Merry Christmas from the Thirteens

As the year comes to a close, it’s time for us to take a look at all that has happened in 2017 for our family in Houston. Let’s call us, the Thirteens. It may be cliché to call the people you work with family, but to me, it feels like family. I actually call everyone (excluding my partner) in the office, “the kids.” I know, I know, I am only 36. But, look at in “work years.” If I was ‘born’ in 2003 with my first job out of college, that makes me 14 today – that sounds about right – which makes most of my team, career-wise, small children.

You can change someone’s life in fifteen seconds

We have so much power. We don’t realize the power we wield with our devices. And, it’s not only powerful, it’s easy. We can Facebook message someone’s startup to success. We can connect comrades and change their course forever. And, the worst part is we know this and we don’t do it for one some of the worst reasons imaginable; laziness and thoughtlessness.

My favorite team is the Houston Footballs

It’s a confession because there is something wrong with the Houston Texans. I am not necessarily referring to their lack of success, though it plays a role in any teams’ likeability. It’s not the players. I know Watt is a bit polarizing, but Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are as likable as they come. I really like Coach O’Brien.

How do you taco your taco?

In my unscientific and inaccurate assessment, 90% of company posts are uninspired, irrelevant or just entirely forgettable. Forgettable is great news for those who aren't. If social media is full of mediocrity, then there's heaps of space for opportunity.

Humans are amazing buttheads

Before, during and after the “800 year storm,” I paid attention to the behaviors on social media, of my friends, and, of course, myself. Housebound and bored (but safe), I immediately began to brand the storm and attempt to save the world with a t-shirt.

Everything is just a lot right now

I am addressing only the daily crapola. I am talking about when your AC stops conditioning the air. I am talking about when you look down and your body looks kind of mushy. I am talking about when there are ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife (I figure why fight what Alanis already perfected).

Good Marketing Can Do Some Good

Meet 11-year-old Chris Holland. I met him last week as he held up a sign that said, "Raising Money to Get to the Junior Olympics." It was over 100 degrees and this cat was out there marketing himself like the internet doesn't exist. I pulled over and told him there was a better way. Kudos to Chris for getting out there and at least doing something.

"Sandwiches" are for no one

The team is hungry. It’s past noon and this meeting has no end in sight. You’re tasked with ordering lunch for a group of people you know pretty well, but not intimately.  What do you do? I’ll tell you what not to do, Boy Wonder: order “sandwiches.”

As I ran back and contemplated how I'd look in jeans and cleats, I noticed our office neighbors, the cycling studio, RYDE, was bustling at 7pm. I popped my head in and asked if they sold men's athletic shorts. I was elated when the chisel-jawed gentleman responded affirmatively. "That'll be $64.12," he stated.

I reply to every email sent to info@5plus8.com. We get roughly one email a week about job inquiries. They are all bad. The last one was especially infuriating. Here's a breakdown. Subject Line: Possible Job Opportunities Uses of "I" or "me": 15 times Uses of our company name: 0 times

No surprise here. She was firing off generic emails hoping for any response, I assume. So as I always do, I responded: