From the very beginning of my stranger meeting journey I promised to describe my feelings in one way or the other; so in continuing to honor the integrity of the commitment, I’ll stand by that pledge in this installment of Sidewalk Ghosts. June 27, 2012, stuck on traffic jammed highway 101, I was exasperated. Stressed,…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Jalon– The Barber of Men
“Try to find some kind of a spiritual crutch, so when people are not around you can rely on, you have somewhere to turn.” March 10, 2012 – It was 7:00pm on a Friday night, the streets full of people enjoying the evening as the aroma of limitless dining choices wafted in the air—a…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Alfonso— “In My Life, No. Maybe Another Generation”
“There are a lot of electronics. If we have a problem, it is going to be a big problem. It was 6:00am and I was taking a walk in my neighborhood readying myself for the day. As I strolled, passing many a house, I pondered the years had I lived in my home, the added…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Serendipity, Karma, Fate, Accident, Coincidence?
“Always look for that good in somebody, no matter what walk of life, or whatever that person is, there is always something. Any human on Earth has that something good inside of them. You may have to search deeper, but we need to try to find that goodness in all people” Serendipity, Karma, Fate, Accident,…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Maribel— “Just Give Without Expecting”
“I hope that in the future we come back, or at least turn around. There is no human contact anymore. There are emails. There are voice mails. There is text messaging. But, there is no human interaction” “Success is the best revenge.” Said nurse Maribel, whom I met one evening at a local blood drive….
Sidewalk Ghosts / “Ik Onkar (Gurmukhi)”
On the Western front of the Famous Route 66 lies the California coastline. Route 66. 2448 miles of ever-changing pavement. Asphalt, concrete and dirt that, since 1926, has reigned strong as a most prolific icon. A starting / stopping point (all depends on the direction of your travel) for a journey of grand proportion. At…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Jodi — Thanks Mom, We Heard It, And It Went In
“As parents we need to be sure our children feel loved, and we need to teach them morals, to not judge, and to do their best to be kind to others; and to do so, we need to be that kind of person” It was around 10:00am, I had just come from teaching a spinning…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Lawrence / Never Give Gas To Grifters Drinking Red Bull
“Stay Alive” I was out with my family when at a gas station we were approached by a desperate looking woman. “Please can you help me, We need to get home to Pomona, and we don’t have enough gas.” I’m wasn’t sure if I had sucker written all over my face or I was just…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Richard — Agent Of Change
“I became some sort of pot hero, like Cheech and Chong, Willy Nelson, Snoop Dog.” We are all in the thing together. A statement that is cornerstone to Operation-365s mission: The grounding principle that asks each of us to look at one another in a basic acceptance of of one overwhelming fact. Every single one…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Taylor and Ben— Young Survivors
“When I was five I was shot because I am Jewish. I got hit by two bullets, one in the leg and the other in the abdomen. I lost fifty percent of my blood and almost died. “The next generation of guys need to treat their women better.“ Picture me as a 365 billboard,…
Sidewalk Ghosts / The Walter / Bing Debates
“When the war ended I transported surviving prisoners from the death march. “I was a pilot in world war two, I flew transport.” Retired engineer Walter reminisced as he described one of his war memories. “When the war ended I transported surviving prisoners from the death march. When they were released they were very undernourished…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Susan – “Do What We Preach”
“If everyone had more of an understanding of other people; and not just trying to thrash them on their beliefs, but just understanding that we are different; and if they accepted those differences, we would all get along so much better.” We have spoken to thousands of unique individuals since the inception of Operation-365, and…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Brownyn — “I’m Tired Of The Little Gestures”
“If we are going to change, we have to do more, get involved, and educate ourselves. It is amazing how little knowledge our current people know about the environmental impact of industry and population.” I was out on a Saturday road trip with my daughter, our destination, Santa Barbara, land of healthy living and volleyball….
Sidewalk Ghosts / Michael – “We’re Human. It’s Not About Ethnicity”
There are a lot of different people in the world, but still we are cut from the same cloth. We’re people. We’re human. It’s not about ethnicity, even though the world sees it that way. But I don’t see it that way.” It would have been easy for me to judge, profile or make assumptions…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Anthony, Kristen and Israel – “Tie Strong Bonds With The Good People”
“Don’t ever think someone may not understand where you come from or who you are. Revive the sense of community we are gradually losing. This is how we have to approach our future as a people.” At just under twenty-four, Anthony and Kristen want for a peace that is beyond their years. Moved to Los…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Anahita — “We Are All The Same People, Just Different Habitats
“Instead of giving any advice to the world, I’d reverse it and tell them to listen. There is a lot to be learned just by being quiet,” “The moment I saw her, I could tell that she had a peace about her,” says my wife in looking over my shoulder as I write about today’s…
Sidewalk Ghosts / The Student of Paz (Peace)
“Modern man thinks he is wide-awake, with his third eye open and wise. But the wiser he thinks he is, the more insane he looks in the mirror of reason.” “’You can interview me but I want to remain anonymous, just call me ‘The Student of Paz (peace),’” and in respect to my new found…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Gaetiao — “We Need To Show More Open Hand Than The Fist”
“Look at people for who they are inside, and respect everyone, not for what they look like on the outside; and don’t judge by clothing, job or looks.” The day was ending, and even though the weather was screaming of an on-coming rainstorm, the coastal streets of Santa Monica were vibrant with activity. I’d been…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Michelle — “Live Life With An Active Awareness”
“Live life intelligently, and acknowledge that mistakes are bound to happen. Take them as lessons and learn from them. Don’t beat yourself up in accepting that nothing and no one is perfect, even yourself” I spent a bunch of time trying to be witty, insightful and entertaining in my writing today. Draft after draft I’ve…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Doug — “No Big Deal. 40s Era Stuff”
Dark clouds were hovering outside and the sound of rain was chanting against the roof of my house, and sitting there, my mind was numb from Nyquil and Aleve in relieving the cold I was fighting. Slightly and legally buzzed, it was impossible for me to not become a touch more self-reflective than my normal…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Meghan — Dare To Dream
“No matter how far ahead in the future you plan, unexpected things get in the way. Try to live in the now and enjoy the moment.” “’There is nothing to stress or pull your hair out about, and if the worse possible thing happens, it will always get better. We need to realize that even…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 516: “Yeah! I Think That Has To Be the Word For It.”
“Selfishness is what destroys our relationships. It’s what makes our world ugly; it’s a darkness in the world.” — Tara “’When we step outside of ourselves and put ourselves into someone else’s shoes, and know that feeling, and love them despite their mistakes, despite their weaknesses. But love them like I think God loves us……
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 515: The New Abolitionists
“There are nearly 2 million children trapped in sex slavery worldwide.” I received an email this morning. You know, those spammed promos that plague our modern ways of communicating. “Slim Your Belly,” read the subject line. Its tag, “’New ‘Skinny Pill’ Takes County By Storm.’” Imbedded, a video titled, “New Secret To Burn Fat Fast.”…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 514: Completely In The Words Of Leonardo
“Because the moment you find your purpose in life is the moment you will be really free.” —Leonardo “’I think, to me, probably one of the most important things would be to find your purpose in life, and that’s easier said than done. But I tell a lot of people, ‘don’t settle for what the…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 513: “Redemption– A Charmed Word”
“We tend to isolate. We tend to separate. We tend to just not want to talk to people, but you have to allow yourself to get help.” —Cory Help: A humble plea that all so often, and sadly, finds itself fading under the myths of social correctness, personal agenda and cultural bias. Buried by the…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Article-365: “If I Ever Had A Prayer To Be Shared… It Is This One”
A prayer, a silent moment, a candle, or the forwarding of this letter to the world is all I ask… If I ever wrote an article that should go viral, it is this one. If I ever had a prayer that I pray would be shared by the world, it is on this day. If…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 512: “Do Angels Speak Russian?”
“I wish love on the world…” Every once in a while you just meet those special people; the quite ones, who, for whatever reason, radiate a peace that speaks louder than words. Whether it be language barriers, shy nature or as some might label, introverts, their presence is captivating and impossible to ignore. Today I…
Sidewalk Ghosts / The Power of One: “I Am Curious Of Personalities…I Like People…”
“After I interacted with the person I felt Improved… Happy… Connected.” —Anita… Riga, Latvia I call us 365rs. The you’s and I’s. The Living, breathing people from every corner of the planet, who like Anita, united have potential bandwidth to sustain a visionary and empowering movement. One that, 365 days each year, has potential to…
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 511: “The Four Letter Word Strikes Again”
“I would want people in this world to learn to let things go…” —Mathias
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 510: “Just call me Cab…”
“Just call me Cab,” she introduces herself, adding, “because I don’t identify with my gender.” Because I don’t identify with my gender–a heavy statement to swallow, but coming from Cab, the reasoning for it makes sense. Reserved she is, but quite she is not. For in her pulled back claim can be felt esteemed power…
