I am happy to report that my talk went really well, hooray! Thanks for all of the encouraging words. I generally like giving talks, usually, but the audience for this one was making me nervous. But luckily I got in my presentation groove right from the start, and I think I slipped up with only one "um" (gotta watch those). The Q & A period after the talk is always the hardest part, but the person I figured would ask the hardest questions wasn't there! Apparently the presentation gods were smiling on me.

But apparently the sex and dating gods were not. I didn't see that researcher I've been crushing on. I don't think he was there. I rarely see him, we're in different depts. How can I have my way with him when I never see him??

I have to admit I haven't put a lot of effort into this quest. Here's the extent of our interactions: At one of his talks I asked a question that was really a big ole compliment "I really like the way you did such and such. How did you come up with that great idea?" (smoooth, I tell ya). Then just a couple of days later, I happened to see him in a hallway. I swear he did a double-take and recognized me from his talk. But he was talking to someone, and I didn't want to interrupt him to tell him how much I enjoyed his talk the other day. I always look for him when I'm in his building, but I don't know exactly where his office or lab is.

Hmmm, how can I step up these efforts? Our research areas are too different for me to realistically consult with him. But I can go to his talks, I can find out who he collaborates with in case I know them, I can find out where his office & lab are so I can be more targeted in my walk-by's. What else? And anyone know how to appease the dating & sex gods?