Midterm Grade: A- "The world is my oyster"

I must say that I was ecstatic when I got my midterm grade for my "legal reasoning" course.  This course was created to prepare a student for the bar exam.  When I found out that I got one of the highest scores in the class, an A-, I was thrilled.

In the last year I have seen a marked improvement on my grades.  From an A+ in Law and Economics, to an A in copyright law, a B+ in European Union law and now an A- on my midterm, I must say that I am starting to think a lot more positive. 

No more focusing on negativity.  I now find myself primed and ready to enter class.  Excited to learn the material.  Having fun remembering notes, learning new theories, and engaging the law.  Yesterday, in my current internship, I interviewed my first pair of clients.  Getting "real world" legal experience has helped me feel confident in my abilities to do well. 

Plus if something was to happen and I decided (not the economy - the economy does not decide anything for me) to do something other than law, I have back up plans.  This is not to rub it in other scamblogger's faces.  They, too, have a host of options.  And I hope that I don't appear extra-cocky saying this.  But enough negativity is enough!  There was no way I would find myself on the PIPELINE of SUCCESS if I was down on myself all day long.  And that's how I was last year, especially when I reeled in C grades in a couple of my courses.

Now that I think positive, I know I can MASTER the exams (I have done it before, and I shall do it again).  I know that I can WOW the interviewers.  In short, I am what some may call a special little snowflake.  Why?  Because there is no reason to sell myself short. 

Who knew I was getting an A- during that exam?  Talk about Ownage!

Do you feel down on law school?  Do you feel negativity toward your Juris Doctorate?  Do you wish you could change your life?  Then, continue reading this blog.  The aim, my mission, if you will, is to change the way you think about yourself, your skills, and your life.  It is almost impossible for some to think positive.  But, once you make the switch, you will see that your life is, almost as if by magic, falling into place.  With a smile on your face as you exit your home each morning, you shall see that the world is your OYSTER.  Thinking different about your situation, realizing you have options, and knowing that you don't have to be one of the "masses" (you are an individual) will make you start to realize that no matter what setbacks you have in life, you can succeed. 

You are an individual.  You have choices.  Why let your life run on autopilot?  Why move forward on some predestined course that only exists deep in your mind?  Squeeze that OYSTER and show the world, show YOURSELF, that you are willing to change your life.

The truth is, you only live once.  Why waste it sulking?  It's time to live like an adult!

Positive Thinking

I need to change the way I think about my life.  I must say, as this has been the third year of law school, I have been happier as a student, not so scared of my future, and realize that my life is a blank canvas.  I am still young enough to change the route I take in life.  In other words, there's no sense on me being negative all the time.  It's time to think positive.

I have rarely met a person who was happy with life who did not live well.  Optimistic people seem to do better in life.  Even when they are in a rut, they think positive.  Positive people usually can sell themselves and befriend others.  While I am not a people person, I realize that I can change.  Even crazier, I am seeing the importance in changing my outlook on the world.

I have been researching positive thinking and how it improves one's life.  I think the scamblog movement is full of people who are too negative on themselves and the world.  I think that, while many people have been hurt by student loans, they need to look FORWARD, not backwards.  There is no reason to dwell on the past.  The future holds infinite opportunities.

Many of us are getting older.  Some of us are having children, getting married, or hoping to achieve these goals.  Why not leave the past behind us?  Or, at least try to think more positive?  I have realized that women (and men) don't care for a partner who is always negative.  If you are constantly telling the world you are a failure or you are worthless, you will probably be alone forever.  You have to have something to give. 

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess.  Source:  Mayo Clinic Website.

It's not only health benefits that "positive thinking" results in.  Positive thinking helps in a career and financial sense too.  I have known many wealthy individuals who think positive.  They are sure of themselves and their abilities.  They know that they will make something of themselves no matter what obstacle is in their way. 

How to Create a Positive Outlook
It's been said that "attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." I couldn't possibly agree more. Your mind is a thought factory, and the thoughts it produces become your actions in life. Produce positive thoughts and you'll find ways to move forward to your goals. Produce negative thoughts and you'll wallow in stagnancy. Here's how to build a positive outlook:

1. Become aware of your thoughts. Listen closely to that voice in your head. When you think, "I can get out of debt" or "I can be a millionaire," how does the voice respond? If it says, "No you can't, and here are a list of reasons why," then you have at least a partially negative factory. That's okay; becoming aware of that is the first step toward change.

2. Force your mind to think positively. Just like a real factory can stop production or begin building a new product, your mind can begin creating positive thoughts. One of my favorite quotes on this says, "Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be." Begin by simply searching for ways to approach a problem. Your brain is extremely complex and intelligent, and it will naturally begin to find solutions.

3. Speak positively. If anyone asks what you're focusing on in life, don't be bashful about telling them your goal. If they begin giving you reasons why it isn't possible, don't be afraid to tell them that you're sorry they don't agree. Remember, this is your life; you'll be the one to enjoy the benefits or face the consequences of what you do today.
   
   Source:  U.S. News

 There are some people who seem to have a hard time being optimistic.  Many people have been trained via family to think in a negative way.  Many individuals have been raised with parents who always thought negative.  Generally I see this with many poorer individuals.  Rich parents tend to think positive and their kids, in turn, tend to as well.  This is not always true, sometimes there is a "bad seed" growing. 

I have had a problem myself with being pessimistic.  I realize that I am going to have to change that right away if I am going to be successful in life.  I may not ever get a legal job, BUT I am going to do my best in law school anyway.  No matter what challenges are before a person, one can not sell themselves short.  While there are negative aspects to the student loan system, and while it's insane what schools charge for tuition, and it is very true that there is a huge glut of legal jobs compared to the excessive amounts of people graduating.  Despite the fact that some people feel the need to turn to prostitution to service their student loans, I can not let the negativity consume me and destroy my own life.  I have to keep my thoughts positive and do as best as I can.  I have to tell myself that even if I never practice law, my life is not set in stone, and I could end up being a huge success with something else - something that may not require a degree of any kind.  So what I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on law school?  That's in the past now.  I can never change that.  There is nothing I could ever do to make that different.  Why should I kill myself fretting about it? 

Some people enjoy thinking negative.  They let negativity consume them with every passing thought.  I have a sister that is like this.  She is negative about men and only attracts guys who emotionally abuse her.  She is negative about her prospects in life, about her body, and has ended up being sexually used by many men as the years have passed.  She moves from marriage to marriage, hoping to find Mr. Right, instead finding men who treat her like garbage.  There is no way she will ever change that without changing the way she thinks about the world.  She won't change what she attracts until she starts telling herself she is better and she is going to find a great guy.  But I don't think she will ever think that way.  Her mindset is that she is "used up" with many kids from many men, and that no good man would ever want her. 

On the flip side, I have seen people who tell the world that they are good enough for a great relationship and they end up in happy marriages that last.  They set goals for themselves to have a family, to work towards something, and to start a business.  And they are able to.  They don't let the thoughts of others nor do they let their past experiences stop them.  We all fail a lot in life, but we can't let those failures consume us.  Maybe I failed by going to law school.   Maybe you did, too. That doesn't matter now.  What matters is how you spend today and tomorrow.  You may have lost a lot of money going to school, BUT you should not stop living.  You should not think that your career prospects are destroyed.  You should not think that it is impossible for you to start your own business.  Not all businesses require huge start up costs.  There are millions of small businesses out there one can start without capital expenditure up front.  Some can be started for nothing.

I had a lot of fun with this blog.  But, all things come to an end.  I don't want to end my law school experience by calling it or myself a failure.  It is what it is, and I don't know the future.  All I know is that I am where I am now, but soon I will be done with that.  I may decide to do something different with my life, altogether.  Nothing matters enough for one to destroy their minds over it.  And with that I am done. 

Thanks for reading. 

Update:  I may continue this blog, but in a different capacity.  I like the idea of "being a frugal law student" and saving money.  That's something that I think I can pass on to other law students, as few law students as a whole seem to be openly frugal or to embrace a lifestyle of frugality.

I may also try to will also definitely be more positive in the future.  So, be sure to check back if you enjoyed reading.  I hope to continue with the same "funny tone" that made this blog loved by many others. 

College Fantasy Land (the ultimate "Final Fantasy")

There's a little place you may have heard of.  It's called college fantasy land.  It's in New York, and maybe I'm somewhat bitter writing this, but I just have to get it off my chest.  You see, when I was moving I went to see my broker in the East Village.  I walked through Washington Square park, where young students were busy studying, flirting, and hanging out.  Many of them walked from their dorms to their classrooms at NYU.  Many of these students were young, perhaps living the best years of their life.  And, to be honest, they probably were.  Why?  Because, you see, they were living in "college fantasy land." 

I have been to some nice college campuses in my life, but I have never seen a place like this.  A neighborhood that is known as an enclave of the rich, where young kids were paying big money to live.  Money that is likely borrowed from Sallie Mae.  Money used to live far above one's means while young and supple (and just downright stupid).  Money that is spent living a life that will probably NEVER be obtained after college is finished.  Yet, these poor kids don't know that.  They think that by virtue of going to NYU they will be $uper$tar$.  Many think that they will continue to reside in the Ea$t village for the re$t of their live$.


Four years later: Reality hits (and it hits HARD).  Like a train, chugga chugga, barreling down the tracks at 100 mph.  This train does not stop for stupidity, folks.  This train BARRELS like a motha, right into the bewildered student who writes "NYU college of liberal studies" on their resume, thinking that somehow it's a golden ticket. 

There are NO golden tickets in life.


EVICTED FROM THE FANTASY

Every fantasy comes to an end, folks, and this one is no exception.  Except for a very few lucky sonsa, this one is going to halt abruptly.  These young 20-somethings are going to be limping off the property of the NYU dorms and apartments and making their way to either

(a) a much less desirable neighborhood, or
(b) their parents house, or
(c) a homeless shelter.

Only a few will be funded by parents to continue to live in high end neighborhoods and enclaves of the rich.  Only a few will have what it takes to fund a life of luxury in such nebulous nabes. 

Let's ignore those who were born with that silver spoon in their mouths.  Let's focus on the unlucky multitudes, the masses of poor unfortunate souls who have been burdened with the debts of the destitute.  Let's focus on those who will probably never have the gumption to re-enter into Washington Square Park, those who will cry for years when they realize that college fantasy life is over.  (Some will probably become Animal Hoarders)



[Watch video before continuing on for the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE™]

When I was young I used to play a game called Final Fantasy.  In this game you were a person (usually a knight, rebel, or leader of a resistance of some kind) who was trying to save the world.  At first you would come across a fiend of some kind and then as you continued your journey, you would realize that the plot was deeper than you thought.  In many ways these kids are living their Final Fantasy. 

Unlike the video game series, Final Fantasy, there are no sequels to be had here.  In other words, once the college fantasy is over, you are done with your fantasy.  In other worlds, you are in First Reality (which has crappier graphics, believe me). 

There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that it probably sucks to go from eating out of sally mae's palm to paying her back.  You see, Sally Mae funds quite a life for some people.  Buying [epic curtains] and [legendary laptops], and, in the end, getting a [diploma] comes at a price.  Further, livin' large in lavish living spaces rarely ends up costing nothing.  If you thought your high school initiation was bad, or if that swallowing a goldfish to get into your sorority was serious business, wait until you are hazed into adult life.  Real adult life starts once Sallie Mae sends you that first bill.  And you may think you can defer it, but you can only defer fate for so long.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo, life is getting crazy now!  Now you are thinking you have to supplement that undergrad degree with something better.  Perhaps a graduate degree?  A lawl degree?  Oh yeah?  Well, some of the NYU crowd can hopefully extend their fantasy land lifestyle for a few more years.  But, it's going to cost a lot more than they anticipated (perhaps there is a sequel to the "Final Fantasy" after all). However, this sequel is more serious.  You see, once you down the last boss, life gets even more serious.  In other words (in case you are not following me), once you live large off Sallie Mae (and you thought Darcy Hookhands was scary?) for the second time, she owns your soul. 

You may have bought yourself a second chance to live in one of the finest neighborhoods in NYC.  But, you probably have guaranteed yourself that you will not be coming back.  In other words, they should say at the graduation: "You are evicted from the East Village.  Get the hell out of here! (unless you are just here to drop off a donation check)."

Every year thousands of young folks migrate to this part of the city to live a fantasy.  It almost brought a tear to my eye as I made my way through Washington Square Park.  Many of these young kids sported clothing that probably cost nearly what I pay in rent.  Others carried food that I consider a luxury to even eat.  Many just sat there in the sun, basking in the site of the neighborhood around them.  They would flock to and from class, to attend a lecture.  Afterwards they would walk to either one of the two Trader Joe's stores that exist in lower Manhattan (a third exists on the Upper West Side).  Perhaps they would pick up a nice bottle of wine to sneak into their dorm.  Perhaps they would sit on their patio, looking out at the city beyond.  And they would laugh, and laugh, and then they would cry, because they knew that graduation was coming, and that there was no way they could afford $3,500 a month rent for a studio with a $972.52 loan payment due each month. 


Perhaps one would foam at the mouth like a rabid dog?

Life is full of many blessings, but many things that are too good to be true are really a curse.  You see, everything in life has a price, and attending college and living like a king during school is going to catch up to you in the end.  Many young students have no idea that they will be paying a king's ransom after school.  Further, many think that frugality is best reserved for the poor.  However, I hope that some kid at NYU (or any other school in a fine area -- I'm looking at you Cardozo School of Law) and says, "gee, I think I might just move over to New Jersey or Queens."  Even my neighborhood is cheap.  Hell, Brooklyn Heights and the Upper West side are cheap compared to the East Village! 

But, most kids are stupid.  They don't want to leave that which is hip.  They would rather talk on their iPhones and do silly walks (or walk silly) to and from class.  But, they will realize that the fantasy will end. 

(Another video, this time of an ex-attorney if you can stomach it.)

Touro College School of Law 3rd in New Employment Rankings: I went to the wrong school!

I found this interesting list today and wanted to share it on my blog.  It seems that Columbia University and New York University are the Supreme Masters of employment in New York.  Of course, everyone knew that.  However, once you move to 3rd place things get really wacky.  Fordh--- I mean, Touro college is 3rd place.  Now how is that?  I have always heard that Touro was a third tier type of place.  But, it's above Fordham, Cardozo and the all-mighty Brooklyn Law School?  How da heck?  St John's is hangin' barely below that.  Who would have known that Touro college would be doing so well?

Not only will you have a better chance at raking in the big money after attending Touro (which I think means bull in Spanish.  Oh wait, no, that's Toro.  I don't know what Touro means), but you will be paying less a month than some of the lesser schools on that list.  Only $2,966!  What a steal!  Of course, you'd better be bringing in well over minimum wage to service that de฿t. 

I was alwyas under the impression that Fordham was 3rd.  But no, today reality has been turned UPSIDE DOWN and the third tier is the new T30.  Oy Oy.  What surprises await me next?  No wonder I am so bitter. 

The look on my face when I read this list.

Sadly, I now realize that I went to the wrong school (sarcasm).  I do not go to #1, #2, or #3, and I am not yet prepared to say where I go, but it IS on this list.

Dang, I hate these stupid lists. 

What made you decide to go to law school?

A Celtic Studies Textbook

What made you decide to go to law school.  That's not an easy answer to question.  I mean, that's not an easy question to answer.  I guess I am just trying to skip the point.  I am going to be very honest here with myself and my readers and let the world know exactly why I went to law school.

I previously wrote about it here, but wanted to go deeper into the reasons and thoughts as I am older, wiser (hopefully) and perhaps more honest now.  Plus, I'm bitter.  I ask myself: "If I am this bitter now, what am I going to be like when I am 40, 50, 70, 80?" 

It was undergrad when I knew for sure that I wanted to go to law school.  I was neck deep in undergraduate, majoring in Celtic Studies (I started with architecture, but figured it was a crap-shoot and artsy types were starting to get on my nerves).  I honestly don't know why I thought Celtic Studies would be a good major, but my parents were so proud of me for going to college.  First in the family, you know.  Anyway, it was around the end when it really hit me that there were not really any jobs for people with my major.  And, to add insult to injury, I was probably not going to move to Ireland.  In other words, I had literally wasted a lot of time.  Then, to make this even worse, I funded this on student loans.  When I graduated from college I had about $40,000 in debt.  In other words, I needed law school.

Or so I thought.

Truth is, I rarely share my major with people.  I went to a pretty decent undergraduate university.  It was expensive, but it didn't have the word Phoenix in the title.  However, a day doesn't pass where I don't wish I would have went into computer science (perhaps with a minor in French) or BioPhysics (perhaps double majoring in Japanese Linguistics).  But, I did not, and I have to face the reality of where my life has taken me.  In other words, I knew, upon graduating, that I had to do something to supplement my degree or go to work at Kentucky Fried Chicken for life.



So, I talked it over with a counselor and decided to get some letters of recommendation and apply to some law schools.  Now, I said before it took me three years to get into a law school.  And when I did, I was working in fast food.  Yes, over two years of fast food consumed my life.  I did not like it.  However, the manager REALLY wanted me to stay and work my way up to manager (he made $150,000 at the time).  He liked my work ethic and thought I was good at most of the tasks.  Further, I was, in his words, a "model employee."  Be that as it may, I did not like the idea of working in fast food and wanted to go to law school.  I finally got in and got out of fast food, never looking back (except for now, as I write about it). 

But, this story is not HOW I got into law school but WHY I decided to go.  You see, there are some majors that are good enough so that a person does not have to go to graduate or law school.  And there are some majors out there where one realizes as they are grabbing their diploma that they made a very, very bad choice.  It hit me as I opened my diploma and it said "Celtic Studies."  I would have NEVER majored in that had I thought about how it would look on a resume.

Honestly, what would you think if you got a resume from someone and it said "Major: Celtic Studies"? 

Well, I knew that I was either going to have to go to graduate school for something (and not for Advanced Celtic Studies or any other ____ studies either).  In other words, I learned my lesson, and wonder why a person goes to graduate school and pays $70,000+ for a Celtic studies degree. 

Anyway, that's when I decided to go to law school.  What made you decide to go?

What did you give up for college?

I received a comment on my last post stating that someone gave up a job with the U.S. Post Office in order to go to law school.  When I read this, I could not help but wonder what other people have given up in order to go to law school.  As with all forms of schooling, one gives up income that they could be earning to go to law school.  That's basic economics.  However, many people probably feel that they gave up more than just money.  Examples include:

• Secure jobs.
• Employment that was enjoyable.
• The location in which they worked (especially when a person relocates for law school).
• Family (I moved far from mine for law school).
• Looks (many people balloon in law school.  Further stress makes a person not so pretty).
• Time (one could learn another profession, and perhaps wish they did so).
• A mate (sometimes a person leaves a girlfriend, boyfriend, fiance, etc. for schooling).
• Outside interests (some people give up interests and activities that they enjoyed for school).
• A skill (abilities wane when one does not regularly engage in them).

With that in mind, I ask: What have you given up for (law) school (or otherwise)?  Looking back, do you have any advice for people who are entering school, or thinking of entering school?  Of course, money is always on the forefront of everyone's mind, because that's how success is often measured.  School's use money as the enticement to enter.  However, many people do not think about the other things that they have given up in order to go to school. 

Oftentimes, one can not get into a school in the location they live.  Oftentimes this is a place where the person has spent most of their life, or has chosen to live.  Perhaps the student plans on returning to this place after school.  Maybe the applicant hoped to get into a school in the area, but with their lackluster LSAT score, they were not admitted to a school close to home.  So, the person relocates to another place where they were accepted.  Was this you? 

Please, feel free to share in the comments what you gave up for school.  Many people don't think about these things when they start.  Sometimes they don't realize exactly what they gave up until they are near the end of their schooling.  Everything in life involves a trade of some sort.  Did you give too much up for law school (or any other type of schooling)? 

Interested in succeeding in law school? Click to learn more!

You shoulda' been... a Pharmacist/Pharmacy Technician/Pharmacy Rep

We all go through the phase of "what if I majored in something else?"  But, some of us really wonder what our lives would have been like if we had just did something else in the beginning.  Some of us may even be considering a new life.  But, is more schooling really the answer?  For this position more schooling is probably the only way, but, if you are wanting to really reel in a career that could get you the [epic loots] in the real world that you crave, read on.

First, I want to point you to something I read a while back that made the gears in my brain start turning.  It was actually a comment on ThirdTierReality that really started getting me all thinking (and, to be honest, hot and bothered) about pharmacy:

"The male [pharmacy] reps I met were almost always in great shape and had winning personalities. I knew one kid, Hispanic guy, about 23. This son of a gun was dating beautiful women. You know, the type that bring a tear to your eye?

Anyway, one day he lets me use his friend's gym membership. He picks me up in his Mercedes M Class. The thing must have had less than 5000 miles on it. The thing is you knew he could afford it. He was a smart kid. Anyway, I kid you not, I put my wallet in his glove compartment before we head in. Before I know it, I see these crotchless panties. He was such a cool kid. He just looked at me and apologized. And that he had met one of his girlfriends the other night.

He freaking apologized. Didn't blush or tell me how amazingly hot the conquest was. And I sure as heck didn't ask if he had her in the front seat or the back.

At 23, this guy had stuff that I can't afford at 34. He had other things going for him. I remember one blonde chick in particular he was dating. I still remember her, and she only said Hi to me maybe once. I swear I almost blacked out. And this 23 year old kid was banging the poo out of her on a consistent basis. She was so gorgeous, when you saw her your fluffing heart skipped a few beats and the bloodflow to your brain temporarily stopped. We picked the wrong field, folks."

A nice place to live, I am told.

Now that we got that out of our system, pharmacy is a lot more than hot women with crotchless panties and nice cars.  It's a lot more than good money and job stability.  It's a lot more than... well, isn't that enough for most?   I will say that I had a friend (not just "a friend", I actually KNEW this person in real life.  I hung out with him in elementary school, so it's a lot more than "a friend who I sat next to in class for six weeks" type thing) who worked as a pharmacy technician for a while, and he was doing quite well for himself.  Lived in a very expensive west coast city called "Santa Barbara".  Ever hear of it?  It's one of the most expensive cities in the country, also known as the "American Rivera".  It's a nice place I hear.  This friend was also hanging out in France shortly after his stint in Santa Barbara.  Livin' the life in a picturesque French village for over a year.  What a life. (Note to self: purge the jealousy and move on).

Now, keep in mind, to be a bona fide pharmacist, you will need to pretty much become a bona fide doctor.  In fact, the degree is called a doctor of pharmacy, if that gives you a clue.  But, to become a pharmacy technician, well, let's just say you don't have to have the letters M.D. after your name.  Do you get what I'm trying to say?  I'm saying that to become a pharmacy technician you can basically be out and employed in a LOT LESS time.  (Some schools claim as little as six weeks.  I would research this further though.)

What is a pharmacy technician?

Well, according to some school that may or may not be a scam in itself, "pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication, information, education, and other healthcare products to their patients. The pharmacy technician, also called a pharmacy tech, or pharmacy assistant usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.  A pharmacy technician is not a pharmacist, but works closely with the pharmacist to assist him/her. Pharmacy technicians use computers, answer telephones, handle money, manage inventory, and perform other clerical duties."  The article forgot to mention crotchless panties, but that's okay.

However, be warned folks!  There are more schools popping up for pharmacy technicians than the medicines that pharmacists sell to pop pimples!  In fact, the field will undoubtedly become saturated in due time.  That's why one must act fast as with most things in life that seem to be too good to be true.  Chances are almost every school in your area has a pharmacy program.  From big schools that the US News touts as its "top greatest schools" to the local community college.  Further, you may notice that pharmacy schools commercials are everywhere, from radio to television.

Also, as with everything that is supposed to glitter like gold, there's a chance that it's hayday has long passed.  In other words, those who are thinking about getting in now could find that they are too late.  That is, sadly, the reality that many of us face.  Is finding the ULTIMATE CAREER more luck than planning?  Perhaps.  Maybe the best advice we can give is "don't go to school for something that is doing insanely well RIGHT NOW."  Of course, there will always be a need for pharmacists and doctors.  There will always be a need for dentists and plumbers.  There will always be a need for truck drivers and pest control workers.  Those are probably safe bets for people who want to get a job (keep in mind, however, these will at times be over-saturated fields).  With that being said, realize nothing is truly easy.  Everything in life, as I am learning, is a huge pain in the rear. 

In the end, the point of this post was merely to point out the route some of us feel that we should have taken.  Many of us fantasize (or will be fantasizing) about driving a Mercedes M Class and dating a woman with crotchless panties.   Many of us see our friends, neighbors and old classmates working these types of jobs.  Perhaps we laughed at them before.  Perhaps we thought they were hella daft.  But, now that the wheels of life are turning.  The cogs of life if you will.  Now that they are turning and burning and the days are churning and the stench of the unemployment line is burning we are starting to think that maybe we should have not laughed at little Todd Reynolds from high school that dreamed of a job as a pharmacy technician.  A job that carried little prestige.  Perhaps we should have taken the Todd Reynolds' of the world a bit more seriously.  Perhaps we wished we would have had our palms read or our auras examined at Madam Z's so that we could have seen the fate that was before us!  We only live once, after all.  And the CLOCK OF LIFE IS TICKING. 

Tick Tock.  Tick Tock.  Tick Tock.

So, children of the modern era, ask yourselves this: Would you rather be like the person you see on the left?  Or  would you rather be ridin' pretty, like the guy in the story, pictured to the right?


 
Remember folks,  Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tickidy Tockidy TICK TOCK TICK TOCK, you only live ONE TIME. 

Do you feel you chose the right career?  Could you have done something better?  Do you often dream of something else?  If you could have done it all over, what would you have done?  Let me know in the comments below.  Perhaps it's not too late, after all.  Some of us are young enough.  Perhaps there is some time left.