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.

The stork is making three deliveries in Lincoln next spring

No, I'm not pregnant with triplets. (Wouldn't that be crazy, though?) But three -- count 'em, three -- of my acquaintances have announced their pregnancies this week. It's only Wednesday! I'm happy for them, but it still freaks me right out. These people were my comrades in the anti-baby brigade until, apparently, July. When did these women make the mental shift from "kids are scary" to "I want a baaaabyyyy!"? And when will this magical change happen to me?

Every time I get the notion that I might be ready soon, it lasts all of five minutes before I start hyperventilating because HOLY CRAP! that's a lot of responsibility and I like to sleep in on Saturday mornings. (I'm being somewhat flippant, but the point is, I'm not selfless enough to be a parent yet.)

In case you're worried that we'll never have kids, relax. We want them. Someday. But it's okay to be nervous, right?

Funny thing

www.endofworld.net I already showed it to Mary and Julie.

Thursday musings

Las vegas. I liked it. Surprisingly. You can just eat, admire architecture, eat, see world-class shows, eat, swim, eat, shop and eat and have a wonderful time. A very expensive town, but very fun.

Sunburn sucks. Peeling now. Eeeew. But I do have a nice tan going. Too bad it's been cold and raining all week and I have to wear long shirts. Bummer.

Sooo -- crazy stuff goign on at work. The #2 guy in my shop is getting the #1 CEO job at Purdue. Well, he's dropped the ball on so much stuff in the last month that even though he is leaving in a month, he may get fired before that. Crazy. And I have to keep my mouth shut, cause I may be in a position to benefit from all of this. On top of that, we have a board of director's meeting next friday. Crazy stuff indeed.

My wife is like waaaaaay cool. I spent like five days with her constantly traveling, working, shopping, playing, eating.....and I didn't even get sick of her. Did I mention it was a good vacation?

OK, so I could get into Grey's Anatomy.

Looks like the Fed is done raising interest rates. Load up on consumer staples like P&G and financials like JPM and WFC.

So, a UN "diplomat" thinkgs George W is the devil. What ever happened to diplomacy. The president or the US could respond, but that diplomat is from a country that doesn't have free speech. Ironic.

I am starting to enjoy my accounting class.

I am dissapointed by my marketing class.

Random thought -- I need to remember to grab two extra football tickets this weekend so Ash and Hayley can go.

I like rain.

I don't like peeling.

Peace out players.

This will take 2 seconds....

Hey fellow familia, I hate to take advantage of our blog site, but I need to ask you all a quick favor. For my Psychology of Social Behavior class we are learing about self-perception and learning how others see us too. I'm sure you've all heard of the Johari test, but in case you haven't it is a test that allows a person to pick out five personal traits that they think describe them. They then ask other people to pick five traits that describe the creater of the Johari test. So, I'm asking all of you to go to this website and fill out my Johari test. It will seriously take like five seconds, and I really appreciate it. Fill it out ASAP! (It's due by Thursday at 6:30, but the sooner you answer, the sooner I can write my journal for the class that is due on Thursday night.) Thanks so much!

http://kevan.org/johari?name=hayley2004

:)

I'm baaaaack!

I've returned from a five-day vacation during which I forced myself to stay away from the Internet, e-mail and my cell phone. Sometimes a girl needs to escape.

Speaking of needing to escape, I hate, hate, hate those stupid Blackberry PDAs. During my trip I was surrounded by people who would pick up their Crackberries every five minutes to check e-mail or return phone calls. For crying out loud, enjoy your $10 margarita and turn off your damn phone. I firmly believe that no one but God needs to be accessible 24/7.

Las Vegas was fabulous, fun and expensive. Holy cats, was it expensive. It was near impossible to order dinner for less than $50 a person. Good thing Andy’s office will be reimbursing most of our meal costs. I'm way appreciative of our low cost of living in the Midwest.

Los Angeles. Man, that city was a hellhole. There was graffiti and garbage everywhere.

Due to my Vegas junket, I missed a day of class. Unfortunately, it was the most important day of the semester because we have to write a paper based on a guest speaker's presentation. I gave my professor a digital recorder to capture the lecture, and apparently the sound quality is horrible. I thought I could remedy the situation by interviewing the guest speaker, a suggestion that my professor shot down immediately. She also doesn't want me to rely on someone's notes. I know this is partly my fault, but I don’t have a clue how I'll get this assignment done.

I'm so not into school right now. Remind me again why I'm doing this.

Why must my immune system plot against me?

After taking human physiology, human anatomy, and numerous psychology classes, I'm smart enough to know that our immune system goes down when our body is wore out and stressed which means that it has a harder time fighting off bacteria and viruses. Well, I used to pat my immune system on the back because it usually decided to go down AFTER major tests and high levels of stress. However, in the past month and half I have fought off sinus infections and ear infections. Ironically enough, in the past month I have dealt with an intense five-week anatomy course, starting new classes at UNL, stressing over whether or not I'm getting into nursing school (which I should find out about in about three weeks), and other personal issues. You would think by now that I would have learned better stress management issues.

Well, tomorrow I have two big exams and today I'm stuck with nothing other than a migraine, which means that I'm nauseous and all I want to do is sleep. Good thing I'm a trooper and I'll study anyway. What good it'll do, I'm not sure.

Anyway, if any of you other productive students/workers have any tips on how to not be a stressed out/sick mess it would be greatly appreciated!

Facebook Follow-up, if you're interested

An Open Letter from Mark Zuckerberg:

We really messed this one up. When we launched News Feed and Mini-Feed we were trying to provide you with a stream of information about your social world. Instead, we did a bad job of explaining what the new features were and an even worse job of giving you control of them. I'd like to try to correct those errors now.

When I made Facebook two years ago my goal was to help people understand what was going on in their world a little better. I wanted to create an environment where people could share whatever information they wanted, but also have control over whom they shared that information with. I think a lot of the success we've seen is because of these basic principles.

We made the site so that all of our members are a part of smaller networks like schools, companies or regions, so you can only see the profiles of people who are in your networks and your friends. We did this to make sure you could share information with the people you care about. This is the same reason we have built extensive privacy settings – to give you even more control over who you share your information with.

Somehow we missed this point with News Feed and Mini-Feed and we didn't build in the proper privacy controls right away. This was a big mistake on our part, and I'm sorry for it. But apologizing isn't enough. I wanted to make sure we did something about it, and quickly. So we have been coding nonstop for two days to get you better privacy controls. This new privacy page will allow you to choose which types of stories go into your Mini-Feed and your friends' News Feeds, and it also lists the type of actions Facebook will never let any other person know about. If you have more comments, please send them over.

This may sound silly, but I want to thank all of you who have written in and created groups and protested. Even though I wish I hadn't made so many of you angry, I am glad we got to hear you. And I am also glad that News Feed highlighted all these groups so people could find them and share their opinions with each other as well.

About a week ago I created a group called Free Flow of Information on the Internet, because that's what I believe in – helping people share information with the people they want to share it with. I'd encourage you to check it out to learn more about what guides those of us who make Facebook. Today (Friday, 9/8) at 4pm edt, I will be in that group with a bunch of people from Facebook, and we would love to discuss all of this with you. It would be great to see you there.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Mark

Mexican Elections

While I wait for my delicious 12inch pizza...I thought I'd ask for Andy's (or anyone else who cares) take on the Obrador - Calderon situation in Mexico. I think that Obrador is another Al Gore...Recount!...Recount!!..but if he does form a separate government we'll have to naturally send in the marines and kick some ass....uh maybe not...but it could be something that greatly impacts our wonderful nation. Discuss.

THE INEVITABLE DEATH OF facebook

I logged onto facebook this morning and was appalled at the new stalker-friendly format. How much time to they expect people to waste on that over-done webpage? And too much information is provided: friends' new friends, everything people said and updated.... what's next - the ability to find out who's viewed your profile and when?

Well I'm not waiting to find out. About a minute after I realized the current situation, I disabled my already stripped account. As it is, people have lost their ability to carry normal conversations now that instant messengers and online profiles exist. I had class all morning today, then when I get back two classmates start talking to me. I JUST SAW YOU ALL MORNING!