First off, let me get my plug in for a restaurant review: It was a warm homecoming to the wonderful enchiladas and even better flour tortillas of Mercado Juarez (Northwest Highway). It’s a great lunch place with uncanny fast service and an elder wait staff to take care of the diners. I’ve always had lunch (not the dinner) and have never been disappointed. Parking can sometimes be a challenge as diners compete with gawkers (it’s next door to a “gentleman’s club” that advertises a $5 all-you-can-see buffet). Avoid payday-Friday’s at all costs (flashing extra dollar bills won’t get you any closer to the action – parking that is – in this case) – the neighboring establishment is definitely more popular with the bubbas and businessmen than Mercado.

Now to the friend: a few Friday’s ago I caught up with a dear pal of mine from a previous employment for lunch. We picked an old favorite in restaurants – yep, the TexMex mentioned above and it was on a payday-Friday. Todd (or as I like to call him: “Todd-Man”) and I hadn’t seen each other in 4+ years. We regularly swap joke emails and I think now he might be hooked on this blog. However, emails and blogs pale in comparison to a reunion handshake and good old fashion face-time conversation. It’s interesting and disheartening how quickly the years go by as evidenced by both our gray heads of hair (be it acknowledged that Todd’s mop remains full bodied as opposed to mine). None the less, it was great to see him again, and share a few laughs.

Catching up with former co-workers and listening to people transgressions reinforces the decision made to change jobs.  Decisions are sometimes easier when moral and ethical consequences become pronounced. It is never easy to leave good friends, but staying in touch any way you can is second best (lunch dates, joke emails, or blogging)…especially when the decision was personal as well as professional and a distance from the former address best be maintained. Todd-Man will make his own decision when the time is right I’m sure. Then he and I can eat lunch more often.

I can’t help but describe employment departure decisions in more layman’s terms (now this might get interesting and fun so feel free to join in): if you can’t accept the score, look at a different scoreboard; if the rules keep changing, play a different game; if the stink follows you, put on a different pair of shoes and take a walk; if you’re carrying the weight of the world, renew your passport then travel; if the boss man doesn’t treat you right, take a compromising picture of him; if you don’t want to be found by the office, exercise the cell phone off and/or ignore button;…enough already, from me.

Thanks for the lunch hour time Todd-Man. Next time you buy…if it can afforded.

tm