Yesterday the firm took us to Colonial Downs after a day in Richmond learning about the firm, its practice areas, how it’s like to be an associate, etc.  I learned a few things from this little adventure.

1. One associate was describing the two profitable firm business models.  The first is a low pyramid where at the bottom you have a huge base.  Here, he said, “And what you want is a whole infantry of associates, each a fungible commodity.”  The second was where you had a huge pyramid, and each associate, or “widget” as he described us, has a pyramid of clients on his own.  It’s nice to see that after $100,000+ worth of debt,  I am nothing more then a fungible commodity…a  widget.
2. When you go into the day saying, “I’m going to bet on horse #3 to win,” you should follow through.  The first race I bet, I went up and said, “Horse #3 to w…show.”  The odds were 10:1.  As it turns out, he ended up winning it all.  I ended up making $16.50 on my $5 bet, but still.  That could have been $50.
3. I will not bet based on jockeys.  Just because he has a high win percentage and has yet to win a race, it does not mean that he is due.  I repeat, it does not mean that he is due.
4. The bartenders in the suites at Colonial Downs are a lot of fun.  Plus, it’s a open bar and they know how to make their drinks right (i.e. strong).
5. Equally fun as betting on horses, it is fun to stand in front of the window looking into the next suite and begin betting on people.  “$1 says that man is the first to leave the room.  OK, I’ll take that - I’ll put $1 on the woman.”  “$1 says the woman is the first to touch the bottle of wine.  OK, $1 says it’s the man.”  ahh, yes.  Good times.  Ever see Rat Race?  It’s just like that.  But with less zeros on each dollar figure.

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