Today’s task was titled “Love of your life” and demanded to gaze into a stranger’s eyes to ascertain whether they are a candidate. Well, I had two options: again walking Opee or meeting with people over Zoom as I am still working from home. I chose Zoom. That demanded displaying them in the speaker’s view as then their window would be huge and I would actually be able to gaze. I had three candidates today (as I had three meetings). So, all are academics and I don’t like academics even though I work in academia. But I decided to give it a chance and most importantly an equal chance for all (Equity is the new shiny word nowadays which I learned from multiple pieces of training at work and it was time to put it into action). All were men, so that was a plus as I am straight (have nothing against gay. In fact I have many gay friends who I love to pieces!). The first guy gazed back. The second guy was checking himself out in Zoom staring intensely at his digital self. Definitely not a candidate. Narcissists are not my forte. The third guy gazed at the artwork hanging behind me (flattering but besides the point). So, the first guy it is… I started the meeting with small talk as I wanted to ascertain whether he was married or not (I am not a home wrecker). Questions like, “how’s your wife” received “I don’t have one.” So far so good. I realize this is not an appropriate question for academics and I should have asked, “how’s your research going” (but bygones be bygones). The second thing I did is look at his pronouns to ascertain his gender preferences (it is mandatory to display one). It was “him.” Great! Moving right along. (again I am breaking the rules of PC here and I hope you forgive me). The third thing I did is give him compliments such as, “you are getting this technology thing pretty fast!” That’s the best I could come up with. And I kept gazing but nothing happened. My heart did not flatter… Darn, not my day today. Maybe I should have had a wider pool and included the people on a dog walk. But it was too late. The wheels were turning and it was no way I could have gone backward. But we connected over graphic design and decided to have coffee and talk about the Chicago Art Institute visit as it is coming on the 22nd. I hope I can gaze into his eyes some more then. But by then I would have a different task and maybe I can incorporate him into it. So, it was not a complete failure but no love at first sight either. Well, you get some, and you lose some. The cost of doing the tasks.
