13:39

This was the time on April 2, 2008 I realized I had to leave my job as soon as possible.

Towards the end of a sexual harassment training, which was an unnecessary replication of one we just recently had, our human resources associate was rambling on in a makeshift addendum to the video just shown for our viewing pleasure. I zoned in and out as she admonished us on discussing the illicit details of our personal lives while at work but my ears perked up when she randomly asked for hands regarding our time served with the organization.

First it was the less than a year.
One to two years.
I had already decided not to raise my hand at this point for the inevitable two years plus. She was smart and didn't ask for it. But she did refer to us as veteran staff charged with setting the standard of professionalism.

And at 1:39 Eastern Daylight Time, she turned, gave me direct eye contact, and said "You've been here a while, you know what I am saying."

And when you realize you do know what she's saying because you've known this shit since you were 17 or that you might have memorized the damn video cause this is at least the fourth time you've viewed it or that the human resources associate that knows about 25 people total has seen you that often that she actually remembers that you've been there that long, it's about that time.

You know everybody likes to focus on how God is so awesome with blessing us with obvious blessings or these great miracles, big and small. And I do appreciate them just like everybody else. But let us not forget how he pushes our buttons to piss us off and get us to change. Between this mini-narrative and my girlfriend''s questionable driving habits, I finally have the impetus to embark on two of the most important and overdue steps of my life.

(These songs were on back to back and were very apropros)
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Now playing: Jill Scott - Golden & Black Eyed Peas - Fallin Up