It's that time of year again - social retreat. Just in time for colder weather.
I'm not contacting anyone anymore. They know where to find me; I'm not hard to track down.
It's not a sad thing, it's just a thing.

The upside of that is when people surprise you. I had such a nice phone conversation last night. The nicest words to hear? In my opinion they are "and so I think of you often" and "I miss you". Sometimes you gotta make yourself scarce (ie, only be in town for 3 months of the year) to find the best ones.

--

I took a ride from a complete stranger, the first time I've ever done this sober (sorry, Mom). He was completely kind and helpful and really saved the day. It was Pittsburgh's equivalent of a southern gentlemen - scrubbier, scrappier, less polished, but still kindhearted. And that voice - the perfect Pittsburgh voice. Still - I sent Jen a text: "I'm getting a ride from a man named Chad, he just picked up a prescription at 40th and Main." You never know.

That's the thing about Chads - my friends and I always used to make fun of Chads, because none of us had ever met any. Chads represent all the meat-head bro-dudes; "Oh, that guy's a total Chad," we would say. "I showed up at this party and it was so awkward - me and like twenty Chads."



But now I've met two Chads, and it's always the same. They ARE kind of meat-head bro-dudes. But every time I run into one it's the same story:

- I need help, for whatever reason
- I randomly am approached by a man named Chad
- Chad helps me with my task (helps find my car, gives me a ride, etc)
- We part ways and never see each other again.

So Chads are my guardian angels, really. They help once, then they are out of your life forever.