Enjoy meeting friends for coffee; people, with whom, I enjoy the pleasure of their company. Usually make coffee at home, so meeting in a coffee house is an indelible treat; perhaps an espresso, or Americano, or latte with heavy cream. Listed below are a few people with whom I would enjoy the pleasure of their company.
Rick Steves, is a world traveler and author; he’s a talented pianist, too. I enjoy watching his PBS television show when I’m home visiting my family. Steves believes that travel enriches our lives, broadens our point of view, and makes us better informed world citizens. His personality is kind and gentle; and he is generous sharing his wealth. He has unique points of view, he is not shy about sharing, and does so, without insulting others.
Bob Moore, is a businessman and founder of Bob’s Red Mill. He might be described as an accidental businessman, as he was studying religion, before creating the mill, in the mid-1970’s. At one point, the original mill burned to the ground, due to arson. Visited Bob’s Red Mill for a factory tour in spring 2019, and appreciate the quality of its products. It’s estimated that annual sales are roughly $40-million. Bob “gave” the company to its employees in 2010, through an employee stock ownership plan, rather than sell the company to a private equity firm, or to an acquiring company. Bob was a guest on Guy Raz’ podcast, How I Built This (May 21st 2018).
Pico Iyer, is a writer and world traveler; from time to time, he visits and speaks at San Francisco Zen Center. He has the benefit of a multi-cultural up-bringing, combined with a high caliber education. In addition, he has known the Dalai Lama for most of his life. He taught at Harvard, before joining Time Magazine as a staff writer. I’ve read most of his books, which often reflect his world travels, combined with his unique, and often, spiritual insights.
Paul Theroux, is a writer and world traveler; after university, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, which likely fostered a certain fearlessness, when it comes to traveling on the world’s greatest trains. It’s likely that my interest in train travel – and slow, overland travel – was largely influenced by reading his books; imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Roger Ebert, was a film critic and journalist, and the first movie critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for criticism (1975). I remember watching At the Movies as a teenager. It wasn’t until I was an adult, when I learned to appreciate Ebert, by reading his prose, which is so often, poetic.
Ebert was a champion of cinema; the art of cinema, and the cinema of art. He championed low budget films; championed films without movie stars; films that would touch one’s soul; versus a big budget box office film, with spell-binding special effects, but little substance.
It’s likely that there is a vacuum in the world, following his death in 2013. Before his death, Ebert wrote, “I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear. I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on the approach path. I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death as the same state. What I am grateful for is the gift of intelligence, and for life, love, wonder, and laughter. You can’t say it wasn’t interesting.”
Raymond Carver, a writer, championed and revitalized the short-story format in American literature. My twin brother, Brett, gave me my first book of Carver, Where I’m Calling From (1989), before I transferred to Okinawa Japan, while serving in the Marine Corps.
I imagine that we would meet in a derelict, roadside diner; Carver would be smoking a cigarette, alternating between sips of bitter, black coffee; I imagine that not a word would be spoken between the two of us, except perhaps, a sullen glance; priceless.
Anthony Bourdain, celebrity chef, is also known for his best-selling books, and his travel and culture documentaries. Few people could pull off eating noodles and beer in Vietnam with former President Obama, as well as Bourdain.
If we met for coffee, the question is, what version of Bourdain would show up; brash Bourdain? Bourdain committed suicide in June 2018, hanging himself in a hotel room in France. Perhaps a quiet and introspective Bourdain would appear; the Bourdain, who wrestled with his demons, and sadly, lost the battle. A loss for us all. Given that I’ve battled suicide ideation for more than half of my life, Bourdain and I share something in common. Maybe he opens up; maybe, I just listen; maybe we find equanimity together; maybe we don’t. It’s been said that when we share our joys, our joys are multiplied; when we share our pain, our pain is reduced.
Fred Rogers, television host; I grew up watching Mr. Rogers on public television; was likely one of four television channels we received without cable (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS). Rogers attended divinity school, and was a Presbyterian minister, in addition to being an accomplished pianist. I didn’t realize the impact Rogers had on my life, until I was an adult. There are two movies about Mr. Rogers, including, Won’t You be my Neighbor, a 2018 documentary, and, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a 2019 biopic, starring Tom Hanks.
Grandparents, my maternal grandmother died when I was 39, when I was working in Ottawa Canada. Growing up, my twin brother and I would visit her house during the summer; she would take us to Friendly’s to share an ice cream sundae.
My maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents died before I was five years old; I don’t know them, or have any memory of them; I would enjoy meeting for coffee, if only briefly.
Friends: during the past three years, crisscrossed the United States several times, on various road trips. Often try to meet up with friends along the way; meeting face-to-face, is substantially more meaningful than email, text, or Facetime. To my friends, who graciously share with me the pleasure of your company, and your scarce, valuable time, thank you.
garthmonroe 