adampreston.com » Out and about

The Pause

Adam — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:11:39 +0000

I am not a very good negotiator. Although, you don’t have to take my word for it, just ask the lady who runs the laundry service about a block from my apartment. Where I come from in America you don’t need to be negotiator. Everything is a set price. Its not like you can walk into a McDonalds and try to get a nickel or two knocked off your McLatte. I digress.
As I was saying, I am not a good negotiator, but I do know one thing, a properly timed pause in the negotiation is absolutely crucial. Take for example when I took a couple of dress shirts in to be dry cleaned today. The woman behind the counter first told me that it would be 150 pesos (or about 3 bucks) each . I knew this wasn’t a great deal, but at this point in the day I was okay with it. But…instead of agreeing right away (like an idiot) (like I normally do), I decided to use “The Pause”, one of my very few negotiating tactics. Without saying anything I slowly looked down at the counter, then up at the ceiling and then back at her, giving her the impression that I was really thinking about something.

“Ok, 100 pesos each” she said.

I am pretty sure I still got screwed over, but thanks to the Pause this amateur negotiator got screwed over just a little bit less.

Vin Diesel and Me

Adam — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:08:51 +0000

Today was a good day. In addition to getting a free upgrade on my flight from Tokyo to New York, I also managed get a seat right across the isle from Vin Diesel. Here is how our conversation went:

(while waiting for other passengers to take their seats)

Vin Diesel: Hey man, does your phone work here?
Me: Uhhhh, no.

(Later when deplaning as Vin Diesel was opening an overhead bin)

Vin Diesel: Hey man, watch your head.
Me: Thanks.

A Budget Break Down

Adam — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Steve Seel, the Current Radio personality, moderated this event.

Tonight I stumbled into the Varsity Theater for the Citizen’s League Policy and a Pint. In addition to there being snacks from the Loring Pasta bar next door there was on hand Tom Weber and Glen Dorfman, two local experts on the state budgetary issues. There was some good discussion, from the audience and the panel. Steve Seel, the moderator from the local radio station hosting the event, kept everything moving along nicely (characterized below). Tom offered some good insights to us common folk on where the stimulus money goes as well as how its possible to keep track of billions of dollars flowing into the state. Glen, on the other hand, was also insightful, when he wasn’t straying off on a tangent, that is.

Good times in Dinkytown.

Fight Night

admin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:18:18 +0000

Through out my life I have usually had at least a couple of friends who have really enjoyed wrestling. And I am not talking about greco roman style either, but rather the overgrown, temperamental, baby oiled men who every week announce to the world that they are to be the next champ. Only until next week that is. Hiccup.

When I found out that Monday Night Raw was going to be held just across the street from where I was staying on a business trip, I couldn’t resist. Along with a couple of coworkers and even an unsuspecting boss man, we attended. As we walked across the street, the first thing I saw was a black van. I soon learned that this van was the center of a contest for tickets. To the person who could touch the van the longest would be awarded a free admission to this event. The winner was there for over 12 hours! We walked in the Qwest center and immediately got in the back of a very long line for Pabst Blue Ribbon. I learned a few things that night, none more important than a live professional wrestling event is far more entertaining with a PBR in hand.