Thursday, November 17

My weekend has begun

We finally finished our United Way Campaign at work today. I feel that I have been on this committee forever. I wouldn't mind it so much if it weren't so democratic. Do we really need a meeting to discuss everything? The order in which we raffle off prizes. The limit of tickets a person is allowed to buy. Who's going to ask the United Way contact person for stickers. What we really need is a United Way 2006 Campaign Committee Dictator, or perhaps an Enlightened Despot. Someone to rule with an iron fist. There were four of us on the committee. Our office only has 32 people in it. More than ten percent of the office was on this committee! That's hardly an indirect democracy.

It was also quite evident that I was the only non-democrat on the committee as we argued over raffle ticket distribution. The other three thought that there should be a limit to how many tickets one person could receive. They thought that after someone gives $500, that person should be ineligible to have any more chances in the raffle. "That's fair," they said. No it's not. And really, if someone gives $1000 to the United Way give them a $10 gift certificate to Qdoba. I don't care if they make more money than the rest of us. They donated a large chunk of money to a good cause. We should applaud that and make it known.

I was done with work at 4:30. I didn't do much today. I was caught up in the United Way beauracracy. But I stayed until 6 anyway. I had important things to do like make my football picks and steal left over pizza from lunch. I tried to convince someone to go to see Harry Potter IV with me tonight, but nobody would. Of course, I understand that most people are working tomorrow, but I expected there to be one closet Potter fan amongst the people I've met in Milwaukee.

I suppose I should leave for the theater soon. I'll bring a book to read while I wait in line.

Tomorrow I go to meet Tom in Chicago. I'm excited to see him. We're going to a Brewery tour. Jake, Katie, and Christie are definitely coming with us. The other people flaked out on me. But then John from church said that he'd like to meet us too. But I think he has to do the 6 o'clock news. That's so weird.

Tuesday, November 15

"Hi, I'm under 50 too."

I made a new friend!

And I met him at church. And he's not a weirdo (at least as far as I can tell, yet).

A few weeks ago I noticed another young guy at church. I figured it was someone's son, so I didn't say anything. But then on Sundaywe passed each other and said, "hi," and started to talk. It's sort of funny because I kept imagining that's how dogs see the world. There could be tons of other people around but a dog only really notices other dogs. I automatically noticed the other person in the sanctuary who was younger than 50.

After the service there was a lunch and we sat with each other - as well as the old ladies. There are some other people in our congregation who are in their 20s, but they are all chemistry doctoral students from Africa. They stick together and after discussing organic versus inorganic, I'm tapped for conversations.

John and I sat and had a pleasant conversation about college and moving around for jobs. I'm calling him "John" because it turns out that he works for a local news station and is a regular reporter. I had to admit to him that without a TV I wasn't even sure what the local stations are, let alone who he is. As we left church we exchanged phone numbers and decided to go out for coffee on Tuesday night.

Today we set up a meeting place and time. We met for coffee (but I drank juice). I didn't know how to ask him if he drank alcohol. Eventually though our conversation went to what we do for fun and it became apparant that we both frequent the local bars. So, we decided to go across the street for a drink. It was nice and I enjoyed talking with him. We don't have much in common when it comes to interests. He didn't even know there was Johnny Cash movie released this week! But it turns out that John knows a good deal about his pension plan and I know more than I thought I did about broadcasting.

John plans to celebrate Dan Goldin Day with Tom and me on Friday.

Friday, November 11

Parental Visit II

Sometimes I pick radio stations simply to spite my parents.

Thursday, November 10

Parental Visit

My parents are in town. To kick off a Milwaukeean weekend, we went for dinner at a German restaurant. The leftovers are in the fridge and they stink. I can't believe I ate that stuff.

The visit so far has been enjoyable. Let's see what a full day together is like.

Catch the Spirit

At dinner last night, Jake, completely unprompted, says to me, "So, what are our plans for Dan Goldin Day?"

True Story.

Tuesday, November 8

After my exam, I went shopping for a GameBoy. Why are there so many people in the mall on a Tuesday afternoon? And why were there children there? I almost asked two kids why they weren't at school.

I walked into the electronics store.

Nerdy Electronics Store Clerk (but probably the manager): Can I help you?

Me: Yes, I'm looking for a GameBoy. Do you also have used ones?

NESC: Yes, we do, but I'd honestly suggest you buy the new one. It has great new features. It comes in graphite or blah, blah, blah.

Me: (What's graphite? I know its chemical symbol is C, but that's also coal and diamonds and they are black and clear. I wonder what graphite is.)

NESC: blah, blah, blah...and that's why you should get the blah, blah, blah.

Me: Ok, if I have games from my old grey brick GameBoy, can I still use it on this player?

NESC: Yes, other features include...blah, blah, blah.


Later, at the register:

NESC: Can I interest you in-

Me: I will probably not come into your store again in the next year? (When I worked in the bookstore, this is how I tried selling the frequent buyer card - I first asked if they shopped with us enough to warrant a card.)

NESC: This magazine is great because it has an unbiased view of various gaming systems, even Nintendo. As I can see from your purchase, you have great taste in games.

Me: (I'm buying Pokemon and Super Mario 3. My tastes suck.)

NESC: Also, this magazine will make sure you never miss anything important.

Me: (Like the ratification of the Iraqi constitution?) I really don't think I would appreciate your magazine, but thank you.

So much fun

My exam was so much fun today, I think I'll take it again in May. Out of 40 questions, I probably guessed at 20. That is flat-out guessing, not even doing the problem. There were also about 10 that I did and my answer was not one of the five choices so I just had to choose one that was close by. I don't get my results until January. I'm not sure if I should start studying now or wait for the score. There is a chance that I passed, especially because the exam is graded on a curve. As for tonight, though, Jake and I opened up the grey goose and popped in his Married...with Children DVD, Season 1. The grey goose helped me to appreciate the show.

Monday, November 7

Jack & Co.

Jake is taking his GMAT tomorrow. He'll be starting his exam 4 hours after mine is completed, which means that he'll have to catch up to 8 hours of drinking. In anticipation of our Tuesday night celebration, we have in our kitchen: Jack, Jim, Grey Goose, Blue Curacao, Gordon's, Captain Morgan, Bacardi Vanila, and a couple of coronas. Given how little we've been drinking over the past two months we have enough liquor to outlast our lease.

But we do have 12 new cocktail glasses, and we're itching to use them all in one sitting.

Practice Exam

My exam is tomorrow. There will be 40 problems on it, to be completed in 4 hours.

Yesterday I took a mini-practice exam: 10 problems in an hour. I received a 40% (that's 4 correct). That's really not too bad of a score, especially considering that the questions were not the typical; they had been written by a professor at University of Chicago who felt that they represented what the SOA (Society of Actuaries) expects of us. What concerns me more is that of the 4 correct problems, 3 of them were guesses. The problems that I actually computed were wrong, save 1. Oh boy.

Sunday, November 6

Anticipation

The actuarial outpost still has not confirmed my registration to be a member of the discussion forums. I have things to say. I want to be accepted by my actuarial brethren (and sistren). I have pension questions that need to be answered.

Have you heard the latest actuarial news? During last Thursday's Course 8 exam, some of the Pension exam takers were given the wrong case study; they were given the Medical Benefits study! Aye carumba! Bosha moi! Years of preparation and hard work and they were given the wrong test! Some proctors, quick-thinking (or not), took it upon themselves to find copies of the correct test and made copies of it for the students who had the wrong exams. This is fine except for those people across the country who ended up not receiving the correct exam. This is a big deal because these exams are graded on a curve. So, either a bunch of people will be disqualified because they followed the proctors' lead or a bunch of people will be pissed that they were given an exam they did not prepare for. I don't know how the Society will sort this out.

Wednesday, November 2

nothing special

I really like this actuarial discussion forum that I've found. Perhaps, now I won't spend so much time reading friends' blogs while I'm at work.

The past few days have not been too eventful. After work I go to the library to study. And after that I come home to study. I do a good deal of daydreaming during the day and thinking about things besides mortality rates, but I don't seem to remember any of those thoughts when I go to sit in front of my computer.

Oops, there's another ladybug on my computer. They are all over this apartment. Not just within, but they're on the outside of the building too. When I was walking in front of my building yesterday, one flew straight at my eye - full speed. And man, those things can be solid, when they hit you straight on. My hands automatically went for my face and my body flew back with my head. I wonder if anyone saw me on the street as I battled the crazy ladybug.

Today is Jake's birthday. He had dinner with his girlfriend and her family. He invited me too, but then uninvited me when I hesitated as I decided. He said he understands that I want to study. That wasn't why I hesitated. I just thought it would be weird to meet the GF's family like that. It would be his party, but because I'm the new guy, I'd probably get the attention. Either way, I'm glad I got out of it. I actually did some studying tonight, though I skipped my stained glass class to do so.

For his birthday, Jake received 12 cocktail glasses, a martini mixer, and a bottle of blue curacao from the GF's family. What kind of person do they think he is?

Tuesday, November 1

New level of Nerdiness.

I hit a new level of nerdiness today when I found the discussion forum for pension actuaries and was excited. Let the good times roll!

Nickel Creek & The Ditty Bops

The night after the Matt Nathanson concert I saw Nickel Creek. They were playing just down the street from me. I recently bought their album and think it's great. I listen to it, on average, once a day. Well, I used to, but that was before I bought the Ditty Bops' album.

The show was so good. Pure entertainment. It's hard to classify the music, though most stores would put these bands in the Country/Blue Grass section. But that's mostly based on the fact that they use mandolins. The Bops also have washboards, upright bass, a guitar, keyboard, and various other sound makers. Their show was fantastic. When a musician didn't have something to play during a song, he/she would do something to help the show. One percussionist had so few parts to play that he managed to carve a jack-o-lantern during his downtime. There were juggling, a sword fight, and dancing. There were also "pirate songs" as the Ditty Bops have challenged themselves to write a "pirate song" every day that they are on tour. I can't explain them, but if you get the chance to see them, do it. They are a treat for the ears, the eyes, and the mind.

Nickel Creek headlined. They are a trio of violin, mandolin, and guitar. They also had bass back-up. The mostly played stuff from their new album Why Should the Fire Die? Full of life and spunk, but also touching. And there were definitely funny moments in the show. At one point, the two siblings argued a little back-and-forth as only brother and sister can. They also introduced a song by saying that they cover it because it really is "pure, unadulturated fun." The opening notes sounded familar, but it wasn't till a long screechy note of the violin before I recognized Britney Spears' "Toxic." It was funny, but it was also extremely well done. Two encores before we let them leave, and the first included some tap-dancing by the bassist.

Note to self: Look for a tap-dancing class again.

Wireless

Jake and I (actually just Jake) finally hooked up our internet via the wireless router. It had been two months that I was using my laptop on the floor of my bedroom behind the door so that I would be close enough to the jack, power cord, and telephone. The designers of the apartment were either not thinking about personal computer usage or had planned on our wireless abilities.