b'Life lessons in L.A.security told me the musician and her W hen I was first startingentourage were in the mission heading as CEO in Los Angeles,for the dining room. Perfectpark I was intensely commit- my car and jump in the elevator up ted to doing everything I could toto the first floor. I hurried through the raise funds and awareness for thelobby and opened the dining room mission. I was a novice at such things.door accompanied by my wife and Needless to say, I haveAlong the way I learned a few life les- a security guard. never made snapsons as I lived out these challenges.I took one look across the room For example, one sleepy weekend,and saw a very outlandishly dressed judgments about I received a call after church that awoman with fishnet stockings, frilly famous German musician wantedcostume, and heavy makeup. I was our guests or donorsto visit the mission on the q.t. and toshocked and blurted out, Who let since then (well,make a donation that I expected to bethat hooker into the dining room?! healthy. I agreed to drive downtownAlas, to my chagrin, it turned out maybe just a little),and meet her that afternoon, thinkingshe was the performer and was in that Sunday afternoon at the missioncostume for an upcoming event!! but I learned thatwas generally slow and perfect for aNeedless to say, I have never made what we see is notlow-profile meeting. My wife and Isnap judgments about our guests or drove downtown, and when we arriveddonors since then (well, maybe just a always what we get.42 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JULY/AUGUST 2023'