I am a paradox. I like to meet new people, yet I like to be left alone. Sometimes knowing too many people can wear on you, especially when a lot of them are around. You feel like you should say hi and chat a bit with everyone, but then you don't get to enjoy your time. On the other hand, when you go to a lot of places and only a few are there, that's what makes it worthwhile. There are other benefits too, but also other headaches. I won't bore you with the details.

Having worked in service industry for all but 3.5 years since I was 16 (now 39), I have met an awful lot of people. It's always embarrassing when you can't remember someone's name or they can't remember yours. Just working for my dad - only 2 people in the business - we dealt with over 1200 customers as electricians. In the restaurant business, I have probably met another 400 people (6 different restaurants). Working in a supermarket, I probably met another 80 people. And then there is elementary school, college, sports, trade school, dating, entertainment, family, traveling, etc. All told, I have probably met around 3000 people.

I don't travel much. I have lived in a small town all my life. I have a shy streak. For someone like me, that's a lot....especially given some of the people I have met - foreign dignitaries, presidential advisors, authors, Hollywood actors, national politicians, Secret Service agents, and even Tom Whidden - Dennis Connor's tactician during the America's Cup. If I ever get to stay at my friend Justin's condo for a while, I'll likely meet Kim Kardashian because she's his next door neighbor. (And yes, I've seen photos from a cellphone of them hanging out together.) I'm just an ordinary person who is slightly introverted. I've done nothing meaningful with my life. I've never been arrested. I've had only two traffic tickets in my entire life. So how is it that I get to meet all these people? I can see it happening to other people who have done more, but why me? I just don't get it.