Ceteris paribus...

Interviewing at the State House is a good way to artificially make yourself feel important for an hour or so. The whole building has that effect.

Had a screening interview today with a couple of guys who couldn't be much older than me, including the one who currently holds the job I'm after. I thought it went unusually well: no awkwardness, nervousness, or trouble keeping eye contact. The position is really too much to ask for, an opportunity beyond anything I'd expected. They said I should expect to come in for a followup with the Senator in a couple of days, and I left happy.