One giant stressor down

So, I wrote the paper (at the last minute, as per usual) for community and economic development. It’s a sad statement that it was one of the most thoroughly researched and referenced documents that I’ve ever written solo. Something to work on, there. But, it’s done, I’m over it. Ready to move on, though really I feel more like sacking out. I’m not beyond caring what grade I get in the course, but I’m definitely beyond worrying about it.

Odd restaurant experience

So, I went out to eat solo at a nice sit down restaurant. (Not generally a recommended activity. It’s typically boring and lonely, thus somewhat depressing, as well as expensive). I decide to try an unfamiliar dish, order it, it arrives, and it’s well enough done, but not really to my liking at all. My waitress dropped by and asked how I was liking it, so I said “It’s fine, thank you,” as any midwestern raised gentleman might. I pick out the bits I like and leave half the dish. She comes by and asks if I’d like to have it boxed. I decline. She then asks if I was sure the dish was fine. I said in essence “Well, it was an experiment, and, as experiments sometimes do, this one did not go well.” She was dismayed that I hadn’t said something sooner so that she could have brought me another dish. This flustered me a bit. I said, no, it was quite alright, I wasn’t that hungry, and I just wanted to get on with my evening. She left it at that, took the dishes, and came back (rather quickly to my mind) with the bill, apologizing for taking so long, because she’d had the dish taken off. That was more than half the price of my meal. I thanked her, paid, and left her a tip ($10) that was larger than the bill total ($9.10) for her excellent service.

Is this standard restaurant operating procedure? I mean, the way I see it, I’m paying for food, not for satisfaction with the dish. If I deliberately order something that turns out to be not what I want, I think I should still pay for it, unless there was some sort of deception or the like involved. Weird, but touching.

Salary Negotiation

Rockstar!

I got what I asked for (well, the exact amount I asked for as the 4th item on my list). My salary will be congruent to what it was immediately after graduating from undergrad. They noted in their letter that I really impressed them during my internship. Considering it was a 13% salary increase, I guess so. =)

[ETA: Mad Props to WAA for encouraging me to do this]

Academic writings

Hey all,

It’s my last semester, but better late than never, I suppose. I’m working on my writing, I’ve never been impressed with it, and I intend to post everything I turn in to lj. I’m aware most of you don’t find this particularly interesting. But for those who want to read more, and especially for those who want to offer helpful feedback on my writing, please comment & let me know.

Ciao.

(My new academic motto: structure, not stress)

Acceptance Consideration: timing & bikerides

I still want to do a transcontinental bikeride.

I do not imagine that there will ever be a better time to do it than between grad school & employment. However, doing it will cost large sums ($3-4k) between bike, lodging, food, tent, etc, that I do not expect to have. Then there’s the opportunity cost of about $3.5k per month that I’m not working.

My original plan was to do it over the course of three months, occasionally staying with friends in places like Boston, Burlington, Zanesville, London KY, Chicago, Denver, etc, etc. On further reflection, I think this idea is probably not a good idea. Not a three month solo trip with little prep and meager finances. I do still feel the pull, but I think it’s something I’ll build up to, rather than jumping in with both feet. For instance, perhaps instead of taking greyhound or amtrak between minneapolis and chicago, I’ll bike. We’ll see how it all goes. I’ve become quite a fan of moving by mail though.