Work sadness

So yesterday was the last day for the other interns. We didn’t interact that much, so why is it so saddening? I mean, I did like them. Sandra is going back to nyc, and I likely won’t be seeing her again, or maybe just the next time I happen in to nyc. And Katie I’ll be seeing in like 3.5 weeks. We’ll be taking “program evaluation” together. Maybe we’ll team up on yet another project. That would be amusing. =)

But, I think it was at least partially the reminder that this is temporary. And I’m going away next week. Goodbye GAO, for at least 9 months. Goodbye project that I was getting attached to. Goodbye cool people. Back to school. I never thought I’d be so sad to leave a cube. =)

If I get the SF offer, I’m taking it. If I get the Chicago offer or the Denver or Seattle offer (they both have natural resources & the environment as team options), well, I’m thinking of applying to a PhD program or two relating to energy economics, particular with a focus on alternative energies, and a niche specialization of biomass. First choice school: berkeley. I’m nothing if not persistent. I’m also thinking of checking out the Canadian GAO equivalent, the OAG. (heh, I only just noticed that it was the reversal of the acronym. How cute).

And an additional fun thing: They’re looking for an econ TA, still. I was too busy/lazy/depressed to apply in May. If I do this, I’ll have a 10 hour/week research appointment, and a 10 hour/week TA position, plus 12 credit hours of classes. On the upside, all bills will be paid with ease. On the downside, ouch, that’s alot of hours.

Hrm. Also thinking of getting to know the new Science & Tech policy prof, & soliciting her for an RA appointment for the spring. She got her PhD from CMU’s EPP program. Her interest is carbon sequestration. Enh, who knows?

The Trip

The Trip is a homo movie from ’02. And it doesn’t suck. It’s definitely got alot of mainstream movie qualities which make it not so much my bag, but I did like it. There’s the stereotypical homo, who grows up (btw, I never knew starred in a major release, clever of him to use a psuedonym, though I’m not sure “Jim Handy” was the best choice 😉 and the alcoholic, party animal mom, and the flaky female friend. But all of them change in surprising ways through the movie. And it actually has a touching love story at the core. I recommend it.

A farewell to chicago

So, I’m pushing off from these shores in under two weeks. It strikes me that it would be good to gather my peeps for a last hurrah or two before I go. In that spirit, I’m going to propose an activity on my last day of work (a week from tomorrow), which may involve dinner and/or a bar. And maybe something the day after that involving a smaller partay at my temporary domicile.

Once again, if you wish to color outside the lines, leave a comment. =)

Travel ambitions

A week or two ago at work, I wrote down a list of vacations I’d like to take. Or vacation destinations, roughly. I’ll be trying to take it easy on the budget this school year, but I’ll have weekends free, so I’m thinking 3-5 non-family related trips. One of the key features is seeing people I know, or meeting bloggers I’ve read, in the destinations. Especially if they can show me around or put me up. Another key feature is places I’ve never been to before, or at least haven’t been to recently.


Other proposals are welcome, leave them as comments. =)

Still got dat special groove

So, After the “Farewell to the Interns” happy hour (2 weeks early for me, but so it goes). I was grabbing the red line north to collect my laptop (from which I am now regaling you with tales of my exploits) with my fellow intern and former stats partner Katie. As I get on the train, a cute guy in a bright purple t-shirt makes eye contact and says “Hi.” Katie and I chatter for a bit, and purple shirt guy and I keep making eye contact. He gets off with two friends, one male, one female, at the stop before my destination, says ‘bye’ and continues making eye contact and friendly smiles until the train pulls away.

Katie is amazed. She wants to know how he knew. I explain the eye contact thing, and she says she was totally oblivious.

Well, feeling impulsive after I got off the train, I booked it south. I spotted the purple shirt half a block off, walked up beside him and said hi. We chat for a bit. He’s from pittsburgh, lives in long island, and is in town ’til wednesday. He introduces me to his friends. He sends his friends into the restaurant, and goes off with me to find an ATM. We exchange numbers. He says he’ll call after dinner, and if he does, great. And if not, oh well, it was a good ego boost.

Live from the apple store.