So I’m reading these excerpts on networking. I had a very interesting conversation with one of the headhunters I called today—I again got the ball rolling in that department. I’m not sure I should wait much longer and hope Doug succeeds in his political gamble. But that’s for another time. one of the patent lawyer recruiter was this talkative (but in a friendly way) 74-year old man. He was telling me that perhaps the best type of job was one where you worked for yourself—that way, you never had to worry about getting old and being fired. (I had a meeting with a former employee today, an older-50is manager that was RIF’d. he’s in a tough position going forward. What type of job is he going to land at this late period in his career?)

For lawyers, it means hanging a shingle or having your own clients. As long as you have a cadre of them at your disposal—his theory goes—you can dictate the terms of your employment, be it self or law firm. I then went to a few book stores and the Internet to look up some books on networking, since that’s part of the “secret” of working for oneself.

(I got a writing cramp and went looking for a better way to grip the pen. I don’t think I’ve found it yet.)

Anyway—I swear I have A.D.D.—I’m not sold on this networking. I want to say it’s because I don’t like talking to people, but I’m not sure if that’s true. I love conversations: real ones. Maybe my problems relate more to fears of getting to know strangers more than hatred of small talk. I don’t know which is better of I should just—blah, I’m off.