Interview Update

First of all, yesterday was a long day. I woke up around 8:30, got ready, ate breakfast, and left at little before 10:00. By the time I got home and changed out of my interview outfit it was 8:30 again. I did expect that though; I don't think you can drive 7-8 hours in one day and NOT have it be long.

The interview itself went pretty well, but it was also really short! It only lasted about 15-20 minutes. At the end I was thinking, "That's it?" There were three people interviewing me, and they each asked me four or five questions then wrote down my answers. One person nodded a lot while I was talking, so that's a good sign. I asked several questions at the end, and they told me they'd call me within two weeks whether or not I get the job to let me know. If they do offer me the job things will start happening really fast because they would want me to start in April. All I can really do at this point though is wait and see what happens.

At this point I would be inclined to accept the job if I get an offer. I got to explore the town a little, especially when I made a wrong turn. It seems nice enough. Nothing jumped out at me as being really good or really bad. It's close to Atlanta, which could be good or bad depending on your point of view, but right now I'm seeing it in a more positive than negative light.

Cats and Coffee

I just found this article, and I think the idea is really cool. Here's an excerpt:

"A while back, I had some modest suggestions for ways that Starbucks could improve its service and ambience. One of them was to acquire some large, placid cats that would sit on the laps of customers who chose the cat option, purring and settling down for a good nap.

Nothing relieves stress like a warm, sleepy cat. And Starbucks customers all need stress reduction, since they are pouring into their bodies uploads of pure stress in liquid form. Cats would provide a sort of break-even option.

Well, turns out, they're doing it in Japan. Not Starbucks, of course; Japanese people. Of course they're doing it in Japan. If it has to do with eccentric ideas for urban living, the Japanese are always 10 years ahead of us. Just deal with it: They're the best.

According to a Reuters news story, pointed out to me by reader Dennis Courtney, there are at least three cat teahouses in greater Tokyo. One of them, the Cat Cafe Calicos, has 14 calico cats (no Siamese need apply) ready to serve customers who want to cuddle up with a cup of tea and a feline friend.

Here's how it works: For about $7 an hour, or $20 for the popular three-hour package, patrons can enter a large room where 14 calicos slumber and wander. Whether any particular cat cottons to a customer is up to the cat, naturally, but connections are certainly made. The litter boxes are out of sight, and six air fresheners keep the air odor free."

The entire article can be found here: A Venti and a Calico