Today marks the anniversary of a couple unrelated-yet-interesting milestones for me. Most recently it is one month of married life, and I must say, I’m rather fond of it. I am happy to be married to my wife, and I am super excited for what is still to come.

Thanks to the beauty of Facebook memories, I was recently reminded that “On this day” in 2018 I worked my last shift at Commander’s Palace. I was employed there for exactly nine and a half years to the day, and my last shift happened to fall on Veteran’s Day. I recall my final “pre-meal” or pre-shift meeting. One of the managers announced my eminent departure, and sous chef Meg Bickford (now the head chef of the establishment) looked toward me and said, “thank you for your service.” I am not a proponent of stolen valor, but I did find that rather humorous.

Going back three more years, November 12th of 2015 was the night of my first performance on stage at the legendary Tipitina’s in New Orleans. I played drums in a band called The Crooked Vines, and we had gotten a slot for a show featuring up-and-coming local artists. Tickets were free, but the goal was to get as many friends as possible to come and say they were there to see us. We were told by an employee of the venue that pulling in at least 100 people would guarantee us another gig in the future. I think we got 98 if I’m not mistaken, and that must have been good enough because they booked us several more times over the next few years.

That was a fun show. Many friends from Commander’s were at that show. My wife was at that show. She took this great picture which pops up in my Facebook memories every November 12th. And though we weren’t together at the time, I really do love the interconnectedness of it all.

-woodrow