After making my list of highlights of my community service from the past year I have to mention a strange new phenomenon of late: lots of people now know me and I don’t always know them.
I’ve went down to the municipal building for something earlier this year and gave my name to one of the staffers I had just met. “Oh, so you’re Mark Turner! We’ve heard all about you,” came the cheerful reply. Some treat me like some kind of celebrity. Even cops. City staffers have told me they read my blog on a regular basis, too. It’s a little unnerving knowing that people are talking about me, even if it’s good stuff. (At least, I hope it is!)
So many people have attended my CAC meetings that I have trouble remembering everyone’s names. They all know me, though, and when they meet me out of the CAC context I feel so awkward not being able to always recall their names. Names are so much more personal. I try to get to know everyone I meet but the number of relationships has gotten to the point where it’s not always easy. That bothers me. I’ve got to get better at it.
Maybe this is all proof that I’m making a name for myself.