Angry Tiger

Life is not intended to always go smoothly, regardless of your advantages, you will eventually find ways to misstep.  Yes, it is usually your fault whether you accept that view of not.  There are occasions, however, where the universe is indeed mocking you openly.  Like when I get a phone call from a head-hunter about a senior hedge fund research position at Russell Investments.  Cute universe, real cute.  It is good to know that you haven't forgotten about me.  Neither here nor there.

The mass of the world and the data within it statistically ensures that odd coincidences will present themselves.  The extent to which you notice them will be some non-linear function of your aptitude and your free time.  I noticed this morning that my favorite place to go in Los Angeles (that isn't closely related with Boondock) is named Neptune's Net, while my favorite restaurant in the city of Boston is named Neptune's Oyster and one of the firms that I turned a job offer down from on my way out of undergrad was named Neptune Capital Management.  Also, that the last decision was because their portfolio manager was based out of London and I was convinced that they would eventually consolidate their New York office.  Forks in the road.

Neptune hat-trick aside, my attention diverts to the weekend.  I want to play golf, eat at Martha's in Hermosa, and revamp my iPod.  Tonight is scotch night with my newly Los Angeles-based friend St. Louis.  I should note that him and I once consumed all of the McCallan 18 at an establishment that had enough scotch to have a separate scotch list.  At a future date I would be given a complimentary lunch with my friend English because the waitress had evidently found it remarkable enough to remember despite my nearly year-long absence from Chicago.  That was all before St. Louis almost died.  Not in a "I can't believe we didn't die this weekend" kind of way but actually in a "at the age of 26 I spent nine months in the hospital and now I take a massive amount of pain medication in order to function" kind of way.  So what do we do to commemorate that tectonic shift?  We drink scotch, naturally.

This is why I am reading three books on the dynamics of networks right now.  It is a wonder anyone has ever dated me.

These are all mental diversions from what is really occupying 98% of the fraction of my brain that I actually use (that any of us actually use, I would note).  As is, of course, my foray into putting words on the inter-web.  Sometimes diversions are good, I am remembering how much I enjoy writing, for one.

My usual reaction to stresses is to close ranks.  I'm going to try the surrounded by people thing this weekend instead.  Old dog.  New trick.

Family Matters:
Boy loves girl next door.
Girl ignores boys advances.
Boy builds time machine.

Kriss Kross is gonna make ya make ya,

-I Heart Palindromes