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hejduk

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Everything posted by hejduk

  1. My name is envy after seeing your list of hardware. That is truly a java paradise as far as I'm concerned. How did you come to the final conclusion on your espresso machine? Did you teach yourself the art of perfecting/making it, or did you read-up on it? Does one need all the equipment listed to make a good cup? Do you make your own? Specific brand you like? Ha! I've had the same experience, so I know where you're coming from. Course, I am tainted by enjoying the harsher roasts. Pretty amazing to think how something as simple as coffee can really set the mood for conversation. Agree that nothing can beat just taking a break and enjoying some conversation over a cup.
  2. I'm in the US (I guess I assume most posters here are US or Canada?), and my wife brought some Turkish coffee back from a trip recently... Love at first sip! Have a place locally that makes Turkish coffee, and while harsh/bitter, it's just how i love my coffee!
  3. How can you be a student and not be a coffee lover?!? My lil' brother is 22 and still doesn't drink coffee, but I have bet him that as soon as he starts his MA, he'll definitely come to the dark side. I use to have a rough budget that would allow me to have Starbucks every so often, but now it's just too damn expensive and not worth it. I'll have a "beer budget" this fall, as I'll be starting a PhD, and the city has multiple breweries. I love the idea of making my own coffee, and am looking for suggestions is this tread on espresso machines. Lot of effort, but much more affordable, and hey, who doesn't like the student who has an espresso machine? Easy way to make friends! On prices, Tassimo sells Gevalia Cappuccino for 9.99, and is enough to make 8 servings. Apparently they just lost their contract with Starbucks.. Arg! They do still sell Jacobs, Suchard, Tazo, etc. Their website is http://www.tassimodirect.com/beverages-t-discs/t-disc-brands.
  4. How do you avoid the $5 hassle of getting your buzz on at Starbucks. Do you home brew? If so, list your equipment/setup and the costs associated. Personally, I have a Tassimo brewing system. Registered for it when I got married (only thing I got! wife got everything else!). Retail cost is typically ~$150 or below. Only pod system (think Keurig, et) that allows you to do steamed/heated milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Great selection of pods, and you can signup at tassimo's website for monthly delivery options.
  5. I'm guessing that you are wanting to get a sim card from ATT, and just use a phone you already have or will purchase? If so, you have to make sure it's the right type of band. Typically, most phones aren't an issue nowadays, but not all phones will work everywhere. The typical GSM bands that ATT uses in the US are 850 and 1900 mhz. If you're not sure if your phone supports those bands, you can look it up on www.phonescoop.com
  6. No desire to teach at a CC, but in all honesty, even CCs are requiring PhDs in some cases. The trend toward requiring PhDs for any full-time teaching gig will only increase as well.
  7. That's some serious coffee pr0n there! Are you planing shopping for a replacement? Be interested to see where you go with your purchasing decision once you move. I'd love a good but simple espresso maker. Having said that, I'm gonna start a coffee thread in the Lobby too!
  8. Hit in on the head! I've struggled with this very decision during the admission process, and still think about the unfortunate but certainly possibly circumstances that may happen while being a TA. It's in this very circumstance where a guy who had no desire to purchase a gun (me!) may actually do so just to protect himself. See how this very situation can snowball?
  9. Yes, Yes, and Yes! I have a Tassimo, and it rocks. Chai, Espresso, or just regular cup o' joe. Starbucks, Keurig, etc: you name it, Tassimo has it. Only system out there that can do steamed milk packets, so you can actually do a decent (stress decent, but not cafe quality; nothing comes close to cafe quality except an actual cafe) cappuccino and latte.
  10. Thanks for bumping this thread. Really makes me wanna go out and buy stuff! My supply prep has got to get started, as I'm t-minus 5-wks from my move across country. My two cents on what to get after reading the thread (some of these things are not office supply things, so keep that mind): Laser printer: I have an all-in-one printer which is nice, but damn is the ink expensive. Laser printers are cheaper in the long run for printing mass quantities of paper, which I'm we'll be doing in doctoral studies. External hard drive: get as big of one as you can. Seriously, get a TB if you can. While you may not need the space now, you'll be glad you have it farther down the road. Laptop/netbook: i can't justify purchasing a netbook when I already have a kick ass laptop, but it would be nice sometimes when I don't wanna lug the thing around. Pondering an Ipad and bluetooth keyboard here. Ergonomic chair: I have a back condition, and need an ergonomic chair to sit for long periods. This is dedinitely an area where you get what you pay for. A $200 chair is going to be nowhere as good as a Herman Miller Embody Chair, which I purchased a few years back and been worth every penny. Bed: Sleep is necessity, and if you have a mattress older than a few years, make an investment and get a good one. No single thing affects us more than poor sleep. Lastly, question everything you purchase. Don't purchase stuff just because you can, but honestly question the utility of the item. Doing this while I move, and will continue this as I purchase needed supplies. If something small such as new mattress can help you stay focused and succeed in grad school, why not?
  11. hejduk

    Bikes

    Why do you think prices will come down once Tern bikes come on the market? Does Dahon basically have a monopoly on their folding technology, and therefor basically dictates prices? I'm absolutely digggin the Vitesse D7HG. The fenders, internal hub, and ability to carry so much really makes it a useful bike. If only there was something more "road worthy" like the Bullhead! Something that rides better but has all the convenience features of the Vitesse would be awesome. Any suggestions, or even other brands? I'd definitely be willing to spend more if the bike is worth it.
  12. It really is trial by fire with teaching, but you'll pick it up quickly. Take advantage of your university's Teaching and Learning Center, or whatever their equivalent there. The thing I enjoy most about teaching is the mentoring aspect. When i haven't heard from a student for a couple semesters because they graduated, and then randomly get an email stating they got a job and thankful for what I did, that makes it all worthwhile! Also, for teaching tips, check out this thread on being a TA that someone else started. While it's not being a sole teacher, all the tips are still applicable.
  13. hejduk

    Bikes

    Thanks so much! This is the type of info I've been looking for. I haven't been able to try a folding bike, but it seems to be exactly what I need. I won't be on a bus (if I am, very few times ever), and never on the subway. I've got a Mini Cooper, and while it's got a rack, i'd rather be able to put the bike in the "trunk" (notice I quote trunk as it's not really one). I've been looking at Dahon for awhile now, and have also been impressed with Xootr. What's your take on Citizen Bike? They seem to be too good to be true, as the prices seem amazingly and surprising low. As far as the bike being stolen, I'm not really too worried about it. I should be able to take the bike to my student office, so it can just sit in there. Having said that, I'll still be interested in locking it up... I'm one of those people who locks their laptop up, so why not apply that to the bike too?
  14. I'll be starting a PhD program this fall, so my main problem is letting the correct people know that I'm teaching focused. I don't want to be target as the student who hates research! I've taught now for three semesters, and I can only say that it's been amazing! I've never taken to something so well, as was given the highest evals possible every semester. So either I'm doing something right, or my students just lie! Very good point about research being something that creates the knowledge I'll pass along to my students. I'm looking forward to doing research, just trying to figure out how to get excited about it. It sounds like the reverse of your situation with teaching. I just need to be open to it, and ask for help, and hopefully find my niche in research.
  15. Ditto to that all. I did an MA in my field, but it was a generalist degree and not focused in one area. I also thought I'd stay in the corporate world (which i'm not as I got laid off and have since transitioned to academia), and so i didn't do a thesis. I think it's just the responsibility of the student in this situation to be proactive and seek out every opportunity you can. Beg, cry, and steal opportunities to teach or do research. Even if the curriculum is not the strongest, you can still make the opportunity worthwhile.
  16. Good point, and that is why, once I'm done, i'll not be applying to R1 schools. I'm interested in how to get around this during my PhD though. I mean, I can't just come out and tell my advisor, "I'm hear just to teach, and have no interest in doing research".
  17. hejduk

    Bikes

    Price range is up to $800, as I see it as a long-term investment. The bike will be used mainly for biking to campus, picking things up in town sometimes (food, etc), as the city has an amazing bike infrastructure. My commute is roughly 2-3 miles to campus, but longer for other need. Might take it out on the wkend for longer rides too.
  18. I'm starting a PhD program this fall, and am in it to basically secure a full-time teaching gig (most schools won't hire without a PhD, and being an adjunct is not a longterm goal). For those that have started out just desiring to teach, how have you "faked" the desire to do research? Or if you've learned to become interested in research, how or what sparked the fire? I don't wanna go through my PhD having to wear the "yes i'm interested in becoming a researcher" mask. I guess it's possible to still love teaching, but balance that passion with doing some research? Anyone else in this boat? I'm interested in seeing if there is a large audience that are more geared towards teaching, and how they handle the negativity of not being interested in research (which I've run into a lot).
  19. hejduk

    Bikes

    Arg! Anyone have recommendations for folding bikes! Hate to hijack the thread again, but really needing some advice!
  20. Sorry! Been enjoying the show; really don't have anything major to add. I think there have been some good points made (qualifications of those carrying the guns, violence near to campus). I was really just trying to gauge the different reasons for carrying, as well as other people's opinions. Violence will not be an issue where I'm attending, so that reason doesn't add to the being able to carry. The qualifications of those carrying is definitely something I'm worried about. In my home state, anyone can get a conceal-and-carry license just by attending an 8-hour training. It's quite ridiculous and underscores how easy it can be to obtain a conceal-and-carry license. Pretty sure it should be much, much harder, and individuals should have to show true reasoning/justification for needing to carry a concealed weapon. The state I will be attending in currently has legislation that allows the school in question to decide their own campus policies. Schools have chosen different policies, with some allowing and deciding against guns on campus, but all are threatened with lawsuits by outside groups. I think I heard that one school has given into the demands of the outside groups, and has decided to to avoid lawsuits, and just go and and allow concealed weapons on campus. What a shame...
  21. Also, if you think your service is "4G", it most likely isn't. The carriers use terminology to label their services as "4G" in an attempt to woo customers to their service. http://www.bgr.com/2011/06/22/new-bill-could-force-carriers-to-tell-the-truth-about-4g/
  22. hejduk

    MacBook Pro

    I've run into situations where I needed Windows, so it's a good option to run a dual-boot on the MBP. My former university's wireless network had connectivity issues with OS X, so I'd have to boot into Windows. PITA, but made it easier with having the dual-boot via Bootcamp or Parallels.
  23. Most major carriers have prepaid. I believe ATT's current prepaid is still called "Go Phone". Also, I'd not recommend Sprint at all. They lease their system out to other carriers, including Boost and Virgin Mobiles. This means even more customers on an already taxes system. The concept of leasing out a system is known as a MVNO, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
  24. As for the ATT vs. Verizon debate, honestly, all the carriers are the same. It's basically picking the least of the evils. I used to work for Cingular, which is now ATT, and while there are days I curse them, I know how to work the system and get what I need. ATT is in the process of purchasing TMobile, and they will overtake Verizon as the biggest carrier in the US. With pricing plans, there are no set things really. Each carrier charges different rates for voice and data. "Unlimited" internet is not really available anymore, or at least headed that way. The best practice for finding rates is to just head to their website, or give them a call. A final note: Just because a carrier says they have coverage in specific geographical area, you can't guarantee you'll have coverage. Coverage depends on topography, season (fall/winter mean better service due to less foliage for signal to go through), type of band (900 vs. 1800, etc). Check with students in the area you're headed to, to get the real truth about which carriers are actually good in the area or not.
  25. Regarding the bill: Jump on a family plan if you can. I'm on my wife's mother's plan. Knocks our bills down to about 70/month per line. Still expensive? Yes. More bearable than 120/month a piece? Hell yes. I use my Iphone like crazy, but honestly any platform will work (Android, Windows Mobile, etc) as long as you have access to the apps and functions you need. Checking email is absolutely vital in grad school, as well as scanning Internet news and such as the day goes on. My laptop can do all this, but it's not always handy to lug-out the laptop while in the happenings of everyday life. If you can afford the bill and see the necessity in the device, then get it! If it's just another piece of technology you don't need, or can't afford, then don't get it!
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