Oprah: So, is it true you were a founding father of TRU?
Howard: yeah definitely, I was 21 finishing up school, no job, no goals, nada, just kicking it around on a blog site my roomates and I and the girls across the street made.
Oprah: So who else was a regular poster?
Howard: Let's see, from our house, 1349 Geddes, it would be myself, Larry, and I think that's about it. Other guys signed up, but they were lazy as hell. The girls, you could always count on them to post, Kathy, Grace, Liz, they always got it going on. I remember one of them had a mad crush on Mike Bibby, and well he ain't what you would call good lookin'. And the other one was all goo ga over the Big Aristotle himself. But I hear she found herself a nice boy from Boston, so I just want to say congratulations Kathy!
Oprah: Well you know Howard, Shaq is a good friend of mine, so if things don't work out between them, you let me know.
Howard: That's good to know, but I have a feeling things will be just fine. Thanks for your consideration!
Oprah: You're welcome. Its been 4 years since the rise and fall of Tru, where on Earth have you been? You finished school, no job, no goals, what does a graduate do with all that time?
Howard: The job market was tough that year. 2002. Threw everything in the Lex, headed off to NY, lived off the money that my parents overpaid for tuition. Lived with my mentally frail grandma for almost a year. It was tough seeing her like that, but it was also tough dealing with it.
Oprah: What was it like to be in that situation? Were you scared? Upset? What kind of symptoms?
Howard: Well it was mostly just her talking to herself. And she would call out to people that weren't there. It was really strange. And she would go days without sleeping. Ain't no medicine that cures dementia. All you can do is pray to God.
Oprah: And where were your parents the whole time?
Howard: They live in that rising superpower, the People's Republic of China...thats where I grew up most of my life, experiencing China as a foreigner, albeit in a Chinese body. Its 2006 now, and they're still over there. Almost been 20 years. Time just goes by so quickly. I don't think they'll be coming back anytime soon, they really do enjoy their lives out there. They always come visit though, no matter where I am, so it's cool. Likewise, I am always excited with great anticipation when an opportunity arises for me to go there. The Chinese food there is awesome, although here in the Bay Area, I am more than happy with the selection here.
Oprah: That's great, I'm thinking about making a trip out there myself, hopefully to boost US-Chinese relations, maybe see if a peaceful solution can be arranged to the Taiwan issue.
Howard: If anyone can make it happen, its you Oprah.
Oprah: Thanks!! Anyway, let's get back to you. 21, single, no job, living with your grandma, what exactly was going on in your mind that whole time? How did you pass the time?
Howard: I'd always kick off the day trying to look for some computer job. But it was always a pretty half-assed search. I mean I'd send out my resume to a ton of different companies, but nobody bit. I began to just not care anymore really. And I couldn't bring myself to bus tables, or sell shoes at the local Footlocker, or what not. Sure as hell wasn't going to temp. Too much pride to do any of that I guess. So yeah, just had to find ways to bide my time, well just watching lots and lots of TV. Its hard when you're a confused mixed up kid without a damn clue.
Oprah: So you wound up in Atlanta for the next chapter in your life? Did you ever try Fat Matt's?
Howard: You know what Oprah, in two and a half years in the ATL , DIRTY BABY!, I never once went to Fat Matt's. I hear the BBQ there is legendary.
Oprah: Next time you go back there, make sure you go.
Howard: I plan on it.
Oprah: So what brought you to Atlanta of all places?
Howard: I took a job with my grand uncle's company. I really didn't want to go to Atlanta, but my dad threatened to kick my butt, so I went. But at least I got to see Grace down south, so that was a big plus.
Oprah: Grace, ah yes, so is it true you guys met in Shanghai in junior high? Or was it elementary?
Howard: I think it was the 6th grade. There were probably only 10 of us in our class. Grace had her big brother, who I thought was such an awesome basketball player. But yeah, its pretty cool that we both wound up in frigid Michigan. We've kept in touch ever since.
Oprah: Its always great to meet old friends!
Howard: Yeah it's nice, it definitely came as a big surprise to me, I was like no way that's not her, but now that I think about it, there is no mistaking her for that girl back in Shanghai. Likewise, I'm still me. She even had a picture that she threatened to show everyone. What can I say, I was a fat kid with low self-esteem. I just can't believe she had it after all these years.
Oprah: Did you have a difficult time adjusting to your new surroundings?
Howard: I have to admit I did. Everything was so new, different, and worst of all you're by yourself. I've moved lots and lots of times in my life, but this was the one move I had the most trouble adjusting to. It really took the wind out of my sails, granted, I wasn't going very fast anyway.
I missed my old friends a lot, and I remember flying back to NY several times, or driving out to see Grace in Charlotte. It always just felt so good to be in the presence of good friends and people who really care about you.
However, you can imagine, flying out of town gets expensive after a while. It also didn't help that yours truly blew 35 large on a new red luxury car, causing everyone at the office to wonder how the hell I could afford it.
I tell you Oprah, there were some great people at that company, but there were some spoiled eggs too.
Oprah: Oh I can imagine, especially when you're working at your uncle's company. Were the employees there comfortable with that? That you were a relative? Or did they not know?
Howard: Well, its pretty obvious that we were, we share the same last name and all, so there isn't much more that needs to be said there. I think some people might have felt threatened by my presence though, because of my relationship with my uncle.
But they don't know me. If they knew me, they'd know I was nothing but a nice guy, definitely not a pushover, but not out to get anyone or their job's. So I always took care of my business, and didn't give a crap what anyone else thought or said to my face, behind my back, whatever.
Oprah: Doesn't sound like a great experience for a first job.
Howard: It's not. You get exposed to some ugly things, but that's life. I had my ego massaged and then you get stabbed in the back, but I tell you I am a survivor, and it is mine to know that I can't help but succeed in spite of all this.
It may take a while , and I don't want to sound arrogant or bold, but I'm gonna do great things one day. And to all the haters, all I have to say is I told you so.
Oprah: Tell me about your current venture.
Howard: Its simple, all it is is a memory stick for your cell phone. One push of a button, backs up your all-important phonebook, one push of the other button, uploads your phonebook to the phone. That simple.
Oprah: Thats a handy device. So for instance I have this phone here and want to transfer my phonebook to this other phone here, I can do that without having to manually enter each and every single entry?
Howard: That's it.
Oprah: How many of these you think you can sell?
Howard: We're counting on a lot of people so wish me luck.
Oprah: For more information see O, The Oprah Magazine, Page 66, November 2005. Howard, I'm afraid we're out of time, we definitely need to discuss California next time. Thanks for coming!
Howard: It was my pleasure. So long.
