My Gang- Lil Rascals
Another strange day.
Foreshadow
I had to drop some things off at my sister's work and when returning to go to the gym. I look at the car in the next lane and its my elementary school friend Al! I honked and we pulled over and chatted about about 50 mins.
Background
Al and I have known each other for about 28 years. We were good friends, then great friends then we had a falling out over politics and discussions on racism. His attitude was that you can't trust anyone who wasn't black. To me it was; there is a lot of discrimination, prejudice and racism but you can't just stand outside and rant about it, you must do something to either change the system or try to change the system. But the more you rant, the less people pay attention.
He is now going through a very ugly separation and has asked me to help him file papers for his court case. I said I would help him. (About now I should mention that Al has called me only 3 times, twice to get me to do something on incredibly short notice and once to complain about how bad life is treating him. Oh and all the times he complains)
In other words all he does is call when he needs something. Not a good sign. At times like this I recall why we drifted away. I think the main thing is: I just can't spend too much time with him because he is poison.
Ground
As soon as we began to talk, he whipped out a huge satchel packed with documents pertaining to this separation and the child support. This woman is really trying to do a number on him. I feel sorry for him not just because he is gong through this but because he has become so bitter. There has always been a certain degree of anger in Al but now it has grown and become dark.
I was reading through some of the papers he will be submitting to the courts and they need a lot of work. He wanted me to help him because he could not afford a lawyer. I read the document and told him, 'Al get a lawyer or they will eat you alive', especially if your submission is filled with weak writing and the opposing lawyer picks it apart. Its the old adage by Abraham Lincoln who once said that 'a man who has himself as a client has a fool for a lawyer'.
Foreground
After I saw Al, I decided to call Cayas. As luck would have it, he was in my neighbourhood and we arranged to meet up and chat. It seemed fortuitous because last night, when I was with MSW, I mentioned both Al and Cayas and the the next day... I see them. Serendipity.
Anyways, me Cayas and Julie met up and caught up on stuff. As usual we reminisced about Public school and the funny and the bad and the silly. We were just crying with laughter. We really had a special childhood and we were all so close. And here we are almost 30 years later still friends.
Some of the things we talked about:
* Our Christmas skit where we mimed breaking into a house stealing Christmas presents.
* Playing basketball and Bhola not ever having good shoes
* Paul 'Rapid Lips' Octave
* Playing 4-Square
* Eating Beans and hot dogs
* Joan and Elaine
* Jan W. Our elementary school teacher
* That SOB DH
* How we all split up in high school
* Graduation suits
* Why we were friends.
It was a good time. And interesting to hear. One thing that really amazes me is how Cayas and Al still are fit as fiddles. OK, I know Cayas was an Olympian and Al has genes but damn! Why did I have to gain weight and not them!!!! We spent 5 hours talking about everything.
I wish we could see each other more often but it never works out that way. I hope we can see each other before I leave. Hopefully Cayas will drive down to NYC with me.
Foreshadow
I had to drop some things off at my sister's work and when returning to go to the gym. I look at the car in the next lane and its my elementary school friend Al! I honked and we pulled over and chatted about about 50 mins.
Background
Al and I have known each other for about 28 years. We were good friends, then great friends then we had a falling out over politics and discussions on racism. His attitude was that you can't trust anyone who wasn't black. To me it was; there is a lot of discrimination, prejudice and racism but you can't just stand outside and rant about it, you must do something to either change the system or try to change the system. But the more you rant, the less people pay attention.
He is now going through a very ugly separation and has asked me to help him file papers for his court case. I said I would help him. (About now I should mention that Al has called me only 3 times, twice to get me to do something on incredibly short notice and once to complain about how bad life is treating him. Oh and all the times he complains)
In other words all he does is call when he needs something. Not a good sign. At times like this I recall why we drifted away. I think the main thing is: I just can't spend too much time with him because he is poison.
Ground
As soon as we began to talk, he whipped out a huge satchel packed with documents pertaining to this separation and the child support. This woman is really trying to do a number on him. I feel sorry for him not just because he is gong through this but because he has become so bitter. There has always been a certain degree of anger in Al but now it has grown and become dark.
I was reading through some of the papers he will be submitting to the courts and they need a lot of work. He wanted me to help him because he could not afford a lawyer. I read the document and told him, 'Al get a lawyer or they will eat you alive', especially if your submission is filled with weak writing and the opposing lawyer picks it apart. Its the old adage by Abraham Lincoln who once said that 'a man who has himself as a client has a fool for a lawyer'.
Foreground
After I saw Al, I decided to call Cayas. As luck would have it, he was in my neighbourhood and we arranged to meet up and chat. It seemed fortuitous because last night, when I was with MSW, I mentioned both Al and Cayas and the the next day... I see them. Serendipity.
Anyways, me Cayas and Julie met up and caught up on stuff. As usual we reminisced about Public school and the funny and the bad and the silly. We were just crying with laughter. We really had a special childhood and we were all so close. And here we are almost 30 years later still friends.
Some of the things we talked about:
* Our Christmas skit where we mimed breaking into a house stealing Christmas presents.
* Playing basketball and Bhola not ever having good shoes
* Paul 'Rapid Lips' Octave
* Playing 4-Square
* Eating Beans and hot dogs
* Joan and Elaine
* Jan W. Our elementary school teacher
* That SOB DH
* How we all split up in high school
* Graduation suits
* Why we were friends.
It was a good time. And interesting to hear. One thing that really amazes me is how Cayas and Al still are fit as fiddles. OK, I know Cayas was an Olympian and Al has genes but damn! Why did I have to gain weight and not them!!!! We spent 5 hours talking about everything.
I wish we could see each other more often but it never works out that way. I hope we can see each other before I leave. Hopefully Cayas will drive down to NYC with me.