Golden Heart on the Call

Lived near East Mecklenburg High in Charlotte during the late 90's. Worked part-time gigs at ESPN Regional television, monitoring basketball and football games, at WTVI as a videotape operator for a PBS affiliate, and volunteered at radio stations and public access TV at Timer Warner Cable. Favorite moment was going to a high school football game for WCGC radio near Belmont Abbey. Small town America, game played at night filled with fog from the mountains (thanks Steve). Likewise, WPEG radio sent me to record coach's soundbite for Johnson C. Smith and UNC-Charlotte (tape recorder was bad, never got on air). Finally at Time Warner with Fonda Sanders encouragement, I got to meet interesting people and did interesting shows mostly religious and exercise variety (Nurse Beth Marlin combined both, believe it or not by quoting scripture while doing sit-ups).

Mostly, my recollection: not eating well. Tyrone Steele reminded me of that as well as the Thirumurthy's who saved my life by asking me to come over their house for dinner. Paul Thirumurthy is the Andy Griffith of the Tamil community in Charlotte. Professor at Johnson C. Smith but trust me, if you're a good man (don't need to be Indian) and need something, go to him. Oh, yeah, his wife and her mother were great too. Hopefully, your daughters and nieces have found a man to care (Neil get a hold of drinking, dude). Besides that, sleeping a lot, and going to the library, listening to downloaded audio songs of ABBA on their computer; as well reading dead people on microfilm and visiting their graves at Elmwood and Sharon.

Completed a course at the Carolina School of Broadcasting in radio and television (Allison, Ken, Chris-Gbless). Got discovered and helped by Randy Wills of WTVI when I worked for county commission because fellow CSB student, Sandy Groulx didn't want to be there. Sandy is a great person who knew what she wanted and is probably on-air at a commercial station. Thanks to her, I met a female friend who counseled me and try to lead me to God (Goodluck, VPB).

Didn't know what I was doing nor did I care. Fun for me at all times. It would have been a waste but for the fact that I made a friend and got along somewhat with the folks of WTVI. At the public access station and met another female friend (DB- young at heart). Revelation hit me, immature and not going to last long. I had no girlfriend and totally bombed at interviews at big stations. Unlike Will Rogers, I didn't know when to quit particularly when I'm talking. The main disappointment; couldn't connected with anything. Going to strip clubs and getting addicted to women. LOL. Not funny.

One time, took my clothes to dry-cleaner store instead of the apartment ones. When the bill came out to be 18 dollars and I looked surprised. The Indian owner told me annoyingly "why don't you try to get a job". The problem was that I did have a job but not a career. Some time later, I was in the apartment whirlpool, talking to some folks while a party was going on. They kind of put me down about living off my job to pay rent and that I was rolling. My theory about couples in the United States: one is lazy and the other can get a white guy or girl without force but doesn't want to admit to their spouse. Therefore, the lazy one is forced to work so the other won't leave. But one has to have the ability to get a white in order to survive (you don't have to marry one).

Contemplating my move for something. Did a lot of first times: driving to different places in the Carolinas (never went past the 40 miles radius), walking long distances, listening to sermons of Jimmy and Vickie at the Wednesday night bible study and. Food! The were other arts and crafts seminars at churches, going to a therapist at the United Way (give back), and visiting my friends from UNC-Charlotte (thanks for the sleepover, Tamera). Try to ask women out but the confidence wasn't there. Being an Indian male is a genetic defect when it comes to American dating. That is why Indians get arranged to Indian women who appeal to whites.

Around the fall of 98 at a apartment party, this underage girl was teased by what appeared to be her older brother in a playful manner with the sister responding that she could kick some butt. In the same tone but serious matter, he called her a slut. Something a concerned friend or stranger would say but not a relative. Don't recall why the gathering but remember being dark and that she had a school back-pack. Tall and skinny, maybe 9th grade or 10th (or even younger). Looked like a young Florence Ballard concerning the awkward evolution of tomboy to female. Strong but didn't have the feminine graces of being coy and reserved. Wore jeans and a T-shirt. Had the attitude of a boy when it came to meeting strangers. Felt strangely comfortable without the lust. Likewise, she didn't put up racial barriers. Mutual respect. Given time, I knew she was going to evolve into a beautiful feminine woman that sells real estate.

After a few moments, I noticed a beeper on her hip and looking intently at it in the dark. In 1998 that was the fad before cell phones. Shoot even elementary school kids carried one for fun. Mostly, it was due to their parents wanting to keep during the 90's fear of school violence (before Columbine) and drugs. However, kids used it to abuse. But with this girl, it was serious. She flickered the light and read the number. I understood what her brother meant. Next thing you know, she was gone.

It couldn't have no more than 3 minutes that I saw her and said one sentence. Of all the things I have done living in Charlotte, I remember her vividly. Ten and half years later when I look at counselors, therapists or parents who raise a difficult child, I remember this girl. Most being women but same demeanor as this girl. Some are phony and others about to burnout. I think of this quote by a woman who said that she has the ability to love both sexes. Finally, a character from the movie, Ambikapathy reminds me of that girl. The one that tried to help MKT come to his senses but to no avail.

As you see, I'm not only a observer but a client.