[string theory?]

I met my alternate self this last week. If there is any truth to the string theory, Catarina is the evidence. She has done everything with art that I almost did... and I have have done everything for the love of flight which she wishes she had done...if she didn't love her paints so much.

It is funny to see all of your "almost" and "what if" or even "if only" externalized. I know now that I would have been happy to follow that road and I am glad for Catarina. I am glad someone could make that choice even if it is not me.

And I am glad to have done all that I have. Today, at least, I can appreciate where I am at and what I am doing. Quietly. But in that near silence I am uniquely confidant of where I stand. I need these encounters to help combat the sneaking suspicion that I am not doing this life thing right. Because those suspicions are always too ready to help fill the space left by more useful thoughts.

So Catarina and I talked of a lot of things... especially given that we were strangers sharing a table in the commons. It is funny how quickly strangers become familiar given a few key facts. But there is that surface tension that first must be overcome. We spoke of home, of family, of talking to strangers, and trusting the world. We compared ideas about art and flying and homeless people in no particular order.

It was much like peering into a mirror... but one which you can touch and talk to (without appearing crazy in the commons). It was a bit strange looking at my Oregon hippie reflection, but also incredibly refreshing.