I sent an email to all my college friends and other associates of many sorts shortly after I graduated from Hillsdale, bidding them all farewell and thanking them for their friendship. I really meant it. It ended up being a waste of time since about 2 weeks later I took a job at the college and came right back. Well, I really enjoyed my work these last two years at Hillsdale despite the desolate location. I've learned so much on the job, and I've met some incredible people.
I'm headed off to new things now. One of those new things includes a trip down to the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires. I will intern at a banking consultancy for 10 weeks and then spend a week in Santiago, Chile. For those of you who remember me planning to do this two years ago then backing out... I actually AM going this time. Yes, I bought the plane ticket and everything.
My cell phone will be gone by the end of the week, so don't call it. You can get a hold of me via email, and I will try to find a way to call you back. I don't plan on getting a new phone since I fly down to Argentina on July 12th. If you need to get a hold of me via phone, you can try my parent's home phone at (email me for this #... don't want to put the rents' number down publicly). I will be there from July 1 - July 12.
I will blog (in spanish) periodically during my time down there. I plan to post photos and commentary about the situations I come across. For those of you who don't know Spanish, Google has a pretty good translation tool - look it up. I hope to see some of you before I leave, and for those who I don't, I hope to see you when I get back. My contact information is below.
There are some email addresses that I was unable to find. Go ahead and forward this to whomever you please.
e.) joe.petrides@gmail.com
blog.) comeonfranco.blogspot.com
Cheers!
Joe
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
French Open Tennis
Yes, I know, Roger Federer suffered the most lopsided defeat probably in the history of Grand Slam finals 1-6, 3-6, 0-6. Rafael Nadal is just so far above the competition on a clay surface - it was painful to watch my sports hero get absolutely manhandled. It was even more painful to see his body language, language that displayed resigning defeat well before the match was over. Come on, Roger, true champions fight all the way to the end. One aspect of Roger's game I do have great admiration for is the way he treats victory and defeat. Post championship interviews are treated by Roger the exact same way whether he wins or loses. Nadal even noted this. Roger's demeanor changes so little making his emotional control remarkable. It was Kipling that said in that overly-quoted poem,
I also noticed that both Roger and Rafael addressed the crowd in multiple languages, Roger in French with a little English (he's fluent in 4 languages) and Nadal in Spanish, French, and some English. What happens if an American wins the French Open? We tend to not bother learning alternate languages even in these sorts of situations. Personally, I view someone who takes the time to learn English very respectful of what American has to offer. I wish Americans would do more of that. Maybe some other countries just need to create an economy so strong that it forces us to learn their language. Hmm.. maybe it's time to start cracking open a Chinese textbook?
"If,"... If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same ...
I also noticed that both Roger and Rafael addressed the crowd in multiple languages, Roger in French with a little English (he's fluent in 4 languages) and Nadal in Spanish, French, and some English. What happens if an American wins the French Open? We tend to not bother learning alternate languages even in these sorts of situations. Personally, I view someone who takes the time to learn English very respectful of what American has to offer. I wish Americans would do more of that. Maybe some other countries just need to create an economy so strong that it forces us to learn their language. Hmm.. maybe it's time to start cracking open a Chinese textbook?
Blogging is hard work
Blogging is difficult to maintain as a hobby. I've found that it's easy to post when there is absolutely nothing going on and one is bored, but when things get busy, activities such as blogging take a back seat. I guess this is how a blogger loses his reader base.
I have been busy lately - trips to DC and to Arizona coupled with training the new guy at work make neglecting a blog easy.
I did find time to buy a plane ticket to Argentina. It's nice to live in Hillsdale where expenses are low enough to save for big purchases such as these - I almost feel Chinese and definitely not American. I also found out where I will be working for 2.5 months during my time in Buenos Aires. It is a banking consulting firm - you can check out their website here --> http://www.bcs.com.ar/company_profile/company_profile.htm. I really look forward to this experience.
Speaking of saving, Americans are probably the worst savers in the world. I really feel this is why I cannot relate to the common man since the common man racks up huge credit card debt, spends countless dollars on items he cannot afford just to maintain a phony status in the community or to feed his addiction to material possessions (or whatever else). Blame certainly lies in the individual, but when politicians, economists, and presidents worry so much about "consumer spending" it makes me think that these guys are making us feel guilty for saving! I say that if consumer spending plummets, it's time to celebrate the fiscal responsibility of individual Americans. The more individuals save, the more banks can lend out to folks who need investment vehicles for business loans, mortgages, college costs, and, if they're feeling frisky, the occasional leveraged buyout (kidding... sort of). The money is put to use whether the consumer spends it or not, and I think we know which side has the spending problem.
I have been busy lately - trips to DC and to Arizona coupled with training the new guy at work make neglecting a blog easy.
I did find time to buy a plane ticket to Argentina. It's nice to live in Hillsdale where expenses are low enough to save for big purchases such as these - I almost feel Chinese and definitely not American. I also found out where I will be working for 2.5 months during my time in Buenos Aires. It is a banking consulting firm - you can check out their website here --> http://www.bcs.com.ar/company_profile/company_profile.htm. I really look forward to this experience.
Speaking of saving, Americans are probably the worst savers in the world. I really feel this is why I cannot relate to the common man since the common man racks up huge credit card debt, spends countless dollars on items he cannot afford just to maintain a phony status in the community or to feed his addiction to material possessions (or whatever else). Blame certainly lies in the individual, but when politicians, economists, and presidents worry so much about "consumer spending" it makes me think that these guys are making us feel guilty for saving! I say that if consumer spending plummets, it's time to celebrate the fiscal responsibility of individual Americans. The more individuals save, the more banks can lend out to folks who need investment vehicles for business loans, mortgages, college costs, and, if they're feeling frisky, the occasional leveraged buyout (kidding... sort of). The money is put to use whether the consumer spends it or not, and I think we know which side has the spending problem.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Starbucks just doesn't get it
Starbucks announced that in return for signing up for their rewards program and/or purchasing a $5 gift card, its customers will have 2 free hours of AT&T wifi. Am I missing something here? I do a ton of traveling for work, and I never go to Starbucks because the internet is not free. If I am in between appointments, I scour the city for a Panera Bread because I know they have free wifi at all their stores where I can catch up on my email. What I can't understand is why doesn't Starbucks do what every other coffee shop does and offer ABSOLUTELY FREE WIFI. This is a major reason that sales type businessmen like me do not go to Starbucks. I really can't fathom why this is such a difficult concept for them to grasp.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Just back from DC
I just got back from my 5th trip to DC in 2 years. I like DC much better than I do New York, but maybe that's just because I know more people there. Either way, I'll have a post about it soon.
The French Open is taking place right now. It is one of the 4 major tennis tournaments each year (similar to the US Open, British Open, Masters and PGA Championship in golf). The event is the only of the 4 majors played on clay, a surface suited to slower, more strategic players verses power players. The Americans these days do not do well at the French since power has come to define the American game. In fact, Pete Sampras, the individual with the most major championships of all time never won the French Open.
These days in tennis, we are witnessing perhaps the greatest clay court player in history. If he's not the best ever, he's certainly second to Bjorn Borg. Rafael Nadal from the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain has never in his life lost a match on the clay of Roland Garros (in Paris and the site of the French Open). At 21 years old, "Rafa" is 3-time defending champion. Currently No.2 in the world, Nadal has no other major championship victories. To give you perspective of how good he really is on clay, world No 1 Roger Federer has a 1-8 record vs Nadal on clay two of those being French Open finals. Within the last 3-4 years, Roger displayed absolute dominance over the sport of tennis on all surfaces except on clay with Rafa on the other side. This year, it looks like those two will once again meet for the final, and once again, Nadal will likely be the victor. He is on an absolute tear this tournament - none of his opponents are even threatening him. The statistics paint a picture of complete domination. If you are a sports fan, you should try to see this guy play on clay sometime before his reign over the surface ends. Notice that he hits forehands that loop high over the net - he does this with incredible topspin making the ball bounce very high creating awkward shots for his opponents. The clay makes the ball bounce higher than other surfaces giving Rafa's game a huge advantage. His competitiveness is unmatched in the sport - he hustles to every ball including many that others give up on. He's the sort of guy you like to see out there.
You can catch the French Open on ESPN2, NBC, and the Tennis Channel. If you only watch one match, try to see the men's final if it turns out being Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer - it will certainly be a classic.
The French Open is taking place right now. It is one of the 4 major tennis tournaments each year (similar to the US Open, British Open, Masters and PGA Championship in golf). The event is the only of the 4 majors played on clay, a surface suited to slower, more strategic players verses power players. The Americans these days do not do well at the French since power has come to define the American game. In fact, Pete Sampras, the individual with the most major championships of all time never won the French Open.
These days in tennis, we are witnessing perhaps the greatest clay court player in history. If he's not the best ever, he's certainly second to Bjorn Borg. Rafael Nadal from the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain has never in his life lost a match on the clay of Roland Garros (in Paris and the site of the French Open). At 21 years old, "Rafa" is 3-time defending champion. Currently No.2 in the world, Nadal has no other major championship victories. To give you perspective of how good he really is on clay, world No 1 Roger Federer has a 1-8 record vs Nadal on clay two of those being French Open finals. Within the last 3-4 years, Roger displayed absolute dominance over the sport of tennis on all surfaces except on clay with Rafa on the other side. This year, it looks like those two will once again meet for the final, and once again, Nadal will likely be the victor. He is on an absolute tear this tournament - none of his opponents are even threatening him. The statistics paint a picture of complete domination. If you are a sports fan, you should try to see this guy play on clay sometime before his reign over the surface ends. Notice that he hits forehands that loop high over the net - he does this with incredible topspin making the ball bounce very high creating awkward shots for his opponents. The clay makes the ball bounce higher than other surfaces giving Rafa's game a huge advantage. His competitiveness is unmatched in the sport - he hustles to every ball including many that others give up on. He's the sort of guy you like to see out there.
You can catch the French Open on ESPN2, NBC, and the Tennis Channel. If you only watch one match, try to see the men's final if it turns out being Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer - it will certainly be a classic.
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