Friends. How many of us have them???

So yesterday I drove down to the city for my girl K's birthday. We went to see what I think is perhaps one of the funniest movies I've ever seen: Over the Hedge. Yes the kiddie movie. It was absolutely hilarious!!! Imagine three grown ass negroes in the movie theatre, falling out all over each other! Can't wait for Cars to come out June 9th! Afterwards, the gang met up for cake, ice cream, drinks, Madden, the Phoenix/Dallas game, and of course, Idol (Congrats to Taylor Hicks and the Soul Patrol).

Today, one of my friends in our circle called me and K to talk about this girl that was on the radio. She has this extremely close circle of friends that she shares everything with. She told something to one of the friends, who in turn, told the rest of the group. The girl got mad at the person because apparently she didn't want the group to know. My friends and I thought that the girl was being overly dramatic and a whiner. WE felt that she was mad because she didn't get to tell her friends before the other friend did and that if she didn't want her circle to know, she should've kept it to herself.

The three of us have been friends for half of our lives (Freshman year of High School, 1993), and we tell each other everything; there aren't any secrets in our circle. We share things collectively and are all privy to the same information. We laugh at the fact that if we tell one person something, then it become common knowledge so then our circle knows before we can tell the rest. And it doesn't matter to us where the news came from. We were going to tell each other anyway! If we told one person something before the other, that usually means the person we told simply answered their phone first, lol

So my question is, "Are there certain rules of secrecy and friendship that apparently my friends and I know nothing about?" Don't get me wrong. I do have friends that I don't reveal personal stuff too (We're cool, just not THAT cool). But my circle is MY circle of trust and I trust these guys with my biggest fears, concerns, just everything, and the feeling is mutual. (SAU baby!!!) If I want to talk about Mr. Smith or sex or something personal, these are the ones that I talk to above anyone else, and vice versa, so why be mad. We think, cross that, we KNOW that friends are gonna talk. Period. That's just what they do.

Saying goodbye to TV shows (and relationships too!)

So how was everyone's weekend? Mine was pretty nice. I took Friday and Saturday off, so my weekend officially started on Thursday night. I drove down to have dinner with my baby (Chinese of course) and watch Will and Grace's series finale (he doesn't watch it, but he sat and watched it with me. Gotta love him!) I was a little bummed out because now with W&G, That 70's Show, and Charmed all bidding adieu, I only have 5 shows to watch, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Smallville, Amazing Race, and American Idol. Guess I better invest in Netflix, lol.

Anyways, a couple of my friends came out to see us on Saturday. They're a couple (7 or 8 years and counting), so it was kinda fun doing the couples thing and having good drinks, good food, and good fun. We all got drunk and they ended up staying the night. Then they left on Sunday afternoon.

Despite all of the fun, my friends ended up having an argument. Apparently one of them got busted having an online dating profile. His profile ended up as a match for another friend, who in turn, reported this news to the boyfriend. Of course, my friend denied this to the fullest. So now, a breakup may be on the horizon.

My baby and I talked about it and we decided that I should stay out of it. Later, he asked me an interesting question. He asked me if I felt like I was tired of being with him, would I tell him, to which I replied "Of course". And I would. I have been in relationships that should have ended long before they actually did and I don't think I can handle going through that again, not that I'm planning on it. This is it for me folks, we ain't breakin up!

But for those that will have to or have experienced a break up, how soon should you walk away??

Courageous Conversations

So my boss came down to my inn today (FINALLY!!!!) and we got to have our little chat I've been itching to have. To sum up our conversation, I told her everything that was on my mind, where I am in my development, and how I want to be HOME (the Haba is too slow for me. It's cool but it ain't Chicago, if you know what I mean.) We talked about the things that I've done to make myself a better manager, what I want (not need) from her to aid me in the process. We went over how I've changed since I was hired, since February (the last time she came out), and my impact on the inn, district, and the company. Lot's of good things, a couple of opportunities. But nothing I hadn't already figured out ON MY OWN and have begun to work on ON MY OWN.

Overall, I feel a lot better about my job, my position in the company, and about my boss's and my peers opinion of me. It's funny how you never really know your worth until you have a Courageous Conversation.

PS. I got my new glasses today, and they are soooo cute. VERY ME!!!

Can you see the glow in my face?

So, before I begin, Happy Mother's Day!!!! So I just had the greatest
weekend ever! My sister earned her Nursing Cap at school. They had a small ceremony for the class. Congrats sis, you're almost there!!!! Afterwards, several us went over to my boy's house to play cards and have drinks. It was just like old times. I had a such a good time. Then I went to Mr Smith's house so that I can fall asleep in his arms. I don't know why, but I sleep soooo much better when I'm with him.

Saturday afternoon(my first day off in 3 weeks, for the record), he and I took the next step in our relationship. We made love for the first time and it was everything I thought it would be, but better. I don't want to give out too much info, but WOW!!! I felt a thousand different emotions. It was sensual, erotic, passionate and I'll never
forget how amazing it was. I was ready and he was everything
I wanted a lover to be. Thank you baby for loving me right.

Later in the day, we went out to the movies to see Mission Impossible 3 (pretty good if you haven't seen it) and to dinner at Homerun Inn. We were so into each other it was so cute. It was as if we were the only two people in the world who knew a secret (actually at the time, we DID have a secret, lol). We were both wondering if people can look at a couple and tell if they're in love?

So I have a father, now what?

So I just got off the phone with my baby and due to a trip that I have to take to Merrillville tomorrow, I'm going to drive the extra 45 minutes to see him! Hoo-rah! (from the movie Jarhead). I get to fall asleep in his arms tomorrow so you know I'm geeked right???
Anyways, we just got done talking about my father and his not being an active part of my life. I didn't meet him until I was 19 and I haven't spoken to him since I was 21. Crazy right? I was telling him how prior to this past Christmas , I had the attitude that if my father wasn't trying to be bothered me, why should I try to be bothered with him. But due to the fact that I spent my first Christmas morning away from everyone that I love, I've been having a change of heart. I was telling Mr. Smith the story of how I tracked him down after my mother told me his name after I asked her. The moment I knocked on his door, my entire body went numb. I remembered him opening the door, looking at me, and knowing EXACTLY who I was. I can't remember if he hugged me or not due the numbness, but some physical contact was made. We talked and talked. He apologized for not being there, told me about my other brothers and sisters (not the ones I talk about in my profile). It was a truly profound experience in my life. I met his wife, Ola or Ora. She, of course, didn't like me, which I picked up on immediately. Maybe she thought I was after the Billion Dollar empire they had amassed (LMAO!!)
We got to know each other somewhat. I got to see some of the similarities we shared. I had his Asian looking eyes. We both loved movies and enjoyed building a massive movie collection. He worked for a computer company, and I like computers and anything with a button to press, lol. He showed me a picture of my grandfather, who had passed long before.
Gradually, I began to notice that if I called, Ola/Ora would always answer the phone and say he wasn't in. If I stopped by, she'd simply crack open the door and tell me that he wasn't in, then close the door (good thing I didn't have to piss, right???) After a few months of this, I had reached an emotional climax and poured out all of my feelings about him, her, and that treatment into what is perhaps the longest letter I've ever written in my life. Of course when I went to hand deliver it to HIM, she said he wasn't in and that she would give it to him. I remember laughing after I left because at the close of the letter, I left him all of my contact info and told him that from now on if he wanted to talk to me, he would have to reach out to me. But he never did.
So now I'm thinking, should I try to reach him again, or should I just leave our relationship where it lays, 6 feet under???

My feet hurt and I need a drink!!!

So I just got off work (Again!!!). What a brotha gotta do to get a day off around here? After a week in Dallas, ten days in Hoffman Estates (which consisted of quite a few 12 hour work days), interviews, reports, projects, and every other catastrophe that takes place on any given day, I AM TIRED!!! I haven't had an entire day off in two weeks. Now I'm enjoying a much needed drink (Thank God for vodka), mad as hell because I have to work again tomorrow, then Monday, then Tuesday. Wednesday I have an eye appointment in the morning, but guess who's back at work at 1pm??? YEP, me. Superman! But I guess that's why they made me the boss, right?
One of my night auditors made me mad last night. I wanted him to work the second shift for me today so that I could get a day off and go chill with Mr. Smith. He's off from Friday until he gets back to work on Tuesday and do you know what he tells me??? He says he can't because that's his whole weekend (OMG, better excuse next time!). So, I'll just have to remember that the next time he needs someone to cover his shift. Can't I fire him for not being a team player??? LOL, just kidding! He is in for a rude awakening next time he tries to call off though. I cover many shifts without question. Most of my staff does. He better get with the program, LOL!
All I know is that my freakin feet are hurting and I don't see a day off in sight. That's okay, as long as I can get a drink at the end of the day, I guess I'll survive, right?

Remembering what's important

So it was a gorgeous day today in the haba! Mid-70's, summer breeze, just beautiful! My day got off to a beautiful start with a good morning call from my baby. He calls me every morning at 6:30 am Chicago time (7:30 in the Haba) to wish me a good day and I do the same to him.

We talked about an issue he was having. He was scheduled to work his school's prom this upcoming Friday, but due the death of a former colleague, he was advised not to (by his boss and myself). The funeral is Friday also and he wouldn't be in the best of moods. As luck would have it, his brother had tickets to a White Sox game on Friday that he couldn't attend, so he offered them to him, which is where the dilemna lies: If he isn't up to attending the work function because of the funeral, is he really up for attending a White Sox game??? Most of his friends said go to the game while he and I felt that for integrity purposes, he shouldn't attend the game. I told him that it would really suck if his boss tuned in to Sportscenter and saw him catching a foul ball or something like that. Then how would he be able to explain that? Don't even get me started on the guilt. What do u think???

Later in the day, a beautiful meat, cheese, and fruit basket was delivered to me with a note that simply said "Thank you, TS." (You're welcome baby!) I called him to ask what did I do to deserve the great gift. His reply: "Thank you for loving me and being nice. Sometimes it's ok to let someone know that you appreciate them." How sweet is that!!!

Just taking time out to remember that it's the simple things that makes us who we are.

Not going anywhere for a while???

So I just wrapped up a ten day stint working in Hoffman Estates for a colleague of mine. This has been quite the experience yall! The staff there worked on quite a few nerves with their issues, calling off, just everything! I never have to baby my own staff, so it kinda irritated me that this staff was trying to make me do just that! I'm glad to be heading back to my property and my staff, whom I miss, believe it or not. I had to issue a written warning to one of the staff members in Hoffman (My friends will joke about this I'm sure, since they say I'm into firing/writing people up now, lol). I worked damn near everyday I was there, including Sunday evening when I was supposed to be enjoying dinner with Mr. Smith (He made tacos which I really wanted and didn't get a chance to eat). But it's cool, that's what I get paid for right? Part of my Friday night also got ruined with excessive calls from the staff there while we were at dinner (He surprised me with dinner at Pappadeaux, very tasty if you've never had it!). And it sucks because all of this extra work cuts into my own, so now I have to play catch-up with the goings-on in BH. And my boss is coming down tomorrow to discuss my future. (It better be good news!!!!) And I haven't gone on vacation in a year this month, just constant work. Hopefully, Mr. Smith and I can go to Miami as planned later this month. But it's not looking good yall! I'm way busy and so is he, and I don't see either schedule clearing up anytime soon, so I'm really gonna be mad if I don't escape from the madness and soon!!! Am I bitching??? Damn, I really do need to get away. I feel like eating a Snicker's Bar, lol!!!