Johnny Carson
1925-2005
I remember staying up that night for that last show with him there.
And if you had my fifth grade teacher, you'll start to understand the wit and intelligence behind his humor, and even appreciate it. Many times after watching, I found myself recalling what my teacher had said prior to that time, and realised its relevance. Very thought-provoking, that man was. And what sound advice he gives! I will indeed miss one of my most celebrated influences.
Dear Lord, heeeeeere's Johnny!
Whoa.
I really didn't plan to post anything on this particular night. I've tried to post something over the last week, but everytime I get to my laptop, something happens, and I lose interest in posting. But in light of the events that have transpired, I feel it's time to post something.
First, many congratulations to Stephen and...
...for finally making the walk and graduating from college. Gabe, Isaac and Davion will be the only one katz left in da kliq to walk, and they promise to do so by June.
Coolie.
I tried to celebrate with Steph, but he catches the flu Thursday night, and then the big blizzard hits Saturday afternoon. So we promised to jump up & down later.
As for Tavie, she appears to have her hands full at work. But should feel the need to party, we party!
Once more, many congratulations to those who've walked last week!!
I Want To Break Free
Queen
Greatest Hits
Yeah friends, the da kat unda da Kangol cap was on a hiatus of sorts. You can say I was waiting for some extraordinary events to occur so I can write about them. But some interesting events have happened this month alone that are worth noting for sure...
To old friends, and old memories...
Her name is Thaisha. I once wrote about her:
My most cherished friend of all, she's the love that keeps on loving. Through the good times, and the bad times, we've picked each other to provide counsel, console, love and support. We sort of see each other as a quiet oasis, a place where we could share all our secrets, dreams, and even wildest fantasies.
Through three years, our bond called "friendship" has been exaggerated, blown out of proportion, and takn beyond the word itself. The pizza, cheesecake outings, our daily chats at the library; it's no wonder we hold so dear at the time. It was something that we needed to hold on to, something that we sure as hell couldn't live without. There was just never a time where we never understood one another.
However, as "the end" loomed, we sort of drifted apart, and lost complete contact with each other. Though I could never understand it, I will just continue to remember her for all the memories we had. And just hope that one day, we'll meet again...
Ahh, the high school days.
As you've tasted, that little piece briefly described what happened. And to think, we were just very close friends; she had her boyfriend in his Camaro waiting for her, and no matter how I felt about her, I respected that and left it alone.
For the last five years, I planned on how I was going to react the next time I'd see her again. It would be in the streets of Bushwick where she lived. Da kliq would pass thru the area, and I spot her several feet from me. She would notice me first, and once our eyes locked, we ran to each other. Tears would flow through our eyes, and just like old times, we sit at some eatery, talking about her new family, my girlfriend, and our new lives. The world would look at us as though we were old lovers, just like in high school. We'd laugh at the world in response, and look on toward our lives. I recall back in high school, she told me of a friend she had in junior high who she hadn't seen in a long time. They linked up again during those times, and in that reunion, he took her in his arms, and squeezed her up in the air, and they laughed, talked and joked. I took that moment to heart, and thought to myself that our reunion would rival that one. That little get-together would have nothing on a our reunion.
And that day would be one to mark here on this blog.
But, as time passed, it seemed as if I'd be lucky to spot her.
Then, one Wednesday after work, I left early and took the L-train to Manhattan. And your typical jabronies at the Union Square station stand right in front of the train doors, blocking your way getting off the train. So like a football player, I run them over to get to the stairs. As I got off the stairs, I noticed someone about to approach them. I took a second look, and it looked like someone who looked like her. There have been instances where I've encountered someone that resembles Thaisha, and would later end up not being Thaisha. This one, however, looked different. So I held her arm, in the same fashion I used to back in high school; she turned around, and lo & behold:
it was her.
Me: I know this is a bit, well, strange, but your face looks phenomenally familiar...
Thaisha: **In her breath** Oh... My... Goooodddd...
Me: And to think... I really wasn't sure, but once I took a second look; I mean if I hadn't, I would've missed you.
Thaisha: **laughing** Why Terrence, you forgot what I looked like?
And, we embraced.
Somehow, I forgot what I was going to say to her. Five years of planning and thinking, and as I looked into her eyes, all I saw was the memories that came flooding down my eyes. I actually had to remember to ask her what she'd been up to in the last five years!! To sum it up: she's married. She's pregnant. And she's assistant director of some psychology program where she helps other people. And to think, she finished college the same time I did!
She is really loving life right now!
I felt so happy for her, so enthusiased that she was so successful, I left my little life out of the conversation. I mean, I was just blown away by the fact that I saw her again, and moreso over the fact that she's doing so well. It's good to see that God answered my prayers. I at that point was assured that all my friends in the long run, whether they're still cool with me or not, will be just fine. We traded some more niceties, and she was amazed at the fact I was sporting my suit, looking like I came from Wall Street. I kinda sensed that she wanted to know more about what I've been up to; but how does being a banker match up to what she's doing?! After that one, we parted ways, and I went to take care of my business.
I went home, and told my kliq, and even they were happy to hear the news. But they were happy for a different reason: now that I saw her again, I can put her behind me and move on. I laughed off their notion, but as I recall the memories I've had, I realised that that was exactly what I needed to do. She seemingly has moved on, and now, it's my turn.
So after all's said and done, I want to thank Thaisha for the memories, and for being her. However, shizztime to move on.
To new friends, and new memories...
I've been at this job called GreenPoint for well over a year. Through that time, I've pretty much been considered a loner who picks and chooses his company wisely. I can honestly say that I have walk-away knowledge of my co-workers, but I really don't know my co-workers. Seeing that it's been a over a year, some friends put the finger of shame on me, saying that I should at least open up to someone.
Well, when the opportunity comes, I will welcome it.
Opportunity has some funny ways of knocking.
The kat shown above has been doing this banking job since he graduated from High school. He and the man I replaced, Sean Brown, are considered to be the best in the area, well respected, and popular favorites, especially with the ladies. So naturally, I held him as a character with tenure, geniunely lazy, and a bit arrogant. While he holds my arrogance, meaning he's just as arrogant as I am during business hours, I was more than relieved to find out that he was anything but what I perceived him to be. In fact, he's an honest respectable guy who has come a long way, and with two years of college left, has still a way to go. While he's in Baruch College for business, his passion is the drums. He continues to study with some of the best minds in drumming. Lately, he's been trying to play roadie to one of his favorite Latin drummers, Robby Ameen. He wants to learn so bad, it's consumed him. And I got a good vibe from that.
In returning on track, he's noticed me with my PowerBook, and had a desire to know why I discriminate against Windows machines. In my wonderfully and carefully thought out explanation, I gave him a crash course on the many things my laptop, and Macintosh computers, can do. Within that crash course, he realised that this machine could really be of some service to him in college, and in general. In time, he decided to invest in the PowerBook, and then he virtually spent the whole holiday season saving, and saving, for this laptop. During the time, I admitted that he reminded me of myself as I struggled and saved to get my PowerBook G4. As the time elapsed, we talked, talked, and talked some more. In many ways, the dude is a lot like me, which while it was refreshing, was also downright scary. Our love for jazz goes beyond the comprehension of all that know us, except for ourselves. Together, we've been in more jazz clubs having a good time than with other people. We're spiritually involved, not religiously involved. And even more fascinating, we both can't stand the vast majority of our co-workers!! The one difference we share: while he's quiet about half the crap that goes on in the bank, I tend to get a little more vocal.
In any event, on the Saturday before the blizzard, I met with him at the SoHo Apple store, and watched him in his gleam as we, errr he, walked out with the exact same PB I have!! So much for originality, eh?
Is he a happy camper? Let's put it this way: I gave him a trial version of Sound Studio to use so he can record his drumming sessions, and gave him a crash course on how that works. He brings the laptop, Sound Studio & all, to his last session with Robby Ameen. Still unsure of how all of it works, he opened the application, pressed record, and walked away. To his utter astonishment, he got home and played back the entire hour-long session, from start to finish! He was truly amazed! So much so, he called me three or four times that night to tell me of what a marvel he has; mind you, he sees me the very next day. So, I stop by his crib with some more knowledge, courtesy of my kliq, and I introduced him to several things he could do with his Mac and Sound Studio, GarageBand, etc... Informally, I made him a part of the kliq! And in his celebration of the PB G4, he showed me his hospitality with some of his curry shrimp (hmm, good) and his drumming skill, all of which were equally impressive.
As I bounced from his house, I actually tipped my Kangol Cap to my pals for getting behind me for opening up a bit. Influenced by the last series of events, I made the attempt to patch things up with the GreenPoint Old-Timer. I guessed I figured, if I'm gonna do this, take a different route, and go all the way, right? Amazingly, she damn-near pulled the red carpet out for me with open arms; next thing I knew, she invites me to her crib for dinner & a movie. Skeptical as always, I refused. But then it hit me, I've refused her for the longest, and I did say I was going to take the different route. So I went anyway, and she (in her pajamas) was shocked that I actually came! And there I was, at the old-timer's crib, eating, drinking, watching Zorro, and having a good time. I left there amazed at myself for coming around like this. It's like I hitting a major milestone or something!
Okay, I am exaggerating a bit, but I can't help but think that this might be the start of something good.
So I raise my glass of Alize, to old friends, old memories, new friends and new memories. And many more to come...
Wasn't T.O.K. supposed to have a new album out since last year? What ever came of that?
I really can't remember what else I was supposed to say. So I'll see y'all later.
Don't worry guys, I'll post some more later on. I owe that much to you guys, right?
Rah...