OwenBloggers: Isha - MBA '08

Independence Day

About 7 am my sister asked me what I was planning on doing today. She was halfway across the world at work, and she had more plans to celebrate American Independence Day then I did – she was planning on having a BBQ. Me? I just got up thinking how to reply to a particularly difficult e-mail relating to job search. Plans, what plans? I had none. But things come to even those without plans. Soon an Owen Alumni messaged me on Facebook and as we talked he suggested seeing Hancock mid day. And I thought what a great idea! I’ve been thinking about seeing the movie, but at a no specified time, which for me often means when it comes out on video… BTW, it’s a pretty good film – definitely worth watching.

As I was getting ready to go out, Brie called telling me that she would be at my place about five. A quick look at the calendar reminded me that I asked her if she was going to the fireworks show at the Riverside Park downtown. Silly me, and I thought I had no plans…

So after the movie, four ladies went downtown for a dinner and a fireworks show. Originally, we wanted to sit by the stage and listen to the music (concert started at noon and went all day until the fireworks finished close to 10 pm), but it was so crowded we gave up on the idea. We ended up by the Woodland Bridge. Not only we had a great view for the fireworks (minus the music that went with it), but also we avoided all the smoke that comes with it. The wind blew it all at the nice folks right by the stage… It was so smokey that I couldn't see the very well lit Batman building. But it was a very nice show. If you are in Nashville on July 4th, do check it out. In the meantime, you can check out the video of the event form someone who was apparently in my vicinity.

After the show it was so crowded with all the people moving away from the river and to the parking lots. I was a bit scared that it will take us longer to get out of downtown then the time we spent there. But nothing is as it seems. Since we parked further up Broadway, it took us less time than I expected, so we ended up at home at a reasonable hour. It started raining as we were maneuvering through the crowds, but it started to pour few minutes after we got out of the parking lot. It was raining so hard, we couldn’t see the road. And all I could think of was how glad I was for not walking home.

Song of the day:
Martina McBride - Independence Day

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Phantom of the Opera is here

Well, he was, and he was great, even if he was criminally insane, hideous and misunderstood. I had the pleasure of seeing this 1925 silent production accompanied by an organ. Talk about a live performance with a twist. The program said that it was an improvisation, but I somehow doubt it. I think that Tom Trenney, the organist, had a set of pieces ready and the improvisation was a deviation from the original plan based on audience reaction. If you’ve done it 25 times, are you really improvising? One way or the other, it was a great performance and I would definitely do it again. I’ve been to a silent film festival that is accompanied by live music. There are groups coming from all around the world to partake in the experience. And let me tell you, it is incredible.

If you ever get a chance to see a silent movie accompanied live, don't hesitate – just go and see it. It will be more fun than you probably ever imagined!

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6am epiphany

Yes, it does happen. For some bizarre reason I woke up at six and while halfway conscious it hit me how to solve a homework problem for Management Science in Spreadsheets (Excel on amphetamine). The worst thing is that I couldn’t believe that the solution was so simple. I mean we were looking at it last night trying to figure it out with no avail. Granted, it was at the end of my “light” day that primarily consisted of corp val, too much accounting, and yes, spreadsheets. One of those 12 hours at Owen days, but I am not complaining since I got a lot done.

With such a spectacular beginning of a day, all I can hope for that the rest will be as enlightening. My morning might not be exciting, but in the afternoon I’m going on a tour of Yazoo Brewery. That should be fun, even if it’s for a class project. To top it off, today’s Swingin' Years are playing just the right music to put me in a good mood – happy with a sober dose of melancholy.

Song of the day:
Joni James – Why Don’t You Believe Me?

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