One Busy Week
So far, so good. Business cards are in the mill somewhere, suit is dry-cleaning somewhere else, desperately-needed haircut tomorrow, and a networking cocktail party organized by the Chamber of Commerce in a little over a week. I actually discovered that it is possible to have business cards made in plastic, wood, rubber, and, with the most beautiful results, metal, though these are for a rainy day years from now as they are over a dollar apiece. Pretty memorable indeed, but for now, I am gambling on the occasionally unreliable VistaPrint with standard cards, though in a vertical format to be slightly hip. May their printing house go up in flames though if my cards don't arrive in time for the event.
I am starting to find my way around well enough. I need to obtain a fishing license to fish in the pond here, and complete my library membership at the local branch. I also networked with a couple of artistic organizations that host a variety of events. Still need to find some paintball fields and players to vent my angst, and maybe a gym. This past Saturday I went to Northampton, and stayed in Easthampton on Thursday and Friday. I am making many new acquaintances every day, and this has been entertaining, but most importantly I met up with an old friend from Bard, just by chance, on the balcony of Bishop's Lounge - he introduced me to a number of people, and by Sunday night, my wallet was full of business cards and napkins with contact information on them. Privacy and solitude are wonderful things but they can be addictive. Networking takes effort but is equally addictive if you stick with it, and it is an addiction no one can afford not to have.
Still, a lot of people are meant, I believe, to stay at arm's length. A lot of individuals are positively enthralling to talk to over a beer, but are in bad places in their lives to which they can unwittingly drag others. It is better to look up to the company you keep, not down. And this past year has made me a bit more cautious about certain things. You can tell me stories for hours about ghosts and goblins, and I'll probably believe you, but the one thing I think I will always be skeptical of is people, especially ones who seem too nice. Thinking about Robert Greene's book, The 48 Laws of Power (one for every time I have fallen asleep and dropped the book in the bathtub) I recall the following Laws, ESPECIALLY #10.
#5 Guard [your reputation] with your life
#10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
#18 Do not build fortresses to protect yourself - isolation is dangerous
#19 Know who you are dealing with - do not offend the wrong person
#28 Enter action with boldness
I can't wait to get his other books. This one is easily in my top 5, hence its water-derived decrepitude.
Ouch! I was just struck by a falling stack of yet-unread copies of Wired magazine. Was it a ghost? You decide...
; )
I am starting to find my way around well enough. I need to obtain a fishing license to fish in the pond here, and complete my library membership at the local branch. I also networked with a couple of artistic organizations that host a variety of events. Still need to find some paintball fields and players to vent my angst, and maybe a gym. This past Saturday I went to Northampton, and stayed in Easthampton on Thursday and Friday. I am making many new acquaintances every day, and this has been entertaining, but most importantly I met up with an old friend from Bard, just by chance, on the balcony of Bishop's Lounge - he introduced me to a number of people, and by Sunday night, my wallet was full of business cards and napkins with contact information on them. Privacy and solitude are wonderful things but they can be addictive. Networking takes effort but is equally addictive if you stick with it, and it is an addiction no one can afford not to have.
Still, a lot of people are meant, I believe, to stay at arm's length. A lot of individuals are positively enthralling to talk to over a beer, but are in bad places in their lives to which they can unwittingly drag others. It is better to look up to the company you keep, not down. And this past year has made me a bit more cautious about certain things. You can tell me stories for hours about ghosts and goblins, and I'll probably believe you, but the one thing I think I will always be skeptical of is people, especially ones who seem too nice. Thinking about Robert Greene's book, The 48 Laws of Power (one for every time I have fallen asleep and dropped the book in the bathtub) I recall the following Laws, ESPECIALLY #10.
#5 Guard [your reputation] with your life
#10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
#18 Do not build fortresses to protect yourself - isolation is dangerous
#19 Know who you are dealing with - do not offend the wrong person
#28 Enter action with boldness
I can't wait to get his other books. This one is easily in my top 5, hence its water-derived decrepitude.
Ouch! I was just struck by a falling stack of yet-unread copies of Wired magazine. Was it a ghost? You decide...
; )