A foreigner's MBA (and related) adventures in the "Big Apple"

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Snow Patrol

2 am and here I am, trying to catch up a little bit with corporate finance. Tomorrow I have the second quiz and I cannot say that I am very well prepared. After somewhat 300 slides the IRR, the NPV and the incremental cash flows mix together in my head. I am sure that I won’t do very well tomorrow but I still get the feel that I am learning and that is the main point for me. Consolation prize.

Days go by and, after tomorrow’s quiz, I will be a little better off. However, I will have to write papers on specialty movies, the soccer business in Europe and Starbucks marketing during the weekend. It seems like it’s gonna be tough. But I have also been informed of an Argentinean party so I guess it will somehow help.

Yesterday was an incredible day. First of all, one of my former work colleagues gave birth to her first baby. I was talking to his husband, also a good friend, and it was emotional to hear how they were feeling. At the same time, another ex-colleague and friend told me yesterday that he’s getting married in October. In a few months I am afraid that the balance between married and not married friends will hold. Wait and see…

And yesterday it was also a great day b/c I went to the Madison to see Snow Patrol’s gig. I knew about it yesterday morning and, during lunch time I rushed to the Madison to buy a ticket and, surprisingly, I bought the very last ticket on sale. Awesome, I was so lucky! None of my friends felt like going so I decided to go on my own. It was a weird feeling since I had never gone to a concert on my own but it was something I couldn’t miss. I still remember when I came to NY for my Stern interview and couldn’t stop listening to their first album. I can remember those days like if it had been today. Some of their songs are kind of anthems for me, so it felt great to listen to Chocolate, Chasing Cars or Eyes Open, just to name a few. I had a great time and it would have been even better if the two drunken girls next to me would have shouted a little less next to my hear. I should definitely take advantage of these opportunities. For instance, Block Party is playing on Saturday but I am afraid is sold out already.

By the way, almost forgot. Today I have started my Business of Producing course, taught by David Newman, the producer, among others of The Squid and the Whale, a great movie that won at Sundance a couple of years ago and that I strongly recommend. It is gonna be a short course but pretty intense with lots of reading to do and a project about producing a movie to put together. It looks great so far and I will hopefully get some insights for the movie production project I have recently embarked on. Anyway, time for some sleep. I will wake up early tomorrow for a quick review before the quiz. I am really tired.

Ciao

Monday, March 26, 2007

Real life…even in NY

It’s been a month since my last post. With Spring break, hectic pre and post activity and some catching up after the break, it’s been impossible to write. I am back, though, and I will try to be a little bit more productive in the following weeks.

A nice story to start. Friends, Jack & Jill, Sex & the City…and so many others shows and movies about friendship and relationships in NY. I have always loved them and, since I arrived in NY last August I have often felt like I am a character of one of them. The funny part is that, in most of them, the guy always gets the girl. However, real life in NY is not necessarily like that. And I can say so based on experience, recent experience...

As I was telling my mom today, it is a common thing that the girls that don’t interest you are interested in you and, unfortunately, the other way around also happens. Beautiful setup, location, moment …action! But in the end you realize that when the take is over, you cannot send it to printing b/c it didn’t work out well. And there is no second take in real life. In any case, one always learns – I hope – from past performances.

Going to bed now. Tomorrow I gotta wake up early to try to catch up a little bit with Damodaran. I have done a shitload of work this weekend I haven’t paid my Spring break dues yet. Hopefully, by this time next week I will be better off.

Btw, tomorrow one of my favorite bands, Snow Patrol, plays at the Madison. Hopefully I will be able to buy a ticket tomorrow. Perfect band for my first gig in the Big Apple.

Ciao