Nomopo's Sitch - Patience, Patience, Patience

[Nomopo]

Ok, I haven't even had a chance to read Slowly's or Sunny's posts (but I was pumped to see you both here), but I just have to post this update. I believe this qualifies as a goal met. So,

Journaling: Wednesday, August 8th (Through Lunch)

No contact with W today. Awesome breakfast with CVA. Had lunch scheduled today with a friend from W's law firm. It so happens he was recently appointed their Managing Partner (MP). MP is a nice guy, and we have become friends over the past five years through her Firm's events. We are both big college football fans, so we have taken to emailing back and forth on some football news. Well last week, after I had a networking lunch with another senior lawyer I know in town, I responded to a football email from MP and asked if he wanted to get lunch some time. MP said yes, and it was for today. It is a little unusual because he is a big dog, and we have not done this before, but what they hey.

Well, he suggested a common, friendly place. While we are in the line to order at the counter, MP says "Hey, there's your W." Sure enough, she is there with . . . you guessed it . . . OM, and that third friend (TF) of theirs that they used to go to lunch with regularly who was at their firm but left. W and TF wave, but OM has his back to us and is not turning around for sure. TF and MP don't know about the sitch.

I know W and OM's mind's are racing cause I am with their big boss. W is probably just wondering why the heck we are at lunch together, and I hope OM is worried I might rat him out. He is up for partner this year, and MP is a big Christian and would not look at all kindly on the EA. (Of course, I said nothing to MP, but let them sweat. I did say to MP, jokingly, when W asks you about lunch, tell her you can't divulge anything and I'll do the same and it will drive her crazy. He thought this was funny.)

Anyway, after ordering, I strolled over to their table, W smiles and says hi and I do the same. OM is staring down at the table (looking quite uncomfortable). I said "Hi OM," and stuck out my hand to shake his. OM looked up, a bit surprised, and took my hand and said "Hi Nomo." I smiled a big, comfortable smile (per CVA's advice this morning). I then greeted TF and shook his hand. As I turned off to the drink station, MP greeted the table and we ate lunch. They did not come over to say good bye, and left before we did, but our backs were turned towards them so I didn't see them walking out.

So, I did it. He is nothing. Just a pink elephant. It will get easier and easier for me. I still haven't posted my final thoughts on the OM and W weekend trip yet (finalized early this morning), but I will. For now I just HAD to share this.

Later,
Nomo