all the colors and materials offered. TOO official.
Hannah and I do what we gotta do, design some Air Max 1s, and in about a month hopefully I'll have my pairs. I'll post em up with a quality review when they come in.
We split after that.
On the way back to the train walking up 57th street, Hannah stops in at a Starbucks.
Dude that takes her order and rings her up turns out to be a real funny cat. Makin jokes about what she's ordering and that they dont have anymore, and all that. He ends up chargin her the smallest size instead of the larger one that she ordered, so that she wouldnt have to break a 5.
No big deal right? But think about it, dude aint know us from a hole in the wall, he didnt have to do that.
Then, dude hooked ME up with the same thing Hannah ordered, for free.
I turned around and he was like "here you go man". I said, "word?"
He said "Yea dont worry about it. Probably wouldve ended up gettin rid of it anyway, and because you guys were laughin at my jokes. Alotta people don't get my sense of my humor but you guys appreciated it"
I told him thanks yo, I really appreciate it. Karma gon' come back around bruh. Take care.
Crazy way to end the night, I thought, considering how it started and the conversation I had with Hannah on the train about giving money when I can, to those brave enough to ask for it.
On the night before Thanksgiving too.
Count your blessings and be thankful for ALL that you have. I know I am.
Stay up and God bless.
