Monday, August 23, 2010

Looking back, lookin' back, lookin' back, lookin' back

Ahhh Lauren Hill u r a classic.

Anyway this post was inspired by the great L.H. and is bit more personal with less scial commentary. I have decided at the ripe old age of 25 I need to do a life audit...perhaps go away to some beach resort (dont u mofos wish u were in the big Mz) and think about where I am heading, and where I want to be on a lot of levels personally, spiritually, financially, and career wise. Maybe draw up a 3 pager of findings and reccomendations KPMG and PWC style...yep i am def a geek at that level.

Dont get me wrong, I am digging my job and I am probably working for one of the few organizations that really invests in specific regions and combines good will with private sector know how to create a holistic way to development, which is something i fully suppot. BUT there are still things I want to do or see and figure out....and a life audit is calling.

A sneak peak from my musings...and some advice (yes i have words of wisdom...)

1) The name is just a name. I (rather my parents) chose the school I went to just based of its reputation and my sis' experience. Rather than look at my full scholarship (and then some) at a lessor known school, i took a partial scholarship at a well respected school. The school was great! The 40k student loan...not so great. Make decisions on whats best for you... dont try and keep up with the Jones'...infact F*&K the Jones' i never liked their ass anyway.

2) Take a risk- My last boss was awesome...the job was ok....the pay was good. So 2.5/3 is not bad...right...wrong. I saw the job as a stepping stone to the field position (a job abroad). Try and try as I might, what I wanted to do was not exactly panning out. Eventually I decided to *fist bump +peace sign* and rolled. For what? A $500 a month internship in Kenya. My parents were def not extatic about my decision to go from mid career intern...my student loan pimp Sallie Mae def was pissed...my car loans were 2 thirds of my new salary. 6 months after taking this risk i got the full time position i had been trying to get for the last 2 years. Yes luck plays a huge factor in all of this....but honestly u need to roll the dice before u score the winning hand (you can quote me on that).

3) Get a foynnnnn girl. Aint nothing wrong with that.

However there are still improvements to be made as well as documenting and dissiminating these lessons learned (grahh development speak).

That is it for now...I am out like Flash Gordon (we can only be friends if u know who that is)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Fist Bump your way to a healthier, more professional, and cooler life style

Some say it started with the wonder twins...





Others say the black power movement...






...

Now people (Me) say it’s part of Obama’s Health care approach…










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While all theories are appealing…especially the wonder twins, it is time to take this “urban act and recognize it for what it is, an advanced, healthier, and more professional form of greeting your peers/associates/colleagues. Alas with all things black (even though the wonder twins weren’t black..they were aliens…still a minority) their popularity takes time to be accepted by the rest of humanity…..fools when will you all listen, we invented Peanut Butter!! Anyway this is not another post about blackness…this is about the superiority of the Fist Bump and how we need to get with the program and replace the ohh so inferior handshake….

First and foremost the fist bump is healthy. You really don’t use your knuckles for much on a day to day basis. While the handshake involves the meeting of your trusted fingers and palms ….sweaty, greasy, ashy, dirty ..u gotta shake on it,adjust your contacts with it, touch your kids with it and then eat with it. I will let my med school friends explain to you how many ways you can get die by a handshake.
Also there is another absolute fact, in most non western countries “digging for gold”…”discovering the yellow crusty dragon” …”hunting for bogies”…or rather picking your nose, is a widely practiced habit.….again u r forced to shake on it :-/
Never mind that the Director of XYZ program has just picked his nose…flicked the golden nugget…and extended his hand to shake yours in the same 4 seconds. ..you may loose your job by saying “uhhhh u nassssty” …until the fist-bump becomes your ally for a professional way of saying hello.
Finally the fist bump is classsssssy. Or at least what I think is classy. A part of the “yellow fever phase” the west has glorified the Japanese bow looking at it with all its intricacies….social taboos…and psychology of humility.
The fist bump also has its intricacies....
1) The black power fist aka the air fist bump
When you are not close enough or passing too quickly to do a proper fist bump, you just throw up the fist. Especially in the office where people are running off in different directions, the air fist bump signifies a quick “I feel ya man”


2) The fist bump + peace sign
Want to say a quick good bye? Combine the fist bump with a peace out sign, and people know you gots roll.


3) The slow mo fist bump
Havn’t seen your peeps for a min. Slow mo the fist bump…and you know you r gonna have an extended convo.

So mis amigos...plz upgrade your life and fist bump a brother or sister today.
-I am out like this public service announcement *Fist bump + Peace sign*
PS. Did anyone hear that they are going to make a live action film on the wondertwins starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook. What a lame idea...ughh the wonder twins?!!?!?