Monday Musings

Grad school is a sham. Honestly, I'm sitting in on a basic lecture learning very little new material. Basically, it is 15 weeks of "jump through my hoops" and don't care what you learn because faculty at this level are more concerned with writing textbooks and doing ressearch. One year left until freedom.

I've made a decision. You know that set of friends Ashley and I always bitch about for ditching us, or putting us second. Well, I've decided this last weekend that this was the last straw and I'm going to try to talk to the guy about it this weekend while we're out with the guys. From the end of Ash & I, we consider the friendship pretty dead, so if I piss him off or offend him, nothing lost. But if I bring something up, maybe they will realize that they need to work to get our friendship back. At this point, there is nothing to lose and maybe a little something to gain back.

Japanese markets tanked over the weekend. Not sure what the emerging markets are going to do. Looks like real estate has officially gone bust. I have a few days off this week for vacation (I have banked too many hours and I lose them if I don't take them) so I'm going to research some nice index funds and probably an additional mutual fund to diversify our portfolio a bit....maybe go large cap?

I have decided I'm going to re-dedicate myself to my fitness routine. This summer, I was kick ass and only 5 lbs away from my target weight. Then I got lazy as school started again. Good news and bad news, at least with strength, not working out for three months, I have only lost about 20% of where I was at with weight and reps, and I've already got 10% of that back in a week.

Peace out players.

Old habits never die

When a situation goes terribly wrong, sometimes the only good thing about it is learning from your mistakes and not repeating them again.

I managed to do that pretty successfully for about four years, but in the last semester I’ve fallen back to my old ways. In college, I was one of those sickeningly hyper-involved/rah rah, yay university! people. I also was on the Dean's List and yadayadayada. I'm not saying this to brag. From my professors' point of view, I was the model student. But from my point of view, I was pretty miserable from trying to be "perfect."

I was so happy to graduate because I couldn't take it anymore. The "real world" looked so good in comparison to college. It was. I had a steady work schedule most of the year and I didn't join any clubs because I was burned out from being a do-gooder in high school and college.

All that changed this semester. I've started school again. My involvement in a certain volunteer group has become more than I can handle. People have asked me to serve on committees at work, and I've said yes. Add those things on top of being a married homeowner, and I have CAUTION: MAY DETONATE written all over me.

I can’t believe I'm in same place I was four years ago—stressed out, crabby, losing sleep, and wondering how I got myself into this mess. I swore that I'd learned from my mistakes in college and I wouldn't do that again.

I changed for a while, but at the end of the day, I guess I haven't changed that much. Where's the happy medium between being a slacker and being like my mother?

Influences

Ok, so.... Going to get a little deep since I haven't for a while. I've been thinking a lot about influences the last couple days. I had a really nice chat with my grandpa on Saturday night talking baseball. It's crazy, but I see more and more of myself in him, my dad and one of my uncles all the time.

And it really is amazing what great role models I've had. So maybe this is a love letter to them.

From my Grandma Washburn, I learned the value of education and heritage. She was a school teacher, and she had me all set to sset college on fire when I was like 6. Even though I lost her in 1994, she really had an impact on me in those area.

From my dad and Grandpa Washburn, I learned the family business -- bullshitting. Yup, being comfortable working a room, stepping out of my comfort zone and getting to know people. I only wish I was better at public speaking.

From my Grandma Smollen, Grandma-in-law and Grandpa-in-law, I learned what love really is. To see the way these three people take/took care of their spouses as a caregiver, even if it ran them down to the point where it practically killed them. That is the ultimate in sacrificial love.

From my Grandpa Smollen, I have learned work ethic. Here's a guy that worked it in the navy and on the blue-collar factory line of the Falstaff Brewry. It makes me sad that he is getting some form of dementia and doesn't remember a whole lot, but I choose to remember him as the guy that showed me the value of hard work and having pride in your performance.

And of course, Eddie Vedder, who's music with Peral Jam got me away from Paula Abdul and my Nintendo and started getting me out there.

It's amazing that you don't realize the events and people that are shaping your life as it happens. But in retrospect, it is always a lot of fun to look back.

Ok enough deep stuff. Back to the Asian markets and stupid observations.

Box-office disappointment

Since I haven't jumped on the Netflix bandwagon like everyone else, I headed to Blockbuster on Friday night to rent The Producers and A Prairie Home Companion. I had been eagerly awaiting their arrival to DVD, and since The Breakup was out of stock, I figured what the heck? It'll be a musical weekend.

Eh. The Producers did not live up to the hype. It was only marginally funny, the storyline plodded along, and the cinematography left a lot to be desired. So sorry, Hayley, for a disappointing Friday movie night.

On Saturday night, we decided to watch A Prairie Home Companion. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I'm probably Garrison Keillor's only fan that doesn't live in a retirement community. Anyhoo. PHC bombed too, despite having a ton of big-name actors and actresses. Maybe Keillor's sense of humor translates better in writing than on the big screen?

Help me, kids. I watch a lot more movies during the colder months, and I need some recommendations for next weekend.

Cat Herding

For all you cat lovers out there: http://www.catswithnoname.net/CatHerding.html

Currently listening to

• When the Lights Go Down -- By Nic Carl, an old HS classmate of mine. You can download it off his myspace at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=9154651 Its a mello song that is good for studying, reading or background to conversation. Sure to make you feel warm on a cold rainy day.
• The Alamo is No Place for Slow Dancing -- By Scene Aesthetic. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=7435185. See above. Another very good rainy day song. Also a good break-up song.
• The Adventure -- Angels and Airwaves. Peppy, happy and well mixed. Takes the 90's grunge with 2000 punk and sprinkles in some 80's synth. A very good song to play first thing in the morning or the last song in your car before you get out of it. Puts a spring in yoru step.

Can you tell it is raining in Lincoln today?

Quick Birthday Summary

First off, thanks all for the messages and cards. Quite wonderful. =)

I went out to eat with Paul at a restaurant called cosi. quite tasty.

Then we went to Cold Stone and I bought three 1.5 pint containers of ice cream. Only a few people came over to my apartment last night, though, so I have a LOT of ice cream left. Yummy.

Went to my friend's to watch Gray's and ended up staying there until nearly midnight. A game of checkers with shot glasses was included.

When I got back last night, the guy from Illinois I met in Italy had left me a message pertaining to how come I found him on facebook back in the day (even though I was supposed to so he could send me pictures from the hostel). So I called him (still a little buzzed) and wondered why he sent me his AIM screenname. Needless to say, it's possible he likes me based on what he directly commented on. But he's shorter than me (pitiful, I know) so that'll never go anywhere.

And I've been eating ice cream since...

Snaps to Andy

Just have to brag about him for a bit.

On this lovely blog, Andy introduced us to Ok Go and "Boston" by Augustana. Thanks to his keen ability to tell what's going to become trendy in music and entertainment, we knew about this stuff about six months before the rest of the world. Thus, we are cooler because of him.

He got a promotion recently. He'll downplay it and say that he's good at his job because he knows how to bullshit, but I’ve seen him in action. Bullshitting wouldn’t cut it.

For the last week, he's been tearing the siding off our house. Andy and his dad are putting up the new siding today. If I were in charge of this project, I'd hire someone and be done with it because I wouldn't have the patience, the arm strength, or the knowledge to get it done without severely injuring myself or the house.

When I married Andy, I had no idea that he knew how to do plumbing, hang drywall, re-wire a fixture, and install new siding. Definitely a pleasant surprise. Girls, the handyman is highly underrated (unless you're mechanically inclined yourself, which I most definitely am not).

Life with him is never boring. When I first said that to a friend, Andy thought I was insulting him. Quite the opposite, dear. Who wouldn't want to be around someone who's constantly making you laugh or surprising you with some quirky bit of knowledge (or construction skills)?

Okay, now snap your fingers for Andy!

Monday Musings

• The Bears are 5-0
• The A's are in the ALCS
• The Yankees are not.
• Life in Andy's sporting world is good
• Note to self, Advil is the best medicine after a day of physical labor. Kindof makes me wish we still had the hot tub. Oh well, at least Cole has enjoyed it
• I am speaking to Lindzo again after a brief period of not speaking to her.
• Apple jolly Ranchers are the best
• Cell phone companies are the devil
• IT guys are strange
• I don't want to go to college today. It is a cold and rainy day and I just want to go home and sit by the fire -- which would probably upset Ashley and make a hige mess as we do not have a fireplace.
• OK, seriously, how long does it take a small Asian man to grade a test?
• I hired Hayley's roomate today foran intership. This should be fun.

peace out players

Stop hiding and start living, with tequila

This was presented at the beginning of one of my lectures....

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2006/09/stop_hiding_and.html

Monday Musings - Slutting it up....

• So, my lovely sister-in-laws want to slut up my wife, huh? Well, I don't know how to comment on that without somehow getting into trouble one way or the other, or feeling like a hypocrite. Hmmm. Ashley is like a flower, we all know how beautiful she is, but you cannot force open her petals. She is her own worst critic, but I have been telling her for years that she has the goods -- she doesn't believe me. Good luck on your quest young ladies. I am anxious to see how it turns out for you. One thing I do know, Ash needs to remember how much attention she gets in her glittery maroon shirt from guys not named Andy. If she wants that sort of attention and self esteem boost, maybe you girls have something to work with?
• I hate my accounting professor with the white hot intensity of 1,000 suns. He went straight from undergrad all the way through his doctorate and never worked in the real world. Talk about the ivory tower. He has no concept for the part-time student. Those of us with lives can't get a 10-page paper assignment and turn it around in 48 hours, which is exactly what he expects us to do tomorrow. And his name is Dr. Wang, so you can imagine how hard it is to understand his lectures.
• Life is good -- the Chicago Bears are 4-0 and the Oakland A's open the playoffs on Tuesday in Minnesota. If only the old Huskers could get their stuff together.
• Got a promotion. Whee. Fun new exciting projects to work on, but feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
• Maybe I was just brought up different, but some people who claim to be friends are so inconsiderate. How can you make plans for months and months for something, confirm them two weeks ago, and then four days before the event, blow it off. I could never imagine doing that to people, especially friends. And then another friend who is in class with me had to proofread a group paper I did with another kid and just turn it in. And she just forgot. Seriously, how can you be that inconsiderate?

Peace out players.