i did it

what took me so long?!?

flash back (far back) end of summer 1986 - plymouth champ filled with clothes, bed linens, food, a tv, and a ton of dreams. i can still see the tears in my mother's eyes as she said goodbye (like i was dropping off the freaking earth). off to be the first in my family to tackle college.

2 hours later - i found myself in camden, new jersey unloading into the brand new student dorms. i was the first to arrive so i got my pick of room in the quad (3rd one down the hall - far enough from the living area and the next door neighbors). and across the street, an abandon building that doubled for a crack house at night (real world 101).

3 years later and 3 classes shy of graduating - i take a summer internship. HUGE mistake. summer ends and the firm makes me an offer i can't refuse. hmmm, let me think, go back for one more semester and make next to nothing, become a full timer and make a cool $36k. the dreams of avarice go reeling through my head ... game over, where do i sign?

flash foward through a few jobs and consulting gigs to after the dot com and telcom busts - i decide to finish my collegiate career. what the heck, it is only 3 courses, i can do that in one semester. famous last words. well, three courses turned into six (gotta love the RU screw). during the six, i pick up a minor (why, i don't know, but he is on third) and start to consider grad school. i am never going to graduate.


today - grades are finally posted (thanks to all who listened to me bitch) and i am golden for graduation from RU. Jenny (wife) and Nik (son) are eager to see me walk the walk and flip the tassle; but deep down, so am i.