Kevin Bain

Kev...
"Are you nervous, Alex? You probably won't be able to finish this set..know what I'm sayin?" Kevin repeats this about every other set I do..when doing over 200 workouts with this guy, it gets old..but I probably deserve it for the mess I throw at him daily. A personal trainer by day..A therapist by workout...and what I think to be my very good friend. Braves or Georgia Tech (boo!) t-shirts, sweat pants, or jeans with one button is his everyday attire, but don't let the looks fool ya...A mere genius in disguise. I was fortunate enough to have BUMPED into Kev at Brit's Brothers Gym, a place that has truly changed my life. It's not the ridiculous amount of push ups or unbearable lunges back and forth, but the conversations, the knowledge I gain, and the true feeling of joy that I get when I am at the gym...Without all of these factors and especially without Kev I would have no idea what this constant state of joy truly was...The topic pops up rather frequently, but no one has ever really asked me...So..one Thursday in September during a set of un-assisted-impossible-dips, he asked me, "Is there a difference between joy and happiness?" After catching my breath and making sure my arms were still attached to my body, I told him, "I don't know,I didn't realize there was a difference." I think most of us don't want to realize that there is a difference, we don't want to really dig deep into our souls and see if we really have that constant joy or if we cover it up daily with different people, ideas, and mindless tasks that bring us a happy feeling for the time being. It really got my mind racing and questioning that if I took away all the "things" I do and have would I feel the joy that Kev talks about...This is one of the many conversations that Kev and I have, but the one that touched me the most. The one that made me think about my life and the way I live it. I think everyone should think about, write about it, learn and hopefully strive for that constant joy that we all deserve..I hope that one day Kev will write about what brings him constant joy and how he found it so that more people can learn from and share his story...So to my ass-kicking-advice-giving-therapist-trainer-friend, Kev, thank you, so glad I BUMPED into you. I'm not tryin to be funny, but ...swing batter and eat a burrito... know what I'm sayin!?

4 Men and a Bar

4 Men and a Bar...
Moe's and Joe's Tavern, home of the $4 pitcher of PBR.  I BUMPED into Gary, Jeff, Roy, and Bob at Moe's and Joe's Tavern in the Virginia Highland area.  They sat in the booth behind me and before we even crossed paths Roy was close to coughing up his entire lung.  He was the oldest of them all and had supposedly "slipped out the back door of his nursing home" for a night of drinkin' with the boys.  I still am not sure on how true that story is, but it sounded funny so I had to believe it.  Before I introduced myself I heard them talking about old friends and what they were up to.  This is when it really hit me! I am used to talking about friends that have recently been engaged, married, or are having children, but I overheard them taking about friends and questioning if they were still alive???? It was insane.  This is when I knew I would have to blog about them.  It made me realize that we all take this life for granted.  In 1944 when Moe's and Joe's first opened they were probably talking about the same thing I am these days, their friends who are getting hitched and havin chillin', but  66 years later they are discussing the same people and if they are alive or not!?!?  Life is short, but sweet for certain! So savor every moment, with your friends, your family, and yourself because 66 years will come sooner than you expect. I only hope to run into the 4 Men and a Bar again.  They were an unforgettable crew and could drink me under the table in PBR, Cheers Boys!

St.Louis

St.Louis....
She was the only one cheering when Tampa Bay scored! 8 rows up from the ice I BUMPED into a lady at the Atlanta Thrashers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game on Friday. She was wearing a #26 Martin St. Louis jersey that was about 6x too big, but you could tell she was a true fan.  Turns out it was the jersey her son always wore to the games. She was a Florida native, but had been in Atlanta for 10 years and had not missed a hockey game since.  "I'm definitely not a Thrashers fan," she told me, "but, I'll watch whatever team in order to watch hockey, I love this game."  She told me that as a single mother she put her two sons through college and made it possible for both of them to play hockey.  In the midst of our conversation an usher came down and questioned her on if this was really her seat, who she was at the game with, and why she was wearing a Tampa Bay jersey?  She let him have it to! It was hilarious.  Yes! This was really her seat and here was her ticket, yes she was alone, and damn happy that she was, and she was wearing a Tampa Bay jersey because they were better than the Thrashers ( I knew that wasn't really why, but it was a good spit in his face).  This woman immediately became a favorite of mine, as my family in Texas would say, she gave him the "whatfor!"  We continued our conversation and she informed me that she used to have season tickets, but the man she sat next to was HORRIBLE and that she rather buy tickets for every single game then sit in her season seats next to what she refereed to as the devil.  My curious mind did the math for season tickets in her old seats she would pay $1,600/season for 43 games and for the seats she sits in now she pays $60/game which = $2,580/season.  This woman rather spend an extra $980 rather than sit by a man, have you ever not cared for someone that much?? The kicker is...I never got her name...So to my strong willed, Martin St.Louis jersey wearing friend, Cheeeers and thank you for an entertaining game!

The Man In the Park

Man in the park...
Have you ever just seen someone..sitting..walking..from a distance...up close that you just had to meet. Well it happens to me quite often.  The other day I was in Chastain Park and I BUMPED into a man sitting in a swing, drinking a PBR, painting. I couldn't have been more envious. The day was perfect, somewhere mixed between breezy and warm.  I swung in the wooden swing back and forth, back and forth.  I wanted to talk to him, but didn't want to ruin his concentration.  My friend and I made up the perfect story for this little old man in the park.  He probably painted everyday at 2:18 in the afternoon.  His wife was probably home making him a ham sandwich and a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.  We watched his strokes anxiously wondering what was he painting.  Who was he? Did he live in my favorite house on the corner, with the little red door, the gold handle, and the navy blue mailbox? The breeze picked up and he packed up his supplies, he walked by us and said, " We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day!" I smiled...I was so happy we BUMPED, I'm sure we will meet again, man in the park...

Tim Svelund....The 707 Club

The 707 Club...

"Tall Crown & ginger, ribeye medium rare, and a baked potato loaded." I BUMPED into this group of 5 gentlemen the night before the Gamecocks-Southern Miss game. They were one of my last tables to serve that night at Ruth's Chris and they made it worth every single minute. A group of true southern gentlemen, they called me darlin' and precious, ordered drink after drink, held their composure, and ate steak and potatoes, what some would call the epitome. They brought me back to the good ol' things in life. Family, friends, and food. Some would say, the simple life...oh how they wore it well. I was envious of 50 and 60 year old men, just livin the dream..literally. It wasn't two weeks later I found myself sitting next to them when the Gamecocks took on the Bulldogs. For the first time I really enjoyed football. Not the tailgating, the game.  The explained every pass, every throw, every step each player made and why.  They brought it back to the basics and I absolutely fell in love with it.  That day, thanks to the 707 Club I appreciated the game, I was delighted by the spirit, and I truly loved my surroundings.  I could never thank the 707 Club enough, I hope to see them again soon, 'preciate ya gentlemen!

Juana Gustin-Quick

Juana Gustin-Quick...
What's your favorite book? The one question I remember in the interview that Juana asked me in hopes to one day become a part of Cross + Associates Advertising Agency.  I BUMPED into Juana at the Summit Club in Columbia, South Carolina when she interviewed me 30 floors up in a small, fancy decorated room.  She picked me! I waited a week to hear from what I had no idea would be the best experience building internship I would come across to this day.  Juana has been a true encouragement in my life.  Whether she is giving me school, work, or personal advice she is always right (it taste like poison saying it, but it is 150% true). She is the person that tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear it and is extremely honest.  Somehow she still demonstrates unbelievable southern hospitality, charm, and is one of the most successful women I have ever met.  She is drop dead gorgeous and gives Neiman and Marcus a run for their fashion expertise. What she taught me was said simply, but is a lot harder then it sounds. Always, always, always be honest Alex.  Whether it is in business, school, your personal life, or to yourself. She is a true inspiration to me and I am sure I will go the rest of my life always wondering what Juana's opinion is and knowing she will retaliate with, "Well, I know the answer, but what do you think?"

Fabio Lippi

Fabio Lippi...
Okay, so this wasn't MY Fabio, but I do not have a photo of him. Alessssssandra he would say, while sipping on a cappuccino and smoking a Marlboro Light (with the label on the package that read: THE CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE WILL KILL YOU), the Europeans are so honest.  I BUMPED into Fabio buying a leather belt one day on my way to class. I know, I know, who doesn't meet a Fabio in Italy? But apparently the name does represent all that it is talked up to be.  Being with Fabio was being in a fantasy, it was fun, romantic, and very unrealistic, but my time in Italy would have not been the same without him.  He was charming and handsome, and took me on the back of his motorcycle.  He used grease in his hair and drank wine like we drink water.  He did have a Brazilian twist, he taught me how to play the drums, barbecue an entire pig, and dance the Samba (a Brazilian dance). The man could sell a leather belt to a cow.  But he taught me amore in Italy.  Amore means love, but it is used when something is truly, unconditionally loved.  In America we say " We love hamburgers or we love our new shoes," but in Italia, it was sacred.  To used the verb amore meant you truly loved someone.  It was beautiful.  To the dear Fabio Lippi, Grazie por tutto mi tesero.  Spero che tu vivi una vita bellissima.

Amanda Schmid

Amanda Schmid...
Una bella vita. The beautiful life. I BUMPED into Amanda in Florence, Italy.  She was my soon-to-be friend of a lifetime and travel buddy.  We traveled over 4 countries together, conquered 10 cities, and made countless memories. She was a true inspiration to me.  She taught  how to conquer any situation, to grab it by the you know what and just let it happen.  She told me time and time again... "do what you want, let life happen, and deal with it as it comes. Take each day to itself and live your life."  And we did that...Hang-gliding and tattoos in Switzerland, a 6 hour bus ride to London to stay 8 hours and a 6 hour bus ride back to Liverpool, a mixture of broken Italian and German to get needles in Switzerland when my insulin pump broke.  We did it all, we conquered each day and lived it to its fullest.  We lived with no regrets and we embraced new situations.  When you find a friend that you can do that with, hold on to them, keep them close to your heart and don't ever let their presence leave you.  Our favorite quote we found was printed on the wall in the Guinness factory in Dublin, Ireland: " Home is not where you live, but where they understand you."..Amanda was my home!

Nancy Oswald

Nancy Oswald...

My inspiration for this all.  I BUMPED into Nancy in August of 2007 when I was training to work at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Columbia, South Carolina.  She is the essence of class.  Black, blue, and red Coco Chanel suits, bright red Elizabeth Arden lipstick, chestnut locks, and a smile that could light up the world.  She is brilliant, successful, and beautiful and she has truly been an idol of mine since the day I met her.  I will never forget the first time she took me to lunch and we both ordered a caesar salad with salmon and a glass of Sonoma-Cutrer chardonnay (and I ordered first, so I swear I didn't copy her)  it was like we were meant to be.  Some call me obsessed, it might be true, but she is the one who truly inspired me to carry my BUMPS with me.  To take what I can from every person I meet.  I will never be able to thank her enough, but for what it is worth Nancy, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Madison Golightly

Madison Golightly...
With a last name like Golightly I knew we would be friends, any reference to Audrey Hepburn is a keeper with me.  I BUMPED into Madison at Camp Sweeney, a diabetes camp for kids.  ( My friends seem to all have a good laugh about D Camp, but I would still go if they would allow people over 18).  Madd dogg, that is what everyone called her. This girl is an absolute hoot and far too funny to ever forget.  I actually can say that I most certainly did wet my pants laughing with her at camp. She is one of the main reasons that I have the personality I have today. She made me feel comfortable with the world and confident in who I was. She is a Texas girl at heart, but has a way of clicking with just about anyone. Somehow she made it all the way to New Mexico for my birthday without me finding out. What a friend...She is one of those that we may not talk everyday, every week, or even every month, but I know I could call her for anything. Love you Madd dogggg.

Lou Depippo

Lou Depippo...
A man I will never forget. I BUMPED into this man when I was 17 years old working as an intern at PACE Advertising Agency in New York City.  I didn't know anyone in the city and he took me under his wing.  He was the Creative Director at PACE and a mighty fine one at that.  He would always talk about his Italian descent, which naturally meant wherever we decided to eat lunch it HAD to be Italian food. Every morning was a walk in the park..literally..a cup of coffee and an earful from Lou, it was fascinating. I looked forward to it everyday. In his days before the adage he was a fireman.  He was obviously not just a hero of mine... I can honestly say he was the one that made me love and appreciate the advertising world.  He took me to an editing meeting for a promotional video for new condos being built in Central Park.  It was a 1 minute and 29 second video and we sat in that editing meeting for 6 hours on an all but frustrating Friday.  It was then I realized the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this business.  It was then I realized the addiction.  He would introduce me as his assistant..ha! I was 17, I think I could have even passed as his daughter. This man was a shear genius.  We lost touch a few years ago when I got too busy with college, work, and men (boys) and he changed his e-mail address from BATMAN!  But I will be in forever appreciation of his knowledge and friendship... I miss you Lou.

My Inspiration

"Maybe the whole thing is…every time we bump into someone whether the bump leaves us grinning...or leaves us hurting, that we are more than we were before we bumped. perhaps we shall bump into the same person again...perhaps not...perhaps we should hide...lest another bump brings another hurt. But to hide from sorrow is...to hide from joy. For it takes a soul that understands both to really know love...to really know life… carry your bumps with compassion, with humility...and with pride...And if you hope to grow...carry your bumps in an outstretched hand…so that others will be fortunate enough to bump into you"