Giving thanks they didn't take the rest of the car...

Thanksgiving certainly had its ups and downs. The break was nice. I'm at that point in the semester where all the projects and papers and presentations are due, but it hasn't felt overwhelming. This is basically because I've reached the "blissful numbness" point....

So half your team isn't at the meeting?
So it's hard to make those recommendations in your paper with a straight face?
So you answer quantitative economics problems with "and so forth..."?

Whatever.....

This isn't to say I'm not still working hard, but I've probably learned what I'm going to learn this semester, my teams are the way they are, and most deliverables are pretty well defined.

And if not, I've only got a couple more weeks anway.

As for the downs, well...while we were at my in-laws house, we got a call from our neighbors saying someone stole the headlights out of my wife's car in our driveway. Seriously? What would someone want with a couple of bulbs? Oh, you mean they took the whole headlight assembly? That's better. The fact that any set of headlight assemblies can cost over $1200 has to be a crime.....a crime that promotes more crime....which should also be a crime. Long story short, somebody owes me an explanation.

And I chipped a tooth! Everything is not coming up Millhouse. We were on our way to cut down our Christmas tree. (It's our first one as a married couple, which is very exciting. We drove for what felt like two hours to a place my brother-in-law knew about. It was his idea. My wife and I found our tree in about fifteen minutes. My brother-in-law looked for about an hour and a half...and then picked out a pre-cut one off the lot. Well done. But I'm happy with my tree.) So while we were on the way, I was eating a jaw breaker, and I chipped the corner off a front tooth. I have to admit, I wasn't prepared for this. I was fully aware that there was a risk I could break my jaw, but nobody said anything about teeth. Somebody's getting an angry letter for Christmas.

At least it didn't make me speak with a whistle...

Happy Holidays!

Go next year's Cubs....

Happy Friday...

So MIT is pretty good about giving students days off. In the LFM program, you find that days off just mean you don't have class. Most projects are in full swing now, so even "days off" are taken up with meetings and other assignments. In fact, I'm only blogging right now because I'm procrastinating working on my OP paper. Uh....I mean, you guys always come first......

We had an exercise in negotiation this week. Basically, it was a mock compensation negotiation with another Sloan student (in my case, another LFM student). You get scored based on what you're able to negotiate in terms of dollars per hour, stock options, etc. It was pretty interesting.....and good practice. There's even a class on it, which I would like to take next Spring. If I get good enough at it, I can prepare myself for my future negotiations. It's not all about the money, either. I figure, if I can't work out a higher salary, maybe I can get them to name a kid after me. If it's a girl, I'm thinking "Jarelda". I'd be willing to go with just a middle name though if they threw in a nice office chair or something...

It's getting cold outside...

It gets so easy to put off blogging. Midterms are over, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Have you ever been outside when it's really cold and there's a bitter wind in your face? And you don't have a hat on or anything to protect your head? It feels as though the wind is going straight to your bones. It hurts, but you keep walking because you know that the sooner you get to your destination, the sooner it will be over and you can get warm. Even though you're walking right into the wind, there's nothing you can do about it. Sure, you try walking backwards and covering your ears with your hands, but it slows you down and makes your hands hurt, too. All you can do is put your head down and curse that you live in such a cold climate. (this makes sense if you're from Chicago.) Well, that's what I envision November to be like....not from a weather standpoint, but from a got-a-lot-to-do-and-not-a-lot-of-time-to-do-it-in standpoint. I'll get it done. No worries. Just not looking forward to it.

I've met some of the prospective students in recent weeks. It's nice to see so many that recognize the potential of this program. Just last week, I had the opportunity to have dinner with two former CEOs and a couple of other LFMers. It was just the five of us, talking leadership and ethics in the workplace. How often do you get an opportunity like that? You can't go wrong with the LFM program. I'm sure you'll agree. So good luck on the application preparation. As much work as I have, I'm glad I don't have any application essays to write.

Despite the workload, I have been able to make time for the things that matter....like Guitar Hero. It's pretty sweet. I have realized that the guitar itself is sized the way it is for a reason. It isn't to save cost on materials. It isn't to save cost on shipping. It isn't so that they can fit more of them on the shelves. It's so that when you think you're a stud and you really rock with the best of them, you see yourself in the mirror with what looks like a plastic ukelele around your neck and it brings you back down to earth. It's not the same as actually playing the guitar, dummy. But it is fun. And I tell myself I'm bettering my dexterity. And the guitar only looks small because I am a giant of a man. A rock stud man.

My Sloan team and I out to dinner...

Three teams too many...

Stupid Cubs. After 162 games struggling to the top, they blow it in three games. Some people root for the team that ended the season of their favorite team, I think with the reasoning that since their team lost, they might as well have lost to the best. Not me. I'm petty. May the Diamondbacks never win another game.....ever.

If crying was a socially acceptable thing for me to do, I'd probably be doing a lot of it right now. Some suggest getting more of your engineering classes completed in your first two semesters in LFM. I don't have a problem with that, but you may want to take it easy scheduling your other classes. I'm on four different teams right now. It isn't even so much that the work is too much, but trying to schedule meetings with four different groups is challenging, especially since there isn't much time in the week as it is. Plus, you have that whole "team dynamics" thing to go through four different times. So if you're going to take a full schedule, keep in mind what sorts of projects each class has.

Believe it or not, I'm working here....

Almost missed September...

I have been putting off writing, if you can't tell. I keep meaning to do it, but class keeps getting in the way. Stupid class.....

So I know I said that there's no reason to sweat how busy we are. Well, I'm certainly feeling the heat. I'm on four different teams this semester for various classes. On top of a ridiculous course load, I'm in a couple of committees and would like to participate in a few clubs, competitions, social functions, etc. And somehow the rest of my life has to fit in around it. I'm glad my wife is understanding.

So a few of you have come out to visit campus already. I say "already" because it's hard to believe it's been a year since I visited MIT. So far, I'm very impressed with next year's candidates. We should have a good class next year. That reminds me....if any of you are interested in the program and would like to ask me a question or comment on my blog, please feel free to do so. Even if you just want to comment on my ramblings, feel free. I know I don't talk about the program in too much detail here, but I still know a thing or two about it. Besides, I'm curious to know if anyone even reads this.....

Fall semester is in full force now. It's different having so many people on campus....it's no longer just us LFMers. It's all good. I'm enjoying my classes, despite the hectic pace. In my mechanical assemblies class, we have a project to take apart a product and analyze how it was put together. We spent an entire class learning about how a cylindrical pin goes into a cylindrical hole. The amazing thing is: I thought it was interesting. Of course, I kept to myself the fact that I was already a bit of a prodigy. In fact, at a very young age I was able to not only handle the cylindrical shapes, but I could also fit triangles into triangle-shaped holes and squares into square-shaped holes. But I didn't want to interrupt the flow of class. Nobody likes a show-off....

So I was talking to my wife the other day about how my hip still hurts and I need a hip replacement (I'm convinced). So when I was discussing my options she informed me that there are currently no bionic hips. None? Why haven't we gotten on that? Seriously! I was at a function at MIT the other day where they served yellow watermelon. YELLOW. And there are no bionic hips? What the hell? I think our science is being misused if the yellow watermelon is developed before the bionic hip. I guess I was just disappointed because I had already envisioned myself being able to, you know.....kick down trees and stuff.

On a sadder note, I couldn't create a post in a blog about my life without mentioning the passing of my grandfather. Sometimes, we get a little too busy and something happens to put things back in perspective. Grandpa was a midwestern man that worked his way into executive management despite the lack of a college degree. He was a loving husband and father. He outlived both his first and second wives to the ripe old age of 94. He passed in his sleep without ever having been in pain. I would say that's a reward for living a good life. We'll miss you, Grandpa.

Go Cubs. (Grandpa was a fan, too.)

Always read the fine print....

I apologize to all of you for not writing in a while (that means you, mom). A lot has happened in the last few weeks. I finished my first LFM semester, got my first Boston parking ticket, went on vacation, participated in my third ropes course as part of my second orientation of the summer.....and got a Wii.

First things first....I was pretty angry at The Man after that ticket. I drove to campus once this summer. Once! And it happened to be the third Wednesday of the month between 8 am and noon in a month between April and October, which also happens to be the four hour window when they do street cleaning. I drove because I was going to take people over to Boston Scientific for a plant tour. When we went to leave, my car was gone. I looked at the sign (a little more closely this time.....) and realized I had been towed. Two hours and $135 later, I got my car back, only to notice a ticket on then windshield. Seriously? The towing fee wasn't enough? As if I needed an extra reminder that I'm a dope.....

Summer term ended and I went up to Minnesota to go camping with my brother. It was a chance to be men.....to grow beards and curse and smell bad. I succeeded in all three. I wasn't so successful with the fishing, only catching one fish (in about eight hours of fishing), but aye, she was a fighter. I had a good time, though. I felt like it was the first time I was outside without hearing a car in a long, long time. I will pass along this piece of camping wisdom, though: if you're going to bring an air mattress to sleep on, make sure it holds air. There's nothing like waking up every two hours to reinflate.

Arrrr....she almost took me arm off.

We just finished orientation again. The highlight of the week is meeting your new team. It's hard to say just yet, but I think we'll work together just fine. There is one other engineer in the group. In fact, he's working on a PhD in chemical engineering, the poor guy. They understand that my schedule might not always be the most accomodating so they're willing to plan meetings around my classes, which is nice. Also, after spending a day with them doing one of those outdoor, teamworking building, ropes-course-like activities, they commented that they appreciate my leadership skills and initiative. Maybe I'm improving. No one told me I was quiet, at least. It's a start.

But most importantly, we got a Wii. I can see my productivity going way up already. In fact, I think it's even carried over to enhance my GameCube skills. I can feel my dexerity......growing. Either that or I'm coming down with something. Jess......I mean, "Virginia-ca" has been feeling a little under the weather and our marriage is all about sharing. You would think they wouldn't want a doctor who's contagious going in to work. It's not like the people she's around have the immune systems of......of.....of people who never get sick. But not so much. She has to go in even if she feels like death. I hope she doesn't have the SARS. 'Cause then I might have the SARS (I mean, aside from the deep concern I have for her first....right sweetie?) Seriously, though, I don't know how I would handle the LFM pace with anything more than a cold. So if those within the sound of my voice (or the view of my typing) are thinking about being a part of LFM, take good care of yourself. There's not a lot of down time.

Though it does give you more Wii time.....

"Captain Butts's Chicken Fingers?"....

The summer is winding down. Next week is our last week before we take a break. No complaints here. This week, we visited Intel for a plant tour. They keep the facility uber-clean, so you have to dress up in these head-to-toe spacesuits in order to enter the actual manufacturing facility. So they're not spacesuits, but you have to wear double gloves, two sets of shoe coverings, a helmet, a jumpsuit (mine was XXXXL.....I'm big-boned), and eyeglasses. Some of the full-time employees have fancy helmets with little hoses running from the helmet to some device on their belt. I couldn't help but think the whole place was a cross between "Short Circuit" and "The Andromeda Strain". I was expecting someone to get infected with an alien virus any second. But the jumpsuit getup was more for the equipment's protection than for ours(at least that's what they told us.......My hip hurts and I can't explain why....)

We've also had a number of free-food events (BBQ's, sponsored happy hours, lunches). I will never turn away free food, but I could use some more variety. MIT has some great "lunch trucks" nearby where you can get just about anything for $4. I went there last week and got the General Gau's chicken; it was excellent. Is it Gau, or Tso.....or Tao? I feel like it has a different name at every restaurant. I think it was named for an actual General, who I envision to be the Chinese Colonel Sanders. It keeps in the tradition of military officers turned chicken friers. Kind of makes you wonder how many other officers out there who, when they have a quiet moment amidst the battle, secretly have chicken franchise aspirations. "Rear Admiral Higgenbottom's hot wings?" "2nd Lieutenant Franken's char-broiled chicken?" You know they're out there....

The LFM 09 class also finished our softball season this week. I think we went 5-5. Not too shabby. I'm sure we'd do better next year, but we'll all be scattered about doing our internships. It's a shame this is the only summer we'll really have together. Look at me, I'm already getting nostalgic.

This last week of summer term has us giving presentations and writing reports. We have a leadership assessment paper to write. Most of the feedback I've been getting tells me I need to speak up more in class. I've never been a very loud person, or one who dominates large group discussions. That's partly why I'm here, though. I can always read a statistics book if I'm interested or need to brush up on something, but there are other skills I really have to learn to hone here. They do really put a focus on the leadership part of the program. They'll ask you how imporant the "L" is in LFM. (And don't say twice as important as the "F".....they hate that answer) I appreciate how much the program has caused me to really think about myself and where I want to be with respect to my leadership skills when I'm done here. My goal is, when I'm part of a new study group next semester, to not have anyone tell me I need to be more vocal. Wish me luck.

One last thing.....if any of you are ever considering buying MIT apparel, I would like to put in a plug for Steve and Barry's. It's a clothing chain that sells collegiate stuff. The Coop in Cambridge sells MIT hooded sweatshirts for $60. I just bought two at Steve and Barry's for $8 each. That's like two General Gau's chickens per sweatshirt. Not too shabby. It's about an hour west of campus (driving) but if you're in the area, it's worth it. Just a thought...

Go Cubs.

"He was pretty stoked about nailing the inverted kiss of death..."

In addition to finishing Harry Potter and handling my schoolwork, I watched a little X games this week. You know, just to stay hip to what the kids are talking about these days (see title). My wife and I were watching the event where the skateboarders go down a huge ramp, fly across a giant gap, land the thing and then immediately go up the vertical side of a halfpipe. I don't know what this is called, and I'd probably have to draw a picture to explain it correctly, but the point is to go as high as you can over the top of the halfpipe. It's sort of a skateboard high jump. Anyway, this one guy flies through the air, lands his trick, goes up the halfpipe, gets major air, and then realizes he's way too far away from the face of the halfpipe and plummets 45 feet to the wood floor below. He hit so hard his shoes flew out of the screen upon impact. Atleast that's how the announcers explained it; I thought his feet exploded. Despite a bruised lung and a broken wrist, he walked off the ramp (he was lucky). And then he finished in second place. The message to kids everywhere?.....stay in school.

Speaking of school, we're down to the last two weeks of the summer term. Everyone is looking forward to the break, but I know I will miss working with the group I've been a part of for the summer. We will all be split up into separate groups once the rest of the MBA students arrive. I know it's important to expand my network and it will be good practice to learn to work in a new team environment, but at the same time I felt like we were just getting started. We have a week off before the "sloanies" arrive, so I'm headed to Minnesota to go fishing with my brother. A good MidWestern vacation.....

Ooh! They just showed a replay of the X games dude that almost killed himself. He went straight from the hospital back to the X games venue. They're calling him a "warrior". No kidding. Every army needs skateboard-wielding soliders that are able to fall from high places. With a little more training, he could be the first parachute-less paratrooper. I'm glad he's okay, but calling him a warrior is a bit much. Again.....stay in school.

Eating Sun-Warmed Tunafish is a Bad Idea....

I know there has been some concern recently about posting the real names and embarrassing pictures of other people in one's blog or facebook/myspace page or what-have-you. Understandably so. I will therefore invoke the powers of.....uh....empowerment and assertiveness and take it upon myself to disguise all those who appear in this blog, starting with my wife........."Virginia-ca". Kablam!

All kidding aside, it has been a terrific week. Things are busy. It's no surprise. It's probably not even worth mentioning anymore. I remember having those times in undergrad and even work where it felt like there was just too much to do, and I was never going to be able to get through it. Well, I got though it. No matter how much I had to do, in the end, I knew I would get it done. So it's not worth panicking. I think I've "learned" that lesson enough times now that I actually believe it.

I think the class as a whole is really starting to jell. We had a leadership boot camp yesterday that split us into small groups (different from our study groups) where we had to work together to get through a number of obstacles. I think everyone feels pretty comfortable with just about any member of this class. The teams seemed to do pretty well. We became experts at moving empty 55-gallon drums across faux rivers and mine fields. You never know when that's going to come in handy.... We learned as a group to avoid tunafish that has been sitting in the sun for six hours. Those that had the tuna were definitely moving a little slower after lunch. Personally, I don't trust any tuna that I didn't kill and can myself, or since I have never caught a tuna, atleast have taken out of a can that I opened. No thanks! It was a lot of fun, though. I think everybody enjoyed the challenge, and it was nice to get in some outside-of-the-class practice.

Earlier today, a group of us went to see the baptism of a fellow LFMer's son. It was a great experience in its own right, but it was also nice to see the support from others in the group who didn't necessarily share the same beliefs. This is about as diverse a group as I've ever been associated with, and I'm really learning to relish the differences.

I have also developed an appreciation for bocce ball. I had never really played it until a couple weeks ago, and now I am the proud owner of my own set of balls. We had a "study group 2" BBQ over at my place last weekend, so we had a little bocce tournament. I was hoping to have a homecourt advantage, but not so much. I haven't developed a full intuition for all the lumps in my backyard yet.

In other news, we got our.....uh....towels handed to us in softball again. We seem to be doing progressively worse. It got so bad that we actually considered forming a team where we didn't actually play the game, we just consulted others on how to do it most efficiently. Not so good. I hope that's not a harbinger of things to come.

Well, that's about it for this week. Virginia-ca is already asleep, so I best get ready for bed. Go Cubs.



Group 2, in all their glory. From left to right: Moonfeather, me, Mr. Huxtable, the Hamburgler, Mrs. Huxtable (no relation), Mazzy Spacepants

BBQ's and such

I will probably be writing once a week or so, unless I feel I have something I absolutely need to get off my chest. Hopefully, I will get some pictures on here soon, too. Please hold.

So we're starting to go on plant tours, have guest speakers, and oh yes, have barbeques. I think I've been to five BBQ's in the last couple weeks. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I guess I used to think that once school started, I would develop better eating habits. After all, I would have much less income so going out to eat would be more of a rare occurence. Also, since the gym is free, I should have no excuse for getting out of shape. So naive. So fat and naive. So stupid, fat, and naive.

I'm probably not alone in thinking that, with such a major change going on in my life with starting grad school, it's a chance to change a lot of other things about my life. Compared to undergrad, this time around I would have such good study habits. I would be all about learning and getting all the knowledge I could. I would be so much more organized. I would exercise more. I would read......just for fun! Not so much. But I'm loving the program. The LFM program has a definite emphasis on leadership (hence the name), and it really encourages you to reflect on your leadership style and other professional habits. And while the mere fact that I'm in the LFM program doesn't make me a different person, I'm starting to get an impression of where I want to be from a personal standpoint two years from now. I'll keep you posted....

Go Cubs.

So I've been here for about a month and a half now, and I think I've finally unpacked my last box. We feel like we're moved in, but there are always little things that need taking care of. It's definitely a good idea to move in at least a week before school starts, if for no other reason than to get everything settled. And when I get home from school, I just don't feel like messing with hanging pictures and such.

People keep asking how school is going. My answer?.....Things have been busy, but I love it. I don't know.....it's challenging, it's a lot of work, it requires excellent time-management skills, but at the same time, it doesn't feel too hard. I'm learning so much (just as much through introspection as though "lecture") that I don't even notice when I've been in a windowless closet working with my five other team members for six hours.

A lot goes on outside of class. A lot. That's the best part. Today I took part in an MIT institution....sailing. Somehow, I had never done it before. I have a degree in naval architecture (ship design) and I've never stepped foot in a sailboat. So a few of us from the program took the sailing certification class today. It looks so easy. It was a really windy day, so it took a little while to get the hang of it, but I think we did a pretty good job. It's a must do. Most of us were just paired up with others in the program, but you can certainly bring your significant other (SO) along which is cool. I thought about it.....if I screwed something up and dumped my wife into the Charles River, it would make for one long weekend. Better not chance it. Maybe "perfecting" it before bringing your SO might not be a bad idea.