$7.00 an Hour and...

My farewell gift from my summer job in 1993.  Photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

Twenty-two years ago, I had the best summer job ever.  It was far from financially lucrative.  In fact, it was an incredibly modest $7.00 an hour and all the coffee I could drink.  Keep in mind I was a college graduate and well into my second degree.  One might wonder why this would be such a great summer job?  Well my friends, I am about to tell you.

During the summer of 1993, I was a prosecuting intern with the Scott County, Iowa Attorney's Office.  Under Iowa law, I was able to perform a variety of tasks under the "supervision" of the prosecution staff.  For the serious (felony) crimes, I was strictly on the sidelines.  However, for misdemeanors, especially simple misdemeanor, we had the run of the place.  By the place, I mean the courthouse.

It was nirvana.  If you're in law school and want to get into court, this was the best job to have the summer before your third and final year of law school.  Within a month of being on the job we (my other two interns and I) were in charge of the simple misdemeanor calendar.  We were in court, trying cases!

Now, when I say, "in court," it was not one of the more formal courtrooms upstairs, lined with painting of former judges, with the dais from which district court judges announced decisions and fates of the convicted.  This was the board of supervisors room.  There was no court reporter and the judge was a magistrate.  And yet the rules were as real as those upstairs.  It was real court with, at times, real defense attorneys.  We did not win all the time (especially when a more experienced attorney was on the other side) but the whole experience was great.  And while neither my ego or I appreciated at the time, the losses were more instructive than the wins.

The County Attorney at the time was Bill Davis.  Bill was personable and truly wanted us to have a great summer.  He wanted us to learn.  I knew him from previous political events and enjoyed having him as a distant boss.  I say distant not in a bad way, just an accurate one.  He was, after all, the county attorney, and delegated our "upbringing" to his subordinates.  

However, he did take time to counsel me on my wardrobe choices.  He told me, "Stop dressing better than the lawyers."  I thought he was kidding.  I guess he wasn't when he told me a second time. Sorry Bill, just could not help myself.  It wasn't like I had custom made suits, I just had my shirts starched and took advantage of the discount stores in the Twin Cities where I was going to school.  I am now at a point in my life where getting dressed up is far less important.  Back then, it was a big deal for me.  A very big deal.

One thing about the summer that I did not expect was the interaction I had with the public.  I learned pretty quick just how charmed a life I had lived up until that point.  Several times a day, individuals would walk in to file complaints.  One of my personal favorites was the woman who walked into the County Attorney's Office and wanted to file charges against someone who had failed to honor their business transaction.  A transaction for the purchase of $20.00 of crack cocaine.  The woman was not even that upset, she just wanted her $20.00 back.  

Then there were the less humorous ones, downright depressing, actually.  I recall sitting with a victim of domestic violence who refused to testify against her abuser.  She was more terrified of him going to jail and losing his job than of him flying into an alcoholic-fused rage and beating her.  I think it was then that I realized this job had a dark and downside to it.  I remember driving home that day, heading back to my parents' place and wondering just what type of hell on earth that women was heading back to with her boyfriend...recently sprung from jail.

When the summer ended, I received a farewell gift, the mug featured in the opening photo.  I have kept that mug and used it in just about every office I have had since I became a "real" lawyer.  It is a great pen holder.  Every now and then, I read the inscription and recall what a wonderful summer, on average, it was for me.  I might have only earned $7.00 an hour but I learned an immeasurable amount about the law, the system and myself.  That was worth it.  Oh, and the free coffee was appreciated as well.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

This post is dedicated to the memory of Don Frank.  Don was an Assistant County Attorney who passed away a few years' ago.  He was a fine attorney and a better person.  

More Than A Place

My home, photo by J. Berta.

Greetings All:

I'm going to do something a bit different with this blog post and talk about a new professional endeavor I have begun.  I'm now a licensed real estate agent.  I am still practicing law, just in a more focused way.

My real estate "career" began a few months ago, when I got introduced to my friends at Exit Realty.  Exit is new in town and this was an opportunity to get involved with as close to a real estate "start up" as one can get.  More importantly, the people I am working with, learning from and spending time with are those who share my values.  I think I'm quite fortunate to have landed where I did.

I am going to be doing some writing about this subject on my real estate blog.  I'll have a link to it here and I'd welcome your thoughts on it.  For now, I just want to share a few thoughts I have about the "why" behind the virtue of real estate.

When I talk about virtue and real estate, I am not talking about the purely economic benefits of owning real estate.  Please do not think I am dismissing such benefits.  Far from it, I view such benefits as beyond beneficial at the mirco and macro levels.  Property ownership in general and single family home ownership in particular is essential to our economy.  From the folks who build homes to those who furnish them and yes, those who sell them, all earn their living from being involved in the process of home ownership.

Then there is commercial real estate.  This is defined (loosely) as anything that is not residential, or the traditional, single family home (white, picket fence optional).  This is the area that I have elected to concentrate my practice.  When you consider how huge small business is to the growth and sustainability of our economy, it is irrefutable how huge these companies are to our nation's overall economic well-being.

How huge, you might ask.  Well, thanks to our friends at the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (citing to the Small Business Administration, (SBA), in part) here's some facts:

"In 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, there were 5.68 million employer firms in the United States.  Firms with fewer than 500 workers accounted for 99.7 percent of those businesses, and businesses with less than 20 workers made up 89.8 percent. Add in the number of nonemployer firms – there were 22.7 million in 2012 – and the share of U.S. businesses with less than 500 workers increases to 99.9 percent, and firms with less than 20 workers increases to 98 percent.  Among employer C Corporations in 2011, 99.2 percent had less than 500 workers, and 86.4 percent had fewer than 20 employees.

 

- See more at: http://www.sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/#sthash.C4Tacu4U.dpuf"

http://www.sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/

All of these facts are important, critical even.  However, I see an even larger aspect of real estate.  This is something that transcends the tangible benefits that come from an "improved" piece of property.  It is what a place becomes when people spend time in it.  Be it a place they live or work (or in this economy, both), it is where their lives happen.  

 

A while ago, Jimmy Buffett wrote a song, "Love in the Library,"  off of his Fruitcakes CD.  I remember one line:

"So write your own ending and hope it comes true."

For many, owning their own home (OK, even if the bank/mortgage company is a silent partner) or business is the ending they strive for.  True, in the last few years for some/many, that dream has dissovled.  And yet, for many more, that ending does come true.  I know it has for my family and I.  I offer the photograph at the beginning of this post as Exhibit A.

So my friends, real estate is more than a place.  For me, as begin this new chapter in my life, I am excited and honored to play a role in helping people find a house, a building, a lot, a fill-in-the-blank where they can make their own magic happen, make their own endings come true.

Now how's that for a dream job?

Be well my friends,

Jeno 

 

In 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, there were 5.68 million employer firms in the United States.  Firms with fewer than 500 workers accounted for 99.7 percent of those businesses, and businesses with less than 20 workers made up 89.8 percent. Add in the number of nonemployer firms – there were 22.7 million in 2012 – and the share of U.S. businesses with less than 500 workers increases to 99.9 percent, and firms with less than 20 workers increases to 98 percent.
Among employer C Corporations in 2011, 99.2 percent had less than 500 workers, and 86.4 percent had fewer than 20 employees.
- See more at: http://www.sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/#sthash.C4Tacu4U.dpuf

In 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, there were 5.68 million employer firms in the United States.  Firms with fewer than 500 workers accounted for 99.7 percent of those businesses, and businesses with less than 20 workers made up 89.8 percent. Add in the number of nonemployer firms – there were 22.7 million in 2012 – and the share of U.S. businesses with less than 500 workers increases to 99.9 percent, and firms with less than 20 workers increases to 98 percent.
Among employer C Corporations in 2011, 99.2 percent had less than 500 workers, and 86.4 percent had fewer than 20 employees.
- See more at: http://www.sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/#sthash.C4Tacu4U.dpuf

In 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, there were 5.68 million employer firms in the United States.  Firms with fewer than 500 workers accounted for 99.7 percent of those businesses, and businesses with less than 20 workers made up 89.8 percent. Add in the number of nonemployer firms – there were 22.7 million in 2012 – and the share of U.S. businesses with less than 500 workers increases to 99.9 percent, and firms with less than 20 workers increases to 98 percent.
Among employer C Corporations in 2011, 99.2 percent had less than 500 workers, and 86.4 percent had fewer than 20 employees.
- See more at: http://www.sbecouncil.org/about-us/facts-and-data/#sthash.C4Tacu4U.dpuf

Once a Year

My e-ticket stub from last night's Jimmy Buffett concert.  Photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

Last night, I got together with a few great friends and we saw Jimmy Buffett play in St. Louis last night.  I have a link to the show's review below in the sources.  Simply put, it was a great show and we certainly got our money's worth.

Jimmy Buffett is a genre unto himself in popular music.  Originally denied the Nashville acceptance he craved, he instead headed south to Key West.  From a few party hits, he has grown into his own entertainment industry.  Restaurants, tequila, beer, merchandise, a recording label, an online radio station, books and the list goes on to all things Buffett.  He even nailed his first music industry award with his song (with Alan Jackson), "It's five-o'clock somewhere."  

Yet it is the Buffett concert that is his trademark, his calling card.  It is a celebration of his music and lifestyle.  It's goofy fun, complete with beach balls bouncing through the crowd.

However, a Buffett show is more than just what goes on inside the venue.  The parking lot is turned into a tailgate atmosphere that would make any SEC fan (and Buffett did attend Auburn) nod in approval.   By the time the parking lot was opened for the "pre-concert activities" there was a line out to the access road.

Buffett fans are unique.  They have earned the nickname, "Parrotheads."  Supposedly, the name was born in 1985 (please see article below) and stuck wonderfully.  I recall (yet cannot find the citation) that Esquire magazine referred to "Parrotheads" as, "Deadheads with MBAs."  That sounds about right.  

However, the thousands of fans surpass any one category.  As I watched the crowds in the parking lot and at the concert, I saw multiple generations represented.  Considering Buffett has been going strong across five decades, it is not a stretch to see four generations of a family enjoying the fun.

And yes, there is fun to be had.  There were makeshift bars with portable blenders whipping up various concoctions.  To quote Buffett's trademark song, "Margaritaville,"  "...there's booze in the blender..."

Yet while there were ample adult beverages being enjoyed by the crowd., it was not a drunken mob.  I saw well-behaved folks having fun.  I saw brats exchanged for home made Margaritas and a general sense of good cheer and fellowship.  If there was one sound that dominated the parking lot, it would have to be laughter.

A Buffett concert is more than just Boat Drinks and Cheeseburgers in Paradise.  It is a chance for people to put aside their cares and forget about the daily grind for a few hours.  It was well worth the five hour drive to experience it.

At a Buffett concert, such rules are relaxed.  Photo by J. Berta.

 I try to get to a Buffett concert once a year.  It's a "guys' trip."  I consider myself fortunate that I am still in contact with friends I have known since college, in some cases, further back.  We get together, have a few beverages of our choice, and re-tell the same stories that elicit the same guaranteed roaring laughter it did at the first telling.  

We're all older, much older now.  We've got the tell-tale signs of being way-North of 40.  I don't say this out of angst.  I would not want to go back to my 20s or 30s.  I fully comprehend I am a damn lucky guy and was glad to get home and see my family this afternoon.  Still, it is time well-spent to get together with people who matter to you.  The Buffett concert just adds to the enjoyment.

One of the last songs of the night was "Southern Cross."  Originally done by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffett has worked it into his song list and it is a crowd favorite.  It is fast becoming my favorite song he performs.

One line in particular sticks with me:

"I have my ship and all her flags are a' flyin'..."

When that was played last night, I remember feeling quite wonderful.  I am usually not an "in the moment" guy.  Yet last night, at that time, I was.  For that, I was grateful.

The concert ended and we headed back to the parking lot.  As we walked back, I realized that it would almost certainly be another year before I had this experience.  I did experience a moment of melancholy.  Then it passed.  I knew I had this experience, with my friends.  This mattered to me.  Even if it was only a few hours and even if it was only once a year.  

And once a year is enough.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

Sources:
 
http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/reviews/jimmy-buffett-brings-his-island-infused-rock-to-hollywood-casino/article_f7f2686d-2c33-55dc-ae16-54b2135cc0bb.html 

http://islandjay.com/blog/what-is-a-parrot-head-how-did-jimmy-buffett-help/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Buffett 

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/crosbystillsnash/southerncross.html