Presentation Complete

We finished our team presentation today. Oddly, though, I haven't actually written about the fact that we were responsible for a presentation.

That's because it took alot of time. These two weeks have served as a great introduction to group projects, managing time, and most importantly, how to function on lack of sleep.

I highly recommend that any incoming student invest in a spill-free coffee mug. Mine was $21, which seemed like alot to me, but cheap in comparison the the damage that a $9 mug that is merely "spill resistant" will cause.

As for my individual program, we met our first "Alum" yesterday. He discussed some interesting topics in the investing world, mainly breaking down the old "value vs. growth" debate that has been created by publications and financial planners, and what drives the notion that there is a difference (it's not a black and white situation). I talked a little more about that on my other blog.

Anyhow, I'm almost moved in and organized. My phone is still dead to the world. SBC hasn't been great, but, I also need to make sure they're better informed. But, now I'm ready for classes to begin. It's time. Enough with the orientation already! :-)

Got my computer!

My lack of a computer has been the cause of my absence lately. But, now I am the proud owner of a shiny new IBM T42 Thinkpad. I gotta say that I like the computer - it's sturdier than my old Dell was, and, well, it's faster but that's because the specs are newer and faster.

This past week, as you may have read on Keven's blog, we've been in orientation. I am actually skipping "Basic Excel" as I type this (today is optional). I missed yesterday with the passing of a grandfather, which was not unexpected, but a sad day nonetheless. The school was very understanding in working with me to make sure I didn't miss anything, and so I knew where to be for my group meeting; we have presentations to start building in groups.


What I've learned so far about Madison, our Class, or our Program

• walk to Grainger Hall in 15 minutes


• bike to Grainger Hall in 6 minutes


• no idea when my apt. will be organized - it's still a disaster


• 113 incoming Full-Time MBA students


• 10 are in the Applied Security Analysis Program (ASAP), which means more fun for us when we run the portfolio!


• I'm "the rookie" in the program (sort of)


• We have FACTSET and WONDA on our PC's, along with a Bloomberg terminal in the Hawk Center to help us with market research


• My guess is that all 10 of us want to work on the equity portfolio, so we'll need to widdle it down to 5 fixed-income, and 5 equity


• We have a very exciting field trip opportunity, for now I'll keep quiet on what that trip may be, but if/when it occurs, I'll be sure to detail it here


• about 30% of the MBA class is married (I am guess-timating)


• Freshmen look like little kids to me


• Can't file for student loan deferment until the day classes begin


• Most people lost out on the football ticket lottery. There's a posting in the hall that says "Wanted, Student season football tickets, will pay $300" Reg. price: $109


• With the Core classes, the Professional classes, the John J. Oros speaker series, AND our own Investing 101, I will have to find a way to never sleep

That's about it for now from Mad-town.

The students, the class, the beginning

What to write about? There's been so much that's happened in the past week:

• 2 (yes, TWO) trips to Wal-mart to buy the little things a new place needs (shower curtain, silverware holder, etc) totaling $45


• Checked out my books at the bookstore, then found a couple online for cheaper than the bookstore price (this was just becoming an option while I was an undergrad)


• Met some of the students, including Keven while having some beers. Generally, it was mostly all the same conversation (where ya' from? what were you doing before here, etc...) It'll be this next week, orientation, when we really get to know each other (and I bet someone, not me, is going to show us his/her dinner outside a bar)


• Checked out the Farmer's Market around the state capitol in Madison. I had an "almond pocket" for breakfast today that was made by the Oakhouse Farm Bakery. It's the best breakfast pastry on the planet. It's been described as "decadent", by a high school kid who works at the vendor stand. He wasn't lying.


• Slept in my apartment, on the floor, with a sleeping bag. My bed's not here yet.


• Bought groceries in Madison. I chose Woodman's grocery store (they don't seem to have a website). They have ridiculously cheap groceries. And the place is gi-normous. If you're in Madison, go there, but at least bring a debit card, cuz they don't take credit cards. I think I got about $70 worth of food for a mere $43. (Hey, it's student budget time now!)


• Dodged the bees. The bees are everywhere right now, and it's about 88 with 90% humidity (you sweat the instant you're outside). My car had the misfortune of being parked under a tree that dripped some stuff onto my car, thereby turning it into a flower (or so the bees think). Thus far, I've killed one with my trusty, rusty, dirty ol' Colorado Avalanche hat (the damn thing wouldn't get away from the hatch handle, and I needed to put the groceries in the car), and I've killed another while pumping gas. It thought I was a flower despite my continual attempts to reverse from the little critter. I gave the bee plenty of opportunity to reconsider its decision to try to spread some sweet pollen (or is it nectar, furthermore, what's the difference?) via me. So I swatted it to the ground with my hand, and alas the bee was no longer. I'm sure that if you were witnessing the event live, you'd have laughed your ass off: Me, running backwards like a defensive back in football, trying to avoid what from a distance looks like nothing, and then swatting apparently nothing - all in between the gas pumps.
  
  Me: 2, Bees: 0
  
  At one time yesterday, I counted 17 bees on my car. 17! Will I get stung before classes start??????

The other thing that has been nice is NOT actually having a computer for a few days. I have been "forced" to do other stuff, which has been really good for the mind. But, in just a few days, it will be back to good ol' me.

I'm in Madison! (almost)

I have been making day trips to Madison this week, slowly moving into my apartment. I learned a few things:

1) It takes exactly 15 minutes for me to walk from my apartment to:
-Grainger Hall (where the B-School is)
-The Union (They serve beer at the Union, which is the most important thing to know about it)
-My friend's place on Lake Mendota
2) I found the Registrar's office
3) You can't get a student loan deferment until the day classes start
4) Campus is huge. Now, I've always known this, but it's friggin' huge.
5) My living room and bedroom are exactly the same size. It's weird because for a living room it looks small, but for a bedroom it looks pretty ample. Perception is everything!
6) Finding parking on campus is easy - when school is not in session...(I'm never going to even try once school begins)

Today I head back to get my phone set up and meet a big chunk of the incoming class at the Great Dane (a local brewpub known to be a place where Grad students hang out (Read: old people).

Thanks!

My "Shameless Plug" blog was really just an experiment, so thanks for those of you who clicked. I wanted to see how much traffic it would generate!

Shameless Plug

Also, if you haven't checked out my Market Musings site, please do. I plan on tracking my progress, learnings, and thoughts about the markets . Since this is what I am headed to B-School for, I figured it makes sense to write about the markets!

It's also linked on the left of this page, permanently.

Fantasy Football season is upon us!

For those who play, you understand my excitement. For those who don't, you smugly and secretly ridicule those of us who sit back and do nothing on Sundays except watch football, talk trash with our buddies, eat, drink, and constantly check our computers to see what else is going on around the NFL.

But trust me, there is no better spectator sport in the world (action, hitting, strategy, etc..., and Fantasy Football makes it just that much better!

For the first time, I've actually bought a membership to a site to help me out. Last year I used their book, and because they're completely statistical like myself, it was worth the 19 bucks. In my opinion, The Huddle is the best site for FFball, bar none.

What I'm Reading...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting a "Half-Price Books" store. It was my first time - though I am not sure why other than their very inconspicuous location. Perhaps, since they are "Half Price Books", they also have "Half Price Real Estate"? I have been to their website before, though.

Anyways, I had the pleasure of picking up "The Millionaire Next Door" for a mere $5.98. I have to say, it's one heck of an interesting book, although, thus far there is nothing major in it that shocks me.

I have learned that to date, I am a "UAW", or an "Under accumulator of wealth". This is because my net worth should be, according to their formula, about $176k. It's not, though. I also had my eyes opened a bit when I realized that my salary is 100% of my net worth. I also pay taxes on about 85% of my net worth. YIKES!

Some of this is due to student loan debt - so it will only get worse. To think that I won't have any income until I am almost 30 is a bit scary!

No Dehydration!

I got through my day trip to Noah's Ark waterpark without getting dehydrated. That's a great step for me, since the last time I spent the day in the sun, I was rewarded with an ambulance ride and an ER visit!

I'm a little bit sunburned despite the fact that I was somthered in SPF 45 sublock, but the burn isn't horrible.

Now it's finally time to start thinking about moving to Madtown...

Bloggin'

I gotta admit, that, when it comes to blogging and technology, I'm slow. For those of you who've been with me for a while, you MIGHT remember that I have a degree in Electrical Engineering. In fact, Computer Engineering was my specialty.

One might think that means that I would know everything about computers. There are a few realities, however:

- I have never really used my degree for any kind of computer engineering since graduation

- Even if I had used my knowledge, that would simply have meant that I would be cooped up in a little lab all day long and wouldn't have time to learn about new software or web things that are happening.

Hell, I might not have even heard about the London episodes yet. Point is, I'm slow, and new to blogging, but I'm getting there. But, I want to give big shout outs to KV and Daniel who have helped me pick up on some things (bloglines, feeds, counters, etc).

Thanks guys!

BAM! Take That ( - $$$)

Bought my laptop yesterday. It sorta sucks because I know I could have gotten a better deal through Dell while I was employed, but this is the standard issue for us ASAP'ers. It's a great computer (Thinkpad) so I am not complaining too much, just that it cost $2400. I guess that's the cost of doing business...

If you're curious: Laptop Specs

Day Trip!

On Thursday, I am headed to Noah's Ark. I am pretty excited about this, cuz I haven't been there in about 8 years. The place rocks, no matter how old you are...and they keep building bigger and faster waterslides every year.

My only question for the past 15 years has been, "Why is the country's biggest water park in Wisconsin?"

Puzzling, yet, I am not complaining! =P

Where am I?

Well, I am borrowing my girlfriend's computer until I get my laptop from UW...so I don't have the same 'puter capabilities as normal. Hence, my lack of posting on both of my blogs.

I am no longer subscribed to everyone else's blogs, either, because I don't have Mozilla Thunderbird on this computer.

So, now, with that said, I'm going to install the thing...and I'll be back up and running...just give me like an hour :-)