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My fellow readers, it comes to a point when all things – both good and bad – must come to an end. Whatever your opinion may be of this blog, indeed its time has come and gone. As of now, there’s one thing for certain in my life: Signal_Caller has signed-on for one last time.
You may have been aware that the velocity of my posts have dwindled ever so slowly in the recent past – and for good reason. With commencement around the corner in March, I’ve been playing catch-up in areas pertaining to my next life. I have now progressed into my third SOA/CAS examination to be administered on November 4, and it’s safe to say that I need to devote myself fully to its successful completion.
Furthermore, I’m at limbo as to where I may end up professionally come April. As I await the final verdict from my previous employer as to whether an invitation will be extended for a full-time position or not, I can’t help but protect my interests by applying to other similar job postings – which naturally may lead to interview sessions and office visits.
Sure, I can proudly boast that I’m only taking three courses this fall (a first for my usual heavy workload), but with it comes dedication and demands. Two of these three classes were taken for a reason: should I receive a high enough mark, I would later receive SOA/CAS exemption from future exams due to my previous aptitude in these two classes. Therefore, I find myself striving for a B- or better in classes that are often reserved for graduate students.
When it boils down, time waits for no one. Four years ago, I faced a similar situation as I headed off for college. The feelings were new and exciting. I had scholarships pave my way to class while meals were cooked and the room was cleaned back in my dormitory. Although my next step in life is one in which I’ve innately much prepared, insecurity abounds from every corner I turn.
Will I pass my SOA/CAS exams?
Will I achieve a B- or better in those two classes?
Will I find a job? Will I earn as much as I had hoped?
In which city will I work?
But, where will I actually live?
Is it a nice neighborhood?
How much should I save for my wedding?
How much planning should I do for my wedding without overstepping the bride’s bounds?
How can I help my aging parents as they move into a new home (a fixer-upper at that)?
How do I remain social with my friends and family while tackling all these concerns?
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy for this Buckeye – mighty Signal_Caller has logged out.
The Hawaii vacation was all that it was cracked up to be…and more! Words can’t describe how beautiful Waikiki was. Honestly, television serves no justice; you must see it in person to admire the beauty.
I highly enjoyed waking up (which happened to be around 4:00 AM due to the 6-hour time difference) to zero responsibilities with the only thing to debate being which part of the beach to lay our towels or where we might go for lunch.
Although the trek out to Hawaii lasted nearly 16 hours each way – including two 2-hour layovers – the view from the hotel room, once inside, was well worth the agony of our travels. Judge for yourself:
Among the touring of Pearl Harbor, dining at a beachside luau, surfing lessons at Waikiki, and several burnt skin cells lost in the Pacific Ocean, we didn’t forget the real reason to be there – the wedding!
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the chapel, but – believe me – it was gorgeous! White marble adorned the quaint building with nothing but sand, water, and sky seen through the window behind the alter.
However, I was able to snag numerous photos at the reception, including this one - our immediate family with the bride and groom.
Yeah…we enjoyed ourselves.
I highly recommend a family vacation to Hawaii at least once in everyone’s lifetime. If I never get the opportunity to go back, I’ll be disappointed. Still, I will never forget the sights viewed and the memories shared that week.
I could probably talk about the trip for hours on end, so I’ll take the time now to politely conclude this entry. If there’s anything in particular you’re interested in regarding Hawaii, I’d love to offer my friendly assistance!
Although I’m smack dab in between an enjoyable – yet rapidly decreasing – summer break, my mind is far from neglecting my exam cycle. Sure, I do not have Ohio State courses to study for, but one would be foolish to think that an actuarial science student has no concern over exams.
That’s because as part of my professional designation through the SOA I need to complete a series of financial-and-probability-based exams (that may or may not coincide with OSU coursework and its relevant timeframe). The last exam that graced my menu was Exam FM, and I had sat for it this past May. What I loathe – highly – is that I waited until LAST WEEK to receive my score – nearly 2 whole months apart – which, to my delight, reflected a passing score! Still, I walked on pins and needles for quite sometime while awaiting the final verdict. In fact, I abruptly halted a fine Hawaii vacation in order to access these online results the first day they were posted by scouring all of Waikiki for a public-access computer (which was a chore in it of itself). A failing score would’ve sent me back to the same study manuals for a third straight time – a situation I desperately wanted to avoid!
Something you may not know is that a student’s exam process is often integrated through his employer. Thus, with this achievement, I am pleased to announce that I will receive an extra dollar raise to my hourly salary, all study materials and examination fees endorsed for the subsequent examination (which is scheduled for November 2008), and paid-time off of work to devote strictly to studying (in this case, the syllabus involves strategies of financial economics.
If you have little aspiration or knowledge of this obscure profession, you may not care much about the above entry and express little to no appreciation of the achievement, and – honestly – I can't blame you. It’s extremely boring stuff! However, to level the playing field and compare my anxiety to someone you may know, please read further.
Perhaps, you are a law student. Imagine sitting for 9 different LSAT exams…and never failing once! Anybody want to be a doctor out there? Try writing the MCAT a dozen different times! Going into education? You’d comparably take the PRAXIS 5 times in order to receive your complete designations through the SOA, each with increasingly difficulty.
As for me, I’m nowhere near the end of my studies and, therefore, have little room for bragging rights. However, I’ve successfully leaped 2 hurdles this past year and will update you about the third in November…Well, scratch that last part because we’ll need to add 2 months to November for turnaround time…which could only increase my angst.
Oh, the life of an actuary!
The last Gozur family vacation was 4 years ago. There were 4 of us.
The next Gozur family vacation is 24 hours from now! There will be 6 of us!
Since our last trip, which showcased 2 siblings – both over the age of 18 – prancing around Disney World like Brutus Buckeye during a goal line stand, there has been 2 new additions to the family, my fiancé and sister-in-law. Rather than striking a chord with Mickey and Minnie, we’ll be hittin’ the shores of Waikiki Beach for a family wedding.
The thought of lounging in white sand still hasn’t set in, although I’m eagerly anticipating the day. Soon, I’ll be on the redeye from Pittsburgh to Dulles Airport, only to be redirected directly from D.C. to Oahu. The fact that we’re heading east to go west still boggles my mind, but I won’t let it dilute my first pacific adventure!
When we get back next week, I’ll throw some photos up of my amazingly and newly tanned body. Fortunately for your sake, I’ll be sure I'm fully clothed (perhaps in formal attire from the wedding)!
As the sixth week of my internship comes to a close, I’ve compiled a brief list of things that would’ve made my transition to Cleveland easier had I known these tips ahead of time. Some are extensions upon previously noted concepts while the rest are new for 2008.
Tip #1
Weekend parking on the streets of Downtown Cleveland is free. How cool is that? I just figured that out (after living two summers of my life here)!
Tip #2
Dryer #23 in the basement at my apartment does not work. This would’ve come in handy before I dried my whites for 55 minutes, dried them a second time for 40 minutes due to me believing their dampness was related to the crowdedness of my towels, and then drying them a third time for 40 minutes in dryer #22 to resolve the initial conundrum.
Tip #3
Carrying an umbrella to and from work – particularly on days that are expected to downpour – could often be beneficial when walking 12 minutes to and from work each day. As if you didn’t already know this, my new dress shoes and manhole-sized puddles in front of crosswalks do not go well together.
Tip #4
Shorter lunch breaks (or – even better – no lunch breaks at all) can allow an actuarial intern to leave work for home at a sooner hour than expected. Upon arriving to work by 8:00 am and chowing down a sandwich at my desk, I’m free to retire from the office by 4:00 pm, at least while I’m still an intern.
Tip #5
While sitting in a cubical formation in the office, it is particularly important to ignore – to the best of my ability – the telephone conversations that my “neighbors” have. Yes, I understand that so-and-so’s kids were adorable last weekend at the town festival or what’s-his-name was recently traded to what’s-that-place. Still, I find it completely natural to roll my eyes every time I hear these conversations over the wall.
Tip #6
Sunday Night Cruise, hosted by Thomas John from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Sunday evenings, is – quite possibly – the most enjoyable music experience any turnpike dweller can have for his $1.25 per trip. This 5-hour radio show delves back to the 50s for the perfect blend of Doo-Wop on the airwaves. Most people I know are either clueless or judgmental (or cluelessly-judgemental) on this historical genre. Still, I receive quite a thrill to sing back-up to the likes of Frankie Lymon, Jackie Wilson, and Frankie Valli.
Tip #7
Although General Tso’s Chicken is usually my take-out of choice, the local Chinese restaurant makes one stellar Chicken & Broccoli. It took me weeks to find out which dish was more favorable to my taste buds, but the wait was highly worth it. Being that I eat out often during the week, having a tasteful favorite at the local China buffet is always a perk.
I certainly mentioned this last year, but perhaps I’ll expand my notion in this entry.
There exists an unspeakable awesomeness hidden beneath the façade of being an actuarial analyst. Sure, the sheer exhilaration of calculating accrued liabilities is a buzz like none other. But, I speak of a more universal high – a perk so unspeakable, I’ll go right ahead and speak of it.
Last week, I received our company’s Cleveland Indians tickets for one of the recent weekend games against the cross-state rivals, the Cincinnati Reds. To my delight, the seats were located in the third row directly behind the visitor’s dugout. Do you realize how close I was to Ken Griffey, Jr.?
This close!?!
The sky was clear, and the sun shined brightly. Unfortunately for us homers, the Tribe lost. Still, the fun my coworkers and I shared that day was certainly appreciated. The little perks that the firm offers its associates such as this one consistently maintains the morale within the office.
Honestly, how many more times will I get the chance of capturing Adam Dunn’s expression so vividly after being thrown out at home plate?
Or, what about admiring the swing of one of the Tribe’s up-and-coming hitters from this field-side view?
Oh, yes. It is certainly awesome to mix work and America’s pastime – especially when it’s served to you on a silver platter!
When I would look out of my roommate’s window on campus, I used to see this view…
I KNOW! Nothing can compare to the sweet sight of the ‘shoe!
Now, as I look out the window of my studio apartment in downtown Cleveland, all I see is a complimentary high-rise about 50 feet before me standing erect across the street (along with plenty of neon lights obscuring the rest of the skyline). It’s hardly comparable to Ohio Stadium, but – then again – what is?
On the contrary, the inside of my apartment is definitely an upgrade to that on campus. Below are 2 panoramic views of a portion of the interior:
To coincide with this space, a walk-in closet which leads into the bathroom is also present but not captured. Frankly, there is little to complain about – spaciously speaking. Moreover, I have 2 parking spaces in the garage and 24-hour access to the penthouse recreation room and rooftop pool. Including the basement billiards table and outdoor putting green and tennis court, there is certainly no shortage of entertainment opportunities.
However, due to my work schedule, I must admit that I have very little time to spend casually enjoying this living space. Instead, I find myself constantly on the run – either coming or going - or both - in order to meet the demands of others.
Nevertheless, this summer has been quite rewarding thus far. I couldn’t envision my life in any other fashion than this specific time and place. As you can see, I have much to be grateful for.
If you happen to be an avid reader of my blog, you’ll notice a recurring theme with my upcoming posts. Just one year ago, I entitled a slew of entries under “The Internship” catalogue with the intention to discuss the topics that arise both inside and outside of the office.
Well, I’ve recently begun my second consecutive summer internship in Cleveland, Ohio as a retirement consultant. I’m back with the same firm, and they’ve again elected to put me up in the same apartment (more to come later). Although the setting has remained the same, the faces have not. Many of the people I frequented with last year have since terminated from the firm, making this summer a different experience than the last.
I have plenty of information to share regarding my new experiences, so if you’re even remotely interested in obtaining an office internship, be sure to come back each week for new posts.
As for my lack of entries in the past four weeks, you can thank Time Warner Cable for the absence. It seems as though this inept cable company has reentered my life at the precise level in which it had once exited. Although I may have moved into my summer studio apartment on June 7, I did not receive internet connection until this week.
I don’t know about you, but one month is just way too long to go without internet access. Don’t get me wrong; I am not out to attack Time Warner. Their service – when working – is extremely superb. However, when the reception happens to go, so does their customer service department. When they both happen to go, so does my patience…and then my mouth. Nevertheless, I’m up and running (and so is my computer).
The above snippet may be minute, but it has drastically slowed my life these past few weeks. Oh, how I miss the dorm’s internet access. Hey, be sure to come back on a frequent basis for more tales from “The Internship,” okay?
Of the many lasting memories I’ll always cherish of my grandmother, very few can top the delicious flavor my taste buds experienced when dining at her home. Of course, I had my favorite dishes that she’d uniquely prepare (haluski, halubki, meatloaf, homemade pizzas, pagatch – just to name a few!). Because I’d hate for my children to never have tasted such ethnic bliss, both my fiancé and I have recently taken strides - albeit slow - in learning how to cook these family traditions.
Unexpectedly, my taste buds found themselves on a magical journey back to my childhood today as I sat down for dinner at The River Café in Morrill Tower. What started as casually adding a simple slice of yellow cake with chocolate icing to my tray of chicken, rice, and green beans soon turned into a world of flashbacks when I realized that this cake tasted exactly like the kind my grandmother had so often given to me following dinner at her place.
In reality, it was always just your basic slice of cake. My grandma had certainly produced more extravagant desserts in her day, and I guess you can say that this type of cake was her sort of easy-bake cake that she could whip up in a jiffy and shell out to visitors on-the-fly. As for me, I sat in the dining hall tonight devouring two pieces of this cake. Yes, I went back for seconds, just as I often did at grandma's. The first piece went down too quickly!
Although tonight I may have sat alone at a 6-seated dining hall table facing an oversized fountain drink dispenser, all I could think of for those beautiful 2 minutes of cake eating was my grandma’s back porch with the Cleveland Indians on TV, playing 500-bid with my partner (grandpa) against my grandma and brother (a game which my grandmother had proudly taught to me at a young age and then continued to brag to her beauty shoppe friends for the next 10 years that I picked up on the game within 10 minutes of instruction), drinking endless Sprites (they really should've cut me off at 2 per day), and eating this basic yellow cake with chocolate icing until my father came to pick us up.
Some say that it’s a grandparent’s job to spoil grandchildren. Therefore, it’s my understanding that the yellow cake I received today was passed on by my grandmother from above, because today I was certainly spoiled. It's practically been years since I remember the way that cake tasted, and it certainly hit the spot.
But, as you may have noticed, today wasn't just about the cake.
I’m writing all of you to announce my official entrance into hibernation until June 2.
I’m cutting all forms of outside contact off (including television, the Cleveland Indians, school, my brother, parties, exercise, sunlight, etc.). I need to study for Exam FM! If that means 10 hours of studying each day, so be it. If 15 hours will do the trick, I’m all for that as well.
From now until school’s out (which coincides with my SOA examination), I have limited responsibilities (in this order):
(1) Study Financial Math and Derivatives Markets
(2) Eat
(3) My Fiancé (She’ll hate me for being third!)
(4) Shower
(5) Remaining 2 Finals (Which I couldn’t care any less about)
(6) Sleep
I’ve recently declined my presence at several campus affairs in order to concentrate on the exam preparation, and it’s paid off thus far. I’m very confident on certain aspects of the exam syllabus. Other areas are extremely shaky, hence my hibernation.
If you’d like to contact me within the next 10 days, please take a ticket. Until you hear back from me, I’ll be like Brian Wilson.
You know…in my room? Right now, it looks something like this...
And, yes, those are Altoids in the back of my desk. And, yes, they are curiously strong mints. And, yes, they are the only thing that keeps me awake at times!
Just trust me on this one.
With less than 2 weeks remaining before I write my upcoming SOA FM Examination, I’ve begun the all-day study phase. This past Friday, I logged in a modest 3 hours of study time. Saturday tipped the scale closer to 8 hours, and today I wrangled in a whopping 10 hours of studying.
I do not know whether the sun is shining; I’ve locked myself in my singlet all weekend. I’m not quite sure what hour of the day I retire and subsequently rise from sleep mode; I’ve taken all clocks out of my room, leaving just my cell phone and computer to keep me on time. Moreover, I now sleep with the lights on in order to awake earlier than my regulated time in order to preserve extra study hours.
In essence, I feel as if I’m in the same trance as one might get when listening to the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. You know that song from the 70s that lasted an entire B-side of an album, running over 17 minutes long? Yeah, I’m pretty sure it was written to aide in the process of getting stoned (hence the funky techno music and slurred words). I wouldn’t know what the drugs feel like, but I sure can tell you that studying Derivatives Markets can give you quite a solid buzz when used exponentially (now I’m speaking in mathematical terms, and I’m not even trying).
The song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was performed by Iron Butterfly. It just so happens that part of my studying yesterday was to understand that a completely different Iron Butterfly is a type of derivative (specifically a butterfly spread) that can be created when one sells a straddle and purchases a strangle. Did you get all of that?
If you did, then you probably studied too long and understand my song-to-studying reference. If you didn’t, then you can simply listen to the song and find yourself lost in a world of disillusion and mumbles in a similar way that I have done with derivatives.
Anyway, back to Dan Aykroyd.
Track number 8 on Dan Aykroyd’s Have Love Will Travel album (which also features Jim Belushi) is entitled Can’t Get Out Of It. The chorus states that “if you can’t get out of it, you might as well get into it.” Needless to say, I cannot get out of passing the SOA FM Exam without studying. Therefore, I might as well get into it!
Thanks, Dan! You’re always right!
Both verdicts have arrived.
Within a span of one week, my applications were rejected from two different senior societies (Sphinx and Homecoming Court 2008). Achieving recognition through each of these groups had been goals of mine since entering Ohio State in 2005, and I regret to inform everyone that I have failed to meet these expectations. Furthermore, I will have no more opportunities to make a comeback attempt with either of these assemblies next year as I will be graduating; my goals will never be met.
How do I feel?
Too many words can describe my emotions: disappointed, frustrated, awestruck, pissed, bewildered, curious…Blatantly put, this sucks!
Now, I’m not the type to ridicule those who may have obtained entry into these two elite clubs. Only the cream of the crop receive acceptance, and I whole-heartedly congratulate all of those who will represent our Alma Mater this upcoming year. However, I’m still shocked to find out that I will not be joining them in either capacity. It’s apparent that those pulling the strings consider others to be creamier than me. That’s not how I have always perceived it to be.
Fortunately for me (or perhaps unfortunately depending on your stance), I’ve never been one to be denied for a position. My candidacies have always proven successful ever since I could remember. It was not until my sophomore year at Ohio State did I finally comprehend the meaning and subsequent emotions of rejection; still, I overcame these with just a slight chip on my shoulder.
In the wake of such new rejection notices, my chip has recently turned into a boulder.
For those of you who’ve followed my blog since its inception, you may remember a previous post which emphasized my disgust for OUAB’s 2007 Big Free Concert.
As the major campus event coordinator, OUAB has the luxury to hold yearly music concerts for the campus community to attend at no cost. To my knowledge, previous performers have included Creed, Three Doors Down, Jason Mraz, Jay-Z, and My Beloved Tragedy. From my point of view, however, I’ve exerted little excitement for last year’s bash and share similar sentiments for this year’s “concert” which will take place this Saturday.
What I had hoped to see this year was a card that appealed to a universal audience, instead of the simpleminded approach that last year’s committee took in selecting the “free” performers which consisted of an outdated Ludacris and some bum named Chamillionaire. Apparently, it’s okay to make up our own words now and use them for a platinum selling alias.
In return, I was given the fabulous and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wait in line for hours to pick up a free ticket to go see some schmoe named MIA and the infamous prose-murderer Soulja Boy. Apparently, it’s still relevant in the music world to make up your own spelling for common words. Needless to say, I passed yet again on this “free” opportunity.
OUAB, IF YOU’RE GOING TO OFFER SOMETHING FREE TO ALL STUDENTS, MAKE IT APPEALING TO ALL STUDENTS!
I pay a respectable amount each quarter to the operating funds of OUAB and other campus activity boards, so why shouldn’t I get a legitimate opportunity to enjoy those dollars in use? Please realize that the “artists” you’ve supported for the past two years do not appeal to all students (as Mr. Dugan claims in the above-linked Lantern article) and – even more so – do not have much musical talent! I would rather kick back on a sunny spring afternoon to a band from the 70s, 80s, or 90s whom may no longer be considered “mainstream” rather than some teenager sporting “bling” across his chest that when read would make Merriam and Webster cringe as this “talent” makes rude remarks about women and how much money he makes (mainly because groups like OUAB continue to give these fellows large sums of money to continue such nonsense).
This really is getting ridiculous!
In order to study for my upcoming SOA actuarial examination (May 31), I’ve decided to minimize the clock-hogging and unnecessary distractions in my room. I’ve removed all posters and paintings from my walls, all of the athletic equipment stowed underneath my bed, any snack food stashed by my desk, and – to much dismay – my 28” Sharp television, Playstation 2 and the coinciding 100+ DVDs that once adorned my “book” shelves.
For the past two weeks, I’ve done a fairly decent job at studying my financial mathematics criteria. I can tell you exactly how much money Jane needs to fork down today in order to purchase a 25 year annuity immediate beginning at year’s end of her 65th birthday according to current interest rates and desired yearly payment. I can also tell you how much interest Steve will pay during his 27th payment of his mortgage of $90,000 under similar assumptions.
Besides memorizing these formulas, I’ve had little excitement in my life other than 5-on-5 pickup basketball games at the RPAC – mainly due to my stupid removal of fun stuff from my life. For this reason, I’ve resulted in making the best with what I do have (it's amazing how our parents were able to do it with such ease at our age!).
I’ve since registered for MLB GameDay Audio which comes via the internet so that I can still keep in touch with my struggling Cleveland Indians by listening to the majestic sound of Tom Hamilton as I study the inner-works of derivatives markets. I’ve realized that I actually enjoy this more so than watching ballgames on television, mostly because of Hamilton’s stellar play-by-play that I’ve previously taken for granted.
Another discovery that spawned from my entertainment-less-ness lies in my iPod Classic. This little doodad now houses some of my favorite movies which I’ve frequented in the past few days. This past weekend, I watched Juno and Anchorman as I fell asleep in bed. It may seem like a stretch from the traditional silverscreen, but my 2” bonanza makes me smile.
The image above doesn't truly showcase the high resolution of my iPod's screen. The picture quality is remarkable!
I’m sorry if some of my recent posts have been a bit morbid. However, the following entry has weighed heavily on my mid for the past two days, and I need to get this one out.
Just yesterday, I received a call from my distressed mother, whom owns and operates the same dance studio where my fiancé attends, exclaiming that one of her 18-year-old dance instructors had passed away in a recent automobile accident in Youngstown. Shortly after this notice, my fiancé had contacted me, expressing her concerned feelings for her departed friend and respective family. Needless to say, she was a bit shaken up…and rightfully so.
As insomnia set in last night, I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander to the only light sources in my bedroom – a blinking 12:00 on my alarm which I’ve yet to fix and my printer's HP Photosmart 7350 power button. My eyes went back and forth to each light source as if I had been watching a tennis match in my head, and indeed I was.
You see, in July of 2006 – the first summer break of my collegiate tenure – I received a disturbing email which explained that one of my freshman buddies had died inexplicably during a car crash at the hands of a drunk driver. This occurred near Cincinnati where my friend was serving as an intern for Proctor & Gamble in just his first year of college. He clearly was a model citizen - a born leader - and was destined to make this world a much better place.
I remember how upset I had felt that entire week, trying to cope to the recent news. Furthermore, I couldn’t even begin to understand the pain that others who were even closer to him (such as family, roommates, and best-friends) had been undertaking. No matter what way I tried to sum up what had happened, I continued to get the same outcome: the world had just lost a magnificent man.
I assume this to be of similar feelings that my mother and fiancé are experiencing, but that is all I can do…assume. I understand each situation is different; however, all I can do now is be a friend in time of need, just as they were to me 2 years ago.
As the days passed since that July ’06 email, I decided to look through some of my freshman year photos to attempt to recollect some of the memories that my friend and I had once shared. As I came across the picture below, I about broke into tears. It was taken just 3 days after we had first met in September ’05. Take a guess where he’s at in the photo? It seems fitting that the most noticeable in the entire group was my friend…atop my shoulders. He always did find a way to stand out from the crowd. As I said above, he was here to make the world a better place, and I now realize that his legacy continues to do that today.
Sometimes life goes exactly as planned and other times it clearly does not. Often times these plans occur perfectly, and it feels so right to wear the shoe when it fits. Other times the shoe is what it is with no opportunity for negotiation. Even though you may think it's your only option to wear this shoe, I've learned that you can decline the shoe for now. Instead, I’ve realized it’s okay to walk barefoot until you're ready for the shoe again.
It may take time, but sooner of later, we all grow accustomed to our shoes. They're made specifically for each of us, and whether we like it or not, they do fit. Until you've become accustomed to yours, it's perfectly natural to walk barefoot. I did during the summer of '06.
Reason 1
Sunday evening was the cause of a decrease in mercury as the temperature dipped back into the 40s, not to mention a light overcast of rain showers throughout the evening.
Reason 2
The bases used as Fred Beekman Park for intramural softball are much less of a gentle “bag” as one would assume and more of a hard, unforgiving, plastic-coated hunk of slippery block when wet.
Reason 3
I hit a 1-1 pitch deep over the head of the left-center fielder, and I was sure that a triple was in my future. Needless to say, I was running (Forrest Gump pun intended, but still true to the story).
Reason 4
I’m flat out clumsy sometimes. I credit my poor sense of balance.
Conclusion
In the third inning of our weekly intramural softball games, my third spot came up to bat, and I hit a bullet to the outfield. In a matter of seconds, I was flying through mid-air as I slipped off first base while rounding the bag. The bases were quite slippery, and I have the scars to prove it. With my body weight leaning toward the inside of the baseball diamond, a sniper came out of nowhere and took out my legs.
I found myself on the ground…bloodied and triple-less.
As I strolled through the lobby of my residence hall this morning, I came across a sign which read “NAME THAT TUNE – THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.” Apparently, this week’s game night in my dormitory was one that caught my attention.
Name That Tune? I’m awesome at that game! What sounded so much better was that prizes (gift cards) are going to be given to the top competitors. This was going to be a breeze and one heck of a Friday night!
As I walked around campus today with my iPod attached to my hip (figuratively, not literally), I couldn’t help but let my mind wander. I thought to myself, “This was going to be so easy. I’ll show up on Friday night, embarrass some underclassmen with my wide-range of musical knowledge (spanning from Abba to ZZ Top), and then flee to Target to capitalize on my newly reaped gift card. What should I get? DVD’s? Clothes?”
“OH, CRAP!”
It was then that I realized that the tunes I would be asked to name would be…well…current…and hip. You see, in my twisted mind, music only came out of the previous decades (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s). The songs released during these years are memorable and – to me – real songs. I have over 10,000 songs on my iPod, and I’d say more than 8,000 of them come from these 4 decades.
It donned on me that opening lines such as “As I walk along, I wonder” by Del Shannon, “When the night has come” by Ben E. King, or “You know the day destroys the night” by Jim Morrison of The Doors are least likely to play, in favor of more sophisticated lyrics such as “Soulja Boy up in dis hoe” or “Go Shawty, it’s your berfday.”
They have a certain ring to them, no?
Needless to say, my plans to spoil a highly contested Name That Tune evening have been ruined by popular music. I no longer have the same advantage over contestants like I used to when I would to go out with my parents and their friends to the corner bar back at home (Boy, did I kick some major tail at those Name That Tunes! “Crocodile Rock!, All You Need Is Love!,...Uh…Bristol Stomp!”).
It looks as though it’s time to hang up my cleats, or should I say ears? I’ll let the kids take it from here, just as long as I get to keep my Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, and Dion & The Belmonts.
The other day, I found myself in Smith Laboratory, the building where most of the entry level Physics labs and lectures occur.
To me, the building seems a few decades old, citing discoloration in wall tiles and ceiling panels as the basis for my theory. A nifty shade of pale-pink walls soothes students as they weave through the Tetris-like shaped corridors to get to class on time. Years of staples hide inside the hallway corkboards in between signs which read “PHYSICS TUTOR” (the biggest waste of $20 an hour) and “KILLER COKE” (the biggest myth on campus) while research boards from the pre-Katrina era reside in the showcases. Although our Physics department may be up-to-date with quality instruction, Smith Laboratory as a structure represents a mere throwback feeling, a retro-esque escape to a time when my parents’ generation may have studied diffraction of light waves.
For anyone who may graciously plop into one of Smith’s lecture hall desks, it’s inevitable that you’ll come across any of the numerous primitive etchings such as “Last 113 Lecture ’93” carved into the desktops. Seeing the excitement (or impatience) that students’ had once felt regarding their Physics curriculum made me realize how much I appreciate mine. Of course, sarcasm is at a premium in the previous statement.
For those who forget, I’m an actuarial science student. Although that may sound quite technical, it has very little to do with the art of sciences (in my opinion). Instead, I’ll spend my many business casual days in a cubical, calculating pension benefits for soon-to-be retirees, a job which requires mathematical aptitude and business intuition. Given this precursor, I have very little interest in understanding Physics, and my frustration rests no further than the very desks I grace in Smith Laboratory.
May 29, 2008 will serve as a special day in my life. It will be the last time I would sit through a Physics lecture. Needless to say, I’ll be a happy man upon its arrival. My delight can best be expressed by carving this date into the side of the tabletop just as generations have before me (probably while listening to their latest MC Hammer audio cassette in their new age Walkman!). However, I’m above that. Who needs to etch digits into Formica and ruin a writing surface for next year’s Physics scholars when I can come online and do the same?
So, without further ado…
LAST PHYSICS LECTURE: 5/29/08
Yeah…that’s better.
I’ve recently been emailed my window for Autumn 2008 registration, the time in which I can go online and register for classes. After reviewing my Honors Contract, the document which outlines my curriculum in order to graduate with Honors, I’ve come to the realization that I’m 7 classes away from commencement!
Given that 4 of these classes will be knocked down during fall quarter, I’ll have a whopping 3 more classes to go! Although I’ll hate to leave Ohio State, I can’t stop thinking of the possibilities I’ll have to enter the workforce and begin a career and family.
For those of you who cannot relate to my sentiments, I’ve created a list of things comparable to my excitement stemming from my graduation anticipation.
(1) Witnessing Fausto Carmona of the Cleveland Indians pitch through a midge attack to defeat the New York Yankees in the 2007 American League Divisional Series.
(2) Biting into a sliced piece of watermelon during a hot summer day and realizing that you’ve just selected – quite possibly – the juiciest and sweetest tasting slice of all the watermelon in the world.
(3) Playing with my fiancé’s new puppy.
(4) Winning a $10,000 shopping spree at Sharper Image. Don’t hide your excitement; I know you never miss an opportunity to go into that store and play with all of the new and useless gadgets, only to leave the store empty-handed because you’re not gullible enough to fork down hundreds of dollars for a back-scratching mp3 player.
(5) The joy expressed by all 8 Brady’s during the opening credits of the Brady Bunch. Heck, I’m even as excited as Alice!
In reality, my excitement is most comparable to Mr. Tressel's. Now, do you get it?
It’s been a while since my last post, and there’s no coincidence between the lack of blogs and the title of this entry.
I’ve found that efficient time management is critical when attempting to take on multiple responsibilities, specifically once at college. Needless to say, I’ve recently failed at the “efficient” aspect of time management.
It usually takes me a week or two to get into the swing of a new quarter, utilizing the weekends as my catch-up time. This quarter, on the other hand, started off on the downswing. Due to some family affairs, I had given up the first weekend of the quarter to drive back home for three days. Furthermore, I found myself with a sinus infection during the second weekend of the quarter, leaving me with little time during the week to become accustomed to my schedule and its required work.
My point is simple; regardless of whether or not you’ve allocated time in your schedule to accomplish a set task, extraneous circumstances will still arise. Not only should your schedule be made in advance, but it should also be flexible – something I’ve neglected to control for since coming back from spring break.
If you think it’s hard to post a blog while traveling north up I-71, imagine how hard it is attempting to do Physics webwork.
Take a lesson from me and budget some flexible time in your schedule. Better yet, take on fewer responsibilities if possible. Coursework should be your number one responsibility, not a side task. I’m slowly remembering this rule of thumb that I so diligently preached during the previous two quarters.
Since the new year, I’ve decided to log anything interesting that crosses my mind over the course of each day that I may want to remember in the future; dreams included. So, I keep a 5-subject notebook at my bedside or in my book bag in case a random thought should pop into my head.
Now, everyone’s surely had a dream where they’ve woken up in the middle of the night and said to themselves, “Wow! That seemed real!” In fact, since I’ve begun to log all of my dreams, I’ve realized that I have these instances more often than one would think. Sometimes I’ll run across a childhood friend or my fiancé, or maybe I’m back in my old home or high school. But, I’ve never had a dream quite as real as I did last night, and I wish it could’ve lasted just a little bit longer.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, my grandfather passed away during this past September. Throughout my childhood, I kept a close relationship with him, and I am proud to admit that I learned many adult-like qualities in mimicking his personality and mannerisms. I’ve always been fascinated with my grandparents’ story of how their parents immigrated to the US and what they had to do in order to survive the Great Depression and era of World War II. As can probably be true with many families, my grandparents sacrificed much of their lives in order to give their children and future grandchildren a better life in America, and I am completely appreciative of this.
Thus, there’s nothing I’d rather have more than to know that my parents and grandparents are proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish and, more importantly, plan to achieve in the future. For this reason, I found it quite inspirational when, during last night’s dream, I stumbled into an unfamiliar park and met my grandparents, both looking healthy – a concept which has been foreign to my family for years.
Never a man of too many words, I cannot recall whether or not words were exchanged with my grandfather; however, what I do know is that the sky was shining and the grass could never be any greener. I looked into his eyes, and in return, a smile of assurance was granted back. My grandfather than reached his hand out for a shake, just as I would each time I’d leave their home.
Before last night, I thought that my last handshake – my last goodbye – with my grandfather was stranded in September of 2007, but thanks to this dream, I now have a perpetuating vision of our relationship. Some may call this closure, but I see it as a new beginning, for I truly believe that this was his final blessing, confiding his admiration on my life.
In two weeks, I must submit a 15-page research paper discussing a topic of my choice in European economics. Even though today is Saturday, and normal collegians would opt for alternative entertainment on a night like this, I decided to kick it in my dorm room – alone – with the hopes of making some headway in my discoveries of the marvelous recovery of Nazi Germany during the Interwar Period. Fascinating!...I know.
After returning from dinner, I sat down at my computer, flicked on the sole desk lamp in the corner of my dorm, and sprawled out 5 books pertaining to my topic: Nazi Economics, Two Postwar Recoveries of The German Economy, The Nazi Economic Recovery: 1932-1938, and Betting on Hitler. I then proceeded to open 3 bookmarked websites containing statistics on German GDP, aggregate values of imports and exports, and lastly a general overview of the policies of the Weimer Republic, the reigning government of Germany before the acceptance of the Third Reich.
So, what followed?
I flipped the television on for a few minutes (or so I thought), so I would have some ambient sound while preparing to research. Little did I know, I set myself up for my biggest procrastination heist in months. To my delight, I stumbled across a film I haven’t seen since it was released in theatres, which happened to be precisely seventeen years ago…
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
Was I planning on watching tv tonight?...Definately not.
Did I need to research in order to get a jump on my project?...Yes.
Is this even a good movie?...Not particularly.
But! Apparently, I was in the mood to procrastinate, and what better way to do so than by reliving my life as a five-year-old. Back then, I possessed every toy known to western culture that had “TMNT” stamped across it: action figures, VHS tapes, the Ninja Rap cassette by Vanilla Ice, and – yes – I even had those little, tighty whities with the cartoon characters printed across them.
And, I’m comfortable in admitting that, because I know you did too! Who didn’t?
Nevertheless, two hours, 13 pizzas with anchovies, and one death to Shredder later, and here I am: well versed in phrases like “Kowabunga” and less versed in concepts of the work programs placed into action by Hitler in attempt to revamp Germany’s rearmament.
…it was worth it!
Last week served as the rebirth of tradition at our university when the 8 class honoraries at Ohio State squared off in the annual bowling tournament. The honorary system – otherwise known collectively as AOSCH – has remained a constant in my life the past few years as I’ve been president of both the sophomore and junior honoraries. Various blogs below portray some of my experiences within these honoraries.
During the 90s, the bowling tournament was a staple social event for the honoraries, but disappeared near the turn of the century. Fortunately for us, Romophos Sophomore Honorary decided to once again hold the event this year, and Bucket and Dipper was ready to compete!
The annual honorary bowling tournament pitted all 8 honoraries against each other, with the winning honorary receiving a pizza and pool party at the RPAC while the individual winners received a crown. Yes, I said that correctly...a crown! To keep the theme, the tournament was hosted at none other than the Bowling Palace.
Who wouldn’t want to win a crown? It was a nice, felt, oxblood colored crown too, not one of those cardboard, fastfood-restaurant crowns. That’s it! I was determined to take the thrown last Thursday…determined!
I started off with 3 strikes in the first 5 frames while picking up 2 spares along the way. I was primed for the crown. “Hail, King Gozur!” they would all exclaim!
Well, 4 open frames later I found myself virtually out of the lead. Complete downward spiral; my life was ruined! I was surprised they didn’t give me a court jester’s hat instead!
Although I did choke and lose the lead, I had a blast. It was fun to see everyone out and participate. Even though our Bucket and Dipper team lost as well, I was proud of how we competed and the overarching goal of the event (to bring us closer together) was achieved.
There’s nothing like a late February outdoor baseball practice on a 56 degree day back in high school. The feeling of a blistering waterlogged rubber ball smacking into your mitt could only be matched sadistically by the amount of gasps needed to suck in the chilling air in between wind sprints. As I look back on my prep experiences, this imagery is what I consider baseball season, and I believe it has come upon us for the first time in 2008!
In recent years, my best friends from high school and I would have a contest as to how soon in the new year we’d normally here this phrase:
“It’s a great day to pull something!”
The quote was a staple of my former high school baseball coach at the start of practice, a practice which probably took place right around the end of February. His phrase was meant to inspire a better stretch, especially during the colder season. But to the players, it’s a sign of baseball's presence and an early spring – regardless of whether there was an accumulation of snow on the infield.
Now that we’re out of school, we get a chuckle over how random those practices had been. Memories of batting practice during snowfall was classic but still doesn’t top the insistence of coach in attempting pitching practice with the pitcher’s mound looking like an island, being that it was the only land in the infield not covered by a flood. There’s no doubt that while in high school, these practices were hell. Now that I’m in college, however, I’ve come to the conclusion that these practices have added to my character.
With that being said, this past Friday served as the official day of baseball in 2008. I’d received a text message from my friend back at home which stated, “It’s a great day to pull something.”
That was all that was needed.
The visuals that my mind (and stomach) led me into were well beyond words. It’s not the act of baseball that needs to be present in order to conjure that uneasy feeling, only the sights, the sounds, the emotions, and – of course – the memories of destructive pep talks by coach.
So, whether or not my alma mater actually practiced on Friday remains a mystery to us. But, as for me, I’ve been icing my shoulder down all weekend. Why?...Because it’s a great day to pull something, that’s why!
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