The EU in a 10x10 Room

You already know I think this group here is phenomenal. They're smart and witty and masters of their respective universes. They also drink like fish. I love every one of them. How could I have gone through my career without meeting any one of them? Thank goodness I've met them now. I already see how I can make use of their experience in my job but more importantly, how I can incorporate some of them into my lives as friends.

Today was another long day filled with productive and interesting content. Here are some highlights (I know you're finding this riveting):

-The honchos of the company made an appearance at the end of the day. The chairman of the parent company, a rather plain speaking man, gave a presentation to us on his view. What I remember most was his philosophy on sales. He likes to walk around and ask people, "What did you sell today?." I liked that.

-We had a brief cocktail hour and then adjourned to yet another shit hotel meal. I am so fucking sick of the hotel food. I've barely eaten. I'm going out tomorrow tonight with Ruthanne. We're hitting some Italian food and we're going salsa dancing and we're getting crazy. All I care is that we make our flight home on Saturday morning. I can sleep on the flight home.

-At the dinner, the CEO of the company made the rounds and for dessert, he sat with us. We all sat up straight and were on our best behavior. I couldn't help it so I threw the question to him: "What is this company genuinely doing to demonstrate social responsibility to the community? What is our commitment to non-profit work? We should be as committed to social concerns as we are to our shareholders." Yes. That came out of my mouth. He looked at me and responded intelligently and with some commitment so I guess I didn't fuck that up.

-At the end of the meal, the aforementioned chairman was leaving. I whistled like I would for a taxi (yes) and flagged him over to us. He looked bemused. "Hey, Geoff," I said, "What did YOU sell today?" Jesus, the words just tumbled out of my mouth. Game lad, as they say here, he rolled with it. "I almost sold a company today," he said earnestly. "Hmm," says I, "You didn't close it? Didn't you ask for the business?!" He laughed. If I'm out of a job on Monday, it was worth it.

The rowdy mob, the class of 2007 and 2006, repaired to the bar. We made it a raucous night. I sat with Vincent, the head of the French division and listened as he discussed why he likes to watch his wife smoke. "I suppose this has to do with the blow job thing, no?" Fortunately, he laughed. He was very French--he was WAY invading my personal space as the French do when you're talking to them. He has a pompadour and dresses like Eric Clapton.

I hung with my new favorite Mary who runs a large group in the UK. She's razor sharp and smart and brilliantly funny. She's someone I could hang with outside of work. There's Elian from Holland and Ruthanne from Pennsylvania and Sanjeev from London and Siobhan from Australia. I like them all very much. Unless the alcohol has deluded me, I've made some terrific friendships.

The course ends tomorrow and the next module will NOT be in London. Collectively, we have spent the evening trying to influence the management to book the next module (which is slated for June) in Holland or Spain or India or Sydney or..I don't know...the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Somewhere stimulating. I hope they'll bite.

Leaving this group tomorrow and I'm almost sorry to go.