Measurable metrics.

The other day I was shopping in Barnes & Noble and I asked an employee for assistance.  He was unable to help me.

Yesterday I sent an unsolicited email to Michael Chabon, asking him to contribute to a side project of mine.  A few hours later he replied and very politely declined due to his workload.

Progress: being rejected by a better class of people.

yeah, except that guy from b&n;has his own Fox Special coming up soon on hidden videocams and the sexlives of the stars.  You’re gonna be telling the story of him blowing you off to your grandkids. 

Posted by dan  on  01/28  at  05:07 AM

ooh, i’m next! i’m next!

Posted by kate  on  01/28  at  07:05 AM

I think the next step is to actually become a person of better class so that you can start rejecting people like your former self.

(I originally wrote “losers like ...” but thought I’d be nice by telling you later)

Posted by Gopi  on  01/28  at  07:36 AM

I’d like to become involved in a side project of yours. 

Posted by Ismat  on  01/28  at  08:01 AM

You have side projects? Wow. I am ever so impressed.

Posted by Jules  on  01/28  at  08:10 AM

Your next goal is to reject a better class of people. Switch it up a bit.

Posted by Mia  on  01/28  at  09:11 AM

You can practice the rejecting of the better class on me if you want.

I’m selfless.

Posted by Dictator Meg III (!!!)  on  01/28  at  11:15 AM

the bn guy was unable to help you, how? like physically unable, under a pile of dirty cafe dishes? or just clueless? as in the “associate” who told me i could find ‘the federalist papers’ in the periodicals rack.

Posted by bob  on  01/28  at  06:10 PM

for what it’s worth, i think you are way funnier than chabon. 

Posted by The Mighty Jimbo  on  01/28  at  09:50 PM

I’m fairly impressed with the whole “side projects” concept too.

Posted by Miss Bliss  on  01/29  at  06:56 AM

Can I be your side project? I won’t even spit on you…

Posted by the OTHER daniella  on  01/29  at  08:01 AM

movin’ on up, monsieur howard ... congrats.

Posted by romy  on  01/29  at  08:22 AM

Oh, you should ask again. The key with the Chab-man is persistence. Take it from me: last summer I myself undertook what I naively believed was going to be a simple “side project” --retiling my kitchen-- but it ended up consuming my entire life. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how that goes. In WAY over my head. So I got a hold of Michael Chabon and he just plain worked miracles. The grouting was perfect, the service impeccable; sheer craftsmanship. He even suggested a marble tile that ended up costing a little more, but it really brought out the countertops! I can’t say enough good things. In fact, it’s probably my jabbering about his work to every Tom, Dick and Harry that’s made him so in demand today! My bad!

But oh, how I wish I could the the same about that Dave Eggers. Worst houseboy EVER. He lacerated my topiary gardens, his second novel was awful, but the last straw was finding him in the gazebo, obviously drunk, attempting to fashion my bird feeder into a crude bong. Later I checked his references and found out he was lying about winning the Pulitzer.

But yeah, give Mike another call. I’ll put in a good word.

Posted by  on  01/29  at  02:02 PM

Point of order: Eggers’s first novel was awful too.

Posted by Greg  on  01/29  at  02:49 PM

(spits on you)

Posted by  on  01/30  at  01:59 PM

Don’t even get me started on when Roddy Doyle and I tried to install built-in shelving.  Let’s just say not all Irishmen can work a router successfully.

Posted by The Lunchbox  on  02/05  at  11:15 AM