As we were closing the bar down last night my coworkers and I sat out front to decompress for a while.

It wasn't the easiest shift for me. I felt like crying so many times throughout the night. And I even considered giving my shift away so I could go home and grieve the loss of my cat with my wife. She was hysterical to say the least.

But I collected myself and pushed through the shift. And at the end of the night I met a corporate attorney from Atlanta. A tall, funny guy, he had on cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, a bolo tie, and a big belt buckle.

After we sat down and started talking he said, "I'm just a Jewish guy that likes the feeling of wearing the cowboy get up." Acknowledging we were curious about it. Or maybe he felt that he had to explain it. I think he feels comfort in that alter ego.

He told us he realized that he hates his job even though he is making more money than he ever thought he would make. That he is depressed.

He is realizing that he wants some form of real connection with people. And that is something you cannot buy, but you can only aquire with shared experiences.

He said he was considering pivoting to any other job because he felt empty.

He really liked our bar and he really liked the way we interacted with each other and customers; some of whom we barely know.

He realized that what he lacked was a form of real connection to a community.

That made me do some self reflection. And it also made me think about Nostr.

I feel fortunate to be able to share my experiences with you. Nostr isn't about the money, even though it's attractive.

If you spend enough time here you start to realize that it's really about shared experiences and building a community.