In the name of expanding my network and learning more about publishing, I asked two published writers, both women, if they would be willing to meet me for lunch, so I could put a fork in their brain and pull out kernels of information about publishing. (I know that sounds gross but so does "pick their brain.")

I offered to drive to wherever they might work, live, shop for skin products, and buy them lunch (assuming, perhaps wrongly, that need to eat everyday around the noon to 2:00 pm hour). I have had the same offer made to me on several occasions, and have always obliged. Shoot, for a free cup of coffee or lunch, I will show you how to make smokin' guacamole, and parallel park in a space that defies geometry. I will also tell you about my work experience, and share my contacts (though, to to be honest the parallel parking info is much more valuable).

One of these women flat-out said "No, thank you." And the other said she would be willing to work with me on creating a "marketing plan" for her regular fee of five million dollars an hour. Ok, so it wasn't quite five million, but does it matter? What's next? Are people going to start charging for telling you when the meter maid came by last?

Maybe such advice or help is only for 22-year-olds (and nobody told me), or maybe I'm really annoying (and nobody has bothered to tell me as well...except my shrink, who doesn't count). But barring those two things, I was really surprised and disappointed.

Are older women unable to understand the necessary benefits of networking and giving and sharing professional information?

A couple friends from college offered to connect me with people they knew, and I have found that younger women, in general, seem totally hip to the idea of sharing information, contacts, and business info. That's what has kept The Man in business for thousands of years.

If anything, it gave me a sense of how I want to be in the world...even if I never "arrive."

Just for today, I'm disappointed.