Because It's Better To Be Irrational With Me Than Rational With Someone Else

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From The Archives: The Conference - Part I

Then I was on the plane from my snowy wonderland to the hot and humid Orlando for the conference. And I was terrified of giving a talk, so I did as any professional would do, I decided it was a Navy-paid vacation (ha, see where your tax money goes? That's why the government is broke)*, and just a great opportunity to see my best friend, so I had him meet me up and stay for the week at my resort hotel.

I scanned the conference area. I walked around for the full five minutes to see what I was up against. And then I noticed something that my best friend noticed way before me: all the men... were some sexy looking scientists! Where have they found that batch? WHERE?! I guess if you're a scientist--and a hot one at that,-- government is where you're at. Another thing I noticed: the ratio of women to men? I stuck out like a sore-thumb, I was a woman in the men's world. Simply put:

I.WAS.IN.HEAVEN.

So I did as any person in my position (forced to give a talk while fearing public speaking) would do: I picked up my badge and left with my best friend to eat some delicious food. We dined at the top Ethiopian restaurant. We dined at Korean joint. We visited the Moroccan chill-out.

We did everything to put me at ease before the talk. But I just could not help and wonder if my future employer would be there? What if... what if, and this is completely a non-reasonable thought, so bear here with me for a moment, what if my recent ex came just to torture me? What if, what if MIKE came to my talk?! And I created scenarios of how to deal with awkward situations that might be thrown at me. I sketched out detailed plans of escape. Variations of Plan Bs. But I didn't really prepare for the talk. That was not in my agenda.

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* Okay, not to piss off any genuine hard workers, most of those expenses came from my account. I ain't gonna exploit this government... I need to be employed first.

8:02 p.m. - May 08, 2011

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