Twenty-five years ago, I worked for a business association in downtown Los Angeles. The offices were in the Pacific Mutual building, a neo-classical architectural treasure built in 1908.

While attending a conference at a nearby hotel this week, I walked over to take a look at the place. I was relieved to see that the grand lobby and marble staircase haven't changed one bit. Oh sure, there's a Starbucks in the building now. But the antique book store and a first floor coffee shop are still there, having survived despite a rapidly changing downtown. 

Standing in the foyer brought back a flood of memories (mostly good) about the job, my former co-workers, and the doors of opportunity in Washington D.C. and Sacramento that were opened to me from this experience.