To my amazement my feet did not hurt last night after an entire day of wearing new shoes.
I Put The ‘I’ In Introvert
Once again I made an attempt to network with others last night. Once again I failed.
The event started off okay, I checked in with no issues and was told that my drink tickets need only be used for hard liquor drinks, and that beer and wine would be freely available for the entire two-hour event. I grabbed a beer, and migrated over to the free food. “Hey, maybe I’m getting the hang of this.” I briefly thought. The food offered was some pita chips and hummus, salad, and chicken wings. I cannot think of a worse thing to offer at a networking event than chicken wings; they are sloppy, no one looks good eating them, and at least for me inevitably get stuck between my teeth. I ate four.
After ensuring that I looked somewhat presentable I started my attempt to work the room.
I just cannot interact with strangers. I had one man come up and chat with me for awhile, but as soon as I excused myself to get another beer I wandered about the room, failing to be able to insert myself into any of the conversations that were happening, and left. And this was a business-networking event, so it wasn’t like I was the old man in the room, like I feel so many other times these days.
I can’t say that it was the best $12 I’ve ever spent, but I was told that my money was going to some sort of worthy cause.
At the elevator some young women thanked the “sir” that held the door for them. That “sir” was me. In addition to feeling old perhaps I am showing my age more these days because I am getting “sir”ed more often.
Other than my phantom (hehe, I accidentally typed “fantom” and it was autocorrected to “fan Tom”) donation the only other positive takeaway for me was getting to see the inside of the newly-opened WeWork, a co-working space. The facility looks very nice, but I’m wondering how long the co-working space business model will be able to stand up.
I drove home and made a dinner of chicken and rice, to heap upon the four chicken wings that I ate at the event.
No Whitewater For Me
I wanted to go down to Columbus tomorrow to photograph some whitewater rafting, as well as do some whitewater rafting myself, but the combination of a sketchy weather forecast along with my leg/hip pain this week has convinced me to stay near home. Dangen!
What Will I Do? What Will I Do?
For weeks I was planning to be out of town tomorrow and returning on Sunday, so I have no idea what I will be doing. I believe that there is a Black Sheep Hash but I can’t risk injury at this point — as “sirs” go I have become fragile.
I guess that if the weather is hot, or rainy, or both I will spend that time in the basement and work on my career-related skills.
Until Monday…
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
FWIW, you exactly nailed my experience in such events. Social anxiety is a motherfucker. Kudos for giving it a shot. There’s no other way out than through repeat exposure.
Kudos for getting out there even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I’m awkward at these kinds of events too and always like to go with a safety-net friend. That seems sort of a cop-out, but it can work with the right friend (one you don’t have to be attached at the hip). And when I do that, I’m usually then the person who goes and approaches the person standing all alone. Because I have my back-up “rejection salve”. 🙂
It’s not a cop-out. We all need the support that we need, in whatever form it takes.
Thanks. That makes me feel better. 🙂
Lurker, do I know you in real life? I don’t need to know your identity, just curious if we’ve ever met.
Oh crap, I just looked at my calendar and was reminded that I am going to see “Glengarry Glen Ross” tonight at Pinch ‘n’ Ouch Theatre. Glad I saw this, otherwise I would have missed the play just like the last time I had a ticket for a show at Pinch ‘n’ Ouch.
You went. You didn’t pee yourself. (I hope). That’s a win in my book. I’m naturally quiet unless I’m around you MF’s, so it’s tough for me as well. Add my longstanding inability to remember names for people I should know and it doubles the anxiety.
Still no word on the Mazda.
Lost a tree last night which was covered in poison ivy. Cleaned up and sitting at the cafe.
Good weekend all.
-FP
I was concerned about the storm that blew through East Atlanta at aroung 11:30pm (?). I was awake, lying in bed, trying to convince myself that I should try and go to sleep.
Greetings from the Navy Lodge.
Movers did such an amazing fast job yesterday, we had to check in a day early.
Fitting an entire house into 7 or 8 crates Tetris style was interesting to watch.
We spent the morning in Solano Beach, breakfast with Katrina’s mom (he Dad just died suddenly a few days ago). Good to see her & talk about everything.
Then went & met an old buddy who has a condo right in the ocean, had a margarita overlooking the Del Mar race track.
Today we are going to wander Coronado a little, maybe have an super over priced drink at the Hotel Del Coronado, then take the ferry into downtown.
Amy & Matt need to meet house cleaners & do some other errands.
I’m beginning to think you’re never coming home, Barb!
We will be back Sat. night if Delta agrees
Mingling and making small talk is tough. A learned skill for most of us. The IT guy in me hates it. The “Big Six” consultant in me loves it.
Learn to take advantage of every opportunity to practice, the Washelon (sp), ordering at CfA, grocery line, pretty girl at the mall, her boyfriend, etc.
“Life is a game, and the game is played with people…”
FWIW, I might have guessed you were pretty good at it. At least in my experience. You always seem comfortable, engaging…at least around me. 🙂
Listen, send up a flare the next time you do one of these deals. I can fake interest/expertise in almost anything. Happy to tag along, if for no other reason to set the record straight as to just how well you really do at these. 🙂
BTW: “I like cheese….”
Saturday: “Boys day out” shooting at the Wilson Shoals WMA Range w/ nephew, brother-in-law, father-in-law and a few friends. We may swing back by the gun show (Infinite Energy Center), but that may get curtailed as nephew has to move into his frat house room for the upcoming Fall semester (Tech). Oh to be 21 again.
Sunday: who knows…. OK Cafe, no doubt. 🙂
Today’s trivia: I spent time in San Diego, the Naval base, Marine base, Coronado Island, etc. The USS Kitty Hawk’s home port was San Diego. Good times.
73 de JG/HamWithCam
“Listen, send up a flare the next time you do one of these deals. I can fake interest/expertise in almost anything. Happy to tag along, if for no other reason to set the record straight as to just how well you really do at these.”
Paulie, that is an offer you should not refuse. Follow Stacy’s lead here.
Wandering Coronado. Lots of beautiful people here, especially at The Hotel.
Might just have to have a beer at Coronado Brewing, just to do it.
When I got out, I went over to the Coronado Hotel, resplendent in my best dress blues, unblemished “Dixie Cup” white hat, complete with Vietnam service ribbons, etc. Fleet sailor baby. I grabbed a sandwich before catching a taxi and departing for the airport (thus being at the Coronado in the first place). Only had time to eat half, so I took the another half back to ATL and gave it to my Dad.
Coincidentally, I rode first class (thanks Delta!) sitting next to (former) Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. Other than initial pleasantries, we didn’t speak. I do recall dessert was ice cream. Ice cream on an airplane!
Oh, and upon arrival in ZATL, a couple of hippy girls spit on me and called me “baby killer”. Fond memories.
73 de JG/HamWithCam
Everything at that hotel is PRICY. We just wandered around.
(Clarification: “I like Cheese”….meaning, I would enjoy shooting whitewater rafting in Columbus.) 🙂
73 de JG/HamWithCam