Octoberfest

I had finished up a phone call to an ischool grad when it was almost 5, so I called Chris - Friday afternoon and trying to figure out what other work to do...meanwhile, there's our weekly beer bash at the K-school - this week's was sponsored by the Krauts - I say that lovingly, being one myself. They had food, as I had passed by earlier, so Chris decided to bring the kids over. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the food was gone - well, pseudo food - goldfish mix and beer was still available - gotta take whatever free grub we can get to feed these youngins'. It was freezing. Nice to connect with a few other folks and for people to see the kids. While I'm carrying my kids around in that crowd I have this mixed feeling of pride and curiousity - did so and so know I had kids? Will think of me any differently now?

After dropping Liam off at preschool this morning- which was great fun - I took some glorious fall photos of him riding his bike - he had a blast - I headed over to school to work for a few minutes - mostly on e-mail and my problem set - I'm lately feeling like I'm just running around in circles and not being very efficient....then went to a review session - then ran back to Liam's school for Friday assembly. As usual, Liam didn't sing, but alas, I still love that time with him - then we went to Darwin's for lunch with Sammy and his mom Sarah (first mansion mama). She's actually very interesting - is planning a literary festival out here - husband - stockbroker by day and novelist at night.

Then took Liam home, b'fed K and then headed back over to school to meet with Deb - my quant teacher - she agreed to write me a letter of rec! Yahoo - she's one of the biggest quant enchilada in the country so that's no small potatoes - sorry to mix food metaphors.

I feel like I’m spending so much time trying to figure out this grad school thing that I don’t have time to do my regular coursework…though the grad school thang is such a great time suck by the nature of what it is – mindlessly surfing, stressing…and a little bit of talking to folks.

I’ve talked to three folks related to the ischool – still on the potential list. My latest thinking is just to apply to Bay Area schools - not only do we want to go back, but doing anything else leaves open such a pandora's box - there are so many amazing schools out there - my current favs are univ of illinois, penn, univ of wash....but maybe I can make a bay area school fit - if I can even get in - they are all uber competitive....