Economics Department Happy Hour

What a good start to the Labor Day Weekend. After finishing up the "Baby Calculus" test (which was neither a "baby" nor "calculus". Try a "Monster Analysis" test.), I headed for Chic-Fil-A to get some cheap food. Not great... but it will fill me up. I ran into this guy I had met earlier who invited me to eat lunch with him and his friends at the Lee Center. Turned him down. 6.50 for a lunch at the Lee center, 2.00 for a chic-fil-a sandwich (and possibly a drink). So we went our separate ways when I ran into another person I had met, a very nice Spanish speaking girl. She introduced me to her Panamanian friend, and we got to talking. As I was starting to duck out of the conversation, she said, "Join us for lunch at the Lee Center." I told her I didn't have the cash, and that I was going to the Union for a cheap sandwich. She then offered to "swipe me in" on her guest pass. Now how can I turn down a free lunch with a pretty girl? The bad vibe from the Baby Calculus test was destroyed, and I got to eat a free lunch with this girl, and two of her friends. Nice. See... now if that guy had offered me a free lunch (and had been a pretty girl), I might've gone with him. But such is life.
So "muchas gracias a mi amiga para la comida." I appreciate it greatly.

After a nap at home and then an economics guest seminar (interesting paper presentation on media mergers, monopoly, and political bias) most of us first year econ students met outside at the lobby to get rides from the second and third years for the "Economics Department Happy Hour". A few professor's showed up as well to add to the merriment, and good times were had by all... mainly because the beer pitchers just did not stop. Tipsy economics students are hilarious. Especially when at the beginning they impose the "Cambridge Rules of Drinking", and declare that no one can talk about his or her area of study (or for everyone's case there: Economics). This lasted for about two rounds, and then Economics, school, and math came right back up.
I fortunately got sidetracked with a very kind Indian professor and three of the other students in an interesting conversation about the rules of Cricket. It sounds like an interesting game (though for the life of me I still can't figure it out).
I feel a bit more at ease now around the other students. At least I know them a little better now, and its easier to talk with them and study with them now.

So after that I dragged my sorry butt out of bed at 5 AM (no headache though) and drove back to T-Town to see my parents. And immediately my dad and I went to the bike shop to trade in his recumbent. So instead of one weird bike, which while being slightly better for his back was a hassle to control, we got two regular bikes... meaning I got a new bike :) !! It's sweet.
I'm keeping the old Diamondback (it's still a dang good machine after I replaced the brakes... I still like saying that... I replaced the brakes. Not a mechanic. Me. Of course, they'll probably fail and kill me at some point due to my shotty job, but hey... I DID IT!). It will still be very useful for running to and from campus. But for the Katy Trail and White Rock I'm taking my new bike. It's lighter, it can go faster, and it just feels nice. Oooooohhh yeah. I took that baby out for my long ride on Sunday at Riverside Park (didn't want to drive 5 hours, and then ride 48 miles on the same day), and it was good (despite the morning thunderstorm that drenched me).
So early Monday morning (5 AM again) I hooked both bikes up to my car, stuffed my bass into the front/back seat, along with a new vacuum cleaner, and I am set for the rest of the semester. My bass is here. My bikes are here. I have a vacuum that doesn't spit out dirt instead of sucking it in. Life is good.
Now all I need are for relations with either Mexico or Turkey will improve.

Micro homework is nearly done. Stats homework is done. Macro homework is once again stumping me, but at least I have another week before that is due.