Aside from Doug being a Yankee fan and his general disdain for all sports teams starting with the name Pittsburgh, he is pretty much an all-around good guy. Doug is probably the most loyal person I have ever encountered, even to the point of working for places that don't pay him for periods of time that can be quantified in years. Yes, years. But it was this extreme loyalty (or unbelievable laziness, depending on who you talk to) that brought he and I together at a small firm outside of Washington DC (shout-out to Mangan Group) for a few glorious years. It was here that I believe Doug and I really matured as professionals, making the leap from being young, green interns to guys who genuinely contributed to the growth and development of a firm. This was in large part due to the management style of the firm's principal, but I also like to think that Doug and I inspired one another to become leaders in a firm that was then and is still today on the rise. This was a special time for us both, and Doug continues to be a major part of Mangan Group's successes.
Fortunately, our social maturity in no way paralleled this professional growth. And we continue to jab one another and anyone else within striking distance any chance we get. I can always count on Doug to call me out when I screw something up and knock me off my admittedly high horse when the situation calls for it. But much like the army, he will also build you back up. And together you may achieve small moments of greatness such as a concrete countertop or a 200+ bowling score. That is, if you're not first blinded by Doug's bright yellow Nike t-shirt. I'm sure it will make an appearance this weekend, so be on the lookout. That's Doug.
Doug and Larry are wondering, "Where did they go?"
while taking in the rays in Hawaii.
Eric is documenting this meeting of the minds in the background.
Doug says:
Do any of us really remember our first time meeting another? Up until the time I met Eric I thought it wasn't possible. Well really it still holds true. Blame my foggy memory perhaps but it was a long time ago. Eric and I were in different crowds throughout most of college. Yeah we hung with the same peeps but usually not in the general vicinity of one another. But those times we were in the same place at the same time enjoying the same company, man there were some chuckles to be had - most of them at my expense. That sharp witted tongue and dry sarcasm were things I couldn't compete with. But it was something I wished I could master. I studied up. Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it,college ended and he soon jetted down to DC on one of many meandering across the country episodes of following Margaret. I remember telling my roommate at the time that Eric was one person I really wished I had known more.
As fate would have it, that time would come to fruition a few years later. I was out of a job at the time, and Eric had heard through the grapevine that things weren't going so swell on my end. Even though we weren't tight buds, he still put his neck out there for me to see about getting me a job at his firm. From that gracious offering, he opened the door for me being set up in a great spot. I am forever grateful to him for this. And besides I may be the only person in our gaggle of friends outside of Margaret who gets to say they were with him for eight hours a day every weekday for two or so years. A better time could not be had I would venture to say.
Now because of him I occasionally wear a belt. It might actually coordinate with my pants. I even wear nonfaded black socks if you can believe it. And best of all I can talk eloquently about how the Olympics are a perfect analogy to why grade inflation is perfectly alright when you're taking AP classes. It's amazing. He has turned my life around. But I still take my shoes off at work...
Eric's good people and at minimum the same can be said about Margaret. Two wonderful people I'm more than happy to call my good friends and proud that they've asked me to be a part of their great day.
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