crush

Our company is interviewing an attorney who is partner at a big firm.

Well, my initial impression when we invited him in for the first interview was so-so. Then, during that one hour, he impressed me enough to wonder if he was single. This guy is not only smart, he is a gentleman. Having practiced, let me tell you that it's rare to meet a nice litigator. His only flaw was that he also looked too young; our attorney was shocked that this guy has been praticing for 14 years.

There was a part of me that hoped we would reject him, so I can ask him out. He made the first cut.

Today, we brought him back for a small side project. At the start of our meeting, three of us were just chatting while waiting for our regular attorney. I suggested that our attorney was late because he was probably pulled over reading his Blackberry. He confessed that he too was addicted to his, but they have a house rule to not check it before 7.

My heart sank. That's "we" as in him and his SO.

It didn't help that the rest of the 2-hour meeting, this guy was brilliant. It's been a long while since I have been swept up by intellect, and the great brain is dosed with a great sense of humor and encased in a great-looking head and body...

His SO is a lucky woman/man (hey, you never know).

confidance

Last night, a girlfriend and I went to happy hour. It was an alumni event for a business school, but for some reason, it was quite empty. It was a good chance to observe the few attendees.

Later in the event, two women stoped by. Both beautiful and very well put together. My friend commented that they appeared to be trying to hard. How? It was hard to pinpoint, but I agreed.

They both had outfits that didn't look quite appropriate for work. Either they work in retail, or someone changed just for the occassion. Then, there was the makeup. I was sitting across the room, and both their eyes and lips were just a bit too vivid.

Still, who can fault these women for looking their best, but when everyone else is coming straight from work, they did stand out.

In the end, nothing flatters like confidance, and no outfit or assessory is as winning as a big smile.

what do you know

This past Tuesday night, I sat in the Friends of Brisbane Library monthly meeting. Given that my company is looking to build in this small town, part of my job is to get to know the community.

Just as I had suspected, many people don't fully engage in the civic news. Even though the people I met were very passionate about having a better library, most of them do not follow what is going on in their cities.

Which makes me realize more than ever that the democratic process only works if there is a very committed and active population.

Personally, I just try to read. It helps that part of my weekly task at work is to track local municipal activities. And I vote.

The other day, someone asked me on a blind date what I would do if I was independently wealthy. I would be an activist. Why not now?

externalities

Given all the gloabl-warming concerns, persuading people to save energy for the greater good does not seem so effective.

A better approach may be to show people the externalities that they stand to gain.

For instance, taking public transportation not only reduce gasoline consumption, it
1. is great exercise (b/c you usually have to walk a few blocks)
2. is a great time to read
3. is relaxing
4. helps with directions (this is my secret on how I know the city so well)

Next weekend, two girlfriens will be staying with me, and I hope to show them the SF Bay Area that very few people know, the one without a car...