Elk and bar stools don't mix well

When you know absolutely nothing is going on

Birth of the Sloan Temple Pilots

Many of those who know me know that I'm musically inclined. Before I came to Sloan, I was practicing music production, and was starting to get pretty decent, until the Core took over my life. Still, nothing can replace the feel of playing with other people. I hadn't been in a band since college, I just hadn't had the time.

That's why, I was ecstatic when a classmate approached me about starting an MBA band to rival the one that currently exists (The Rolling Sloans) which is a exclusive and only has 2nd years. Thus, the Sloan Temple Pilots were born. With almost ten people interested, and a logjam at guitar, I decided to be the bassist (which I don't really know how to play), and take vocals on a few songs.

Our first rehearsal was yesterday, and we didn't seem to at first be off to an auspicious start. In total rock star fashion, some of us were pretty late, our drummer had his wrists taped up from a snowboarding accident, and many band members looked like they'd had a rough morning from a long Friday night. The rehearsal space we were renting was tiny, relatively nasty, and smelled of stale cigarettes.

Yet, when we launched into our first song, we sounded fricking great! There is (not surprisingly) a ton of talent at Sloan, and even with us not having our parts all down, getting confused over certain timing issues in some songs, and all of us generally being rusty, we could have performed some of the songs we practiced right there and then to a full house.

Our first gig is in April. Be there!

Great Movie Scene

Here is (in my opinion) the best scene from Dangerous Liaisons, a movie which I really like. The scene depicts John Malkovich's slickness in creating a diversion to allow him to in plain sight, set into motion his many nefarious plans which he is hiding from everyone in the room.

Hugs for All

What does Time magazine article covering the new propensity of people in the US to hug say about our culture?

Friedman Strikes Again

Once again, Thomas Friedman has his fingers on the pulse on the latest in the world. Here's a great highlight drawn from his experience in India, comparing the US and Chinese embassy in New Delhi:

The U.S. Embassy and the Chinese Embassy are both located on Panchsheel, directly across from each other. They asked me to check out the rooftops of each embassy. What do I notice? Let’s see ... The U.S. Embassy’s roof is loaded with antennae and listening gear. The Chinese Embassy’s roof is loaded with ... new Chinese-made solar hot-water heaters.

You couldn’t make this up.

Friedman strikes again!

Culinary Ingenuity

So, what do you get when you mix together eggs, goat cheese brie, lentils, and a mix of Indian Spices? Pure deliciousness!

Hats off to my roommate for whipping up this innovative dish with meager supplies in the fridge. It really hit the spot at 3AM.

This is what school used to feel like

Weather in the 50's, work for the week pretty much wrapped up, time to go to the gym and actually do some thinking, stimulating classes.... Wow, this is what my idyllic memories of undergrad were like, and today, I relived the experience at MIT.

Living with Cookie Monsters

Less than a day ago, I purchased a box of delicious Whole Foods chocolate chip cookies (I highly recommend them to everyone).

After having one or two with one of my roommates last night, I returned today to find 1 lone cookie still in the box. Between the two of them, they cleaned me out.

Now I want a damn cookie!

Analyze Blood.... With a Cell Phone!

Awesome article here of a UCLA scientist who figured out how to connect under $50 of equipment to a cell phone to be able to analyze blood anywhere, anytime.

Back to Class

I am on to my second semester at MIT Sloan amidst a snowstorm that could drop up to 7 inches on Boston. I'm actually pretty stoked to be back. Class is much more refreshing than consulting internship interviews and interview prep. On that topic, I have to miss my first day of Finance I to go to an interview. When will it end!

Using Psychology for Conservation

Here's a cool article that describes how a power company is sending people frowny faces in their power bills if their power use exceeds the average for that home. Apparently it's working based off of peer pressure. Even Cialdini weighs in on the article.

Leave it to Thomas Friedman

Leave it to Thomas Friedman to sum up the current state of the economy and our prospects for recovery in one sentence (from today's column):

"We have woven such a tangled financial mess with subprime mortgages wrapped in complex bonds and derivatives, pumped up with leverage, and then globalized to the far corners of the earth that, much as we want to think this will soon be over, that is highly unlikely."

- Thomas Friedman, 2/1/09