I was thinking about laptops today - not that I intend to purchase one, of course.  However, I sometimes have those feelings to look at them, and see what the current specs are and if it is something you would buy (some day).  Of course, by then, there are new, better ones. 

However, I have noticed that the definition of a "good laptop" means different things to different people. So I just wanted to write this blog, about laptops in general, and what I look for before labeling it as a "good laptop".

As a college student, I look at the weight of a laptop - I don't want to carry around a heavy piece of machinery around campus.  No way, no how.  I'd rather it be fairly lightweight - portable.  That's why it's a laptop, right?

Next, check out the CPU (central processing unit) - the higher the GHz, the better.  At the moment, something that would be nice to have is a 2.6GHz but, in general, a 2.0GHz is alright (though you may find yourself growing annoyed with how slow your computer is running). 

Now why check out the CPU for its GHz?  It's because that particular specification is centered around running multiple programs at once (all those word documents, pdfs, videos, etc).  The higher the GHz, the more it can run and the more efficient it does it.

Another is the RAM - same as the CPU, the bigger the amount, the better.  Don't settle for less than 2GB!  And like the CPU, it's about how fast and efficient your laptop can run those programs you have opened up.

All the other specs are more or less standard - graphics.  If you're not a gamer, or have any intention of using your laptop to run games, then you don't have to worry about it too much.  Whatever comes with your laptop. should be sufficient enough in loading any video you may place in there.  For those that are curious though, then what you want to look at it is at video cards like NVIDIA GeForce 8000 series or ATI Mobility Radeon. 

Battery life - pretty standard.  The longer it lasts, the better.  If you don't mind carrying around the battery, then by all means, don't worry too much about it.  

I don't really place a great deal of effort on this one, since I don't use it up all that much anyway, but the harddrive space is something to look into.  For me, I just get a standard 256GB harddrive but there are others that want more.  Hard Drives is just something that stores your documents, music, videos, etc.  One important aspect - aside from how much it can hold - is the speed of the hard drive.  Because it's what reads the data you store in it.  An adequate speed is generally more than 4200rpm. 
At the moment solid state drives for your hard drive are good purchases for a laptop spec - it means faster start-ups and access, more reliable, and no noise. Just make sure you get a decent sized one (again 256).  I have heard, however, that they tend to wear out faster, but that was awhile back - perhaps they are more durable this time around?

So to get down on it: I mainly just look at the weight, the RAM and the CPU with the others as an afterthought.

San Francisco's AT&T Ballarpk is situated at  24 Willie Mays Plaza San Fracisco, CA. 

There are a number of ways to get there, but the best way would have to by by commuter train.  Why?  Because it's cheaper.  Parking is atrocious and trying to get in and out is a hassle.  Much better to just take Bart and switch to the M-train or any other Muni trains that lead to AT&T Park. 

Now what's there to do there?  Well during baseball season ... there's baseball. 

Aside from that there are smaller events like a county fair, emerald bowl, and even concerts. 

Within the ballpark they have family attractions such as the Coca Cola Fan Lot where fans are able to run around the bases. They also have a superslide shaped in a coca cola bottle. 

There's a little park for small children to have fun and experience softball thrown by either a pitcher or a pitching machine.

For those a little older, there's a speed pitch where you can test your arm.  But it costs money.  $2 for four pitches, $5 for accuracy.

Inside the park there's a Build-a-Bear Workshop.  They feature Lou Seal, but if you're not interested in that, they have other options for you, or you can just stop by and check out the products.  It's always interesting to visit and see what they have there.


Now what else?  Oh yes, the food.

I have to say that if you are visiting the ballpark, you should bring a lot of money and a credit card.  What would be better is if you bring outside food. It's really overpriced.

If you are going to eat there, then here are my suggestions:

• Avoid the beer - they're priced at $5.75 for a 12-4oz (really tiny) and $9 for a 16/20oz.  
• Avoid the water unless it can't be helped, they're priced at about $4.75 for a Dasani.
• Nachos sold at the Doggie Diners are pretty small and overpriced that comes with regular corn chips and standard nacho cheese (with jalapenos if you want to get them).  Slightly bigger ones come with slightly more corn chips but same sized nacho cheese and the addition is the salsa.  It's not even the fresh kind either, they come from bottled ones . So I'd avoid that or try to see if the the Compadres (a better vendor for Mexican food) is still there. But last time I checked, people were telling me that they left and aren't going to come by anymore.  
• Pretzels are so-so, but they only come as "salt or no salt" with no other alternatives.  Cheese with it come with nacho cheese and charge you $1 extra for a small cup.  They're priced at about $4-5.
• Candy is now available at the ballpark but the prices are around $4-5 for big box, but the inside is a rip-off.  You're better off with larger movie theater, at least it reflects the amount...
• If you are getting a drink, beware that the place does not provide a cover and straw (they have never provided such a service).  So make sure you can carry the drink around without spilling it, or you'll regret it.  Nice ones I would suggest getting are the souvenir sizes - it's large and are priced around $6 but they're like 32oz or more.  Once you're done drinking it, you should try getting it signed by a player or something.
• Food I suggest to get?  Garlic fries or dogs from the portable stands.  Dogs from the portable stands sell mostly sheboygan dogs or some such - they come longer and more seasoned than the ones sold within stands such as Doggie Diners or Say Hey! 
• Popcorn is iffy, and they do not provide kettle corn, just butter and salt.  With no option of more butter and salt. 
• There are burgers and pizza sold.  The pizza is okay, and comes in a personal pan so it's good for sharing if you can't finish it off.  Burgers are sold at the Pizza Port I believe and they have a vegetarian option for them.  
• Another thing to note there are condiment stands situated a few feet away from the food stands, so you can put your own condiments on them.  I noticed that a lot of people would either automatically say what they want on their hot dogs/burgers... 

Anyways, I'll stop here.  

Interviews can be stressful - no wait, they are stressful.  It's selling yourself to an employer, hoping that they'll take interest and hire you. 

Even more scary is that even if you pass the FIRST interview, there will be 2-3 more interviews after that.  There are various kinds of interviews that you could be facing.

Before an interview, do not arrive more than 20 minutes early as it can set the mood off.
Interview Types:

• Personal and Informal - One on one in an informal setting like a restaurant or just the work-site.  Usually a more much relaxed atmosphere. Business casual or casual clothing.
• Personal and Formal - One on one but in a monitored setting and a time frame.Professional attire is mandatory.
• Progressive Interview - Long interview process where you may be interviewed by more than one.  HR, Manager, Department Head, etc.  Each will be asking questions about yourself and your capabilities in performing your job, etc. Beware they may end up asking you repeated questions that have already been covered.
• Group Interview - Intimidating atmosphere, where you meet with a group of more than 3 people in a board-room setting.

Advice:

• Stay calm and focused - try to work off the nervous energy before arriving for your interview by taking a calming walk around outside, listen to soothing music, etc that can put you in a good mood
• Firm handshakes are great, and look them in the eye with confidence 
• During a personal and informal interview - try to engage a personable atmosphere with your interviewer
• Standardized questions like "What's your greatest weakness" will be asked.
• Try to form a connection with the person who interviews you by telling more about yourself that may appeal to them and make them want to hire you
• In a group setting, try to look at everyone in the eye and not just focus on one person - remember that you're being interviewed by a group and not just one person. 

Aside from that, here are 5 Ways to Turn off Employers.

• Arriving too early for an interivew
• Letting Desperation Show
• Being too Aggressive with Follow-Up
• Talking Crash with Anyone
• Lacking Direction

I received this on the email.  For those that are either just curious, or are thinking of prospective degrees to work on while in college.

Top-Paying Degrees

• MBA (Masters in Business Administration)  
• MHA (Masters in Health Administration)
• BFA (Bachelors in Fine Arts)
• BA in Elementary/Secondary Education
• AA in Financial Services

What you may or may not know:

• It's good to come to campus a little bit earlier if it's your first time - getting lost before you get to your class just shows poor preparation
• You should carry around some extra scantrons and a blue book or two with you, in case you forget it's exam day.  Or if a friend may need one - always good to lend a helping hand
• If time allows, you should join a club or two just to fill in that resume and meet new people while you're at it!
• Get into an internship as soon as possible - may pay off in the future
• If not an internship, try to get a job. Any experience is good experience
• Always bring your student ID in case your Professor asks for it, and some campus libraries will require you to fork it over before you can borrow their computers
• Take advantage of your campus' Career Center. 
• Companies call colleges all the time so they can put in a request for interns or part-time positions, even the occasional full-time
• Career Centers offer services on how to prep you for interview and look over your resume

• Career Fairs are ideal, but most of the time they are targeted towards graduating seniors
• If you don't fall into that category - try to establish a relationship with the people at the booths that you are interested in.  They can give you valuable tips and a card to call for more information,  
• Aside from booths for internships or jobs - there are booths for volunteers that may take on below Seniors
• Bring resumes with you and dress in - at the very least - business casual clothing
• Research the companies attending the venue so you can tailor your resume to suit them
• To research, you can check out your campus' Career Center website where they should list all attending companies

•  Nowadays, a standard one-page resume may not be enough.  Though a good start, I have noticed that more companies are asking for CVs.  
• CV:  Curriculum Vitae
• Limited to two pages, instead of a one-page - though there are others that want more than that
• A more detailed synopsis of your background information
• For more information check out:  Writing Curriculum Vitae

• Don't immediately assume that when you go to college, you're in for a more laid back lifestyle
• depending on your major and the classes you take, the coursework you are lumped with gets more difficult
• Freshmen year is pretty standard but over the years the workload becomes more challenging
• When buying college textbooks, don't limit yourself to the campus' bookstore
• Look online for cheaper deals - Amazon and Half.com are always an option
• Look into ebook if available - but beware, your Professor may not like it, especially if they plan to allow you an open book test
• Group work is not always fun and games 
• Sometimes it can be more trouble than its worth
• Online classes are not always the best
• Even though it is much more convenient, sometimes the response time between a Professor and a student is not that great

There are more that I wanted to list out, but I'll stop here.

The times I have been missing has not been too impressive. I haven't done anything completely worthwhile - I am still attending college and I am still working.

There have been a few things I have learned:

• Group work in college is challenging if you are with a 'bad' group
• Business majors is not an easy ride as I had first assumed
• Trying to find a job is challenging
• When you do find a job, it's not as glorious as you would think
• Co-workers can be amusing as they are annoying :/
• Co-workers can be great assets, but only if you have developed a good connection with them
• Student life is not at all like it is in the movies - most times you don't even know what day it is
• Never forsake the chance to build network relations