I keep a cardigan sweater in my office just in case it gets cold. We’ve experienced a huge warm spell this week (mid-70′s)until today which turned ridiculously cold(freakin’ 38 degrees). So I got to break it out today and horrify all of my co workers. I think it’s great, and really essential to office life.. I figure if old ladies can wear sweaters and middle aged women can wear sweaters and keep tissues in their sleeves (which is #2 on the all time grossest thing in an office area. #1 is when coffee pot sits on a burner all day and then gets dehydrated and caked on to the glass pot…. nasty) I should be allowed to wear a sweater that would’ve been found on an fine elder gentleman who would tell stories about World War II or something else, “When I was a kid movies were a nickle”.
Tim Grahl‘s response was my favorite:
Dan: Hey tim.. it’s cold out, I’m busting out my old man sweater.
Tim: OH MY GOD, why? Please feel free not to wear that again.
Do you have any office rituals that you like to do.
Fin
This weeks episode music editor Matt Benson and Dan catch up with Polyvinyl recording artists, Headlights at The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar in Charlottesville, Virginia. Download the episode to check out how break dance fighting is still being utilized by the band. We thought this was a great wy to lead off the SXSW week of fun down in Austin. Headlights will be playing with indie darlings Page France 3 times at SXSW this week, it’s a breif stopping point on their massive spring tour. Check out the rest of the available dates at the site headlightsmusic.com
Today is the day that I’ve been waiting for, for 6 months. The story of the 300 Spartans fighting insurmountable odds as recorded by Herodotus (the father of written history). I think this story captures a rare quality found or even a value that is rarely emphasized – sacrifice. If you’re not familiar with the story, Greece was in danger of being run over by a million man army of Persians. Their political climate had each city state living in isolationism form the others and when the giant threat came to Greece, the leaders knew that they had to adjust if they wanted a chance to survive and not become slaves of King Xerxes. Because Leonidas gave his word to fight, he essentially sealed the fate of he and his men. Fight they would and in what would result in the most incredible 3 days of fighting, the Spartan warriors trounced the Persians.
Betrayal found the mighty Spartans on the third day and they were flanked by a large group of Perisans who were led over a mountain pass by a Greek shepherd boy to attack them from the rear. “Never get involved in a 2 fronted war” is what I’ve always been told and that’s what the Spartans found themselves in.
The sacrifice of these men for their families, for their country inspired a nation to fight against the invading Persians but also to trounce them so bad that they never again ventured into Europe.
So many men will today be inspired by sacrifice – what inspires you?
(Disclaimer: The picture above is a remnant from last years Mustache May, which is strongly being debated for this year. Please sound off on your take on mustaches in the comment area. Based on your response will be whether it’s a go or not. I can trust you, you’re nice. If you’re interested in seeing the rest of the photos from last May’s facial hair debacle just click here.)
This afternoon I had the pleasure of joining the Young Professionals of Central Virginia for their monthly meeting. This is a group that I’ve been a part of (ie. Attended events) for the past several months.. actually maybe a year. Well, the moved their meeting time to accommodate those of us who couldn’t join an 8AM meeting due to a conflict. So… today was the day, and I was really looking forward to it – to roll up my sleeves and help give life to this bunch. What really attracted me was the term “young” (on the fence if I qualify anymore) and “professional” (which also up for debate) plus the fact that many “professional” things involve a lot of stuffy highbrow bull crud and I figured that the Young part (read immature) would over rule all of that.
Todays meeting was great because there is a ton I found out that is going on in the next month and I thought you may want to know about it. I thought that because I know my readers are A.) Young and professional and B.) Like to do fun things. So with that here’s what I’ve learned:
3/15 – Connection Trade Show – The single largest networking and business option in Central Virginia. This year to be hosted at Liberty University (that means no drinks, people) As part of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce this is a great day of getting to know business professionals and seeing who’s new on the block. More info Here.
3/15 – 5:35 – A Young Professionals of Central Virginia Original – This months 5:35 meets at Buffalo Wild Wings to catch all the March Madness.
3/28 – Big G Conference with Rebecca Ryan – 11:30-1 at the Kirkley Hotel – I’m told that this conference focuses on the generational gap and breaks down the needs and expectations of each generation (including the Young professionals – who would’ve thought) “Rebecca was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship” – so that’s ok… I mean if you’re into that kinda thing. Sign Up Here
3/30 – March Business Luncheon – Held this month at Randolph-Macon Womens College. This months topis will be on finacial planning with guest speaker Christine Smith of Beacon Financial. Cost is $15 Sign Up here.
5/23 – United Way Day of Caring – A super cool time to grab a few friends and volunteer in the community, with projects ranging from painting and clean up to reading (except for me.. that illiteracy thing. Irony anyone?)
So that’s what I’ve got on being professional, young and located in Central Virginia. I’ll be at most of these events in the next few weeks so for my internet stalking friends you know where to find me, the flip side of that is if you’re a decent internet stalker… you already know that.
PS. I got to finish the evening by putting together a lego behemouth with my young cousin. We jammed to Creedence because you’ve got to start musical proficiency at a young age.
This weeks episode is THE DROP Live! featuring Justin McRoberts. As well as being a long time friend of mine he’s an incredible story teller and a critically acclaimed musician. The recording, courtesy of Audio Concepts, comes from a show that we did in November. Make sure you check out his recent recording of Amazing Grace and www.amazingchange.com to see how you can help with the effort to abolish slavery throughout the world. Download it Today!
