My Post-Thanksgiving Review

Well I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. My post is basically an update on what’s been going on lately, it’s a little all over the place.

The Long Trip from Ithaca to NYC
First I have to mention my crappy bus ride from Ithaca. What a LONG ride. The bus left Collegetown at around 6:20 pm and at 7:00 pm we got stuck behind some accident for 2 whole hours. I think this is the 3rd time I’ve gotten stuck behind an accident on trip between Ithaca and NYC - what rotten luck. Then about an hour outside the city, the bus driver stops at a McDonald’s, where half the bus gets off to get food. We’re over 2 hours behind schedule and you’re going to stop and waste more time?! The one good thing is that I ended up in one of the back rows and the bus didn’t fill up so I had 2 seats to myself so I could spread my legs out more comfortably.

The Poor Work for Money, The Rich Have Money Work for Them
So anyway, I’m reading this book, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, for my personal finance class. I’m reading it as part of a final project where we have to choose a book from a list and write a short report on it. I chose this book because I’ve heard it’s really good and it’s also the shortest book on the list. I’m about half way through but it’s like this book is saying exactly what’s on my mind! A lot of the concepts and statements in the book have gone through my head verbatim. I’ve even stated some of those things here on my blog in previous entries. As I’m reading I’m just thinking - wow, a lot of the stuff I’ve been thinking is being corroborated in this book. It doesn’t guarantee success and of course I know that, but I just feel a little better that my outlook on life seems to have worked well for others.

And it’s definitely time I start building my “asset” column. My virtual portfolio has gained over 35% and over $15,000 since early September! I think I’m going to start putting money into stocks bit by bit just to play around and learn. I’m talking small amounts, kind of like a savings account but I guess maybe riskier.

Good Wine, But No Go
Moving on, I brought a nice bottle of wine home to drink but there’s no cork screw in my house! So it seems I can’t even open it. I guess I’ll leave it at home and save it for winter break and Christmas. Reminder to self: buy cork screw.

Yay, My New Car
Oh more exciting news! My parents bought a used car - a 97 Nissan Maxima GLE. It’s in pretty good condition because the previous owner maintained it really well and we got a fair price on it based on Kelley Blue Book. I’d drive it back to Ithaca with me but there’s really no place to park it right now. I might consider arranging parking and then drive it up after winter break. Or maybe after spring break so I don’t have to subject it to the harsh Ithaca winter. It’s nice to look out the window and see a car I can take out again. It’s been a while.

19″ LCD Monitor Anyone?
And now I am looking around for deals on a 19″ LCD monitor. I found a good deal on Newegg for the Samsung 940B. Good monitor at the right price point. Basically I’m looking for high contrast ratio, low response time, DVI input, and lots of good reviews. Black Friday is upon us and there are really cheap LCD’s around but it’s low quality merchandise out there. That stuff is for common shoppers who don’t know or need any better. They think the lower price tag is a steal when really it’s priced that low because it’s a low-end product when you really compare the specs.

I Saw Harrison Ford
Okay so my cousin and I were driving in the area around the Holland Tunnel today, I don’t remember the exact street - when my cousin jokingly says “Hey look it’s Harrison Ford.” I take a look and I’m thinking “Whoa, that guy REALLY does look like Harrison Ford but let me wait till he walks past that car to confirm.” Of course 2 seconds later, I’m like “Yo! That IS Harrison Ford! And that’s his girlfriend Ally McBeal, uh, uh, what’s her face, Calista Flockhart!”