Cherney’s Life Story

Can you believe that I almost forgot to write in my blog today?  What is the world coming to?

I was surfing the net, thinking I was about to get off for the night. . and then realized I haven’t written anything today.

I know I wrote a lot yesterday, so let’s see if I can keep it a little shorter today.

Again, school was pretty good today.  I am proud to say that my two classes are a perfect fit for me this term.  Today’s class is called business leadership.  Over the course of the term we will study various business leaders, as well as reflect on our own leadership qualities and skills.  If you couldn’t already guess, really liked this part of the class.

Actually, the personal reflection project is a major aspect of the class.  We will be doing several tests about our personality, leadership qualities tests, and get peer reviews in regards to our leadership abilities.  Finally, we also do a self analysis.  Once all of these various parts are completed we will write a final paper analyzing the results.  There is no write or wrong answer in this class, nor for the paper.  Just the way I like it.  We will read case studies and write our response, as if we were the leader, to the sitiation at hand.  Each one of us will probably do something different, and we get to defend it in front of the class or through group discussions. Kind of fun if you ask me. I get to learn more about myself!

Do I have any good editors out there?  I am always in need a person who is good at catching errors in my papers.  I will pay! :)  I’m dead serious. .

Let’s see. .  I am working on my networking within the MBA program.  Today I spent an hour just hanging out in the grad lounge meeting and talking to people.  It shouldn’t take me to long before I know everyone in the program.

I am little upset that I will be missing a field trip up to Portland on Friday the 17th.  My sustainability seminar course has organized a trip up north to look at different business that are following a greener path.   They are going to be meeting with the CEO’s and other executives.  I think Columbia Sports Wear is one of the business we would be touring.  I don’t think there is anything I can do to make this trip.  24 hours after surgery. . . not going to happen.  I don’t care how strong you are. .

God, I am happy school has started up again.  I am taking a step in the right direction, one day at a time.

Finally. .  I went to the pool this evening.  I bought some goggles, to see if that helps me go a little faster.  And the funny thing is, it did.  I don’t have to worry about water in the eyes (chlorine burns), which allowed me to get a breathing pattern down.  These two things helped.  I was moving a little faster and didn’t fatigue as fast.

I went to the grocery store the other day and bought an item I haven’t bought in YEARS. .  can you guess what it was?  Shampoo and Conditioner.  I kind of felt like a sucker buying these items, because for the past 10 years I have had no need for them.  Now, I do. .  I gotta keep my hair clean right?  My old technique wasn’t doing the trick.  Suds in longer hair just don’t mix.

This leads me to a question for you.  I have been given crap for using a ‘poof ball’ in the shower.  I thought it was completely normal to use one of these items, now I a sort of wondering.  I guess for a women it is more normal, but what about for a guy?  Gentlemen, please leave a comment at the end of this article, let me know if you use a ‘poof’ or not.  Granted, I will not change if I learn that I am the only male on this earth, but it would still be interesting.

Today I went rafting down the McKenzie river with the first year MBA’s.  I was impressed with how well they knew each other, and how friendly everyone was.  Through out the day I met most of the new students, my peers.  Only 42 people were admitted this year, so I should be able to learn all of there names within the next month or two.  (It is kind of crazy to think that only 42 students are in this ENTIRE program for first year classes.  Then you look at a public high school where a single classroom has 38 kids.)

Anywho. . I had a really good time meeting all of these new people, it will be fun having classes with them.  The only sad part is that this won’t happen until next year.  I am a second year student, which means elective classes, they are assigned mandatory core course work.

Now the ride itself.

The first half of the day brought the most entertainment, but also the most cold and wet part of the day.  Our guide could tell that I didn’t want to get wet, so guess what the first thing he did was?  He took a rapid so that ONLY I could get wet.  It worked!  So, the day just started, and I am soaked.  (I didn’t figure I would be getting super wet today, so I didn’t really pack appropriately.  Some people brought wetsuits, obviously they knew something I didn’t.)  Yeah, I am the only one of th boat who is wet for the first little part of the trip.  Then the water fights begin.

I thought if I played it cool, let the other boat alone I wouldn’t become a victim of the madness.  This plan backfired.  They saw me as easy prey.  Not to mention that I was at the front of the boat, those with bad aim would always hit me. . maybe they got those behind me.  To top it off, one time when I was trying to avoid a bucket of water to the face. .  I ducked, and at the same time someone from the other boat tried to pull me off.  ME!  What did I ever do to him. : )  I fought him off, but someone else got yanked in.  I felt sorry for him, he must have been freezing.  All I can say is, thank goodness it wasn’t me.

The guides provided a pretty good lunch.  Hot food never tasted so good.

The second half of the day was much calmer.  It was decided that enough people wanted to ride on a ‘dry’ boat.  So, of the 42 that were there, 16 (two boats) were considered ‘dry’.  Again, I think these guides have a sixth sense.. because my guide could tell that I was getting pretty comfortable.  The sun was out, and we had a warm breeze from the west.  I get a little too comfortable, I guess, the guide decided to get me wet AGAIN.  (Different guide)  This time I thought would I would be a little safer, I wasn’t sitting in the front, rather the back. .  this didn’t stop him. . He figured out a way to get ONLY me wet.  Really funny, buddy! : )

I laughed pretty hard the second half of the afternoon.  Our guide let various people do the job of directing the boat from the back.  Some people were pretty good, other we fun to watch.  I never new riding down the river backwards could be so funny.  They couldn’t get us straighten out.   Another students couldn’t get us to shore one time when we were taking a break.  We, as a crew, tried so hard to get to shore. . we just couldn’t pull it off.  We eventually landed, but it was a little ways away from the rest of the group.   I was pretty funny.  The harder we tried, the worst off we became.

It was nice getting off the river when the day was done.  The sun was still high, and weather was warm.

Once I finally got home, I took a much needed hot shower.  Riding home in semi wet shorts isn’t all that fun. : )

After doing a little wine bar hoping, I went over to my friends house for his bachelor party.  It was fun spending time with my friends, it has been a while since I saw some of the people who were there.  You know how you become friends with one of your friend’s friends, yet you don’t ever see them unless you are at a function hosted by that friend?  That is how it was tonight. I got to hangout with some of Marks friends that I haven’t seen in a while.  Yeah, the normal crew was there too. . and it was really good to laugh with them as well.

Now I am home and ready for bed.  I’m impressed that I was able to write so much with my eyes half open.  Have a good night of sleep, and enjoy your day tomorrow.

Yesterday I was really excited to purchase my ticket to Australia. .   I realized after the fact, that I need to be approved for a visa to gain access into the country.   I guess I kind of forgot an important detail while I was shopping for airfare.  Lucky for me, I was approved for a visa.  It is interesting to think about what I would have done had I not been approved.  I would fly a really far distance only to not be able to leave the airport!  Now, that doesn’t sounds like a vacation!  As of today, I have a one year holiday visa for admittance into the  land down under.

I don’t know if I wrote this yesterday, but I can’t wait to tell the doctor this little tidbit of information.  I don’t think it will put a smile on his face.

After work I went down to the Graduate office to get my picture taken for the MBA program.  This photo will now follow me for the rest of my time at the UO.  I think I had a pretty good photo.  Who knows what it will look like on paper though.  I also got to sign a release form for the white water trip I am going on this Friday, and I was invited to a meet and greet dinner this evening at the business school.

It doesn’t happen very often, so I wasn’t sure I it was seeing with my own two eyes.  But tonight they were serving food, beer and wine for free!  Now, I know where all my tuition money goes. .  events like this.  I think I need to keep my eye out for future things like this.  The food was pretty good. . fresh fruit and other various finger foods.  I got to meet a lot of new MBA students, so that was good.  If I were pressed to remember names, I don’t know if I could pull it off.  I tried to work the groups and introduce myself to everyone.  I met this one guy who wasn’t wearing a name tag, and I started to give him a hard time.  After a few minutes of talking, I learned that he is a prof. in the business school!  Did not look old enough if you ask me, especially to be teaching master level courses.

After I left the meet and greet, I went over to my friends house for the cook off.  There was enough food at his place to feed 10, sadly. .  only 5 showed.  So, here I am eating a second dinner.  The various lamb options were pretty good, I was kind of fond of the meat that was marinated for the day.  The grilled meat was good, but this other type had SO much flavor.

After the food was gone, we sat around and chatted about various things.  Drank some wine, and enjoyed everyone’s company.  He told me this one story that was so funny. .   I was laughing so hard my side hurt.  Would it be funny now??  I don’t know, at the time it cracked me up.

Well. .  time for bed.

Okay, without further waiting. . here is the picture I bought.

I took above photo this evening, sorry for the flash.  I guess it is good enough, right?  It gets the point across.

Today. .  what can I say about today???

Well, first I can tell you that I had a hell of a time finding my camera.  I looked all over my place, high and low. . I couldn’t find it.  So, I went out to my car. . looked everywhere there, and still couldn’t place it.  As I walked back to my apartment I thought that I should look under my seat, it could have slid under while I was driving.  Guess what I found?  I brought it over to my parents house the night of my mom’s birthday. . I hadn’t taken it out since.  Needless to say, I was happy to find it.  I am not loosing my mind, completely.

I went to the pool this morning.  At the really late time of 5:30am.  I was surprised to see so many people there, especially at such an early time.  I had a pretty good time, and got a good workout in.  I was shocked at how much air I was gasping when I finished several laps.  I actually got tired.  (This hardly happens.)  My goal for the next time is to do 1 or 2 more sets before I take a break.  I am setting a goal of swimming non stop for 30 minutes.  Kind of lofty considering I was only able to do 10 minutes straight today.

Nothing really exciting happened at work today, so I will spare you the details.

Went out and got fitted for Marks wedding.  I think it took 7 minutes, in and out. Not bad, if you ask me.

After which, I went over to his place and visited with him, his brother, brother’s girlfriend, and his fiance.  It was fun spending some time with them.  I had told them that I tore my ACL and they were like, “we know.”  I wondered, how could they know??  Then it clicked. . they have been reading my blog.  Kind of funny. . I don’t even have to talk to them, and they know what is going on in my life.

What else can I tell you? ? ?

I bought some clothes for the upcoming high school reunion.  I don’t usually buy nonsale items, but this time I put caution to the wind and just shopped.  Anywho. . I went into the store today to see if anything was on sale.  I found several of my items 30-50% off.  I still had the receipt, which allowed me to got a pretty good refund.   I was happy. : )  Today I shopped and MADE money.    Wish that could happen every time.

Tomorrow is the big day.  To say that I am very excited is an understatement.  I am TOTALLY thrilled.  What can I say, I have a feeling I am going to have a good time.  The 10 year reunion is finally here.

I think I am going to sign off for the night. .

Tonight is going to be another short post.

There wasn’t very much smoke in Eugene today.  You could still see the haze, but things didn’t have that orange tint.  Perhaps, the worst is over. .  Probably not, I think the wind just needs to blow right.

I finally got the picture from the art gallery.  It looks pretty nice in my place, if I do say so myself.  I can just look at it and dream, lose my place in life.  I see a place where stress is gone, and joy can only be found.  I need to take a photo of it and post it for you.  I am pretty tired tonight, it will have to wait until tomorrow.  I am most proud of the frame and matting.  I came into the gallery with an idea, and they were able to take and put it into reality.  Very cool.

Tomorrow I am heading off to the pool.  I am thinking that I am going to start swimming on Friday mornings.  It should be a pretty good workout in several ways.  First, and most importantly. . it will work my cardio system. .   Second, it should be a good total body workout.  Either way, it will be fun.  I love the water, any types of water.

Loren and I went out to dinner this evening.  It was good spending time with him, one on one.  We had some pretty good conversations, and a wonderful dinner.  It is amazing the things you can learn if you only ask.  I spent a good part of my evening talking to him about his past when he first started his practice.  I never knew some of the things he told me about his past.  For example.  When he moved to Oregon, he was 29.  He started his practice as a private physician.  He opened his doors and started to see patients.  He wasn’t part of any medical group, he didn’t work at the hospital.  He went to peoples homes, or they came to his office.  How the times have changed, huh?

We talked about why  he choose to practice the type of medicine he did, and some of the hardest parts of the job.  (Telling bad news to someone came to my mind.)   It was fun learning about his past, he doesn’t really talk about it openly.  He is such a good listener, it is easy to find yourself talking most of the time.  Tonight, it was different.  I just ask question after question.  It was SO cool.

I got this strange call last night around 1 am in the morning.  It ended up being a prank call, but it was pretty well thought out.  If I wasn’t so tired, I would tell you more.   I guess I will save this story for tomorrow too. : )

Good night everyone. .  I am off to bed.

It was another sunny beautiful day in Eugene today.

I managed to enjoy the sun, as I know summer is coming to a close.  Maybe I will get lucky this winter, and it will be sunny everyday.  I guess it is just how you look at the day, right? : )

In all honesty, I didn’t do a whole lot today.  I think it is called relaxing, right?  I rode my bike, watched some Duck football, and enjoyed the sun.

Oh, I did have one hell of an experience downtown today.  Eugene has a thing called the “Eugene Celebration,” it happens once a year.  There are street vendors, and throughout the day there is live music.  It gets to be kind of fun in the evening when the good bands come out.  Saturday morning also has a parade, and this is what I had issues with.  I was trying to get to this shop but every road I tried to take was closed.  Either to the food vendors, or the parade route.  I ended having to take this really long about route just to get the area that I needed to go.  Well, once I got there. . I took the wrong turn.  Yeah, stupid one ways.  Now, I am going the wrong way. . and ending up in more parade crap.

Once I get my bearing straight again  (I have never really liked our downtown, way to confusing sometimes.), I circled around and parked the car.  I figured I would have a better chance of getting to where I needed to go on foot.  In the process so of parking, I managed to find a parking meter with 45 minutes on it.  I was like “score”.  Two of the three last times I have been downtown, I have had the privilege of receiving a parking ticket.

Now, I am on foot. .  missing my ACL and walking around town.  I thought I was pretty cool. : )  In many ways I feel fine, I just need to be extra careful.

I also talked to another good friend this morning, well. .  I would have to say one of my best friends.  I am not proud to say that I haven’t spoken to him in a month, it was good catching up.  He was over at the wine tasting over at my complex yesterday, had I went down I would have seen him.  Instead, I was futzing with the stupid table.  Speaking of which, it works pretty well.  I have had dinner, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on it.  It is still in one piece!  But anywho. .  had I gone down, it would have been a pretty nice surprise seeing him. : )  Maybe next time.

Oh yeah. . I can’t forget to share this.  I felt like such a rebel today.  I made myself a hamburger!  Not just any hamburger, but a 15% fat type. .  it was pretty good.  Here is the kicker, I made it at 10 this morning!  You know, I should have had a beer or something, then I would have really felt like a rebel.  What are you going to do with me??  I threw some spicy Jamaican stuff on, and dunked it in ketchup.  Not healthy, I know. . I had a moment of weakness.

Good night everyone.

Tonight is going to be a short post. .

We celebrated my mothers birthday today.  This morning I snuck into the room where my mom was sleeping and left some flowers for her.  When she woke up, they were the first thing she saw.  I hoped that I would be able to pull it off, and I actually did.  She is a very light sleeper, but lucky for me. . she was wearing earplugs.  I kind of wanted to make her breakfast, but since she was sleeping, I didn’t want to wake her.  Maybe next year. : )

My family had dinner with her this evening, it was good catching up.  I wanted to take a photo of all of us, however, she wouldn’t have any part of it.  Go figure.   Had I been able to pull it off, I would have posted it here. . .  I’m sure they would have loved this. : )

We had a moment of silence today at work for those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.  It was very touching.  You don’t find a high school completely quiet very often.

Well, like I said. .  today was going to be a short post.

Have a good evening everyone. .