Going Up?

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I was in a meeting today (yes, a meeting, because apparently, I’m a grownup now) and when discussing best practices for hiring, the “elevator” factor came up.  “You know,” said Evanston Alli, “like, would you want to be stuck in an elevator with that person or not?”.

I’ve been thinking about it all day.  Who would I want to be stuck in an elevator with (even outside of work/hiring)?There are so many things you have to weigh–what would you do with this person?   Do they have enough good stories?  Do they have advice/wisdom to impart to me during this time?  How long are we talking here?  If you don’t know them, what are the chances that 5 hours later you would want to claw their eyes out?  If you do know them, would 5 hours in a confined space make you not want to know them?  Lots of push/pull with a decision like this.

Here’s what I’ve come up with:

1) Perez Hilton.  He has something to say about everything and everyone.  5 hours could go by so quickly.  First part–salacious gossip.  Second part–world issues.  As much as I love me some good gossip, I feel like there could be some amazing conversation about social injustice, world affairs and politics.  And he could probably give me some good fashion and man advice.

2) Holly Herlein.  We have been friends for 10 years and have yet to run out of things to talk about.  Between our European travels, dating disasters, nicknaming our dating disasters and our shared love of politics, literature, Europe and dating disasters, 5 hours would not be enough to get through recapping our shared history (things happen to us that just don’t happen to other people, I swear), let alone touch on new hopes, dreams, goals and shoes.

3) Rhoda Pitcher.  She sits on the board of directors for my company and is, hands down, one of the most amazing, inspiring and motivating people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  The way she gets real with people from the get-go is just incredible and I would love to pick her brain.  Oh and she’s a hugger.  I love huggers.

4) Robert Gardner.  My grandfather has been gone for nearly ten years now but living in Chicago, I think about him often.  He grew up on the South Side (his mother used to sell newspapers to Hugh Hefner!) and I would love to hear about what the Chi was like in his day.  I think he would get such a kick out of me living here, going to the same Wrigley Field that his father took him to on special occasions, swimming at the same beaches in the summer, walking the same Michigan Avenue.

5) Cristiano Ronaldo.  No explanation necessary–google him and you’ll get it.

In a quick survey, responses I got from friends were Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jude Law and Barack Obama.  Why 2 Chicago Blackhawks?   I was told it was because they were “relevant and sexy.”  Good enough reason for me.

Who would you want to be stuck in an elevator with?