coming off the heels of the previous entry (see entry below; and i have to admit, i still think about that incident sometimes), it made me suddenly think of things, well, that should've been against what is the norm these days.  i can't recall if i wrote something similar to this (am i just too lazy to backread, or an early case of alzheimer's perhaps?), but i know for sure that i have tackled the things in the real world against things in the ideal world.  not exactly polar opposites, but contrasting just the same.  so below are the things that ran through my distraught head since that fateful day, with side comments on some in parenthesis.  of course, they are all open to your own interpretations and/or corrections and both are welcome.

…in the ideal world, your reputation is based on your character; in the real world, your character is based on your reputation.

…in the ideal world, doing a good job within your job description entitles you to a promotion; in the real world, getting a promotion entails you doing a good job outside your job description… and you have to apply for it.  (gone were the days where a promotion is just handed to you, aren't they?)

…in the ideal world, you need because you love; in the real world, you love because you need.  (a cliché, yes, but close to a truth as one can be)

…in the ideal world, getting famous means you have control over time to do your projects; in the real world, getting famous means your projects control your time.

…in the ideal world, staring at a beautiful woman would make her proud; in the real world, staring at a beautiful woman would make her file a sexual harrassment case against you.

…in the ideal world, doing good things for others makes one noble; in the real world, doing good things for others makes one a doormat.  (speaking from personal experience)

…in the ideal world, rubbing elbows with upper management labels you in good company; in the real world, rubbing elbows with upper management labels you a kiss-ass.  (hmmm…)

…in the ideal world, love "is blind;" in the real world, love is blind, deaf, mute, paralytic, and all the other things that a handicapped person is.  in short, it's taken for granted.

…in the ideal world, a simple mistake is easily written off; in the real world, a simple mistake can be easily written on record… and adds to your reputation (see first line).

…in the ideal world, when the boss says, "you're not obliged to, but you're encouraged to," means that it's voluntary; in the real world, when the boss says, "you're not obliged to, but you're encouraged to" means that it's voluntary, but you'll be seen in a bad light when you don't.

and last but not the least, and one of my "bitter pills," (because it's so true these days that at times, it's hard to accept it):

…in the ideal world, good enough is always enough; in the real world, good enough is never enough (partly taken from CNN).

forgive me for ranting, but it's a monday, and i hate mondays.  even if it is the second day of my work week.  i could sure use an ice-cold san mig light right about now… or a scotch, whiskey, or brandy on the rocks…  but an office-provided coffee machine is the only one available, so what the heck…