Comments on: Work Sucks. Life Doesn’t Have To. (The Paperback – On Sale October 13)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:59:24 +0000

Like Jake, I too was lucky enough to get my hands on a galley of the book and it really is awesome, better than any mass marketed edition could be. I’ve loaned it out to at least 5 friends and it comes back to me with a little more character (and rave reviews) each time.
Regardless, I’m going out to buy the softcover just to add what I can to your bottom line. It’s the least I can do for the past few years of entertainment.
PL: You don’t have to do that. It’s enough that you’ve read it and suggested it. My concept on the book remains the same – it’s a cult thing, for people who “get it.” I’m guessing that group’s going to get a lot bigger as our country’s fixations are compelled to change in The New Reality we’re facing. But I don’t expect that book to get any mainstream press. It pisses on too many accepted narratives and scratches a lot of sores people don’t want to touch.
I just want it to move around to those who understand it, to create a small, continuous shock of recognition among those who’ve harbored the sentiments it puts forth, but never articulated them to one another. There is no doubt, the book works like an inside handshake. You probably wouldn’t want your boss to see you reading it.

By: Mark Ebner

Mark Ebner — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:46:52 +0000

That’s a gorgeous cover Phila. Made me think of a contemporary Mad Men. Happy trails on your way to the small screen with this.
- Ebner
PL: Thanks, dude. The guy who did that cover gets a free drink when I’m in the City meeting with the publisher next. My editor also deserves some credit. The idea was partly his.
Hopefully, this time around, the TV deal can get done. I keep the fingers crossed.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:23:33 +0000

Well it looks like I’ve sold a couple copies from my little promo for ya.
Is there more Spirit of the stairs story coming?
PL: Yes. And thank you. You did, and then some.

By: subrogated self

subrogated self — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:49:36 +0000

Pl-
I bought the book and enjoyed it immenensely as I told you before. I am not surprised that it is a tough sell marketing-wise and the MSM wouldn’t touch it. If you were Philly-Rock Star or even real estate developer, the media and others would lap it up and would love the tales of debauchery. But as a sober professional, it clashes with their schema. Lawyers and doctors are supposed to be sober, boring, uptight, dweebs. And most are just that, insufferable bores and mental cases.
People like you and me are enigmas, those who partied unceasingly (although from what I can tell you are more charmed than me, I never had much luck with the ladies–not that I tried much–and from time to time got arrested for various drunken offenses) are just not supposed to be able to do well in white collar world. To top it off, we see through the charades and treat the whole thing with contempt while still excelling at it and pulling down 200,000+ a year.
So my advice, which is what it looks like you are doing on the blog, is do the cold, realistic analysis that is the scam of law and probably most other white collar professions and debunk it as the shitty professions it is. You do this BETTER than anyone I have ever read. The more young folks who turn away and avoid the golden handcuffs and go on to do something that truly makes them happy and is productive for society, the better. Indeed, it is the only hope for this increasingly hopeless society.
PL: I’ve done law. Done in the front, the back… Come on its face, in its ear… What other degradation can I lay on the field? What more can anyone do to insult it? It has no respect in our culture, no prestige even among professionals and is roundly, universally considered something you do when you had nothing better to do… Among careers, it’s an eyesore. Hell, even Antonin Scalia recently said it’s a waste of talent. And to top it all off, now the filed is collapsing. Wages are dropping, people are being laid off in droves and the future trajectory of the thing is a long skid to a basement of $150 per hour billing and brutal flat rate assignments. It’s afternoon in American for many professions, but for law, it’s 11:30. And the hanging’s at dawn.
I’m just happy to have had a nice pedestal from which to giggle as the thing unfolded.

By: JK

JK — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:17:07 +0000

You know, since the first day I discovered your site, I always thought the name philalawyer was a combination of philosopher + lawyer (I just kind of ignored the fact that it was ‘phila’ and not ‘philo’). Reading your articles always made me think more about my own life and the path that I currently find myself on, which also added to the philosopher + lawyer idea. Then I saw the picture of the cover from your book, and realized it was Philadelphia Lawyer! Not that it will change the way I look at your writing or anything, just thought it was interesting that I assumed it… Anyway, this didn’t really have anything to do with your book announcement, other than me telling you that I’ll definitely be checking it out! Keep it up!
- Random fan
PL: I can’t not write. It’s in my blood, as much as I wish it wasn’t. (Rotten goddamned talent to have. Why couldn’t I have thrown a 100 mph fastball or shot 10 below par on PGA courses? No, the Grand Scorer in the sky had to give me this ability… Lovely. But then, it could be worse. I get to say what I like.)

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:13:46 +0000

Hi, I WILL buy your book at some stage I swear. However I quit my job and moved to the rainforest in June. It´s fantastic! However a package of socks my mother sent me in July has still not reached me, so I will wait to purchase until I am within reach of a more reliable mail system.
To anyone else reading, I do highly recommend quitting your job and going anywhere else. To do anything new. If nothing else, you´re off the treadmill.
Cheers
Jess
PL: Don’t buy it yet. Wait until you’re in uglier surroundings to read it. No good comes of thinking about lawyers, offices and the shiite of corporate life amongst the beauty of your current location.

By: Guillermo

Guillermo — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:49:24 +0000

I’m definetely a fan of the new design. I liked the other one because it was subtle, but subtle doesn’t get attention. I loaned it to a few friends but it took a lot of explaining when they asked what the book was about in a few sentences. I think people like to be able to easily categorize things, and your book defies categorization. “A lawyer with a drinking problem” doesn’t do justice to the scope of your book, but it’s not a terrible summary. Anyway, I hope it blows the fuck up, your writing always rings true and entertains me, when most of the stuff in the mainstream fails at doing one of those things.
PL: The mainstream’s aimed at the lowest common denominator, and right now, “low” finds a new basement every day. I’ve little faith in the average American’s intellect and even I’m shocked when I see some of the shit people will eat up as entertainment. Perez Hilton looks like high art against a lot of it.

By: long time reader

long time reader — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:01:10 +0000

As per your comment about 5 years out, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that sitting at a desk, worrying about working withing artificially-created politics (dubbed “office culture”) to make money I wasn’t going to see for a stock price and superiors who already had more than enough cash is anyone’s idea of a good time. Certainly wasn’t mine.
PL: You underestimate the power of golden handcuffs. You’re not the rule, dude, not even close. Ninety percent of white collar workers will buy the expensive car, the big house, have the kids and get themselves in locked into a long term debt repayment scenario. And then they’re Stuck.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:51:04 +0000

As a cheap bastard myself, I have indeed been waiting for the paperback, and will buy it the first day. I just have to ask, and I do not expect you to answer, but is that really you on the new cover? Or just some dude? Have a nice day.
PL: I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a point collared shirt. I also have a better jaw line.
Oddly, though, the hands are near identical to mine.

By: MNSTR

MNSTR — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:52 +0000

Is there any explanation for the HHFA video-skits floating around youtube?
PL: Would it suffice to say the road to hell’s paved with good intentions? Sometimes things don’t work exactly as planned.