inspiration strikes - a break from the monotony

Friday, May 16, 2003

SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT

Today, I got a haircut. I went to a classic barber shop just outside my office building. The best part about the place is the ambiance. This is the sort of place where they use a straight razor to trim your sideburns. A place where they've got Italian operas playing on the radio. A man's man sort of place. An Old Spice sort of place.

You feel like you're walking into a scene from a movie. While I was there, a trio of Italian and Jewish octogenarians were holding court, talking about nothing and everything. Just hanging out at the barbershop. And these guys were old. Big ear and nose old. Liver spot old. Wrinkled prune old. In spite of, or perhaps because of their age, they were volleying quips back and forth like Wimbledon groundstrokes. Here are three of the memorable exchanges:

Old Man 1: "I used to play quarterback for Everett. I was the captain of the team."
OM2: "You didn't play quarterback, you didn't play halfback, you played way back."

OM3: "I hear that Berklee has some good jazz, but I need to find someone to go with me."
OM1: "Don't be bashful, just ask someone. Who cares if she's married, just ask her."

My favorite, from the most wizened of the bunch:

OM3: "I know how I'm gonna die. Some jealous husband is gonna kill me."

There are bad things about getting old, but getting to act crotchety isn't one of them.
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mattchun 5/16/2003 05:09:00 PM [+] ::
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ZZZZZZ

I had something really intelligent to say, but someone whispered, "Hey Matt, come over here," so I did and there were these two big cheesecakes in celebration of C's birthday, and I couldn't refuse a nice, big wedge of the smooth and creamy dessert, topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream and an overflowing bouquet of strawberries so I took a plate and stood and smiled and said, "Happy Birthday," as C opened her cards and presents and I downed the cheesecake with an expertly wielded fork and now all I can think about is how sleepy I feel.
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mattchun 5/15/2003 05:41:00 PM [+] ::
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MEGALO-MATT

One interesting aspect of my job is the performance review process. I generally work with 1-3 analysts on a given consulting engagement. Upon completion of the project, I'm responsible for guiding a structured, though relatively informal performance discussion as well as compiling a formal review report. During this part of the project lifecycle, I can't help but think that I'm giving out report cards, albeit to a couple of twenty-somethings.

Though I don't think these particular report cards end up on the refrigerator at home, they're nonetheless important, both as feedback on individual development and as a component of the compensation and promotion process.

At my age, it's funny to think that I wield a small - though not insignificant - bit of power over someone else's future. I can see how such power could be intoxicating. In some sense, I hold their fate in my hands. I control their destiny and I exert my will over them. It's as if I am lord over all...They feebly shake and cringe beneath my might! I have dominion over all who come before me! ALL SHALL BOW DOWN! I AM THE LAW! KING KONG! AIN'T GOT! NOTHIN'! ON ME!

Whoa. What's that? Sorry, I kinda blacked out there for a second. I was talking about something right? Anyway, like I was saying, project reviews are fun.

*Note: Matt is not actually a megalomaniac, but he sometimes plays one in his blog

**Note 2: Speaking of blogs and personas, have you thought about how blogging is kind of like The Matrix? They're both virtual worlds where people mill around apart from reality. In both worlds, you can come off as slick and stylish, regardless of the last time you shaved or showered in "the real" world. Don't worry, I showered today. Or did I?
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mattchun 5/14/2003 03:56:00 PM [+] ::
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I'VE GOT A SILVER BULLET IN MY HEAD

This isn't much of a post, but I can't get this song out of my head. Maybe posting the lyrics will help exorcise the tune. Or maybe it'll get the song stuck in your head. Here goes.

This chick's rockin' your bro' on the dance floor...
but she's towin' an anchor,
a junior investment banker,
who's talkin' 'bout herself - and not much more - oh-oh-oh
So buy her a beer,
that's the reason you're here,
Mighty Wingman.
You're takin' one for the team
so your buddy can live the dream.
Wing Ma-a-an.

Chris K of this band, from the Coors Light commercial
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mattchun 5/13/2003 04:22:00 PM [+] ::
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FINE FOOD AND DRINK

Last Friday, I had dinner with a cadre of present and former coworkers. We dined at Ristorante Saraceno, an eatery on Hanover Street in Boston's North End. The last time I ate at this establishment, my party was seated in a crowded, cacophonous cocoon of a room on the lower level. On Friday, we were seated in a quieter, more sedate section of the restaurant.

In light of our more refined surroundings, when the waiter took our cocktail order we were sure to portray ourselves as particularly suave and debonair: "We'll have two bottles of chianti -- and another round of bud light."

Nothing says dining with distinction like watered-down beer.
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mattchun 5/12/2003 04:21:00 PM [+] ::
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