“Do you mind if I take this call?”

In my travels, I get to meet a variety of people with incredible stories to share.  This series focuses on the rare glimpses I get into other people’s lives. These stories are meant to be observations and thought-provoking, and not in anyway a judgment or criticism.

Streams of water slid down the auto glass while lights speckled around me like a lit Christmas tree... only every bulb was red. 

“Chicago traffic,” I thought.  

Thumbing through endless emails, requests for information, lists of metrics, and random bear notices I find the perfect balance of productivity, challenges and humor.  

“Robby, I’m expecting a call for interview soon. Am physicist from my home country, and have been looking to be physicist in a Chicago for four years.

“I’ve been driving Uber to pay my bills until then. Do you mind?”

”Not at all. How are you feeling about the interview?” 

”A little nervous... my English not too good, ya know? But I physicist where I come from for sixteen years, can you believe? I take courses and everything, ones I’ve already taken, ya know?”

I reply, “yeah, you’re frustrated.” 

”I am, and the worst part...” 

Bohemian Rhapsody interrupts our conversation.  

“This is it! Do you mind if I take this call?”