It's funny how the timing seems against us! Too bad you hadn't started this conversation *after* your friend was settled in from her move, too bad I didn't start talking to this company until after my friend had talked some reason to them.

I haven't heard from them, btw. Not sure if my salary request and ‘reluctance’ at the interview scared them off or if it’s just more of this guy’s lack of prompt responsiveness. I sort of expect an invite today for an interview tomorrow, LOL.

Do you think you could invite your potential new boss out for coffee or lunch or would that be too weird? I often feel like I only get one chance to ping someone on something like this and hate to waste it by moving too soon... and companies really do just seem slower about this. There isn't any posted position with this team, right? It's more like she would be making room for you?

And while there’s a lot to be said for not moving too quickly, someone else’s interest and enthusiasm can be very motivating. I wonder if there is any opportunity for a ‘hey, I was thinking of you!’ kind of communication that sort of gets that across without being naggy.

I've had similar experiences with groups, where I don't care for it at first but then start to settle in... and sometimes it just never really clicks. I've been adjusting my strategy for this kind of stuff, trying to make it more about meeting new people than skill acquisition, and it's kind of helping. Your song writing and acting courses sound like fun – I love taking classes like that.

I’ve also found, though, that there are some groups that I just immediately click with – and I really want more of *that.* A friend told me that a local museum gave their volunteers a super backstage tour, so I signed up to be a docent. Wow! My motivations may have been suspect, but I felt like I had met my people! This sort of instant clicking happens so rarely for me.

I'm stuck on the business board for the next year unless I resign, which I don't think I'll do. I’ve thought I had learned not to commit to volunteer projects without vetting them. This was an aberration and yet another reminder that I need to stick to that rule. I'll make more of an effort at the next meeting, too. I got there right on time and had to run out as soon as it ended. I know my reaction had more to do with me than anyone there and I just need to proceed with that in mind.

I do think the image thing matters for more than few seconds, but thinking about it will probably bum me out. I wonder if someday I’ll care enough about this to actually change some of my behaviors…