September 23rd, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
It takes a special kind of patience to move to LA I have to imagine if you're not used to it, but having friends there helps a lot I'm sure. I don't think I could go from one extreme to another like that, but a nice bump in pay could make a difference. Best of luck to you!
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
Even if the bump in pay isn't substantial. I'm 26, single, and have zero ties to Connecticut, which I can't stand. I miss city life.
Thanks!
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Steve Martin movie. Very funny, but also a shred of truth to it. It'll help you. There's 'city life' and then there's....LA.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
Ironically, I started reading Legacy of Ashes last night, which is pretty apt. Or, at least the title is, anyway.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
Any of you pros at the IB stuff have any tips?
September 23rd, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
...start building extra time in for everything you do and essentially plan for some amount of chaos, you will find that it is far less distruptive and won't really hinder you as much.
Once you do that, adjust your expecations to then be pleasantly surprised when nothing goes wrong and enjoy whatever extra time, productivity, etc. you glean when things go according to plan. Focus on the positives of what you are getting to experience; differences in culture, the people you meet, food, art and an almost completely different mindset from your own and learn from it. India has made massive contributions to the world and there is a lot to learn from them, though admittedly few in terms of logistics and transit. Look at what they do well and spend your time and energy there.
If at all possible, try to stay at the same hotels, use the same car services, stores, whatever and tip generously. Having a hotel concierge or manager that recognizes you and that can answer questions and make arrangements for you or help sort out problems can go a long way toward avoiding, mitigating or fixing stuff that goes awry. Go to 'club' level at larger chain hotels and they typically have people attributed to those floors that can be extremely good resources in sorting out basic stuff that would be impossible for you to even start dealing with and they are happy to help.
Also, and only where the actual business aspect is not concerned (of course), but learning to bribe effectively can very often avoid disruptions, mistakes, long waits in line, bureaucracy, etc.
Most of my international business experience has been in Europe and Central/South America, but from our small foray into India, it can be a very hard place to do business, as there are impossible layers to doing everything and often times you need a local partner to effectively manage the bureaucratic or legal aspect of things....we hired a legal person in the U.S. to act on our behalf and a consultant in each of the regions we wanted to operate in to ride shotgun on everything we did.....they were paid some base amount plus a bonus for reaching various stages of a project/deal and a comission on any large deals/transactions. Those guys took care of red tape and blockages completely out of my view based on their own interest.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
Got a happy wife at home, going up for a bachelor party and a wedding this weekend with some old friends.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
Flying to New Orleans next Saturday and no longer worried about where to watch the Michigan game.
So... good?
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
Soooooo...pretty good. And you?
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
Things are weird. I keep thinking of the look on the woman's face staring at me as I got into my car last night. She looked like I was loading decapitated human heads into the backseat instead of my computer bag. This morning I desperately want a coffee but my heartburn is scaring me away from it for now. I'm out of sorts a little. I have a pile of work sitting here, so I've got that going for me.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
I graduated from UofM in 1966; pre-Schembechler. Under Bump Elliott, our expectations for football were to compete with Big 10 teams and occasionally win against MSU and OSU. The Rose Bowl in 1964 was a big deal. The basketball program reached an apex during that time as Cazzie Russell was a freshman in 1962. So that was fun. Three Big 10 championships in a conference that was the toughest in the country.
Besides, it's sunny and warm in northern Wisconsin and I'm trying to come up with some Lions stuff to wear to the next Packer party.
.
September 23rd, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
I've been better. Most notably prior to 2008.
September 23rd, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
2007 was as much fun as a barrel of monkeys? I recall that season starting off like a bag of dicks.
September 23rd, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^
Things are shit. For some stupid reason I spent the last 6 months excitedly looking forward to this college football season, with Nuss and a Senior DG, and a loaded D, thinking, finally, after 7 years of agony, I'd get a glimpse of days of old, like that day in '89 when I went to Ulrich's and bought that sweatshirt that said "'89 Rose Bowl Champs... and if that's not enough, Men's Basketball National Champions."
But nah. Now I have nothing to look forward to but ass pastings courtesy of Sparty and Urbz, and then the cold, dark, cold winter... Even down here in Bolivia.
Such a lost feeling. Kind of like having a loved one from England kidnapped and chained to the wall of that Castle in Monty Python's Holy Grail, so the French guy up above can embarrass him for a year by razzing him and farting in his general direction. And there is nothing I can do but either watch in horror, or turn it off at half time... I love you my dear English friend... I do. But I am helpless to help you. You will have to succumb to the razzings, and have your olfactory senses assaulted by the gaseous fecal matter of your French assailant, and I will try to stand by you, but if I turn it off at half time, please... please understand. Mine is a gentle spirit. I may not have the strength.
September 23rd, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
So you're saying there's a chance.
September 23rd, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
I just started dating someone new in the middle of the summer. Was very much looking forward to introducing her to Michigan football and making her a fan.
I now might wait until next season.
September 23rd, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
September 23rd, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
We should win. We can win. I will be there. I will cheer and support the team.
I will be sad to see the empty seats above the student section.
I hope they take Devin to a sports psychologist to get his confidence back up, because I expect he will be the starter.
September 23rd, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^
Retired, but still busy.........watching my bird dog try to catch butterflies. Putting the canoe in the mighty Huron River.
UM football is a real disappointment, but life goes on.
I was a rabid fan during my 30's, 40's and 50's............getting less intense as each year rolls on and getting within six months of 70. I am finding it difficult to get pissed about the team, just bummed by the performances.
September 23rd, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
I'm well, how are you, BiSB?