The Christmas season means a few things. In the business world, it means parties. “Parties?” you say. “Parties are fun! Especially parties thrown to impress clients and competitors. Especially when you get to go for free because your company has paid for you.”

I’m going to a cocktail party at the Docklands tonight. It’s being run by the Property Council of Australia for young professionals. A few of us at the environment group are going, while others are going to a Christmas party hosted by one of the environmental lab companies.

There is a reason why my boss paid for my ticket. It’s unstated but the hope is that I will charm my way into the inner circle of property lawyers, architects, developers and construction managers, throw my business card around, and one day, when these people need an environmental assessment of a property done, they’ll think of Joan.

*ka-ching!*

Good thing I’m extroverted.

I hope the function is populated by interesting and intelligent people. A good cocktail would go down all right, too.