Bartednder Yo: The Sax dude

*I would say where I took this image from but it appears to have been taken from somewhere else

I've been working at a bar that's not a bar for a little while now and I guess sometimes it bothers me that there is a whole tonne of stories that are not getting told. For some reason I thought it would be fitting that I blurred some contexts and names a little and that would make it better (then maybe leave a while bunch of stuff out). It must be that I would consider anything to get a story told.

Anyhoo, at this bar where I can also make myself drinks, it also happens to be that if I also get the order wrong no one minds if I just drink it instead of giving the wrong order to the customer. I make them a new one and I get my fill. Wanted not wasted. Over the time I have become really comfortable in this space, how I interact with those that come to the bar and how all the wonderful things happening in the building around me even make it possible that I can make drinks for others. I love this bar and I'm there a couple of days a week. It's not my bar but on those few hours on those few days it is anyway because I said so.

I guess what I have really enjoyed about this time is that I get to see and appreciate a side of others that I would not have otherwise seen, like the Saxaphone guy. In another life and at a desk he is a name with a background that was the most important thing in those times- but at the bar, somewhere else he is much more. I realised much later I did know who he was, he was "that guy". When I realised it was not only like he was just the same person, he was the same person with more depth. I wished that we could see all sides. That isn't always possible in other roles but if we could I'm sure we could work better and it would acutally make our job easier too.

Until I realised who he was, he is at this bar, he tells me a story. It was THE story. He is this wild looking guy. Hair thick and rebelling, bushy eyebrows. Eyes and face so animated when he spoke. He said many things and called himself crazy. He was aware of all that went wrong, very aware and spoke so plainly about it. I know who he is and he doesn't know who I am.

Unfortunate in his circumstances, he came in, as he was, said some of the funniest things but also revealed a lot. I wish him all the best in his improvement and until they can work it out, what needs to be done, for some good, for change. Until then you will see him, with his Saxaphone, he plays, he has his loss and it has all gone so far but he plays and when you talk to him he will smile and joke. I feel sad in some moments because I realise he must have been the most awesome story teller to his children. I don't know if he told stories or if he did and even realised (he is so natural at it) but if he did he would have them in awe. I feel sad at times for him because he is so good at it. He is somebody. There's not much I like more than a good story. Say hello to the Sax guy or toss him a coin when he plays. (He is the "other sax guy"). He is probably just playing until he can buy his milk and go home. If you arent carry coins just smile, its free. It's worth it.

We cant change what happened and we cant walk the journey for others but it has been so good to hear and see how easy it is to talk with someone while they battle their own journey themselves. This is not an easy task for some.

Back to this bar I go, another day, another time, another story I cant share. The stories are important but they are not mine..........