Blog Archives
Generation C
Graduation.
Whether it’s from high school or college, it’s an event of celebration, reflection and some lighthearted humor.
Plus, a life lesson or two.
Interestingly, high school graduation feels more like a collective achievement because we all made it to that singular destination (college). Our high school class grew up together, from our first memories at preschool. Regardless of the specific university, we were going to college.
We did it!
Graduating from college is more of an individual achievement because we (more than likely) went to school with people from different towns, states and maybe even countries. Our studies were specialized to our interests. At this point, after walking across the stage with our diploma in-hand, we had to find our specific destination within the gigantic and chaotic thing called “the real world.”
Can I do it?
Six years later, I’ve thought about what I would like to hear if I was just now graduating from college. Or, what I wished I had heard six years ago.
Here it goes, a shortened version anyways.
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The world we live in is a crazy place. And I mean crazy! Just watch or read the news at any hour of the day and you know what I’m talking about.
“Why have they spent the past 24 hours telling us they haven’t found this plane yet?”
The world is a busy and random place. The people we come across on a daily basis ranges from normal to the absurd, yet everything seems to function as it’s supposed to, like clockwork.
How does all this come together to work?
I guess it’s all just kind of imperfectly perfect.
Anyways…Doctor. Lawyer. Captain of Industry.
These are the sough-after “money” positions. These are the jobs we should pursue, right?
Yes and no.
If it fits for you, then sure, absolutely. If not, find something that fits you better, whether it exists or not.
My sincere advice?
Whatever ranks you decide to join or invent as an entrepreneur, be sure to add your special kind of craziness to the mix, both in and out of the workplace.
What do I mean?
Be crazy nice and always open the door for the person behind you or in front of you.
Be crazy awesome and launch a business that makes dynamite food concoctions (FYI- Voodoo Doughnut in Portland nailed it with their Bacon Maple Bar doughnut!).
Be crazy in love and dedicate yourself to that special someone in your life.
Be crazy creative and market in ways thought to be too “outside the box.”
Be crazy compassionate and volunteer at the local Food Bank in your spare time and connect in ways you never imagined.
Be crazy inspiring and wash the windows at a local hospital in a superhero costume as excited kids watch.
Be crazy dancing guy/girl and make someone laugh on a Wednesday.
Be crazy enough to believe you can bring something to the “real world” that makes it a little better.
In this economy, jobs are few and far between. Past assumptions about living post-college are flying out the window. Will the above result in your dream job? I have no idea, but for this generation, you must be dedicated to thinking that you have the opportunity (and necessity) to bring some positive craziness to a world that’s becoming increasingly crazy and uncertain. If you do, then maybe that one person will take a chance on you for that job you’ve always wanted? Maybe that one person will say “yes” to a date? Maybe that one person will inspire you to do something you’re passionate about, but were too nervous to do before?
Instead of looking for a needle in a haystack, become that needle in a haystack. Be a bright, shining presence who is ready for their shot when the right person looks in your direction.
You’d be crazy not to.
“How does somebody know what they want if they’ve never even seen it?”
Steve Jobs changed the world forever with his innovative products, released as if they were all continuously moving along an assembly line for him to pick up at his leisure. His business savvy has also been celebrated and assuredly studied by aspiring businessmen, businesswomen and big thinking dreamers in their basements and even parent’s garages. The iMac computer is not owned solely by Americans, but by adults and children all around the world. And not just this Apple product either. Terms like iPod, iPhone, iPad, iMac and Macbook Pro are household names. Techies and millions of fawning fans alike listened to his every word whenever he casually strolled onto that plain stage in northern California with a wall-sized projection screen behind, clothed in his trademarked look: blue jeans, New Balance sneakers and his low-key black turtleneck. In hand was his next big device to make its grand premiere, ready for an exhilarating public test run.
Rightly so, he is admired. In this age of increasing globalization, it was nice to say when he was alive that, ‘he’s one of ours….he’s an American innovator.’ It’s still nice to say. Walter Isaacson’s Behemoth of a book, “Steve Jobs,” details his life and includes just about any bit of information anyone would like to know about the man and technological icon. A movie is set to be adapted from this book by famed screenwriter Aaron Sorkin for a movie called, “Steve Jobs.” For those who are drawn to Jobs’ life and career, love dramatic stories as portrayed in cinema but can’t wait for this film to be released sometime down the road, they are in luck.
Lights. Camera. Genius.
“That ’70s Show,” “My Boss’s Daughter” and the cult classic “Dude, Where’s My Car?” offer a snapshot of the portfolio of the man chosen to fill the soles of some of the most famous New Balance shoes in history. Ashton Kutcher, the director, writers and cast are preparing to premiere the major motion picture, “jOBS” at the Sundance Film Festival tonight (Nationwide April 19th on Apple’s 37th Anniversary). Many may scoff at the idea of Michael Kelso portraying such a serious and beloved figure. However, before passing judgement, first take a look at a side-by-side comparison:

(www.sellcell.com)
Now come the vital questions that will surely be asked before and after the premiere: did director Joshua Michael Stern present the right details, milestones and key decisions to appropriately define the gigantic life of Steve Jobs through his multiple decades of leading Apple onto the top-shelf of the technological world? What overall theme and events did they decide to drive the story with? Is it accurate?
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (“The Woz”) recently shared his reaction of the first released clip of “jOBS” as seen below to the website Gizmodo. “Not close…we never had such interaction and roles…I’m not even sure what it’s getting at…personalities are very wrong although mine is closer…don’t forget that my purpose was inspired by the values of the Homebrew Computer Club along with ideas of the value of such machines and Steve J. wasn’t around and didn’t attend the club so he was the one learning about such social impact of the future,” Wozniak said.
Here is the aforementioned clip:
http://youtu.be/yURNUwmslGk
One thing that can be agreed upon is that the final retort from Kutcher/Jobs excitedly foreshadows the empire the two of them would soon begin to build. It’s probably safe to say that this clip alone will generate a significant buzz of curiosity about the movie.
Interestingly, Alexis Kleinman of The Huffington Post recently noted something very insightful about the clip. “With the premiere of the Steve Jobs biopic “jOBS” quickly approaching this month, its creators are doing something Apple never would: Pumping up excitement by offering a sneak-peak.” It’s certainly something to ponder…
Without seeing this movie in its entirety, it’s impossible to declare whether or not the script is misleading throughout or simply taking a little bit of artistic licensing, which does happen in Hollywood, for better and for worse. This could be the only hiccup or it could be first drip in a waterfall of inaccuracies. Until the lights go down and the movie is premiered, no fan/critic will know. The question is with his true life so fascinating and inspiring, why has such a step been taken for this important one minute scene? A few fortunate people will likely discover that truth tonight.
I suppose that like any Apple product though, there will be the occasional bug. Maybe “jOBS” is just life imitating art?
Come April 19th, will you give it a Friday night?