Monday, May 03, 2004
The freedom to choose one’s own destiny is exhilarating… Especially when the timeframe in question is a weekend and the weather outside could not be better. Free for the time being from the stifling umbilical bond that usually connects me to my employer, yours truly was free to pursue the simple things that humans usually do in their time off: fixing, or rather trying to fix, my car; watching Real World reruns; finishing a book I was reading for way too long already; and last but not least, attending a Wharton NYC brunch.
First, the car. Being a lover of fine things, I drive a ’99 Audi A4. It’s a great car, really is. But having bought it used, I am beginning to be a bit perturbed about the slight (and not so slight) mechanical problems that come up from time to time. Latest one – one of the cylinders decided to stop firing. Cause? Either a computer glitch (very bad, very expensive outcome) or a faulty wire (less bad, less expensive). We’ll see. But for now I am immobilized and have to resort to public transportation in Brooklyn, which is rather unpleasant.
On a different note, lounging in a couch and watching for the umpteenth time the saga that is Real World: San Diego is one of the best occupations imaginable. I have seen this particular episode at least three times (Frankie’s bf David shows up, Cameron and (forget his name) hook up during camping) but it’s just the kind of mindless, background noise that I needed at the moment.
As a cerebral pastime, I have just finished The House of Rothschild by Niall Ferguson. A two-volume opus, it covers the Rothschild family from their humble beginnings in the Frankfurt ghetto through their undisputed role as the financial rulers of Europe to the bank’s current, less exalted but nonetheless relevant role. Time now for more books – hopefully I will be able to jet over to the Borders on Wall Street at lunchtime. On my list are From Babel to Dragomans by Bernard Lewis and Colossus by the aforementioned Niall Ferguson. There are very few historians that write about Middle East and the American imperial dilemma with the same knowledge and clear eyed realism then this pair. Out of the two, I am more acquainted with Ferguson, who is currently a professor at my alma mater, NYU Stern. He writes a book or two a year, and the fortunate thing about him is that one does not have to choose between quantity and quality – all of his works I read so far have been excellent.
My social activities this weekend have centered around the Wharton NYC brunch, helpfully put together by Oliver (MBA 2006). This time, we gathered at Public in SoHo. The food was excellent, the company even better, and even the fact that we confused the hell out of our waiters by insisting on switching seats after ordering (to mingle better) did not dampen the fun. The brunch expanded my knowledge of the Manhattan dining scene and helped put faces to emails that are constantly being exchanged back and forth among the NYC group. I am very impressed by the degree with sheer collegiality and togetherness that our soon-to-be class displays. We are not yet at Wharton but the ideas are constantly exchanged, potential ventures talked about and contacts made. I am loving it!
Lastly, today is my birthday! I am finally 23!
First, the car. Being a lover of fine things, I drive a ’99 Audi A4. It’s a great car, really is. But having bought it used, I am beginning to be a bit perturbed about the slight (and not so slight) mechanical problems that come up from time to time. Latest one – one of the cylinders decided to stop firing. Cause? Either a computer glitch (very bad, very expensive outcome) or a faulty wire (less bad, less expensive). We’ll see. But for now I am immobilized and have to resort to public transportation in Brooklyn, which is rather unpleasant.
On a different note, lounging in a couch and watching for the umpteenth time the saga that is Real World: San Diego is one of the best occupations imaginable. I have seen this particular episode at least three times (Frankie’s bf David shows up, Cameron and (forget his name) hook up during camping) but it’s just the kind of mindless, background noise that I needed at the moment.
As a cerebral pastime, I have just finished The House of Rothschild by Niall Ferguson. A two-volume opus, it covers the Rothschild family from their humble beginnings in the Frankfurt ghetto through their undisputed role as the financial rulers of Europe to the bank’s current, less exalted but nonetheless relevant role. Time now for more books – hopefully I will be able to jet over to the Borders on Wall Street at lunchtime. On my list are From Babel to Dragomans by Bernard Lewis and Colossus by the aforementioned Niall Ferguson. There are very few historians that write about Middle East and the American imperial dilemma with the same knowledge and clear eyed realism then this pair. Out of the two, I am more acquainted with Ferguson, who is currently a professor at my alma mater, NYU Stern. He writes a book or two a year, and the fortunate thing about him is that one does not have to choose between quantity and quality – all of his works I read so far have been excellent.
My social activities this weekend have centered around the Wharton NYC brunch, helpfully put together by Oliver (MBA 2006). This time, we gathered at Public in SoHo. The food was excellent, the company even better, and even the fact that we confused the hell out of our waiters by insisting on switching seats after ordering (to mingle better) did not dampen the fun. The brunch expanded my knowledge of the Manhattan dining scene and helped put faces to emails that are constantly being exchanged back and forth among the NYC group. I am very impressed by the degree with sheer collegiality and togetherness that our soon-to-be class displays. We are not yet at Wharton but the ideas are constantly exchanged, potential ventures talked about and contacts made. I am loving it!
Lastly, today is my birthday! I am finally 23!
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