We're Sorry

On behalf of The LOCA, I apologize for the infrequency of posts recently. As you all know I am now 1 year removed from the dream and living in the real world. I have to work, get over it. Making money is more important than entertaining you, sorry to say it but it's true. I'm not that scrub El Pres who has nothing better to do than sit around, think of witty things to say, and hire 18 year old college interns like a dirty old man. I have a real job and make more money than him anyways, and I'm only 23.

That being said, it brings me great pleasure and sadness to announce that our very own Hamilton "the babe" Porter got himself a job. The man is in the real world. This was his first week of work, so I'm going to excuse his absence. Lord knows I was tired after having to wake up early every day and actually have to do something with my life. I know he'll be checking back in as much as possible, so keep checking back for more. Or don't. Either way

A Glimpse at the Real World: No More Finals

This May is the first in the past 5 years, that I haven't pulled an all nighter, and I've got to tell you, I think I miss them. No not the finals part, but the fact that I felt that by pulling an all-nighter I could feel better about that fact that I didn't go to a single class all semester. My all-nighters usually consisted of a few "scooby-snacks" a tall boy or two of blue Monster, and at least 3 or 4 Xbox breaks. I think I actually looked forward to the all-nighters, especially when your friends are around the same table doing the same exact thing as you, trying not to go off on a 2 hour break downloading music just because you thought of one song you liked.

A Glimpse at the Real World: Corporate Charge Cards

So as I write this, I am 35000 feet in the air on the before mentioned business trip to Vegas. How I got to this place in time is very simple...no not by getting the job, I owe the thanks to this flight and in-flight WiFi to my trusty friend corporate charge card. When you do get to the real world, if you do happen to get your hands on a corporate charge card, first let the novelty wear off. Yes you have a credit card in your pocket that you can use in place of your own money for anything work related. After the shock wears off, think a little bit about the power that now sits in your pocket, wallet, money clip etc. You have been trusted with a no limit piece of plastic with which is necessary to conduct business away from your home or office or in my case home office. Now that I've scared you a little bit, I've got to admit, it is pretty sweet to have one. Anything that you can claim as work related is kosher to use the card for. Dinner during travel days, expense it. Flight and rental car to get to the hotel, expense it. Internet at the airport and on the plane so you can get some work done, expense it. Corporate charge cards are god's gift to the working man. But be careful and make sure you do the simplest part of having one, stay up to date with your expense reports. While there is no limit, there is still a bill. The payment is taken care of, all you have to do is put the report in so that they know they have to pay it. Now if you excuse me, it's time to use the card for a nice jack and ginger and dinner. See you in Vegas

A Glimpse at the Real World: Building the Perfect Resume

I think this pretty much sums it all up.

A Glimpse at the Real World: Business Trips

Now don't get me wrong, I love working from home. Minimal commute time from my bed to my desk has resulted in an extra hour of sleep between this job and my old job, and trust me when you do get to the real world and have to work all day, that extra hour is golden. That extra hour means you can stay up an extra hour playing Call of Duty or go to a sporting event and not continuously check the time. In college that doesn't matter, hey stay out late one night, skip that 9am class; but you miss the first couple hours of work enough and you won't have to worry about waking up early for it anymore. But I digress. Although I do enjoy the freedom of working at home, I sometimes long for a little bit of engagement with people other than the conference calls and the once a week hour long in office meetings: in comes Business trips.

A Glimpse at the Real World: Post St Patrick's Day

Being that I am the only member of the team that is in the real world, I feel like I'm the best one to give you a little taste from time to time of what to expect. Let me start by saying this: going out during the week starts to dwindle from the levels in College. I remember when going out Tuesday - Thursday was just as important as Friday and Saturday. I mean College night was on Tuesday, trivia on Wednesday, and I mean everyone who's anyone went out Thursday. I think I looked more forward to Thursday than any other day. Then G-Day came, and the dream was over (at least for me). Sure we tried to hang on to the occasional Thursday Night Throwdown, but let me tell you this, nothing is a bigger wet blanket than having to be up at 6am for work. Not class, not lift, not even brunch with your Grandma could keep you from going out in college. But the thought of having to wake up, put on nice clothes, and stumble into work the next morning only to sit at your desk all day, and I mean all day, and just stare at your computer hoping you don't throw up, pass out, or both could make even Paris Hilton take the night off.



Now don't get me wrong, there are some people who try to hold on to the dream as long as possible. But just know that burning the candle at both ends is very apparent after a few days of 2am bedtimes + 6am wake ups. I could look around my old office and spot the people who had been out the night before by a few things: 1. Generally don't talk much for at least 2 hours (most likely to avoid conversation leading to someone realizing they are still drunk/hungover) 2. Clothes are wrinkled (Hit the snooze button a few extra times that morning and in turn not even caring to iron their clothes) 3. Smell (Trust me, hot day/hot office + 4 Hours of sleep x Still drunk = Booze Skin)



BUT

Every few months there comes that one heroic night, the night that it is acceptable to channel the glory days. We just saw such a full moon: St Patrick's day. Now in college there was Dartying and grilling. In the real world, you take the day off/get out early and get to a bar as soon as possible. I myself have the fortune of working from home, so I was able to get to a watering hole relatively early, but even I wasn't expecting the level of involvement that these people already had underway. I'm talking guys in suits with pitchers of green beer and girls in dress pants and blouses doing Irish Car Bombs. Bosses and Employees taking shots together, while Human Resources and the office Sex Harasser sing karaoke versions of "Shipping up to Boston" hand in hand. Everyone will feel awful the next day,the office will be silent until lunch, coffee will be flowing, but for that one night every few months, it is well worth showing up to work in the same clothes as the day before....just keep a spare tie at your desk.