A tribute to David Eddings

I just found out that he'd died. I feel bad -- he was really one of the stars of my youthful interest in fantasy. I have read and re-read the Belgariad and the Mallorean many times not to mention all his other books. I'll miss his writing.

At first I was wondering whether I'd entered a time slip and gone back to April 1st

Then I realised that I was just reading 'The Onion.' Enjoy the story of how Neil Armstrong was convinced by a conspiracy theorist that the entire trip to the moon was faked.

- A. Worm

The kindle rocks...

It is beautiful and so easy to read. More detailed post later.

I just bought my kindle

I am supah excited. I can't wait to see it. It is part one of my wishlist from "After passing comps, I will buy..." I don't think I'm going to upgrade my phone though. I have no money left. And my dad was giving me a hard time about keeping track of my finances etc. He's going to make me keep a file! Horrors. When I have essentially been following the shoebox approach to filing all this time. I didn't have the courage to tell him that I'd just chucked three or four bank statements / credit card statements. I should just do paperless statements then he can't *make* me file. Yeah, thats a good notion. :)

Somewhat cheerfully,

A

(You will notice that I have upgraded myself from "A worm" to A. My self-respect has returned.)

I don't think I've ever been as happy to be wrong before...

I passed. Both. This year was brutal. The end.

I find out today

I've just spent a pretty much sleepless night. That may, however, have been due to the effects of the two large cups of coffee I drank at 10:30 last night in lieu of any dinner. I keep thinking about whether I want to pass or not. I'm not sure I'm even in my right mind now. I spent the last week recklessly spending money. On clothes and bags I do not need. I don't know what is wrong with me. I'm going to have a bath now and then I'm going to go to school and hang out there.

I am very, very tense.

My prediction -- I pass micro but not metrics. However, I truly hope that I pass both. I pray that I pass both.

Movies and TV Shows

So, I got back to dinky little college town about a week ago. I spent the succeeding days studying for micro, unpacking (very little), watching Jane Austen movies at lunch/dinner time and watching Merlin.

It was productive. As I mentioned before, micro was good. I have hopes that metrics will be equally good. We shall see after that.

Das wurmen (how's that for cannibalized German?)

was good.

Apart from the curveball thrown by MG on game theory. Dang it.

Oh well -- we'll see how I do.

Metrics now.

I failed both

And am retaking micro day after and metrics a week from then.

Should be fun. I wonder if I'll pass.

BB is a sweetheart. He is actually really nice.

Lately

It's been almost two weeks since I sat for the metrics comp. Almost 3 since the micro comp. Any hint of results? Nada.

I don't know who's sitting on our grading--be it one of the Micro profs or one of the Metrics profs--but I wish they would get off their asses and finish the grading. This is quite unfair. Frankly it is cutting into the time we have for preparation for the second round of comps. We had almost two months. Now we'll be lucky if we get a month.

I am angry.

After the fall...

Well comps are over. In fact, it has almost been a week since I sat for Econometrics. Thursday and Friday were wet and miserable days in Syracuse. A had a barbecue. It was somewhat awkward because I showed up before knowing whether the other econ people were going to be there. Oh well, I coped.

I just don't know if I've passed micro or metrics or both or neither. I've just been sitting around, unable to settle to anything or make any concrete plans for the summer without knowing my fate. I almost feel like starting work again hang everything else. I periodically have nightmares of Laura contacting me to tell me that I've failed both micro and metrics. Gods, I would hate that. Although it would not be unexpected.

Okay -- I'm going to go soak my head in cool water now.

A

My new (temporary) roommate is a bitch

This is why I didn't want R to sublet/have anyone else stay in while she's interning in DC! This summer is too important for me. So anyway, this chick is crashing at my place, totally imposing on R, she's not paying rent or anything, and she has the temerity to come over and start a confrontation with ME about trash! After SHE fills up the bag with about 10 pounds of corn. A fact which I discovered while I was carrying it out to the dumpster! Okay, so I'm the clean one in the kitchen. I always put things in the dishwasher. I wipe the stove down after using it. Her, not so much. Has she cleaned the toilet bowl yet? No. Has she wiped the counter? No. She asks me if I want to help her clean the bathroom today -- I say NO. I have my f***ing metrics qualifying exam in 2 days and she wants me to clean the bathroom? When has she ever taken out the trash on her own? I do it every few days. And, now I've wasted 1 and a half hours fuming about her. And haven't regained my mental equilibrium yet. This is impossible.

A

Micro comp was today

I think I did well enough to pass. Perhaps. I'm not entirely certain however.

Anyway, I need to focus on getting through metrics now. I have one week in which to master the subject. One thing is for sure -- with more practice this stuff becomes infinitely easier. If I have to take the summer to prepare for it I will master it.

A

I need to study

I think game theory might be a problem. JK was awfully grumpy yesterday. And I have realized that I do not always read the questions completely or interpret them correctly.

Bummer.

A

I think I'm prepared

Or as prepared as I can be at this point. There's really no point in busting my head with the rest of this now.

I really hope it goes okay. I really hope BB is nice. And still remembers that he likes me. I love SG. She was the nicest of them. I even like JK. He was grumpy and angry but I think thats because he cares that I'm being sloppy and wishes that I wouldn't. I'll do my best not to be. I really hope so.

Best of luck to me.

A

3 1/2 days before I sit down to the micro qual

and I'm still not as perfect as I'd like to be at General equilibrium and consumer theory problems. I need to re and reread BB's notes on GEq. The concept seems to elude my mind.

That said, I took it easy today. I was up till 5 in the morning studying but then I slept till 10:00 and cooked a proper lunch and tea for myself. Gave myself a bit of break -- watched a couple episodes of TV and chilled (while also studying) before the marathon three days that are due to happen soon.

I need to pace myself.

Cheerio

A

Panic! Horrors!

I went over the remaining T/F questions with BB today and he said that if I don't get full marks he'll fail me on the micro qual!!?! Oh God, I've raised expectations too high. What am I going to do??!

Micro Prep

I have gone over all of the Bulgarian baba's T/F questions from the last three years, created a question bank and arranged them by type. He really does tend to repeat questions a lot. I quite like him now. He was very nice and helpful.

I'm going to see him again at 1:00 today. Till then, I plan to do game theory. I really hope MG has managed to go over my solutions. I hope his wife is alright.

Going to school now.

A

Have been working like an ass today

There's a week left till the micro comp.

I did loads of work today. Have gotten really good at utility maximization and genereal equilibrium. Game theory is hit and miss. I was going to go to bed at 12:00 tonight and wake up at 8 but got caught up doing the Bulgarian baba's true/false. He's actually quite nice. It's astonishing. He must just be socially awkward outside his office or his classroom. I also went to meet The Lady today. She reminds me of my favorite econ prof in undergrad. Very authoritative and genuinely helpful and interested in me as a person. So nice. I'm already very fond of her.

I'm sleepy

There was definitely an animal

And I think it was all squashy. But I think it was dead before my wheel went over it. I had caught a brief glimpse of it before going over it. But, oh, I am so sad! They should make some sort of animal crossing paths below the highways and buttress them so that they won't impair the structural integrity of the road. Those poor animals. I'm sure hundreds of thousands of them die every year. We should be doing something to save their lives.

Angrily

A

I killed a chipmunk

I think I may have killed a chipmunk. Or driven over one that was already dead. I was coming back from the grocery store and turning onto the interstate but then all of a sudden there was a chipmunk. I saw it and stopped but I think it was crippled. It could only crawl on its two front feet. So I honked at it and drove around it. And I think it crossed over safely. Of course, it still had the whole other side of the road to get past. I hope its okay. And I don't know how its going to survive out there. I almost brought it back but it might be rabid or wild or bite me. Yes, I was afraid. I'm sorry I can't help it.

Then I got on the interstate and I was speeding up and when I was at 70, I'd glanced at the rearview mirror and I looked back at the road and boom my left wheel went over something dark brown and lumpy and I think I killed it. I'm feeling horrible. At that point I couldn't even hope to avoid it. Someone was merging into my lane and were in my blind spot and I couldn't see and I was going too fast (but only 5 over the speed limit) and I really really hope that it was someones thrown out bag or something but it had too much mass. Oh gods. And then I didn't know what to do. Do I have to call someone. Maybe I just crippled it. Or something. Why the hell do they have to cross the highway at night?!

What should I do? Someone please tell me.

Maybe I'll just hold a wake for it tomorrow. Go back early in the morning and see if there is anything there. :(

Sadly

A

Today

I have watched two episodes of Buffy, cooked sprouted dal, roasted an eggplant, read "Ever" by Gail Carson Levine (it's pretty good, read it) and am now going to cook said eggplant and make baigan ka bharta.

I have clearly done no studying. Moreover my new (temporary) roommate seems to be allergic to the air-conditioning and its bloody hot. She claims it gives her headaches. As a matter of fact, I seem to get headaches too. Hmm. But its just too bloody hot. We'll just have to live with our migraines. I shall hearafter refer to her as Lina.

I wish she hadn't moved in. She's nice and all -- I just wanted this time to myself to really do a good job for comps. She also seems to have the lifestyle of a vampire. She's up ALL night and makes a load of nice watching TV and talking to people and she sleeps all day. It is the most peculiar thing in the world. I thought I was bad about that. She's horrendous. It must be like living with cuzbny (cousin brother in NYC). I don't understand how F can stand it. Ridiculous.

Gotta go now and cook my baigan. Ridiculous. I guess its okay I gave myself the weekend off. I got through most of the 605 and 620 notes.

Cheerio

A

Addicted to Buffy

I really am. I'm on episode 9 of season 6 now. Dude, Spike and Buffy forever! I know Angel and Buffy have the whole lovers for all time thing but Spike is just so much more fun than Angel. Sigh. "Smashed" was hot.

My schedule says I should be doing two econometrics comps right now. But I don't feel like studying. And haven't felt like studying since yesterday. I dunno whats wrong with me but I need to get my head back in the game. And also pick up some long hots and some chicken and some salmon. I have awesome baking recipes for Salmon. Can't wait to try them out.

I *must* study. Now. Grumble.

A

Helped A of W&A move

and I'm at shaky exhausted at this point.

I finished the June 2006 micro comp. I was going to finish formulae sheets for 605 and 620 and possibly even 621 tonight but I don't think that's going to happen now.

A has a nice, cute little new place. I think she'll be happy there. It's very close to the night-life of college. :)

I'm so tired. I'm going to finish watching Buffy s6 ep 1 and then I'm going to go to sleep. And wake up really early tomorrow good to go. Gotta do a lot of stuff for metrics tomorrow.

See you later kids.

A

BTW

I managed to find the library yesterday. W&A were there and I studied with them. I really do study very well with W. Not so much with A. I think its the fact that she's incapable of sharing her work. W and I manage to communicate well while working. I wish our summer working routine hadn't gotten F***** up. It's just because they started dating. Oh well.

Today I worked in the office with A, A, C and a little while S. They're all second years. So it was no good from the point of view of discussions. C gave me gossip. Apparently there was drama with the Orientals in our year and her over last summer. Huh. I really REALLY hope they don't remember to look at this blog. Why didn't I make up some other title for it?

Buffy again

Oh also, the finale made me cry. All sorts of things are making me cry these days. I wonder if its stress. But it was just so sad yanno? Especially that last voiceover. :(

Buffy Season 5

I just finished watching it about an hour ago. What a tear jerker. What really got me was that bratty little Dawn was absolutely willing to sacrifice herself for the fate of the world. And of course, big sister Buffy couldn't let her go through with it. It was agonizingly sad.

And the expression on Giles's face as he calmly strangles Ben. And poor Ben -- even though he does make the wrong choice. The tragedy of an innocent (and such a good looking!) life wasted because of nothing wrong that he did.

And Anya and Xander. And Willow and Tara. Sigh. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed this season the most out of all the others. Probably because of the sister dynamic. And it seemed so much more real, y'know?

I take back what I said about liking Angel more than Buffy. I was misguided and wrong. :) I liked Angel Season 1 more than Buffy Season 4, but thats because Buffy Season 4 sucked ass. And Riley has got to be the ugliest supposedly hot boyfriend for Buffy *ever*. Also, Buffy became painfully thin to the point where I was actually wincing whenever I looked at her onscreen. Geller came awfully close to anorexia during that season. It's got to be her worst look ever.


Now about Quals:

I have studied utility maximization and General Equilibrium from the June 2006 qual today. And I made a stupid mistage in the GE problem so I have to redo it and do the game theory and other exchange problem. Stupid purple lady and stupid three questions in this stupid comp and she doesn't even teach 601 any longer. I hate it.

My brain is so fried. I just almost called my roommate Buffy. While she was emptying the dish-washer.

Okay, gotta go and do Guns and Butter now. Whee. Not.

Sleepily

A

It's been a whirlwind weekend

doing NOTHING but studying.

I bolted through a micro comp today because I was starving. I still haven't finished the G&B question. I'll get on it tomorrow. The monopoly question was astonishingly easy. Iwonder if the Bulgarian Baba was feeling all right. It doesn't seem like him somehow. Dude, if quals are that easy at Chicago I probably would have passed. It's unlikely though. :S

I fell asleep at 10 and woke up a couple hours later. I guess I'll sleep properly now.

Got my new dress from ASOS. It is beautiful. It is, however, astonishingly cleavage exposing but I'll fix that with a black cami. I don't understand -- the neckline didn't look that low cut online. Astonishingly, I also managed to pick the correct sizes. (I also bought a polo that was on clearance). All righty then, ASOS will be getting continued patronage from me.

I also went to Marshalls and BB&B today. Just to browse. I wanted to find a cute spring corduray blazer-y jacket. Needless, to say I did not succeed. I find shopping in actual stores astonishingly boring now. And so very very tiring. I think I'm switching entirely to the online model. Also. girl in boston got mad at me while I was shopping. She seemed to think it unnecessary that I furnish her with descriptions of every gross thing I saw and also go "OOh, a thing" periodically. Hmpf. Who can understand people eh?

I have also been watching enormous amounts of Buffy lately. It has grown to gigantic proportions. I don't understand. I only have two episodes left now!!

I have also been trying to get into the library for two days. I don't understand how terrible I am at it. I *cannot* find the door!! Halp.

Okay, I'm out now.

Cheerio

A

The book

Anne Gracie - Gallant Waif

READ THIS BOOK

Gallant Waif by Anne Gracie.

It has been the most delightful new book I have read in months. It was witty and heartbreaking and lovely. Sigh. This is why I read regencies. If I could, I would give it 10 stars out of 5. I wonder if it ever won any awards.

In fact, I highly recommend anything by this author. She is one of my favorites.

Happy reading.

A

mystery box

Just opened the box that walmart dropped off at our place 6 months ago which didn't belong to either of us. We found a GPS in it. Sadly, since this is a little too expensive for me I emailed the person the GPS actually belonged to. I wonder if they'll respond.

I feel a little bad about never taking the box to the rental office. I wonder if they had trouble with Walmart over the GPS. :s

Guiltily

A

exhausted

and yet I have done no work. I wonder how that works.

B leaves tomorrow. I'll miss him. He was genuinely fun and very social. Kind guy. I wish he'd passed comps. Syracuse will be drearier without him.

C asked me out. In a funny way actually. Sorta like -- will you be my girlfriend. I like him a lot. But apart from two times in person, our interaction has been limited to IM. I wonder how that works. It's like having a boyfriend while you're playing warcraft online. I mean, I know I'm geeky and all but I'm not ready to take it to that extent.

I want to take walks with him and hold hands and just talk and hang out and be around him. I think I'm very close to being in love with him. Scary words. I love the fact that no one reads this blog. Okay. Going to stop now. Why the fuck did I comment on that guys blog. Hope he doesn't come here. I guess its our inherent desire as human beings for attention.

Cheerio

A

grades and quals

Just found out.

The girl and her pup did get an A- and a B or a B+ respectively. I am fucking *pissed off*. I really do not understand what it is that she did that I didn't do. And I don't think I can ask Kelly. I mean there is academic confidentiality and stuff.

Oh well. What can I do.

About Quals. I haven't been studying that much really. Rather desultory really. I guess I'll start hanging out with the nice guy from tomorrow and pumping shit out. It'll totally work. I love hanging out him. It's so productive and he's so helpful. It's really a pity that he, y'know...bats for the other side.

Sigh.

Gotta go now and clean up and vacuum and do shit and take out the trash. The beeyotch will never do anything on her own initiative. Do you know that I've been taking out the trash for the last month?? Not cool.

Cheerio guys.

A

Grades

Got my grades for the semester.

Micro - B
Macro - A
Mettrics - B+

It figures, I get the A in the one inconsequential class. I'm really bummed about micro/game theory. I've been working my ass off in it all semester and still nothing seems to be good enough for him. I don't get it. I don't understand why he won't regrade.

Most of all I don't effing understand why the girl and her dog manage to get A-'s all the effing time?? It's JUST not fair. They haven't done ANY of the extra work for this. I refuse to believe that they're better at it than I am. Because they're not. I'm just really, really angry.

It upsets me.

Summer money

Woot!

Just found out that I'm getting $2K in summer money. Hey, for you well-funded folks out there--this is a good deal for us. Plus we can live for next to nothing over here. Very cheap rent.

In other news, I have been working like a busy little bee all day. Was working on the June 2007 micro qual. I've come home for a break, then I'll hit the books again -- probably at home.

This had better get done properly. I'm passing quals--oh yeah.

Cheerio

A

Some Recipes

Salmon Marinades:

1. Chopped fresh ginger + Chopped fresh garlic + Chopped green chillies + Lemon juice + Soy sauce + Onions

2. Chopped fresh ginger + Chopped green chillies + Wasabi sauce + Lemon juice

3. Ginger + Garlic + Turmeric + Red chilly pwd + cumin + coriander + yogurt

4. Try it with bul go ki sauce + sugar + onions


After overnight marinade, broil Salmon for 6 1/2 minutes per side. Enjoy with rice or whole wheat bread.



Chicken with Green Peppers (Chinese, Quick)

Marinade: Salt + Soy sauce + Corn starch + cooking wine (?) + Oil

Saute the green peppers in some oil at high heat.
Remove from heat.
Saute the chicken until browned.
Add the green peppers.
Cook.

+ Try to jazz it up with some fresh ginger sometime.

After Quals

This is a list of things I am going to buy myself after Qualifying exams (assuming my tax refunds + summer money cover them) and, of course, if I pass:


$209 of Bed.
Then I can stop sleeping on my mattress on the ground. :(
Logic: I know I'm going to be living here for the next 4 years. Barring a move inside town, I won't have to shift this baby anywhere.










$359 of The Kindle OR $489 Of the DX. I haven't decided yet and don't know if I'll be able to. Either way, come hell or high water, I'm getting meself this e-book reader if (and when) I pass. After all, I will need something to keep me sane in this literarily defunct program.










$229 of the Ipod Touch. I'm a little bored of my 5th gen video plus this is so very exciting. Or, do I want












$200 + $30 extra a month on my phone plan of the iphone?

They are both identical in the touchscreen capability. It is true that the itouch has wifi so it would save me networking fees. But I could use the iphone anywhere in the world. Also my littler recently got the same (and newer) sony ericsson phone that I did. Hey, when you have a sibling who is twelve years your junior, is totally favored by your parents and you are both naturally competitive by nature this stuff will matter to you too. Don't judge.




$59 of this 600 fill, white goose down comforter from overstock. It's got 32 ounces of down. And I'll be finally upgrading my twin size down alternative comforter from undergrad to one that'll actually fit my mattress now.








Also a duvet cover set but I can't find the one I already picked out and I'm too tired to go looking now. So g'nite to all the phantom people who don't read my blog about the petty little details of my life.

Cheerio!

A

Movies to watch (for Mom)

Wall-E
The Godfather
Batman Begins
The Dark Knight
Schindler's List
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
12 Angry Men
Casablanca
Fight Club
Goodfellas
The Silence of the Lambs
Memento
Gandhi
Gone with the Wind
It's a Wonderful Life
To Kill a Mocingbird
Pan's Labyrinth
Gran Torino
The Prestige
Fighting
2001: A Space Odyssey
Hotel Rwanda
No Country for Old Men
The Gladiator
Trainspotting
The Princess BRide
The Terminator
Children of Men
Twelve Monkeys
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
In Bruges
Million Dollar Baby
American History X
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
Little Miss Sunshine
Mystic River
Iron Man


I didn't like these very much but you might:

Kill Bill vol 1
Kill Bill vol 2


I loved these but didn't know if you'd like them:
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
The Star Wars series
The Harry Potter series
Transformers
Star Trek (2009)

The new star trek

is edgy, dark, suspenseful and a hell of a lot of fun.

I cannot remember a recent movie where I have just unabashedly enjoyed the entire show, with assorted periods of fangirlish squeeing yes, from the trailers (which were also gloriously geeky) to the finale with the original series voice over. Sure after the movie ended there were some issues but when does that not happen? More importantly, it was pure delicious fun!

And now: picspam




I must admit--the newbies are much easier on the eyes than the originals. Zoe Saldana in particular. I remember the original Uhura (back from when the series was in syndication) as being beautiful but without an ounce of sex appeal. Almost as if the character had been neutered. Saldana as Uhura is feisty, smart and just plain gorgeous.

And Spock. Ah Spock. I had a full blown baby crush on the old Spock. It isn't much a surprise that Zachary Quinto and Spock v2--all tortured and dark and slurred-wordy pretty much fills my bubble of desire right now. If fact--he encloses it. Ahh.

Chris Pine as Kirk is good -- he's a little younger and not as leader-y as I expected. Quinto certainly had more natural magnetism. And, oh hell yeah, Pike was awesome. But Pine, although really pretty and with an obvious bad boy vibe--didn't really cut it for me as the iconic Captain James T. Kirk. I'd have liked to see a little more tortured soul and less swaggering. I prefer my heroes to be not such total jackasses. RDJ made it work in Iron Man but thats because he wasn't eating an apple while expounding on his cleverness! Lets have *some* depth people.

Chekov was awesome as was John Cho as Lt. Hikaru Zulu. I almost wet myself when he pulled out his katana! Can you imagine? Harold! As Zulu! The juxtaposition is too much for me--I just might die.

OK -- gonna end this now. I started this blog post last night (pretty much right after watching the movie) and have finished it right now.

Cheerio

A

beauty

Megan Fox has the most beautiful face I have ever seen. Her bone structure and colouring is impecable. I think I have a girl crush on her. :)

azaadi

I love the freedom of this blog. It is incredible to be able to say, write, think anything without censoring myself in any way. All my life I think I've been censoring myself. Here I can write everything that I think about everyone -- without it turning around to bite me on the ass because no one knows I'm writing this. And I don't think that is going to change anytime soon.

Anyway, I'm going to the gym now, then the mall and then we're watching Star Trek. Happiness.

From tomorrow -- I'm going to start work on stuff for quals with the girl and her pet. :)

Kindle

Oh well, one more post won't hurt I guess.

I went to amazon and found that they've released a big screen version of the kindle. They're calling it the kindle DX. A lot of brouhaha about how this is great for business people. The thing is: its never going to actually replace printouts. It's just far too convenient to have actual paper -- its quicker and its much more satisfying.

But damn, I want one.

The question is -- do I want the regular size one or the big one?

I was doing size comparisons. The DX is 10.4" by 7.2". Thats pretty damn huge. That's about the size of my Mas-Colell. It's larger than Varian, Morris, and Greene. That's frickin' humongous.

BUT, the regular kindle has a display size of only 6" diagonal. That's tiny. That is so tiny that its less than 2/3ds the size of a regual mass mkt PBK. I have been cribbing about this display size for months in my head now.

A brief layout of sizes:

Standard adult hardcover: 9.25" x 6.4" display size: 8.4"
Standard adult trade PBK: 9" x 6" display size: 8.5"
Small trade PBK: 8" x 5.2" display size: 7.5"

Standard YA hardcover: 8" x 5.5" display size: 7.4"

Standard Mass Market Paperback: 6.9" x 4.1" display size: 7"

The display sizes above are an approximation since they are a diagonalization of an inside page.

I personally find hardcovers of both the YA and adult variety to be the most comfortable to read. I hate the flimsy feeling of a tiny mass mkt pbk. I keep feeling like the book wants me to put it down and move on to something else. I also really like trade paperbacks. I was holding off of the kindle for this very reason. I know I don't like to read tiny scrunched up text. I like it nice and open and well laid out. But I don't want it huge! It would be like reading Mas-Colell ALL THE TIME. Who wants that?? Apparently the folks at amazon.

Oh Gods--can someone please create an ebook reader to my exact specifications before I almost expire of frustration and give in and buy a kindle (or a DX) and be frustrated and angry for the rest of my life??!

Signing off

Ate dinner and have been watching TV, on hulu, for the last two hours (exactly). I think I'll go to bed now. Maybe I should try to clean up a little. The whole apartment is a total dump.

Lie to me is becoming acceptable again. Had a couple of really weak episodes in the middle. Also, I don't think the show's writers know what they're doing with the relationships in there. Strange.

Blog is done

Woot!

Blog is done. And prettified. And fixed.

Woo hoo.

I'm all excited.

Alright -- now here's hoping no one remembers to read it.

Macro is done!

And I got it in to the Gentleman at 6:23 pm. But it really *was* done at 5. I just had a horrible time scanning my final into a pdf file. My printer hates me.

In other news, am gonna go watch Star Trek tomorrow. *does a little jig of joy*

I'm crazy happy right now. BUT I feel like going for a run and the gym is closed. :(

Macro countdown

Okay -- countdown: 1 1/2 hours left till this baby needs to be submitted and neither of the two papers is fully complete. I am kind of freaking out now. Of course, it is entirely my fault. I certainly didn't need to create a brand new blog or watch TV episodes or sleep or eat... I shoulda just pumped this out.

Fumes.

Of macro and death

I have three hours to submit my macro stuff. Haven't even started writing about the Solow model yet. I wonder what the Gentleman's policy on papers a few hours late is.

In other news, I just received this email through the school's mailing list:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the death of one of our undergraduate students, X X. Xxxxxxx, who died early this morning from an apparent fall. X was a senior studying in the iSchool and The College of Arts and Sciences.

Our hearts go out to X’s family, friends, roommates, and the faculty and staff who knew him. The loss of a student is painful for all of us, and during a Commencement week filled with so much joy and promise, it reminds us how fragile life is. We know each of us is impacted by a tragedy like this in different ways. That is why we come to together to comfort those affected.

Our Student Affairs staff is providing support and counseling to those who had a personal connection to X. In addition, the University has a broad array of counseling services available to the campus community. The Counseling Center (xxx-xxxx), the C Catholic Center (xxx-xxxx), H Chapel (xxx-xxxx), and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (xxx-xxxx) are all available to anyone who feels he or she needs support.

During this very difficult time, our thoughts are with X’s loved ones and friends.

Cordially,

the chancellor

Is it just me or is the choice of "Cordially" at the end of that email remarkably jarring? After all, cordially is a "happy" word. One not generally associated with the death of a student during commencement week. A better choice, IMO, would have been Respectfully. But thats just me.

Macro

Ok, I'll fix the rest of this blog later. Really need to write my paper now. 2 pages done -- 8 to go. Plus a 2000 word extravaganza on the Solow model after that. I'm not sleeping tonight. The Laird is pretty casual but I'm sure if he's going to give an A he needs to see something for it.

Fix this blog

Ok, I really need to fix the width of the main wrapper on this page. I guess I'll switch to a minima template for the time being until I get some time to work on some graphics and prettify this place up.

Countdown: 1 month to qualifying exams

I handed in my micro final yesterday. I'm fairly confident about questions 1, 2 and 3 (a). Question 3 (b) however, was impossible to do. I don't actually think I managed to solve it. I'm fairly certain there is a solution. What it is -- I don't know.

I hope Micro God (MG) won't take it too hard. I guess I'll want to go to him and ask when I can get my exam back. I now have my 10 page macro paper to write and also the take home final for Search guy.

And then--only after regular stuff for the semester is finished do I get to start studying in earnest for quals. At which point I'll have a little over 3 weeks for them. Oh dear god I'm going to fail. Halp!

Today my take home final for Micro I is due. I'm sure micro god (hereafter known as MG) will glance at it, categorize it as so much rubbish and throw it away.

Dear MG

I am sorry that I cannot aspire to the dizzying heights of your many articles in Econometrica. Perhaps it would help if you explained what we were supposed to be doing sometimes. Some clarity might help us.

A Worm