I woke up before the alarm clock this morning. Just couldn’t sleep anymore. This is/was my last day at McMann and Tate. As I’ve been saying, it’s the ‘End of an Error’. Yesterday was tiresome, running around Manhattan and the Bronx with Marcus and Shauna. I forgot to mention that Shauna asked me if I had any kids and I of course said no. Then she asked if I had a girlfriend and I went into closet hetero mode, saying that my life is too complicated for sharing with a woman and kids, and if I really wanted to I could watch them on Television.

Same with dogs. They asked if I had one and I said no, too complicated, and there’s always TV. Got to walk the dog? Change the channel. I walked to the path train, probably not going to see Plantain Man anytime soon. Just as well, he’s been all bundled up and not sporting much wood. Oh Ramon, your time has come and gone and will probably come again though I won’t be around to see it. We did exchange names you see. I got off the train, got my bagels and headed to the office for the last time.

People trickled in, and I sat at the desk watching them float by. Donna came in and asked for some info which she put in an email that was sent throughout the office. Coworkers started coming up, apparently they hadn’t heard and some were actually sad to see me go. I know the feeling. I’ve said goodbye to some good coworkers before while staying behind. Eventually I had my exit interview with Donna which went alright. I didn’t bad mouth anyone and only told them that they need to improve their lines of communication. Actually they need lines of communication, then they can improve on them.

I made my rounds in the neighborhood. Talked to the Mexican guys who make my broccoli, lettuce and chicken salad every day. I wished them well. And the girls at the counter who were sad to see me go and made me promise to stop by and say hello. I made the promise, but will I keep it? Seems like a long way to go for a salad. I guess Homer and Bart were wrong when they told Lisa, ‘You don’t make friends with salad.’ The building staff and various delivery guys from FedEx, UPS and DHL all stopped by to give me the brother hug.

I sent my own email out before I left the office. It read,
Subject: Adieu

As you may or may not have heard, today is my last day, and I will be
leaving the employ of McMann and Tate to help people find new employment at a
staffing agency in Midtown as an Office manager. It’s something that I had
done before.
Once I get settled in the new gig, if you know someone who is looking for
work, you can email me at johnozed@gmail.com

Best wishes for the New Year, JOT. Peace out/in!

Obviously I am now back at home writing this. In a little while, I’ll be getting ready to go back to the city and attend the McMann and Tate holiday party. It has a James Bond theme, so I think I’ll be wearing a sharkskin suit. I might pick up a stalk of broccoli in case anyone has any questions and I’ll tell them I’m Cubby Broccoli. Then I’ll have to explain to them just exactly who Cubby Broccoli is.

Cheers!