Y2HH

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ May 29, 2012 -> 02:34 PM) That looks eerily similar to my career path. I also worked at Osco while going to school. My difference is that I got my first job making ~ $15/hour before I graduated when I was only 20. I'll admit that I got extremely lucky. Mostly a right place/right time thing. Two of the people I was going to school with were already working there so I'm sure that helped but I didn't even know they were there until after I was hired. To be absolutely fair, in my "Exodus" days, I didn't care what I made in salary because when they bought the company AIS, they gave us 3000 shares of Exodus Communications options with a strike price of something like 43$, I forget the exact number. Keep in mind this was nothing but "dumb luck". I did nothing to deserve it, and I did nothing to "earn" it. I was more often than not a dumb-ass kid during this time, learned some humility, and it was, in the end, a humbling experience I wouldn't want to re-do in order to fix my mistakes. They were all mistakes I now realize I needed to make. The stock promptly split 3 times in a row, 2 for 1. My strike price ended up at about 8$ when all was said and done. So, imagine, at the time I had 24000 shares vesting at 2.5% per month, and the stock was trading at about 120$, minus the strike. So, I was usually selling 2.5% of it per month making about 40000 dollars per month AFTER tax, on top of that salary. ...that didn't last long before the .com collapse, but I can tell you I got some insane storys. I only wish that s*** was vesting faster...but since I was limited to 2.5% per month it was what it was... What's crazy is I was one of the few people that was actually selling it and taking the money. I did, however, get to live the life of a "star" for about 1 1/2 years...oh, and the tax man...keep in mind this was during the Clinton years...holy crap did I pay a megaton of taxes. Some of the things I learned, saw, and did...and some of the stories I can tell during that time are insane. One thing I learned, the older generation couldn't f***ing stand me, or people like me. They often called us the .com babies, but not in endearing terms. If only it vested faster or the collapse didn't happen... :/ Edit: Also, being a 21 year old dumbass with way too much money is why I spent most of it. I can see why a lot of these young stars/sports stars fall into the same trap...you never see an end coming. Do I wish I had done it differently looking back? No. Or I wouldn't be where I am now, and I'm completely happy where I am now...without it.

QUOTE (farmteam @ May 29, 2012 -> 01:49 PM) Granted I went the law school route instead of working fulltime, but when I was in Kelley at Indiana it was the same way. Completely different culture (for better or worse), but you could definitely tell that the liberal artsy students who were trying to get a full time job were struggling. In which I'm being insensitive: Then maybe they should get a useful degree.

The White Sox have one of the best run differentials in baseball. That's why. Edit: Which I now noticed the guy above me pointed out. Thank you, it's about time someone noticed that.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:53 AM) Really? Well, you'd have to get that from a lawyer to be sure...but I believe so. I don't see how you can convict someone of something without an accuser. Unless, of course, he admitted too it...which I doubt. There is probably a lot that goes into this. But when an accuser doesn't show up to court...I'm not sure what ammo there is to do anything.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ May 26, 2012 -> 09:38 PM) Which lake? My family has a summer cottage on Little Twin that I pretty much grew up at during my childhood summers. Lots of southsiders weekend and summer on that lake, and over the last 30 years or so members of my extended family have snatched up houses all around the Lake. Holiday weekends like this one are a huge family blowout and I really miss that. I believe RR is on Big Crooked. I go up to Little Crooked, have been for years.

QUOTE (Chi Town Sox @ May 29, 2012 -> 08:33 AM) Long story short I had a beer bottle chucked at my face for no reason, leaving a scar and almost near my eye which would have been devastating. I pressed charges and have a court date, I literally have not been to court for 10 years and that was for a speeding ticket. What is one to expect? Do I just show up and state my case, they sentence him to whatever and then it is over? Is it even worth it to show up to court? If you don't show up, he walks. The case will be dismissed.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 26, 2012 -> 11:59 AM) In theory this could be good, but I'm still a guy without a huge rack. They aren't looking for me. Actually this isn't true...at all. I know many bartenders, and women are the worst tippers by far. So they aren't looking for women that won't tip them anyway. They actually ARE looking for you...but only if you start them off the right way, as someone else pointed out. I never EVER have issues being in the "back of the line" at a bar and the bartender points past everyone in front of me and asks what I want first. Why? I don't have a huge rack. It's because when I first arrived, he got a nice tip and remembers me. So the drinks keep coming without me having to wait for them.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 26, 2012 -> 10:14 AM) Facebook has replaced my personal web page portal that I previously built and maintained. Much easier. I do miss the almost complete control I had from my old "start page", but FB works fine for that. Eh, I can't agree...I don't see how FB replicates a true "start page". This is my default "start page", AKA iGoogle...how does Facebook come anywhere close to replicating this?

QUOTE (iamshack @ May 23, 2012 -> 01:48 PM) You guys need to use your imaginations...I know you were sort of unfortunately led to believe you would just pop out of college and immediately be handed a great job, but that's not usually how it works. The best advice I can give you is to network with everyone you know, and then go out and meet more people to network with. Be willing to do anything, really, not just something in your area of study/interest. In the meantime, go to the library and read books. Read business books. Read best-sellers. Read self-improvement books. Exercise. Play sports that are cheap. Enjoy your free time while you have it. You never know what might lead you to your next job. I love it when people say things nobody wants to hear... To graduate from college and immediately get an amazing job only works in two ways: 1) you got EXTREMELY lucky, or 2) (and far more likely) you knew someone in a position of power that abused that power to get you a job you didn't yet deserve. The funny part is, in the case of both 1 & 2, those that this happened for will never admit they got lucky or knew the right people...because it's far more likely they actually believe they were that awesome and deserved it. This is my career track: 1996: Worked at Osco Drug (31st Halsted/Bridgeport) 3 to 4 days a week (weekday evening shifts 5-11pm or 6-11pm) $5.35 per hour. Worked at Dunkin' Donuts (31st Halsted/Bridgeport) Saturday and Sunday, early morning shift $5 per hour cash. Attended College, taking upwards of 20-24 credit hours per trimester Yes, all at the same time. 1997: Graduated. Got a job at AIS (American Information Systems, Inc.), an internet service provider working afternoon/evenings as technical support for Internet connectivity. This was in the days of Windows 3.11, OS/2, and Windows 95...and modems. $8.50 per hour. Note that out of college, I was making 8 dollars and 50 cents per hour. 1998: Got promoted from Tech Support to Jr. System Administrator. $31,200 per year. ~15$ per hour. Late 1998: AIS was purchased by Exodus Communications where I was promoted to Sr. System Administrator. Still making the same $31,200. 2000: Finally moved me to $55,000 per year. ---- In 2003 I was laid off. Between 2003 and 2006: Verisign Anexis Ambiron (later becoming AmbironTrustWave), later becoming TrustWave ---- 2006-2012: Sr. Network Specialist, Blue Cross/Blue Shield ---- I didn't step into this job right out of college...and looking back, I realize why. The day I graduated, I knew almost nothing REAL or useful about computers/the internet. I was book smart about them, though. College showed them I could stick with something and make it happen. Experience showed them I knew what the f*** I was actually doing.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 25, 2012 -> 04:00 PM) I usually tip 20% on tax regardless of service. The only thing that Ill do that is b****y is that if Im at a diner with a register I just leave the money on the table. I see no reason I should have to get up to pay, to then return to my table to put down a tip. That is just silly and inefficient. If Im paying for service, then complete the job you bastards! Not I. At the lowest I'll tip 10% -- meaning I got VERY bad service, so I leave a smaller than 15% tip to let them know it -- but I won't just leave nothing as I know they often share tips with others at the place of business, and it's not their fault the waiter/waitress sucks at their job. That said, I've also left upwards of 50% tips, on bills upwards of 300$, I've left upwards of $150 because the service was SO outstanding they deserved it for making my night memorable. I can be a total greedy b**** in this regard...OR one of the most generous they've ever run into. That's THEIR choice.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ May 25, 2012 -> 03:50 PM) If people don't want to tip, fine. Just double the prices so the staff is paid accordingly. Frist, that's not my business, that's their business, and/or the waiter/waitresses decision to take the job in the first place. Second, people don't mind tipping...I know I don't. I like giving a good tip, because it means I got good service. It's no different than a non-incentive based salary job such as mine, where if I work 2 hours or 100 hours in a week, I get paid the exact same. If they lowballed me at the start, I would have refused knowing what it could entail. That's business. That's life. They take that job KNOWING how the system works. If they don't like it, find something else to do. And if they do take the job, and many do, and know their tips are more often than not tied to their level of service, then make sure you perform. Yes, there will be times you get stiffed even if you give good service, but that would be the exception, not the rule.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 25, 2012 -> 02:18 PM) http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/05/10/tippin...?iref=obnetwork We already know my opinion on tipping from a previous post. A lot of waiters/waitresses/establishments treat tipping as an entitlement, and in my opinion, it's not. It's incentive based pay...which they know and understand when taking the job. Treat me like s***, I'll tip like s***. Treat me well, I'll tip well. Treat me outstandingly, and I'll tip above 25%. As for big party auto-tipping...I understand that as well, as does everyone, it usually says it in multiple places, including the menu. In knowing that, and accepting that, you should pay the "auto-gratz" tip...HOWEVER, if you're service is bad when it's happening, immediately do something about it...don't wait until the end to b**** and then try refusing to pay it.

Ok, read thsi thread... Tell your friend that Y2HH said this:

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 25, 2012 -> 11:17 AM) The trick is limiting your social network use to google+. Then no one will ever see the data.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 25, 2012 -> 11:12 AM) Never respond to a Y2HH post within the first five minutes. Odds are he's going to edit it. This is true. I have a lot going on. I often hurry my replies, move to something else while at work, then move back to refine my point. I also type like 100WPM, but think at about 1000WPM, so I have to go back and edit as I can't keep up with my thoughts. Edit: For the sake of editing.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 25, 2012 -> 11:09 AM) But 99.9% of the populace does. EDIT: Damn you added your edit just as I hit reply. You're always one step behind...probably because you're 7 foot 100 inches and as slow as Konerko.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 25, 2012 -> 10:47 AM) You want to know what facebook's main purpose is to other business right? They OWN global identities across the board. Have you ever approved a fb app or signed into a site using your FB OAuth credentials? FB owns a large portion of the worlds (US especially) personal information. The advertising is somewhat secondary moving forward IMO. No, I never do these things. I don't cross share app information, ever. As a matter of fact, every time I use Faceook, I log off when I'm done. I don't like them seeing what sites I browse next, etc. Most people, I realize, don't care...but most people are suckers...and that's why they're hacked/compromised and have no idea.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 25, 2012 -> 10:40 AM) No, it is their stock value. Well yes, based on their stock value...but based on reality, it's just not there.

...and to be sure, I'm not saying Facebook isn't a good company...it's profitable, it has a sustainable business...but it's overvalued by a large amount...as most modern tech IPO's are. Mostly because investors are trying to not "miss the next big thing"...which is what created the first .com bubble in the first place...it's just funny watching them make the same mistakes again. Facebook and LinkedIn are decent companies, they make money...and have a product people use. The issue isn't that...the issue is that to justify their current valuations, Facebook needs to make about 50 times more money than it is (and that's a lot, since it means they'd be making more than Apple...which isn't happening), and LinkedIn...well...they need to make about 500 times more.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 25, 2012 -> 10:18 AM) The NY Times values each of their customers over $20. The NY Times can value each of their customers at whatever they want...it's mathematical, not a "guess". The NY Times is flat out wrong on this. The fact is, when you do the math based on their actual numbers, "Facebook earns a mere $4.84 in revenue per user per year, and just more than $1 a year in profit per user." Now, while I'm sure that number will grow, it will not grow THAT much. It will take years for them to get that number up to 20$. "While Facebook’s past growth has come from new sign-ups, the bulk of its future growth will have to come from wringing value out of its existing users. But the financial data in Facebook’s latest IPO amendment reveals that Facebook’s revenue per user has been relatively flat. In fact, despite its still-growing user base, total revenue dipped in the first three months of this year, and the company’s quarterly profit was the lowest it’s been since 2010."

QUOTE (iamshack @ May 25, 2012 -> 09:55 AM) The key is though that they already have a huge huge huge captive audience...finding the ways to generate revenue would seem to me to be the much easier part of the equation...I don't know much about the stock market, and I agree that the stock is currently overvalued, but I wouldn't sleep on it too much...if it were to drop into the $20 range I would definitely consider buying a decent chunk... They also flooded the market with shares...I've never seen a company IPO with over 2 billion shares on the floor, which only equates to a fraction of the actual company size. They have an absurd amount of shares...and I find this entire thing very odd. There are red flags all over this. The problem is their penetration is huge already, and there isn't much room to grow aside from in a few third world nations, or China...which probably won't be happening anytime soon. Even so...they have a CURRENT user base of hundreds of millions and they cant find a way to value their users at more than 4$ each. They're also starting to lose users because of their constant changes. I don't know, personally I could care less...I have Facebook, but if it went away tomorrow I wouldn't care...there are plenty of alternatives.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ May 25, 2012 -> 09:42 AM) White Pines State Park in Oregon, IL. We're heading there towards sundown, so it won't be so brutally hot. How is that place? Never been there, but heard about it. It it something like Bong Recreation or Starved rock, or is it more heavily wooded/private?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 25, 2012 -> 09:38 AM) I couldn't find a graph with Google going back to it's IPO in 2004, but it's PE ratio was up over 60 at the least at that time (with substantial revenue growth that year, so it would probably have been higher a week after the IPO0. Googles P/E ratio at IPO was 67, with a stock price of 85$. STILL vastly lower than these other companies, not to mention Google's projected revenue growth was higher than LinkedIn's/Facebooks by an astounding amount. As I said a few times now...overvalued. Edit: Found a lot of conflicting reports on this. Issue is, Google's avenue of growth was massive in comparison to Facebook's. Facebook already has close to 1 billion users...which is about it, there isn't much room to grow in terms of user base now, aside from account duplicating. Currently, FB values each user at about 4$. They need to find a way to get them valued at over 200$ to seek the growth Google saw... Not happening.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ May 25, 2012 -> 09:30 AM) Saturday: Sox Game (getting my Robin bobblehead and a family friend is throwing out the first pitch) Sunday: Camping/relaxing/drinking Monday: See Sunday. Where are you going camping on Sunday? I have to say, I'm pretty hardcore and I could handle it...but I don't know many people that can. It's going to be about 100 on sunday.