a third

yes, there was one *more* work-related holiday party this year. we got a new office managing partner at our woodland hills office this year. and he is *all* team-woodland-hills-spirit. so ... since he came to our office, we've had office bowling events, happy hours, impromptu office lunches, one-on-one lunches/breakfasts, team-woodland-hills encouraging voicemail messages, go-get'em email messages ... he even got us a big flat-screen tv for our reception area and sent bakery-bought-homemade cookies to each employee's home for the holidays.

so, with the holidays upon us, he took advantage and organized a "woodland hills professional open house holiday reception for clients, prospects, networking colleagues and alumni". yes, that's what he actually called it. it was an opportunity to invite our clients and prospects to come visit our office (which is still fairly new) and network and meet new people.

as the date of the event was getting close, we received 3 emails from the office managing partner: (1) a general reminder about the event with a second request that all employees be present; (2) another reminder about the event with a special request that those planning to attend consider working from the office (instead of a client's office) for at least the last half of the day so that all will be prepared and calm when "our guests" arrived; and (3) a third reminder about the event with a special request that employees organize and clean their desks and bring personal effects/pictures/plants/etc. to make sure it looks like we work in our office. *that* one was hilarious.

on the day of the event, i did end up working a half-day from my office so i could be ready and organized and cleaned. however, i forgot to bring family pictures and other paraphernalia to home-ify my cubicle. oops.

the event was so well organized: we had florists and caterers showing up in the early afternoon; my harp teacher (the firm hired her to provide ambiance) arrived around 430; our people were filing in all afternoon; and clients and other guests started showing up around 6. the evening went until about 830 and was quite nice.

at first i felt a little like a seashell on a mountain peak since i didn't know many of the guests and wasn't high up enough on the totem pole to command the attention of, well, really anyone. but i soon figured out that i could just hang out in the reception area and when people arrived i'd introduce myself and ask them whom they were with and whom i could introduce them to. it turned out to be a great strategy: i met so many people and really just had a great time doing so.

one of the bankers i met was such a character. actually, most of the people from his bank were just fun. this guy, though, connected with me over chocolate. i was chatting with a few of his co-workers when he walked up and his first question was, pointing at the dessert tray, "so, which of these do you suppose has the most chocolate in the least amount of space?" now, *that* is a question i am more than happy to answer ... and to research! after trying a few of the goodies, i found the one and pointed it out to him. he quickly snatched it from the tray and ate it. and loved it.

as we continued talking and eating chocolate, i guess i got some chocolate on my lip, which i often do and so i have trained my tongue to clean me up pretty efficiently, but my new banker friend noticed it and turned to grab a napkin to help me out. i, quite honestly, didn't notice what he was doing. but before i knew it, he was turning back around and had a napkin pressed up to my lip. umm, he, uhh, wiped my mouth for me and then looked at the napkin, which was clean because i had already licked my lips. he then said, "oh, there's nothing on there". i must have had a look of bewilderment on my face as i tried to assess whether what just happened was okay because his next comment was, "don't worry i have kids". but i'm *still* thinking that wasn't okay. just really not sure it was okay. okay?