4/30/2004
Kiki Gets The Axe. Welcome To The New Economy...
Now, as the few readers of this blog know, this is not a bad thing. I now cannot be denied the glorious severance package. I've got an internal offer on the table that I can consider without fear of being stuck between the rock and that other place.
As is proper, the captain went down with his ship. All 18 people that still worked for me got their notice in the same meeting. Luckily our new parent company is truly hate worthy so it's not a very bitter pill to swallow. Here's an example:
Previous layoff waves were done at the start of a new month so that your benefits would carry over for an extra 30 days. That was nice, except that they're not doing that anymore. They moved this wave up a few days without warning anyone. So anyone who takes a lot of expensive medication was rightfully planning on getting coverage until July 1. Now they can wonder about how they're going to pay for their pills that month. Oh wait, I remember our first benefits meeting with the new overlords in which they gave some handy advice to their new employees about such things... ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES.
Back to job search craziness...
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Now, as the few readers of this blog know, this is not a bad thing. I now cannot be denied the glorious severance package. I've got an internal offer on the table that I can consider without fear of being stuck between the rock and that other place.
As is proper, the captain went down with his ship. All 18 people that still worked for me got their notice in the same meeting. Luckily our new parent company is truly hate worthy so it's not a very bitter pill to swallow. Here's an example:
Previous layoff waves were done at the start of a new month so that your benefits would carry over for an extra 30 days. That was nice, except that they're not doing that anymore. They moved this wave up a few days without warning anyone. So anyone who takes a lot of expensive medication was rightfully planning on getting coverage until July 1. Now they can wonder about how they're going to pay for their pills that month. Oh wait, I remember our first benefits meeting with the new overlords in which they gave some handy advice to their new employees about such things... ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES.
Back to job search craziness...
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4/28/2004
ATCWT, Part III
Whew. Busy week for yours truly. Interviewed with First Horizon yesterday at 5:00. The prospective boss was a little oriental lady who reminded me of Yoda to a certain extent.
This job falls under the "we can't find anyone qualified so we're willing to talk to people like you" banner. Again, they seemed to like me (used the word "impressed"). In fact, she even had a bad Freudian slip when she said "When I hire you" as opposed to "When I hire someone." She seemed pretty flustered by the gaff so hopefully it was a true psychological indicator and not simply a result of English being a second language for her.
The bad news is I was the first one interviewed so a decision is weeks away. Also, someone with the experience they want could come right along at anytime.
Today, I ate lunch with the boss of the friend who's trying to hire me. He turned out to be a really cool guy (extra cool for a VP), giving me a heartfelt pitch about how much they wanted me for the job. Urgh. This fog is intensifying, not lifting. Luckily he gave me an extra week (muhahaha). This gives me time, and time is all I need, well that plus direction, tangible job offers, the ability to make a decision etc. etc. etc.
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Whew. Busy week for yours truly. Interviewed with First Horizon yesterday at 5:00. The prospective boss was a little oriental lady who reminded me of Yoda to a certain extent.
This job falls under the "we can't find anyone qualified so we're willing to talk to people like you" banner. Again, they seemed to like me (used the word "impressed"). In fact, she even had a bad Freudian slip when she said "When I hire you" as opposed to "When I hire someone." She seemed pretty flustered by the gaff so hopefully it was a true psychological indicator and not simply a result of English being a second language for her.
The bad news is I was the first one interviewed so a decision is weeks away. Also, someone with the experience they want could come right along at anytime.
Today, I ate lunch with the boss of the friend who's trying to hire me. He turned out to be a really cool guy (extra cool for a VP), giving me a heartfelt pitch about how much they wanted me for the job. Urgh. This fog is intensifying, not lifting. Luckily he gave me an extra week (muhahaha). This gives me time, and time is all I need, well that plus direction, tangible job offers, the ability to make a decision etc. etc. etc.
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4/26/2004
Kiki's Gift Becomes A Curse...
God knows my rock stupid ways have not changed since UD. What's saved me in the working world is; 1) I manage to get the job done, 2) (More importantly) I give off an air of competence and organization that far outstrips reality.
Now that I'm job searching, the downside of that turns out to be that my work image is a little too well kempt.
At the two interviews I've done (the second was today), people seem a little intimidated by me.
Hard to imagine, I know. Basically, they seem worried that the job won't be challenging enough or the environment structured enough for me. For me! Structure?! Clearly these people have never seen my house, or car, or desk.
Especially today's lady. She actually said I look like "there must be a place for everything and everything must be in it's place." She loved my skills etc. but was really hung up on warning me that they're informal and casual.
So, how shocked would she be to know that Sat night at 4:30 AM Lauki (both of us... let me be clear) was lying in a guest bed (trying to catch a nap), too tired to care that two nineteen year olds in nothing but their undergarments shared the other half of said bed?
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God knows my rock stupid ways have not changed since UD. What's saved me in the working world is; 1) I manage to get the job done, 2) (More importantly) I give off an air of competence and organization that far outstrips reality.
Now that I'm job searching, the downside of that turns out to be that my work image is a little too well kempt.
At the two interviews I've done (the second was today), people seem a little intimidated by me.
Hard to imagine, I know. Basically, they seem worried that the job won't be challenging enough or the environment structured enough for me. For me! Structure?! Clearly these people have never seen my house, or car, or desk.
Especially today's lady. She actually said I look like "there must be a place for everything and everything must be in it's place." She loved my skills etc. but was really hung up on warning me that they're informal and casual.
So, how shocked would she be to know that Sat night at 4:30 AM Lauki (both of us... let me be clear) was lying in a guest bed (trying to catch a nap), too tired to care that two nineteen year olds in nothing but their undergarments shared the other half of said bed?
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4/22/2004
Update...
I've bought myself a week and a half (until next Friday) before I have to make a decision. That's good but not enough time. Hopefully it will at least be enough time to see if anything looks likely to develop with one of the other places. I'll just have to make a decision based on what I do know at that point.
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I've bought myself a week and a half (until next Friday) before I have to make a decision. That's good but not enough time. Hopefully it will at least be enough time to see if anything looks likely to develop with one of the other places. I'll just have to make a decision based on what I do know at that point.
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4/21/2004
As the Corporate World Turns, Part II
Crap!!! Double, Triple, Quadruple Crap. 7 x 70 Crap!
Tomorrow I will be officially offered the job to stay here at my current company (boo, hiss), same location and pay (hurray).
Meanwhile...
-Yesterday I interviewed with WAMU at a career fair (got taken to the room where you talk to the big giant head... I think he liked me and my project/metrics skills are exactly what they're trying to implement).
-Today I interviewed with Blockbuster Corporate. It was clear I'm overqualified for the job but they're also in a change environment much like the one I come from and there's at least a possibility of them finding me something there.
-I will probably get interviewed by First Horizon for a slight step up job (including raise) that I've been referred to.
Now the problem is, 1) those are first signs of progress after two whole months of trying, 2) they're about as tangible as the invisible brownies that live in our yards, riding snails and hiding your things when you drop them in the grass.
Scenarios...
1) Take the offer, + = I'm employed, no paycut, no unemployment, - = no possibility of taking a new job with a giant severance package (SP) in my back pocket to do wonderful things with.
2) Turn it down, + = I have lots of time for one of the above opportunities or some new ones to come through and still come out a winner, I don't have to work for a company I hate, I'll get the SP.
3) Taking the offer and then abandoning it if something better shakes out. This would be perhaps the best option except that I'd be accepting the offer from a friend and wouldn't want to accept her job and then walk out on her.
Once again, timing is the bane of Lauki's existence. If this offer came through a month or 90 days from now, I'd be much more prepared to make this decision.
Advice?
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Crap!!! Double, Triple, Quadruple Crap. 7 x 70 Crap!
Tomorrow I will be officially offered the job to stay here at my current company (boo, hiss), same location and pay (hurray).
Meanwhile...
-Yesterday I interviewed with WAMU at a career fair (got taken to the room where you talk to the big giant head... I think he liked me and my project/metrics skills are exactly what they're trying to implement).
-Today I interviewed with Blockbuster Corporate. It was clear I'm overqualified for the job but they're also in a change environment much like the one I come from and there's at least a possibility of them finding me something there.
-I will probably get interviewed by First Horizon for a slight step up job (including raise) that I've been referred to.
Now the problem is, 1) those are first signs of progress after two whole months of trying, 2) they're about as tangible as the invisible brownies that live in our yards, riding snails and hiding your things when you drop them in the grass.
Scenarios...
1) Take the offer, + = I'm employed, no paycut, no unemployment, - = no possibility of taking a new job with a giant severance package (SP) in my back pocket to do wonderful things with.
2) Turn it down, + = I have lots of time for one of the above opportunities or some new ones to come through and still come out a winner, I don't have to work for a company I hate, I'll get the SP.
3) Taking the offer and then abandoning it if something better shakes out. This would be perhaps the best option except that I'd be accepting the offer from a friend and wouldn't want to accept her job and then walk out on her.
Once again, timing is the bane of Lauki's existence. If this offer came through a month or 90 days from now, I'd be much more prepared to make this decision.
Advice?
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4/19/2004
Odd(s and) Ends...
-Grank, BA! Interview Wednesday...
Now, what do we hate more than job interviews? That's right, nothing! Oh well, just finding this very small sign of life is encouraging. I was starting to feel like no one was reading ANY of the applications I was sending out. It's right here in my building for Blockbuster. It's a job in the marketing department which means I'm woefully unqualified but then again, you could say the same about my current role.
-My new teams are really nice...
I was getting to know them at a spread they had Friday. Lotsa fun. We built up a rapport quickly and I bet we will have a fine working relationship. That is, for the next month and a half until they get their walking papers. Oh well, I'm doing what I can... gave them all half a Friday off for being nice to the "Hi, I'm here to take your job" visitors that kept me busy all last week.
-And what a week it was...
Forced out of my coma and back into rock stupid project manager mode, arranging stuff on the fly, doing presentations with absolutely no preparation. There is a certain adrenaline factor to that kind of work that I enjoy and hope to find elsewhere.
-Just so it all isn't business news
Bob Dylan will headline the Fleadh Festival in London. The yearly celebration of Irish music will take place with the strange one at the helm (The Pouges were the previous HL's). Why him at an Irish music festival? Because it's him dammit. Ah, to be rich, I'd be there in a second.
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-Grank, BA! Interview Wednesday...
Now, what do we hate more than job interviews? That's right, nothing! Oh well, just finding this very small sign of life is encouraging. I was starting to feel like no one was reading ANY of the applications I was sending out. It's right here in my building for Blockbuster. It's a job in the marketing department which means I'm woefully unqualified but then again, you could say the same about my current role.
-My new teams are really nice...
I was getting to know them at a spread they had Friday. Lotsa fun. We built up a rapport quickly and I bet we will have a fine working relationship. That is, for the next month and a half until they get their walking papers. Oh well, I'm doing what I can... gave them all half a Friday off for being nice to the "Hi, I'm here to take your job" visitors that kept me busy all last week.
-And what a week it was...
Forced out of my coma and back into rock stupid project manager mode, arranging stuff on the fly, doing presentations with absolutely no preparation. There is a certain adrenaline factor to that kind of work that I enjoy and hope to find elsewhere.
-Just so it all isn't business news
Bob Dylan will headline the Fleadh Festival in London. The yearly celebration of Irish music will take place with the strange one at the helm (The Pouges were the previous HL's). Why him at an Irish music festival? Because it's him dammit. Ah, to be rich, I'd be there in a second.
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4/15/2004
There must only be a certain amount of happiness in the world.
It's a finite resource, and when you enjoy some, you're robbing someone else of their's. How's that for depressing?
Our recent trip to San Antonio (1,000 miles of driving if you want to get a glimpse of how busy we are when we go down there) and a subsequent hateful e-mail from my hateful (and hate-worthy) sister has put me in a very rare funk.
Here's the rundown.
-I was miserable in Miami growing up.
-I came to Texas (UD) and was happy, but that made my mom sad.
-I met Laura and became eternally happy, finding the lifelong love that all people seek. This kept me in TX, making my mom even more sad. It also made my sister bitter as she was forced (in her mind) to live at home with mom due to my 'running away.'
When I decided to stay in TX I knew it would hurt my mom. I also knew moving to FL with Laura would hurt her and her family. If someone sees a right or wrong in that scenario... well, there is none. By the way let me make clear that I love my mom and it hurts me doubly (guilt plus loss).
So...
Is it right to sacrifice for your true love? I say yes.
Is it not so right to do that because ultimately it makes you happier (love living here, friends, separation from family hell etc.)? Maybe
Do the needs of the many really outweigh those of the few? Don't know.
Is it callous to be able to live with the eternal guilt of leaving my mom in Miami by telling myself (and truly believing it) that I deserve to be happy... that it was worth doing anything to keep the love I found with Laura... that if I was a parent I would nobly suffer the hurt knowing that my child had found true love, a love I did not find in marriage?
I could go on but there you have it. Life is full of tough choices and just to make things fun, they're not of the right/wrong variety. Right now my sister is stewing with years worth of self-hate (sublimated towards me) over not being able to make a tough choice in her favor.
Did I take advantage of her indecision? Without question.
I don't know what any of this means but I know I'd do it all again, pain and all. Whatever that makes me... that's what I am.
P.s. Needless to say, it's not as if I'd leave my mom to the wolves if my sister ever did build a real life for herself. It wouldn't be easy (more tough choices) but I'd move her here or we'd move there.
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It's a finite resource, and when you enjoy some, you're robbing someone else of their's. How's that for depressing?
Our recent trip to San Antonio (1,000 miles of driving if you want to get a glimpse of how busy we are when we go down there) and a subsequent hateful e-mail from my hateful (and hate-worthy) sister has put me in a very rare funk.
Here's the rundown.
-I was miserable in Miami growing up.
-I came to Texas (UD) and was happy, but that made my mom sad.
-I met Laura and became eternally happy, finding the lifelong love that all people seek. This kept me in TX, making my mom even more sad. It also made my sister bitter as she was forced (in her mind) to live at home with mom due to my 'running away.'
When I decided to stay in TX I knew it would hurt my mom. I also knew moving to FL with Laura would hurt her and her family. If someone sees a right or wrong in that scenario... well, there is none. By the way let me make clear that I love my mom and it hurts me doubly (guilt plus loss).
So...
Is it right to sacrifice for your true love? I say yes.
Is it not so right to do that because ultimately it makes you happier (love living here, friends, separation from family hell etc.)? Maybe
Do the needs of the many really outweigh those of the few? Don't know.
Is it callous to be able to live with the eternal guilt of leaving my mom in Miami by telling myself (and truly believing it) that I deserve to be happy... that it was worth doing anything to keep the love I found with Laura... that if I was a parent I would nobly suffer the hurt knowing that my child had found true love, a love I did not find in marriage?
I could go on but there you have it. Life is full of tough choices and just to make things fun, they're not of the right/wrong variety. Right now my sister is stewing with years worth of self-hate (sublimated towards me) over not being able to make a tough choice in her favor.
Did I take advantage of her indecision? Without question.
I don't know what any of this means but I know I'd do it all again, pain and all. Whatever that makes me... that's what I am.
P.s. Needless to say, it's not as if I'd leave my mom to the wolves if my sister ever did build a real life for herself. It wouldn't be easy (more tough choices) but I'd move her here or we'd move there.
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4/09/2004
Bob's Dylan and Victoria's Secret
(It's odd doing a post about something that will only interest you, but hey... it's my blog.)
Press Conference (1966, true story)
Interviewer: What commercial endorsement would you accept?
Bob Dylan: Ladies garments
His Weirdness strikes again.
Those who keep tabs on the news most certainly ran across the weird news item of the week. Dylan (reluctant voice of the protest movement, counterculture, his generation and rock's most famous recluse) is appearing in commercials for the first time in a 40 year career. Victoria's Secret commercials no less! News sources from around the world are pondering what this means.
Typically, Dylan isn't talking and doesn't care. Oddly, he cares nothing for ethereal concepts (like art vs. commerce) despite an uncanny gift for writing songs that make you think very deeply about them.
His answer to the VS CEO upon receiving the pitch to star in the commercials...
"Sure, I'll let you send me to Venice with supermodels."
Aside from his very old fashioned work ethic (they pay me, it's just a job), there's also a lifelong habit of compulsively doing things that offput everyone. Watching the media, and fans, run in circles trying to understand the meaning of meaningless acts is a game he's played since day 1. That's one reason I like him so much, he's (literally) the jester from the song American Pie... throwing out absurdities while deep down understanding the complexities of the court better than anyone.
He's a mystery and so is this... VS sales have seen a "spectacular" uptick since the ads came out.
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(It's odd doing a post about something that will only interest you, but hey... it's my blog.)
Press Conference (1966, true story)
Interviewer: What commercial endorsement would you accept?
Bob Dylan: Ladies garments
His Weirdness strikes again.
Those who keep tabs on the news most certainly ran across the weird news item of the week. Dylan (reluctant voice of the protest movement, counterculture, his generation and rock's most famous recluse) is appearing in commercials for the first time in a 40 year career. Victoria's Secret commercials no less! News sources from around the world are pondering what this means.
Typically, Dylan isn't talking and doesn't care. Oddly, he cares nothing for ethereal concepts (like art vs. commerce) despite an uncanny gift for writing songs that make you think very deeply about them.
His answer to the VS CEO upon receiving the pitch to star in the commercials...
"Sure, I'll let you send me to Venice with supermodels."
Aside from his very old fashioned work ethic (they pay me, it's just a job), there's also a lifelong habit of compulsively doing things that offput everyone. Watching the media, and fans, run in circles trying to understand the meaning of meaningless acts is a game he's played since day 1. That's one reason I like him so much, he's (literally) the jester from the song American Pie... throwing out absurdities while deep down understanding the complexities of the court better than anyone.
He's a mystery and so is this... VS sales have seen a "spectacular" uptick since the ads came out.
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4/06/2004
As the Corporate World Turns...
Well, now that I'm looking for a new job and expecting the axe in a month or so... things change. A former boss's boss recommended me for a job at the new (which to me is the old... sheesh) company. I found out about this at the below mentioned outing. What does this do with my plans? Why, throws them all to hell of course.
The Positive: I would keep the same pay, not risk unemployment, not have to take a step down job etc.
The Negative: I would not get the severance package (SP) that I so lust after. I would work for my old company... which I despise. I would work in that same old building, which I despise etc. etc.
But don't think it's that simple a matter either.
1. I didn't leave the last place under amicable terms (I think everyone here knows the legendary tale) so if I go it could make the guy who's trying to bring me along (a big shot) look bad. Now, that was a long time ago but there's still that chance, however small.
2. Normally if they kept me I'd say "Thanks for funding my job search" and just use it as a launching pad to keep looking. However, being that (if this works out) I'm being brought over by said big shot, then it would look ungrateful and again... make him look bad. It's not just a matter of being considerate though, I'd also be losing that important business relationship by doing that.
3. Now it gets really complicated. If they officially offer you a job, you must take it or leave without the lust-worthy SP. We call this being screwed. What I tried to get across was that if they want to discuss some kind of offer with me under the table, that's fine but only if it's an unofficial offer. The problem there is that such a delicate understanding could easily be lost from point A to B.
All of which leaves me here wondering if, a) I'll be officially offered a job (boo, hiss), b) unofficially offered a job (hurray for options) or c) get laid of in a month (hello SP!).
So , join us next time for another episode of As the Corporate World Turns.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!! (Addendum)
Update- I just got out of a friend's office who offered me a different job to stay. Crap, crap, crap. Why is it that I look for outside jobs and then get bombarded with inside ones? So, now I've got two concurrently developing spots here just to add to the confusion. I won't even get into the logical breakdown of how things stand now (diss A, take B, vice versa, string both along as long as I can while quickly seeing if I can materialize anything outside etc. etc.).
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Well, now that I'm looking for a new job and expecting the axe in a month or so... things change. A former boss's boss recommended me for a job at the new (which to me is the old... sheesh) company. I found out about this at the below mentioned outing. What does this do with my plans? Why, throws them all to hell of course.
The Positive: I would keep the same pay, not risk unemployment, not have to take a step down job etc.
The Negative: I would not get the severance package (SP) that I so lust after. I would work for my old company... which I despise. I would work in that same old building, which I despise etc. etc.
But don't think it's that simple a matter either.
1. I didn't leave the last place under amicable terms (I think everyone here knows the legendary tale) so if I go it could make the guy who's trying to bring me along (a big shot) look bad. Now, that was a long time ago but there's still that chance, however small.
2. Normally if they kept me I'd say "Thanks for funding my job search" and just use it as a launching pad to keep looking. However, being that (if this works out) I'm being brought over by said big shot, then it would look ungrateful and again... make him look bad. It's not just a matter of being considerate though, I'd also be losing that important business relationship by doing that.
3. Now it gets really complicated. If they officially offer you a job, you must take it or leave without the lust-worthy SP. We call this being screwed. What I tried to get across was that if they want to discuss some kind of offer with me under the table, that's fine but only if it's an unofficial offer. The problem there is that such a delicate understanding could easily be lost from point A to B.
All of which leaves me here wondering if, a) I'll be officially offered a job (boo, hiss), b) unofficially offered a job (hurray for options) or c) get laid of in a month (hello SP!).
So , join us next time for another episode of As the Corporate World Turns.
AHHHHHHHHH!!!! (Addendum)
Update- I just got out of a friend's office who offered me a different job to stay. Crap, crap, crap. Why is it that I look for outside jobs and then get bombarded with inside ones? So, now I've got two concurrently developing spots here just to add to the confusion. I won't even get into the logical breakdown of how things stand now (diss A, take B, vice versa, string both along as long as I can while quickly seeing if I can materialize anything outside etc. etc.).
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4/01/2004
Ugh. Me Kiki. Head hurt. Sleep now?
Going away bash for our COO and CFO last night at D&B's. Now the problems with these shindigs are...
I. People: There are always some who...
---A) make a lot of money
---B) want to buy you drinks
-------1) This is particularly bad for yours truly. Something about me (seriously, what is it?) drives people to want to do that. My whole life too, not just now. Laura says I have this look about me that just says "Feed Me." Somehow that translates to drinks as well.
II. Timing
---A) You have your own set number of drinks throughout the night and decide you're done.
---B) It is at this point that the freebies usually start getting ordered.
---C) Since these are always after work events, you will have an empty stomach upon arriving.
III. Summary
---A) Always plan on having at least 1 extra drink for every two you order. If you forget this important rule, you will enjoy the distinct pleasure of sitting at your desk trying to do some work while hammer and anvil do their nefarious work inside your weary head.
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Going away bash for our COO and CFO last night at D&B's. Now the problems with these shindigs are...
I. People: There are always some who...
---A) make a lot of money
---B) want to buy you drinks
-------1) This is particularly bad for yours truly. Something about me (seriously, what is it?) drives people to want to do that. My whole life too, not just now. Laura says I have this look about me that just says "Feed Me." Somehow that translates to drinks as well.
II. Timing
---A) You have your own set number of drinks throughout the night and decide you're done.
---B) It is at this point that the freebies usually start getting ordered.
---C) Since these are always after work events, you will have an empty stomach upon arriving.
III. Summary
---A) Always plan on having at least 1 extra drink for every two you order. If you forget this important rule, you will enjoy the distinct pleasure of sitting at your desk trying to do some work while hammer and anvil do their nefarious work inside your weary head.
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