Comments | inteus_mika: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia

inteus_mika

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia

Feb 11, 2016 18:20

Buckhead, Atlanta. Such an eclectic space. It’s been said of this little speck of urban utopia that, “You can find everything there from the filthy, to the filthy rich.” For a while, in the early 90s, I got to be both ( Read more... )

Comments 21

alycewilson February 14 2016, 12:56:43 UTC

Fascinating tale, especially the way you keep coming back to your theme of hunger and respect.

inteus_mika February 16 2016, 05:13:43 UTC

Thanks!

(Also friending you, because you're always so kind!)

alycewilson February 16 2016, 22:51:35 UTC

Cool! Friended back.

rayaso February 14 2016, 15:05:38 UTC

Wow! What an amazing story. You have led such an interesting life. Frankie sounds like a wonderful person. It's interesting how accidental contacts with strangers can have such a big impact.

inteus_mika February 16 2016, 05:22:39 UTC

I find that accidental contacts with strangers are what had most often driven life forward for me. Strangers are just people with different pasts, different experiences than you have, but probably more the same than you realize. Everyone is a stranger until you star talking, until you get to know them. If you're receptive to genuinely listening and understanding, you'd be surprised where it can take you sometimes. That doesn't make them strange. Ignoring life as it passes you by, as it sits next to you on the bus, as it walks down the street in front of your house, as it flies a kite in the park... that's what makes us strange to one another. But we really needn't be.

It's funny to me that you say my life is interesting... I suppose it is, depending on your perspective. I think of it as pretty normal, but, experience is really a relative thing. That's exactly why Shima wanted me to do this. I'm glad I have at least some people that are intrigued enough to have proven her right. And, thanks, as always, for your support. :

sinnamongirl February 14 2016, 20:49:29 UTC

Sounds like you landed on your, uh, feet ;) Very engaging story! I'm not familiar with Atlanta, but I am familiar with Italians and their feeding and welcoming habits, which are great.

inteus_mika February 16 2016, 07:12:56 UTC

I think I tend to land on my feet more often than not. Atlanta is a beautiful place. You might want to check it out some day. Everyone should know some happy Italians. ;) Thanks for your support.

sinnamongirl February 16 2016, 18:42:32 UTC

My dad's somewhere near Atlanta, so if we reconcile I may go to visit... I've only been to the airport there in the past, but I'd like to see my cousins down there, maybe dad, maybe just... see it to see it!

dmousey February 14 2016, 21:50:20 UTC

The world needs more people with hearts like Frankie's. Thank you for this sweet tale. Peace~~~D

inteus_mika February 16 2016, 05:24:28 UTC

The world really does. It would be such a more peaceful place. Thanks.

halfshellvenus February 15 2016, 06:55:59 UTC

Running into Frankie was a lucky meeting, and I'm glad you both made the most of it for as long as you could.

I thought the "accidental gigolo" thing might be a joke, but it actually happened!

inteus_mika February 16 2016, 07:11:18 UTC

I don't know that it was all that lucky. I think, in life, you sort of have to make your own luck, just by the way you respond to things. That chance encounter could have gone very differently. I could have reacted in fight or flight mode to an old man challenging me with a baseball bat. But I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong, and I knew he didn't really want to hurt me. My first reaction is usually to try and talk through things, and to start with the truth, and see how far that gets you. When most people realize that you have nothing to hide and that you have no ulterior motives, they generally become more relaxed, less guarded, and then you can learn about who they really are, and how to connect with them ( ... )