Thursday, October 26, 2006
Early Voting ...
If you haven't done so already, vote early! It took me less than 5 minutes today to vote at the downtown early voting precinct (South 1st and East 1st). If you're unsure of everything, go to http://election.dos.state.fl.us/initiati...
to read about the amendments, or from there, you can find your way back to see each of the candidates.
"People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise."
W. Somerset Maugham-- Author (Of Human Bondage)
So true, so true.
The main goal of this was to keep all of my friend's updated with my life, which I feel I haven't done in the last few posts, so here it goes ...
I am only interviewing for two jobs as of right now: Bank of America's Treasury Management Analyst Program and Teach For America. Only two. The plan was to interview everywhere and for everything, but that idea went out the window with the whole non-technical BABA idea. So now, there are 2. Could they be more different?
Without question, it is the toughest decision I have ever had to make. Technically, I don't have an offer with either, so this is all hypothetical. Sigh ...
I added another class (Existentialism) to keep me busy.
And that's about all for now...
to read about the amendments, or from there, you can find your way back to see each of the candidates.
"People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise."
W. Somerset Maugham-- Author (Of Human Bondage)
So true, so true.
The main goal of this was to keep all of my friend's updated with my life, which I feel I haven't done in the last few posts, so here it goes ...
I am only interviewing for two jobs as of right now: Bank of America's Treasury Management Analyst Program and Teach For America. Only two. The plan was to interview everywhere and for everything, but that idea went out the window with the whole non-technical BABA idea. So now, there are 2. Could they be more different?
Without question, it is the toughest decision I have ever had to make. Technically, I don't have an offer with either, so this is all hypothetical. Sigh ...
I added another class (Existentialism) to keep me busy.
And that's about all for now...
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Carl Hiassen
http://www.sustainable.ufl.edu/conferenc...
Could they really find no better picture of the Miami Herald writer? Seriously. But it's not as bad as the one on the ACCENT fliers I hear ...
Anyway, check out some info about the conference as it should be amazing. Student registration is $35, but includes 2 meals each day.
"People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps."
Mary Kay Ash- THE Mary Kay
So, today was a good day. My interview with Bank of America for the Treasury Management Analyst Program could not have gone better (interviewer was former BACC, AND a former SG indie), which begs the question, what happens if I actually get this offer? Now, I don't want to put the cart before the horse OR to count my chickens before they've hatched, but this is just a glorified finance job. Or is it? Or could I do both this AND Teach For America?
Questions, questions, so many questions.
Today was a good day. Yes, yes it was. I realized that I could recover A's in all but one class, and that could *in theory* qualify for the Hall of Fame by application time in early March. Good job interview. Great BACC meeting. Life is good. I am skipping the FLA/GA game this weekend (see last note) for my cousin's wedding, but I am excited, really.
My World Series prediction looks solid ...
Interesting fact while watching Sportscenter-- last night's Cowboys vs Giants Monday Night Football game was the highest rated cable tv program -- EVER-- with 16 million people watching. Do you know what it replaced? The 1993 NAFTA debate between former "The next President" Al Gore and Ross Perot. I'll give you $5 if you knew honestly knew that, lol.
That's all for tonight ...
Could they really find no better picture of the Miami Herald writer? Seriously. But it's not as bad as the one on the ACCENT fliers I hear ...
Anyway, check out some info about the conference as it should be amazing. Student registration is $35, but includes 2 meals each day.
"People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps."
Mary Kay Ash- THE Mary Kay
So, today was a good day. My interview with Bank of America for the Treasury Management Analyst Program could not have gone better (interviewer was former BACC, AND a former SG indie), which begs the question, what happens if I actually get this offer? Now, I don't want to put the cart before the horse OR to count my chickens before they've hatched, but this is just a glorified finance job. Or is it? Or could I do both this AND Teach For America?
Questions, questions, so many questions.
Today was a good day. Yes, yes it was. I realized that I could recover A's in all but one class, and that could *in theory* qualify for the Hall of Fame by application time in early March. Good job interview. Great BACC meeting. Life is good. I am skipping the FLA/GA game this weekend (see last note) for my cousin's wedding, but I am excited, really.
My World Series prediction looks solid ...
Interesting fact while watching Sportscenter-- last night's Cowboys vs Giants Monday Night Football game was the highest rated cable tv program -- EVER-- with 16 million people watching. Do you know what it replaced? The 1993 NAFTA debate between former "The next President" Al Gore and Ross Perot. I'll give you $5 if you knew honestly knew that, lol.
That's all for tonight ...
Monday, October 23, 2006
Florida-Georgia, random thoughts
I think I might be the only senior to have never been to the Florida/Georgia game. I know HS kids who have been. How sad. This year will be no different though. I tried, couldn't get tickets. But it's probably for the best, because I had to be home Sunday anyway for my cousin's wedding.
"Vitally important for a young man or woman is, first, to realize the value of education and then to cultivate earnestly, aggressively, ceaselessly, the habit of self-education."
-BC Forbes (founded Forbes magazine in 1917)
LSU will crush Tennessee on Saturday, Nov 4th.
The Cardinals will still win in 6 games.
So, tomorrow I will change my major again, officially, to economics. After that, I am interviewing with Bank of America for a position under their Investment Banking division (TMAP). I'm still not sure what I want to do, but before I wanted to do GE, I wanted to do BOA. Then ... all heck broke loose. We'll see what happens ...
"Vitally important for a young man or woman is, first, to realize the value of education and then to cultivate earnestly, aggressively, ceaselessly, the habit of self-education."
-BC Forbes (founded Forbes magazine in 1917)
LSU will crush Tennessee on Saturday, Nov 4th.
The Cardinals will still win in 6 games.
So, tomorrow I will change my major again, officially, to economics. After that, I am interviewing with Bank of America for a position under their Investment Banking division (TMAP). I'm still not sure what I want to do, but before I wanted to do GE, I wanted to do BOA. Then ... all heck broke loose. We'll see what happens ...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Election Pulse
http://ufl.facebook.com/election_pulse.p...
I found this as the only wall posting for Connie Mack:
I am an avid supporter of Connie Mack and encourage everyone to vote for him this November. I know I will. And I'm not just some random endorsement either. Connie's Democratic opponent is my dad and I know exactly how sorry we will all be unless Connie Mack is our US Representative.
Is that for real? Any nerd bigger than I know if Robert Neeld Jr actually has a son named Brandon from Cape Coral who attends FSU?
It's quite an interesting tool, election pulse, but I question the accuracy of a poll where the only measurement is who is friends with the candidate (can we say margin of error?).
I had two exams yesterday which prevented me from posting, and neither went as well as planned. Oh well.
From Motivateus.com,
"You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully."
-Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins??
Unfortunately I can't find yesteday's quote, and they only update Monday-Friday, so no motivational quotes this weekend.
On the whole Subway tangent from the other day, I noticed on the catering portion of the menu at the Subway in the Union that prices start at $9 a foot. $9 a foot? Couldn't I just buy many, many one foot subs for much cheaper? Obviously I was wrong that someone their studied Management and thus tried to make things efficient.
Also, am I the only one that actually thinks the Cardinals will win the WS? I am rooting for the Tigers of course, but I think the Cardinals are a better (and more experienced) team and will win in 6 games. MVP? Pujols, you guessed it.
Back to politics. Is it just me, or when you are watching campaign ads on tv, with one eye, while on facebook, Charlie Crist and Jim Davis could be EASILY be confused for one another?
Ok, WOW, as I am writing this, I surf over to PBS because I know that Tavis Smiley is on (how sad, I know) and the guest looks EXACTLY like the long-haired guy who plays the guitar at Turlington. I really, really thought it was him. Apparently though it was Danny Mann. So, I of course google him, thinking that might be the same guy. But alas, they are different. If anyone could be identical twins separated at birth though, it would be those two. He's a nice guy. If you've ever done an SG campaign, then you know who I am talking about. If only everyone was like this guy, the world would be a better place.
Ahh PBS. Make a difference day is in 8 hours, so I am going to get some sleep. Hope to see you out there.
I found this as the only wall posting for Connie Mack:
I am an avid supporter of Connie Mack and encourage everyone to vote for him this November. I know I will. And I'm not just some random endorsement either. Connie's Democratic opponent is my dad and I know exactly how sorry we will all be unless Connie Mack is our US Representative.
Is that for real? Any nerd bigger than I know if Robert Neeld Jr actually has a son named Brandon from Cape Coral who attends FSU?
It's quite an interesting tool, election pulse, but I question the accuracy of a poll where the only measurement is who is friends with the candidate (can we say margin of error?).
I had two exams yesterday which prevented me from posting, and neither went as well as planned. Oh well.
From Motivateus.com,
"You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully."
-Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins??
Unfortunately I can't find yesteday's quote, and they only update Monday-Friday, so no motivational quotes this weekend.
On the whole Subway tangent from the other day, I noticed on the catering portion of the menu at the Subway in the Union that prices start at $9 a foot. $9 a foot? Couldn't I just buy many, many one foot subs for much cheaper? Obviously I was wrong that someone their studied Management and thus tried to make things efficient.
Also, am I the only one that actually thinks the Cardinals will win the WS? I am rooting for the Tigers of course, but I think the Cardinals are a better (and more experienced) team and will win in 6 games. MVP? Pujols, you guessed it.
Back to politics. Is it just me, or when you are watching campaign ads on tv, with one eye, while on facebook, Charlie Crist and Jim Davis could be EASILY be confused for one another?
Ok, WOW, as I am writing this, I surf over to PBS because I know that Tavis Smiley is on (how sad, I know) and the guest looks EXACTLY like the long-haired guy who plays the guitar at Turlington. I really, really thought it was him. Apparently though it was Danny Mann. So, I of course google him, thinking that might be the same guy. But alas, they are different. If anyone could be identical twins separated at birth though, it would be those two. He's a nice guy. If you've ever done an SG campaign, then you know who I am talking about. If only everyone was like this guy, the world would be a better place.
Ahh PBS. Make a difference day is in 8 hours, so I am going to get some sleep. Hope to see you out there.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Pet Peeves addendum
Although I know I ended the subject with irony, I will start the note with it. I have stopped reading the Alligator in its print form entirely, and now read it online to start my day. It reduces the need for wasted paper, which wouldn't be as big of a problem with paper recycling, but isn't such a big step being just me. Anyway, the point of this wasn't to convince others to do the same, but to mention that every time I see a catch phrase from one of the SG campaigns I have worked on, it makes me smile. Even the campaigns in which ...
So, this from senate Tuesday from the Associate Dean of CLAS - "We kind of let things go as 'business as usual' and didn't include faculty and students". Business (or politics) as usual. LMAO. I didn't add the quotes around "business as usual" either, so someone at the Alligator did their homework. There was a quote yesterday that read "so and so fails to take action", which also elicited a chuckle from me. Then, I changed my picture yesterday, and got this wall post from Hoffman- "I thought I was looking at the Fall Impact logo from the thumbnail-sized pic," in regards to me standing next to a 10 foot tall glass of coke. Doesn't it all cycle back to SG somehow? Sad, I know.
Speaking of sad, I had a sad dream last night that took place during the Fall Impact campaign. The dream started out as all fun and games (as was much of that Impact campaign- I specifically remember like 5 dinners at Olive Garden???). Fun times. And for the sad and simultaneously weird part, I tend to have certain powers while dreaming. There is a word for it, but I do not remember (hopefully one of you wonderful commenters will) where I tend to exist in a quasi awake/sleep state, which enables me to sort of guide the path of my dreams. This may sound crazy, but I've heard of others doing it too, and even read about it in one of my psych classes-- something to do with a certain level of rem sleep, but I don't really know.
ANYWAY, in this dream (and please no one read in to this anymore than it just being a dream), but one of my good friends and fellow Fall Impact exec, Ally, had died in a plane crash. I remember the dream quite vividly (again, that quasi-awaken state), because we were all at olive garden (yeah, not sure why we went there like 5x exactly), and then went back to someone's apartment. I remember specifically reading a Yahoo News headline that detailed a plane crash that I knew she was on. It was bizarre.
And the weird part (and also the part that will stop Ally from being upset with me for dreaming she died) is that when I woke up, my pillow was soaking wet from the tears I'd shed mourning her death in my dream-- b/c we still care. The dream was so real, that I immediately checked Yahoo, and text messaged her. Not that you all cared about the detail that much, but it was one of the more vivid dreams I can ever remember having. So Ally, don't fly anywhere today =) And I will be greatly appreciative to anyone who knows the name of this alleged quasi sleep state where one can shape the path of their dreams.
As far as friends go, you never realize who will be reading these notes when you write them, but I have had many people, some very random others not, comment on them in the last 3 days. From seeing people at Chipotle, to comments via Gmessenger. It makes me realize how amazing my friends are to actually read the craziness that goes on in my head (esp while sleeping). One in particular, let's call them Borad, relayed a story to me that absolutely made me laugh out loud, how they faked an illness to get out of an exam, in let's say, Tales of King Arthur . But, you can't just do that. You need to get a note from the infirmary. So Borad faked a food poisoning illness so amazingly, that they got an excused note for the exam about the Round Table. The names of the student and class have been changed to protect the innocent ... er, that's not quite right, but you get the idea.
Three last things that have come up since I started writing this:
1).
http://www.alligator.org/pt2/061018colum...
This kid knows his stuff. Can I run him for SBP?
2). Before I forget, ""If you change your mind, you can change your life."
William James- author of Pragmatism, A Pluralistic Universe, and The Meaning of Truth and Professor of Psychology at Harvard in the late 1800's.
I like that one, although I had no lack of motivation today, except for studying of course, because instead of doing that, I wrote this for an hour =)
3). I will begin tagging everyone to which I make any reference in my posts, even if not by name. So if you don't get how the note is relevant to you, ask, and I will let you know, although they are things you should know.
4). (yeah, I know I said 3, but here's a bonus insight) Every time I look down at the title of this brower, it says "Facebook | write a N", and that's all the fits. It would be "Facebook | Write a Note", but every time I see it, I think " I write Sins Not Tragedies", the song by Panic at the Disco. Yeah, pointless I know, but I felt like sharing.
So, this from senate Tuesday from the Associate Dean of CLAS - "We kind of let things go as 'business as usual' and didn't include faculty and students". Business (or politics) as usual. LMAO. I didn't add the quotes around "business as usual" either, so someone at the Alligator did their homework. There was a quote yesterday that read "so and so fails to take action", which also elicited a chuckle from me. Then, I changed my picture yesterday, and got this wall post from Hoffman- "I thought I was looking at the Fall Impact logo from the thumbnail-sized pic," in regards to me standing next to a 10 foot tall glass of coke. Doesn't it all cycle back to SG somehow? Sad, I know.
Speaking of sad, I had a sad dream last night that took place during the Fall Impact campaign. The dream started out as all fun and games (as was much of that Impact campaign- I specifically remember like 5 dinners at Olive Garden???). Fun times. And for the sad and simultaneously weird part, I tend to have certain powers while dreaming. There is a word for it, but I do not remember (hopefully one of you wonderful commenters will) where I tend to exist in a quasi awake/sleep state, which enables me to sort of guide the path of my dreams. This may sound crazy, but I've heard of others doing it too, and even read about it in one of my psych classes-- something to do with a certain level of rem sleep, but I don't really know.
ANYWAY, in this dream (and please no one read in to this anymore than it just being a dream), but one of my good friends and fellow Fall Impact exec, Ally, had died in a plane crash. I remember the dream quite vividly (again, that quasi-awaken state), because we were all at olive garden (yeah, not sure why we went there like 5x exactly), and then went back to someone's apartment. I remember specifically reading a Yahoo News headline that detailed a plane crash that I knew she was on. It was bizarre.
And the weird part (and also the part that will stop Ally from being upset with me for dreaming she died) is that when I woke up, my pillow was soaking wet from the tears I'd shed mourning her death in my dream-- b/c we still care. The dream was so real, that I immediately checked Yahoo, and text messaged her. Not that you all cared about the detail that much, but it was one of the more vivid dreams I can ever remember having. So Ally, don't fly anywhere today =) And I will be greatly appreciative to anyone who knows the name of this alleged quasi sleep state where one can shape the path of their dreams.
As far as friends go, you never realize who will be reading these notes when you write them, but I have had many people, some very random others not, comment on them in the last 3 days. From seeing people at Chipotle, to comments via Gmessenger. It makes me realize how amazing my friends are to actually read the craziness that goes on in my head (esp while sleeping). One in particular, let's call them Borad, relayed a story to me that absolutely made me laugh out loud, how they faked an illness to get out of an exam, in let's say, Tales of King Arthur . But, you can't just do that. You need to get a note from the infirmary. So Borad faked a food poisoning illness so amazingly, that they got an excused note for the exam about the Round Table. The names of the student and class have been changed to protect the innocent ... er, that's not quite right, but you get the idea.
Three last things that have come up since I started writing this:
1).
http://www.alligator.org/pt2/061018colum...
This kid knows his stuff. Can I run him for SBP?
2). Before I forget, ""If you change your mind, you can change your life."
William James- author of Pragmatism, A Pluralistic Universe, and The Meaning of Truth and Professor of Psychology at Harvard in the late 1800's.
I like that one, although I had no lack of motivation today, except for studying of course, because instead of doing that, I wrote this for an hour =)
3). I will begin tagging everyone to which I make any reference in my posts, even if not by name. So if you don't get how the note is relevant to you, ask, and I will let you know, although they are things you should know.
4). (yeah, I know I said 3, but here's a bonus insight) Every time I look down at the title of this brower, it says "Facebook | write a N", and that's all the fits. It would be "Facebook | Write a Note", but every time I see it, I think " I write Sins Not Tragedies", the song by Panic at the Disco. Yeah, pointless I know, but I felt like sharing.
Those were the days ...
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Pet Peeves
In contrast to the song "these are some of my favorite things" or the like, here are some of my biggest pet peeves (or at least those that have bothered me today).
1). The elevators in the Reitz Union -- the close door buttons don't work. In fact, I have found that the more you push the button, the LONGER it takes the door to close. And if you hold it down constantly, they won't shut at all. So, your three options are wait forever by holding it down, wait a little while by pushing it, or wait the normal time by doing nothing. How sad.
2). People who don't have their IDs ready before getting on the bus. It's mid-to-late October, you should know how this works by now.
I had more, really. I made a big list on the bus, but then this kid didn't have his ID ready, and I got distracted by something shiny, and forgot my list. I will continue to update the note as I remember more, but #1 and #2 are the tops.
As you can come to expect, here is the motivational quote of the day, slightly edited:
"Not one of us knows what affect his(/her) life produces, and what he(/she) gives to others; that is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage. The way in which power works is a mystery."
Albert Schweitzer- 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Lastly, I've been getting a lot of telemarketing calls to my cell phone lately. To stop this, I went to www.donotcall.gov. If you have not done so yet, do it now before you forget.
After BACC tonight (PHH Mortgage is recruiting for full time positions), I am headed back to the library to do an Ops Man practice test. If you want to work through one with me, lmk. Have a great day,
David
1). The elevators in the Reitz Union -- the close door buttons don't work. In fact, I have found that the more you push the button, the LONGER it takes the door to close. And if you hold it down constantly, they won't shut at all. So, your three options are wait forever by holding it down, wait a little while by pushing it, or wait the normal time by doing nothing. How sad.
2). People who don't have their IDs ready before getting on the bus. It's mid-to-late October, you should know how this works by now.
I had more, really. I made a big list on the bus, but then this kid didn't have his ID ready, and I got distracted by something shiny, and forgot my list. I will continue to update the note as I remember more, but #1 and #2 are the tops.
As you can come to expect, here is the motivational quote of the day, slightly edited:
"Not one of us knows what affect his(/her) life produces, and what he(/she) gives to others; that is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage. The way in which power works is a mystery."
Albert Schweitzer- 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Lastly, I've been getting a lot of telemarketing calls to my cell phone lately. To stop this, I went to www.donotcall.gov. If you have not done so yet, do it now before you forget.
After BACC tonight (PHH Mortgage is recruiting for full time positions), I am headed back to the library to do an Ops Man practice test. If you want to work through one with me, lmk. Have a great day,
David
Monday, October 16, 2006
BCS Standings
So as you probably read, I calculated the BCS Standings last week-- a week before they came out-- just to see where things were, which after the Auburn loss, doesn't mean quite as much. I wrote a lengthy note about 6 hours ago before an Ops Man review, and Mozilla crashed-- and that never happens. I downloaded the new beta version (with spell-check in all text forms, including this one), and it has crashed 4 times in a little over a week. Anyway, I will try and re-create as much of the note as I can.
So, we're #6 in the BCS. It could be a LOT worse. Now, all we need is a few small miracles. Michigan will beat Ohio St in my opinion. USC will lose 2 out of the Notre Dame, Oregon, California, and UCLA gauntlet. Auburn can't make it to the SEC Championship unless Arkansas loses to Tennessee AND LSU, which won't happen with that Arkansas running game, and the polls won't rank a one-loss Auburn team ahead of a 1 loss SEC Champion. West Virginia will get screwed b/c of their weak schedule.
But that's all qualitative. Looking at the numbers, well, first .you have to understand how the new BCS works. In a much, much simplified version of the formula, they take 1/3 of the Coaches Poll, 1/3 of the Harris Poll, and 1/3 of an average of 6 computer polls. In reality, there are 6 computers, but they drop the highest and lowest ranking to reduce the outlier effect. Unfortunately the Associated Press ranks us higher, but they refused last year to allow the BCS to use their poll anymore, mostly due to internal politics, and mostly regarding the lack of a playoff system. So let's look at the computer polls.
The best possible score would be 100%, meaning each of the four polls ranked you as #1. A score of 96% would mean each of the four counted polls ranked you #2, or missing 4 possible points from being perfect. Each computer uses a different algorithm to calculate. Some favor strength of schedule, while some favor margin of victory. You can view all of the polls at www.cfrc.com. Now, in a very surprising move, USC is ranked #1 in all of the polls, and thus has a perfect 100%. Michigan is #2 in each of the polls, and has a 96%. Ohio St, consensus #1 in the AP, Coaches, and Harris poll, is #3 in each poll, giving them 92%. All three are very close, and specific wins, or losses of teams they beat, could shift those numbers around.
Florida has a 87%. This means that they were ranked 4,4,4, and 5. In case you were curious, we are #4 and #9 in the two polls who were dropped to get to the median. We'll most certainly pass the loser of the Ohio St/Michigan game, if for no other reason then it is played November 18th, with little to no chance for a rebound. Assuming USC loses, that puts us at #2 in the computers, and gives us 33% of a score of 96%. It's conceivable then that while we are #3 or #4 in the Coaches/Harris poll, we could vault the #2 team (so long as it is split between the 2 polls) into the BCS Championship.
It'll be interesting, but it all assumes that we win out. I'm not too afraid of going into Jax, I am a little afraid of going into Doak Campbell especially with FSU having no BCS hopes b/c they will be gunning to take us down, and I am actually most scared of playing Spurrier's ball club even though it's at home. Call me crazy, but I never will doubt his motivational abilities.
I've been very interested in the BCS lately. I'm even considering writing my public finance policy paper on the economic implications of a playoff system versus the current bowl system on the 117 member institutions of the NCAA Division 1 football program. We'll see.
About that motivational thing ...
I am buying Vemma with the hopes that it supplements the working out I will now do that it is 1) colder out, 2) have an mp3 player, and 3) have a dog to run with.
Sasha, what do you need for International Week? I am yours, within reason.
Vi, we have too many memories to pick just one, but if I must ... no, I can't!
Telecom and Ops Man tests on Thursday ... but I got an A on my Public Finance mid-term. Oh, yeah, and I am changing my major, again. For you WCBA trivia buffs, Economics is the only major that you can complete in one semester =
So, we're #6 in the BCS. It could be a LOT worse. Now, all we need is a few small miracles. Michigan will beat Ohio St in my opinion. USC will lose 2 out of the Notre Dame, Oregon, California, and UCLA gauntlet. Auburn can't make it to the SEC Championship unless Arkansas loses to Tennessee AND LSU, which won't happen with that Arkansas running game, and the polls won't rank a one-loss Auburn team ahead of a 1 loss SEC Champion. West Virginia will get screwed b/c of their weak schedule.
But that's all qualitative. Looking at the numbers, well, first .you have to understand how the new BCS works. In a much, much simplified version of the formula, they take 1/3 of the Coaches Poll, 1/3 of the Harris Poll, and 1/3 of an average of 6 computer polls. In reality, there are 6 computers, but they drop the highest and lowest ranking to reduce the outlier effect. Unfortunately the Associated Press ranks us higher, but they refused last year to allow the BCS to use their poll anymore, mostly due to internal politics, and mostly regarding the lack of a playoff system. So let's look at the computer polls.
The best possible score would be 100%, meaning each of the four polls ranked you as #1. A score of 96% would mean each of the four counted polls ranked you #2, or missing 4 possible points from being perfect. Each computer uses a different algorithm to calculate. Some favor strength of schedule, while some favor margin of victory. You can view all of the polls at www.cfrc.com. Now, in a very surprising move, USC is ranked #1 in all of the polls, and thus has a perfect 100%. Michigan is #2 in each of the polls, and has a 96%. Ohio St, consensus #1 in the AP, Coaches, and Harris poll, is #3 in each poll, giving them 92%. All three are very close, and specific wins, or losses of teams they beat, could shift those numbers around.
Florida has a 87%. This means that they were ranked 4,4,4, and 5. In case you were curious, we are #4 and #9 in the two polls who were dropped to get to the median. We'll most certainly pass the loser of the Ohio St/Michigan game, if for no other reason then it is played November 18th, with little to no chance for a rebound. Assuming USC loses, that puts us at #2 in the computers, and gives us 33% of a score of 96%. It's conceivable then that while we are #3 or #4 in the Coaches/Harris poll, we could vault the #2 team (so long as it is split between the 2 polls) into the BCS Championship.
It'll be interesting, but it all assumes that we win out. I'm not too afraid of going into Jax, I am a little afraid of going into Doak Campbell especially with FSU having no BCS hopes b/c they will be gunning to take us down, and I am actually most scared of playing Spurrier's ball club even though it's at home. Call me crazy, but I never will doubt his motivational abilities.
I've been very interested in the BCS lately. I'm even considering writing my public finance policy paper on the economic implications of a playoff system versus the current bowl system on the 117 member institutions of the NCAA Division 1 football program. We'll see.
About that motivational thing ...
I am buying Vemma with the hopes that it supplements the working out I will now do that it is 1) colder out, 2) have an mp3 player, and 3) have a dog to run with.
Sasha, what do you need for International Week? I am yours, within reason.
Vi, we have too many memories to pick just one, but if I must ... no, I can't!
Telecom and Ops Man tests on Thursday ... but I got an A on my Public Finance mid-term. Oh, yeah, and I am changing my major, again. For you WCBA trivia buffs, Economics is the only major that you can complete in one semester =
We must move forward, not backward - upward, not forward - and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards the future...
That's how I have felt a lot recently, moving in contrasting directions, while always twirling towards freedom. I'm being torn between doing the work I feel I have spent my college career putting myself in position to do OR doing something greater for the world while not being compensated for the work I put in. Decisions, Decisions. Can't we just all watch the Simpsons all day long?
In case you haven't checked my mini-feed today (let's be honest -- no one besides me in 10 years will read this note anyway), I am attending the project runway finale on Wednesday night even though I despise the show (but to be fair, I've never really watched more than 30 seconds of it). Why attend than you ask? The good people that will be there.
I've noticed that I really have a problem with motivation lately. As of this note, I only hold two positions on campus that only require roughly 5-10 hours a week of my time. And I am taking 14 credits. But nothing else. I really thrive in situations where I am also helping run a campaign, volunteering at a charity regularly, add 2 leadership positions, and make it mid-term week too. While I definitely have more things to do, I utilize my time much better. Now, I only have 2 hours of class on M/W, yet I lay in bed until 10 AM, stay on the computer doing nothing (stuff like this ) until noon, go to class, do office hours and talk to random people about nothing important, come home and pretend to read, watch 4 hours of compleyely random tv, and go to sleep-- repeat. I could do so, so much more with the same 24 hours though. Basically, I need motivation.
While I hate resorting to cheesey quotes or book, I found this web-site (http://www.motivateus.com/) and plan at least to update this daily with a quote from there, as well as what is going on in my world. Today: "Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." Kind of fits in with the subject of this note. This week, I am planning on going to lots of BACC stuff (general meeting Tuesday at 6:30 PM, Fat Tuesdays at 11 PM, a potluck dinner social/fundraiser where the officers bring the food and the members pay $5 to eat on Thursday, and make a difference day Saturday morning ). I also have two tests, two parties to go to (Wed and Sat night), and an ethics competition to help with, but even with all that, I could do so much more with just a little motivation ...
In case you haven't checked my mini-feed today (let's be honest -- no one besides me in 10 years will read this note anyway), I am attending the project runway finale on Wednesday night even though I despise the show (but to be fair, I've never really watched more than 30 seconds of it). Why attend than you ask? The good people that will be there.
I've noticed that I really have a problem with motivation lately. As of this note, I only hold two positions on campus that only require roughly 5-10 hours a week of my time. And I am taking 14 credits. But nothing else. I really thrive in situations where I am also helping run a campaign, volunteering at a charity regularly, add 2 leadership positions, and make it mid-term week too. While I definitely have more things to do, I utilize my time much better. Now, I only have 2 hours of class on M/W, yet I lay in bed until 10 AM, stay on the computer doing nothing (stuff like this ) until noon, go to class, do office hours and talk to random people about nothing important, come home and pretend to read, watch 4 hours of compleyely random tv, and go to sleep-- repeat. I could do so, so much more with the same 24 hours though. Basically, I need motivation.
While I hate resorting to cheesey quotes or book, I found this web-site (http://www.motivateus.com/) and plan at least to update this daily with a quote from there, as well as what is going on in my world. Today: "Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." Kind of fits in with the subject of this note. This week, I am planning on going to lots of BACC stuff (general meeting Tuesday at 6:30 PM, Fat Tuesdays at 11 PM, a potluck dinner social/fundraiser where the officers bring the food and the members pay $5 to eat on Thursday, and make a difference day Saturday morning ). I also have two tests, two parties to go to (Wed and Sat night), and an ethics competition to help with, but even with all that, I could do so much more with just a little motivation ...
