This post is a follow up to the classic post What is... a PROFESSIONAL from my blogging counterpart Fletch. If you're new to the blog, check it out. its a good'un.
Anyway, so I was out last night for a friend's birthday. As is common here, upon meeting a new people, I was asked: What do you do? Now, I can be quite loquacious at parties like this, but I really have no idea how to answer that question in a sufficiently succinct style appropriate for cocktail conversation. My answer was usually "well, that is an interesting question..." and then try to change the subject.
Really, how many people want to hear this when you first meet me: "I graduated from law school in May, and I actually just found out I passed the bar this weekend. But, I've been having some problems finding work as a lawyer. To pay my bills I'm working the door at a bar, I'm doing some work as a personal assistant a few hour a week too. Oh, and I also have a blog where my friends are kind enough to click the ads whenever they can... I do actually, sort of do legal work though, I intern two days a week down at the court house. But that's unpaid. And I suppose if other opportunities to earn some money I'd like to take those jobs too. So, ya, I'm a lawyer I guess."
Sunday, November 7, 2010
We've Got Time to Help
Last week, a really awesome organization was brought to my attention. It called "We've Got Time to Help" (www.wevegottimetohelp.org). The essence of the project is a website, whereon, people who need help post what they need help with, and people who have time (the unemployed basically) and want to be of service can get in touch with those in need. As an analogy, its kind of like craigslist for charity.
You can get more details on how it got started here, but here is my quick version if you don't want to click another link (because your index finger is tired out from clicking our ads, duh): After sinking into depression because of extended unemployment, Seth Reams decided to step away from the job search and go be of service in his community (he also needed a good kick in the behind from his girlfriend Michelle King). This started the process which resulted in We've Got Time to Help.
When I heard about this project, I was blown away at how obvious it is. The beauty of the site is that it dramatically lowers the barriers between those who want to help and those who need it. Unemployment can be really bleak, and despite Fletch's assertion that you need to treat searching for work like a job (which is true), the process, when you're struggling to make traction can be really isolating. What's a great way to break the depression/isolation cycle? By stopping the active job search, but that's not enough. You need to get out and do. It doesn't matter, but you need to do something. Preferably something social, and fulfilling. And there is really nothing more fulfilling than being of service.
I'm guessing the majority of our readers are in the NY area. Right now, the site isn't operating in NY, but as I understand it, work is being done to get it going.
But, the truth is, you don't need a site to be of service. Fletch and I started this blog nine (9) days ago. At the time, if you asked me why I were doing it, I'd probably have answered with something like "I don't know, I'm bored and I need to do something." But, as we started writing more and more, I think a pretty clear tone is taking shape. Writing everyday about the experience of our relative levels of unemployment (I say relative because for the time being, I am employed, just not as an attorney) really forces us to think about being unemployed. And in thinking about it, the importance of our support systems (friends, family, loved ones, generous strangers) really starts to shine through. There is no way I'd be as ok as I am with the uncertainty in my life right now without my support system. But, again, the most important person in our support system is ourselves. And no matter how wonderful those around us are, if, internally, we are not well, than the uncertainty of these times can eat you up from the inside. And, one of the most incredible ways to maintain that necessary inner equilibrium is to go help somebody else. Its incredible how well it work.
You can get more details on how it got started here, but here is my quick version if you don't want to click another link (because your index finger is tired out from clicking our ads, duh): After sinking into depression because of extended unemployment, Seth Reams decided to step away from the job search and go be of service in his community (he also needed a good kick in the behind from his girlfriend Michelle King). This started the process which resulted in We've Got Time to Help.
When I heard about this project, I was blown away at how obvious it is. The beauty of the site is that it dramatically lowers the barriers between those who want to help and those who need it. Unemployment can be really bleak, and despite Fletch's assertion that you need to treat searching for work like a job (which is true), the process, when you're struggling to make traction can be really isolating. What's a great way to break the depression/isolation cycle? By stopping the active job search, but that's not enough. You need to get out and do. It doesn't matter, but you need to do something. Preferably something social, and fulfilling. And there is really nothing more fulfilling than being of service.
I'm guessing the majority of our readers are in the NY area. Right now, the site isn't operating in NY, but as I understand it, work is being done to get it going.
But, the truth is, you don't need a site to be of service. Fletch and I started this blog nine (9) days ago. At the time, if you asked me why I were doing it, I'd probably have answered with something like "I don't know, I'm bored and I need to do something." But, as we started writing more and more, I think a pretty clear tone is taking shape. Writing everyday about the experience of our relative levels of unemployment (I say relative because for the time being, I am employed, just not as an attorney) really forces us to think about being unemployed. And in thinking about it, the importance of our support systems (friends, family, loved ones, generous strangers) really starts to shine through. There is no way I'd be as ok as I am with the uncertainty in my life right now without my support system. But, again, the most important person in our support system is ourselves. And no matter how wonderful those around us are, if, internally, we are not well, than the uncertainty of these times can eat you up from the inside. And, one of the most incredible ways to maintain that necessary inner equilibrium is to go help somebody else. Its incredible how well it work.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Risk: A Game of World Conquest
The headline of this post is probably wrong. I know the tagline for Risk (tm) is something along the lines of what I've got up, there but I don't really want to look it up. Oh Well.
Anyway, I wanted to write this post about taking risks. This blog is inherently solipsistic because the only thing I can write about with any authenticity (and that authenticity is what keeps you coming back and clicking ads) is my own experience. Well, right now, I am 26 years old. I am single. I've been a student my whole life (until this summer) so the standard of living I'm accustomed to is relatively cheap to continue.
What does this mean for me now? It means that the only person I need to take care of is me. Sure, I've got an astronomical amount of debt. But, its such an absurd amount, that I'm not too worried about it right now. I'm going to pay it best I can, but unlike a few of my BigLaw employed friends, there is almost no possible way for me to pay it down. So I'm not going to concern myself too much with it.
What I'm doing is setting the state for my life. I have almost nothing, and thats a very good thing. Tomorrow, I could buy a plane ticket and move to Paris, or Shanghai, or anywhere. I have nothing to lose. I am in a position where I can take absurd risk. Not only from a material standpoint, but energetically. I'm young; I'm hungry.
For me, now is the time for risk taking. And if you're anything like me, and I feel that most people reading this are, than now is the time for you to take risks too.
Anyway, I wanted to write this post about taking risks. This blog is inherently solipsistic because the only thing I can write about with any authenticity (and that authenticity is what keeps you coming back and clicking ads) is my own experience. Well, right now, I am 26 years old. I am single. I've been a student my whole life (until this summer) so the standard of living I'm accustomed to is relatively cheap to continue.
What does this mean for me now? It means that the only person I need to take care of is me. Sure, I've got an astronomical amount of debt. But, its such an absurd amount, that I'm not too worried about it right now. I'm going to pay it best I can, but unlike a few of my BigLaw employed friends, there is almost no possible way for me to pay it down. So I'm not going to concern myself too much with it.
What I'm doing is setting the state for my life. I have almost nothing, and thats a very good thing. Tomorrow, I could buy a plane ticket and move to Paris, or Shanghai, or anywhere. I have nothing to lose. I am in a position where I can take absurd risk. Not only from a material standpoint, but energetically. I'm young; I'm hungry.
For me, now is the time for risk taking. And if you're anything like me, and I feel that most people reading this are, than now is the time for you to take risks too.
Friday, November 5, 2010
I passed the bar, but to get into the bar, you need to get past me.
I'm off to put in an honest nights work. But, I know NY Bar results came out tonight, and it would be cruel to post and keep my results secret.
I passed. I'm really excited about it. But, work calls.
If you find yourself in the E. Village tonight, and you're a friend of mine, shoot me a text, I'll let you know where I'm working, and you can come by and say hello.
I passed. I'm really excited about it. But, work calls.
If you find yourself in the E. Village tonight, and you're a friend of mine, shoot me a text, I'll let you know where I'm working, and you can come by and say hello.
Concrete Jungle, of which, Dreams are Made
We both live in NYC, and both love living here (did I just end a sentence with a proposition?). There are like two billion reasons why we love where we live, but here are 50 provided by the ever clever Village Voice:
50 Reasons to Be Pretty Damn Euphoric You Live in New York City
50 Reasons to Be Pretty Damn Euphoric You Live in New York City
Morning!
Gooooooood Morning readers!
And how are you on this gray morning? (its gray in NYC at least, I don't know what the weather is like in the other places we have readers, like Saudi Arabia).
I'm drinking my coffee, as I'm sure you've come to expect, sitting in bed, and listening to a Leonard Cohen station on Pandora. Does it get more perfect?
I know I've posted a lot about our page views in the past few days, and for hopefully a little while, this will be the last one, but we broke the 1000 page view mark last night. Our site hasn't been up a full week. We started blogging last Friday on a whim. Fletch and I were finishing up lunch and didn't know what to do with the rest of our day. So we set up the site and bought www.hireusplease.com for $12. We can't say that 1000 pageviews in less than a week blew away our expectations, because we didn't have expectations.
By way of comparison, consider the underpants gnomes episode of South Park. The gnomes business model (btw, the Arrested Development-watching-readers just giggled) looked something like:
Step 1: Steal underpants
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Make $.
By Comparison, here is our business model:
Step 1: Start blog
Step 2: ?
Step 3: ?
We had less expectations than the UNDERPANTS GNOMES! So, a few hours shorts of a full week later, we've had over 1000 hits, and readers in such distant places as South Korea, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
Ok, so here is how my day is looking. I don't know how much time I'm going to have to write. I've agreed (for money!) to help a friend out with some clerical work around her office for a few hours. Then later tonight, I'm putting in another shift at The Bar (again for money!). So, I'm going to be busy, but I'll try to get something up in the few hours between these two commitments.
Please keep up the support, keep reading, keep clicking ads. Its so appreciated.
And how are you on this gray morning? (its gray in NYC at least, I don't know what the weather is like in the other places we have readers, like Saudi Arabia).
I'm drinking my coffee, as I'm sure you've come to expect, sitting in bed, and listening to a Leonard Cohen station on Pandora. Does it get more perfect?
I know I've posted a lot about our page views in the past few days, and for hopefully a little while, this will be the last one, but we broke the 1000 page view mark last night. Our site hasn't been up a full week. We started blogging last Friday on a whim. Fletch and I were finishing up lunch and didn't know what to do with the rest of our day. So we set up the site and bought www.hireusplease.com for $12. We can't say that 1000 pageviews in less than a week blew away our expectations, because we didn't have expectations.
By way of comparison, consider the underpants gnomes episode of South Park. The gnomes business model (btw, the Arrested Development-watching-readers just giggled) looked something like:
Step 1: Steal underpants
Step 2: ?
Step 3: Make $.
By Comparison, here is our business model:
Step 1: Start blog
Step 2: ?
Step 3: ?
We had less expectations than the UNDERPANTS GNOMES! So, a few hours shorts of a full week later, we've had over 1000 hits, and readers in such distant places as South Korea, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
Ok, so here is how my day is looking. I don't know how much time I'm going to have to write. I've agreed (for money!) to help a friend out with some clerical work around her office for a few hours. Then later tonight, I'm putting in another shift at The Bar (again for money!). So, I'm going to be busy, but I'll try to get something up in the few hours between these two commitments.
Please keep up the support, keep reading, keep clicking ads. Its so appreciated.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Housekeeping
Just a few house keeping matters:
1) We have had about 930 pageviews so far. Awesome.
2) We have the capability to find out where our pageviews come from, location-wise. We have had 2 from Sri Lanka.
3) We have had a number of people express interest in making contributions. If your interested, we'd love to have you write something. It doesn't have to be a finished work, or doesn't have to be thought out, it doesn't even have to be true. Just tell a story.
4) We love contributions, but we love ad clicks more.
5) Whats Xanga? We had a number of hits from that site last night.
6) Please pass this site along to anyone who you think would be interested in it, or even those who might not be interested.
1) We have had about 930 pageviews so far. Awesome.
2) We have the capability to find out where our pageviews come from, location-wise. We have had 2 from Sri Lanka.
3) We have had a number of people express interest in making contributions. If your interested, we'd love to have you write something. It doesn't have to be a finished work, or doesn't have to be thought out, it doesn't even have to be true. Just tell a story.
4) We love contributions, but we love ad clicks more.
5) Whats Xanga? We had a number of hits from that site last night.
6) Please pass this site along to anyone who you think would be interested in it, or even those who might not be interested.
Networking is... riding the bus.
I'd like to tell a networking story...
In the summer of 2009, I rode the Jitney out to the beach for a weekend of "fun in the sun," if you know what I mean? Well, on the ride out I sat next to a woman who happened to be an attorney.
Over the next three hours we had a remarkably pleasant conversation, on a number of diverse topics, notably: law, taking the bar, family, basketball, NY v. LA. One of the topics in particular we spoke about was a book my dad had written a few years before. Its called "A Message From Jakie" and is about my late mother.
A few weeks later, I received an email from this woman, telling me how much she enjoyed the book. After that, we exchanged the occasional email, and they were all wonderful.
Earlier, this summer, I reached out. I asked if she could help me in the job search. That email I sent to her lead directly to my current internship. Ess you see see ee ess ess spells SUCCESS!
Anyway, that is a "networking" story, but really its mostly a story about being friendly and polite to people. And following through.
In the summer of 2009, I rode the Jitney out to the beach for a weekend of "fun in the sun," if you know what I mean? Well, on the ride out I sat next to a woman who happened to be an attorney.
Over the next three hours we had a remarkably pleasant conversation, on a number of diverse topics, notably: law, taking the bar, family, basketball, NY v. LA. One of the topics in particular we spoke about was a book my dad had written a few years before. Its called "A Message From Jakie" and is about my late mother.
A few weeks later, I received an email from this woman, telling me how much she enjoyed the book. After that, we exchanged the occasional email, and they were all wonderful.
Earlier, this summer, I reached out. I asked if she could help me in the job search. That email I sent to her lead directly to my current internship. Ess you see see ee ess ess spells SUCCESS!
Anyway, that is a "networking" story, but really its mostly a story about being friendly and polite to people. And following through.
Fan Mail
Five days in and we are already getting messages of support and appreciation from our readers. Some of these have been edited for the sake of brevity and to protect the innocent.
Via Facebook: "The blog is pretty cool. Someone who knows someone should get it to one of the a.m. news/talk shows in NYC and get these guys on air.Yesterday at 2:51pm · "
Via Facebook: "Great stuff - witty, upbeat, with a touch of hipster caché ... write on!"
Via Gmail: [Title: love the blog!]... just read through it. will definitely include it on my blogroll in the mornings! hope all is well (errr aside from job searching)..."
Via Comments: "Hey, great blog guys. This is something very relate-able. I'll be reading."
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Via Facebook: "The blog is pretty cool. Someone who knows someone should get it to one of the a.m. news/talk shows in NYC and get these guys on air.Yesterday at 2:51pm · "
Via Facebook: "Great stuff - witty, upbeat, with a touch of hipster caché ... write on!"
Via Gmail: [Title: love the blog!]... just read through it. will definitely include it on my blogroll in the mornings! hope all is well (errr aside from job searching)..."
Via Comments: "Hey, great blog guys. This is something very relate-able. I'll be reading."
Thank you so much for the kind words.
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