Week 10- Driving to Queens at Midnight: On Friendship, Change, and Late-Night Conversations
This week, I visited my old college roommate in Jersey. We can go months—years, even—without talking, and when we meet up, it’s like nothing has changed. I have a few friends like that. We lived through our formative years together, which I’m convinced bonds you for life… probably because you did such ridiculous things together; Like staying up all night to play Jeopardy, or driving cross-country in a beat-up Mazda 626.
This trip was quick—four hours up one day, four hours back the next. I genuinely enjoy long solo drives, and this one did not disappoint. In fact, it was one of my more productive road trips.
Four Hours of Strategy
I drove the entire way in silence—no podcasts, no music—just me and my thoughts. We have a few big changes on the horizon: I’ll be going back to work, and there may be some… changes to our household occupancy.
By the time I pulled into my friend’s driveway, I had a whole new approach to both situations—complete with a project plan and an executive summary (for my husband).
The job hunt plan boiled down to one shift: proactive instead of reactive.
Scrolling through job listings? Too late. Many organizations don’t even know how to write a posting for what they really need—especially in my world: organizational agility and operational readiness, with a specialty in IT.
With AI reshaping the landscape, companies need to prepare—not just for the tech itself, but for the change it brings. It’s never just the tools; it’s the people and processes. And you can’t just slap on a one-size-fits-all “framework” and call it done.
Frameworks are like diets—they work if you stick to them, but every organization (like every human) has its own quirks, histories, and strengths. Success comes from a tailored combination, with the ultimate measure being results.
So here’s my pitch: a dedicated internal role (not a short-term consultant gig because it’s a long game) to guide that transformation. I’ll even make it easy—six months as a 1099 “try before you buy,” and then you decide whether to bring me on full time.
Also, Basement Makeover
On the drive home, I planned the long-delayed basement refresh: multiple phases, flexible schedule, adaptable budget. It’s going to be incredible… and cheap. Stay tuned.
Why “Driving to Queens at Midnight”?
While I was in Jersey, we had a backyard BBQ. Late that night, we offered to drive my friend’s nephew home—to Queens. It turned into an unexpected midnight adventure and the perfect chance to catch up with my friend.
Somewhere between the Jersey Turnpike and the Queensboro Bridge, we had a deep talk with her nephew about life, parenting, and growing up. The kind of conversation you don’t get over text.
Kids these days who don’t want to drive? You’re missing out. It’s not just about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about what happens along the way.