Ruby in Times Square McDonald's!

So lately I can't seem to go anywhere without hearing the songs of my dear friend RUBY AMANFU. Ruby and I met in college and have remained great friends over the years. She's one half of a duo SAMY & RUBY. They had a song in the movie "The Secret Life of Bees" last year and in the last few months I've heard her songs in TJMaxx, Aeropostale, and other stores while I've been out and about.

And last week Friday night was no different. I had gone to eat dinner with a friend to catch up and celebrate becoming a member of Actor's Equity. My friend had to head home early so I thought I would just hang out in the city for a while. I walked around for a bit and was heading back towards the Times Square area, always a hot spot on the weekend and a great place for just watching people and feeling the energy of NYC. I ended up going down a street that I frequent a lot. On this block lies the music store I go to for books for my students and recently I noticed this homeless man who always seems to be by the store, loaded down with all his things, or lack thereof.

And on this night there he sat still, despite it being a busy and vibrant night in Manhattan, he seemed just stuck there, loaded down in his normal place. I was feeling quite a life buzz from the previous week, getting my Equity card, going to three auditions in one day (something that would never had happened without my Equity card because I would have been sitting around for hours to find out whether or not I might get seen to audition), and just remembering how unbelievable it is still sometime to realize I live in this awesome city. When I passed by the homeless music store man I just felt a real sense that I should do something nice for him, partly because I had been so blessed over the last few weeks and because why not, I really had nothing else to do that night, so maybe this was what I was supposed to do with the rest of it. I just felt like I should get over myself a little and help someone who may not be able to help themselves.

So I headed down the block to find the nearest McDonald's...because everyone likes McDonald's, unless if you're a Vegetarian like me and you just occassionally swooop in for a HOT APPLE PIE. On the way down the block I said, "I will do this IF I can see a McDonald's when I get to the end of this block." I mean really, am I that lame. That I can't just do something when I feel like God is so plainly saying, here's an opportunity for you. Well of course there was one, it's NYC for crying out loud and more importantly this is what I was supposed to be doing so I think God might have just plopped one down in the middle of the intersection if he had to. Sadly to say, on the way down the street to the Mickey D's I was trying to come up with some excuse why I should just let this nudging go and move on with my night. Why do we do that? I don't know.

Finally I hit the front door of Ronald's house and it was packed. But in true NYC fashion the line was moving along quickly so I had no time to really renig. I ordered a Number 1. What else is there right ? The Big Mac is the crown jewel of fast food. Large Coke and Large Fry to boot. Surely this would make the music store man smile on this Friday night. The girl behind the counter handed me a bag and a large Coke, drizzled on the outside with soda. Yuck but whatever, I can go wipe it off on my own. So, I headed over to grab some napkins and clean off the cup. And then REenters my friend Ruby. Remember, I am in the McDonald's on a Friday night in TIMES SQUARE. And what do I hear as I am wiping down the cup...ONE OF RUBY'S SONGS!!!! Seriously. I really couldn't help but get hit by the moment. It had all been too random and yet perfect. I sort of welled up with emotion and looked like a fool with tears in my eyes in McDonald's on a Friday night in TIMES SQUARE. Oh well. It was worth it. Now the even cooler part was what happened next. I recognized the song but didn't really put two and two together until I called my friend Ruby. I mean I had to let her know as I always do that she is singing to everyone in the free world it seems like. So, I called her, she picked up, I briefly gave her the story and then she says..."you realize what that song is about don't you? A suitcase!" Of course, it was her song that parallels her life with the life of a suitcase and here I was getting some food for a man who what else...lives out of his suitcase. She and I both smiled and laughed on the phone and I headed down Broadway and back towards the music store man...with his suitcase.

I sort of feared that he might be drunk or just not with it and not even appreciate or realize that someone was bringing him a Big Mac on a Friday night. But despite my ridiculousness that all was fallacy. When I approached him I told him my name, shook his hand and gave him the McDonald's bag and soda. He was totally with it, talked very articulately and when I walked away a few minutes later he even called me by name. You just never know how things are going to turn out. You just never know.

So, what seemed like it might be a random few hours on a Friday night in NYC really had a great purpose and was quite eventful and fun. The best part was just having a small clue of what I was supposed to do and then seeing the rest unfold because of following my gut. It was better than what I could have imagined for sure.

Until next time...roll with the opportunities...you never know where they're going to take you.

josh