Cancel cable

I tried to call to change my address with the cable company but I couldn't get through "due to a fire in the North Milwaukee location." I imagine as they all fled the building, some manager stopped and yelled to his coworkers, "I must change the phone message! Go! Save yourselves! This is customer service, damn it, and our customers deserve to know what's happening!"

SuperGlue

My bottle of SuperGlue cracked open. Luckily, though, it glued itself shut and did not spill in the drawer.

Milk

I also keep the caps from the milk containers. I drank about 35 gallons of milk this past year. Skim milk, but still, that's a lot.

Eggs

I accumulated my empty egg cartons this year, in case I ever needed some craft supplies. Today I will be throwing out 25 of those cartons. In the last year, I've eaten, at least, 300 eggs.

Moving

This weekend I will be moving from Apartment Building B to Apartment Building C. On Monday I will meet my roommate, Jake.

Lo-lee-ta

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta."

I'm actually enjoying the language of this book. I never re-read things just to hear them, but I've been re-reading the first paragraphs of the book. Sometimes outloud, sometimes in my head.

I'm feeling guilty about enjoying this book.

Mid-Year Review

I am struggling to fight the urge to write about my mid-year review with my new boss, the only guy in the office that I don't like. Seriously, at what point do I go to more senior people and ask to be managed by someone else?

Big Detour 2005

Reasons why Adina should be a part of Big Detour 2005

1. Has she ever not enjoyed a road trip with an 18Aer? From the first snow-laden trip to Moscow, PA to the most recent Jackie-bound Sisterhood of the Traveling New Jersians?

2. We will have stories forever.

3. She can see where Dan came from. We can visit the Oriental Theater where he spent his "Goth days."

4. It will be perfect timing for me. I'll have recently finished an exam and have extra vacation time to take.

5. Tom needs company. Of course, perhaps this list will convince Felecia or John to join him too.

6. Listen to what other visitors have said:

Jenn: "Milwaukee is a classy place."
Tyler: "Snap, Milwaukee is great."
Molly: "Golly, Milwaukee is great."
Ray: "Dude, jigga, Milwaukee is great."
Cory: "Mazeltov, Milwaukee is great." (He said this both times he was here.)

7. Listen to what Adina has said:
June 5: " i am seriously considering taking a trip out to milwaukee."

Potpourri

I had volunteered to work at Vacation Bible School this week. I went on Monday and Tuesday nights, but unfortunately no kids came. So, I went home early each night and I don't plan on going back. There were some kids, but they were older and I had been assigned to elementary school children. I'm not really upset over this. I had other plans.

For example, last night I went drinking.

Some coworkers had a happy hour yesterday and I had to miss it for church! What a dilemma, but God won. Fortunately when VBS was done early, I managed to catch up with the others and had a few beers.

Tonight, I had my classics book club. We discussed Alice in Wonderland and our next book is Lolita. We have a theme of old men and little girls going on. I'm kidding; it's just a strange coincidence. I brought two new people, Rebecca and Sarah, to the meeting. (We left Isaac and Abe at home.) This is in addition to Ann, whom I had brought when we were reading Middlemarch. Slowly I'm taking over this club.

I bought some ear drops finally. Having them in my ear for a half hour was a good excuse to watch The West Wing. I didn't see any improvement last night, however, all day long I could tell that things were shaking up in my head. And then, as I was driving home from my book club, BAM! I could hear. It is wonderful.

My boss sent out an e-mail this week about the dress policy. He stressed that we are not allowed to wear halter tops. What's sad is that this was needed to be said for one of the consultants. She looked good, but it really wasn't appropriate for the office.

Can you repeat that please?

Since I began swimming, I occasionally have had water in my ear. No big deal. After a few hours- maybe a day, it would go away.

Last Tuesday, while I was in the dentist's chair, they tipped me back to a weird angle and the water in my ear reached a new section. The water is still there. And I have not been able to hear well for the past week. It's not a big deal until I try to talk with people, especially if there is a good deal of background noise. I also have a problem hearing when I'm eating. All I can hear then is the chewing that is going on in my own head.

I bought hydrogen peroxide yesterday and I've been cleaning my ear with that. It's only $0.52 for a bottle! But that doesn't seem to be helping. I think I'm going to have to buy the more expensive ($2.50/tube) ear wax remover. These are the days that I want a girl friend. I need someone who can see my ear and take care of me.

Of course, a well-trained butler could do that too.

Beth

Last night I drove to Racine to visit Beth, who was in visiting at her father's house. She actually came to Wisconsin to say "good-bye" to her mother who is doing a two-year mission trip in Africa. That's incredible; I can't imagine my mother doing that.

Beth's dad and step-mom were fun. The extended family was there but I mostly hung out with the immediate family, like Beth's dad and brother, David. We ate brats and drank beer. We gossiped about our friends, which I always love to do. I told Beth's dad about Jenn's blog and how it had a good story of the girls getting drunk on Jackie's last day in Boston. We watched the lightning shoot across the sky. We went inside when it started to rain. And we went in the basement when the tornado warnings started. We had our tornado kit with us though - a flashlight, a corkscrew, some glasses and some wine.

We popped the cork and began a game of Trivial Pursuit. Step-Mom had had plenty of wine and she made the game amusing. Eventually though I had to leave because it was getting late. But it was a great cook-out. I should take Beth's dad's offer to come down anytime for a beer or a pizza or anything. It would be a lot of fun.

catch up

I have spent a good deal of time on the phone lately. Besides the numerous calls last week, I talked to Cory last night for an hour. And tonight Thomas called and we talked for an hour too. He was in a car accident today and I think he wanted to say Good-bye before Maureen kills him.

Tomorrow I get to see Beth. She's in Wisconsin to wish her mom well before she goes to Africa for two years. I can't imagine my mom deciding to go on a mission trip for such a long time. But good for her. She's a nurse and I'm sure her skills will be appreciated.

I haven't been studying as much as I should. I haven't done anything to prepare for my pending move. And I haven't cooked that eggplant that I bought at the farmer's market last Saturday.

The Dentist

I went to the dentist today for the first time in Wisconsin. I brought all three of my health care cards because I still can't figure out which is which. And it turns out that none of them are for dental care, but somehow the receptionist knew where to call and she figured out my benefits. I then asked her to explain my benefits to me. Being that I've spent the last year working for a firm that values benefits, including dental, this was not a proud moment for me.

My dental experience was different than what I've known in Pennsylvania. First of all, my old dentist had been my mom's when she was a kid. So, we have history. I arrived at my dentist's office all the way out in Waukesha. I filled out some forms, played with a mind puzzler, and read some Humor in Uniform before Sharon called my name.

Sharon brought me to her cubicle where I was to sit and wait for the doctor. They weren't going to clean my teeth today. This was a "get-to-know-me visit". I kept imagining an interview, in which I botch up some simple question and then am denied future treatment. Because really, what did then need to get to know? I have teeth. They have plague. Speaking of plagues, I noticed that Sharon did not have any hanging on her cube's walls. This sort of worried me as even barbers proudly display their credentials.

The office didn't have little examining rooms. All of the hygenists had cubicles. Everyone could hear everyone else's business. As I waited for the doctor I could hear the woman next to me, though I could only see her sneakers. I don't like the idea of my cleaning or filling or any other medical issues being discussed in such an open environment.

Sharon handed me a dixie cup. I gave her a funny look and she told me to drink and then spit out the disinfectant. It was gross and I couldn't help but think that a shot of Jack would be just as effective and much more enjoyable.

The dentist arrived and introduced himself. He told me that he broke his glasses this morning so he couldn't see me too well. I told him that I had water in my ear from swimming so I couldn't actually hear him too well either. I laughed, but I don't think he thought it was funny. He looked at the form I had filled out and said, "So, you're an actuary?" I said, "Yep." The hygenist in the next cube (but it could have been a patient) yelled over, "My nephew's an actuary too! A lot of tests!" The dentist began to tilt my seat back and I got the feeling that the "get-to-know-you" period of the visit was over.

He handed me some dark glasses to wear and explained that it's for the bright light and "just in case something goes flying." What kind of place is this? Just scrape the plague off of my teeth, buddy. Take some x-rays. Give me a drink. Tell me to spit. Lecture me on flossing. And give me a toothbrush. I put on the glasses and felt ridiculous, but incredibly safe. The dentist poked around while giving stats to Sharon: "5mm in the anterior pituitary, slight overbite on teeth 3, 4, and 5, plague in quadrant 4." I had no idea if they were good or bad statements. Or even if they were real.

The dentist left so that Sharon could take my x-rays. But first she had to check that I had not had any x-rays recently. I explained that this was the first time I was using this insurance and that I had not been to a dentist in a year. But she checked anyway and told me I was right, I had no history. Thanks, Sharon.

After the x-rays, I was told by the doctor that my teeth are so good that they could squeeze in a cleaning right then, if I would stay. He called Toni, the hygenist, and she soon came to my cubicle. It turns out that Sharon doesn't have plagues because she doesn't have credentials. Whew, mystery solved.

Toni was very friendly and talked the whole time. I made her laugh a couple of times too. She told me about her invention that she wants to develop but isn't motivated enough see it through. She told me about her friend who had the means to help her design it too. It's a dental tool of some sorts, but Toni wouldn't give me the specifics. I'm not sure if she thought I would steal her dental innovation or if she had just been worried that someone in the next cubicle would overhear. Either way, she was gentle while cleaning my teeth, so I hope if she does develop her project that she doesn't become so rich that she doesn't continue to clean my teeth.

busy

I'm just too popular and busy to sit down and write a good posting.

Chinese buffet

I went to one for lunch today. That's the closest thing to "news" that I have to report here in Milwaukee.

brewers vs cards

I went to the Brewers game tonight. I sat next to a 5-year old Cardinals fan, who heckled me. He did tell me a good joke (though prompted by his mom). And I did trick him into cheering for Lyle Overbay. Any day that I outsmart a 5-year old is a good day.

Prince

I finally broke down and took The Half-Blood Prince from the library. I had read the first hundred pages while in the Seattle airport for 5 hours. I read the next two hundred pages during my trips to the library when I needed breaks from Actuarial Mathematics. But tonight they had four copies there. So, I didn't feel guilty - as if I were taking a book that was meant for a fourth grader and therefore depriving them of a future love of reading.

Backstroke of the West

Even non-Star War fans will appreciate it.

party

I threw a party last night. It was a success. I made meatloaf, deviled eggs, and tomato & cucumber salad. Strangers introduced themselves. We played Mafia and Trivia Pursuit (though they weren't nearly as good as the games we played in college). We went outside and tossed the frisbee in the dark. People climbed up above the garage. I talked to the security guard about people climbing to the garage roof. He took my name. I hope I don't get detention. I remained semi-sober and had no hangover.

I need a drink.

I'm throwing a party tonight and I need some ideas for a good summer cocktail. I will also be serving coronas if that helps. My current liquor collection contains shiraz, Cap't Morgan, and Jack. I'm looking for something fruity, maybe, so I know that I will be buying other bottles too.

Any suggestions?

Drunk Hugger

At dinner with my coworkers last night, we discussed the drunken adventures of the Intern. The office manager thought the stories were great. He's still a college guy at heart. I bet he was in a frat. He's huge, probably 6'4" and built. Not necessarily muscley, but certainly not fat - he's just a big guy.

I sat next to him at dinner and while we discussed embarassing drunk stories he quietly said something about "hugging people". I couldn't help it but laugh, because it's a well-known fact in the office that the manager hugs people when he's drunk. He's hugged all of us at one point, I'm sure. And despite his size, it only takes two or three drinks to get him to that point.

I started to laugh at his comment, so he turned to me and asked, "Are you laughing at me?" I could only nod because I was laughing too much. It really is a silly idea: it's like finding out that the varsity quarterback from high school loses all of his toughness after 2 beers and starts hugging everything in sight. Luckily the rest of the table was laughing at Intern, so noone else knew that I was laughing at the boss, except for the boss. He understood though. He's a good guy - fun to be around and understanding. And if you by him a drink, he'll give you a hug.

Where's my elephant?

I've had a range of thoughts today. And somehow they all bring me back to the question, "Where's my elephant?"

Of course, I was thinking about one of my favorite questions, "Am I happy/content?" and "What's the difference between the two?" I thought about how much I am going to study for the November exam, which, chances are, I will not pass. And why am I doing it?

I thought about the work that I want to pass on to the New Hire and the Intern. It's grunt-work that I'd rather not be doing.

At happy hour today, I mentioned the "raise-less promotion" that someone received last year. (Since then, he's quit.) And I expressed my desire to turn down anything that would bring me more work with no compensation. Now, I'm not saying that I need more money, but perhaps different work that would expand my knowledge or opportunities to try new things. However, the "raise-less promotion" seems to just be a way to raise my billing rate, which will make my life more difficult and the firm more money. I find it offensive.

When I mentioned this at happy hour, my colleagues looked at me shocked. I'm not sure if they were more shocked that I thought it or that I said it. I also revealed some cynicism by saying, "We're not going to have mid-year reviews. And anyway, Bob's supposed to do mine and I don't think that's going to happen." I know most people share my disdain for Bob, but I'm the only one stupid enough to say anything. Especially because he's become my manager now that Deb has left.

I received a late phone call last night. "Moshi, moshi." Kate said. She then explained that her firm sent her to Tokyo for a few months to work on a case. She's a paralegal. We talked about the nature of work and I don't think she likes her current condition, but she couldn't expand, given that she was calling me from work on her lunch break. I thought it was interesting that Kate called me because this week I was contacted by another friend who happens to be in Japan now. She left a comment earlier this week. She, Laura, claims to be stalking me through blogger. So, the only two people I know in Japan are both tall blond women. I wonder if they ever see each other over the crowds of short, moreno people. Kate invited me to visit in the next few months, but I can't see being able to afford those plane tickets on such short notice. But as I was thinking about it, the thought occurred to me, "Why not? I deserve it."

There were other moments today that I thought about things and experiences that I want. And that I feel I deserve. I'm happy but I'm not content. Where's my elephant?

Celebration Dinner

After work tonight, the exam-passers of the last sitting went out for dinner on the company. We went to a fancy seafood restaurant downtown. It was a nice intimate group. There were the highest level actuaries there as well as the exam takers who are usually the youngest employees. The dinner was delicious and I would not be able to afford the restaurant on my own. Well, I could, but I wouldn't enjoy paying the bill. This was some more motivation to pass my next exam.

This weekend I began my study schedule. It's ambitious. In the mornings I will study corporate finance before work and in the evenings - actuarial mathematics. Yeehaw.