briggshalim

[briggshalim]

Briggs always felt obnoxious when he had to ask questions about the menu but he hadn’t really been paying attention when he’d come in. After all, he’d helped him out with the lights and then had been more or less focused on finding somewhere to sit. He nodded considering the options. “Definitely the tomato bisque,” he said. “I think my favorite of all time is that one they serve at medieval times. This will be slightly less fun since I don’t think you’ll be serving me then getting into a sword fight but it’ll probably hit the spot.” He definitely didn’t see how someone could go wrong with it. It definitely deserved “I think maybe just bacon and tomato with the cheese,” he said honestly. He didn’t think ham would hit the spot as well with the soup. Everything else would probably work. He let out a laugh when his new friend said he would probably also just have a coke. “It would be strange if they did let you drink. I mean, drinking then standing on ladders would open them to a lawsuit.”

Glancing over his shoulder at the menu board as Briggs asked if they had a soup of the day, he nodded, "chicken noodle or tomato bisque today." They normally were pretty good at keeping the soup kettles stocked, especially during the winter months when people came in wanting soup and sandwiches, warm, easy to eat meals that were going to go down easily on their lunch break, or for an early dinner before they headed home. Ryder, himself, often had a bowl and a sandwich before he made his way back home, sometimes with some to-go containers in hand to make sure that Jayla and Iris had something to eat, too. "The grilled cheese is really good. They can add bacon, tomato… ham, if you want, or do you want to stick with something traditional?" Because sometimes, it was about feeling like a little kid all over again and just enjoying the fact that you got to eat a rich, good winter staple. "The coke, though, I can do, no problem. I can't drink before a shift, anyway, so I'll probably have the same."

[briggshalim]

Decorating wasn’t really his forte. He had a fairly minimalistic style in his home. He wasn’t trying to live in the ultimate bachelor pad but he also didn’t feel much of a need to go and spend a tone of money on décor. Even at Christmas, he tended to keep it fairly minimalistic. He spent more time decorating his cubical at the office or helping decorate his church then he did his own space. He also helped with his parents’ house like any good kid would. “Classic and traditional are timeless,” he admitted with a nod, willingly looking at the things that were being pointed out. “I completely get it. When you’re making something, especially as a gift you want it to give off that warmth but it’s so hard to define.”

The idea of going and picking out a plant to grow was honestly nice. “I feel like picking a plant that is pretty much together is easier than making something from plants,” he would admit. He wasn’t great at keeping them alive but he did like to look at them. Nine times out of ten, he’d do well for the first few weeks watering it and then he’d forget until it was past the point of no return. It probably wasn’t a selling point for him. “I suppose, I should probably just pay attention and look for things that are suited for my skills. I do have some.” Not that he was showing them at the moment.

The wreath was actually starting to have a little life come to it but color was a good point. It was a bit one note with all the green and berries were bound to break some of that up. He reached out accepting them, debating how to place them in the wreath. He tucked them a bit sporadically before giving Nari a look that made him look like a lost puppy. “Is that good?” he asked. “And don’t even ask me to tie a ribbon. It’ll end up looking like a sailors lot. Put me out of my misery and help?”

"That's the best decor style, this time of year," Nari agreed with a smile, and then found herself letting out a laugh, "I'm not into a lot of the more modern stuff, where people want to do all black and white, or beige, or really go minimalistic and tone things down," she lifted both of her shoulders into a shrug, and pointed out some red berries, a plaid ribbon, "I like things that seem warm and alive, and have that sort of traditional, nostalgic kind of feeling to them, you know?"

"We have one coming up in January, although it's less of a work shop, more of a fun thing -- houseplant day, we basically invite people to come up to the nursery, plant a little friend for themselves to take home," it seemed to go over pretty well, people always had fun with it. At least Nari thought so. "But you're right, you would! We have a lot of different things like that through the year." After all, there wasn't ever really any one time when flowers of some sort weren't popular.

"I was going to suggest some berries, both for the 'alive' vibe, but also sometimes it can be nice to add a little bit of color, too," considering wreaths were mostly green, adding in a pop of color could draw your eyes in, really catch your attention. Stretching across the table, she selected a few small bundles, holding them out to him with a smile. "What about these? And we have something like…" she reached again to find a ribbon, red and gold, "this might balance out the berries."

[briggshalim]

Everyone had their idea of a good time and it wasn’t really in Briggs character to knock what someone else aspired to do. He could make a few assumptions though based on simple observations. Most people definitely didn’t feel safe climbing on things in general but when you added in the task of hanging things it added an element of danger or at a minimum agony as they tried to contort their body to do just that. “I can understand the cookies,” he admitted with an nod. “I mean, you hang the lights you might get like a two second pay off appreciating the light they bring to a dark world but the cookies … well, you get to eat them. I guess, they also eventually are gone but the temporary pay off is higher in my opinion.” Others could think differently and if they had a good enough argument, he could hear them out.

Briggs didn’t hesitate to make himself comfortable, finding enough space to get himself comfortable. He generally liked to be where he could people watch, potentially find himself in random conversations with strangers. He pulled himself from browsing the menu when it became clear he had some decisions to make. “Both,” he said, amusement clear on his face. “I’m thinking soup and like a nice adult grilled cheese. Do you guys have a soup of the day or something? If you don’t, you should with weather like this.” As cold as it was, it was the thing that made the most sense. Something warm and hearty and then he could dip his sandwich in it, whether it was appropriate public food etiquette or not. “I’ll be boring on my drink though. A nice crispy coke.”

"Yeah, no kidding," Ryder laughed as Briggs said that calling it fun might be a bit of a stretch. Not a lot of people would count climbing up on a ladder in the freezing weather to hang up lights as 'fun' but people also had some odd ideas of what was and was not enjoyable; who was Ryder to judge? "Yeah, exactly, not to mention all the time that people spend making cookies," he grinned. That always seemed to be something that was happening in a Hallmark Christmas town, so why not Merrock, as well? As someone who had participated in a lot of those cookie-making events, it made sense to him.

"You got it," Ryder laughed, waving Briggs off as the other man told him not to miss his moment, heading through the restaurant and towards the back, opening one of the closets into the storage space, carefully placing the boxes on the shelf where they went, and the ladder against the wall, where it would be safe until the next time that someone needed it. As he made his way back out, he found Briggs at the seat he had chosen, and pulled his notepad out of his apron, "what are you thinking? Drinks? Food? Both?"

[briggshalim]

The Fun Spot

DECEMBER 29 - JANUARY 4

What is something that you learned in the year 2024?

I've learned a great deal this year. I would give you one of the more valuable lessons I'll learned but I'll go with one of the wildest things I've learned. Someone told me that they read an article that said Abraham Lincoln was a pro wrestler. I looked it up and apparently he is even in the wrestling hall of fame. The more you know, right?

[briggshalim]

When I was younger, I always wanted to participate in it but I wasn't allowed. My parents were concerned about the safety of it. I always found it funny that they were worried about what might happen in some cold water but not what would happen if I got hit while playing some sort of sport. I suppose that is just the way people think sometimes though and I can't be upset about them trying to protect me. There isn't really anyone to tell me no these days though (since I'm an adult). I've done it a few times. I've tried cold plunges before and they're honestly great once you get past the initial shock. I'm sure most of us will choose something to warm us up when this is over though. Considering how late most of us were up, I predict there will be naps to be had.

You know, I've always done the polar plunge every year for as long as I can remember. What about you? Have you done it before or is this your first year doing it? I feel like it's such a rush, and also a good excuse to then curl up by the fire with a nice hot chocolate. Though, does one really need an excuse for that?

[briggshalim]

He chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair, a hint of sheepishness creeping into his expression. “I’ll admit, crafting isn’t really my area of expertise, but I love the idea of creating something that feels like an open door, you know? Something that says, ‘Come in, stay a while.’” His tone was earnest, his words carrying the same warmth he imagined the wreath would evoke.

The mention of classes piqued his interest, and he tilted his head. “Workshops, huh? That actually sounds kind of fun. Who knows? Maybe I’ll discover a hidden talent for flower arrangements. Could be a nice way to decompress after long days at the shelter or studying.” He laughed softly, his eyes brightening. “Plus, I’d be the guy with the best-looking centerpiece at potlucks.”

He set the pinecone down gently and glanced over the available materials, his brows furrowing in thought. “I think we need something earthy to balance it out—maybe some greenery? Or berries, if you’ve got them. Something that makes it feel alive, like it’s carrying the season into the room. What do you think? Am I on the right track?”

Feeling a soft smile touch her lips as Briggs talked fondly about the pinecone in his hand, or rather the idea behind it, she nodded her head with understanding. "Well, if that's the case, then we'll find a way to incorporate your pinecone into something that's warm and welcoming and inviting," that could be done with a wreath, she was sure of it. That was, after all, part of the reason that people hung them on doors to begin with. To welcome them into their home.

"Well," she laughed before breaking into a smile, "it's my job!" Although she had started working at Lavender Lane just looking for something different to do with her life, she had come to really love it, learn new things every time she challenged herself. Sometimes that meant creating hybrid flowers, sometimes it meant helping people to build wreaths at Christmas time. "I'm always here for that. We have a lot of classes and work shops on building flower arrangements, too, if you're ever interested."

"But, for now," she tapped her fingers against the table, "what else do you think you would like to add? Any pieces that stand out to you, feel like they'd fit with the start you got?"

[briggshalim]

"That sounds incredible! Getting your hands on all sorts of books growing up must’ve been a dream—like having a passport to a million different worlds. I liked reading but it was mostly whatever I could check out at the library. And your grandfather with the parakeet? That’s gold. It sounds like he knew how to keep life interesting. I completely agree, though—some books just stay with you. They dig in deep, and you find yourself quoting them or thinking about them at the most random times. That’s amazing you became a teacher to share that love of literature. Stories have so much power, and the right one can change someone’s life. James sounds like a fascinating read! I love when authors take a classic story and reframe it in a way that makes you think differently about the original. It’s like rediscovering it all over again. And yeah, you’ve got me pegged—most of my reading these days is for work or class. I'm into a lot of religious and theological books these days. But I’m always looking for something new to lose myself in. I’ll have to add James to the list—thanks for the recommendation.

I loved it, and I was pretty lucky to get my hands on all sorts of books growing up. Ha, it was amusing. That bird was really smart. I don't know why he wanted a parakeet to begin with but the two of them were pretty funny together. I think my grandfather was just a man of interesting tastes. Absolutely. There are some books that just stick with you, the way the words written are so memorable. It takes a good author to get stuck in your head like that. It's something that I hope I never lose. Part of why I became a teacher. Oh, that's a good one. I did pick a book that's pretty new and came highly recommended by some teacher friends. The title is James, it's the story of Huckleberry Finn but a different perspective. And I read the latter when I was already in college, so it was interesting to dive into this one. Ahh, you do more assigned reading, I presume?

[briggshalim]

Briggs Halim attends the New Years Eve Party at Evolution (December 31st, 2024)

Wearing a rust brown velvet jacket, traditional white button up and black bow tie and black pants.

[briggshalim]

Briggs listened intently, his hands stuffed deep into his coat pockets, his breath visible in the frigid air. The person’s words made him pause, reflecting on the tension between internal and external perspectives. "Yeah," he said softly, nodding. "It’s like we’re always trying to bridge the gap between how we see ourselves and how the world reflects us back. Sometimes it feels like we’re caught in between, doesn’t it?"

He rubbed his gloved hands together, then blew on them for warmth. "But that’s the beauty of it, I think. Those quiet moments, like you said, when everything else fades out and it’s just… you. No judgment, no expectations, just your breath. It’s where you meet yourself in the purest way possible."

Briggs gave a small, thoughtful smile. "I guess that’s why I’ve always found prayer so grounding. It’s less about asking for something and more about just… being present. Kind of like what you’re saying about meditation. The stillness lets you remember who you are when the noise of the world is stripped away."

He took a long, slow breath of his own, mimicking their dramatic exhale, and chuckled. "See? Not bad advice. Maybe I should take that up more often."

"I think part of being human is that we both know ourselves, on the inside, better than anyone else, but on the outside and how the world sees us? Other people are always going to know us better." They shrugged, reaching for the hand warmers in their pockets, just to avoid feeling cold. "That's t he point of things like meditation and all that, right? We can take a few moments to let our minds go completely still and then...breathe." As if to make a point, they dramatically exhale.

[briggshalim]

Briggs grinned, leaning against the counter as he watched Ryder pack up. “Hey, delegating is an underrated skill. Plus, if everyone’s capable, they might as well pitch in, right? Spread the cheer and the workload. I’m all for that.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Although, calling it ‘fun’ might be a bit of a stretch depending on who you ask.”

He glanced toward the door, then back to Ryder, a teasing smirk on his face. “A Hallmark Christmas movie, huh? I can see it. Small-town charm, cozy vibes, everyone pitching in for the holiday spirit. All we need is a snowstorm, a tree-lighting ceremony, and someone finding love under the mistletoe.”

Briggs waved a hand toward the door. “Alright, I’ll head in and save us some seats. Don’t take too long, though—if this really is a Hallmark movie, you might miss your big moment.” He shot Ryder a playful wink before turning to make his way inside. He couldn't resist a good-natured joke.

"I guess you're right," he let out his own laugh, shrugging his shoulders. It could be worse; he could be in denial about needing a little bit of help, or just refuse it when someone offered it, but Ryder wasn't that kind of person. Stubborn, sure, but not if it meant that he was going to have to put that much more work in to whatever it was that he was doing. There were other things he'd like to do with his days, after all. "Yeah, exactly that -- the last thing that I want to do is take on more when everyone else is perfectly capable of sharing the fun." Although he wasn't sure that they would share his sentiment about it being all that fun, truthfully.

"Something like that, yeah," he replied with a laugh, making sure that he had everything packed up that needed to be as he spoke, "a lot of people say that it reminds them of a Hallmark Christmas movie or something, which I can understand. Has that vibe," not that he really spent a lot of time watching those, but… he could still understand the sentiment of what they were talking about. "Awesome. If you want to head in, I'll join you in a second, just gotta put this stuff back."

[briggshalim]

Briggs turned the pinecone over in his hand, smiling thoughtfully. “Yeah, I think I do like the rustic vibe. It reminds me of home—well, her home, you know?” His tone softened as he glanced at the wreath he’d picked out. “She always had this knack for making everything feel warm and inviting, even if it was just simple things like a pinecone centerpiece or a handmade garland. So, I guess this wreath is my way of nodding to that.”

He chuckled, looking back at Nari. “And you’re totally right. Trying to force things that don’t fit never really works—whether it’s decorations or, well, life stuff. I think starting fresh with this wreath as the centerpiece could be perfect. Build everything else around it and keep it simple. I like that.”

He held the wreath up, admiring it again. “Thanks for the advice, Nari. You’ve got a good eye for this kind of thing. Maybe I’ll recruit you for more decorating tips—and moral support—if I get in over my head.” His grin was warm, but there was a hint of sincerity in his voice. “This whole holiday thing can be a lot, but it’s worth it if it makes her smile. Mom has done so much for me and I just want to give her something nice."

"You can always let this wreath be the centerpiece for the rest of your decorations?" she suggested with a bright smile, "although you'd have to find a way to make your tree and your garlands and everything else a little bit abstract, too." That might not be all that easy to do if he had already started decorating, but Nari was sure that he could figure it out… or just start fresh with the wreath, which might actually be a better way to go about things. Hopefully.

"A little bit," she laughed, nodding her head, "it's going to be easier to keep what you like, and re-build from there than trying to make things that you don't like make sense, do you know what I mean?" Sometimes it was hard to change things, but it was easier to start new, give something a fresh start. And if anyone could help him with it, Nari figured that she was the one. "Kind of the same concept as your session, from the sounds of it. Build off of what works and what serves you, and… get rid of everything else."

Looking at the pinecone as he held it out, she nodded, "if you know that you want that, make it the focal point, the thing that you start with, and then build around it. Do you like a more rustic, natural look, based on that pinecone?"

[briggshalim]

Briggs looked up from the shelf he was scanning, spotting Harmony and the chocolate she was eyeing on the high shelf. He gave her a warm smile of recognition, stepping closer. “Of course! Which one are we going for? The British chocolate?” He glanced at the options, raising an eyebrow. “Good taste. You can’t go wrong with that.”

Reaching up, he grabbed the chocolate she was pointing at and handed it to her. “Here you go,” he said, his tone light and friendly. “Anything else you’re scouting out? I’ve got a decent vertical reach if you’ve got more on your list.”

He paused, tucking his hands in his coat pockets with an easy grin. “By the way, British chocolate? Bold choice. I’m usually stuck in the peanut butter cup zone myself, but maybe I should branch out."

Open starter

Where : Cassidy's Candies

When : late December afternoon

Harm wheels into the store and smiles as she looks around at the array of colorful candy. She notices something on a high shelf that she wants, some of her favorite British chocolate. She turns to a person nearby . " Can you help me reach that?"

[briggshalim]

Sounds like you’ve found your groove—no complaints after a few months is definitely a win. Being outdoors all the time sounds like a dream, especially if you’re the type to appreciate all kinds of weather. Maine in the winter has to be something else, though. I bet it’s that kind of cold that makes you feel alive, right? As long as you’ve got the right layers, anyway. Respecting nature is definitely key. Funny how animals seem to pick up on that, too. But now you’ve got me curious about those times you’ve had to run. I’m guessing those are some stories worth hearing one day—when you’re ready to share, of course. And hey, if I ever find myself in a situation where I do get chased by something out there, I’ll take the "I told you so" with grace. Just promise you’ll stick around to hear me out after I’m done running!

So far I've got no complaints, and I've been here a good few months. Feel like that's a strong start to things. Think the perks of being always outside I love all weather, yes I'm partial to autumn but I can appreciate all the others, and Maine in the winter -- so far, is beautiful. Even if that chill is really starting to set in. Just have to respect nature around you and often time a lot of the animals will do the same. That's not to say in other places I haven't had to run a couple of times... but those are stories for another time. If you ever do, you can always tell me you told me so later! I won't even hold it against you.

[briggshalim]

Briggs nodded, hands tucked into his jacket pockets as he matched Arturo's pace along the trail. "You’re right—we’re pretty bad at being objective about ourselves. I think it’s part of being human, though. We either overestimate or underestimate what we’re capable of, and finding that middle ground feels like this lifelong balancing act." He glanced over at Arturo with a small smile. "And trust me, I get it. My mind can be like a hamster on a wheel sometimes, just going in circles. But I think there’s something good in recognizing when it’s time to step back. Being intentional about slowing down, letting things settle—it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I think that is why I like being out here so much. It's so much easier to hit pause "

"We don't always have a realistic assessment of ourselves, do we?" Arturo commented, raising a brow. "Some of us think we can accomplish too much and others of us think we're owed the world and don't need to accomplish anything." They stepped ahead, not wanting to think too hard when enjoying nature. "You'd be surprised how easily I can get caught up in my own thoughts, honestly." He shrugged. "I just know when I need to take some time to be really intentional about not doing just that."

[briggshalim]

Growing up in a library sounds like the beginning of an amazing story in itself. Having your grandpa and his parakeet as your inner circle? That’s legendary. Sounds like the kind of dynamic that would make people laugh and cry at the same time—exactly the kind of story worth telling. I get what you mean about those stories shaping you, though. The ones that stick with you, not because of a single moment, but because they teach you to look at life a little differently, to slow down and really see things. That’s powerful. And, hey, even if life’s a little faster-paced now, it sounds like you’ve carried that curiosity and love for discovery with you. That’s a gift in itself. So, what’s the last story that made you feel that excitement again? Something that really pulled you in? I’m always looking for something new to read—though I can’t promise I’ll find the time right away. Seminary life is great, but it doesn’t exactly leave a lot of room for leisurely afternoons with a book.

I practically grew up in a library so I was one of those kids. Probably didn’t help that my only other friend was my grandpa and his parakeet. It was a complicated story, but probably one of the greatest written stories of all time. It would be nothing without some conflict. They’re just a couple of my favorite writers. I think I’ve read too many to even remember. Over time, I just know I loved all those stories because they’ve made me feel excited about learning and discovering new things. It’s been something that I learned to enjoy, because with life going so fast, there’s still so much to see and experience. I do miss the slower pace sometimes but here, it’s kept me on my toes.

[briggshalim]

Briggs chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed loosely over his chest. "Hey, owning the title of 'damsel in distress' is half the battle, right? Especially when it comes to Christmas lights. I mean, they look great now, but let’s be real, those things were engineered to drive people crazy."

He tilted his head, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And siccing someone else on it? That’s a move I can get behind. Delegation at its finest," he joked, tapping the side of his head. "Work smarter, not harder, right?"

At the mention of coffee and lunch, his expression softened into something more earnest. "You’re not wrong about this place, though. Something about it just… I don’t know, makes everything feel a little more magical. Kind of hard not to get into the spirit." He nodded. "And yeah, I’d like that—coffee and company sounds like the perfect plan before diving back into the chaos."

"That's me," he laughed, not one to shy away from the title of damsel in distress when... well, he clearly had been in distress, at least ass far as the Christmas lights went. But thankfully, he had stepped up and helped out with that, and at least Ryder wasn't totally a lost cause. Just partially. "If I was at home, I might be a little more... persnickety about it. But since I'm here at work, I can just sic someone else on fixing it if I really want to, right?" he grinned, folding up the ladder and tucking it under his arm. "I loved it, the cold and the city were a pretty good combination, you know? But this place sort of takes that whole Christmassy thing to a whole new level," and he did love that, too, despite not having been much of a Christmas person before. "Yeah, think I'll grab some coffee and a lunch before my shift. If you wanna join me?"

[briggshalim]

🎄✨ Merry Christmas! ✨🎄

This season, I wanted to share a little sweetness with you—please enjoy these homemade cookies as a small token of my appreciation for you. It’s been a year of growth and giving, and in that spirit, I’ve made a donation to the Covenant House in your honor. Covenant House provides shelter, food, and care to homeless and at-risk youth. They also offer job training, education, and support for young people who have experienced homelessness.

Your kindness and support inspire me to continue spreading hope and positivity in all the ways I can. May this holiday season bring you peace, joy, and the warmth of knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for being a part of my journey, and I look forward to what the new year holds for all of us.

Wishing you love and light this Christmas and always.

Briggs 🎁

Sent to Josh, JD, Oliver, Owen, Chetan, Arturo.

@joshlane , @jcksonfields, @oliverxsutton, @chetang , @arturovasco