May the Force be with you!

I finally saw Episode III. Toe called me at work and asked if I was doing anything after work. I wasn't, except planning to go home and catch "Angel." So we agreed to go see the movie after I got off work. Of course, I ended up being a slave to the man for an extra hour since I took an extended lunch. It's cool though because lunch was a treat indeed.

Phil, my old boss from Hofstra, came in to the city from Long Island and we caught up and reminisced over Ollie's chinese food. I had the pepper steak with brown rice. Oh, how I'm going to miss chinese food, I think. More on that later.

Phil is like the coolest white dude on the planet. We met back in 1995 when I started working in The Career Center as a student aide. At the time, the office consisted of Phil, his boss Marvin, and their administrative assistant Marian. Then myself and a young lady named Eileen came on as student aides. I loved working in an office setting. And these three people, especially Phil and Marian were very accommodating. At the end of my first year, I sat down with Phil for a year-end evaluation type meeting. He asked how I liked the job and if I was coming back the following year. I did like the job, I just really hated the tedious shit. You know: holepunching, stapling, things like that. So Phil made me a promise that I would not have to do those things. My main job here on out would be data entry and customer service. And he kept to his word. I don't think I'll ever have a boss as accommadating as he was. Over the three years we worked together, we became friends. He told me about his life at home. His and his wife's desire to have children, even complained about his financial woes. He even supported me when I decided to pledge Sigma Gamma Rho. He'd feed me and let me catch up on sleep in his office. He's just an all around great guy.

Fast forward 10 years and the man still remembers my birthday and always calls to wish me a happy, happy. So we spent lunch catching up on the happenings at Hofstra. Who's in and who's out. How everybody hates the new president of the university and how apparently the law school is slowly taking over every aspect of university life. He talked about his job at another university and how he's working it but looking for something that pays a little more. And I talked about my job and how I'm working it but ready to move on.

It felt good to see him, especially since it's been almost 6 years. Last I saw him was briefly at my graduation. He no longer worked at the university but came throught to celebrate my getting my degree. He is a good friend. I wish the world was filled with more Phils!

Guess I'll blog about my excitement/disappointment with Episode III later...

Walking the Walk

So, I finally did it!

I stopped being a punk and submitted my resume for a new job. What a relief. It only took like 4 weeks to do. I hope the job is still available. I haven't had to draft a resume and cover letter in almost 5 years. I think I was a little afraid. What if they actually want me? How am I going to give notice to my current job? I've never had to do that before. When it was time to move on it was time to move on. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

In other news, my normally good for nothing brother is finally making moves. He is getting his first job 1 month shy of his 20th birthday. I love my brother, really I do. But the strife that he has caused me and my mom really made me resent him for a long time. I hope this change in his lifestyle will finally force him to man up. I feel like a proud parent. And I kind of am. This is my baby brother and he is on his way to becoming a man. Once he gets that GED, nobody will be able to tell him anything. I'm so happy for him. I've just got to help him get his finances (oh my god! he's got finances!) in order. Make sure he doesn't spend his entire paycheck on an Ipod before he helps pay some bills. I can't wait to take this journey with him. I'll be as supportive as I can and help him with what he needs. It took him a long time to find his way and I don't want him to be discouraged by anything or anyone. Especially me.

Choosing Sides

Ok. I'm going to try this again since my internet at home wanted to act a damn fool!

Saturday night I went to my linesister's bridal shower. It was good to see her. It's a been a lot longer than I care to admit. She was surprised, which is good. It was a bit of a surreal experience though. This was the first real meeting of her old life and her new life. Her old life being us, her sorors and college friends. Her new life being her church friends. There wasn't any reason why we shouldn't all get along. We're all there to celebrate Z's marriage. Yet, there was uneasy tension and some of the women acted very catty. Almost resentful of the fact that we were there and we were comfortable. It almost seemed like they were being territorial as if she had to choose: them or us. Knowing Z, she was totally oblivious to what was going on. And I'm glad that she was. Her shower and her upcoming marriage are reasons to celebrate and rejoice. But there are only so many facetious comments I'm going to sit through before I have to hem some chicks up in the bathroom.

I think what hurts more than anything is that some of these women are standing up for her. Something that I should be doing. I'm not salty because I can't be in her wedding. I'm upset that the women she chose to stand up for her are not doing right by her. She is my sister -- not by blood but by circumstance. I shared 9 weeks with her that no one else has or ever will. No one can understand or comprehend the love I have for her.

I would love for her new friends to openly accept that she had a life before she met them. And whether they like it or not, we'll be around for years to come.