A Capitalist Brew

I have received several comments in the blog that I wish to comment on at this time. Honestly, I had no idea more than 5 people were reading this. I actually started this blog with the intention of using it as a platform to debunk the idiot things people said on other boards about finance and economics. Then I realized I have no time to use the blog for that purpose at this time, but I still hope to do that in the future. So, it became more of an outlet for me to chronicle the life of a PhD student and the humorous aspects of every day life. But I digress…onto the comments I have received here and on Brooke and Luke’s blogs. I will post the same comments on Brooke’s blog since I am not sure that people are reading both places.

1. Thank you, Michelle, for suggesting that I put Brooke’s clothes in a ziploc bag. It is perfectly simple and genius. I don’t know why the teachers don’t suggest this or I never thought about it.

2. Someone suggested that I get a crock pot. I do have one that my parents got for a wedding present in the 1970s. As such, I am a little scared to use it only to find it does not work or burns the house down. I know they are cheap and should get one because I do think it would be a wonderful solution to our eating woes…especially during the winter with all the stews. Now, if I could just remember to go out and buy one and get some recipes.

3. Thank you to the person who told me I don’t have to flip Luke over onto his back if he rolls over at night. A few times he has rolled onto his tummy and gone back to sleep, and I have left him.

4. Someone asked about Rita’s from this summer. From what I know, Rita’s started in Philly (that is where my friend George first introduced me to Rita’s) and has expanded throughout Pennsylvania in recent years. The one we went to was in Bloomsburg. Is Rita’s in Delaware or NJ now too? If anyone knows, please comment. I know that Grotto Pizza is in Pennsylvania now.

5. To the person who commented that I should not let conspiracy theories keep me from writing to someone, you are correct. You should never let one thing that a person says online make or break a relationship. We are not defined by one or two blog entries because we are complex beings (well, some of us are). I will remain open minded about conspiracy theories because that is what Mulder would do.

6. Nobody commented on the Holy Folks! I certainly thought they would spark a comment. Or is everyone having the same feeling that I am? I still don’t know what to think about them. I am, however, being open minded and put the Jesus doll on Brooke’s Amazon wish list.

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I was doing some web surfing earlier today looking at dolls for Brooke since her birthday and Christmas are just weeks away. I came upon something so peculiar that I just had to share it with you. Friends, meet the Holy Folks! You too can enjoy hours of fun with your new Jesus doll!

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about this. I don’t really have any problems with the Little People Noah’s Ark or nativity scene. Brooke goes to our church’s preschool, and I am definitely pro-Bible. But is there something sacriligous about playing with a Jesus doll? They also have Mary with a little Baby Jesus. And the Jews can join in the fun too with Noah and his elephants and this Moses doll complete with tablets!

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Have you heard that in an effort to combat childhood obesity, Disney is going healthy? They are giving up their contract with McDonald’s to feature Disney advertising and toys on Happy Meals. They will no longer be selling themed Pop-tarts. They will no longer server junk food in the theme parks. Because if you have not heard, Disney is to blame for childhood obesity. While I do support the idea of associating characters with healthier foods (you can get Cars, Dora, and Diego yogurts, for example) to help parents from the ensuing drama every week at the grocery store, I think it is pathetic and irresponsible to blame Disney for overweight kids. I don’t think it is the fault of McDonald’s either. Come on, people, take some responsibility for your choices. Parents, you are to blame!

My mother and grandmother may consider me to be a food nazi, but I firmly believe that we are setting expectations and behaviors now that will last a lifetime. We just don’t have much junk of any kind in our house. If it isn’t there, nobody will eat it or expect it. I think we need to provide healthy food choices for ourselves and our children and then allow for some slurging in moderation. My family goes to McDonald’s once in a while, and if my kids want to eat a hamburger and fries I don’t care. It is not the norm and is something special. We don’t eat like that every day. So, if you are doing the right things every day, who cares if you eat a Happy Meal or junk on a Disney vacation (by the way, Disney World has plenty of healthy options and junk is not the overwhelming majority of their food options). Blaming Disney and McDonald’s may be convenient, but it is not where blame should be placed. Parenting is hard. Take some responsibility and teach your kids to eat healthy, exercise, and enjoy treats in moderation.

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Do you remember your senior year of high school or college? Did you have that feeling that the closer you came to graduation the less you really cared about your classes? Well, I seem to be developing that related to Ph.D. coursework. This is really my last semester of coursework other than one seminar in the spring. This is the last time I will be bogged down with problem sets and studying for countless exams. We are about half done with the fall semester, and I feel my interest and energy. I feel that way about all of my classes, but I feel it most strongly for econometrics. I have a desire to learn the subject, but that desire is only minimal at this point. We have spent about two months completely consumed by this class and all the work. Tonight I just sat there and wanted to yell “ENOUGH!” I would not have been alone in that sentiment and probably would have been cheered on by the other students. I would like to say that I will come back from Fall Break with a renewed sense of optimism and hope, but there is a near-zero probability of that happening since I will spend the whole break doing homework.

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I found out this afternoon that I am definitely going to San Francisco in April for the ARES doctoral seminar!

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Econometrics class is still trying to kill me. I am taking some battle wounds this week as we go into our second exam, but I am still standing. In the meantime, I need to keep looking ahead. I have been asked to discuss three papers at November’s Southern Finance Association meeting, and I accepted the job for two of them. One is related to including REITs in a portfolio, which is something I am getting well versed on for my own research. The other is a theoretical paper that is going to take a lot of work to discuss. In addition, two of the authors are very well known in real estate finance. I thought about saying no but then decided to say yes because I think that they will remember that I at least gave it a try and accepted the challenge. I am definitely thinking ahead to being on the job market next year and want to plant my name and face in some minds this year. Along those lines, Dr. Zumpano is going to nominate me to be a part of the doctoral seminar at the American Real Estate Society’s meeting in April. So, I am trying not to let the moment in econometrics get me down by keeping my eye on the prize. Besides, I just suffered through 3 months of screaming Luke. Certainly I can handle two more months of Dr. Lee.

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So, today is Columbus Day, and I guess the banks and post office are closed. Even in Tuscaloosa, it seems that nothing is really closed today. Brooke and I both have school today. Did we used to get off from school for Columbus Day? I don’t remember, but it seems like the day is barely a holiday anymore. Maybe because light is being shed on the fact that Columbus no more discovered America than Al Gore discovered/invented the Internet?

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I used to go to the Hallmark store and spend a good 30 minutes perusing the different cards to find the perfect one for each person and each recipient. Have you ever tried to do that with an almost 3-year old and a newborn? When I remember to get a card, I am usually grabbing the first thing I see in the grocery store. And then the card is usually 2 weeks late anyway. Once I was a wonderful friend and correspondent. Now my best intentions are too rarely met with action.

I have recently come upon this great web site, Red Stamp Cards. They have really cute cards that you can purchase and have shipped to you, or for an extra $1.50 they will write your message in the card and send it directly to the recipient. They will even send you an email before events in your calendar to remind you to send the card. This is a busy mom’s dream. The selection is perfect to someone of my taste, and I don’t have to leave the house! Last night I made my first order and paid the extra $1.50 so that I knew the card would not get sent directly to my friend. Perhaps I will once again be the person who send the cute card on time…and you might be getting a card in the mail any day now.

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Scott has been on Nutrisystem for 2 weeks and is seeing results. They did, however, send him some food he did not order and did not want because they were out of the more popular items (like hamburgers and pizza). Tonight I got home from school at almost 7:00, and he was going to make me the Nutrisystem tuna casserole meal so I would not have to worry about cooking something for myself. Sounds good, right? Wrong! Please look at the picture on the box and then look at the stuff on the plate that closely resembles dog puke. Is there some false advertising going on or what? I had Life cereal for dinner.

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