I'm 24

After publishing my post earlier this week about the awkward age of transitioning from college to the working world, I found this video, on the same topic, by Pat Stansik.

Lacrosse Makes Business Sense

I recently came across this article on USA Today about liberal arts colleges in the Midwest adding varsity lacrosse programs. Schools in the Midwest are seeing a boom in growth of high school lacrosse in the region, and noticed that they were losing students to East Coast schools simply because the students were only interested in schools that offered varsity lacrosse (my younger sister and I are both examples of Midwest lacrosse players choosing East Coast colleges).

The article also gets into stereotypes a bit, in explaining that most students who grow up playing lacrosse come from middle-class, or even wealthier, families that do not qualify for financial aid. This means that schools these student-athletes attend, are getting tuition payments at the sticker price of the school--an advantage for the college on the business end.

There was one concern that the schools had about drawing lacrosse players to campus: the lacrosse reputation of being partiers. Most school administrators plan to combat this stereotype by hiring coaches who they feel have the ability to keep players focused on academics and athletics.

The article was very interesting (and does talk about more than lacrosse), and worth a read.

That Awkward Age

I'm 24 years old, and hold real world job, with bills to pay. There's rent, a car payment, cable, internet, gas, and electricity, and then food. This means there's a lot of budgeting for entertainment, traveling (gas prices), and buying things that I'd simply like to have because I can't call Mom and Dad, and get them to give me some more money to last until the next pay day. Despite all of this, I'm young, and not really tied down--the biggest financial commitment I have is the car payment that I'm tied to until 2016.

I work 8 AM-4 PM everyday, at a small company. The people that I work with are all in their late 30s/early 40s, are married, have kids, and own a home. I have an entirely different lifestyle from my "peers;" the people that I'm around on a daily basis. I feel more like a college student, and I feel like sometimes  (hopefully they do this on accident) I am treated like the kid in the office.

On the other hand, I have a lot more responsibility than the average college student. I can't go out late on weeknights because I have to wake up early every day of the week, and I no longer have breaks during the day where I can nap. I do have friends who are in the same position as me (but quite a few of them are getting married or engaged), but the people I talk to most either fall into the 'working and have kids' category, or the 'college student' category.

It almost feels like I'm being torn between two worlds. During the week, I am a responsible adult with a job and support myself, but on weekends I revert back to a college student. It really is an awkward age.

Gotta Have It: Vineyard Vines iPhone Case

Vineyard Vines currently has limited quantities of iPhone cases available. The case is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, and only available in white. You can order the case here for $38.00. Hurry, though, this item is sure to sell out fast!

Tufts Lacrosse Documentary

After posting the documentary, The Men of Harvard Lacrosse, yesterday, I found this documentary of the Tufts University D3 national championship run in 2010. It is also produced by Drew Innis, and I liked this one a lot better--it tells the story of Tufts historic season in chronological order; plus, I was at the championship game in Baltimore when Tufts (an almost Boston school) shocked the heavy favorite, Salisbury University. Left out of the documentary, though, is when Salisbury beat Tufts to capture the 2011 national championship.

Product Review: iPopper

Manufacturer: iPopper
Cost: $19.95 (www.theipopper.com)

Back in March, I introduced you to the iPopper. About two weeks ago, I got the chance to try out this iPhone case with a bottle opener attached.

Much to my surprise, as I carried my phone around, and for once, actually had a bottle opener, it seemed that I never needed one. I finally did come up with a reason to use it, and I can report back that it does work in opening bottles without damaging your phone. However, the metal bottle opener is not attached to the case, so it does fall out of place without your phone holding it in.

My biggest concern when I saw this product online was its bulkiness. I don't like bulging pockets, and I typically look for the most slim phone cases that I can find. I was pleased though, that although this case was thicker than the bumper case that I'm used to, it was not as bulky as I was expecting from the pictures, so I don't have too big of a complaint there.

Personally, I will be alternating cases depending on the situation. If I'm going more formal, I will use a slim case on my phone to eliminate the pocket bulge. If I'm going out casually, or any event that I feel may merit the use of a bottle opener, I will be bringing the iPopper with me.

The Men of Harvard Lacrosse

This is a documentary of the Harvard Men's Lacrosse Team, which lasts about 20 minutes, and gives  brief insight into what it is like to play lacrosse for D1 team that is a contender to make the NCAA tournament every season, while simultaneously being a student at one of the top universities in the world. The film is by Drew Innis.