Ready to Rock

It has been my experience that many times we all come to doubt many things that we see and hear in our lives. Regrettably this may be because of the many scam emails and telemarketing that pass our ears and eyes each day, not to mention the ever present headlines that discuss fraud and hoaxes. And ultimately this doubt can affect how we interact and treat each person with whom we come into contact. Nevertheless, I learned today that there may still be reason to believe once more.

When I first saw him I was actually responding to a complaint about a rowdy client... and he was more than rowdy. With headphones the size of earmuffs, he was wildly swinging his head back and forth chanting the lyrics to his favorite rock tune. With shrieks louder than a kid who received his coveted wish list item on Christmas, he had successfully jolted everyone from their early morning state and was receiving glares from just about everyone in the room. As he began fervently air-drumming the drum solo, I touched him on the shoulder, smiled, and simply asked, "Hi, two things: what's your name and what in the world are you doing?" Slowly removing his headphones, he smiled and calmly responded, "Can't you see, I was born to rock!"

That was my first moment getting to know this man, but that is not the climax of the story. These past few days he has approached me and has let me know that he is still "rocking out" and what particular song is currently helping him do it. However, in addition to this information, he has started telling me his stories. It began with his stint as the studio drummer of the Doobie Brothers, followed by the story of how he took Steven Tyler of Aerosmtih to the hospital after he broke his leg on stage at a show in California, and finally capped off with the time he was involved in the Great White Fire (which happens to be the fourth most deadly nightclub fire in US history).

Why do I know that fact about the fire? Well after hearing these stories for the first time, I, having heard some of the greatest excuses for bus passes in the history of Boise, did not of course believe any of them. However, as he began to tell me exactly what Steven Tyler said to him as he bought this man a steak after returning from the hospital, and hearing which sound insulation panel caught fire first at the Great White concert, I couldn't help but wonder and do some research. Sure enough, this man's name showed up a few times and he since has produced the many personalized autographs and pictures with famous rockers (One of them reading, "Never forget the rock!" signed by Def Leppard.

So, the lesson here? Take a second look or listen at the hair-brained story you heard yesterday and it may just land a legitimate rock and roll drummer in your workplace. Ok maybe not. The real lesson here is another one of many that I try to remember each day here. It is my duty to treat each individual that comes through these doors with dignity and respect because each of these people have experiences and qualities that deserve such treatment. It doesn't have to be stories of rock and roll even, it could simply be about what they saw at the park yesterday - each story and each person has its worth. May I never forget...