Got back this evening from my visit to the San Francisco Bay area for the second interview for this job that I am up for.  It wasn’t until this morning that I turned on the news and found out that the SF Giants had won the World Series last night!  And there I was, just across the bay.  That might have been a good thing, being across the bay.  When I got home, Donovan had made a Bœuf Bourguignon for dinner that was delicious.  We had some Prosecco, toasted to my success and enjoyed a nice dinner.  I also recounted all the details of my trip and the interview.

I won’t write too much, because I am pretty beat.  It was a great visit.  I flew up yesterday and arrived at about 2pm.  I drove around town, got my hair cut and had a bite to eat.  Then checked into the hotel and headed back out to see the town close up.  I told David that it reminded me a little of River City from The Music Man.  It just seemed to have that vibe.  Of course, the difference is the restaurants wouldn’t be found in Iowa!  Two Afghan, two Thai, two Indian, Pizza, an Italian and barbecue, among many others.  Seems to be a pretty vibrant and interesting town.

In the evening, I met with the woman who was hired to conduct the search to chat.  Nice dinner at at Thai place near the hotel.  Not one of the two downtown.  She also gave me a big stack of stuff to look through and prepare for the interview in the morning.  I read, and prepared what I wanted to say and put together questions that I had about their center and the organization.  In the morning, I did a little exercise and then we were off to the Performing Arts Center.  First a tour, and it is a beautiful facility.  Very similar to the Lang Theatre at the Atlas, but about twice the size.  Great acoustics and the way the hall is set up, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.  It was a great tour with Denise from the board and Julio who is on the staff.  I then had 30 minutes to wander around town again, and I walked over to see the Arts Center, which is part of the operation.  It wasn’t open, but I was able to look in and see the studio spaces there.

Then back to the center for a sit down with folks from the Board, and the woman who is running the search.  I had a great time, and felt very engaged and, in a way, like I was home.  I got a great feeling for the place and think it could be a very good fit.  Needless to say, it is kind of like auditioning, and you often think you did really well and they liked you, but you really don’t know what the machinations going on behind the scenes are.  What are they really looking for?  Did I talk too much?  Too little?  Did I say something really stupid?  Was I too funny?  Too serious?  Too blond?  Not blond enough?  I can’t believe you have read this far.

Afterwards, I went to lunch with two board members, and it became clear to me that in many ways, they are the force behind the project.  Very passionate and dedicated, and their enthusiasm was infectious.  I drove out of town in a very positive mood and, dare I say, almost high.  Our terrific Real Estate agent in DC used to tell us when we were looking for a house, and making bids and losing them that when the right one comes along, it will all just fall into place.  I am telling myself this about this job process.  It all feels good, and if it is meant to be, it will just happen.  I think David will like the town too, which makes is all sweeter.

Did I say I was pretty beat earlier?  Good-night.