I found out that one of my classes graded our written response to case questions - essay questions that could be answered N different ways - with a MACRO! A Macro! This is like the GMAT all over again!
Meanwhile, A-Rod did this. Man I hate that loser. Play the game like a man already!
Onto the research: a few weeks ago, I scanned my hand at the U of C, and here are the findings based on the scan (also discussed in Freakenomics):
Based on your digit ratio, we would predict that you are slightly less prone to athletics than the average man.
Based on your digit ratio, we would predict that you are slightly more verbally fluent than the average man.
Based on your digit ratio, we would predict that you have slightly worse spatial abilities than the average man.
Based on your digit ratio, we would predict that you are slightly less aggressive than the average man.
Based on your digit ratio, we would predict that you are slightly less musically able than the average man.
Count
5/31/2007
5/30/2007
Most likely to...
- Just an alert to my friends who tend to study at your local coffee shop: I've heard two thefts in the last few days at places around Michigan Ave. Beware.
- I forgot to mention that I played in a charity poker tournament last week and was among the final three tables among about 200 players. Yay!
Sunday night, I went for German food, courtesy of MA, a German himself, who highly recommended it. Laschet's Inn (4 stars) was excellent if you like mystery meat. Just kidding, the meat was very juicy and the spartzle was very good. As with all other Western food establishments, the lighting was dim and I squinted at the menu to figure out what was what. Laschet's Inn has a natural charm to it and the service was very good. Of course, there was also great beer selection!
Remember my first and second post on rumors? (By the way, this link is a classic and a must read, if you are GSB... yet I digress...) Well, yours truly won two prizes from the Greater China Club survey: most likely to have an affair and one night stand. Yay... victory... NOT. Both NPV negative projects, as opposed to be on Wall Street Journal, first CEO, and being a millionaire. Another noteworthy observation is that the runner up and second runner up are both consultants. Apparently bankers don't have time for affairs and one night stands.
Did a photoshoot for a friend of a friend around Chicago. This is my first time, so it is quite fun. I have a lot to learn, obviously. I don't like most of the pictures although there were a few that turned out well. In general, I don't like any posing and find candid shots much more compelling. I'll take another chance to practice anytime though!
Also ate at Cafe des Architectes (4.5 stars). It's in a chic hotel (Sofitel) that reminded me of a cooler W, which I previously thought wasn't possible. There was great lighting for photography, and the food was also excellent. My ordered my usual measuring stick, Eggs Benedict, and it came out quite well. The roasted tomato made the dish though - made just right and not too squashy. PP ordered a egg white thing (see below) that was also quite good. Despite being in a hotel, the prices were reasonable for the quality.
Remember my first and second post on rumors? (By the way, this link is a classic and a must read, if you are GSB... yet I digress...) Well, yours truly won two prizes from the Greater China Club survey: most likely to have an affair and one night stand. Yay... victory... NOT. Both NPV negative projects, as opposed to be on Wall Street Journal, first CEO, and being a millionaire. Another noteworthy observation is that the runner up and second runner up are both consultants. Apparently bankers don't have time for affairs and one night stands.
Did a photoshoot for a friend of a friend around Chicago. This is my first time, so it is quite fun. I have a lot to learn, obviously. I don't like most of the pictures although there were a few that turned out well. In general, I don't like any posing and find candid shots much more compelling. I'll take another chance to practice anytime though!
Also ate at Cafe des Architectes (4.5 stars). It's in a chic hotel (Sofitel) that reminded me of a cooler W, which I previously thought wasn't possible. There was great lighting for photography, and the food was also excellent. My ordered my usual measuring stick, Eggs Benedict, and it came out quite well. The roasted tomato made the dish though - made just right and not too squashy. PP ordered a egg white thing (see below) that was also quite good. Despite being in a hotel, the prices were reasonable for the quality.
5/28/2007
Food and Movie
What the hell? I haven't written about food and movies for 2 weeks!?
Marrakech (4.5 Stars) - part of GSB's Around the World dinner series, this Moroccan place offers all the basic stuff. Nothing remarkable. Considering that we paid $10 per person that includes adequate food and a couple glasses of wine, I'd say it's a good deal. CM commented that the pictures made the food look much better than it was. Fair enough. No pictures. Not recommended.
By the way, if you wish, please join me in protesting to citysearch (just email "newbusiness@citysearch.com") about the new star system. For example, Marrakech was a 8.7 when I looked it up a month ago. It is now a 4.5 star, making it comparable to establishments such as Wildfire, Bistro 110, Trattoria No. 10, and Coco Pazzo Cafe. I mean, how can I trust citysearch anymore when they equate Marrakech to Coco Pazzo Cafe!!?? HOW!?
Yolk (5 stars) - arg, I can't stop. Yolk is good, but it's no Sola, also a 5-star establishment. Anyway, my french toast was perfectly done and touched up with fresh blueberries. I also tasted the peach crepe, which was a tad too sweet but otherwise very yummy. The place is nice and bright, though very crowded. It would have been an ridiculous wait for a table had we not made reservations. Recommended.
Harold's Chicken Shack (will not honor with ratings) - I finally got to test this Hyde Park legend. The Chase bank is right beside it, so I've actually passed by Harold's many times. I never realized, however, that it served its food over a bullet proof glass and a carousel counter! Classic stuff. Yet another reason why you should live away from Hyde Park. Recommended... only for the bullet proof glass experience.
Room 21 (4.5) - this is a brand new restaurant - less than four weeks, I was told - with one of the coolest decors I've ever seen in a restaurant. It was Al Capone's old hide out where he store the alcohol during prohibition. If you've seen "Untouchables", this is the room where they busted the alcohol! They even featured a secret tunnel that let the crooks escape.
On to the food: the Fried Shrimp Cocktail was surprisingly good, with a spicy salsa sauce that really raised the level; the tuna tartar was good (I have yet to taste a screwed up one); the mini steak burgers were excellent with some mystery sauce, and the crab cake risotto was light, craby, and not too creamy. Excellent appetizers. The main entres were more ordinary, however. The Fillet Mignon was adequate and the Halibut was pretty piss poor. The side dishes, the fried mashed potato and creamy corn, however, were innovative and extremely good. Deserts were good though, and I would highly recommend the Banana sorbet with blueberries - just sweet enough that you can taste it; just light enough that you can still eat it. Recommended... if the prices were 25% cheaper.
Spiderman 3 - with super super low expectations, I found the 3rd installment still slightly bad.
Cheesy dialog plus dumb plot minus good action means a boring 2 hours. Let me think... nope, there wasn't even one cool fight scene. Not recommended.
Marrakech (4.5 Stars) - part of GSB's Around the World dinner series, this Moroccan place offers all the basic stuff. Nothing remarkable. Considering that we paid $10 per person that includes adequate food and a couple glasses of wine, I'd say it's a good deal. CM commented that the pictures made the food look much better than it was. Fair enough. No pictures. Not recommended.
By the way, if you wish, please join me in protesting to citysearch (just email "newbusiness@citysearch.com") about the new star system. For example, Marrakech was a 8.7 when I looked it up a month ago. It is now a 4.5 star, making it comparable to establishments such as Wildfire, Bistro 110, Trattoria No. 10, and Coco Pazzo Cafe. I mean, how can I trust citysearch anymore when they equate Marrakech to Coco Pazzo Cafe!!?? HOW!?
Yolk (5 stars) - arg, I can't stop. Yolk is good, but it's no Sola, also a 5-star establishment. Anyway, my french toast was perfectly done and touched up with fresh blueberries. I also tasted the peach crepe, which was a tad too sweet but otherwise very yummy. The place is nice and bright, though very crowded. It would have been an ridiculous wait for a table had we not made reservations. Recommended.
Harold's Chicken Shack (will not honor with ratings) - I finally got to test this Hyde Park legend. The Chase bank is right beside it, so I've actually passed by Harold's many times. I never realized, however, that it served its food over a bullet proof glass and a carousel counter! Classic stuff. Yet another reason why you should live away from Hyde Park. Recommended... only for the bullet proof glass experience.
I was afraid to take pictures of the bullet proof glass - so I took pictures of the wings instead
Room 21 (4.5) - this is a brand new restaurant - less than four weeks, I was told - with one of the coolest decors I've ever seen in a restaurant. It was Al Capone's old hide out where he store the alcohol during prohibition. If you've seen "Untouchables", this is the room where they busted the alcohol! They even featured a secret tunnel that let the crooks escape.
On to the food: the Fried Shrimp Cocktail was surprisingly good, with a spicy salsa sauce that really raised the level; the tuna tartar was good (I have yet to taste a screwed up one); the mini steak burgers were excellent with some mystery sauce, and the crab cake risotto was light, craby, and not too creamy. Excellent appetizers. The main entres were more ordinary, however. The Fillet Mignon was adequate and the Halibut was pretty piss poor. The side dishes, the fried mashed potato and creamy corn, however, were innovative and extremely good. Deserts were good though, and I would highly recommend the Banana sorbet with blueberries - just sweet enough that you can taste it; just light enough that you can still eat it. Recommended... if the prices were 25% cheaper.
If you are really curious about one food item, email me and I'll let you know which one it is...!
Cheesy dialog plus dumb plot minus good action means a boring 2 hours. Let me think... nope, there wasn't even one cool fight scene. Not recommended.
5/25/2007
Week 9 in Spring Quarter
Here's a picture that quite accurately describes the feeling at the GSB right now. Together with my colleagues at the GSB, having a great time... before we head our different directions.
Last week was the last class for Power and Influence. Great class, by the way. The wrap up touched me with two subjects. Liminality is "the space in between," as in our current position between MBA and full time job. Menon says it's in this space that we are most open to learning and new things. I agree with her. While this whole quarter has been rather relaxing, a stark difference from the past five, it has been a quarter of learning - both in class and out of class. Another subject from the last class I will put it in quotes:
"People prepare perfectly for their wedding; they do not prepare for the marriage. People prepare for their interviews; they do not prepare for the job."
5/23/2007
Rumor Mills...!?
Just when I talked about gossiping among Chinese in an earlier post, the Greater China Club has come up with this particularly racy survey...! It's the last few questions, if you're wondering... the first few are... uh... speculative.
I wonder if some of them just read my blog and thought "hey, he's right, we need more gossip to solidify the network!"
I wonder if some of them just read my blog and thought "hey, he's right, we need more gossip to solidify the network!"
5/22/2007
To gossip or not to gossip?
Consider this scenario:
X, Y, and Z all know each other. X tells Y that Z is an ass. What should Y do?
do it for X - he or she might not be serious, might be exaggerating or kidding
do it for self - no need to create drama, no context to refer to, spreading gossip might backfire by violating trust
do it for Z - doesn't need to know, doesn't need to drama
Reasons for Y to choose the second option (1%):
do it to screw X - don't like or don't care much about X, or think that new will never circle back to X
do it for self - gain trust of Z, create some drama in life, may benefit from rift between X and Z
do it for Z - much better friend that X, therefore must alarm
The diligent you would have of course guessed that I got into trouble... that's right, I've been X, I've been Y, and I've been Z! Everybody has, there's no exception.
X - okay, so I shouldn't have opened my big mouth, whether I mean it or not.
Y - I don't like drama, and I think it backfires more than one realizes
Z - I generally dismiss the comments because people say different things in differen contexts. I can't judge it. Hence... people tend to not deliver the news
The Chinese translation for gossip is "yes and no" (是非)... for some odd reason, gossip travels much faster in Chinese circles. A friend of mine and I discussed this and came to the following conclusion: because Asian cultures are geared towards groups and units, there's a higher tendency to "cement" membership within the group by spreading gossip. Such gossip is viewed as sharing with the group and is validated by the group. Very odd... but makes sense.
But hey... on a lighter note, I won it all in some light poker play earlier tonight. There's a tournament tomorrow (for charity) and I'm hoping my new lucky cap can continue to bring me luck!
X, Y, and Z all know each other. X tells Y that Z is an ass. What should Y do?
- Don't tell Z and don't worry
- Tell Z and create some drama
do it for X - he or she might not be serious, might be exaggerating or kidding
do it for self - no need to create drama, no context to refer to, spreading gossip might backfire by violating trust
do it for Z - doesn't need to know, doesn't need to drama
Reasons for Y to choose the second option (1%):
do it to screw X - don't like or don't care much about X, or think that new will never circle back to X
do it for self - gain trust of Z, create some drama in life, may benefit from rift between X and Z
do it for Z - much better friend that X, therefore must alarm
The diligent you would have of course guessed that I got into trouble... that's right, I've been X, I've been Y, and I've been Z! Everybody has, there's no exception.
X - okay, so I shouldn't have opened my big mouth, whether I mean it or not.
Y - I don't like drama, and I think it backfires more than one realizes
Z - I generally dismiss the comments because people say different things in differen contexts. I can't judge it. Hence... people tend to not deliver the news
The Chinese translation for gossip is "yes and no" (是非)... for some odd reason, gossip travels much faster in Chinese circles. A friend of mine and I discussed this and came to the following conclusion: because Asian cultures are geared towards groups and units, there's a higher tendency to "cement" membership within the group by spreading gossip. Such gossip is viewed as sharing with the group and is validated by the group. Very odd... but makes sense.
But hey... on a lighter note, I won it all in some light poker play earlier tonight. There's a tournament tomorrow (for charity) and I'm hoping my new lucky cap can continue to bring me luck!
5/19/2007
Did I graduate?
Oh, not yet? I'm practically checked out of school...
My summer plans are shaping up: 2 weeks and Peru, 2 months in Europe, and 2 years in debt.
Damn you, Ben and Jerry, for price discriminating during these warmer months. Why can't you offer a $10 for 4 deal every two weeks? Why does it have to be $10 for 3 every 2 months now? You forced me to stockpile 9 pints at home. You did this to me...!
While watching ESPN, PNGF suddenly asked "who's that?" Surprising, since she doesn't follow any sport at all. "Brett Farve," I replied. "Oh, he was in Something about Mary!" Good job, Brett, that will be your legacy. You were in Something about Mary. So stop whining and play some ball.
In my mail box at school, I find a nice box with the following label on top: Dear Josekin, Student volunteers play a prominent... thank you... Career Services. And then another box: Dear Eric, Student volunteers play a prominent... thank you... Career Service. So there you have it. The first time when my confusing name got me two prizes! I just hope bursar doesn't catch on.
My summer plans are shaping up: 2 weeks and Peru, 2 months in Europe, and 2 years in debt.
Damn you, Ben and Jerry, for price discriminating during these warmer months. Why can't you offer a $10 for 4 deal every two weeks? Why does it have to be $10 for 3 every 2 months now? You forced me to stockpile 9 pints at home. You did this to me...!
While watching ESPN, PNGF suddenly asked "who's that?" Surprising, since she doesn't follow any sport at all. "Brett Farve," I replied. "Oh, he was in Something about Mary!" Good job, Brett, that will be your legacy. You were in Something about Mary. So stop whining and play some ball.
In my mail box at school, I find a nice box with the following label on top: Dear Josekin, Student volunteers play a prominent... thank you... Career Services. And then another box: Dear Eric, Student volunteers play a prominent... thank you... Career Service. So there you have it. The first time when my confusing name got me two prizes! I just hope bursar doesn't catch on.
5/16/2007
What can OB do for you?
If you are GSB Class of 2007, please help us fill out this survey about networking. It's ironic that as our group does a project on networking, we find our own networks rather narrow: they don't include many investment bankers! Oh the irony.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=106803815259
Thanks!
Classes this quarter have been great. I'm learning about power in organizations and how to achieve (and lose) them. I'm learning how to be happy (strangely, or perhaps not strangely, I think I've already been able to execute life to be happy). I've learned how to make a break up very bad - all of which has been applied to me before... but now I have a psychological term for it... YEAH! I've learned about all sorts of systematic biases that people and organizations hold.
So what can organizational behavior classes do for you? Nothing much for now... that's what I've learned so far. For the average associate level employee, OB lessons may help manage your own professional life better, but that's about it. However, the higher you go, the more important these OB lessons become. Actually, it's more like irreplaceable.
Onto life:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=106803815259
Thanks!
Classes this quarter have been great. I'm learning about power in organizations and how to achieve (and lose) them. I'm learning how to be happy (strangely, or perhaps not strangely, I think I've already been able to execute life to be happy). I've learned how to make a break up very bad - all of which has been applied to me before... but now I have a psychological term for it... YEAH! I've learned about all sorts of systematic biases that people and organizations hold.
So what can organizational behavior classes do for you? Nothing much for now... that's what I've learned so far. For the average associate level employee, OB lessons may help manage your own professional life better, but that's about it. However, the higher you go, the more important these OB lessons become. Actually, it's more like irreplaceable.
Onto life:
- Bulls win game 5, finally making this a worthwhile series.
- Liverpool vs. AC Milan next week. I can't wait for Liverpool to repeat its 2005 miracle run (nah... AC is way too good for Liverpool... though I do want to see Crouch's robot dance, highest of high comedy)
- By the way, how did THIS happen!? HOW LOW HAVE WE SUNK!? I demand a real vote.
- Never understood why the NBA was so defensive about the study on refs being racially biased. It happens to anyone, even refs. Think about how to ensure the bias, no matter how big or small, go away. Don't always think we don't have a problem!
- I've been told that seeing my food pictures (specifically, dessert) in the morning has an adverse effect on my reader's health. So be it.
5/15/2007
Lessons learned from Boston
First of all, you can see Boston pictures here... and three lessons I learned from my return to Boston as a tourist.
1. Traveling for food is the best reason. Way before we arrived in Boston, we already made requests and reservations for different food. Without further ado, from left to right, top to bottom: lobster at Quincy Market, Black Pepper Lobster at Blue Ginger (5 stars in city search... what happened to the points!?), Butterfish with Soba Sushi and very good wasabi also at Blue Ginger, Spicy Beef Bowl at my old hideout Cafe Mami (4.5 Stars), O-Toro with Caviar at the immortal Oishii (5 stars of course), spider roll at Oishii, alligator roll at Oishii, and two pictures of the too-good-to-be-true Molten Chocolate and three different types of ice cream at Finale (No stars since it is the brand new Brookline restaurant). We also went to Cafe Vittoria (5) for tiramisu, Emack and Bolio (4.5) to get smoothies, Bartley's (4.5) to get deadly frappe (er, milkshake), China Pearl (4.5) and the biggest shrimp dumpling in the world, and Dok Bua (4.5 again, god I hate these stars) for cheap but delicious Thai dinner.
1. Traveling for food is the best reason. Way before we arrived in Boston, we already made requests and reservations for different food. Without further ado, from left to right, top to bottom: lobster at Quincy Market, Black Pepper Lobster at Blue Ginger (5 stars in city search... what happened to the points!?), Butterfish with Soba Sushi and very good wasabi also at Blue Ginger, Spicy Beef Bowl at my old hideout Cafe Mami (4.5 Stars), O-Toro with Caviar at the immortal Oishii (5 stars of course), spider roll at Oishii, alligator roll at Oishii, and two pictures of the too-good-to-be-true Molten Chocolate and three different types of ice cream at Finale (No stars since it is the brand new Brookline restaurant). We also went to Cafe Vittoria (5) for tiramisu, Emack and Bolio (4.5) to get smoothies, Bartley's (4.5) to get deadly frappe (er, milkshake), China Pearl (4.5) and the biggest shrimp dumpling in the world, and Dok Bua (4.5 again, god I hate these stars) for cheap but delicious Thai dinner.
2. Perspective is important... being a tourist is completely different from living in Boston. This time back, I decided to do all the tourist things (besides driving in Boston - that's something a tourist can't possibly handle). Alas, it's not as fun as the food; but I did actually enjoy the city a lot! The historic walks were excellent and the public parks were beautiful. Of course, perfect weather helped too.
3. Don't make unnecessary changes when things are going well. We went to watch the Red Sox battle the Os at Fenway. Their pitcher dominated us for 8.3 innings. An error by the catcher allowed Coco Crisp to get on base rather than facing 1 last out. Ortiz doubled (picture below) home the run and the come back was on its way. Anyway, when the Os decided to take out the starting pitcher, I was baffled. He has been dominating us with only 10 pitches per inning. TEN! Why would you switch him out!? This is like firing the top VP when a lowly associate made a silly mistake. Idiotic. And it cost them the game.
5/11/2007
GSB lack hot women?
Okay, I might as well set myself up to be kicked out of school before graduation (in a month!).
During our Kentucky Derby trip, our RV ladies vehemently defending other GSB ladies, saying that there are many eligible girls who are single at the GSB. There are always guys at the GSB who keep complaining about the quality of women. Alas, I have found the root cause and the solution. So listen up.
Root cause: those who complain are always banker types; they are mostly male, the loudest, and they have a sample bias.
Solution: join the Marketing Group! I did a presentation for them on how to make a good powerpoint slide. I think I counted 5 men among 30 girls, and the 30 girls were pretty good looking.
As for the Bulls game I attended, let's just say the most exciting part of the game was this lady:
During our Kentucky Derby trip, our RV ladies vehemently defending other GSB ladies, saying that there are many eligible girls who are single at the GSB. There are always guys at the GSB who keep complaining about the quality of women. Alas, I have found the root cause and the solution. So listen up.
Root cause: those who complain are always banker types; they are mostly male, the loudest, and they have a sample bias.
Solution: join the Marketing Group! I did a presentation for them on how to make a good powerpoint slide. I think I counted 5 men among 30 girls, and the 30 girls were pretty good looking.
As for the Bulls game I attended, let's just say the most exciting part of the game was this lady:
5/10/2007
Second Yearnitis
Kentucky Derby pictures can be seen here.
If you haven't given to the class gift, here's the link.
If I went to this sushi restaurant (which I won't, because I am boycotting Chicago sushi), I might just leave every thing on the plate and pay more than the buffet price.
Speaking of sushi, I'm heading to Boston for the great Oishi. Also on the schedule is Blue Ginger and of course good ol lobsters. I'm also watching Josh Beckett pitch for his eighth consecutive victory to start the season (this Sunday). It'll be fun to approach Boston as a tourist.
Second yearnitis is hitting hard! I have to plan for Boston, Peru, Europe, move to Hong Kong... oh, and of course there are four classes, but who wants to know about those! Although... I would like to live a day and label all my conversations with biases I've learned from OB classes. For example:
PNGF: my exam sucked
Me: that is a negativity dominance bias
PNGF: you are so juvenile
Me: that is a fundamental attribution error
PNGF: shut up now
Me: that will be a self fulfilling prophecy
PNGF: you are so dead
Me: I can't fin... OUCH!
If you haven't given to the class gift, here's the link.
If I went to this sushi restaurant (which I won't, because I am boycotting Chicago sushi), I might just leave every thing on the plate and pay more than the buffet price.
Speaking of sushi, I'm heading to Boston for the great Oishi. Also on the schedule is Blue Ginger and of course good ol lobsters. I'm also watching Josh Beckett pitch for his eighth consecutive victory to start the season (this Sunday). It'll be fun to approach Boston as a tourist.
Second yearnitis is hitting hard! I have to plan for Boston, Peru, Europe, move to Hong Kong... oh, and of course there are four classes, but who wants to know about those! Although... I would like to live a day and label all my conversations with biases I've learned from OB classes. For example:
PNGF: my exam sucked
Me: that is a negativity dominance bias
PNGF: you are so juvenile
Me: that is a fundamental attribution error
PNGF: shut up now
Me: that will be a self fulfilling prophecy
PNGF: you are so dead
Me: I can't fin... OUCH!
5/07/2007
RV to Kentucky Derby!
After listing the high and low lights, I've decided that it was a worthwhile experience but I wouldn't do it again. At least I get to cross it off my "to-do" list (yes, sadly, RVing was on my to do list)...
Highlight: mint juleps (thank you, AE) and beer
Lowlight: Coors light all the time
Highlight: Getting gas and propane
Lowlight: $150 gas tap...
Lowlight 2: Propane guy says "y'all better get out of the RV now"
Lowlight: We scratched our RV at a gas station
Highlight: the RV rental guys didn't pick up on it
Highlight: water to brush teeth
Lowlight: no showering for 3 days
Highlight: say hi to high society while in RV gear
Lowlight: they immediately looked away and walked faster
Highlight: turkey brat #2
Lowlight: hamburger #13
Highlight: BF made scones and muffins while AE made past and fruit salad
Lowlight: Starbucks, Taco Bell (avoid the Seven Layer Crunchy thing at all cost), burger, eggs, burger, burger, Starbucks, and Burger King were our meals.
Highlight: the horse we bet on won
Lowlight: the horses that we also bet on didn't
Highlight: all those nice hats in and around Churchill Downs
Highlight 2: people watch
Lowlight: water bed (if you ask, I can elaborate)
Highlight: a drunk NR
Lowlight: a drunk NR
Highlight: Derby infield was great
Lowlight: trashy RV park was not
Highlight: shower at home after the trip
Lowlight: massive #2 in HPC
Highlight: RV bathroom looked good
Lowlight: we weren't allowed to use it (RV rule #1), so it was portapotties for all three days
Highlight: bathrooms at Starbucks, Taco Bell, Burger King, and HPC
Below is some pictures I took... for all of it with a lot of head shots, you can get them here.
Infield of Churchill Down
Churchill Down Entrance
Oh, and of course there's the race...
Highlight: mint juleps (thank you, AE) and beer
Lowlight: Coors light all the time
Highlight: Getting gas and propane
Lowlight: $150 gas tap...
Lowlight 2: Propane guy says "y'all better get out of the RV now"
Lowlight: We scratched our RV at a gas station
Highlight: the RV rental guys didn't pick up on it
Highlight: water to brush teeth
Lowlight: no showering for 3 days
Highlight: say hi to high society while in RV gear
Lowlight: they immediately looked away and walked faster
Highlight: turkey brat #2
Lowlight: hamburger #13
Highlight: BF made scones and muffins while AE made past and fruit salad
Lowlight: Starbucks, Taco Bell (avoid the Seven Layer Crunchy thing at all cost), burger, eggs, burger, burger, Starbucks, and Burger King were our meals.
Highlight: the horse we bet on won
Lowlight: the horses that we also bet on didn't
Highlight: all those nice hats in and around Churchill Downs
Highlight 2: people watch
Lowlight: water bed (if you ask, I can elaborate)
Highlight: a drunk NR
Lowlight: a drunk NR
Highlight: Derby infield was great
Lowlight: trashy RV park was not
Highlight: shower at home after the trip
Lowlight: massive #2 in HPC
Highlight: RV bathroom looked good
Lowlight: we weren't allowed to use it (RV rule #1), so it was portapotties for all three days
Highlight: bathrooms at Starbucks, Taco Bell, Burger King, and HPC
Below is some pictures I took... for all of it with a lot of head shots, you can get them here.
Our RV
Requisite liquor store stop
RV Park... not much space for anything
Infield of Churchill Down
Churchill Down Entrance
Oh, and of course there's the race...
5/04/2007
Kentucky Derby
Giddy up, here I come!
Seven of us are RVing down to Kentucky to watch the Derby.
Correction... seven of us are RVing down to Kentucky to drink Mint Juleps.
Seven of us are RVing down to Kentucky to watch the Derby.
Correction... seven of us are RVing down to Kentucky to drink Mint Juleps.
5/02/2007
Relax...
Some procrastination tools:
On Monday, I brought my passport to school to scan. Of course, I then realize that I already have a scanned version saved in my computer. Anyway, I left my passport on the scanner and finally realized it on Tuesday night. Wednesday morning, the computer lab calls and said they have my passport and asked me not to panic.
Um... why would I panic? It's in the GSB on a scanner. What's there to panic? Relax, don't stress.
- This clip is quite funny
- Dumb people all around
- Learn about tofu
On Monday, I brought my passport to school to scan. Of course, I then realize that I already have a scanned version saved in my computer. Anyway, I left my passport on the scanner and finally realized it on Tuesday night. Wednesday morning, the computer lab calls and said they have my passport and asked me not to panic.
Um... why would I panic? It's in the GSB on a scanner. What's there to panic? Relax, don't stress.
Midterm week should mean more blogs
- My previous post on my friend being punched in the face reminded me of one of my favorite posts from way back. Good times.
- Yesterday was monumental in that there was exactly ONE blog post among the 30 something blogs I subscribe to. Everybody is taking a vacation from blogging, even the folks from Freakenomics!
- Meanwhile, it's midterm week at the GSB and I'm finding all sorts of way to procrastinate
- Make your class gift donations here!
- Got tickets to Europe and then to Hong Kong... it's becoming a reality, damn it
- Tried to leave a comment on The Dirty Canucks blog... unsuccessfully
- Gathering photographers around the GSB for a project for the class gift
- And, when I ran out of procrastination tasks, posting a blog
Bulls win Game 2... and then 3 and 4... bring it on, Detroit
Sunset from my apartment, I'll use a tri pod next time
Carrot-Coriander Griddle Cakes
Beef Sirloin Eggs Benedict
The well named Sticky Bun
4/28/2007
A Punch in the Face
We punched them: Bulls beat Heat to be up 3-0. Red Sox send Yankees to their seventh straight loss. I have tickets for games 5 and 7, and I'm torn between the Bulls sweeping and me having the chance to watch game 5. One game at a time, I guess. (Oh, but I am very giddy for Detroit)
They punched me: I held two consecutive A-A hands and lost both all-ins (cash game, I re-bought). The first one the buy called my pre-flop raise with his 3-4 suited. He got lucky and hit a set of threes. The second one was against a pair of Jacks. Oh well, I could have quadrupled up, instead, I'm left with nothing and went home.
The Dirty Canuck spoke what was on my mind. The critical thinking shuts down after too little sleep, too much time pressure, too little focus, etc etc, and exposes us to various heuristic and rush to judgments. So why on earth does the McKinsey case challenge give us 2 days to figure out how 4 technologies can potentially change 100 companies? To see creativity under pressure? No, I'm not bitter.
The Real Punch in the Face: A friend of mine (AFoM) was punched in the face while getting take out in NYC. The drunk mumbled about China and Yao Ming, called AFoM a "slanty eye fuck", tried to spit in AFoM's face, double teamed AFoM with a friend after AFoM pushed him away, and finally punched AFoM as AFoM turned away, knocking AFoM to the ground. AFoM got up scratched and bruised and didn't call police.
Now, I have never encountered an outright racist, and I definitely haven't bumped into a drunk
one. My first reaction was WTF, Fucking Racist, and Why didn't you call police. I wonder how I would react under similar circumstances. I probably would have backed away like a wuss.
They punched me: I held two consecutive A-A hands and lost both all-ins (cash game, I re-bought). The first one the buy called my pre-flop raise with his 3-4 suited. He got lucky and hit a set of threes. The second one was against a pair of Jacks. Oh well, I could have quadrupled up, instead, I'm left with nothing and went home.
The Dirty Canuck spoke what was on my mind. The critical thinking shuts down after too little sleep, too much time pressure, too little focus, etc etc, and exposes us to various heuristic and rush to judgments. So why on earth does the McKinsey case challenge give us 2 days to figure out how 4 technologies can potentially change 100 companies? To see creativity under pressure? No, I'm not bitter.
The Real Punch in the Face: A friend of mine (AFoM) was punched in the face while getting take out in NYC. The drunk mumbled about China and Yao Ming, called AFoM a "slanty eye fuck", tried to spit in AFoM's face, double teamed AFoM with a friend after AFoM pushed him away, and finally punched AFoM as AFoM turned away, knocking AFoM to the ground. AFoM got up scratched and bruised and didn't call police.
Now, I have never encountered an outright racist, and I definitely haven't bumped into a drunk
one. My first reaction was WTF, Fucking Racist, and Why didn't you call police. I wonder how I would react under similar circumstances. I probably would have backed away like a wuss.
4/26/2007
No longer a virgin!
That's right, I had my first Big Mac in my life! Courtesy of the Bulls scoring more than 100 points against the hapless Miami Heat (we raped them 107-89). By the way, here's a way to beat the Heat: put the ball in the hands of either Jason Williams or Antoine Walker and make sure you get the defensive rebound off their errant threes and jumpshots. Anyway, let's review the American foodmarks that I've experienced:
In other news, our Power and Influence group settled into a topic for our project - it will be about how GSB students build networks at school and how the system has failed to help us build an effective and diverse network. Our Strategy and Structure group will do a piece on Blockbuster. I'd rather do a project for our Pricing Strategy class, but efforts seems stalled and we might stay with the midterm.
- Coke, Pepsi, Gatorade, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Wrigley's chewing gum, Wing Work Wings, In and Our Burgers, McD Hamburger/Cheeseburger/Fries, White Castle, KFC 30 piece bucket, Taco Bell, Anna's Taqueria, chop suey, flied lice, etc etc
In other news, our Power and Influence group settled into a topic for our project - it will be about how GSB students build networks at school and how the system has failed to help us build an effective and diverse network. Our Strategy and Structure group will do a piece on Blockbuster. I'd rather do a project for our Pricing Strategy class, but efforts seems stalled and we might stay with the midterm.
4/25/2007
Eating adventures
Oh well, I revert back to writing about food. Last Monday we visited the Tango Sur, an Argentinian steak house (9.5 on citysearch). As you can see, the picture is a bit blurry because the place was really dark. I'm going to start bringing a mini-tri pod to restaurants, as if carrying the big thing isn't crazy enough.
R2P2 and Chubecca / JJB ordered an Ox Tongue dish that of course fueled the discussion on how the Chinese eat anything that moves. Let me just clear it up. Yes, it's true, the Chinese eat anything that moves, and then some that don't. Let's move on. It was okay: too dry, no moist, but the texture wasn't bad and the taste was good. I wouldn't order it again though.
Entree was a chesse-filled steak. Now that was quality. I'll let the picture speak for itself. Overall, I'd say Tango Sur was pretty good considering the prices. Recommended!
R2P2 and Chubecca / JJB ordered an Ox Tongue dish that of course fueled the discussion on how the Chinese eat anything that moves. Let me just clear it up. Yes, it's true, the Chinese eat anything that moves, and then some that don't. Let's move on. It was okay: too dry, no moist, but the texture wasn't bad and the taste was good. I wouldn't order it again though.
Entree was a chesse-filled steak. Now that was quality. I'll let the picture speak for itself. Overall, I'd say Tango Sur was pretty good considering the prices. Recommended!
Cheese filled Steak (Desi, you wrap the camera on the top of the ant with a rubber band and then the ant will guide you to the best angle to take a picture of the food - use a remote, you don't want to crush the ant)
Devon Seafood Grill (9.6 in citysearch - I'm including the scores now because PNGF says she won't do anything below a 9.5... or was it 9.0... I can't even remember) is a fairly new restaurant in the Chicago seafood scene. As with any seafood and sushi in Chicago, I recommend to proceed with caution. The oysters were a grave disappointment. They did not taste fresh and there was plenty of sand left in my west coast oyster. The east coast one fared a bit better, but it still didn't feel fresh. Can't wait to be in Boston for some real seafood.
Things turned for MUCH better for the other appetizers though. The Tuna Tar Tar was generously good and the Beef Carpaccio was exquisite. Nicely presented as well. The entree I had was the Talapia - I like to order something I haven't heard of from the menu to illustrate either my ignorance or adventurousness. The talapia (a white fish, whatever that means) was baked in a almond crust topped with berries and Spanish rice. Very tasty. The restaurant was large and had pretty good contemporary decor. Service was decent. Highly recommended (not the oyster though).
Tuna Tar Tar
Beef Carpaccio
4/23/2007
Lessons learned from Antoine Walker
Predictably, the Bulls won the game against the Miami Heat in the first game 96-91. Great game. The refs tried to take the game away from the players by saddling PJ and Kirk with 4 fouls early, then reversed sides to foul out Shaq and call five fouls on Wade in the second half. I think we also just witnessed the great Luol Deng becoming a real player. I have no idea he shot 51.7 percent (!!!) from the field in the regular season. Anyway, this is not the reason I am posting.
In the momentum turning third quarter, a particular sequence that led to the above picture was as such:
Whenever he hits a bad streak, he seems to forget that the objective of the game is to win at the end. He gets so focused on his own failures that he tries everything to rectify it... by trying too hard, bitching too much, and then blaming himself for the team's failure. Look, Antoine, maybe when Dino Radja was your second fiddle, you can take it all on. But you are playing with Shaq and Wade! Lighten up! Focus on the team.
And that, my friends, is my weak attempt to link NBA to MBA. My first job out of GSB will feature me as someone like an Antoine Walker - a compliment to a good team. I need to focus on the team and not just my own work.
Author's note: although I would love Antoine to read my blog, I hope he won't learn from it. His failure is key to the Bulls' victories.
- Antoine Walker engages in 1-on-1, drives the basket, and shoots a fade away jumper
- He gets blocked cleanly by Tyrus Thomas
- Antoine being Antoine, he complained to the refs as he jogged back on defense, presumably because he though that either he was bumped or that it was goal tending
- Meanwhile, his man Thomas ran full speed down court to receive an alley-oop dunk
- Timeout, Miami
- The above picture is poor Antoine sitting on the bench as the Miami coaches device something to stop the Bulls momentum.
Whenever he hits a bad streak, he seems to forget that the objective of the game is to win at the end. He gets so focused on his own failures that he tries everything to rectify it... by trying too hard, bitching too much, and then blaming himself for the team's failure. Look, Antoine, maybe when Dino Radja was your second fiddle, you can take it all on. But you are playing with Shaq and Wade! Lighten up! Focus on the team.
And that, my friends, is my weak attempt to link NBA to MBA. My first job out of GSB will feature me as someone like an Antoine Walker - a compliment to a good team. I need to focus on the team and not just my own work.
Author's note: although I would love Antoine to read my blog, I hope he won't learn from it. His failure is key to the Bulls' victories.
4/21/2007
More Good News!
Red Sox came back in the bottom of the 8th to beat the Yankees. Against Rivera no less. A-Rod is locked in - his annual April special. According to Thaler, his performance will only come down. Oh yeah.
Um, this video made me laugh so freaking hard. Can't wait till someone charges Dice-K.
I played poker for the first time this quarter and won some money. I felt I played quite well all night, though it started with making one mistake against 2R on my first hand - I blame rust... but she player her flush draw quite well and I didn't raise her enough on the turn when I hit a top pair. That hand set the tone for the early going as I struggled on middle hands and misplayed good hands.
It got better in the middle as my hands slowly improved. Pocket dueces (no pre-flop raise and hit a set on the flop) and jacks both netted big returns. I tried to mix up my pre-flop raise a little bit - it helped some middle hands win small pots.
My last hand was pocket rockets. After a decent raise (10 on 1-2 blinds), there were three to the flop, and the flop came Qs-8s-5c (something like that). First person raised 50 (!) and the second person called (!!!!!). What the hell? What happened to my pocket rockets!? At this point... I thought:
Oh well, I won the pot and ended on a high note. =)
Tequila Buddy, more happy stories for ya!
And I go watch the Bulls lay the smackdown on the Miami Heat tomorrow.
Um, this video made me laugh so freaking hard. Can't wait till someone charges Dice-K.
I played poker for the first time this quarter and won some money. I felt I played quite well all night, though it started with making one mistake against 2R on my first hand - I blame rust... but she player her flush draw quite well and I didn't raise her enough on the turn when I hit a top pair. That hand set the tone for the early going as I struggled on middle hands and misplayed good hands.
It got better in the middle as my hands slowly improved. Pocket dueces (no pre-flop raise and hit a set on the flop) and jacks both netted big returns. I tried to mix up my pre-flop raise a little bit - it helped some middle hands win small pots.
My last hand was pocket rockets. After a decent raise (10 on 1-2 blinds), there were three to the flop, and the flop came Qs-8s-5c (something like that). First person raised 50 (!) and the second person called (!!!!!). What the hell? What happened to my pocket rockets!? At this point... I thought:
- Not two pair... wouldn't have called my raise with Q-8. 2 outs for them.
- Probably not Q-A/K as they would have raised pre-flop; if Q, has to be Q-J/10. 2 outs.
- Flush draw is a possibility, but since they called my raise, and Qs is on the board, maybe Ks-Js or something similar. 9 outs.
- Straight draw would be odd. J-10. 4 outs.
- Straight-Flush draw. 13 outs.
Oh well, I won the pot and ended on a high note. =)
Tequila Buddy, more happy stories for ya!
And I go watch the Bulls lay the smackdown on the Miami Heat tomorrow.
Happy Post
Tequila buddy bumped into me and commented that my blog seemed dramatic. My life is fine. There will always be little speed bumps on the way!
She also requested a happy post; I will gladly oblidge.
Have I mentioned that I love all four of my classes this quarter? Love them. I am now fully convinced that the key to enjoying the GSB MBA is to take good professors and worry less about the material. I have four professors on steriods (in descending order, Epley, Dube, and a tie between Menon and Bothner) and auditing one on depressants (Thaler). The steriod users bring energy to the class. And energy is exactly what the class needs to fuel a case discussion. Thaler is a bit overrated - he snaps every now and then and the class gets exciting, but he is mostly laid back and very deliberate in his delivery.
It is admit weekend at the GSB. If there's one advice I can give, it is to take good professors. Class material is nothing when the professor isn't good.
She also requested a happy post; I will gladly oblidge.
Have I mentioned that I love all four of my classes this quarter? Love them. I am now fully convinced that the key to enjoying the GSB MBA is to take good professors and worry less about the material. I have four professors on steriods (in descending order, Epley, Dube, and a tie between Menon and Bothner) and auditing one on depressants (Thaler). The steriod users bring energy to the class. And energy is exactly what the class needs to fuel a case discussion. Thaler is a bit overrated - he snaps every now and then and the class gets exciting, but he is mostly laid back and very deliberate in his delivery.
It is admit weekend at the GSB. If there's one advice I can give, it is to take good professors. Class material is nothing when the professor isn't good.
Gun free zone creates violence?
What a dumb ass. In the words of our OB classes, he is making statements with availability bias and egocentric bias.
4/20/2007
Open and Honest
Hokies, be strong.
It's been a while since I last blogged about something serious. Wait... I'm never serious.
Oh but I am. I've always been a proponent of being as open and as honest as possible with people. In the cynical world that we live in, obviously this can't be true all the time. The topic of whether the benefits of telling the truth outweigh the costs of hurting people you love and care about came up between my friend and me. Fascinating debate really. Since I am a proponent of being open, I think for the most part the benefits do outweigh the costs. But I can see things going the other way as well.
Our little debate led to the establishment of a secret blog site. What if one has this secret blog to vent and put all his or her darkest secret on it. He or she will be able to let out some steam and whatever, maybe even live a better life. But our focus is whether this secret blog would ever be released in the very distant future... which would certainly hurt a lot of people... or would it hurt more if those people found out themselves?
Which brings me to a current situation in which I am a "victim." A good friend of mine is not open and honest with me. (Yup, and somehow I find out) I think I know the reason on why she isn't honest, and I think I understand where she is coming from. Ah, hell, I sympathize with her cause, really. But at the same time, I am quite hurt. I'd rather hear the truth and be hurt that way. Finding out through a backdoor channel is never pleasant.
It's been a while since I last blogged about something serious. Wait... I'm never serious.
Oh but I am. I've always been a proponent of being as open and as honest as possible with people. In the cynical world that we live in, obviously this can't be true all the time. The topic of whether the benefits of telling the truth outweigh the costs of hurting people you love and care about came up between my friend and me. Fascinating debate really. Since I am a proponent of being open, I think for the most part the benefits do outweigh the costs. But I can see things going the other way as well.
Our little debate led to the establishment of a secret blog site. What if one has this secret blog to vent and put all his or her darkest secret on it. He or she will be able to let out some steam and whatever, maybe even live a better life. But our focus is whether this secret blog would ever be released in the very distant future... which would certainly hurt a lot of people... or would it hurt more if those people found out themselves?
Which brings me to a current situation in which I am a "victim." A good friend of mine is not open and honest with me. (Yup, and somehow I find out) I think I know the reason on why she isn't honest, and I think I understand where she is coming from. Ah, hell, I sympathize with her cause, really. But at the same time, I am quite hurt. I'd rather hear the truth and be hurt that way. Finding out through a backdoor channel is never pleasant.
4/18/2007
Movie and then some
Saw 300 in an IMAX theater. Not recommended. Unless you want to see two hours of six packs. Or blood splattering all over (blood drops, really, but what do I know...). Or slow mo love making. Or slow mo anything. In fact, I think the movie is about 30 minutes long but they slow mo everything and it became a two hour movie. Visually stunning though. Still, not recommended.
Just thought I should share this... gotta love the media. Thanks to Koala Blogger for bringing this to my attention.
From WSJ: Thanks to Chicago offered a bid that hinges on building new facilities, mostly situated around the downtown lakefront and nearby parks. The centerpiece would be an 80,000-seat, $366 million temporary Olympic stadium that would be built in historic Washington Park. (This park is just by the University of Chicago's campus)
My comment: LOL... the HISTORIC WASHINGTON PARK! One park that we had a BSCIT event to clean the damn thing up... one park that I would never walk through... one park that when I walked through it, I found needles on the ground... and we're might have the Olympics there! Someone call Daley! Clean the city!
Just thought I should share this... gotta love the media. Thanks to Koala Blogger for bringing this to my attention.
From WSJ: Thanks to Chicago offered a bid that hinges on building new facilities, mostly situated around the downtown lakefront and nearby parks. The centerpiece would be an 80,000-seat, $366 million temporary Olympic stadium that would be built in historic Washington Park. (This park is just by the University of Chicago's campus)
My comment: LOL... the HISTORIC WASHINGTON PARK! One park that we had a BSCIT event to clean the damn thing up... one park that I would never walk through... one park that when I walked through it, I found needles on the ground... and we're might have the Olympics there! Someone call Daley! Clean the city!
4/17/2007
McKinsey is Evil
Man, the McKinsey "case challenge" was a fucking waste of my time. I hope they read this post.
So, a couple of weeks ago, McKinsey Business Technology (BTO) sent a very intriguing email:
Teams of 3-5 MBAs from Berkeley Haas, Chicago GSB, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, and Wharton will show how a breakthrough technology could transform one of the world's leading companies.
Note that HBS isn't on the list because I think they called the bluff from McKinsey. Anyway, our team was interested in "breakthrough technologies", so we signed up. Of course, the $10,000 school prize and $20,000 national prize didn't hurt either.
The night we got our question, it was the following: apply one of the four technologies to a Fortune 100 company and show improvement in revenue and productivity. The four technologies - user generated content, constant WIFI, virtual worlds, and smart networks - being four things that I've heard of and used already.
It was a fucking scam to generate great ideas and then use them to pitch to clients (it can't get any more obvious than that, really). Which is fine, I guess... kudos to the person who thought of this idea. Anyway, we goofed around the whole day and came up with some trashy presentation before calling it a day. Anyway, someone asked me how the case challenge was, which inspired an unintended poem:
it's just a place where McK generates pitches
that's why we call those consultant bitches
It also inspired the Lam Chart:
So, a couple of weeks ago, McKinsey Business Technology (BTO) sent a very intriguing email:
Teams of 3-5 MBAs from Berkeley Haas, Chicago GSB, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, and Wharton will show how a breakthrough technology could transform one of the world's leading companies.
Note that HBS isn't on the list because I think they called the bluff from McKinsey. Anyway, our team was interested in "breakthrough technologies", so we signed up. Of course, the $10,000 school prize and $20,000 national prize didn't hurt either.
The night we got our question, it was the following: apply one of the four technologies to a Fortune 100 company and show improvement in revenue and productivity. The four technologies - user generated content, constant WIFI, virtual worlds, and smart networks - being four things that I've heard of and used already.
It was a fucking scam to generate great ideas and then use them to pitch to clients (it can't get any more obvious than that, really). Which is fine, I guess... kudos to the person who thought of this idea. Anyway, we goofed around the whole day and came up with some trashy presentation before calling it a day. Anyway, someone asked me how the case challenge was, which inspired an unintended poem:
it's just a place where McK generates pitches
that's why we call those consultant bitches
It also inspired the Lam Chart:
4/16/2007
Vietnamese Food Review
After the Buffet trip and before the McKinsey debacle, I had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant, which PNGF called "the only Vietnamese restaurant in Chicago that I will ever dine at." Well then. Hai Yen, here I come.
Turns out that I had eaten at this restaurant before with SY. Except that last time I ordered the requisite Pho, which wasn't bad but not that great especially compared to the great Pho I had in Boston. This time around, PNGF was clearly in charge, as she browsed through the menu and told me what I should eat. I love these dining experiences - it's like me bringing Americans to a Chinese restaurant and saving them from the General Gao's Chicken, pu-pu platter, and moo shu dishes. Anyway, on to the food:
Turns out that I had eaten at this restaurant before with SY. Except that last time I ordered the requisite Pho, which wasn't bad but not that great especially compared to the great Pho I had in Boston. This time around, PNGF was clearly in charge, as she browsed through the menu and told me what I should eat. I love these dining experiences - it's like me bringing Americans to a Chinese restaurant and saving them from the General Gao's Chicken, pu-pu platter, and moo shu dishes. Anyway, on to the food:
Vietnamese Grilled Beef (Thit Nuong)
Shrimp Balls on Sugar Cane Stick (Chao Tom)
Grilled Pork wrapped in Lot Leaves (Bo La Lot) - not the most flattering look, but they are damn good (I tried to fudge with the picture... they just are this way)
Yup, I wrapped my own spring roll - I'm an expert now
4/14/2007
Visiting Omaha
Wow, I actually met Warren Buffet... the guy is quite a show man and loves to be in the center of attention. Surprising... I thought he'd be more reserved. Some highlights:
- The Dirty Canuck had an interesting morning (2nd post, I think)
- Responding to a question regarding giving to charities: he gives back to society because he has taken from society... and he should keep the wealth because society can't produce the returns he can.
- On how we should appreciate life: if 1000 random people on Earth were assigned to you and you have to pick one of them to become, you wouldn't play the game. That would mean you are in the top 0.01% of satisfied with your own life. Think about that.
- The requisite do what you like advice and don't do it for money.
- This is a low light actually: Gorat's, which was supposed to be WB's favorite restaurant, served me a very very very disappointing steak. The baked potato is good though... uh... yeah...
- The line to take a picture with Warren (yup, we on a first name basis now)... yours truly was #66...
- Monthly parking in downtown Omaha costs $45 (it's outdoors... indoors is more expensive, I was told. Apparently, a 3-star hotel right in the middle of downtown also costs $45.
- Blah blah blah
4/13/2007
Time to procrastinate...
While in my pricing strategy class, I came across this funny travel route from NY to Paris, courtesy of the Sports Guy.
Here's a fascinating article on how greatness can go unnoticed when not in context, courtesy of both Freakenomics and Managing in Organizations class.
Speaking of Freakenomics, last weeks Brown Bag Series had Kevin "Genius Award" Murphy talking about the benefits of inequality and attacked some of the follies of proposed solutions such as progressive taxes. He was introduced by Steve Levitt. The prior Brown Bag Series was Nobel laureate Gary Becker talking about paid immigration. Fascinating topics. No articles though. Yet I digress.
Alright, back to Strategy and Structure. I can't wait to see how Saturn is going to fight the Hondas and Toyotas (and Hyundais!)... NOT.
Tomorrow, I go meet Warren Buffet. This will be fun!
Here's a fascinating article on how greatness can go unnoticed when not in context, courtesy of both Freakenomics and Managing in Organizations class.
Speaking of Freakenomics, last weeks Brown Bag Series had Kevin "Genius Award" Murphy talking about the benefits of inequality and attacked some of the follies of proposed solutions such as progressive taxes. He was introduced by Steve Levitt. The prior Brown Bag Series was Nobel laureate Gary Becker talking about paid immigration. Fascinating topics. No articles though. Yet I digress.
Alright, back to Strategy and Structure. I can't wait to see how Saturn is going to fight the Hondas and Toyotas (and Hyundais!)... NOT.
Tomorrow, I go meet Warren Buffet. This will be fun!
4/11/2007
4/08/2007
Fogo Finally!
I cannot believe I have not been to Fogo de Chao. This place is freaking awesome. Last quarter when I worked on Orion's Mind, one of my teammates was a Brazilian. He said he would only go to Fogo de Chao for authentic Brazilian food.
The meat was of course great. Pictured here is the house special. I loved it. The lamp chops , fillet mignon, the sirloin, and rib eye were also very good. A bit fatty was the beef rib, which I had last. Good thing it didn't come first.
The meat was of course great. Pictured here is the house special. I loved it. The lamp chops , fillet mignon, the sirloin, and rib eye were also very good. A bit fatty was the beef rib, which I had last. Good thing it didn't come first.
Dessert was a chocolate cake which was basically a molten chocolate cake... except that the whole cake felt like molten. Yummy.
But honestly, the best part of the meal was the bread. I couldn't decide which one was better, Fogo de Chao or De la Costa. At the end, I went with Fogo: it had the best bread I've had and I kept wanting more even after dessert.
I went to a concert for BB King. That man is 81 and he is still commanding the stage like no other. Amazing time... though my legs got real sore towards the end.
4/05/2007
I'm so sorry!
Weather Gods, forgive me for saying that Winter is over. Please don't snow on me. DOH! Freaking Chicago. It snowed on Wed, ten got very cold the last few days.
Watched Prison Break season 2 finale on Tuesday night. What a fucking disappointment. I'm boycotting the rest of the seasons, just like I did 24 after its season 2. The idea of a finale is to have a climax in which the protagonist achieves some level of victory and faces some level of (unexpected) difficulty so that viewers will be intrigued by the ending and hopefully beg for season 3. Prison Break fails to convert on either way.
Nonetheless, I have learned many valuable lessons from Prison Break:
10. If you are a pretty doctor, you should not work in a prison. This is not negotiable. Nor should you respond to some fat cop who just tried to hit on you. This is also not negotiable.
9. When your life is in danger, it might be a good idea to let people know where you will be. Or, of course, you could venture into danger yourself and then get killed. Why not.
8. Actually, it might be better to call the police; even though they are incompetent, on your own, you probably are more incompetent.
7. Trusting the mob boss and a child pedophile is a great idea if you need to escape from prison... NOT.
6. Handcuffing yourself to another person (especially the protagonist) and swallowing the key means there's only one way to get you off - say goodbye to your hand.
5. If you have a gun, don't just point it at someone; use it. The idea is to neutralize the other person, like shoot his calf or something, or force him to tie himself up, rather than wait for the other party to grab your gun.
4. When Blackmailed by others, don't just oblige. Use your phone to record the conversation. It's really just one button.
3. If you get arrested, ask to go to Fox River. I hear the security there is lax and the warden needs someone to help him build the Taj Mahal model for his anniversary.
2. When in doubt, work for "The Company"... the other jobs suck.
1. "You'll have to trust me" translates as "I'm going to screw you later"
Watched Prison Break season 2 finale on Tuesday night. What a fucking disappointment. I'm boycotting the rest of the seasons, just like I did 24 after its season 2. The idea of a finale is to have a climax in which the protagonist achieves some level of victory and faces some level of (unexpected) difficulty so that viewers will be intrigued by the ending and hopefully beg for season 3. Prison Break fails to convert on either way.
Nonetheless, I have learned many valuable lessons from Prison Break:
10. If you are a pretty doctor, you should not work in a prison. This is not negotiable. Nor should you respond to some fat cop who just tried to hit on you. This is also not negotiable.
9. When your life is in danger, it might be a good idea to let people know where you will be. Or, of course, you could venture into danger yourself and then get killed. Why not.
8. Actually, it might be better to call the police; even though they are incompetent, on your own, you probably are more incompetent.
7. Trusting the mob boss and a child pedophile is a great idea if you need to escape from prison... NOT.
6. Handcuffing yourself to another person (especially the protagonist) and swallowing the key means there's only one way to get you off - say goodbye to your hand.
5. If you have a gun, don't just point it at someone; use it. The idea is to neutralize the other person, like shoot his calf or something, or force him to tie himself up, rather than wait for the other party to grab your gun.
4. When Blackmailed by others, don't just oblige. Use your phone to record the conversation. It's really just one button.
3. If you get arrested, ask to go to Fox River. I hear the security there is lax and the warden needs someone to help him build the Taj Mahal model for his anniversary.
2. When in doubt, work for "The Company"... the other jobs suck.
1. "You'll have to trust me" translates as "I'm going to screw you later"
4/03/2007
How do you feel about the last quarter?
This is how I feel:
Anyway... last week's visit by the Hong Kong Commissioner got me thinking about comparing living in the US and HK again. One of the reason that companies prefer HK to Shanghai and Beijing, alleged by the HK Commissioner, is that of human capital. Specifically, ex-pats prefer to be in Hong Kong. Why? Because of quality of life: convenience, safety, international city, good entry point before being totally East Asian, and education. The last point, in my opinion, will be most significant. International schools in HK are far superior to those in China, so it you're an ex-pat and you have family, you would prefer HK.
Sadly, local schools can't really compare and aren't of consideration for any ex-pats. Hong Kong's education system is still as screwed up as it was fifteen years ago. They don't know which language to teach in (despite research that has shown the clear benefit of mother tongue education), they don't know what to teach, they force feed facts rather than facilitate thinking, they focus on memory rather than application, etc etc. Fundamentals are good for most students, but if they are thrown into the real world, it takes time to adjust.
Managing in Organizations, Managerial Decision Making, and Power and Influence are three organizational behavior classes that are very similar. In fact, I think I can go to one and learn all three! I'm only taking MiO and PaI right now, but I think I'm going to audit MDM just to finish the holy trinity.
Monday in P and I: with power, you can send short and spell-check-less emails; focusing on one thing only often gives you illusions about your lack of power or knowledge, asking is power, power acquired unintentionally seems more powerful than those collected intentionally, there are situational reasons for many things rather than dispositional reasons.
Tuesday in M in O: all of the above (I tell you, the similarities are scary) + negativity dominance, actor/observer bias, confirmation bias, and omission neglect. The combined conclusion? The most incompetent people are the most overconfident. (This statement, by the way, may suffer from both confirmation bias and omission neglect!) Well well... I guess I am sometimes quite incompetent.
Yup, and that last statement is a direct result of confirmation bias. haha!
Sadly, local schools can't really compare and aren't of consideration for any ex-pats. Hong Kong's education system is still as screwed up as it was fifteen years ago. They don't know which language to teach in (despite research that has shown the clear benefit of mother tongue education), they don't know what to teach, they force feed facts rather than facilitate thinking, they focus on memory rather than application, etc etc. Fundamentals are good for most students, but if they are thrown into the real world, it takes time to adjust.
Managing in Organizations, Managerial Decision Making, and Power and Influence are three organizational behavior classes that are very similar. In fact, I think I can go to one and learn all three! I'm only taking MiO and PaI right now, but I think I'm going to audit MDM just to finish the holy trinity.
Monday in P and I: with power, you can send short and spell-check-less emails; focusing on one thing only often gives you illusions about your lack of power or knowledge, asking is power, power acquired unintentionally seems more powerful than those collected intentionally, there are situational reasons for many things rather than dispositional reasons.
Tuesday in M in O: all of the above (I tell you, the similarities are scary) + negativity dominance, actor/observer bias, confirmation bias, and omission neglect. The combined conclusion? The most incompetent people are the most overconfident. (This statement, by the way, may suffer from both confirmation bias and omission neglect!) Well well... I guess I am sometimes quite incompetent.
Yup, and that last statement is a direct result of confirmation bias. haha!
Winter is over, but there's still ice...!
It's just ice in the United Center and AMC River East. (By the way, there are rumors that snow may appear on Wednesday. I'm going to ignore that.
PNGF and I went to a Blackhawks game because the tickets were free. Standard Microeconomics predict when the price goes to zero, the demand for the tickets should be very large. Well, reality is quite different (opportunity costs not considered obviously): the stadium was at best half full. But they did beat the Blue Jackets. Anyway, I find Hockey a fun game to watch live... it's fast and violent and there's lots of action.
Blades of Glory was much better. A 1045 showing didn't deter those who wanted a good time at the theaters. It was a full house. The movie was hysterical. Wedding Crasher-esque! The success of this movie is that the very premise of male pair skating is funny. Even at places where it wasn't funny at all, people still laughed. For example, at the beginning of the movie, we see a kid skating. And the theater just started to laugh. Good stuff. Highly recommended if you want to have a good laugh. Don't eat too much beforehand, your stomach might hurt.
PNGF and I went to a Blackhawks game because the tickets were free. Standard Microeconomics predict when the price goes to zero, the demand for the tickets should be very large. Well, reality is quite different (opportunity costs not considered obviously): the stadium was at best half full. But they did beat the Blue Jackets. Anyway, I find Hockey a fun game to watch live... it's fast and violent and there's lots of action.
Blades of Glory was much better. A 1045 showing didn't deter those who wanted a good time at the theaters. It was a full house. The movie was hysterical. Wedding Crasher-esque! The success of this movie is that the very premise of male pair skating is funny. Even at places where it wasn't funny at all, people still laughed. For example, at the beginning of the movie, we see a kid skating. And the theater just started to laugh. Good stuff. Highly recommended if you want to have a good laugh. Don't eat too much beforehand, your stomach might hurt.
4/01/2007
Blog improvements...
A while ago, I've mentioned the map, which is very cool to have. I'm not sure which one surprises me more: Nigeria or Iceland.
I've tried to organize my posts through labels, as you can see at the bottom of selected posts as well as to the right of this post. Hopefully that can help you navigate some entries better.
I use Google Reader to read blogs. Instead of the sites of individual blogs, I've made them into list of posts that I find interesting, i.e. the "My Readings" link also on the right.
That's about it for now. I'm trying to change my own website a little bit. Right now, all the dots on the map look the same... but some dots are different. Most dots are travel logs, which is the reason I started the website in the first place. But Boston and Chicago are really places that I lived in, while Death Valley and Holland City have only pictures. I want them to look different. Any suggestions??
I've tried to organize my posts through labels, as you can see at the bottom of selected posts as well as to the right of this post. Hopefully that can help you navigate some entries better.
I use Google Reader to read blogs. Instead of the sites of individual blogs, I've made them into list of posts that I find interesting, i.e. the "My Readings" link also on the right.
That's about it for now. I'm trying to change my own website a little bit. Right now, all the dots on the map look the same... but some dots are different. Most dots are travel logs, which is the reason I started the website in the first place. But Boston and Chicago are really places that I lived in, while Death Valley and Holland City have only pictures. I want them to look different. Any suggestions??
3/31/2007
Spring Quarter, First Week
It's nice to see everybody back from abroad, including the elusive Meghaks and BSLW. Now Spring quarter begins. I can't even imagine how much slacking I can do...
After Power & Influence on Monday, I had Managing in Organizations on Tuesday morning. Epley is a high energy guy who will jump into the lecture seats and then back to behind his computer. Like other OB classes, I can't really pin point as to exactly what is being taught. haha. Just kidding... the class tries to bridge the difference between what one should do and what one actually does. Since there is a difference between the two, it is essential that one understands the reasons behind the difference and correct it if one can.
I audited Thaler's class at night. For non-GSBers, Dick Thaler's class is the most demanded class at the GSB. His first class was a disappointment... perhaps because I've heard most of the concepts before. I will give him one more chance.
Wednesday I don't have class, but I was still on campus to present to OMSA on how the Dim Sum Sake Tasting Festival went and prepare for Hong Kong Commissioner's visit to the GSB. Both went quite well.
Thursday was the killer day to end the week (no class on Friday).
Pricing's Dube drank WAY too much coffee before he came to class. He speaks too loud, too fast, and too much. Oh wait... that's not coffee. That's how he usually behaves. I'm pretty sure the class was lost at a few moments on insignificant points and we kept spinning in circles trying o answer a simple question. Anyway, I'm a firm believer that the professor makes all the difference. Dube is enthusiastic so I have hope.
Strategy and Structure promises to be a pretty good class. I have yet another semi-crazy professor in Bothner. The class is of course about strategy and how to determine strategy for a company given the situation (yup, sounds strangely like OB classes!). The contents of the class is pretty good, but the best part is when Bothner manages the case discussion. He snaps and he yaps at answers that aren't good, then may or may not insult you. Semi-correct answers and acknowledged and then dismissed. Correct answers allow the class to move on. No extra answers, no extra bullshit. My favorite.
After Power & Influence on Monday, I had Managing in Organizations on Tuesday morning. Epley is a high energy guy who will jump into the lecture seats and then back to behind his computer. Like other OB classes, I can't really pin point as to exactly what is being taught. haha. Just kidding... the class tries to bridge the difference between what one should do and what one actually does. Since there is a difference between the two, it is essential that one understands the reasons behind the difference and correct it if one can.
I audited Thaler's class at night. For non-GSBers, Dick Thaler's class is the most demanded class at the GSB. His first class was a disappointment... perhaps because I've heard most of the concepts before. I will give him one more chance.
Wednesday I don't have class, but I was still on campus to present to OMSA on how the Dim Sum Sake Tasting Festival went and prepare for Hong Kong Commissioner's visit to the GSB. Both went quite well.
Thursday was the killer day to end the week (no class on Friday).
Pricing's Dube drank WAY too much coffee before he came to class. He speaks too loud, too fast, and too much. Oh wait... that's not coffee. That's how he usually behaves. I'm pretty sure the class was lost at a few moments on insignificant points and we kept spinning in circles trying o answer a simple question. Anyway, I'm a firm believer that the professor makes all the difference. Dube is enthusiastic so I have hope.
Strategy and Structure promises to be a pretty good class. I have yet another semi-crazy professor in Bothner. The class is of course about strategy and how to determine strategy for a company given the situation (yup, sounds strangely like OB classes!). The contents of the class is pretty good, but the best part is when Bothner manages the case discussion. He snaps and he yaps at answers that aren't good, then may or may not insult you. Semi-correct answers and acknowledged and then dismissed. Correct answers allow the class to move on. No extra answers, no extra bullshit. My favorite.
3/27/2007
Last GSB Quarter
It's sad to start the Spring quarter.
Here's the schedule:
Monday afternoon - Power and Influence with Menon
Tuesday morning - Managing in Organizations with Epley
Thursday afternoon - Pricing with Dube
Thursday night - Strategy and Structure with Bothner
So it should be a very promising quarter. Today's P&I class was pretty good. There was a decent discussion on how to correctly measure and view power. Also, a particular interesting topic that came up is hard skills vs. soft skills. Despite GSB's reputation for being hardcore on the hard skills, I've always been a believer of the acquisition of both types of skills. GSB indeed gives us a very solid background in hard skills and has less respect for softer skills. However, hard skills can only get you so far... the higher up you go, the more people you will deal with, and the more soft skills you'll need.
So P&I will be a soft class. =) Good.
Here's the schedule:
Monday afternoon - Power and Influence with Menon
Tuesday morning - Managing in Organizations with Epley
Thursday afternoon - Pricing with Dube
Thursday night - Strategy and Structure with Bothner
So it should be a very promising quarter. Today's P&I class was pretty good. There was a decent discussion on how to correctly measure and view power. Also, a particular interesting topic that came up is hard skills vs. soft skills. Despite GSB's reputation for being hardcore on the hard skills, I've always been a believer of the acquisition of both types of skills. GSB indeed gives us a very solid background in hard skills and has less respect for softer skills. However, hard skills can only get you so far... the higher up you go, the more people you will deal with, and the more soft skills you'll need.
So P&I will be a soft class. =) Good.
3/25/2007
Cozumel in 5 days
More details and pictures here... though the time stamp approach is fun too!
3/18 5pm - departure
3/18 9pm - arrive in resort: this is why we chose Cozumel, nice and close!
3/18 930 - you can't beat buffet dinner
3/18 10 - it's impossible to beat free booze all night
3/19 10am - buffet breakfast... along with free booze
3/19 12pm - sail
3/19 130 - lunch buffet... along with free booze
3/19 3pm - beach, read, drink, sunbath
3/19 5pm - beach bar closes
3/19 501 - move to pool bar
3/19 6pm - after three Pinas and a tequila shot, pool bar closes
3/19 830 - wake up from "nap" and go to steak dinner
3/19 10pm - drink at reception bar
3/19 1130 - off to Senor Frogs, a club in downtown Cozumel
3/20 2am - back at the resort, somehow made it back to the room
3/20 8am - scuba diving class... with hangover
3/20 1pm - scuba diving in Cozumel reefs
3/20 5pm - beach
3/20 7pm - dinner buffet!
3/20 9pm - let the drinking begin
3/21 10am - beach
3/21 12pm - attempt to windsurf
3/21 1215 - admit defeat, try to swim back to shore
3/21 2pm - finally got back, damn it
3/21 330 - Sail
3/21 4pm - Beach
3/21 7pm - nap
3/21 830 - dinner at steakhouse
3/21 945 - Black Russian
3/21 10pm - 1st tequila shot
3/21 1001 - 3rd tequila shot
3/21 1030 - 4th tequila shot
3/22 800 - buffet breakfast, with lots of grapefruit to sober up
3/22 930 - depart for airport
3/22 7pm - back safely at home
3/24/2007
Double Dipping Movies again
I love AMC River East. I don't even feel remotely bad by double dipping in this theater. There's no guard against whatsoever and people are just roaming along. I hope they don't read this blog. Or... you could make a pretty good business case that this would attract movie goers to this theater because of the possible double viewing. Since theaters make money on concessions and not the movie ticket itself, they don't really care at all. Theaters just want you there for as long as possible so you can buy stuff to eat and drink. In fact, I'm pretty sure this is the case and all theaters should relax restrictions. Have I ever mentioned that I have a perfect way of catching double dippers...? Yet I digress.
Zodiac: I walked out of the movie slightly unsatisfied because (spoiler alert!!!) the crime remained unsolved. It's like a 3 hour law and order episode that has one of those ambiguous endings. Anyway, performances were quite good, and I do miss Goose (Top Gun). I haven't decided if I can recommend this movie. I say it's pretty good if you have the right expectations going in. I expected a crime thriller with some dramatic climax that reveals the real killer. No such thing. Quite a mellow movie, really.
Namesake: I just wanted to say first that I can't really imagine Kumar being in any other character. And that was that. Uh, the theater was filled with Indian parents with their own teenagers. EK and I fit in nicely as minorities. Anyway, I hope the book was much better than the movie. The movie is about people finding their paths; but sadly, it fails completely in convincing me of anything. In fact, the movie left me hanging at many points where the characters just move on and there wasn't any substance that developed. Maybe this is because I can't relate...? Not recommended.
Zodiac: I walked out of the movie slightly unsatisfied because (spoiler alert!!!) the crime remained unsolved. It's like a 3 hour law and order episode that has one of those ambiguous endings. Anyway, performances were quite good, and I do miss Goose (Top Gun). I haven't decided if I can recommend this movie. I say it's pretty good if you have the right expectations going in. I expected a crime thriller with some dramatic climax that reveals the real killer. No such thing. Quite a mellow movie, really.
Namesake: I just wanted to say first that I can't really imagine Kumar being in any other character. And that was that. Uh, the theater was filled with Indian parents with their own teenagers. EK and I fit in nicely as minorities. Anyway, I hope the book was much better than the movie. The movie is about people finding their paths; but sadly, it fails completely in convincing me of anything. In fact, the movie left me hanging at many points where the characters just move on and there wasn't any substance that developed. Maybe this is because I can't relate...? Not recommended.
3/23/2007
Back from Cozumel
Cozumel must be one of the first trips I took that was purely for leisure. Say no to hectic travel schedules. Say no to activities after activities. Say no to scouting good restaurants. Say no to historical Mayan sites. Say no to picture taking all the time. Say no to reading Lonely Planets beforehand.
Say yes to All-Inclusive Resort. More on this later...!
Here's a picture of us (right to left: PP, myself, and HR) scuba diving at the beautiful reefs of Cozumel. Which reminds me... diving may be the only circumstances where I enjoy taking pictures of people more than the scenery.
Say yes to All-Inclusive Resort. More on this later...!
Here's a picture of us (right to left: PP, myself, and HR) scuba diving at the beautiful reefs of Cozumel. Which reminds me... diving may be the only circumstances where I enjoy taking pictures of people more than the scenery.
3/18/2007
Post Final Syndrome
It's fitting that St. Patty's day fell right after finals. I watched them dye the Chicago river green at 11am on Saturday, very cool. From my apartment, I can also see everybody carrying a drink. 11am! Anyway, I ended the day at a salsa club with way too much alcohol in my system. Just in time for Cozumel, I say!
Reviews that are due:
The Last King of Scotland - great movie. Forest Whitaker won a best actor award in it. The Scot in the movie isn't bad either. Walking out of the theater, I struggled to find what was so good about the movie. Maybe it's the development of the Scottish kid. Starting as a brash, confident, naive kid, he left Africa as the complete opposite.
Coco Pazzo Cafe - great Italian food. I ordered a very salty meat dish... but the clam linguine smelled great (garlic always does the job) and was very tasty as well. Dessert, as usual, is my weakness and was very good.
Reviews that are due:
The Last King of Scotland - great movie. Forest Whitaker won a best actor award in it. The Scot in the movie isn't bad either. Walking out of the theater, I struggled to find what was so good about the movie. Maybe it's the development of the Scottish kid. Starting as a brash, confident, naive kid, he left Africa as the complete opposite.
Coco Pazzo Cafe - great Italian food. I ordered a very salty meat dish... but the clam linguine smelled great (garlic always does the job) and was very tasty as well. Dessert, as usual, is my weakness and was very good.
Aria - this nice restaurant is tucked away right next to Columbus Plaza. The bar was really cool and I hope to visit it some time. Anyway, the food at Aria was okay. It's international fusion food, which should always raise some alarms. Oh well. The veal shank wasn't bad with masala. It wasn't great either. The atmosphere at the restaurant was great though, and the service was very good. Our waiter was quite lively and seemed ready to sing and dance. But... most important of all, I didn't bring my camera. Arg.
Goro-san - this man can cook.
3/17/2007
Why not Hyde Park?
Here's why:
0800: just woke up... must finish both hand in finals before 4 today...
1000: two loops of ESPN, arg, time to head to campus to be efficient
1020: arrived safely in Hyde Park after following a slow Volvo for a frustrating long time (i.e. 5 seconds)
1030: settled into the Winter Garden, putting finishing touches on Mary Kay (Marketing channels)
1035: HB wanders over for a short chat
1050: CL wanders over for a short chat
1130: lunch at Noodles... their Singaporean noodles were okay and the Thai Ice Tea was pretty good
1230: back in HPC Winter Garden, continue Project Dial Tone case (Private Equity)
100: friend #1 comes over for a chat
110: friend #2 comes over for a chat
200: friend #3 comes over for a chat
215: Must study, move to student lounge
330: Done with case, print to hand in
520: Back in downtown
600: feeling empty and bored
601: nap
800: cook dinner... mmm... curry...
900: food coma
945: spotted friend on MSN, checked movie times, ask if she wants to see movie
955: agree on movie - The Last King of Scotland, showing at AMC River East at 10pm
1000: leave Columbus Plaza to head to the theaters
1008: arrive at theaters
1010: sit in comfy seats, previews just ended, movie starts (review later)
Yup, that's why I live downtown. It's close enough to Hyde Park (sounding scarily similar to 害怕k...). There are GSBers living around downtown. And... I could get a movie crew going in 15 minutes. We left Columbus Plaza at the movie start time and still made it in time! This would never happen in HP.
0800: just woke up... must finish both hand in finals before 4 today...
1000: two loops of ESPN, arg, time to head to campus to be efficient
1020: arrived safely in Hyde Park after following a slow Volvo for a frustrating long time (i.e. 5 seconds)
1030: settled into the Winter Garden, putting finishing touches on Mary Kay (Marketing channels)
1035: HB wanders over for a short chat
1050: CL wanders over for a short chat
1130: lunch at Noodles... their Singaporean noodles were okay and the Thai Ice Tea was pretty good
1230: back in HPC Winter Garden, continue Project Dial Tone case (Private Equity)
100: friend #1 comes over for a chat
110: friend #2 comes over for a chat
200: friend #3 comes over for a chat
215: Must study, move to student lounge
330: Done with case, print to hand in
520: Back in downtown
600: feeling empty and bored
601: nap
800: cook dinner... mmm... curry...
900: food coma
945: spotted friend on MSN, checked movie times, ask if she wants to see movie
955: agree on movie - The Last King of Scotland, showing at AMC River East at 10pm
1000: leave Columbus Plaza to head to the theaters
1008: arrive at theaters
1010: sit in comfy seats, previews just ended, movie starts (review later)
Yup, that's why I live downtown. It's close enough to Hyde Park (sounding scarily similar to 害怕k...). There are GSBers living around downtown. And... I could get a movie crew going in 15 minutes. We left Columbus Plaza at the movie start time and still made it in time! This would never happen in HP.
3/16/2007
$12,880 well spent, especially the $880!
After a super relaxing finals week, I'm getting ready for Cozumel and Mexico. Yay!
Private Equity Finance with Zingales - this is a great class taught by a great professor. Definitely a class where I learned a lot of new material. It probably won't be useful in my next job just yet, but there are great takeaways from the class. One, for example, is that valuations don't matter that much. Relationships and all the qualitative stuff is what make or break a deal. Yup, very encouraging for the quant jock school GSB! But that's how I learned about entrepreneurs, angel funds, search funds, venture capital funds, stage funding, private equity funds, various buy-outs, etc etc. If it were all valuation, it would have been boring to me and I wouldn't have registered much. The approach Zingales takes is to breeze through the quant stuff and focus on relationships. Good idea, I say. He is very good at managing case discussions. Highly recommended for non-entrepreneurs (I hear entrepreneurs love Kaplan and Meadow for the more real world approach).
Business Policy with Davis - by far the most inspiring class I have ever taken at any level of school, although someone thinks the complete opposite. I knew it would be controversial. It's a very soft class with very little analytical thinking required (or so some thought). Anyway, the class teaches some business strategies, mostly from a leader's point of view. Davis then tries to push these strategies into your every day life. Sometimes he skips the business part and goes straight to how strategies would work for our personal lives. The final paper, 40% of our grade, is about our personal strategy looking into the future. It was one of the most difficult projects that I have undertaken. For business cases, you can reach an answer, right or wrong, and hand it in. When the case is about yourself, it'll never have the perfect answer. In fact, I finished the paper way ahead of time, read it the day before it was due, and decided that I would re-write the whole thing. This never happens with regular school work. I highly highly highly recommend this class for all those who have question marks about life. In fact, I think all MBAs should complete the final project regardless of whether they are taking this class.
Marketing Channels with Mitchell - this class bothers me quite a bit. The teacher is great and very enthusiastic about the subject. She manages case discussions very well. Yet there is something strangely unsatisfying about the class. Part of it is that the subject is the last P in the 4Ps, hence the least importance given by marketers. Another part of it is that channels is very foreign to most students (unlike advertising) and therefore is difficult to demonstrate the effects of it in real life. While case discussions were good, the actual tools taught in class (such as the elusive efficiency analysis) were rarely applied. Also, there were no international cases at all which would have been extremely interesting. The class has room for improvement as there is good material; more context must be given for students to appreciate it. Yes, we're very demanding. This class also features the gender bias exam. I'd recommend the class... the current format means that if you have to be really interested in marketing. With some changes, I think non marketers will enjoy the class as well.
New Venture Lab with Orion's Mind - it's not about the teacher, it's about the client. The only reason I would audit a lab class is because I liked the industry (education) and the client (Emily, she was great). The overall experience was very good and I learned A LOT about entrepreneurship, from their optimism and lack of scenario planning to understanding primitive financials. Just a phenomenal experience. If you are considering taking this class, I would say do it only if you find an industry that you are truly interested in. Highly recommended as well.
Photography I and II with Chicago Photography Center - level I in photography was eye-opening but not overly complicated. I knew some of the basic concepts and theories of photography, and the class helped me put everything in perspective and correct frameworks. Learning the actual effects of shutter speeds and apertures and experimenting on them was very helpful in my skills as a photographer. Did I get better from level I? Not really. What I did learn was that now I know how to experiment and anticipate what the pictures will look like even before taking the picture. We also learned about the relationship between the photographer and the subject: I bet this isn't taught in typical photo classes. Extremely helpful. Meanwhile, level II is a completely different animal. I'm learning dynamic ranges, gray cards, white balances... basic for pros but quite sophisticated techniques for me. Instead of photographic assignments, I get experimental assignments, which means I'm testing the camera instead of testing my skills. Great class. Highly recommended. No slight to the GSB, but I'm learning so much more from this class than my other classes! Best yet... it's only $440 per class!
Alas... the conclusion: take classes that you like... at least with those classes, you can take something away for yourself and feel that you have learned much more.
Private Equity Finance with Zingales - this is a great class taught by a great professor. Definitely a class where I learned a lot of new material. It probably won't be useful in my next job just yet, but there are great takeaways from the class. One, for example, is that valuations don't matter that much. Relationships and all the qualitative stuff is what make or break a deal. Yup, very encouraging for the quant jock school GSB! But that's how I learned about entrepreneurs, angel funds, search funds, venture capital funds, stage funding, private equity funds, various buy-outs, etc etc. If it were all valuation, it would have been boring to me and I wouldn't have registered much. The approach Zingales takes is to breeze through the quant stuff and focus on relationships. Good idea, I say. He is very good at managing case discussions. Highly recommended for non-entrepreneurs (I hear entrepreneurs love Kaplan and Meadow for the more real world approach).Business Policy with Davis - by far the most inspiring class I have ever taken at any level of school, although someone thinks the complete opposite. I knew it would be controversial. It's a very soft class with very little analytical thinking required (or so some thought). Anyway, the class teaches some business strategies, mostly from a leader's point of view. Davis then tries to push these strategies into your every day life. Sometimes he skips the business part and goes straight to how strategies would work for our personal lives. The final paper, 40% of our grade, is about our personal strategy looking into the future. It was one of the most difficult projects that I have undertaken. For business cases, you can reach an answer, right or wrong, and hand it in. When the case is about yourself, it'll never have the perfect answer. In fact, I finished the paper way ahead of time, read it the day before it was due, and decided that I would re-write the whole thing. This never happens with regular school work. I highly highly highly recommend this class for all those who have question marks about life. In fact, I think all MBAs should complete the final project regardless of whether they are taking this class.
Marketing Channels with Mitchell - this class bothers me quite a bit. The teacher is great and very enthusiastic about the subject. She manages case discussions very well. Yet there is something strangely unsatisfying about the class. Part of it is that the subject is the last P in the 4Ps, hence the least importance given by marketers. Another part of it is that channels is very foreign to most students (unlike advertising) and therefore is difficult to demonstrate the effects of it in real life. While case discussions were good, the actual tools taught in class (such as the elusive efficiency analysis) were rarely applied. Also, there were no international cases at all which would have been extremely interesting. The class has room for improvement as there is good material; more context must be given for students to appreciate it. Yes, we're very demanding. This class also features the gender bias exam. I'd recommend the class... the current format means that if you have to be really interested in marketing. With some changes, I think non marketers will enjoy the class as well.
New Venture Lab with Orion's Mind - it's not about the teacher, it's about the client. The only reason I would audit a lab class is because I liked the industry (education) and the client (Emily, she was great). The overall experience was very good and I learned A LOT about entrepreneurship, from their optimism and lack of scenario planning to understanding primitive financials. Just a phenomenal experience. If you are considering taking this class, I would say do it only if you find an industry that you are truly interested in. Highly recommended as well.
Photography I and II with Chicago Photography Center - level I in photography was eye-opening but not overly complicated. I knew some of the basic concepts and theories of photography, and the class helped me put everything in perspective and correct frameworks. Learning the actual effects of shutter speeds and apertures and experimenting on them was very helpful in my skills as a photographer. Did I get better from level I? Not really. What I did learn was that now I know how to experiment and anticipate what the pictures will look like even before taking the picture. We also learned about the relationship between the photographer and the subject: I bet this isn't taught in typical photo classes. Extremely helpful. Meanwhile, level II is a completely different animal. I'm learning dynamic ranges, gray cards, white balances... basic for pros but quite sophisticated techniques for me. Instead of photographic assignments, I get experimental assignments, which means I'm testing the camera instead of testing my skills. Great class. Highly recommended. No slight to the GSB, but I'm learning so much more from this class than my other classes! Best yet... it's only $440 per class!
Alas... the conclusion: take classes that you like... at least with those classes, you can take something away for yourself and feel that you have learned much more.
3/15/2007
Marketing STP
Chicago State University is advertising during commercial breaks of South Park. What does this say about South Park viewers? Better yet, what does this say about potential Chicago State University?
I feel this will be a good HBS case that can illustrate how STP can go wrong (or right, who knows...?).
This whole week I've been able to work for one efficient hour, two inefficient hours, and three procrastinating hours every day. Good times. I love finals without exams.
I feel this will be a good HBS case that can illustrate how STP can go wrong (or right, who knows...?).
This whole week I've been able to work for one efficient hour, two inefficient hours, and three procrastinating hours every day. Good times. I love finals without exams.
3/14/2007
Gender Bias Exams and Condoms
I have two finals both due on Thursday.
The first is for private equity and is a take home case exam on telemarketing acquisitions. I hate telemarketing. Why are my case finals all about products I don't like (frozen dog food, pharma, telecom, etc)? Anyway, I've mentioned that this class puts the fear in me; that sentiment has not changed. The qualitative analysis of the telemarketing industry was fairly straight forward, but the quantitative part of the case will be a challenge for me. Either way, the pain will go away soon.
The second is for the marketing channel class. This particular take home case is Mary Kay Inc., the direct sales beauty product company, and was written by Kellogg. I have to say the case sucks. The case writer didn't put a lot of information about Mary Kay; instead, there were data regarding the change of demographics in the US. I know nothing about beauty products. I can't even segment the market! AND the case doesn't even have that information! Nonetheless, I will BS my way through... and hope that the professor doesn't read student blogs.
Yup, hence my title: gender bias exams. If the case had sufficient information about the industry, I don't mind it. However, this MK case has very little information about the industry (most information is about the channel). Plus the exam instructions did not exclude information outside of the case, meaning that people familiar with MK are at a distinct advantage when it comes to this exam.
Anyway, I'm done bitching. In between taking breaks, which were in between brief spurts of studying, I bought a pair of shoes yesterday (for those who are keeping score, thats: study, break, shop, break, study), which led to this conversation:
Me: I bought shoes yesterday!
Nameless: Oh, how are they?
Me: Cole Haan, they are very comfy!
Nameless: How comfy?
Me: Fits like a condom, it's great.
Nameless: Condoms are comfy?
Despite finals, this is still a very relaxing week! Alright, back to beauty products. I can't wait to go to Cozumel. Hopefully can scuba dive a bit and also learn how to wind surf (again) and surf.
The first is for private equity and is a take home case exam on telemarketing acquisitions. I hate telemarketing. Why are my case finals all about products I don't like (frozen dog food, pharma, telecom, etc)? Anyway, I've mentioned that this class puts the fear in me; that sentiment has not changed. The qualitative analysis of the telemarketing industry was fairly straight forward, but the quantitative part of the case will be a challenge for me. Either way, the pain will go away soon.
The second is for the marketing channel class. This particular take home case is Mary Kay Inc., the direct sales beauty product company, and was written by Kellogg. I have to say the case sucks. The case writer didn't put a lot of information about Mary Kay; instead, there were data regarding the change of demographics in the US. I know nothing about beauty products. I can't even segment the market! AND the case doesn't even have that information! Nonetheless, I will BS my way through... and hope that the professor doesn't read student blogs.
Yup, hence my title: gender bias exams. If the case had sufficient information about the industry, I don't mind it. However, this MK case has very little information about the industry (most information is about the channel). Plus the exam instructions did not exclude information outside of the case, meaning that people familiar with MK are at a distinct advantage when it comes to this exam.
Anyway, I'm done bitching. In between taking breaks, which were in between brief spurts of studying, I bought a pair of shoes yesterday (for those who are keeping score, thats: study, break, shop, break, study), which led to this conversation:
Me: I bought shoes yesterday!
Nameless: Oh, how are they?
Me: Cole Haan, they are very comfy!
Nameless: How comfy?
Me: Fits like a condom, it's great.
Nameless: Condoms are comfy?
Despite finals, this is still a very relaxing week! Alright, back to beauty products. I can't wait to go to Cozumel. Hopefully can scuba dive a bit and also learn how to wind surf (again) and surf.
3/12/2007
Eric also goes to White Castle
Hey, in my defense:
1. I have never been to White Castle
2. I just saw Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
3. It was my first time watching Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
4. It's finals week...
5. Did I mention it was also the first time I saw Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle?
Anyway, the burgers were disgusting. But the experience was good. And this might be the first time I've developed a craving while watching TV.
Also on the plate in the past few days were:
West Egg: can't beat greasy and oily brunch. Country Fried Steak and Grabowski are highly recommended. By the way, they have grapefruit juice too, so your entire sober up package is here.
Indian Garden: AS has been recommending this place since the start of the school year... uh... I mean start of LAST school year. I finally went with Shmoo, PP, IMa and his wife Elena. It was good. Rare in that it was Indian food that didn't put me to sleep. The Poori is highly recommended!
Sola: I'll let the pictures speak for themselves... this place beats Erwin's brunch. Plus there was plenty of light to take decent pictures. The waiters were freaking tall though.
1. I have never been to White Castle
2. I just saw Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
3. It was my first time watching Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle
4. It's finals week...
5. Did I mention it was also the first time I saw Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle?
Anyway, the burgers were disgusting. But the experience was good. And this might be the first time I've developed a craving while watching TV.
Also on the plate in the past few days were:
West Egg: can't beat greasy and oily brunch. Country Fried Steak and Grabowski are highly recommended. By the way, they have grapefruit juice too, so your entire sober up package is here.
Indian Garden: AS has been recommending this place since the start of the school year... uh... I mean start of LAST school year. I finally went with Shmoo, PP, IMa and his wife Elena. It was good. Rare in that it was Indian food that didn't put me to sleep. The Poori is highly recommended!
Sola: I'll let the pictures speak for themselves... this place beats Erwin's brunch. Plus there was plenty of light to take decent pictures. The waiters were freaking tall though.
French toast with marble sauce
White chocolate bread pudding
My dad called this morning and asked about my eating habits. I guess he's been seeing all these eating out pictures that he's getting worried. No worries, dad, I'm just not taking pictures of:
1. Instant noodles
2. Chuncky soup
3. 45 different forms of dumplings
4. Microwave dinner
5. BnJ pints
By the way, I just found out that Google Talk can be used to place pretty good calls to others who also use Google Talk. If you use Google's chat program within Gmail, you won't have this function. Anyway, fun stuff. Use it.
Back to finals. Arg. I had a very elaborate dream about going to Mexico and having my camera stolen. Not good times. I recovered it in my dreams, but still...
1. Instant noodles
2. Chuncky soup
3. 45 different forms of dumplings
4. Microwave dinner
5. BnJ pints
By the way, I just found out that Google Talk can be used to place pretty good calls to others who also use Google Talk. If you use Google's chat program within Gmail, you won't have this function. Anyway, fun stuff. Use it.
Back to finals. Arg. I had a very elaborate dream about going to Mexico and having my camera stolen. Not good times. I recovered it in my dreams, but still...
3/10/2007
3/07/2007
Sake Dim Sum Party
One of the best experiences I had in business school is that of student group leadership. With the conclusion of the Sake Dim Sum Party last Saturday, my tenure as a Chicago Asia Pacific Group co-chair has officially ended. I still have a few loose ends to tie up next quarter (including a visit by the CEO of JWT China!), but I'm basically done.
I must say that my experience with CAPG has been the most rewarding experience of all my business school endeavors. Yes, more than classes, TNDCs, poker games, ski trips, etc etc. Actually, the reason is quite simple: friends.
Some people in business school (such as p***y) think that student group co-chairs run the school and should do everything to enhance student life. Such motivation stems from love of power and also willingness to help respectively, which is great if it is the latter (I sincerely hope so!). Depending on your perspective, you could love the result or the process. I love the process.
So here's what I've learned from CAPG, all good for life:
1. Friendships. Not only did I make great friends with the co-chairs, I also made great friends with volunteers (thank you AW and TT, you guys are incredible). Having the chance to work closely with different people is great. And sometimes not so great, but hey... still got to know him or her!
2. Leadership. The best place to practice leadership is at a student organization. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are dealing with different personalities, different type of events, different type of responsibilities, non-MBAs, the administration, budgets, etc. Yup, it's like a real business except that when you screw up, the administration comes to the rescue.
3. Network. Someone once commented that being a CAPG co-chair will limit your network in the Chinese population. Load of bull shit. Nothing will limit your network if you work for it. But being a co-chair does help the network with other co-chairs and also within your group.
4. Crisis management. I feel the rush when shit happens. Not that I want shit to happen, but those are times where everything is tested. And that is the essence of leadership: how can you turn crisis into opportunities? Either way, in such a protected environment as the GSB, it's the perfect place to practice crisis management!
5. Mentorship. I enjoy being mentored and mentoring. Giving something back to the community has been something that is missing from my resume because I prefer a more intimate form of mentorship.
I must say that my experience with CAPG has been the most rewarding experience of all my business school endeavors. Yes, more than classes, TNDCs, poker games, ski trips, etc etc. Actually, the reason is quite simple: friends.
Some people in business school (such as p***y) think that student group co-chairs run the school and should do everything to enhance student life. Such motivation stems from love of power and also willingness to help respectively, which is great if it is the latter (I sincerely hope so!). Depending on your perspective, you could love the result or the process. I love the process.
So here's what I've learned from CAPG, all good for life:
1. Friendships. Not only did I make great friends with the co-chairs, I also made great friends with volunteers (thank you AW and TT, you guys are incredible). Having the chance to work closely with different people is great. And sometimes not so great, but hey... still got to know him or her!
2. Leadership. The best place to practice leadership is at a student organization. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are dealing with different personalities, different type of events, different type of responsibilities, non-MBAs, the administration, budgets, etc. Yup, it's like a real business except that when you screw up, the administration comes to the rescue.
3. Network. Someone once commented that being a CAPG co-chair will limit your network in the Chinese population. Load of bull shit. Nothing will limit your network if you work for it. But being a co-chair does help the network with other co-chairs and also within your group.
4. Crisis management. I feel the rush when shit happens. Not that I want shit to happen, but those are times where everything is tested. And that is the essence of leadership: how can you turn crisis into opportunities? Either way, in such a protected environment as the GSB, it's the perfect place to practice crisis management!
5. Mentorship. I enjoy being mentored and mentoring. Giving something back to the community has been something that is missing from my resume because I prefer a more intimate form of mentorship.
3/06/2007
Multiple Reviews on Everything!
So much to review... starting with all the work I faced, as discussed previously.
Personal Strategy: well, at least I kept my promise in doing some actual work. It's about 90% complete. I went through multiple versions and I think I have finally found the correct formula.
Marketing Channels: a mess to be cleaned up... and will be. I'm going to learn more about team dynamics and labor division than marketing channels from this project.
Orion's Mind: seems like the team is getting things together. Let's see how our audience will react to our proposals.
Private Equity Finance: yup, still open to a C... and it still puts the big fear (and hurt) in me.
Black Snake Moan: for those in the US, you may have seen those weird commercials with Sam L Jackson chains Christina Ricci. Well, I got to see the 2 hour version of it... with added bonus of watching Justin Timberlake act like a whimp... and uh... a very naked Christina Ricci. Anyway, I won't spoil the movie for you, but I liked it quite well. Not because of the nudity, but the simple premise of the movie.
PJ Clarke: it's just a sports bar. But the ribs were pretty good and, my god, the ice cream cookie was to die for.
Blue Water Grill: dinner on Sunday night was at the surprisingly tranquil Blue Water Grill. The Sea Bass was excellent. The Mahi Mahi was okay, though the Shiitake mushrooms more than made up for it. Dessert was a donut hole with molten chocolate inside and you dip it in vanilla sauce. Something called the lollipop... awesome.
Gibson's: this old school steakhouse never disappoints. I had the Chicago Cut and Pecan Pie for dessert. The Cut was a very juicy steak though there were sections of fat that was a bit disappointing. I guess you can't avoid those. One of the best done medium rares though, which I would argue as a lost art in steakhouses - too often than not they get too safe and over cook the meat.
Chinatown restaurant: why would I even credit them with a review. The new "Taiwanese" restaurant disappointed badly. I'm going to stick with Joy Yee's and Keung Kee.
Personal Strategy: well, at least I kept my promise in doing some actual work. It's about 90% complete. I went through multiple versions and I think I have finally found the correct formula.
Marketing Channels: a mess to be cleaned up... and will be. I'm going to learn more about team dynamics and labor division than marketing channels from this project.
Orion's Mind: seems like the team is getting things together. Let's see how our audience will react to our proposals.
Private Equity Finance: yup, still open to a C... and it still puts the big fear (and hurt) in me.
Black Snake Moan: for those in the US, you may have seen those weird commercials with Sam L Jackson chains Christina Ricci. Well, I got to see the 2 hour version of it... with added bonus of watching Justin Timberlake act like a whimp... and uh... a very naked Christina Ricci. Anyway, I won't spoil the movie for you, but I liked it quite well. Not because of the nudity, but the simple premise of the movie.
PJ Clarke: it's just a sports bar. But the ribs were pretty good and, my god, the ice cream cookie was to die for.
Blue Water Grill: dinner on Sunday night was at the surprisingly tranquil Blue Water Grill. The Sea Bass was excellent. The Mahi Mahi was okay, though the Shiitake mushrooms more than made up for it. Dessert was a donut hole with molten chocolate inside and you dip it in vanilla sauce. Something called the lollipop... awesome.
Gibson's: this old school steakhouse never disappoints. I had the Chicago Cut and Pecan Pie for dessert. The Cut was a very juicy steak though there were sections of fat that was a bit disappointing. I guess you can't avoid those. One of the best done medium rares though, which I would argue as a lost art in steakhouses - too often than not they get too safe and over cook the meat.
Chinatown restaurant: why would I even credit them with a review. The new "Taiwanese" restaurant disappointed badly. I'm going to stick with Joy Yee's and Keung Kee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)