It’s Saturday.
It’s 5am.
It’s 18 degrees outside.
I’m getting ready to walk out the door to drive to Michigan to photograph a wedding for someone I don’t know very well. I’ll drive for about 5 and a half hours – shoot photos for about 4-5 hours – then I’ll drive back home. This day was already something I’ve been dreading. But, I decided to make the most of it. I grabbed a couple of audio books and I was looking forward to the time alone in the car.
Until last night.
That’s when I got the random call that the bride’s cousin’s uncle’s niece’s boyfriend really needed a ride to Michigan and they wanted to know if this stranger could ride with me. I panicked internally. This makes me extremely uncomfortable for some reason, but I didn’t have any good excuse to say no. I’m driving to the same place…I’ve got plenty of room…there is really no good reason why I can’t give this dude I’ve never met a ride to Michigan.
Other than he’s some dude I’ve never met.
I avoid situations like this in my life. I’ve dodged many an awkward scenario. But this bullet’s got my name on it and somehow I said that devastating word…”Okay.”.
The old me would act like I forgot to pick this guy up and let him find another way to the wedding. But, the me that woke up this morning is taking a probable serial killer / close talker / loud chewer / carnie to Michigan. He’s got a story, and I’m going to find out what it is.
Even if it kills me.
Oh man… I avoid situations like that as if they were the plaque. Good for you swallowing your fears and being a nice guy. Who knows… maybe this other guy is one of the coolest people you’ll ever meet. At least that’s all you can hope for!
Cabin Fever in Vermont
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Good luck man. I am the same way…but when in those situations I become a nervous talker. And then the other person would think that Im the freak
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praying for your safety. The things that we dread the most usually turn out to be good experiences. Hope the wedding goes good and that you make it there and back safely. Excited to know what God has for you in all this.
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You’re a good man, Ryan. I’m sure God has a plan for this and a lesson in there somehow. Can’t wait to hear his story.
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I’m the same way, the idea of spending interminable hours with a complete stranger gives me chills. Like Adam I become a nervous talker and end up looking like I’m the weird person. I’m amazed they asked this of you since you don’t know them that well but good on you for stepping out of your comfort zone. Looking forward to hearing your experience, I bet God has something pretty coil in store. Safe travels Ryan.
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I don’t know if I’ve ever commented (but I do enjoy your blog!) but this post made me laugh. Well, the post didn’t, but the picture did, and it fit SO well.
I’m with you all the way on this one – pretty sure I’d have come up with some lame excuse.
Please do post how your experience went!
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I can not wait to find out how this turns out… Especially since I volunteered to pick up a total stranger from the airport last week…
He proceeded to tell me how glad he was to be in West Knoxville and how much he hated South Knoxville… little did he know, his chauffer (me) lives in S Knox and I love it very much… I wouldn’t live in West Knox for nothing! (it the snooty part of town)
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I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL!! WILL IT BE A MYSTERY, A NOVEL, OR A CHICKFLICK KINDOF HAPPY ENDING..IT WILL MOST DEFINITELY BE A GOD THING…PROBABLY AN ADVENTURE:)
I WOULD BE ANXIOUS/NERVOUS TOO. THE ONLY PERSON I KNOW THAT WOULD NOT BE NERVOUS IS SHELIA H.
…
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praying….Looking forward to update!
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It was just in your last blog that you quoted Allison as saying at your funeral, “He gave himself completely to others…” How soon we forget! ;^)
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One of thee funniest blog posts from you ever! Life has a way of doing this to us doesn’t it? Stretching us, challenging us, making us drive the 5 hours in a car with people you’ve never met before. Ahhh Ryan… have fun and please don’t die.
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Bless your heart Ryan! I so understand, and can’t wait to find out the rest of the story!
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Uncomfortable – probably – could this be a God ordained opportunity – dang betcha and hope you are getting paid well, enjoy the event and Dude traveling with you has a great sense of story telling.
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Oh my, Ryan. What a fantastic story which holds me on the edge of my seat. You will be in my thoughts today.
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I keep hoping that someone will ask me to do the same thing except replace the old man in the story with a super model.
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melanie says:
January 8th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@TheDan, We’re all hoping that for you, Dan.
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Fran says:
January 9th, 2011 at 11:27 am
@melanie, If this was facebook I would “like” Melanie’s comment.
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you aren’t shooting a wedding at WaldenWoods resort in Hartland by chance….are you?
also, word of warning… it was a lovely 10 degrees on my way in to work this morning at 8am.
good luck!
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oh this makes me laugh. sounds like me.
can’t wait to hear how this turns out.
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ya just never know what adventures may be awaiting you. happy traveling!
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Wow…You are so kind! Praying he’s a cool guy and you make a new friend!
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THAT is one of the secrets to living…everyone has a story……and where you go from there and what you do with it are what ends up making the joy in our lives
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I love this post, Ryan.
And you; you are a treasure “to follow’.
Pat
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I’ve told people in the past that I’ll give people rides, as long as I know them. But I’m a girl so I guess I can easily get away with that.
Can’t wait to hear the story when you’re back. Hopefully you’ll both end up blessed from the car trip.
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I will tell you a story.
I was in a wedding, and was asked to drive the bride’s cousin and his girlfriend home after the reception. It was only a two hour trip and a couple miles out of the way, so I said fine. However, by the time the reception ended, the cousin was unbelievably drunk and disorderly. His girlfriend loaded him into the back of my car, and we took off. I was praying he wouldn’t puke in the huge, expensive car that I had rented to carry the wedding party. We got on the expressway (in Michigan in the middle of nowhere) and the guy started screaming that he had to pee. I wasn’t about to stop along the side of the expressway at 3 AM, and asked him to wait until I found a rest stop. He continued to scream, and his girlfriend grabbed a soda bottle, undid the guy’s pants, and he went. Right there as I drove. I have never been so horrified in my entire life. Then the cousin and his girlfriend proceeded to argue loudly in the backseat the entire rest of the drive.
I called the bride the next day and said, “You owe me.”
I am PRAYING that you have a much better experience than I did! Have a safe journey!
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I hope you’re surprised. I hope it turns out that he’s got a great story. Or, even better, I hope he wants to hear your story and the two of you end up having a great conversation during the drive. I know that chances are that it could be a very uncomfortable experience, but I really hope that at the end of the day you’re happy to have spent all that time with him.
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I get that same panicky feeling when I’m asked to give people rides…even my family members that I don’t know very well. I’ll pray for you!
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Praying for you. I hope it turns out to be a blessing for you both. And I hope you blog about it!!
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Well let’s hope you guys at least get along (and that he doesn’t get hammered), or the ride home will be a million times worse. And messier.
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Good Luck with that. I can’t wait to read how it goes.
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OMG, I’m laughing so hard.
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Sometimes the Universe presents to us challenges that actually turn out to be some of the coolest opportunities EVER. I am anxious to see how it turned out for you.
Besides, maybe you were supposed to learn something from this experience. What do you suppose it was?
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Can’t wait to hear how it goes! He does have a story to share and I bet it’ll be an awesome experience. Good for you for going outside your comfort zone.
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God speed, dude.
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I love that you are back to blogging on a more regular basis – you have been missed. Totally understand where you are coming from – I believe this will turn out to be a “God” moment. There is a reason this challenge/opportunity is being given to you, can’t wait to hear the result!!! Happy driving
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I hear you about wanting to listen to the audiotapes in your own car, by yourself. I would be looking forward to that, too, on that long, boring drive to MI. BUT God has a plan and you are right to say “yes” to this adventure. Please don’t keep us in suspense too long!!!
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Have some hope! The best friend I had in the States I met giving a ride from Portland to Seattle.. She got into the car and in the first 15 minutes I felt so good that we spent the rest of the 3 hours talking about all of our secrets and fears and doubts. I arrived in Seattle feeling 20 pounds lighter, because I finally opened up to someone. Anyway, I hope it wasn’t bad!
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Okay, this is abit scary since you posted this several days ago and have’nt been on since! Went to mass Sunday night and Tim was Pastor….hmmmmm…I think he would’ve said if anything happened. Or would he? He could possibly be a co-conspirator! OMG! I should call the cops!! Lol…Hope everything went well!
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Please tell….
XOXO
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[...] delusional, or directionally challenged. But if I’m really honest, I hated being put in this situation because I didn’t want to be annoyed. Being annoyed by someone is super annoying. Being [...]
Did the strange dude at least give you some money for gas?
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