Hottie Alert

Can you find a hottie hidden somewhere near my new couch? I can!


(Obviously my last post was way too ambitious...)

Consulting: Day 1

I thought I'd blog this week on the types of things I fearlessly do for my employer throughout a week. My job is so different than the way I've worked before, I thought I'd outline a week to reflect on it.

Consulting: Day 1
I flew from Chicago to Minneapolis this moring on the 8:00am Northwest flight. I nearly missed my plane because right as I was getting to the front of the secuity line, the security line was moved - moved to the other end of the terminal. Evidently I am not as speedy as I could have been, since I was now at the end of the line. I got to the gate and was told that I was too late, but I managed to sneak on as they tried to give my seat away to a more deserving wait-listed passenger.

My job in Minnesota involves talking to treasury individuals in large companies and asking them, 'so, who double-checks your work again?' I attempt this with amazing tact, but understandibly, very successful business-people don't like the inference they might be (a) stealing or (b) making an error. I just try to smile!

Oh yeah, the picture is of my new Blackberry. I'll post on it, once I figure out how to work it...

Amazon Prime

As I was buying some stuff off Amazon yesterday, a free -4 month- offer for Amazon Prime came up. I have to admit I'm pretty happy. Now everything I get has free shipping and no $25 order minimum! Now I scour Amazon all the time trying to find something to buy. Guess what I'm finding, not much there...

Notre Dame vs. USC

 
Gameday was at Notre Dame this week, for the big matchup between USC & ND. Unfortunately, it didn't work out the way it was supposed to. Almost, but not quite...

Ironman

Can you believe this guy is one of the 200 best triatheletes in the world? Dan made his personal best during the Hawaii Ironman - the worldwide Ironman championship. While most MBAs were tailgating and watching the ND game; Dan ran, swam and biked for 9 hours, 34 minutes, and 45 seconds. A personal best!

Le Meridian

Or Graves 601, wherever that name came from!

Either way, the place is pretty cool. Every room has a 42' plasma tv, Dvd player, pillowtop matress, and -this is the best- Aveda products! That's right, I get to soap up and rinse off with a rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner. Ahh, it reminds me of my stylist, Chad, and the blissful 45 minutes every-other-week in the Juut uptown salon.

Looks like the Slangwangers are going to make it 4-0 this week. Just like Notre Dame; except 1 better! I only wonder, who will end the season with a better record?

Defending the Caveman

Sarah and I voluntered as ushers for the Lakeview Theatre's (1 mile from home) Sunday matinee. It was a 1-man show called "Defending the Caveman" While there were 200+ people Saturday night, we lucked out and only had to seat 25. So after 15 minutes, we grabbed a 6th row seat and watched the play. While it didn't 'do it for me' - Sarah giggled throughout the show (probably thinking about me)... But I'm don't want to be a Caveman!

Rugs

I don't think I've posted a picture of my new place yet- at least when there's funiture in it! I've added a new rug which I hope will match my couch when it comes in a month or so. I also got a great deal on my kitchen table. I bough it from Pia, down on the 18th floor, for $100. I now try to purchase everything in the building, because all I have to do it put it in the elevator and go to my floor. Couldn't be easier!

Back in Action

My fantasy football team, the Slangwhangers, are taking the Bethel league by storm. At 3-0, they are alone atop the league standings. The CW is there will be a 3-out-of-4-peat, but I'm not taking any chances.

This week, Tom's Rubes had a chance to be saved by none other than Denver running back Mike Anderson. Go Slangwhangers!

The Spirit Lives

The first Notre Dame home football game is today versus Michigan State. There are a couple of important questions that this game will answer. Will graduated MBAs drink as much as they did a year ago (half a case each)? Will the student section wear 'The Shirt' for 2005 and not rebel against its goldish/yellow color? Can I stand on my feet all the way from my 10am tailgate to the 6:30pm game win? I will know all the answers shortly...

If you are lucky enough to have 'The Shirt' -and you know who you are- wear it with pride, and remember, "Go Irish!"

Sheraton

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. I finished my first week of work, Notre Dame destroyed Michigan, Sarah has been to New York for a business plan competition and now I'm in Minneapolis!

If you missed the ND game, it was pretty exciting. They beat Michigan, the #3 team in the country, really bad. Now they're in the top ten and I'm going to the first home game on Saturday. Go Irish!

Sarah's Licketyship team was in New York presenting their business plan for the Fortune Small Business Plan competition. It went quite well, and Sarah survived the Cincinnati airport during a fire alarm!

Finally, I'll be working in the western suburbs of MN for about 4 days a week over the next couple of weeks (or months). I've been at Sheraton by Lyndale Mall this week. There's a pool and jacuzzi, so feel free to stop by and say hi!

Running

Wow, check out Sara, the newest model for a health advertisement. After being discovered on a run around Lake Calhoun, and a 5am early-morning shoot, she will not grace the inside of some medical journals. Doesn't her running outfit match nicely? Even the shoes!

Fantasy Football

Sarah and I conquered another fantasy football draft yesterday, pulling in an impressive list of veteran players sure to put up good numbers. Will everyone quit the league if I win 3 out of the last 4 years? Go Slangwhangers!

Even a sneaky Swan couldn't steal ALL of my great picks!

Gas Prices

So Sarah's sister comes back from town and tells us New Orleans is under water and the whole town is evacuated. I didn't exactly believe it, but it turns out to be true, and of course you all know that gas prices shot up. Ever notice how the big news items always happen when you're on vacation? Last time that I couldn't check the news, there was a bombing in the area.

Rock Ranch, Indiana

Sarah took the week off and we went down to the "Rock Ranch" - 2 hours from South Bend. Sarah's hippie sister and husband live at this old quarry with small lake during the summer (in a one-room cabin with no electricity). Sarah and I camped, fished, and didn't check email for 3 days - it was great. It was a great bass lake too!

Cake

Notre Dame tries to bring in high quality entertainment once a year, and this year it was Cake. After the LicketyShip photo-op, Sarah and I headed to campus to see Cake perform. Akon (singer of Lonely) started off the show with a lot of energy and had everyone singing 'ghetto' for a chorus:

Akon: I love to live in the...
ND Students: ...Ghetto
Akon: I love to eat in the...
ND Students: ...Ghetto

Even the guy in front of me wearing a Polo with upturned collar joined in!

Cake came on later and sang a couple of songs no-one knew. It didn't get much better and they don't put on a great show. They did sing some good songs including, 'She's going the distance' but didn't have much energy. I seriously think the lead singer was heavily stoned at the time.

Fortune Small Business Magazine

LicketyShip is in the final round for this years Fortune Small Business Magazine's business plan contest (see last years winner here). Here's a pic of the proper photographer from Chicago who came in to take some action shots. If they win, they'll get the front cover of the magazine which might be a picture of a 'delivery box' in mid-air or the team wearing frog hats! Oh yeah, and $50,000.

Waterloo, Iowa

Check out what I scored on my Grandparent's 'moving to a retirement community' sale. It's croquet, the favorite sport my cousins and I used to play at Grandma & Grandpa's house in Iowa. Most everything had already been claimed from their house by family, but I found this tucked away in the attic over the garage. All the cousins are going to be mad I though of it! (Bonus: It has a sticker that says, "Made in South Bend"!)

Chicago, Illinois

Whew, it's been busy for me this last week and there have been few posts as I've been away from my computer. Sarah and I camped (and fished!) at the 'Rock Ranch' during the week and have been matress/sheets/duvet/rug/couch/table/etc. shopping the hot Labor Day sale weekends. Whew! Btw - did I mention I start work tomorrow?

LicketyShip

Big changes for Sarah over at Licketyship. This past Friday, Fortune Small Business Magazine sent a professional photographer to South Bend to take pictures for an upcoming cover story. Licketyship has made the final round of the business plan competition and will grace either the cover or be in an article of the magazine in October. This makes it 5 business plan competitions that MBAs Sarah, Justin, and Radu have won awards in, and the main way they have generated a buzz for their ideas amoung investors (both plans they worked on have gone on to receive funding).

In other news, LicketyShip will be moving its home base from South Bend to California to better pursue start-up programming talent. As the company can't financially support their current staff, Sarah will be staying in the Midwest. I hope she get a new job near me in Chicago!

Here's some clips I made from the LicketyShip office last Friday. Click on 'Problem', 'We're putting covers on all the TPS reports now', 'Apparently didn't put cover' and finally 'We should have talk'.

Waterloo, Iowa

So my grandparents are really old, and next month they're moving into a retirement community that provides meals and medical care called Friendship Village. Since they're over 90 - I figure they don't need to bother cooking anymore. There are so pics on the right of their new place - It's still be remodeled!

You know your grandma is old when she says, "You know I take a little longer to recover now. It's not like I'm 70 anymore..." She says this thoughtfully. And seriously.

Waterloo, Iowa

Grandpa and I are at Panera right now to take advantage of the free wireless. I'm trying to show him how cool blogging is, but he just keeps reading the Wall Street Journal. He's read about Google Talk and DaimlerChrysler - as well as credit derivatives. "What's a credit derivative?" he askes. "Well..." I say.

Flickr

Just took my pic off the right side of the screen and added a Flickr banner. The idea is I'll add my latest pictures here. Hope it works well!

New Apartment?

I applied for an apartment in Wrigleyville today. It's a one-bedroom 'conversion' with a completely new kitchen and rooms. On the 27th floor, I get a good view of the downtown skyline, Wrigley (a bit farther and higher than the pic), and even a little shoreline. I'll find out if I get it soon. Check in here for the latest details.

New Job

Well, it happened! After a long job search this summer, I have accepted a position at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. I'm pretty excited about working for such a highly respected firm, and can't wait to start.

Here are the details: I'll work out of the Chicago office in their advisory unit working on projects that involve the treasury functions (foreign exchange, interest rate & cash management) of Fortune 500 companies. I will travel for 3-4 days a week around the midwest from Minnesota to Texas. Starting date is right after labor day weekend, otherwise know as fantasy football draft weekend!

As I'll soon be working, the unemployed blog must end - perhaps I'll put up another one in its spot.

Chipotle

My Chipotle burrito has 35g of fat, and
903 calories. How about yours?

Elephant Ear Art

 

 

Check out my Elephant Ear art that is sure to impress the kids!  Instead of making the same old (boring!) large, oval sugary-sweet elephant ears - I have been working on my new 'character' ears.  This one is of Casper the friendly ghost.  Do you see the resemblence?  Maybe next week, I'll do the ND leprechaun or Dale Earnheart Jr - sure to impress all you 'race fans'.

 

 

 

Blog Coutdown

Mike's 2005 Unemployed Blog will be ending soon...


...Developing

New Paris, Indiana

For the second weekend in a row, Sarah and I are heading down to make Elephant Ears at the New Paris Raceway. Let's hope we make more money at it this week - as last week was a wash!

The Jetta

I thought I ruined my Jetta key remote during my weekend kayaking trip, as it was in my pocket -underwater- for most of the half mile course. I guess too much water splashed in when we hit the rapids going sideways! See Sarah's blog for the picture.

It didn't work about every-other-day or so, but it's miraculously healed itself and is now working great. Thanks Volkswagen!

Here's the kayaking...

Bill Gates

Just when I get Qumana, Microsoft comes out with a Word add-in that makes it easy to post as well. Although, it kinda sucks since it doesn't automatically upload pictures.

LicketyShip

Here's the new LicketyShip flash banner ad that you can see in the South Bend Tribune.

(Picture removed)

Qumana

I'm testing out new blogging software called Qumana.  I found it as part of the google advertisements on my page.  Looks like I can blog out of a Word-like software package.  Much better than doing it online.

 

 

 

South Bend, Indiana

Ted & Alana (MBAs) and Sarah and I braved the rapids of the East Race Waterway, the first man-made watercourse in North America. We all got a little wet, but were lucky enough to stay out of the water.

The funny part about the raceway is that it is only open for two months in the summer, when students aren't in school at Notre Dame. Nevertheless, it is highly touted as a local recreational opportunity. I remember the MBA staff listing it as a top 10.

Lombard, Illinois

Feast your eyes on the Rand McNally Chicago Regional EasyFinder map! I've been looking for it all summer at gas stations and local stores, but could not find it. Today, I bought both the state and regional maps and didn't even mind their steep $15 price.

Chicago, Illinois

If you have any extra today...

...send it my way!

Wheaton, Illinois

As requested, I have updated my 'mug shot' on the right. Hopefully, I now look less like a criminal and more employable!

Wheaton, Illinois

In an attempt to boost site hits (& comments!) from the Coyer Clan, I've updated the Amazon listing for an officially licensed Minnesota Twins Jersey Bottle Opener! It's amazing the things you can get online these days - Sarah just bought 10 inflatable frog beach balls, for only $10! (Looks like she got a deal)

Golden Valley, Minnesota

Looks like Tom has some extra time on his hands at his new job - so he came up with a new blog StadiumQuest. It documents his goal to visit every MLB stadium. My only question is 'why' see them all when Wrigley is so close?

(A permanent link is on the right)

South Bend, Indiana

I captured the domain 'michaelcanderson.com' lately and have just gotten around to putting something up there. There's not much to see, but check it out! I had to grab it before the other Michael C Anderson's of the world grabbed it. Like this guy below - who's wanted in Nashville for attempted robbery. There's a reward if you see him and also for helping me put together my site. (We'll split the website profits 50-50!)

1000 Hits

In honor of my 1,000th Blog hit, I present a 1,000 pound pumpkin. You see the connection, right? I'm sure you get it! Everyone pat yourself on the back for each time you've been to my site.


(It'll be this weekend until I can stop!)

Minneapolis, Minnesota

"How many cigar smokers are in Chicago?" - That was the question I was asked in an interview yesterday. Since 'googleing' for the answer didn't help at all, I want to put it to all of you. According to the book The Wisdom of Crowds, a group of people's average answers can be remarkably close to the correct answer for certain questions. Please - everyone put an answer in the comments and let's see what we come up with!

Any calcluation that supports your answer is extra credit!

Zion, Illinois

High school reunion this weekend. Well - not a proper reunion - but just a little get together with some of the people I spent a lot of time with growing up. "Dan the Man" (second from the right) hosted and even dug up the old graduation video; circa 1996. Yup, that means bad graphics and the camera pausing between pictures. Classic!

LicketyShip

LicketyShip's done it again! They made Forture Small Business Magazine's business plan competition semi-finals for the second year in a row. In honor of the win, I'm going to do some frog Origami.

Check out the South Bend Tribune for their latest advertising.

Lake Placid, New York

Notre Dame MBA investment guru, Minnesota native and friend, Dan Arlandson, took 14th place in the Ironman Lake Placid competition. That's out of almost 2000 competitors! Just think - 2000 people wanted to spend over 10 hours running, cycling and swimming. I've heard the swimming can be rough - choppy water and people kicking you - so I have a new suit idea for Dan that will keep him afloat. Safety first!

Complaint Box

Why doesn't the %$&# spell checker here recognize the word "Blog"? Add your complaints in the comment box below.

Lightning Book Reviews

In touch with tonight's Chicago weather, I present lightning book reviews. A number of topics are covered to satisfy everyone! Who dies in the new Harry Potter book? Private equity investing in China? You want power? Hang on:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Solid sixth entry in the Harry Potter series, building the plot for the seventh and final book where Harry will likely take out He-who-must-not-be-named (I'm too lazy to look up the spelling of the real name). Recommendation: skip all the snogging parts to the end where a main character dies!


Mr. China: Tim Clissold leaves London to pursue Private Equity investing in China. Follow him all around the country and learn about a crazy drinking game called baijiu!

In, But Not Of: Hugh Hewitt is not a person I'd like to know, as I'm sure he'd hijack every conversation. The book will help me in my world conquest though (that's next on the list as soon as I find a job.) Remember - power only goes to those that seek it. Surprise power recomendation from the book; start a blog!

Why People Believe Weird Things: This horrible book lacks any insight into why people believe weird conspiracy theories. He simply panders to the 'scientific' and 'intellectualism' of his audience by giving snickering comments to the choir.

Lake Ridinger, Indiana

Sarah loves the kids and they love her. But kids can be cruel - like when they all want to go turtle hunting with Sarah and leave me in a kayak by myself! Here's Sarah with her nieces and her five-day old nephew, Devin.

Lake Ridinger, Indiana

Sarah and I spent an adventurous day at Lake Ridinger with the kids. We took them swimming, turtle hunting, and finally the turtle race! What is a turtle race? Well, everyone puts a turle by the cabin 20 feet above the lake and the first turtle to get wet wins! If you're a kid - you poke, prod or yell at your turtle until it is so scared it goes into its shell (then you just push is down the hill into the lake!) My turtle couldn't care less about going home to the pond and just sat shellshocked on the grass. Eventually, it took the plunge off the rock!

Wheaton, Illinois

I am cooking for myself everynight now, and have found the perfect job search food. Steak! A little salt n' pepper and a pan help create a delicious steak in uner 8 minutes. Caution: I've set off the fire alarm the last couple time I cooked, so take the batteries out of the alarm before you start.

Zazzle.com

I didn't know Zazzle.com was an early-stage startup when I bought my "that LicketyShip chick" tee-shirt, but just saw this in the news. 'Kleiner' is basically the top VC firm in the country. They'll never make it unless they keep designs on file longer!

Zazzle.com Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based operator on an online customized products marketplace, has raised $16 million in Series A funding. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers led the deal, and were joined by Sherpalo Ventures

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

I celebrated missing out on another job by heading out to Lake Geneva for a swim with Tom & Suzy. Bouncing on a trampoline, backflips and a lot of sun was a fun way to spend the weekend.

Naperville, Illinois

Harry Potter mania hits Illinois! Our young Harry Potter, aka Charlie, shown here is just one of literally hundreds of kids dressed up to look like a character from the series last night. We are at Naperville's Harry Potter celebration, where crowds closed down 3 full blocks to celebrate this adolescent literary event with costumes, spell lessons and trivia games - 50 points to Gryffendor for the correct answer!

Wheaton, Illinois

Alright, everybody. I know I haven't posted a lot this week, and I can understand how disapointing that is. But don't forget there's still great links on the lower right of my page for great stuff like Irish Today and Friends Circle! I've personally clicked on them 14 times when I'm travelling (so Google doesn't know), so whoever the other 2 out there are - Thanks!

Does anybody know why I always get the Friends Circle ad? I'll do anything to get it to go away.

Granger, Indiana

U2 fans, check this out! Two weekends ago at my AIM Notre Dame reunion, we had a little get-together outside the house of the head of the ND endowment. Inside, there was this picture of the best band ever, U2, kneeling at the ND grotto before a concert. Pretty cool, huh? I need a copy!

Some-where in Chicagoland

The hottest summer fashion has just unexpectedly surfaced in a quaint, breezy Chicagoland town. "that LicketyShip chick" is generating buzz all over! After appearing in an Indiana newspaper, "that LicketyShip chick" has generated a huge following, which has put together this first limited edition t-shirt. It comes in all sizes and designs, and all profits support "that LicketyShip chick" travel to Minnesota. Get yours today! (See the back)


(Unfortunately, Zazzle.com already deleted my design ... I said it was a limited edition!)

Hammond, Indiana

When you shop at a store like this, there must be some good deals, right? Wrong! Krazy Kaplans, the owner of seemingly 100+ billboards in Chicagoland has a horrible, small, and overpriced fireworks Cline Ave. store. They had hardly anything I would consider reasonable - even though I walked in with really low expectations. That's not to say people inside weren't loading up on the 'Big Bombs'. The marketers for this place know their audience!