Grocery Shopping

I always have a taste for something sweet after grocery shopping. Probably because the last image of the store I have is the colorful array of second rate candy bars that litter the checkout lane. I'm glad that I don't succumb to their grand allure.

12 Packs

Does anyone remember what 12 packs of soda looked like before the legendary fridge-pack? I don't.

I can safely say that I'm not going to Flash Taco today.

When Worlds Collide

The cleaning people came today; we went to breakfast. They changed my bedsheets. My bed is currently sporting light gray sheets with floral pillow cases, one of the cases has a lace trim: hot.

Today was the first time of summer that I have woken up before 8:oo am. I've also realized that in my attempt to do nothing, I end up hearing the same sport stories at least for times a day: morning Sportscenter, Around the Horn, PTI, and evening Sportscenter. I should get a hobby. When I'm bored I eat something, then when that doesn't satisfy me I take a nap. This can't be healthy.

iPhone

iPhone hype: Every day my RSS Feed delivers me a handful of articles pushing the iPhone. Captivating commercials showcase the beautiful simplicity of the phone. Right now geeks are busy typing away and yapping at the new national holiday: June 29th; however, I just can't believe the iPhone will instantly create a dramatic shift in cell phone consumers.

Three weeks after you buy get a new phone and lock into a 2-year agreement, a glossy hipper phone flashes on the screen for 30 seconds during your show. Companies create a constant feeling that your phone is old and clunky even if you just bought it. Then the 2 year replacement comes up, and the customer opts in instantly: new phone, new plan, 2 more years.

Look at the cost if you're currently under contract for a phone company that's not AT&T:
$599 + tax for an iPhone
$40 Activation
$150 cancellation penalty
that's and initial cost of $789 just to make it work.

Too many people are locked in to plans to make it feasible for 3 million iPhones to be sold in 6 months. Too many people have learned that cool phones constantly come out, and waiting can be a good thing. Those who live and die with their email at their side already have Treos or Blackberries. They are not going to all jump on the bandwagon.

What I see as value in the iPhone:
The iPhone doesn't do anything new. I can't find a main feature of the iPhone that is not currently available on other phones. Apple's ability to integrate those applications and features with one another is what makes the iPhone stand out. Other smartPhones have taken the stance of "I want to do this" whether it's email, take pictures, or listen to music. Then the company crams those features into once device, and says it can make phone calls too. The disjointed applications function in an appropriate manner and sync to your computer, but the applications don't function with one another. The iPhone takes those same ideas and weaves an important link between them. Take for example the Google maps commercial. The movie is paused, the location and info are shown, then instead of reverting back to phone application to dial the number, the user simply touches the number. The idea of each piece working together to make a unit is critical, because while it has multiple functions, it takes advantage of how each part can work together. That's why the iPhone is worth it, but it's also why worth waiting for. I'll take the 2nd generation, thanks.

The Horror

This explains everything. I just found out the coffee I'd been brewing while at home was Decaf. The package was unmarked. I feel betrayed.

Dear Caribou Coffee,

You have a world of work ahead of you in order to regain my trust. You may have gotten comfy there on Roosevelt Road - all alone high and mighty - but if you looked down the street you'd see Starbucks. Now don't get me wrong; I'm saying this in confidence, but don't make me go there. Don't.

Sincerely a Groggy Customer,
Charles

No Touching.

A Virginia school has outlawed all forms of touching. No hand shaking; no high-fives. VA School's No Contact Rule At least they'll stop the spread of cooties.

Ever year summer comes around, and time seems to slip through my hands. I'm not sure where it goes, most likely to bad TV.

Cicadas enjoy two things in their 5 week life span: buzzing and flying into my face. I have a feeling that in 17 years when they come back they'll still enjoy hissing and flying in my face. There is a cicada trapped in my car. I can't find it, but I can hear it.

July 6th - 9th I fly to DC to find an apartment. I'm going to live in an expensive postage stamp, but a lively one.

One Week

As of tomorrow I'll have been home for one week. I haven't unpacked my stuff, and I don't have a light in my room. Thursday I hit the pinnacle of laziness when the only reason I got out of my pajamas was to get milk; returning from Oberweiss with milk, I promptly put my pajamas back on. I'm becoming a pro at doing nothing - this is a first.

For this summer, I've set my goals high. I spend most of my time making a To-Do or goals list. Then I plan to finish one item from the list everyday. Wednesday I sent out thank you cards. Thursday was the milk incident. Friday I went to Christine and Mike's BBQ. Saturday I went to Trader Joe's. Today I'm going to unpack, but I must do it before the sun sets - I don't own a lamp and my stuff is in my room.

Junk

Somehow I manage to accumulate junk when I'm away; I don't know where I'm going to put all my stuff from Appleton.

Well that was fast.

Fastest four years of my life. For the most part, I feel the same today as I did June 9th 2007, August 16th 2005, and September 17th 2003. In September of 2003, each member of the class of 2007 was doing the same thing: moving in; on June 11th 2007 we are all doing something different. Sunday afternoon, we dispersed, quicker than I thought possible. 2pm the cars rolled up to the dorms, double parked, popped their trunks, and loaded up. Express check-out for real.

College

Last final, ever: Done. Now I just have to return my keys and I'm good as gold. Summer.

Finals Week

3 hours until my first final. It's going to be long.

Three articles that hit the spot today: Advice to Graduates, More Advice to Graduates, Google all thanks to the NY Times. The first two are self explanatory - money advice for people who will be living on their own. The third provides a interesting glimpse into how Google remains the search king.

Some people feel that reading the NY Times is pretentious - it's not - and it bothers me when people insult me over it. Bottom line: it's the best paper available. The quality, depth, range, and exposition of their articles is superior to every US paper I've read (no offense Tariq; the Wall Street Journal is a quality publication). In addition their website has a clean look similar to the front page of the printed version allowing the user to easily peruse the site as if was a paper. Publishing continues to move online, and in 20 years the physical paper my disappear completely. More papers need to invest heavily on the look and feel of their website. An ugly site can be an immediate turn-off and reduce credibility. I'm constantly confronted with clumsy, ugly websites, and I'm not convinced that newspapers put enough emphasis on their online presentation. Maybe they can get their act together soon; newspapers should be experts on look and feel - they do layout everyday. Anyways, thank you NY Times you keep me entertained during every class. Favorite columns: Frugal Traveler or Your Money, favorite section: Science.

I'm constantly hungry, and our kitchen is constantly filthy - that's not a good combination. I can't wait to have my own place. For how much I love clean clothes; I hate paying for laundry.

Looking forward to: seeing a movie, going home, having my own place, graduation, taking my last final, and July 30th.

I'm Close Enough

It seems that on every journey you get to the point where you think I'm close enough. Every drive home from school right after I get on 88, I think "I'm close enough. If I lived in Oak Brook I'd be home now." But all I can see from the exit ramp are anxious bright red taillights backed up for a mile jostling each other for position as they attempt to pass through the toll booth. I had my last class today; unfortunately I have two finals left. Four years ago, I applied here on a whim - on a small gut feeling - and luckily Lawrence may have been the best thing that ever happened to me; however, I'm close enough. Let's make the best of it.

Math happy hour was refreshing; I'm finally in that picture senior picture. It's great to know that you're professors care about you, whether they're officially your adviser or you graduated 20 years ago.

Senior Send-Off is tomorrow at High Cliff. I want to bike there so does Lombargo, but it might rain. Lombargo said he was up for the trip anyways.

It's way past my bedtime. Goodnight.

June 1st

Today is June 1st. It's the first day of June, and my last day of class ever.

10 days left, I have time for one more deep breath, and then it'll be over before I know it.