It all adds up

So I have an microeconomics test today. Some of you out there are no doubt saying "big deal, economics is easy." Well, I do not think like a business person does. I think like a scientist, which makes is very hard to study because I can't study economics the way I study math or electrical theory. Plus, this isn't regular micro it's engineering micro which means they take the regular micro they teach business freshmen and pump it up with derivations that are at the engineer's level.



The only problem is that an engineer doesn't teach the course, an economist does. So, instead of laying it out in a way that an engineering student would understand he fills his homework assignments and tests with trick questions and needless calculations. That doesn't make the test harder, it makes it trickier.

Wish me luck because I am going to need it.

Ciao

Clarkson Housing Sucks

I was trying to get into my school account a few days ago to update my housing information so that I could try to get into a townhouse next semester but I couldn't; because I wasn't put in the houseing lottery. The way the lottery works is that everyone is given a number weighted by the year you are going to graduate. Depending on how close to zero you number is the better houseing you can request and possibly get. However, I wasn't given one and now I am pissed.

So, I called up residence life and asked the lady what was going on. And, she said that since I have been at Clarkson for 8 semesters, I was pushed out by the lottery system by the computer. "Well hold on a minute," I said "I was gone for a semester on an internship and wasn't given a number for my first semester back," to which she replied "Well, you were offically still a student and we have to let the seniors get their pick first," to which I replied "But, I am a senior and my senior roomate who is in the exact same situation as me (Josh) got a number," she was silent for a moment. "What is your roomate's name?" she asked with a skeptical tone "Joshua James Miller," I replied with stunning accuracy. There was about a minute of her searching her records which which ended with her saying "Well you see, he has only been here for 4 semesters, he must be a transfer student," I answered her in confusion "Yes he is, but he is still a senior." "Yes, but since he hasn't been here for 8 semesters our system allows him to get a number," she replied very smartly. By this point I was very angry. How could they deny me on campus housing when they encourage students to take internships? "So you are telling me that I have to live of-campus?" I asked "No, I didn't say that. You can either have some friends pull you up in to their housing, you can live off-campus, or you can wait until after the lottery is over to see what I have available." I knew what "see what I have available" meant. It means that she would stick me in some crappy freshman dorm with somebody to socially awkward to get a roommate, at best she could give me a single in the new dorms which is better than nothing.

"Can I have a few days to sort things out?" I asked, "Sure just get back to me before the lottery." "Alright," I said hanging up the phone. The sad part is that all of my good friends are my year and they will be graduating. Also, of all the underclassmen in my fraternity there are only a few that I would consider rooming with and they largely already have roommate situations set up. So, I guess I will have to move off-campus and find an apartment. It's not what I wanted to or planned to do, but it's a hell of a lot better than the alternative.

Adios muchachos

Quick Update: Flickr

Hey everyone,

I have a quick update for you: I made a flickr photostream. The url is:http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthew_fl/ So, please enjoy it because the people who read this blog will more than likely find themselves in the pictures.

Later tatters,

The Chin Beard

Also known as a "Goatee" the chin beard dates back to it's first popularization in the late nineteenth century. The "Goatee" is characterized by at least a small tuft of hair on the chin of a male. It's name is derived from the tuft of hair seen on the lower jaw of the the male goat. This is my new topic of discussion because of an age old desire I have secretly had. I have always wanted to have thick, dark facial hair. Unfortunately, I was not handed the genetic materials for it. I can't grow a mustache, and my chin hair is pathetically sparse. However, I can grow a thick neck beard. But, a neck beard is far from what I desire.

Every time I set out to grow one, I am frustrated by the slow rate of hair growth and the intense stiffness of the hairs. It is almost unbearable to endure. I get frustrated several days into the experiment and shave it all off. And, it isn't like I can go days without shaving either. It's too thin to grow out but to thick to leave unattended. It is such a thorn in my side to deal with.

On the bright side, my chin hair has been growing thicker as time passes. So, I guess my only option is to wait it out. And, that is what I will do. Below are two images. The first one is of my goatee and the second one is off my ideal goatee.





It's just too much for me. The stiffness and iriation are overcomming me. By the time you have read this I will have already gotten rid of the facial hair because I am now getting up out of my chair and headed to the bathroom with a facial razor and shaving cream in hand.

Ashli the Brave

So, Ashli is going on spring break just as I am coming off of mine. It really sucks because I was hoping to get some alone time with her, and maybe take a small trip. Unfortunately, life is not so kind. As a result she decided to visit her friend in Rochester and stay for a week. And, lets just say that this was a big deal to her family.

Without being too rude, Ashli lives with her control freak/bipolar grandmother who is a major negative influence on all those around her. I dislike her so much that one time when she asked me for my phone number I replied, "Sorry, I don't give it out." If you met the woman you would understand. Now, I believe that Ashli has become a strong individual as a result. She has lived under the thumb of her grandmother and is making herself into an independent woman with great career potential(all on her own). However, it can be really stressful to make those natural leaps on independence when someone who says they love you is trying to hold you back.

I think Ashli deserves a pat on the back for finally showing her grandmother that she cannot be bossed around like a small child and that she is free to do whatever her adult heart desires(legally).











I was sad to see her go, but I'm not one of those boyfriends who is so attached that he can't spend a couple of days alone.

Au Revoir

The difference between facebook and blogger

Blogger and Facebook are similar in many ways. You can post links, videos, pictures, you can update your status, you can "friend" people, and many more fun things. The obvious difference is that Facebook was intended to be a social networking website while blogger was designed to be an expressionistic site that ranges from the asinine to the extremely interesting. In other ways, I see it like this: Facebook is about talking and updating while blogger is about stories.

However, both serve the purpose of keeping friends and family in the loop. For instance, I took these photos of me and Ashli skating at SUNY Potsdam with a bunch of friends there.













You see, now you can feel like you were right there falling down on your but too! But really, I encourage everyone to blog. Blogging is a fun way to write and share your thoughts on any subject with people so bored that they will actually listen.

Ciao

A Clarkson Spring Break

It is spring break, and I am still at Clarkson. Why am I still at Clarkson during spring break?(you might ask) Well, it is because of two reasons. The first reason is because both my parents work and I would be home alone during the day. And, the second reason is that I can just visit my family any time during the week because they are so close(my university is really close to my home).

Now there is a singular problem that halts spring break fun: money. Clarkson owes me some money and I was going to use that money to go with my friends to Boston for spring break. Now, Clarkson also takes forever to send out their stuff so I have to wait until friday. And, Friday is the end of the week.

So, my predicament is that I am a moneyless student at a university where all the students have either gone home, or to Rio, or to Tijuana. So I am b-o-r-e-d, bored. Almost bored out of my mind. The reason that I am not bored out of my mind is because of my girlfriend Ashli who is letting me hang out with her and her friends during this social lull. This brings you up to speed on my boring spring break life and all the fun that will I will incur.

I wish I was someplace warm, on a beach, having a drink with a little umbrella in it.

Neighbors

Have you ever had a neighbor that was not very private? Well it seems that all of the people in the dormitory I live in (Woodstock Village apartments)are like this. I will be walking home from class after dark and as I turn a corner I can see straight into almost any apartment. Sometimes I feel like waving.



Now I don't have a problem with an unshaded window. I do, however have a problem when gross 20-something year old men parade around in their underwear with the windows open. It makes me sick. Can you imagine walking by a dorm that has a big picture window with no shades and as you glance in you see a bulging harry guy playing video games on his couch in his undies? And, I for one refuse to censor where I look. If I did I would be restricted to the ground and plant life.

Blog Nomenclature

So my mother (debbie) wants a blog and I think it is a good idea. Blogs are great places to let loose on a topic, or to just update others on what has been happening in your life. You can explore topics of interest, getting feedback that opens the mind to new ways of thinking. In order to get a blog my mother needs to find a name for it. So, lets help her get a name for this blog.

In order to help get the creative juices flowing we should probably just brainstorm. For those who don't know, brainstorming is the part of the creative process where you just throw out any idea that might help (no matter how outlandish). During brainstorming everything is equally valid.

O.K., so she is going to be writing about herself, experiences and thoughts; hmm...

Brainstorming Ideas:
Deb's word
Deb Deb's Blog
Mom Deb's blog
Mother knows best
Deb's world
The world through deb's eyes
beige tinted glasses
burgundy tinted glasses
Burgundy horizon
Debra's corner on things
Debra's corner

Those are just some ideas to spark or trigger what might become a totally different name. I suggest thinking about what you like or what is important to you and include it in a title that is catchy or witty in some way. It should reflect the tone of your blog and where it heads. For instance, I chose the title "Matthewzor" because it was a weird nickname a college roommate gave me one year. It reflects the fact that this is a light and sort of comically toned blog about me. Well, If anyone has any suggestions please comment or send them to me. I hope you find the right name for your blog mom!

I know it has been a long time since I last posted, and I am sorry about that...

Hello everyone,

I know that it has been a very very long time since I last posted. And, like the title suggests, I am very apologetic about my lack of blogging. But, in order to get you up to speed I better get blogging about what has been going on.

So, I completed my co-op with Raymond Corporation last December and am happy to be back from that. I learned a lot of useful information while there but am extremely happy to be done with it.

I turned 21 last December as well and now can legally enjoy alcohol in the US. The only problem with that is the fact that I have a lot of friends who are not "legal" and who cannot come out to the local pub or bar with me. Also, my girlfriend Ashli is only 20 and cannot come out with me either.

I am almost halfway through my spring semester at Clarkson University. I enjoy all of my classes and, for the most part, my professors are all helpful. I am living in a good dorm with one of my friends this year. It is an on-campus apartment with a living room/dining room, a kitchen, full bathroom, small office, and unfortunately only one bedroom. However, it is considerably bigger and better than the majority of the other living situations I could have very closely been in.

Other than that, there is very little to say. I am enjoying life, taking classes and hanging out with friends and girlfriend. Again, sorry for leaving this un-updated for so long. I guess I just got rapped up in other things and this fell by the wayside. I hope you can forgive me, because I'm sure there will be plenty to post about in the near future.

Thanks!