Lori Johnson every day’s a special event By Ron Ehmke When I first learned that Spree’s own director of marketing and special events, the one and only Lori Johnson, was going to be one of our Eligibles, I leapt at the opportunity to interview her, because pretty much every conversation I’ve ever had with this grounded, self-confident bundle of energy has left me feeling about fifty times better than I did before we spoke. It’s unfortunate that we conducted this particular chat via e-mail, because to fully capture the essence of the woman I call “LJ” we’d need to include a DVD with this issue—and she’d probably end up being the person stuck with making that happen. This thirty-year-old Buffalo native/repat makes her living making things happen. As one of Spree Publishing’s marketing team, she can be spotted at just about every Spree-sponsored event around town. She’s also a member of the Buffalo Niagara Events Professionals and a frequent volunteer for such organizations as AIDS Community Services, the March of Dimes, and Shea’s. Next up is Spree’s February 8 Bachelor Auction with the American Heart Association. But now it’s time for a glimpse into LJ’s life beyond her cubicle. You’re one of the happiest, most fun-loving people I know. OK, so what makes you angry? It does take a lot to get under my skin. I try not to take life too seriously, but I would have to say dishonesty. Oh yeah, and littering—one of my biggest pet peeves. What’s your favorite way to spend a Friday night—other than schmoozing at one of the Happy Hours we co-sponsor at the Burchfield-Penney, that is? Friday nights I like to do something mindless and fun to unwind from the week: going to a Sabres game or just out for dinner and drinks. Do you believe in love at first sight? To some degree. I think you can feel connected and drawn to someone, but to completely fall in love [instantly]? I’m not so sure. What are the main qualities you look for in a man? Sense of humor, an outgoing personality, and intelligence. The blind date: exciting opportunity to meet Mr. Right, or a disaster waiting to happen? I like to think of myself as an optimist, but in this case, a disaster waiting to happen—and hopefully a good story to tell my friends. What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you on a date? We each ended up leaving with other people. OK, the phone call question: what’s your rule of thumb for how long someone should wait before calling the other person after a first date? Does it matter who calls first? I don’t really have a Swingers-type rule when it comes to calling, but I think if you are interested, why wait, just call. Personally, I am a little more Old School when it comes to these things, so I prefer the guy to call first. What’s the best thing about being single at this point in your life? The excitement of the potential to meet someone. Also, being able to be spontaneous. I can do things spur of the moment without having to check in with anyone. You spent five years in Raleigh, North Carolina, which means you’ve lived among southerners. Did you notice any differences in the way men and women below the Mason-Dixon line related to each other, compared to up north? Southern guys seem to be very chivalrous and relationships are more “by the book,” so to speak. For example, you don’t see many southern couples living together before they are married. In the north, people don’t tend to follow a certain mold as much—it’s more taking things at your own pace and finding what is most comfortable for you and the relationship you are in. Ron Ehmke is this magazine’s associate editor. Fearing that the flirtatious tone of this article may violate Spree’s Employee Standards of Conduct, he stresses that he has been happily partnered to another man for eleven years and counting. Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top