So, Patrick reached out on LinkedIn today:

“I do this, this, and that. I can do it for you if you need, or if you know somebody that does, I would appreciate you sending them my way.”

I have never met you, Patrick, but I’m soft. I would never ask you to slay a dragon just to get my help, but what the fuck, at least a “happy birthday” (it’s my birthday today). It would have been enough to melt my heart. Instead, you went straight for the ask.

I’m sorry, Patrick, but you won’t hear back.

(I didn’t really tell him. I would have hated myself after.)