A Wrinkle in Time

Most people can look back at their lives and find points in time where a choice that they made in the split second changed the course of their lives forever. I know I can. But how many people can recognize those times right as they are happening? Probably not that many. I am one of those few people who can recognize those course-changing moments as they occur.

A little over a year ago I was working at 99X selling air time. We have these gatherings called Live X’s - where we have some current band on a promotional tour swing by the station and do a live acoustic set in front of a small group of listeners. The most famous recording of this can be found on the Weezer Blue album’s second CD called Dusty Gems and Rare Nuggets. There you can find a 99X Live X recording of Jamie. It is wonderful.

Anyway, about a year ago Athlete rolled into the studio to do a Live X and I attended. I really don’t remember much about the show, but towards the end I noticed a guy who I new ages ago. When I say ages, I mean literally ten years ago. I didn’t look very cute so I didn’t want my first impression on this guy after 10 years be a bad one. A work friend encouraged me to follow after him and say hello.

As he was leaving I chased him down the hallway and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and I said, “Do you remember me?” and he did. We realized that he worked literally .25 miles (according to Map Quest) away from the station so we started going to lunch together and I hooked up with several other friends from my youth.

As we got to know each other again I learn of his band (which I really enjoyed) and I started working him into the 99X fabric as best I could. After about a week after our reunion I told a co-worker that meeting him again is one of those moments that would impact my life forever. I didn’t know how or to what extent but I knew. I also told his girlfriend, who I also grew up with that same thing a few days later.

Now it is a year later. I am no longer at the station but I was absolutely correct. When I went to see one of my classmate’s shows at Smith’s I saw a striking man in the audience. I had been going to shows for a long enough time that I knew everyone in the audience, except for this guy. I made a complete ass out of myself because I didn’t approach this stranger until I had a few too many drinks in me. A few weeks later my old friend asked me to come with him to see another show. I didn’t want to go but gave in eventually. Who was behind the drum kit of this other band? The same guy who I saw at Smith’s. This time we actually spoke and really hit it off. The rest is history.

Through this one person I also met his guitar player and his wife. My boyfriend (the striking man behind the drums) and I have grown very close to this couple. I know they are going to be our friends for life.

That one moment over a year ago – that one tap of the shoulder – that one split second in time lead me to my destiny. If I didn’t make that choice to put myself out there I would not be sitting next to the man of my dreams typing about this story. Crazy, eh?

If you aren’t tired of reading yet I have my second example of when I have placed a bookmark at a random point in time that really did turn out to be a life altering event.

Two or more years ago when I was at the station I was calling on Moe’s to see if I could get them to spend money on advertising. The person I was talking to seemed to be interviewing me. It was strange. At the end of our meeting he asked me if I wanted to interview to be their new PR Director. I told him I was happy where I was but I referred one of my closest friends. After leaving the meeting I called her right way. I told her that I was positive that this meeting had changed the course of both of our lives. I went back to the station and told a work friend and my manager the same thing. They thought I was nuts but I knew I was right. By the end of the week she had the job.

The story doesn’t end there. Nine months later I was unhappy at my current job. Moe’s reorganized and the people that she disliked where no longer there and instead they hired a dynamic woman who was amazing. Shortly after they expanded the marketing team and I was hired a few days later. As if that didn’t make my prediction true there is more. Nine months after I started the company got sold and I stand to make a large sum of money because I am a share holder. Need more proof? Well, I can’t share the rest of the great things this job has brought to my friend because it’s kind of under-wraps. But believe me it’s good.

Those two distinct moments in time just gave me the feeling that they were special and in both cases I was right. It’s a really great gift. I look forward to my next experience.