Afternoon. Lunch rush. City Market.
Mind was already made up prior. Tamales.
Stroll through the two system line, lean against the rail, next to the ATM machine.
“I love this place, you come here alot?”
He must of recognized that they greeted me by first name?
I acknowledge that indeed I did, sometimes multiple times a week. *Nod* recognition of what I just said which rang true to him as well.
*small TALK*
Order up. *that was quick* ”laters” exchanged.
I grab my Tamales and head toward the skinny hallway, whiff of Indian food.…. *stop*. Turnaround.
Me: “Hey Todd, I’m planning on eating here, more than welcome to join”
Todd: “Cool, yeah sure.”
We head up to the east corridor upper deck. The Market is bustling and buzzing. All good things.
We sit, we chat, we eat. Tamales. Gone in 60 seconds. We chat bicycles, biking, Buffalo. He’s a Buffalo native, me Albany. New York. We chat upstate NY, Indiana, Indianapolis. He tells me about University of Michigan & Portland. I tell him about the east side of Indy. *DUB-C* (Warren Central for all you non-east siders). We give each others view about Indianapolis. Lots of potential. But. *nods of mutual agreement*
Come to find out he’s passionate about environmental issues. Coal. Pollution. Me too. Rain. Lots of it. Not enough water for those that need it. We should do something about both. Todd chats Sierra Club. I take a mental note. Conversation leads into discussion I’m all too familiar with and brought me back to my Wabash College Days. I’m in Center Hall again. Where is Prof. Webb he needs to meet this guy. Todd tells me about Coal Coalition, I tell him about Circle City Rain Barrels & Water Cycle. This conversation will be continued.
Todd’s wife Katie works at the IUPUI library. She knows things, she finds things. Research. We talk about what we like about IUPUI. I make a mental note to contact my professor friend, connections at IUPUI. I should go to that library. They are academia. That’s cool.
Since this random interaction, I’ve gotten to know both Todd & Katie Shifeling. Good people. Not Hoosiers but could fit the bill. Ultimately Todd & Katie won’t be Hoosier state lifers. Todd seeks professorship that will lead him away from Indiana. So frequent is the case with this town.
I feel very fortunate that Indiana is a place where you can just strike up a convo, meet good people. Relationships I will have forever.
Make connections. Introduce yourself. A name and a handshake goes a long way. Ask people to lunch. Lean in. You never know where a simple “Hi, I’m ______” can lead you.