Category Archives: connecting to strangers

How, Oh How Can We Be New?

Dan and I spent two hours Tuesday morning walking around our Pennsauken neighborhood hanging flyers on our neighbor’s door knobs. We wanted them to know that we’re trying to do something new by starting two new Sunday meetings, one at 10:30 a.m. and one at 7:00 p.m. Afterward I marked out the area we hadContinueContinue reading “How, Oh How Can We Be New?”

I’m back on campus

Some of you heard the story of how I got kicked off Camden County College’s Blackwood campus last November for holding my “Tell Me Your Story” sign. It caused a bit of a stir among my friends and people I didn’t even know. Someone egged me on to enroll in a class because the securityContinueContinue reading “I’m back on campus”

I Got Kicked off of Camden County College’s Campus Today

Yep, you heard that right. I got kicked off of Camden County College’s Blackwood Campus today for hanging out with students who I met while holding a sign that said “Tell Me your Story.” The head of security asked me to leave because I was not an authorized guest. I asked him how I could beContinueContinue reading “I Got Kicked off of Camden County College’s Campus Today”

I’m like 30. How do I make a friend again?

Someone asked this question in my cell recently. And it was sincere. I feel it. How do you go from not knowing someone to knowing someone or being there for someone? The prospect is daunting. And it’s more than just my cell mate. This is something everyone feels. I was recently listening to the JudgeContinueContinue reading “I’m like 30. How do I make a friend again?”

Hitchbot is Dead. Long Live Humanity!

Amanda and Beth, riding in the back of a truck I made a vow to pick up every hitchhiker I  ever find after receiving a number of rides from strangers when I really needed it. When I was 19 I drove with my brother and  a couple of friends up to Mount Desert Island inContinueContinue reading “Hitchbot is Dead. Long Live Humanity!”

How do I escape the stereotype?

I got stuck on the trolley for about 45 minutes last week. I also got stuck being a Christian The trolleys were broken down in the tunnel and we were beyond the diversion point. We just had to wait it out. Instead of being consumed by my fantasy novel I struck up a conversation withContinueContinue reading “How do I escape the stereotype?”

Why are you doing this?

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on my bench on Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania holding my “tell me your story sign”. It turns our it was parent’s weekend and I got two stories from proud Penn parents. One man, D, came up to me and said, “Ok, you’ve piqued my interest.ContinueContinue reading “Why are you doing this?”

I’m that guy with the sign

At one point this week I was having a conversation with 3 new acquaintances simultaneously about 1) good and evil 2) greek tragedies, 3) vampires and 4) the broken Democratic machine in Philadelphia. My “Tell Me Your Story” bench kind of blossomed on Monday afternoon. That wasn’t the only multi-person conversation I had either. I’mContinueContinue reading “I’m that guy with the sign”

Tell Me Your Story, Penn

My friend, Howard Pinder, came up with this great idea.  The “Tell Me Your Story” sign.  I’ve been emulating him at the University of Pennsylvania this week.  It’s pretty fun! People look at me when I’m holding the sign, many look away when I meet their gaze, they look away and smile.  Many give aContinueContinue reading “Tell Me Your Story, Penn”

Circle of Hope’s Public Joy

I was driving down the Broad Street on Sunday when all of a sudden I had to pull over abruptly in the center “parking lane.”  My friends, Forest and Ben were playing guitars in front of the library at Broad and Morris!  It was a beautiful morning and these beautiful people were making some beautifulContinueContinue reading “Circle of Hope’s Public Joy”

Dear Philly University Students : an open letter (it’s about Jesus, ok?)

Dear students, Welcome to Philadelphia! I want to be your friend. What is your name? Will you escape your own personal zone long enough to connect with me? Most of you won’t, but that’s okay because I’m pretty sure some of you will. But really, those people who are ready to connect are the anomaliesContinueContinue reading “Dear Philly University Students : an open letter (it’s about Jesus, ok?)”

Trying to be question marks on July 4th

When you wear a sandwich sign some people will yell across a crowd to you. I learned this and a lot of other things at the Party on the Parkway on July 4th, this past Thursday. The first person to yell across the crowd got my attention by reciting what he had memorized of theContinueContinue reading “Trying to be question marks on July 4th”