Random Thoughts

• I like my old bed at home better than the one I bought in Sioux Falls.

• I love my MacBook but when I come home, I realize how much having a 13" monitor sucks.

• The opening weekend of the NCAA tournament is the best sports weekend of the year.

• After all the crap that Ben Bernanke has laid at the feet of investors, owning 1300 shares of MALL at around eight bucks a share just made up for most of it on Friday.  Big ups to the guy who dropped the buy order for 1MM+ shares in the last five minutes of trading. You made my year, and helped me recover most of my losses.  I love you.
  

• Last Monday, I had two tires replaced on my car. For those playing at home, I replaced all four at 55k and then had to replace two in Miami at 73k because of a flat (I'm at 84k now). Thankfully, one of the "old" tires was the culprit so only the other old tire had to go. I left the shop feeling like I had saved $225 even though I know that clearly wasn't the case. Perception is funny that way.

• On Wednesday, I went to Maharani for lunch while I was in Madison. At $7.95, it made me realize exactly how overrated the lunch buffet at Taste of India in Sioux Falls is.  Perhaps Sioux Falls would benefit from another Indian restaurant.  You know, a little competition.

• If you are ever playing principal on the Brahms German Requiem and have an assistant on your roster, use the assistant. Don't send your assistant down into the section to cover for an absence because you thumbed through the part and there's nothing hard. There's nothing hard in the piece but for the fact that it is on your face for damn near 65 minutes straight.

• Does anyone have any experience with PODS?  If my tenure decision is favorable in a few weeks, I'm seriously considering letting my lease expire on May 31 and moving my belongings into storage - then returning to Sioux Falls in August.  I'm just not sure staying in SF this summer is worth nearly three grand in rent and utilities.  That's money I could save or spend on travel.  Anyway, if you've ever used them or know someone who has, I'd welcome your thoughts.  It seems easier than loading and unloading a moving truck.