In loving memory of my mother, whose favorite Halloween joke was:
Q: Why didn't the witch have any children?
A: Her husband had a hollow-weenie.
Mom would tell that joke and just laugh and laugh.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It's Economics, Silly
I really try not to go on my rants about how economics is common sense, for the most part.
But this morning as I was driving into work, I found myself yelling at the radio, "DUH!" when the news came across that the economy contracted in the last quarter.
What'd you expect, George? (Borrowing from the infamous Warner Brothers cartoons).
It just so happens I'm knee-deep in studying the Latin American debt crisis of the early 1980s, and there are startling similarities to what we are experiencing now.
But let me also go on my rant about how we have to belt tighten, we have to implement fiscal and monetary policy discipline, and unless we do so, we are going to be in far more trouble.
People, this starts at home. Let me give you an example. Let's look at it this way. I once was making a good, solid salary at a good communications company. I don't believe in disclosing what I made, and I don't care to know what anyone else makes. It's just one of those "Angie Life Rules" by which I abide, but let's just say that I was used to earning that income for roughly 7 years (with the yearly raise, of course). My point in telling you this is that I had a salary, but guess what? Life changes. I went back to school full time and gave up the salaried career. Not easy, let me be the first to tell you.
Yes, I received an assistantship with a stipend, but let's discuss life in percentages (I LOVE percentages). So I roughly now get in my stipend 25 percent of what I earned in my salary. Trust me, it's not a lot. As a matter of fact, I have to follow such a strict budget that I barely have wiggle room. Thank goodness for declining gas prices.
So what had to happen? Could I continue spending at the levels I was spending when I was making that salary?
Of course not. It may seem common sense, but most people (including our government) do not follow this basic law of finance. If you don't cut spending, you're going to be in trouble especially if you're living on credit. What does living on credit essentially mean? That whoever is living on credit is stripping money from future income, and when we calculate for interest, we're going to be in a world of hurt.
It just so happens that we are a nation of consumers who love credit. We have built a house of plastic cards, and it's not sustainable. As the government scrambles to find ways to save those consumers in mortgage crisis, start watching your own financial house and take care of what you can at home.
But this morning as I was driving into work, I found myself yelling at the radio, "DUH!" when the news came across that the economy contracted in the last quarter.
What'd you expect, George? (Borrowing from the infamous Warner Brothers cartoons).
It just so happens I'm knee-deep in studying the Latin American debt crisis of the early 1980s, and there are startling similarities to what we are experiencing now.
But let me also go on my rant about how we have to belt tighten, we have to implement fiscal and monetary policy discipline, and unless we do so, we are going to be in far more trouble.
People, this starts at home. Let me give you an example. Let's look at it this way. I once was making a good, solid salary at a good communications company. I don't believe in disclosing what I made, and I don't care to know what anyone else makes. It's just one of those "Angie Life Rules" by which I abide, but let's just say that I was used to earning that income for roughly 7 years (with the yearly raise, of course). My point in telling you this is that I had a salary, but guess what? Life changes. I went back to school full time and gave up the salaried career. Not easy, let me be the first to tell you.
Yes, I received an assistantship with a stipend, but let's discuss life in percentages (I LOVE percentages). So I roughly now get in my stipend 25 percent of what I earned in my salary. Trust me, it's not a lot. As a matter of fact, I have to follow such a strict budget that I barely have wiggle room. Thank goodness for declining gas prices.
So what had to happen? Could I continue spending at the levels I was spending when I was making that salary?
Of course not. It may seem common sense, but most people (including our government) do not follow this basic law of finance. If you don't cut spending, you're going to be in trouble especially if you're living on credit. What does living on credit essentially mean? That whoever is living on credit is stripping money from future income, and when we calculate for interest, we're going to be in a world of hurt.
It just so happens that we are a nation of consumers who love credit. We have built a house of plastic cards, and it's not sustainable. As the government scrambles to find ways to save those consumers in mortgage crisis, start watching your own financial house and take care of what you can at home.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Gas Prices
We have places in Edmond, Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma, where gas is below $2.00 per gallon. Can you believe it?
At several places on my commute this morning, I saw $1.97 per gallon and even $1.95 per gallon.
I will take it.
Gas costs as a percentage of my total monthly budget was obviously a huge concern, especially on my grad assistant stipend. It's nice to see it decreasing.
But I warn everyone, as we see gas prices decreasing, don't get too comfortable.
At several places on my commute this morning, I saw $1.97 per gallon and even $1.95 per gallon.
I will take it.
Gas costs as a percentage of my total monthly budget was obviously a huge concern, especially on my grad assistant stipend. It's nice to see it decreasing.
But I warn everyone, as we see gas prices decreasing, don't get too comfortable.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Grad School Diaries: The Grades
Some things in life just don't make sense, like the current economic situation; why men are so fascinated (in general) with electronic gadgets; and how a professor can give me a B when I earned "As" on everything in the class.
This is the true story of Angela Mia DeRosa Giancola, aged 33 years and three days, grad student and thinker in general.
So Angie takes a class in Organizational Behavior. Angie, like all the other students, is graded in several ways by the professor. This is an 8-week accelerated class that meets one night a week for FOUR hours. Even before the semester started, we had FIVE books to read.
This is how else we were graded:
1. Papers. Lots of papers. Papers out the wa-zoo. We had to analyze Harvard Business Review cases and write 3-5 page papers (single-spaced, nonetheless); Angie and teammates earned As on each one.
2. Company analysis, 10 pages. With team. Angie and team earned A.
3. Best-self, in which I had the help of several people, THANK YOU ALL, by the way. Tony and Margaret; Sarah; Jeanne; Alison; Diana; Tina Marie; Don; Arnella; Hollee; Rachel; and Mike. So they all contributed to How Angie Can Be Her Best. I pulled it all together, wrote some more stuff backed by RESEARCH, and I got an A. A HIGH "A."
4. Class participation and teamwork. I never missed a class, and I always participated. And I operated in one of the best teams in the class. It was great. We had such great energy and personalities on our team, and it was such a great process.
5. The Test. So in this class, you have FIVE books, 21 articles, and 10 models of organizational behavior. At the end of the class, you have to sit for THREE hours and take an exam. The test is notoriously difficult. As a matter of fact, there exists a Black Market Study Guide among the MBA students to help each other through the exam.
The exam includes questions like,
1. Professor Wickenhooper has theorized that organizations function best when:
a. There is electricity in the office
b. There are dependable, routine paychecks and cash flow is not a problem
c. There are bathrooms, for men and women, and regular bathroom breaks
d. There are vending machines that are regularly maintained and not wheeled out
by strangers in the middle of the day and never replaced.
e. The person in charge knows what he or she is doing
f. A and B
g. B and C
h. C and D
i. None of the above is correct
So there were roughly 30 questions like the one you see above; then short-answer essay; long answer essay; and models that you had to draw.
Without revealing my grade, I did average. I performed average on the exam. Was it an A? No, it was not. But it wasn't going to be. I sat for the exam from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. after a horribly long day that included a law exam that morning that was 2 hours long.
The professor gave me a B in the class, despite all my other work. Not only did he give me a B for my course grade, but it's a B that's close to an A.
Where does this make sense?
It doesn't.
I will be having a discussion with the professor, needless to say.
This is the true story of Angela Mia DeRosa Giancola, aged 33 years and three days, grad student and thinker in general.
So Angie takes a class in Organizational Behavior. Angie, like all the other students, is graded in several ways by the professor. This is an 8-week accelerated class that meets one night a week for FOUR hours. Even before the semester started, we had FIVE books to read.
This is how else we were graded:
1. Papers. Lots of papers. Papers out the wa-zoo. We had to analyze Harvard Business Review cases and write 3-5 page papers (single-spaced, nonetheless); Angie and teammates earned As on each one.
2. Company analysis, 10 pages. With team. Angie and team earned A.
3. Best-self, in which I had the help of several people, THANK YOU ALL, by the way. Tony and Margaret; Sarah; Jeanne; Alison; Diana; Tina Marie; Don; Arnella; Hollee; Rachel; and Mike. So they all contributed to How Angie Can Be Her Best. I pulled it all together, wrote some more stuff backed by RESEARCH, and I got an A. A HIGH "A."
4. Class participation and teamwork. I never missed a class, and I always participated. And I operated in one of the best teams in the class. It was great. We had such great energy and personalities on our team, and it was such a great process.
5. The Test. So in this class, you have FIVE books, 21 articles, and 10 models of organizational behavior. At the end of the class, you have to sit for THREE hours and take an exam. The test is notoriously difficult. As a matter of fact, there exists a Black Market Study Guide among the MBA students to help each other through the exam.
The exam includes questions like,
1. Professor Wickenhooper has theorized that organizations function best when:
a. There is electricity in the office
b. There are dependable, routine paychecks and cash flow is not a problem
c. There are bathrooms, for men and women, and regular bathroom breaks
d. There are vending machines that are regularly maintained and not wheeled out
by strangers in the middle of the day and never replaced.
e. The person in charge knows what he or she is doing
f. A and B
g. B and C
h. C and D
i. None of the above is correct
So there were roughly 30 questions like the one you see above; then short-answer essay; long answer essay; and models that you had to draw.
Without revealing my grade, I did average. I performed average on the exam. Was it an A? No, it was not. But it wasn't going to be. I sat for the exam from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. after a horribly long day that included a law exam that morning that was 2 hours long.
The professor gave me a B in the class, despite all my other work. Not only did he give me a B for my course grade, but it's a B that's close to an A.
Where does this make sense?
It doesn't.
I will be having a discussion with the professor, needless to say.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Grad College Staff
These are all my co-workers (and me of course) at the Graduate College. Thought I'd share!
Wesley the Owl
There is a great book called Wesley the Owl. It's the true story of a biologist, Stacey O'Brien, who was asked to take care of a four-day old Barn Owl and she ended up keeping him for something like 19 years.
Yes, in her house.
The book is written by Stacey and is a great account of her life with Wesley. It's funny, it's endearing, but I do warn you, there are some parts that are very descriptive about how she gets the mice she has to feed Wesley.
(Let's just put it this way: Barn owls need full mice as meals in order to thrive and get the proper nutrition). Over his lifetime, Wesley eats something like 28,000 mice, and Stacey has to find a way to get those mice, kill them, and feed them to Wesley.
But this is a great book, nonetheless, and I highly recommend it. It's very intoxicating. I can't put it down!
Yes, in her house.
The book is written by Stacey and is a great account of her life with Wesley. It's funny, it's endearing, but I do warn you, there are some parts that are very descriptive about how she gets the mice she has to feed Wesley.
(Let's just put it this way: Barn owls need full mice as meals in order to thrive and get the proper nutrition). Over his lifetime, Wesley eats something like 28,000 mice, and Stacey has to find a way to get those mice, kill them, and feed them to Wesley.
But this is a great book, nonetheless, and I highly recommend it. It's very intoxicating. I can't put it down!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Scorpio Fun Facts
I'm a Scorpio; some people act shocked at this (note the sarcasm there); I think it's fun to look at some of the characteristics of one's horoscope sign, and since it's the Scorpio time of year especially.
Happy Birthday to the other Scorpio who shares a birthday two days away from mine, my dear friend Jeanne Hock!
Jeanne, let me know if you think you meet these qualities! I do match some of these qualities (OK, a lot, quite frankly, especially the stubborn streak).
I can tell you, I won't be the Scorpio who inherits money; but Jeanne, I hope you are! :-)
THE SCORPIO
Beneath a controlled, cool exterior beats the heart of the deeply intense Scorpio. Passionate, penetrating, and determined, this sign will probe until they reach the truth. The Scorpio may not speak volumes or show emotions readily, yet rest assured there's an enormous amount of activity happening beneath the surface. Excellent leaders, Scorpions are always aware. When it comes to resourcefulness, this sign comes out ahead.
Friends and Family
Sincerity and truth are strong components of the Scorpio's friends. It can take some time before really close bonds are formed, but once done, the Scorpio will remain dedicated and loyal. Witty and intellectual, they prefer companions who are humorous and easygoing. Full of surprises, this sign will give you the shirt off their backs if that's what you need, yet once they are crossed, there's no turning back. They feel deeply, and once hurt, it can be impossible to turn things around. Commitment to family is strong and consistent with the Scorpio. They are exceptionally helpful in managing affairs, and they are excellent advocates when needed.
Career and Money
I desire is the key phrase for the Scorpio. They are fantastic at managing, solving, or creating. Once the Scorpio sets their sights on a goal, there's no deterring this sign. Tasks that require a scientific, penetrating approach are always best done by Scorpions as they will delve deeply into the materials they have. Their ability to focus coupled with determination makes for strong management skills. They're not ones to worry about making friends on the job scene; rather, they prefer to see the task accomplished well. Pursuing such careers as scientist, doctor, investigator, navigator, detective, researcher, police officer, business manager, and psychologist all suit the mighty Scorpio. Respect is an essential aspect of working for this sign. They need to respect their coworkers while also feeling a sense of being respected by others. Scorpions are disciplined enough to stick to a budget and unafraid of working as hard and as long as it takes to get themselves in a good financial position. Many are fortunate and inherit money. Whatever the case - and regardless of the balance - they are great managers of their dollars and are not apt to overspend. Money means security and a sense of control, which is important to the Scorpio. Therefore, they're going to hang onto the majority of the cash, making decisions carefully before turning any of it over.
Love and Sex
This is the strongest of the sexualities in the Zodiac. Incredibly passionate, the Scorpio takes intimacy seriously. Partners need to be intelligent and honest. Much of the foreplay for this sign happens long before the bedroom through conversation and observation. Once in love, they are devoted and loyal to the death. But relationships can take some time. The Scorpio needs to build trust and respect for a potential mate slowly and thoroughly.
SCORPIO TIDBITS
Health
Each sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical areas for Scorpio are the genitals, bladder, rectum, and the reproductive organs.
Ruling Planet
The ruling planet for Scorpio is Pluto. Traditionally, this planet rules that which is hidden from view. It also represents conception, birth, death, slow growth, generation, regeneration, unpopular causes, anonymity, phobias, and the exposition of secrets.
Colors
The colors of choice for Scorpio are dark red and maroon.
Gemstone
Scorpio's star stone is the opal.
Lucky Numbers
Scorpio's lucky numbers are 2, 7, and 9.
Compatibility
Scorpions are most compatible with Pisces and Cancer.
Opposite Sign
The opposite sign of Scorpio is Taurus.
Likes
Truth, facts, being right, teasing, longtime friends, a grand passion, a worthy adversary
Dislikes
Dishonesty, passive people, revealing secrets HouseNatural sign of the Eighth House. This house focuses on sex, taxes, death and rebirth, a partner's resources, inheritance, and regeneration.
Famous Scorpions
Hillary Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Combs, Julia Roberts
Best travel destination
Zambia, Syria, Norway, Halifax, Liverpool, New Orleans, Washington, D.C.
Strengths
Passionate, stubborn, resourceful, brave, a true friend
Weaknesses
Jealous, distrusting, secretive, violent, caustic
Happy Birthday to the other Scorpio who shares a birthday two days away from mine, my dear friend Jeanne Hock!
Jeanne, let me know if you think you meet these qualities! I do match some of these qualities (OK, a lot, quite frankly, especially the stubborn streak).
I can tell you, I won't be the Scorpio who inherits money; but Jeanne, I hope you are! :-)
THE SCORPIO
Beneath a controlled, cool exterior beats the heart of the deeply intense Scorpio. Passionate, penetrating, and determined, this sign will probe until they reach the truth. The Scorpio may not speak volumes or show emotions readily, yet rest assured there's an enormous amount of activity happening beneath the surface. Excellent leaders, Scorpions are always aware. When it comes to resourcefulness, this sign comes out ahead.
Friends and Family
Sincerity and truth are strong components of the Scorpio's friends. It can take some time before really close bonds are formed, but once done, the Scorpio will remain dedicated and loyal. Witty and intellectual, they prefer companions who are humorous and easygoing. Full of surprises, this sign will give you the shirt off their backs if that's what you need, yet once they are crossed, there's no turning back. They feel deeply, and once hurt, it can be impossible to turn things around. Commitment to family is strong and consistent with the Scorpio. They are exceptionally helpful in managing affairs, and they are excellent advocates when needed.
Career and Money
I desire is the key phrase for the Scorpio. They are fantastic at managing, solving, or creating. Once the Scorpio sets their sights on a goal, there's no deterring this sign. Tasks that require a scientific, penetrating approach are always best done by Scorpions as they will delve deeply into the materials they have. Their ability to focus coupled with determination makes for strong management skills. They're not ones to worry about making friends on the job scene; rather, they prefer to see the task accomplished well. Pursuing such careers as scientist, doctor, investigator, navigator, detective, researcher, police officer, business manager, and psychologist all suit the mighty Scorpio. Respect is an essential aspect of working for this sign. They need to respect their coworkers while also feeling a sense of being respected by others. Scorpions are disciplined enough to stick to a budget and unafraid of working as hard and as long as it takes to get themselves in a good financial position. Many are fortunate and inherit money. Whatever the case - and regardless of the balance - they are great managers of their dollars and are not apt to overspend. Money means security and a sense of control, which is important to the Scorpio. Therefore, they're going to hang onto the majority of the cash, making decisions carefully before turning any of it over.
Love and Sex
This is the strongest of the sexualities in the Zodiac. Incredibly passionate, the Scorpio takes intimacy seriously. Partners need to be intelligent and honest. Much of the foreplay for this sign happens long before the bedroom through conversation and observation. Once in love, they are devoted and loyal to the death. But relationships can take some time. The Scorpio needs to build trust and respect for a potential mate slowly and thoroughly.
SCORPIO TIDBITS
Health
Each sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical areas for Scorpio are the genitals, bladder, rectum, and the reproductive organs.
Ruling Planet
The ruling planet for Scorpio is Pluto. Traditionally, this planet rules that which is hidden from view. It also represents conception, birth, death, slow growth, generation, regeneration, unpopular causes, anonymity, phobias, and the exposition of secrets.
Colors
The colors of choice for Scorpio are dark red and maroon.
Gemstone
Scorpio's star stone is the opal.
Lucky Numbers
Scorpio's lucky numbers are 2, 7, and 9.
Compatibility
Scorpions are most compatible with Pisces and Cancer.
Opposite Sign
The opposite sign of Scorpio is Taurus.
Likes
Truth, facts, being right, teasing, longtime friends, a grand passion, a worthy adversary
Dislikes
Dishonesty, passive people, revealing secrets HouseNatural sign of the Eighth House. This house focuses on sex, taxes, death and rebirth, a partner's resources, inheritance, and regeneration.
Famous Scorpions
Hillary Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Combs, Julia Roberts
Best travel destination
Zambia, Syria, Norway, Halifax, Liverpool, New Orleans, Washington, D.C.
Strengths
Passionate, stubborn, resourceful, brave, a true friend
Weaknesses
Jealous, distrusting, secretive, violent, caustic
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Congrats to Dante
The hubby has been named director of the research staff at the House of Reps. Yay, Dante!
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Tree Adventure
Dante and Daren (always looking for adventure) decided, "Oh, I know. Let's go take one of the seven trees out of the front yard."
So they did. (This is the view of our front yard in Oklahoma from our front door).
Here is a photo. I wanted proof in case there was an accident, which thankfully, there wasn't. Dante stayed on the ground; Daren is in the tree.
Kitty Longstocking
We're dressing up Duchess the Cat for Halloween this year!
Look at her pretty costume! (The container you see in this picture is her catnip. We had to assuage her somehow).
Friday, October 17, 2008
Without people, life isn't possible
I think a lot.
I think quickly, deeply, too much, all the time. My mind is always moving. My mother knew this. My sister knows this. Dante knows this. I know this about myself.
And tonight, I've been thinking a lot about teams. I love working in teams, and during my organizational behavior class this semester, I was part of one of the most wonderful teams of people I could ever imagine.
Five of us - me, Ali, Paul, Ian, and Michael - moved in lockstep. Our interactions were positive, reinforcing, and inspiring. Together, we produced three papers and we studied for one excrutiating exam.
We got each other through a very demanding class. Ian and I had struggled through a very difficult class together last semester, so we knew that if we made it through that class, we could make it through anything.
At home, I'm blessed with a similar "team." Dante is my partner, my co-captain, my inspiration when I think I can't read one more chapter or write one more word. He woke up with me early Thursday morning to study latin ethic philosophies and legal cases.
Daren, my brother-in-law, happened to be staying with us when I was studying for my Latin American Economic Development exam last week. He helped me study.
On the sidelines, I have quiet cheerleaders, people like Arnella and Nancy who call me to ask me how things are going, how did the tests go, how am I doing.
I am quite blessed, and I never, ever want anyone to think I've taken them for granted. Love you guys. Thank you for being part of my team.
I think quickly, deeply, too much, all the time. My mind is always moving. My mother knew this. My sister knows this. Dante knows this. I know this about myself.
And tonight, I've been thinking a lot about teams. I love working in teams, and during my organizational behavior class this semester, I was part of one of the most wonderful teams of people I could ever imagine.
Five of us - me, Ali, Paul, Ian, and Michael - moved in lockstep. Our interactions were positive, reinforcing, and inspiring. Together, we produced three papers and we studied for one excrutiating exam.
We got each other through a very demanding class. Ian and I had struggled through a very difficult class together last semester, so we knew that if we made it through that class, we could make it through anything.
At home, I'm blessed with a similar "team." Dante is my partner, my co-captain, my inspiration when I think I can't read one more chapter or write one more word. He woke up with me early Thursday morning to study latin ethic philosophies and legal cases.
Daren, my brother-in-law, happened to be staying with us when I was studying for my Latin American Economic Development exam last week. He helped me study.
On the sidelines, I have quiet cheerleaders, people like Arnella and Nancy who call me to ask me how things are going, how did the tests go, how am I doing.
I am quite blessed, and I never, ever want anyone to think I've taken them for granted. Love you guys. Thank you for being part of my team.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
It's Done!
Today, Oct. 16, is a very special day for me. I get to take my finals, of course, and that will be a load off my shoulders like you would not believe. But I am also holding in my hands THE BOOK that has consumed my life for the last six months.
It is the Graduate College Annual Report of Fellows. I was responsible for collecting all content, all photos, and ensuring ALL ACCURACY.
And that's not an easy task when you have over 160 fellows with names like Heminigild Mpundu and Karrthik Kirupakaran and Olga Verbovaya. All told, it's a 208-page book.
And that's FULBRIGHT with ONE L, not two. And maybe some fellows have actually graduated, and we need to track the entire process ourselves at the Graduate College because the university doesn't have a central point to collect all the data on where the fellows have gone.
And those who have worked with me in the past, and those who know me in general, know how anal I am about accuracy. OBSESSIVE.
So this is a big day. I am happy. Now, I dare not look at the book for fear of finding one tiny, any tiny, error.
It is the Graduate College Annual Report of Fellows. I was responsible for collecting all content, all photos, and ensuring ALL ACCURACY.
And that's not an easy task when you have over 160 fellows with names like Heminigild Mpundu and Karrthik Kirupakaran and Olga Verbovaya. All told, it's a 208-page book.
And that's FULBRIGHT with ONE L, not two. And maybe some fellows have actually graduated, and we need to track the entire process ourselves at the Graduate College because the university doesn't have a central point to collect all the data on where the fellows have gone.
And those who have worked with me in the past, and those who know me in general, know how anal I am about accuracy. OBSESSIVE.
So this is a big day. I am happy. Now, I dare not look at the book for fear of finding one tiny, any tiny, error.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Another Grammar Error
It is colloquial, but not appropriate, to use the phrase, "I will try AND vote during the November presidential election."
I've seen this construction too much lately, and quite frankly, it annoys me. It is inappropriate. One wants to use the infinitive in construction with "try," as in, "I will try TO vote during the November presidential election."
I've seen this construction too much lately, and quite frankly, it annoys me. It is inappropriate. One wants to use the infinitive in construction with "try," as in, "I will try TO vote during the November presidential election."
Neat, Life-Affirming Story
This happens to involve one of my co-workers at the University of Oklahoma, Susan Cates.
Susan is a very funny lady. She took a 6-week leave starting last week to have a kidney transplant. But the transplant story is very unusual. Susan's husband wasn't a match for her; and one other lady's brother wasn't a match for her. So they switched!
Check it out.
Thankfully, both patients are doing great.
http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=9178523
Susan is a very funny lady. She took a 6-week leave starting last week to have a kidney transplant. But the transplant story is very unusual. Susan's husband wasn't a match for her; and one other lady's brother wasn't a match for her. So they switched!
Check it out.
Thankfully, both patients are doing great.
http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=9178523
Monday, October 13, 2008
It's Finals Week
It's not the pace of life that concerns me. It's the sudden stop at the end.
Hello everyone. If I've talked to any of you over the phone over the past week, you've all had in common the same shocked expression, "It's finals week already?"
I can barely keep up with myself, so I don't expect anyone to have to keep up with my crazy life. Hence, the quote at the top of this posting.
It IS finals week, for about 2/3 of my classes. I've got one foot in management classes and the other foot in economics classes. The management classes are under an accelerated track program, in which I take the classes on 8-week "mini" semesters. And the exams are weighted VERY heavily (50 percent weight for my law and ethics exam and 40 percent weight for my organizational behavior exam).
So it's finals week for those management classes! Wish me luck!
And whoever is in Oklahoma City, we're going out on Friday night!
Hello everyone. If I've talked to any of you over the phone over the past week, you've all had in common the same shocked expression, "It's finals week already?"
I can barely keep up with myself, so I don't expect anyone to have to keep up with my crazy life. Hence, the quote at the top of this posting.
It IS finals week, for about 2/3 of my classes. I've got one foot in management classes and the other foot in economics classes. The management classes are under an accelerated track program, in which I take the classes on 8-week "mini" semesters. And the exams are weighted VERY heavily (50 percent weight for my law and ethics exam and 40 percent weight for my organizational behavior exam).
So it's finals week for those management classes! Wish me luck!
And whoever is in Oklahoma City, we're going out on Friday night!
The Ultimate Economic Indicator?
At least prostitution in New York isn't suffering! (I hope you pick up on the sarcasm I intend here).
http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/10/11/2008-10-11_prostitution_has_not_suffered_dropoff_de.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/10/11/2008-10-11_prostitution_has_not_suffered_dropoff_de.html
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Where does all the money go?
I have had several conversations with folks about the economic turmoil. As I said during a presentation I gave last week at the Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Blowmolding Conference, "Just because I'm majoring in economics does not mean that I understand the financial crisis."
In fact, I think that most people don't understand the financial crisis (that's part of the problem), and I am not a financial economist, nor do I ever intend to be. I tell people what I follow myself: Watch your own finances; don't get too bogged down by what is going on in the world markets because it will just depress you; watch your own personal debt load and ask yourself, "Do I really need to spend money on this?" when you're about to make a purchase, especially on bigger-ticket items.
The financial crisis is the "bust" of the housing market frenzy. That's how I see it anyway. During the frenzy, I kept saying to myself, "This isn't sustainable." At that point, I only had anecdotal evidence, so my theory wasn't fully supported by solid numbers.
Now, I did suspend my monthly contribution to a mutual fund that I have and I transferred more than 50 percent of its total value into an existing savings account for now. The market is too risky, and I have had that fund for years. Every month, religiously, I put in dollars and I don't want to lose that.
I have a profound respect for the complexity of financial markets, and I can tell you that all that money didn't just disappear. It went somewhere. A producer from MSNBC did an OK job of explaining it.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27122758
In fact, I think that most people don't understand the financial crisis (that's part of the problem), and I am not a financial economist, nor do I ever intend to be. I tell people what I follow myself: Watch your own finances; don't get too bogged down by what is going on in the world markets because it will just depress you; watch your own personal debt load and ask yourself, "Do I really need to spend money on this?" when you're about to make a purchase, especially on bigger-ticket items.
The financial crisis is the "bust" of the housing market frenzy. That's how I see it anyway. During the frenzy, I kept saying to myself, "This isn't sustainable." At that point, I only had anecdotal evidence, so my theory wasn't fully supported by solid numbers.
Now, I did suspend my monthly contribution to a mutual fund that I have and I transferred more than 50 percent of its total value into an existing savings account for now. The market is too risky, and I have had that fund for years. Every month, religiously, I put in dollars and I don't want to lose that.
I have a profound respect for the complexity of financial markets, and I can tell you that all that money didn't just disappear. It went somewhere. A producer from MSNBC did an OK job of explaining it.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27122758
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Let's Clear the Air on a Common Grammar Mistake
My dear friends Anthony and Trina Morella of Las Vegas called me this morning to settle a grammar argument.
The two of them, along with their adorable son Zachary, went to have family portraits taken.
At the bottom of one of the photos, the photographer put, "The Morella's."
Trina, after my own heart, refused to hang the photo in the house because it's not grammatically correct to write, "The Morella's."
Trina is absolutely correct. Under no grammar rule is it correct to make possessive "Morella" in that case.
Anthony says to me, "So why do we see family names written like that all the time?"
I said, "Just because society embraces it does not make it correct."
To get around this, I recommend adding an "s" to make it "Morellas" or writing, "The Morella Family."
Here's the explanation for it, from a grammar web site I sometimes use:
When a family name (a proper noun) is pluralized, we almost always simply add an "s." So we go to visit the Smiths, the Kennedys, the Grays, etc.When a family name ends in s, x, ch, sh, or z, however, we form the plural by added -es, as in the Marches, the Joneses, the Maddoxes, the Bushes, the Rodriguezes. Do not form a family name plural by using an apostrophe; that device is reserved for creating possessive forms.
The two of them, along with their adorable son Zachary, went to have family portraits taken.
At the bottom of one of the photos, the photographer put, "The Morella's."
Trina, after my own heart, refused to hang the photo in the house because it's not grammatically correct to write, "The Morella's."
Trina is absolutely correct. Under no grammar rule is it correct to make possessive "Morella" in that case.
Anthony says to me, "So why do we see family names written like that all the time?"
I said, "Just because society embraces it does not make it correct."
To get around this, I recommend adding an "s" to make it "Morellas" or writing, "The Morella Family."
Here's the explanation for it, from a grammar web site I sometimes use:
When a family name (a proper noun) is pluralized, we almost always simply add an "s." So we go to visit the Smiths, the Kennedys, the Grays, etc.When a family name ends in s, x, ch, sh, or z, however, we form the plural by added -es, as in the Marches, the Joneses, the Maddoxes, the Bushes, the Rodriguezes. Do not form a family name plural by using an apostrophe; that device is reserved for creating possessive forms.
The Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Concert
This was a classic, wonderful experience, especially hearing Krauss do a cappella versions of her best gospel songs and Plant was singing backup for her on those.
But what made it even more memorable was that I was there with my husband and my dear friend Arnella. Arnella and I, arms entwined, sang along with the songs (where possible and where it wasn't burdensome to the other concert-goers).
Fun and memorable indeed.
But what made it even more memorable was that I was there with my husband and my dear friend Arnella. Arnella and I, arms entwined, sang along with the songs (where possible and where it wasn't burdensome to the other concert-goers).
Fun and memorable indeed.
Grad School Diaries: The Exhaustion
It's been a long week. I don't ever want to complain, but I realized how tired I was when I woke up this morning and I could see the clock perfectly across the room.
The "8:30" was in perfect focus. Was it a miracle? Did I actually have perfect vision?
Then reality hit as I blinked my eyes and I felt the tiny plastic suction cup sensation on my eye.
I had slept in my contact lenses, something I had not done since high school.
Sincerely.
It may seem relatively benign to all of you, but I am more anal about my contact lenses than anything else in my life. Especially since I have this phobia about going blind. Which explains why I won't willingly put myself under a laser, despite reassurances by several doctors that I am a perfect candidate and that never, ever have they lost a single eye to laser surgery.
And since I'm getting older and I have this pesky thing called astigmatism, my contact lenses are really, really uncomfortable if I ever did want to sleep in them.
Which brings me back to my quandary: how did I fall asleep and not even budge? We had company last evening. We had several friends over, plus my brother-in-law, who has been staying with us for a few days.
I didn't remember saying good night to anyone, and Lord knows I maybe had one glass of wine, so I couldn't blame alcohol. I remembered the steak more than the wine, to tell the truth.
Dante and Daren (the brother-in-law) explained to me that I had fallen asleep on the loveseat we have in our kitchen and that I didn't budge. Dante just led me into the bedroom, and covered me up, letting me sleep until I awoke this morning.
Life is strange. Life is even more strange while I'm in school.
The "8:30" was in perfect focus. Was it a miracle? Did I actually have perfect vision?
Then reality hit as I blinked my eyes and I felt the tiny plastic suction cup sensation on my eye.
I had slept in my contact lenses, something I had not done since high school.
Sincerely.
It may seem relatively benign to all of you, but I am more anal about my contact lenses than anything else in my life. Especially since I have this phobia about going blind. Which explains why I won't willingly put myself under a laser, despite reassurances by several doctors that I am a perfect candidate and that never, ever have they lost a single eye to laser surgery.
And since I'm getting older and I have this pesky thing called astigmatism, my contact lenses are really, really uncomfortable if I ever did want to sleep in them.
Which brings me back to my quandary: how did I fall asleep and not even budge? We had company last evening. We had several friends over, plus my brother-in-law, who has been staying with us for a few days.
I didn't remember saying good night to anyone, and Lord knows I maybe had one glass of wine, so I couldn't blame alcohol. I remembered the steak more than the wine, to tell the truth.
Dante and Daren (the brother-in-law) explained to me that I had fallen asleep on the loveseat we have in our kitchen and that I didn't budge. Dante just led me into the bedroom, and covered me up, letting me sleep until I awoke this morning.
Life is strange. Life is even more strange while I'm in school.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Grad School Diaries: The Prison Visit
I went on a field trip today to a medium security prison in El Reno, Oklahoma.
One may not think much of a medium security prison, but it's the federal prison location that has housed the likes of Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, several Gotti family members and many other criminal offenders.
It was eye-opening to say the least, especially the speeches by two inmates who are serving 50 month and 51 month terms for white collar crimes at the federal prison camp located on the same campus.
Our professor wanted us to see the slippery slope of "ethical" decisions and how one even presumably small misstep can lead to big trouble.
Roy Driscoll is serving time for money laundering. He worked for a semi-conductor business in Plano, Texas, and had been salesman of the year for roughly 15 consecutive years, driving the company's business from $300,000 to $7.2 million. But he was under pressure from management when they discovered the company's largest customer had been overbilled in the amount of $1.8 million. It's a longer, more involved story than what I'm typing here, but suffice it to say that they justified not being able to return it to the customer for fear of losing the customer.
Pray tell, how can we explain that we'd been overcharging them to the tune of nearly $2 million?
But they also had to make it disappear from the books because a British company was acquiring their company. They had to clean up the books, and they tasked Roy with getting rid of the $1.8 million. So Roy opened a separate account under a fake business and lived the high life on the money. He talked about the season tickets to the Dallas Cowboys, the Mavericks, and the Stars. He talked about the $400,000 home and how he gave $500,000 to his church.
Now Roy is doing time.
Mr. Banks (his first name not disclosed) fully understands the current mortgage and home-lending mess. The charismatic 55-year-old was trained in the title business by his father. Together under the Banks name, they built up a multi-million dollar business in Dallas.
But Banks was signing off on fraudulent loans, and he was betraying the lenders. He was president of his company, also living the high life.
It all came crashing down. Banks, along with his brother and son, were implicated in the mess and his business closed forever.
He still has the entrepreneurial spirit, he says, so when he is released from prison in 2011, he plans to enter the ministry.
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