Texas Independence Day

Today is March 2nd, which is Texas Independence day. 176 years ago today, the best state in the union was born.
(P.S. very picture friendly post, not what I usually like posting, but hey, today is special)

So, in honor, I believe I'll share some of my favorite things about this great state.
I love Texas barbecue. It's probably my favorite thing, ever. Whether it's from a backyard or a famous restaurant, I love it all.



Don't try to argue. You wont win. It's the best. Period.

 Then we have beer. I absolutely love beer. I love all different kinds, but I usually stay close to the normals (Coors Light, Miller Lite, the occasional Lone star) And if there's one thing I love more than beer, it's beer from Texas.

It maybe cheap, but it has a little taste of Texas in every sip.

Another thing I love about Texas is the products that come from here. Salsas, cookware, boots, hats, you name it. Anything that says "Made in Texas" or "A Go Texan Product" is the best of what it is. Hands down.

This is my favorite Salsa to date. It also comes in a Smooth Restaurant style that is a bit milder for you wussy folk out there.

Speaking of the Go Texan label, I wanted to give a shout out to the work the good folks at the Texas Department of Agriculture are doing for this state. They work extremely hard to help promote small Texas producers of food and other products, so to get more of a fair shot competing in the super markets.

Next time you see this on a Label, help support the local Farmer and buy it!

Who could forget, I LOVE Texas Tech. Red Raider Proud, no matter what. I love my Red Raiders, and I love that school with all my heart. It has given me so much, and even though I paid to attend, I'll never forget what it has done for me.

Wreck'em

Texas also makes me think of Cowboy Attire. I am one of those folks who wear cowboy boots just about any chance I get. I love my boots. I paid good money for them as well, because as Texans, we know leather ain't cheap.

I also LOVE my Dallas Cowboys, as well as My Dallas Mavericks. Actually to be fair, I root for just about any Texas professional sports team (other than those down there in Houston, they aren't really a part of Texas anyway)

Greatest Cowboy ever. Don Meredith.

Greatest Power Forward in the Game.

And I guess it all comes down to this.

I LOVE Texas. The land, the sky, the creatures, the people, the stupid Austin Drivers, the Aggies, the Stupid Longhorns, The Cowboys, The Mavericks, The Alamo, The History. Everything.

Alright, Y'all. I'm sure I've pictured you guys out. I could have put a ton more pictures and favorite things about Texas, but I guess I should keep it short and sweet.

I'm going to enjoy the weekend with my Girlfriend and my sweet puppy. Hope y'alls life is as good as mine.

Catch y'all up on Mond-ee.

Time March(es) On

I cant be too sure if I updated y'all on the name change. But, it's been done (and probably will happen again, so stay tuned)

I'm trying to convey my life in a blog, and given that, I'm trying to find a title which represents my life. And since, "Tyler Lucas loves his life, girlfriend and dog" is a bit long, I'm trying to sum it up. And I think I'm close, if not on, with the Young Banker's Chronicles.

I think Wesley told me (this is because I'm a man and I can only confirm things my girlfriend has told me with a 'I think'...but batting averages, economic news, and guy stuff take up way too much space in my brain for me to listen correctly) That if I was going to call my blog this, I should not reveal the bank I work at. But with the help of my prior posts I think it's evident which one I work at. I believe this is totally fine, because I feel as though I am a great representation of the company, and the intent of this blog is not to complain, cuss and fuss, or negatively hurt the bank's image. It is essentially just a outlet for me to put my journey through the wonderful world of banking, as well as personal challenges, in a economically challenged time.


Whew. Now that is out of the way.

Today is the first of March, which makes it my birthday month. 22 days away from being 24. I'm not exactly sure what I think about it, but my view is this. If I was to walk up to 10 year old me, and explain Who I am, what I do, and where I'm heading...would he think I was cool? I'd like to think so, but I''m sure he'd be confused as to why I ever quit baseball....

Other than that, I'm just trying to get used to living in Dallas. Adjusting is very had, and extremely uncomfortable in Cowboy boots. I do not know how well I hide my "hick" roots and country accent on a day-to-day basis, but I'm sure I do a good enough job to keep the scent off.

March is also a tease. Spring training has started, so the boys of Summer will be here in one month. Kind of hard to believe, but how last season ended for my Red Sox was incredibly frustrating and painful. I understand I shouldn't get so emotionally involved in my Sports teams, but it's hard when you love them as much as I do.




I liked it better when there was more of this. Stop breaking my heart.


Other than that, it's a period of Transition for me. I'm trying to keep up with all the economic news, which nothing big as of lately has come out that is good enough to cut this blog, and trying to apply what I've learned to understand it. As well as trying to decide what I want to do career wise. I absolutely love working in the financial industry, but I'm just trying to decipher which side of it I want to get into for the long haul.

Oh, and I did hit on some of my resolutions. I've started working out, and watching what I eat/drink. I'm proud to say I've had exactly 3 cokes in 9 days. Biting my nails in a habit quitting in process. But I am making progress.

2/7/2012

Wow, I'm terrible at this, but now that I know I can get on it at work, expect some sort of post everyday...and I really mean this, this time.

My life so far? Has been completely awesome.

Like I said, Since November 1st, I am now employed. It's not exactly what I was shooting for, but it's a fairly nice place to start. I'm bored, at times, but I guess that's the problem with entry level positions.

Good news is, I have not been late, and have ALWAYS been at work. Every day. And I stay late. I'm showing to be a good employee, and that's what I want.

I really want to show I'm ready to learn and conquer new things whenever possible.I've been here for 3 months, and I believe I have made quite an impression. Or so I think.

I catch myself often slipping up on my hard-nosed principles of "Yes ma'am" and "Yes Sir". And I really beat myself over mistakes, which is a definite fault of mine, but it helps me learn. If you are not hard on yourself, you look lazy.

So, other than the job, I have moved to Dallas...kinda. I have an apartment, literally, a block away from where I work. Dallas living, right? But to be honest, If i had the choice I'd be wearing my boots to work everyday, still.

Wesley also has an apartment. Which, needless to say, blows mine out of the water. But I'm definitely okay with that, I just had one requirement for her place. Safety.

This place lets me sleep very easy at night.

Not to mention, we now have GG full time now. I love having her all the time. She's so excited when I come home from work, you cant help but smile. No matter how boring your job is.

I'm really trying to adjust to living here. It's insane that 4 years ago if you told me I'd be a college graduate, working and living in Dallas, with a beautiful girlfriend and dog...I would have thought you found the wrong guy.

On the other hand, I am not finished yet.

I still want to get back in "baseball" shape. And that starts with waking up early and working out, or going to bed late and working out. I will do one or the other.

Also, it starts with eating right. I have gotten very comfortable with my ability to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. This has become a problem.

I have slimmed down on the drinking a bit, which I find to be incredibly stimulating on weekend mornings. Did you know the sun actually comes out at 7 a.m every Saturday? And the Saturday news is often some of the best.

I will do a couple of things this year...and I've made a list. (in second person, of course)

1. Eat better, trim down and exercise. Get in better shape for Wesley, if nothing else.

2. Slow down on cokes. You drink close to 3 a day. Have one, and eventually, you'll stop cold.

3. Slow down on Social media. Actually, cut down on the phone usage all together. You have no where to go, and no one else important to talk to. But remember to call your mom every day.

4. Take the next step up at work. Look to be a leader, show them you have drive not to stop until your dream is reached. We both know what your dream is. Your the only thing standing between it.

5. Just pop the question already. It's simple, man. Just go to the jewelry store with some money you've saved up, and a buy a damn ring. They will help you. Get the balls to tell her dad the way you feel when she walks in a room. How sometimes you lie awake wondering what the hell she's doing still with a guy like you. Tell him, straight up, as her man, you're going to mess up, but you re going to make sure she is never hurt. That you are going to provide for her, and not only be a man of integrity that she can be with the rest of her life, but a man that he would be damn proud knowing as a son. You re going to have to do this, sometime. And you better do it before she does get smart and leaves you.

Alright, I'm sure I can handle that list this year...I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.
(hopefully more than once every blue moon)

Peanut Butta Jelly Time

Alright, folks.

So, since last time (I swear I'm going to write in this stinking thing more than just once every blue moon) I wrote, I told you all I might have found a job and blah, blah, blah. All good stuff. Well, lets go from that point and move forward....

Nevada game: Probably the 2nd best game I have ever attended. It was awesome. Come from behind victory and amazing 4th down play.

2nd Best play I've ever seen. First one...Involves Crabtree, and a certain burnt orange color.

After that, Wes and I bargained with my parents to let us go back to Lubbock for the A&M/Tech game...last one, ever.

Although we lost, it was awesome to be apart of the last Texas A&M and Texas Tech game. Sad to see them go, but know they'll be back sooner rather than later. SEC you later, A&M!


Wesley and her folks came down and we went to Canton, which is the world largest flea market in the nation. Literally, anything and everything you could possibly want is there, you just have to find it, which is half the fun/horror. BUT, the food is spectacular, and that's why I go.

AND as of last week, I am EMPLOYED! I start on Nov. 1st.

I interviewed for a Teller position with PlainsCapital Corp. in North Dallas, and got the job offered to me last week. I am going to be a teller for a minimum of 6 months, then I can move anywhere within PlainsCapital.

Since my primary goal since I was 7 was to be a loan officer, then after my 6 months I will go into the Credit Analyst program, and be there for a minimum of 1 year, and then shuffled out to be a Loan officer at a branch or somewhere. I can honestly be a Loan Officer within a year and a half, or if I chose another route, I could be a branch manager in 2. Either way I choose, it will be an amazing road. I'm so excited to be apart of this amazing company. They are so involved in employee growth, and with my degree and knowledge of the banking environment, I should not only prosper, but succeed exponentially every day I come to work, which is the point of working, correctly?

Also, last weekend, I witnessed the most amazing upset in history. My Texas Tech Red Raiders went into Norman, Oklahoma to play #3 OU on ABC...which looked like a very ugly scene for a murder that should have happened.

What happened was the exact opposite.

I, for one, never saw this coming at all. I actually had my Southern Comfort waiting for me, and it looked like the rain delay was going to give me enough time to be well slicked for what should have happened.

After a 1 hour rain delay, the Red Raiders came in on a mission and they executed it to the finest point. But, I really should have expected it. The Red Raiders are that one team that you can NEVER over-look.

Needless to say, I am so proud to be a Red Raider, they pulled off the upset of the century, and ended OU's 39 game, 6 year home winning streak. It was completely awesome to see all the Trailer Park U fans flood OUT of that horrendous stadium, in that "Has-done-nothing-for-the-creation-of-the-USA" state.

Now for some pictures, that are totally awesome.

What makes this victory so sweet is that during the rain delay, OU hogged the Indoor facility, while our team was made to hang out in a cramp visitor locker room and eat PB&J sandwiches to keep the energy flowing.

Sad, sad sportsmanship by OU, and I'm so glad we made them shove it right up their.....

So for now on, my battle cry will not be "Raider Power!", It will be belting out lyrics of
"PEANUT BUTTA JELLY TIME!!!"

Anyways, I'm so ready for next weekend (but really, I always am!) when we play Iowa State, who beat us last year easily. So, I'm hoping for a sell out to really show these guys that were behind them, and not just when they play A&M, UT or OU.

Oh, and did I mention all these events happening in my life dont mean a thing except that I have the absolute best girlfriend a guy could ask for? Wesley is absolutely the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, and she continues to stay (which baffles me).

I cant wait till the day I can have her and my dog, GG in my life everyday.

I'm one blessed son of a gun, huh?

Well, guys, I think that's it. I'm going to try and update this on Monday before my first day. Look forward to it!

G'night and Wreck'em!

Unemployment Day: 41

So, today was a much better day.

Jeremiah 29:11, Faith is rewarded.

Around 6:48 p.m I got a email from Chase Bank, they recieved my resume, and...get this..

Actually Interested.

It's for a Position with them which I have been trying to get for, literally, weeks now. It's a retail banking position with a lot of focus on sales. I believe I could excel at this position, now I only have to convince them that I can.

With this news, came more. I got a contact with Frost Bank, and he called back today asking if I had recieved any good information from Frost. I replied that I hadn't and it looks like he will work at it and see what he can do for me.

Great news day, which helps the spirits. Especially when all you see is "Jobless Claims" and other things that make you a bit discouraged. Just a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Other than that, I'm headed to good ol' Raiderland this weekend.

I. Love. This. Place.

Actually, I'll be there for two weekends in a row. I'm going to get Wesley prepared to move, as well as a few cool things.
This weekend I'm going to a Nolan Ryan PR thing, which is going to be pretty neat. Nolan is my favorite athlete, after this picture...

How's if feel, Junior?

...how could you not like him?

The next weekend I'm going to move Wesley closer to me in East Texas! Ahhhh, so glad I get to be closer to her. It's a feeling that, now, I can officially start the next (and best) chapter of my life.

Oh, and did I mention I get to attend my first Red Raider football game of the season?!

Really hope to see a lot of this next weekend.

My Red Raiders play University of Nevada at 6 p.m. Let's hope my boy Seth Doege and company can pull out a win.

I'm really excited for things that are comin'. This a complete 180 from my last post, but like my wise girlfriend always said,
"You just never know when thing can change in your favor."

Let's get ready, and Wreck'em!

Unemployment: Day 40

If I could sum up my job search...I'd say it's going as efficient as me keeping up with this blog..
Terrible.

As the title suggests, I am on day 40 of my job/career/post-graduation dream/somebody, please pay me to do something...search.

Honestly, at this point. I am beginning to doubt most of everything I've ever done. And more than that, doubting ever being envious of anyone who graduated early into "the real world". Also, regretting making fun of those people who said "It's rough, you don't even know."

Oh, how right they were, and how unbelievably stupid I was.

At this point, I have given up on my dream of ever working at a Bank. I just don't see the point in trying to spending so much time trying to go after  something that is just never going to work out in my favor. I have never truly given up on something, but I'm pretty sure if there was anything I should give up on, it's me ever working at a bank. It's just not gonna hap'n.

I guess I should give evidence as to why I am giving up, huh?

First, I have a "uncle" (long time family friend) works at a Ag and farm Credit company, who said he could help me, maybe even talk to his boss about how to get started and where to go. I called him several times when I was preparing to graduate, and if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have chosen the degree plan I did (Yeah, seriously, thanks for that). But as I moved back home, when I called and tried to get into contact with him, my efforts came up empty.

He had helped someone else, who I can say was deserving of the opportunity, but not me. At first I began to think it was nothing, then as my calls were never returned, and emails never answered, I figured it wasn't going to happen.

Contact number 1...dead

Now, Contact 2 has actually helped me tremendously. He has been more help than I think could possibly imagine. With contacts with people who I would never have met in millions of years, even a VP of a bank in Dallas.
Still, even with all his help, I have come up short. Either my attributes are not desirable, or I am on a very lengthy run of bad luck.

After Contact 2 got me in contact with Contact 3, I thought , "Okay, lucky number 3. This should be it."

Either Contact 3 is a prankster, or he is ignoring me. I'll go with the last one.

Now, after 3 contacts, I shouldn't give up, right? Well, you haven't been told about the countless of emails and online applications filled out, with the same answers to questions and same qualifications as the job requires, maybe even more, sent and not replied to.

Wait, they have been replied to..
"Dear TYLER LUCAS, (key to an impersonal and automated email that says you suck)
Thank you for your interest is SUCH AND SUCH POSITION AT SUCH AND SUCH PLACE. After reviewing your qualifications (for about 5 minutes) we regret to inform you that you have not been chosen to interview for this position.
Thank you for your interest in SUCH AND SUCH BANK (You'll never work here) and we wish you the best of luck in your job search (See ya, Sucker)"

The problem with these emails, is that I don't even read some of them, I just know what they look like in the title, and know what they say and instantly delete them. There is only so much rejection you can deal with.

Funny thing is, at first, It did what it was supposed to. Motivate me. I've always had a good motor on me and dealt with rejection and played well with the cards I have been given. Like, "oh yeah? I guess we'll see about. I'm a bank executive in the making, and I cant wait to be in the position to buy you guys out."----Something along these lines was said in my mind.

But now, It's more of the feeling of disappointment, regret, and every other de-motivated emotion you can think of.
It's a "It's all about who ya know" situation, and I get that. But what separates us from every other country in this world is that you are promised only a few things in this life, but you have been promised them.

This "It's all about who you know" business is killing that. It's already taken victim my dream since I was 10.
I would like to cite good stories where dreams were fulfilled in the face of difficulty, but I cant. Because before I even can believe these, I think "Well, I wonder who they knew that got them that job."

I probably wouldn't be this bitter, but I believe I know exactly where it stems from.

Last week, I gave up my pride. Let go of all fear and applied for a simple teller position. After being a teller for a good, solid 2 years, I know my way around deposit slips and withdrawal slips, I'll move up eventually with my education.
Let me stress, I have teller experience. Not only cash handling experience but I have DONE THIS EXACT JOB before.
I received a rejection letter. Citing why, for the first time in any of these emails, was the reason:

"Over-qualified"

Wait, so you're saying you don't want to hire me, because I EXCEED your demands for a certain job? So, I cant even get a part time job now? The feeling after reading that statement, I will never forget.
Over-qualified. yet, they don't tell an all star in baseball he is "Too good" for his sport.

if that doesn't make you shake your head, make you realize how lucky you are to have whatever job you may have, then I don't know what will.

I don't know what I will do, now. Though, I can say with absolute confidence I have the best girlfriend and family support group you could possibly imagine. They couldn't be prouder (even if I don't have a job) to be around the first Lucas to graduate college.

I will have to scrap a dream and something I went through so much hell for 4 years to get closer to.Something Texas Tech and all my professors stamped for approval of qualification for. Something I have wanted to do since I was 10 years old.

Gotta believe and love that good ol' American Dream, right?

The next chapter. And a new list (all my unemployed friends raise yo' hands!)

Anyway, Sorry it's been awhile...actually, a long time. No, I'm not dead. I'm just unemployed.
Let's get'cha caught up...

I didn't think it would happen, and after 2 months of studying, homework and more school than I could bare...

I Graduated!




My rock, my life, and my love. I'm so blessed to have this girl.



I did something no one in my family has ever done. I know my grandmother would be so proud of me. August 6th, 2011 I graduated with a degree from my dream school, and it feels good to be on top of the mountain for once.I think I can consider myself a living, breathing example that you can do anything, no matter how many times you're told "No.". Like a modern day Rudy.

It's been a weird experience, but I have managed. I moved back with my folks in Sulphur Springs. It's been nice to relax and get to catch up with them after being 7 hours away for 3 years.

My parents are so proud, and so supportive in this time of my life. Like I said, I'm currently unemployed. I'm currently looking for a early career job in the Banking Industry in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. (I've wanted to be a banker since I was 8) Needless to say, looking for work has consumed my day-to-day life. But it usually ends up being me, my laptop, in a recliner with the TV on.



My day-to-day.

 I know people say "Life's tough, get a helmet." And "Life isn't as easy as you think.." But no one, and I mean NO ONE, told me post-graduate life was going to be this tough. Everyone always told me, "Just get the degree, everything comes after that." or "Just make sure you get that college degree!"
When, in fact, I have been applying for jobs for at least upwards to 60 jobs.

Not one call back, not one email back, except those who say
"After careful review we have decided to go with a candidate with MORE EXPERIENCE."

What I get out of this is, even though I worked so hard, and spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for a piece of paper that says I'm qualified for this job, you want more experience? Because, ya know, a degree from an accredited university, is simply, not enough.

It. Is. Frustrating.

Since I am unemployed, I have culminated a list of things I like to call...

"Things a Unemployed, 23 year-old male College Graduate should know."

1. The laptop gets really hot underneath, and it gets uncomfortable for a certain body part.

-Also, with my time well wasted, I read an article on the Internet that said it could be "Very damaging" to those certain body parts. My advice: Look for work with caution.

2. Go outside.

-Yes, Do it. Just go outside. Do something. Especially if you're lucky enough to be unemployed in, quite possibly the best time of the year (fall), go enjoy it!

3. There is only so much stress you can have.

-Find a stress reliever. Working out, running, volunteering, whatever. Just stay away from the alcohol, you don't need to turn that into a every day stress reliever when you're trying to find work.

4. Designate a few hours a day to job searching, not 24.

-Don't look at the same job boards all day long.

"But what if they post one, I want to be there to see it."

No, no you don't. Relax. If you job search for 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon, you will catch it, don't worry. Looking all day, every day will just get more frustrating.

5. Time management, it's not only for employed people.

-Yes, most of my points are about how to manage your time (and really, who wants to read about how I know exactly how long to cook a oven-pizza, know exactly how long the washer needs to run to remove a stain, and how many brush strokes it takes to sweep the living room floor clean?) but it's true. Just because you have nothing to do every day, doesn't mean you cant do something every day. Remember, every day is a blessing, and there is a blessing in every day.

6. Remember, tomorrow is a new day.

-Faith, is always rewarded. Jeremiah 29:11

That's it for now, guys. I cant say it was good, but it didn't cost ya nothin'.

Later.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11