"One-way Ticket to Nowhere"

"You're on a one-way ticket to nowhere"

That's what a now former online buddy said to me last night. He said that in reference to me telling him about my desire to attend barber school and possibly make a career change to become a barber. Since he was so negative, I feel no reason to surround myself with such negativity as I'm trying to reach my dream.

This might come as a shock to some people, but I've always wanted to work as a barber. I've always been passoinate about men's haircuts and I've been fascinated by watchihng haircuts take place. Although it's something I've always wanted to do, I've never really spoke to anyone about it or even thought to even pursue it as a career. I always thought it was something you had to just "know how to do" or I shoulda done it sooner, but I've realized life is too short to live with regrets and I don't want to continue working my two jobs/ any job wondering what if.

Recently I've been talking to some indiviuduals who work in the barber/cosmetology feild and I get the same general consensus. I was told you didn't need to have any previous experience and it's a skill that can be learned, but you've just gotta have the passion and that of which I feel I have much of. In addition to that, they all agree saying it's a job that they actualy look forward to doing and that they can make between 35-55 thousand a year or more. It all depends on your clients and your willingness to want to work and again your passion. I will say talking to those individuals have sparked my interest even furthermore.

I've researched some schools and I'll be touring a school, The FILA ACCADEMY, this Wednesday. If I decide to go for it, the tuition will cost me over $13,000 and the program will run about a year. I'll definitely need to save up some major $/work extra hours this summer at both my current jobs, but my barber buddies have told me that I'll be able to pay it off easily after a year of working as a barber and start to build some clientelle (I just hope they're right).

Anyway, back to that former online buddy and his shitty comment. As far as I see it I'm already "nowhere" working for a non-profit agency and at a retial store and not making any money/or advancing at either place. If for some reason he is right, then I'll at least be "nowhere" doing what I enjoy and meeting new/interesting people and maybe even a cute guy ; ). To tell the truth I'm not sure why he thinks that I'm headed "nowhere", becasue people will always need haircuts and it's a skill that I can learn and take with me anywhere. I could even go overseas. All I can say, is when/if I become a barber and he comes asking me for a haircut, I"ll be sure to double-charge him and he might come out with MUCH less hair on his head. LOL!

Two Days

Day one: Friday The 13Th

I normally don't consider myself to be a superstitious person, but last Friday (May 13'Th 2005) was definitely a shitty day, but the funny thing was it seemed to start off so well and I even had planned a date with a guy I've been wanting to see for a little while now. Anyway, the day started off routine enough with work and such, but things would change by the evening. I had planned to meet this guy at Arundel Mills Mall around 7pm and he and I had planned to chill and shop around. I arrive early and I do a bit of window shopping and as 7pm nears I get ready to meet him at our designated meeting spot. I wait for about 30 plus minutes and there is no sign of him. When it comes to guys and my previous track record you can say I've become somewhat of a pessimist and well I figure he is not gonna show up so I go about my business with shopping. Feeling rejected I compensate by shopping and treating myself to some new clothing as well as some decorative items for my home. After about an hour or so I've figured I've spent enough $ and decide to go home. When I go out to the parking lot with my arms full of baggage, I see cars everywhere and to make a long story short I totally forget where I car was parked. I search up and down the rows of cars looking for my 97 Toyota Corolla, but without luck. I tried not to panic, but my mind created all these worries for me and then I fear the worst that my car had been stolen. Although my rational mind was telling me that my car couldn't be stolen because I have the keys and this is a busy Mall, but on the other hand my irrational mind was telling me that the Mall is close to Baltimore and you never know who's comming from the city. Also, I had parked my car FAR away from the mall and when I first parked there wasn't any other cars around me. Anyway, to make a long story short I eventually ask for the aide of Mall security to help me locate my car and after searching for close to two hours they find my car and it appears It was a couple rows further than where I swore I had parked it. Anyway, I leave the mall mad at myself and feeling very stupid. When I come home and check my e-mail, I become more angry at myself when I see a message from that guy I was supposed to meet and it appears he was running late and had arrived at our meeting spot about 5 minutes later from when I left : ( I've sent him an e-mail of appology and I've tried to call him, but with no luck. Maybe I shouldn't have been so damn negative and waited it out a few more minutes, but I guess on the bright side I'm glad he wasn't around to witness me forgetting where I had parked my car. I'm sure that would've made a great impression on him LOL

Day Two: Saturday The 14'Th

On this day my family and I traveled to Manasas, VA to attend my cousin's wedding and although I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder I had a fairly enjoyable time.
The reason for the chip on my shoulder is mostly political. I think it's unfair how certain people (Homosexuals) aren't able to be married the way straight people are. Homosexuals are people too and if they love each other enough to make such a commitment, then why deny them that right? I know the religous Right try to say it will threaten the sanctity of Marrage or they'll say "What next? We'll have to condone Child molestation or beastialities" Anyway, I think those people are stupid because the only thing that can threaten marrage is unfaithfulness and the love of two consenting adults is not equal to rape, child exploitation, or animal abuse.
Anohter reason for the chip on my shoulder are the personal reasons. As with every other recent family gathering, I am the one who doesn't have a significant other with him. Then again if I did have one, I'm not sure how my family would react. I'm not 100% out to all of my family and some of my distant family members are very conservative. I'm sure we'd be outcasted and made to feel unwelcome.
Anyway, after a couple beers I was able to knock the chip off of my shoulder and let loose at the wedding. I was on the dance floor shaking my ass and In between songs I was even having some fun flirting with the Catering staff LOL.

All in all, I think in these two days I've learned a couple things. I've learned that I need to just learn to relax and have fun and not worry about what others might think/do. I should also give people the benefit of the doubt and not write them off due to a previous bad experience by someone else and MOST IMPORTANTLY I'm gonna make sure I know exactly where I park when I go shopping at Arundel Mills.