conversations in the elevator

although i have been working for mtv for just over a year, it was not until today that i had my first face to face encounter with judy mcgrath. it was in the elevator bank (where else).

it is not uncommon in 1515 broadway for one of the many elevator doors to open and close, revealing a glimpse of michelle branch, gideon yago, nick cannon, damien fahey, and so on. upon each recognition of these celebrities--and quasi-celebrities--just like passing someone on the street i had a class with, i can't help but avoid that split second feeling of "ding! i know you...but why? oh, yeah..." it's actually kind of annoying when it happens, especially at work. most of these people are far more accurately perceived as colleagues than they would ever be as idols in my mind, but judy is a different case.

how can one not aspire, even slightly, to be at the helm of one of the most powerful media organizations in the world? (indisputably in the world of cable broadcasting). even more so, to be largely credited with shepherding the growth and expansion of the company is an amazing achievement in itself, but this is mtv, and that means we're talking about the cultivation of entire generations of pop culture, many times over.

people like this are those that i idolize, and those who i aspire to be.

we didn't exchange more than friendly smiles upon our first meeting today. small talk is so impersonal.