How do they distribute the wall street journal?

As I sit here in the emergency room I am finally able to read my Wall Street Journal. Yay! This made me think though. How do they get all of the important information (much of which can happen late in the afternoon) written, edited, printed, and distributed all by 6am? It's crazy. So I'm going to look it up...tomorrow because it's hard on my iPad.

How do you light a pilot light?

So we don't have heat. It has been around 40 degrees every night. This morning we woke up freezing. Like I put my winter jacket on in order to convince myself to get up. I figured I could pick out my clothes and go out to my car to change and put make-up on. It was that bad.

Anyways we were under the impression the landlord had to come and "light the pilot light." So I looked up how to do this.

Step 1: Find pilot light. Turn valve to off position and wait three minutes.

Step 2: Switch valve to pilot setting. Hold lit match to pilot opening while pressing the reset button. Do this until it burns brightly (approx. 1 min).

Step 3: Turn valve to on position. The pilot light should remain lit.


Other way is to just follow the directions on the furnace (it is federally mandated that they provide them).

So anyways, the man came today and realized that it was because our thermostat....looks like this:

Yeah so it was set at 50 degrees. All we had to do was turn it up. WTheck. We have been dying for the last two weeks. We felt really really stupid. In our defense we did try and look for a thermostat but it was hidden behind a bookshelf. Agh....at least now I know how to light a pilot light.

Where can I find the best reuben in America?

I love reubens. It is one of the only things I really can make. And if I get the ingredients to make them, I'll usually eat them two meals a day for four days straight. Obsessed.

When I was in DC, the place the interns went everyday had the greatest reubens ever. I like mine very cheesy, a small amount of thinly sliced corn beef (moist not dry), lots of 1000 Island, and a medium amount of sauerkraut. Everyone gave me such crap, claiming it was such a midwestern sandwich.

When I came home though so many people told me it's so Jewish. There are many stories about how is was created but it is clear it is a Jewish sandwich.

PS. In Green Bay, Don and I went to this new restaurant where they had reuben dip! Very good.


Here are a list of some of the best places: (You don't have to read. These places are now on my bucket list of places to visit...many are in NYC...)

Fresh by Lisa Hemenway: The creme-de-la Reuben, this slightly off-kilter version uses grilled seeded sourdough, caramelized onions, organic sauerkraut and Swiss served with roasted baby reds, $12. 5755 Mountain Hawk, Santa Rosa, 595-1048.

Jackson’s Bar and Oven: Exec Chef Josh Silvers knows from deli. His dressed-up version: Corned beef, Swiss, house-baked Rye and Sauerkraut with house-made chips. $10.95. And of course, the pickles.135 4th Street, Santa Rosa, 545-6900.

Della Fattoria: Another unusual, but delicious take on the traditional, Petaluma’s Della Fattoria piles high Niman Ranch pastrami, Thousand Island Dressing, hearty fresh-baked bread and Alexander Valley sauerkraut. 141 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, 763-0161.

From the Deli: Traditionalists Mac’s Deli: Long my go-to standard, Mac’s Reuben is simple and classic. Served with fries and a pickle, it’s a little slice of NYC in Santa Rosa. 630 4th Street, Santa Rosa, 545-3785.

Aoili Deli: Tucked away in Forestville, this outstanding little deli continues to impress. Slow braised corned beef, house made Thousand Island aioli and bread from nearby Nightingale breads.

Ulia’s Deli: Locals love this westside deli, and credit for inspiring a lengthy discussion about the merits of Sonoma county’s Reuben’s started with a rave about Ulia’s top-notch Reuben.130 Stony Point Rd # F, Santa Rosa, 525-8542.

Arrigoni’s Deli: Downtown Santa Rosa is fortunate to have several solid delicatessens, and Arrigoni’s extensive sandwich selection makes it a top pick. Classic Reuben on rye. 701 4th St., Santa Rosa, 545-1297.

Why are most Kohl's free-standing as opposed to being anchor tenants in a mall?

The CEO of Kohl's came and guest spoke in my Marketing 300 lecture today. Everything about the branding and segmentation they do is very interesting. But as I was sitting there I could only think of one question, "Why are very few Kohl's located in malls like a Macy's or JCP?"

As a real estate major, I know that most of the time anchor tenants (like Kohl's would be) have free rent in malls. Why would they spend so much money acquiring real estate and be ok with having all that fixed overhead?

As shown by the demise of Blockbuster, the times are changing. Bricks and mortar are becoming liabilities as opposed to an asset. Even Kohl's who has increased their online sales from 250 million dollars in 2006 to 1,600 million dollars in 2011 have got to be aware that an increased online presence diminishes the need for a store.

I almost raised my hand to ask what the strategy is behind all of Kohl's freestanding stores. Because it is obviously in their business plan....but I didn't. I thought, "oh, I'll look it up later."

And now I can't find it online anywhere. Maybe I'm searching the wrong words but I am thoroughly disappointed I didn't ask (although it was a 400 person lecture, all of whom just wanted to get the heck out of the class so I know by being on the other end many of times I would have had many angry glares from the others).

I guess I'll keep searching.

What is a joint venture?

According to investopedia, a joint venture is:

The cooperation of two or more individuals or businesses in which each agrees to share profit, loss and control in a specific enterprise.

Forming a joint venture is a good way for companies to partner without having to merge. JVs are typically taxed as a partnership.


I tried to go a little deeper and really figure out what they are but all of the rules and regulations are over my head. I will have to do a little more research when I have more time.

How do you operate a jackhammer?

One of items on my bucket list people find the strangest is "use a jackhammer." I figure this is a good way to start. I mean how do I expect to use one if I don't even know how.

So after reading many articles and watching a few youtube videos I think I could do it.

First of all there are two different types.
Pneumatic (air-operated):

And electrical:

I think my best bet will be the electrical because having that truck for the air seems like quite the investment.

Anyway...safety first. You must wear goggles and I would probably also wear steel boots, gloves, a mask, earmuffs, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.

As for a bit, I woud like to chew up concrete so I would get a spade shaped one or maybe a point if I'm feeling adventurous.

After that I just have to start from the outside working toward the center, flip the switch and hold the machine.

This is the point where I'll be the master. After I get the thing deep enough then instead of moving the jackhammer to a new place close to the hole I've just made I will instead slightly angle the jackhammer to get some leverage and pop the concrete up. (oh yeah. You don't see many novices doing that.)

This will continue until I get bored (47.5 seconds) and I will be able to cross something off my bucket list!

What are the different types of fiduciaries?

So I've been hearing fiduciary or fiduciary duties or fiduciary responsibility a lot in my classes (and in life) recently. As much as I was aware of the word enough to be able to get the jist of the conversation, I hate when I don't know the exact definition and also some examples to help me comprehend it even better.

From my research it appears a fiduciary duty can exist in many different relationships with each situation requiring different expectations of the fid.

Fiduciary originates from latin meaning "(holding) in trust." It is evident trust is the grounding term. Anyone anywhere can be a fiduciary just by having someone else entrusting him/her.

In all cases, a fiduciary has the duty to act in the best interest of the principal.

Examples:
Beneficiary/Trustee
Broker/Client
Teacher/Student
Business Partnerships (but not Joint Ventures)
Executer/Deceased
Doctor/Patient

The list is never ending.
Now I know.

Also I learned today that the formula for calculating the present value of an annuity in perpetuity is the same formula to calculate the value of real estate using a capitalization rate.

Present Value= Annuity/Discount Rate

Or

Value of RE= Net Operating Income/Cap Rate

WHO KNEW!

How do you crack an egg with one hand?

I always watch cooking shows in awe when they can crack an egg with one hand. How do they do that!??

It's actually quite easy. I didn't even look up how to do it. I just decided to test it out one day. It could have ended up very messily but I took a chance and it worked.

I just looked up how to technically do it though and it appears it's all in the hand placement on the egg. I must be a naturally gifted egg cracker.

Next step crack an egg with my left hand.

PS. I actually have brown eggs right now too!

Reasons

I'm decided to start blogging again. I'm going to write posts one new thing I learned that day. My writing has always sucked so hopefully this is a way to improve it while also having a little fun. Writing down what I learn will hopefully reinforce it so I can remember it for longer!

I'm not writing this for anyone but myself (unlike my other blogs which were to keep people up-to date on my whereabouts).

I also think this is a good way to keep learning (and not what everyone else wants me to learn but what I want to learn). I don't think I realize how much I'm expected to learn everyday but I want it to be more of a conscious, deliberate decision.

(I think after writing/reading this I'm going to have to find some synonyms for learn)

Anyways. Let the learning begin!

(If you haven't read the quote under the title, read it. So good...)