The Night Before

Yesterday, June 18th, 2007, was my first day on the job. Well, not exactly. Yesterday, as well as today, were 'Orientation'. Ya know, learning the ropes. We had tech training, received paperwork, awkwardly yet comically met other interns, got a tour of the building and where files are kept, met supervisors, learned what is expected of us, received paper work, filled out the W-4 and I-9, showed where the copy room is, watched the 'New Hire' video, and received paper work. Did I already mention that?

In order to properly understand my first two days at at The Firm, I must take you back to Sunday night; The night before.

Sunday, 9:30 PM. As I finish looking over the day's Sports page, I tell my ma that I am going to be in bed at 11:15 and go to sleep at 11:30. After all, I have to wake up at 7 to go to work. Prior to this past Monday I had been living the typical summer life for a college student. Go to sleep at 3 after watching TV aimlessly, wake up at noon or later, never fully get dressed unless it is of utmost importance, and tell my ma that "I deserve this lifestyle" for going to school for 9 months. Now of course you can throw some other things in there for you weirdos such as doing research about wheter or not we actually landed on the moon or expanding one's ant farm (wow, member those? Damn right you do). But I told myself this Sunday night was going to be different.

I was back to the night before my first day in high school. I picked my outfit for the next day and placed it oh-so-carefully on a chair. I put out the boxer briefs, the socks, the dress shirt, the slacks,the undershirt, the belt, and the shoes. I lined everything up as if an invisible man with no bones in his body was seated in my chair. I felt I wouldn't have time to get anything out of the closet or drawer. I had to lay everything out. I got into bed and shut off the light at 11:27. I'd get about 7 1/2 hrs and be set for work. I had as much luck falling asleep as you do when you tell a friend that you can sleep on the floor and "it won't be that bad". 41 minutes later, after rolling around extensively, I turned on my light and pulled out Harry Potter 6 and read.

I had my alarm set for 7:07 but I awoke at 7:01. Too anxious to be tired, I hoped outta bed and went to run the shower. As the hot water was going, I went over to my Ipod and went to the best wake-me-up-feel-good-don't-look-at-his-face-but-just-listen-to-his-music guy I know: Michael Jackson. Debating between 2 of his many classics I elected to go with my personal favorite: Billie Jean. I hopped in the shower feeling good and belting out "Not my lover!"

Coming out of the shower I was full of energy. The shower just woke me up, (but like the effect most morning showers I take, I would come crashing down later in the day harder than the Baha Men's career), I had MJ blasting, and a bowl of Frosted Flakes and a glass of orange juice awaited.

I ate too fast and bolted out the house at 7:48 to catch a 8:08 B.A.R.T. train. I had bought my ticket the previous day to avoid any lines and was patiently waiting for my ride. I boarded, and after 4 stops, and 22 minutes, I exited the station to enter my new life...