Before we start this, for the record, we like Malcolm Gladwell. His books and articles are always interesting. When he met him at the Moth Gala last year, he recommended a book to us and pointing out a bug scampering on the floor, which for the sake of symbolism, might as well have been a moth.

At the event, Gladwell told a story about his mischievous days at the Washington Post, which was used on a recent episode of This American Life. While he was at the Post, as Gladwell puts it, he had a “Jayson Blair moment,” when he realized mistakes he put in the paper could have a major impact on the world. He went on to goad the National AIDS Conference to hold their annual meeting in Sydney, Australia because he hadn’t been there before.

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Wherever there are anniversaries to be celebrated, stories to be told and drinks to be had, we are there.

So when we got invited to the Moth’s tenth anniversary gala, we started rummaging around for a pair of tights. Actually, we had no tights, but it was strongly suggested that we not wear jeans. In a business suit, we were the only female guest in pants. The women took this “gala” stuff seriously. So there we were, inappropriately dressed and uncomfortable. Sigh.

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