Networking, Networking, Networking
What’s up?
Sorry it’s been awhile. Profunksticated has spent another week in the D.C. area, collecting more business cards in a week than he has in the past six months.
My landlady was nice enough to let me stay in her place for those days for pro-rated rent, which was much cheaper than staying in a hotel.
I’m feelin’ pretty good about my chances of getting work, having demonstrated to these staffing firms my willingness to relocate.
Let’s see, I did a journalism conference; attended a reception held by the president of my alma mater, the Big State Supported School in the South; underwent proposal training offered by one of the staffing firms I’ve been talking to; and attended a Washington Capitals hockey game (Yeah, I’m a black man who likes hockey. Wanna make something of it?)
Even my landlady put me in touch with with a couple of relatives of hers who work for the federal government. One of them gave me pointers as to how to apply for gigs. “This is a networking town,” my landlady said. Indeed an understatement.
I also reacquainted myself with the Washington Metro. When I lived here in the mid-1980s, the Green Line that travels from the Shaw area through Anacostia and to Branch Avenue was just a proposed light green line on the system map. Today it’s finished and up and running. I thought, wow, it’s been a long time.
Me, I’m making use of the Yellow Line and its Huntington terminus, near where I’m staying. One thing about the Metro: People need to lower their voices when they talk. Three young girls got on one train and I swear one of them was speaking a combination of English, Ebonics and some other extra-terrestrial language I’ve never heard before in discussing what I took to be how to engage in a physical altercation with a girl carrying a baby. “Her face isn’t pregnant,” I overheard one say.
And on the platform at the Chinatown station, a group of young boys were cussing and arguing over football, but I wasn’t sure if it were about pro ball or their own youth league teams. But they were loud as hell.
Finally, in a moment of boredom the other night, I walked into a place in Southwest that you native Washingtonians probably know as a spot where aging playas push up on young things as they network with one another. It was there I somehow ended up sitting next to an older lady who admittedly liked getting her drink on and kind of teased me for not imbibing. “You’re detoxing,” she told me. When I told her why I was in D.C., she advised me to consider the D.C. government as a possible employment route. Hadn’t thought of that.
While I sipped a club soda and listened to the live band, this woman pointed out to me a certain former well-known D.C. elected chief executive as he was conversing with a young lady. First time I’d ever seen him live in the flesh. Can’t judge him; I’d probably be doing the same thing if I had the name and power.
And yes, folks, I was on my best behavior.
Peace.
Okay that’s funny, “rules of engagement for fightin the pregnant” LOL. I guess gansta’s got morals too. And yeah you could work for the gov’t. My Hunny says most folks out in the Metro area work for the gov’t. (cuz I know most of HIS family do).
And what’s in “southwest” dc? Or should I be scared to ask.
Yo, Aly, you’re right about the rules of engagement. I’m thinking of secretly recording these folks and putting the audio files on the net. I haven’t checked yet to see if someone’s beat me to the idea. As far as southwest, no need to be scared. There’s a certain hotel along the waterfront with a bar called Pier 7. That’s where the aging playas hang out.
On the employment front, I’m supposed be getting an interview with some research firm that has all kinds of contracts with gubmint agencies. We’ll see.
Comment by aly cat — October 31, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
I’m glad you were on your best behavior. Let’s see if you keep it that way in a few weeks. Maybe you need one of those electronic wrist things that tell where you are at all times. LOL! J/k
Daggone, S23, you seriously wanna slap a Lojack on a brutha, dontcha? LOL! Maybe put a GPS on the cell phone (I knooooow where u at!)? You crack me up! Don’t worry, I’m good; I just gotta play out the WHOLE tape in my mind — pregnancy, disease, etc. etc.
Comment by S23 — November 2, 2007 @ 4:27 pm