I dress like a hobo. I wear outdated muumuus and skirts with elastic waists. I wear old worn down JCrew flipflops that no longer have any traction on the bottoms. I find this all very funny because next February, I will be attending NYC’s Fashion Week with a free VIP pass.

Now, the questions you may be asking are, “why are you, of all people, attending fashion week” and “how the hell did you, of all people, get a free pass into the show?” The simple answer is, “connections.” My boyfriend’s very good friend knows one of the designers for Emanuel Ungaro (never even heard of the line), and he sent her an e-mail letting her know I’d be interested in attending, and VOILA: 2 free passes bestowed upon me (well, I don’t have them yet).

I’m actually very excited. Sure, I’m no fashionista, but I’d be interested in seeing a live fashion show. Also, this may motivate me to lose some weight so I don’t look like a beluga whale next to the emaciated models and other fashionistas at the show.

This situation got me thinking about the whole “connections” bit. I’ve come to believe that a lot in life is all about who you know and what they can do for you. Let’s take my current job, for instance. The summer right after I graduated, I was working a customer service rep job at an insurance company. It was a 9-6 job, constantly on the phone with customers, helping them figure out which insurance policy is best for them. I think it trained me well in terms of dealing with the angries, the talk-too-muchies, the happies, and the various other personality types out there. It certainly wasn’t a job I wanted to stick with in the long run.

Luckily, my manager at that company took note of the fact that I was an aspiring writer/editor. She knew the insurance gig was my first job out of college and not my dream job. Thus, she referred me to the company where I now work because her husband works here. I sent in my resume/cover letter to the manager here and immediately got an in-person interview. I ended up starting the job a week later.

Now, the type of work I do (technical editing) is most likely something you could find in the ads list in a newspaper, but the point is, this particular position at my company was not posted. It was something I happened to find through my connections and am, to this day, still very grateful.

I guess what I’m trying to say is….I should continue to be more social and network as much as possible without looking like I’m only trying to befriend these people for the sole purpose of having that connection. It’s hard though. I’m no expert at making new friends.