It’s always the people that make shitty jobs worthwhile. It’s with a proud and heavy heart that I am saying goodbye today to an outstanding dude who has made my crappy office existence bearable.
I’m pretty shitty at saying goodbye to people when they leave some routine part of my life, but I can make a list. Here’s a list of things that I want to thank Lloyd for before he begins mad travels and a move on over to the life of a graduate student. You’re going on to some great things, friend. I really proud of you and couldn’t be happier to call you friend.
Things to Thank Lloyd for:
- Bringing some much needed Milwaukee culture to our passive-aggressive Minnesota office.
- Every single happy hour.
- Doing Jello shots in a dark hallway with me on Halloween at my night job when we were both already obviously wasted.
- The recipe for the caramelized onion/asparagus/vegan cream cheese sammich.
- Letting me talk on and on about veganism, anarchism, local radical community news, my sometimes complex and never boring love life, etc.
- That great big hug in the office the very second I thought I was losing my apartment.
- The time he reminded me that I don’t get paid enough to worry so much at work.
- Graciously listening to my shitty demos the second they landed on his desk.
- Immediately sensing any subtle shift in my demeanor and supporting me through it.
- Immediately sensing any subtle shift in any co-worker’s demeanor and calling it out to me.
- Months of bitching on Skype. I really needed that. I might have imploded without it.
- Hours logged at the lunch line at Trieste Café.
- The first day we kicked it in my neighborhood at the Minneapolis Nomad. I knew we were gonna be pretty awesome friends.
- Dragging my ass out to Brits the morning of Halloween in my full Lady Gaga costume.
- Increasing my awareness of fantasy football.
- His rad sense of humor and willingness to crack substantial digs in the midst of cheerfully oppressive office banter. (See # 1)
- Making the shittiest job I have ever held fun.
- Tasting everything I make and bring into the office.
- Making brandy old fashioneds for our 2010 strategy session on his last day.
- Talking me down from countless nervous breakdowns.
- Nabbing that sweet $10 sleeping bag at the REI sale.
- All of the resume help.
- Being a great ally in all things. Whether it’s providing immediate emotional support or taking the time to learn more about someone else’s struggle, Lloyd is the kind of straight, white male with educational privilege and accessible politics that you want in your corner.
- Our outstanding elevator dialogue with a complete stranger who promoted cannabalism as an effective way to confront passive-aggression in office culture.
- Encouraging me to actually get out of my shitty day job.
- Encouraging me to continue writing music even while I’m working 2 jobs and tired.
- Encouraging me to apply to graduate school.
- Providing really direct and thoughtful feedback on my grad school statement.
- Visiting me at my night job.
- The goddamned rubber band ball.
- Lewis Black’s Drinking in Wisconsin comedy sketch. Now I’ll always know when it’s New Year’s Eve.
- Playing that J5 on Pandora. Day-um.
- Keeping Gil’s references to my ‘harem’ alive and well in my professional life.
- Keeping me up to date regarding the shit that Justin’s dad says on Twitter.
- Every time I would catch him reading Shut Up Schultz out of the corner of my eye.
- Making me aware of my nasty habit of dropping Post-its.
- Sharing a little corner in the office with me for the past 8 months. Little Milwaukee will not be the same without his laughter, sarcasm, wit, perception and overall cool in the center of a place that makes absolutely no sense.
