Alaap Shah Featured in AHLA Connections Magazine: Member Spotlight

What book is on your nightstand?

Zen Guitar by Philip Toshio Sudo. I first picked up guitar as a rebellious teenager, but many … many years later was gifted this book by the author’s brother-in-law, and found it to be eye-opening for musicians and non-musicians alike. If you ever needed help getting perspective and realigning how to approach challenging aspects of life and your journey—pick this book up.

What is your favorite form of exercise?

I love bike riding to get my heart pumping and legs burning, but mostly it makes me feel like a kid! DC is also such a beautiful city to take in while biking because you can get a mix of cityscape, monuments, Greco-Roman architecture, waterways, and nature all in one ride.

What is your favorite meal to cook for friends?

I love cooking all types of cuisine, but if I had to pick one meal I would say eggplant parmesan. It is one of those dishes that takes time and care to do right, but if done right you can taste the love and it just warms the soul. Plus, there is a bunch of time for it to bake so I can share a few glasses of wine and conversation with friends to build up an appetite!!

What was your most interesting job?

My most interesting job, other than being a privacy and cybersecurity attorney in today’s climate, would be when I was a summer intern at Nabisco. I worked on new product development, so several days a week I was working at a pilot plant where I helped produce sample sets of things like fruit bars, cookies, and a variety of other snacks. I basically went to work to eat freshly baked treats and taste test cool chip flavors like jalapeño-lime or buffalo-blue cheese.

What was the best concert you ever went to?

I saw Radiohead at Radio City Music Hall from the front row. It was their “OK Computer” tour, and they just ruled the music industry at the time. I remember Thom Yorke came over to where I was sitting and stared straight at me as he sang “Fake Plastic Trees” … I just stared right back … mind blown. It was epic!

What movie have you watched multiple times?

I am fascinated with apocalypse-themed movies, so I have seen The Day After Tomorrow multiple times. The special effects are pretty awesome … LA is destroyed by tornadoes, NYC is hit by a tsunami, and the entire Northern Hemisphere freezes over. The story line is pretty frightening in light of the climate change we are all facing.