Callie and I had a fine experience at Pappasito's for dinner.  The last trip to this particular location was a disaster -- the wait staff was horrible, despite the Pappasito's reputation for having the best-trained waitstaff in town.  This time, we got a fellow (Dale) who was just amazing.  Usually, I'm pleased if a waiter manages to notice my drink needs refilled.   Dale not only managed little things like checking on us every time it seemed we might need something and keeping drinks filled (unobtrusively I might add), but he also managed just to know us (one example: he figured out we knew what we wanted and just needed to order rather than wasting time telling us five specials) while being pleasant as can be.  We left an outrageous tip just because it's nice to find someone who goes beyond competence, and excels -- at whatever he chooses to do.  It's altogether rare, and sometimes it's nice when someone says "Good job" in response.

Indeed, I was mulling over the whole thing and realized that I search out people like this wherever I go.  In five minutes, I can generally tell someone which people aren't worth a damn, which are merely pulling their weight, and which are so far beyond competence it's sad they have to be surrounded by the idiots "managing" them.  In taking it one step further, I began to wonder how this particular skill of mine might be better utilized, and it struck me that those are the requisite skills of a successful headhunter (or a successful CEO, if he wants his company stocked with good people).  Now, since it's doubtful I'll ever be running a mega-corporation, the headhunter angle is something I may just have to consider at some point. 

In any case, it's nice to run across people like Dale who set me to thinking this way.  It's very unusual when I run across someone and think "He does his job better than I could do it." 

A number of CDs arrived today -- some Counting Crows and Robert Earl Keen.  Keen is really growing on me.  It's a shame I'll miss his Texas Uprising concert on Memorial Day, but the float trip looms!  Which reminds me, I need to get all that planned out this weekend, people emailed, and something put up online.  Better put that on my task list -- which has become electronic now!  I've discovered the power of Microsoft Outlook combined with an online organizer and events planner, The Daily Drill (which can pull up local events like concerts, plays, etc, automatically), which electronically synchronizes with outlook.   Pretty cool.

Comments?  Visit my Message Boards.