Chisoxfn

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 11, 2010 -> 01:11 PM) to each his own. I was very good friends with my wife before we became romantically involved. And me with my fiance. I'm glad too because at the time we were friends, I wasn't really interested in being in a serious relationship.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 11, 2010 -> 06:09 AM) The Bulls could get Anthony Johnson from the Magic for a future 2nd round pick if they needed another PG. The only deal I could see Hinrich moving in is one for Ray Allen. I think the Bulls are pretty much stuck with Salmons also, but I know they've offered him in exchange for J.J Redick also (since Redick's deal expires at the end of the season, while Salmons is a lock to exercise his player option in the off-season). Reddick would be a good fit on the Bulls and could turn into a nice bench piece (they could use a shooter and JJ's actually been better than expected). I'm pretty excited about the possibilities the Bulls have. Who knows if they pull it off, but my goal is they sign two guys (at least one of them being Bosh/Wade/Lebron) and hire Karl as there coach.

QUOTE (The Beast @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 02:40 PM) The approach seems to work, I just haven't developed my personality yet. What I mean by that is I haven't really fleshed out yet who I want to be. I used to be a deep introvert who was opposed to social events and was satisfied with limited contacts, nights of video games and doing nothing but World of Warcraft and other bulls*** of the like. Now I am going out, trying to polish up on some social skills I missed out on my first year of college and am generally just wanting to have a good time and meet new people. That sounds like a good approach to take. I just need to remember to stay clear of the friend zone and get to know something concrete about her. Two questions -- I'm going to be 22 and I think the appropriate age range is 20-24. I don't go for 17-19 year olds. Is my age range a good target? What's more important on getting, the email or the phone number? Funny you mention that - the guys I have hung with generally don't have girlfriends and the one who has a girlfriend is friends with a bunch of b****es. Not to mention they are all the artsy type who latch onto their little clique of friends. The concept of being cocky and funny is foreign to me. I'm the guy who gets too caught up in the friend zone. As far as Valentine's Day goes, if I was back home I would definitely treat my current female of interest out and indulge in a long evening of sex. Seriously Ross, throw all these ridiculous theories out the window and go out and have fun. You are doing way too much thinking and not even doing (ie, experiencing things). Don't worry about who you are going to be and all that, too much shrink talk or something, go out and have f***ing fun and everything else will work its way out (but be responsible obviously).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 12:17 PM) So what is everyone doing for their ladies for Valentine's Day? I have to work Sunday night (I know, darn), so I am sending a bouquet of different colored roses (why the hell do flowers cost $125??) and also giving her a pair of sunglasses she has wanted. I am sure I will be forced to pay for an expensive dinner at some point too, but at least not this weekend. What about you guys? Any of the single guys planning on making a move on a lovely lady you know? I used proflowers and got my lady the 19.99 bloom special thingy. Nothing fancy, but flowers are flowers in my book. She'll actually get them early cause I don't want to pay the service fee to have them delivered on Sunday. Otherwise we are just going to spend the day together (going to a travel convention to get further info for our honeymoon) and I bought some candles and will do a candle lit dinner and a movie at home.

QUOTE (chwhtsox @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 08:07 AM) The thing you have to keep in mind is that you can't make it seem like you're going out of your way to be an ***hole. In your hypothetical situation it should go like this... Girl A is at the bar. you walk up. "bartender, can I get another one of what she's having" The bartender hands you the drink and you slide it over to her friend (girl B ) and walk away. I haven't had much success with that approach so I'll give you one that I have had success with. Girl A is at the bar. you walk up. "bartender, can I get another one of what she's having and a miller lite", give her the drink. find out her name and hang out with her a bit. I've had the most success "people watching", making fun of people in the bar. Nobody criticizes people like women do, they love it. The point is to get her laughing. She will see that you can be an ***hole but she'll keep talking to you because it's not directed at her. The first night isn't so much about being an ***hole as it is showing her your sense of humor. You want to show her a good time the first night. After that you wait 2 or 3 days before talking to her again, the ***hole in you should be natural. You're in no hurry to make plans and the general attitude is "whatever". An important note is that you don't want to be an ***hole everyday. You have to show her flashes of that guy she had fun with at the bar. It's a fine line that will take a lot of practice to master. To clarify, that isn't really being an Ahole. And I do think that approach would come off strong in a bar/club. You appear confident and funny, two things a girl loves.

QUOTE (SHIPPS @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 07:12 AM) yeah I am afraid it might be asking for some tension that doesnt have to be there. But like you guys said it will be a good test to whether we should be getting married or not. Who offered up the idea or did it come up mutually?

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 06:56 AM) haha, bunking is not the same as living with each other It isn't, but it is also a good sign that things should go smoothly once you move in together. There will be growing pains at times since you no longer have your own place to go to just be by yourself but at the same time if you are spending as much time with each other as I hear you are, it shouldn't be a huge change. Congrats Shipps!!!

QUOTE (SHIPPS @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 06:15 AM) I think I am moving in with my girlfriend...this can totally blow up in my face but I guess we have to just take chances in life sometimes. To Mario's or her place?

QUOTE (chwhtsox @ Feb 9, 2010 -> 07:06 PM) The worse you treat a woman the more she'll want you. Nice guys finish last, always. This doesn't mean you have the green light to smack the s*** out of her. It's a very fine line that should only be walked by an experienced ***hole. This is helpful for the next time. You won't be able to pull it off now because she knows you too well. Being an ***hole won't come off as natural at this point, it will seem forced and backfire on you. For now, be the rebound guy. Be the shoulder she can cry on and once the moment is right, take full advantage of the situation. At this point you're just trying to get whatever you can. You are full of crap. Spitting out theortical lines from TV shows. It don't work that way in the real world. No, you don't have to be ridiculously nice (or fake nice) but if you are a total dick you are probably getting with some pretty ridiculous chicks anyway. Ones that I'd have little interest in being with.

Sweet...passed my physical and drug test for my new job and officially start on Feb 22nd!!!! Beckman Coulter...here I come

Plus in just a matter of a seconds you are gonna be panicking a bit. I figured you'd put it in neutral but who knows, but the time you do that you might have already plowed into something. The problem is, if you go in neutral, your engine will explode pretty quickly and at that point you will lose power steering which would make things a bit more difficult I'd assume. Still, your best bet if it happens, throw your car in neutral and get the f over and parked.

Whose tent?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 7, 2010 -> 09:02 AM) Keep in mind we are talking about at least Stausburg money. If he's drafted at 13 he wouldn't be getting Strausburg money most likely. STill, it would be a very risky pick and you'd have to be willing to pony up the dough. If he did fall all the way to 13, it would be because he isn't actually the consensus #1 pick.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Feb 6, 2010 -> 06:19 PM) Andy does great work. I'm looking forward to the draft notebook. In regards to the draft, I would be shocked if they don't use their first round pick on a pitcher. The organization has stated that pitching will be their focus in the upcoming draft, and rightfully so. There isn't any advanced (impact) pitching talent beyond Hudson. Luckily the strength of this years class seems to be in the arms. Quite a few intriguing prep arms at the top of the class and plenty of college arms with decent upside as well. It's still way too early for mocks, but I'm betting on a higher upside college arm taken with the the 13th pick. Names that could be available at that point are Jesse Hahn, Deck McGuire, Drew Pomeranz, Alex Wimmers, Brandon Workman, Chris Sale, Kyle Blair, and Chad Bettis. Taking a prep arm would be unexpected, but I'm a huge fan of DeAndre Smelter and his nasty splitter, as well as a Dylan Covey with that hammer curve. Clearly all of this is subject to change and the board will likely look completely different by June, but draft talk is fun, especially with college ball starting in a few weeks. IF an advanced college bat is available who could be a middle of the order guy, I don't see the Sox passing on him. Otherwise I see them going the route of a pitcher. At 13, the organization should have at least a few really talented guys available.

Well, took my physical and drug test for what will hopefully be my new job. I am not too concerned, but until it is done, you never know. And no, I don't do drugs, but who the heck knows what could happen (they could switch samples or whatever). Pretty stoked though...my last day at my current gig is the 19th of this month.

This really is ridiculous. However, I understand the thought process but everyone else has new stadiums so it really makes zero sense. If all the teams or a good chunk of the teams were in need of a new stadium I could see them thinking this could worse and they could use these funds over the years to bank and ensure that the cactus league sticks around. But in its current state it is absolutely freaking ridiculous. Plus, didn't the Sox have to actually spend money to get out of there lease?

QUOTE (lostfan @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 03:54 PM) I'm talking about Bears fans being stupid. I gave up on them about 2 years ago. I'm kind of embarrassed that I have to be associated with a lot of them actually. One of the all around most dumb fan-bases ever to be honest.

QUOTE (The Gooch @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 03:36 PM) But they are not included in the estimates for earnings of college graduates I don't care, never did I say they were. I don't think going to a trade should be included as someone who just finished high school and did nothing else. There is a big difference than graduating from high school and than working at Walmart as a cashier than there is graduating high school working with someone in the field during high school and continuing that on during the next few years and becoming a very skilled tradesmen. In America we should be pushing people two ways...into an established trade program or into college.

QUOTE (chwhtsox @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 03:02 PM) dude, you have no idea. I'm just thankful that it happened while I was young enough to turn my life around. If I didn't get popped who knows what my life would be like today... Glad to see the event, despite how s***ty it was at the time, turned into a blessing in disguise, and ultimately helped you become a better man!!!!

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 02:53 PM) That misses the point of the idea that getting a college degree means you'll earn more. No, because a trade is a degree. It isn't anything less than that. I got a degree in accounting/finance so I could go into that. In the trade world, you usually are an apprentice for a few years, hone your craft, and get good and at that point hopefully become a contractor or master craftsmen, etc. That time you are learning is when you are essentially earning your degree in your skill so that you can be on your own one day. Just like I went to school to learn accounting so I could be on my own one day. A degree from here or learning a trade is no different. Remember, trades involve getting certifications too.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 01:54 PM) Again, you are completely taking the point out of context. It doesn't have to be some untrained nose-picking "high schooler." How about someone who's worked their way up from the mail room or from some very insignificant position? I don't know how you could be missing this, but many companies have employees that did not finish college who have started out at some lower rung and through experience and a good work ethic, have taken a traditional entry level position usually offered to a college grad. And they do this because that employee is already accustomed to working for the company, has adapted to the company's mission and vision, has experience, is willing to take a lower salary, will likely not leave at the first chance of a position with another company, etc. If you aren't aware of the ever-growing presence of employees like this in many workplaces across many industries, than you aren't looking very closely. I think it is very rare for someone to work up from the mail-room to a high paying position or even an average paying position. If they do, they tend to be someone who is working in an industry where you literally have to work your way up (Hollywood or something). Or, they are working in the mail-room to help pay the bills while they go to school and finish there degree and thus have a foot in the door to move up once they finish there schooling. And I might be a bit behind, but its what I do. I catch back up through a thread and post and I see a few stuff that I don't agree with and will point it out. I obviously am biased based upon my beliefs and experiences as someone else would be biased based upon theirs.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 01:45 PM) No one is claiming that people who have college degrees are somehow doomed for failure. The debate is about whether or not it is still such an advantage to get a degree considering all of the factors mentioned throughout this thread. Also keep in mind that you happen to be employed in a very specialized field. Just as I could never become a practicing attorney without my law degree, that does not diminish the point we are making about the entire job market and educational system. I don't think you can just make a generic comment. I think ultimately you need to look at the pro's/cons to what you do and measure the difference. And that depends on the degree you are getting and the job you are going into. For example, you could go work at UPS and I'd say well done cause that is a really good place for someone to work without a college degree and no interest in entering the trade. The benefits are great, you make decent money as a driver, and ultimately have some room to grow. If I compared that to the long-term earning power of someone with some cup-cake degree (well not cup-cake in the sense that it is easy, but cup-cake in the sense that there aren't many careers you can go to which utilize that skill-set and pay) and I'd say you'd be way better off going one way.

QUOTE (The Beast @ Feb 4, 2010 -> 06:20 PM) That's kind of the reason why I want to shadow certain people to see what they do for a living. Business as a major is generic so it will allow me to check out a variety of industries. The goal is to get a degree and shadow certain jobs over my breaks. You don't have to have a PR degree to work in PR, though you do need a teacher's cert and a master's degree for guidance counseling. Again, we will see what happens. Right now I just want to get my degree and see what comes my way. For all I know I'll end up being involved in a service organization. I'm still trying to figure out what really is my "life's work," though. Very rarely is something going to hit you over the head and be your calling. You find what you kind of enjoy and what ultimately gives you the benefits to do what you want. So don't get too caught up finding this thing that you absolutely love. If you like it, perfect. I like what I do, but more importantly, It allows me to do other things I really enjoy and I love business and how my career allows me to be able to travel a bit as well as provides me with the salary to do other things I enjoy doing (travel to see sports games, etc).

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 4, 2010 -> 06:07 PM) In just about any field, if you want to get ahead, you won't be a "9-5" guy. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to write for a living, but don't let the long hours you've seen there be the main obstacle. Dead on. If you just do the status quo, you'll never move up. You need to excel at what you do (if you aspire to move up). Some people don't want the stresses of higher level positions though.

QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 4, 2010 -> 06:05 PM) I agree with all that. And as I mentioned earlier, if the only thing you are looking for in a job is money, than perhaps working is a better way. But if you have a passion for History or English, there are careers that you can get that are more rewarding for that person than trades. I would argue that if you are going into the trades, an apprentice program would be valuable. But if you decide to become an auto mechanic because you can make $45,000 a year but you love English. You just might be happier in the long run working at a book publisher for $30,000 a year. Lets be honest, 30K a year ain't going to provide most people with the necessary life-style to raise a family. Money, whether people like to admit it or not, has to be a part of your thought process while you are in school. Sure, you like english or jazz, take classes in that, but also double in something else so that 10 years down the line when you want a family and would like to go on a vacation every now and than you can actually afford to do those things.