Day 259 6:20PM

Employed Dave vs. Let Go Dave: It's been a while since I had an entry in this series, mostly because I no longer can faithfully recall how Employed Dave would react in most situations. This one, however, I am pretty sure of. Earlier today I decided that rather than pay $2.00 in quarters to park for one hour in Murray Hill before heading to AVEnts Catering and Special Events I would instead just sit in my Nissan Rogue that entire time. Many factors played into the decision besides the money: the loss of comfort associated with the elimination of eight (count 'em EIGHT) quarters from my center console; the fact that I would have to return to the car in an hour anyway since I needed to use it; the unfortunate timing of it being less than an hour but more than 45 minutes; the peace of mind I found in sitting in a parked car on 28th street and reading a book while my XM Radio played gently in the background. But at the end of the day, Employed Dave would've paid the $20, put the car in a lot for two hours, and enjoyed a nice medium coffee and small chocolate chip cookie at Gregory's on Park.

[Important Side Bar: There is a distinct possibility that I will be changing clothes in said Rogue in about two hours. I am an 18-month NMAC lease, a pair of Ernest Sewn jeans, and a tolerant family away from being homeless. In which case I will be moving to either Miami, San Diego, or Santa Monica. Just a heads up.]

Day 250 1:55PM

The Focus Group. If properly used it can be an excellent resource for some quick cash and maybe a little amusement. By following some simple advice you can soon find yourself in a room full of opinionated people that will annoy you for two hours for $150 in cash.

"But Dave," you may ask, "As a Marketing Professional and upstanding member of the business community don't you think it's unethical to teach people to trick Focus Groups for a quick buck?"

To this I reply: "Are you going to finish the rest of that sandwich?"

Do take liberties when filling out the form to see if you qualify for a focus group. Click off all the boxes even if they are asking if you've had beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks, Zima, Everclear, or bathtub gin in the past week. This may lead to your presence at some strange focus groups - I've made a collage at a pro Free Trade coffee group (I didn't know what Free Trade was before), been forced to watch the pilot of Dirty, Sexy Money (because I said I watched Desperate Housewives, which I didn't, I swear. Stop judging me!), and chugged Heinekens with unemployed meatheads (because I checked off all the boxes on the above question) - but it'll increase your chances of getting in.
Do not answer in the affirmative to any of the questions on the page that asks you whether you work in marketing or advertising, or work for whatever industry the group is for. Furthermore, do not answer that you are Unemployed. Honesty and pride aren't going to work for you here, like a first date.
Do show up 30 minutes early so you can take advantage of the snacks and beverages available for participants.
Do not fill your backpack with the Sun Chips, Arrowhead Water, and Splenda. Apparently this is frowned upon.
Do have an opinion about what is being discussed. If you don't have anything to say it is unlikely you'll be asked back.Be intelligent and concise.
Do not have a strong opposing opinion. Contrary to what you believe, you are probably not shaping the future of the product you are reviewing; most likely you are only validating what they have created. The market research folks want to know they did good, so let them know it. Hence Dirty, Sexy Money made it to air.
Do fill out the forms on sites such as Alpha Buzz, Great Opinions, and Recruit & Field in order to get invited to groups.
Do not attend focus groups at places like Bob's Focus Groups and Aluminum Siding, Bruce's Apartment on 18th and 9th Buzzer #3A, and The Domination Basement.

If you have other suggestions please feel free to post them in the comments section. Thanks and good luck!

Day 236 3:27PM

For my first entry of 2010 I figured I do this New Year's Eve style with some TIO resolutions:

I resolve to abbreviate Termed Into Oblivion in order to be more efficient.
I resolve to tailor my resume to the job even more and not just move things that seem more relevant to higher positions.
I resolve to use LinkedIn more in order to apply through someone directly and not through the evil online application systems that swallow your resume along with your hopes and dreams.
I resolve to spend more down time writing TIO (nice) and less down time doing things that make me feel like I am being productive but really aren't (like reading a White Paper on using economics to answer why NFL teams should go for it on 4th down or practicing Excel by creating a model to predict the best Sunday games to bet).
I resolve to get back to trying to make corn-cob pipes this year's skinny jeans. 
I resolve to get back to learning VBA so a piece of my soul no longer dies each time I tell interviewers I know it. 
I resolve to start going to bed sooner so that I feel better in the morning (resolution rehash 2003-2009). 
I resolve to stop snapping at people that tell me that "everything happens for a reason" and "something better will come along" and "sorry sir but you cannot pay for this beer with your Borders Rewards card."
I resolve to move on faster and remain more positive.
In that same vein, I resolve to cease my line of HR effigy dolls and accessories.
I resolve to never look back on this time of my life wistfully and solemnly say "I never knew how good I had it back then."
I resolve to look back at this list in a year, remember what I learned, acknowledge how I grew, stop fucking around, and get back to my job.