Jonny the Recovering Technophiliac

This year for the holidays, I plan on flying with the family abroad for vacation for the first time in three years.  I really wanted to try another state or country as a destination, but my mom insisted on Colombia.  Usually the idea of a trip would be fun to anyone, a chance to escape the city life for a little bit of respite.  But there is something about my family and packing that usually results in chaos.  Either way, I love my family all the same.  So as a break from all the working and packing, I decided to go with my brother Kevin to a limited showing of Up In the Air. Continue reading →

07.14.01 – TWA Terminal at JFK Airport

Originally uploaded by bluePantone292

i remember flying to miami in 98 on TWA…this takes me back so much…i love traveling

As I tiredly type on my iPhone in the comfort of my bed, it gave me time to reflect on the events of today. On a hot summer day in 2006, I graduated from CUNY Queens College… a huge milestone given the weight I was carrying ( i.e. mourning the death if my dad not too long ago). For the next two and a half years I have worked very briefly but spent most of my time running my business, JK Design. I didnt mind bieng my own boss, but the long-term persuit for me was always seeking a steadier job. My brother Kev was lucky and landed a job with Bank Of America. Mind you, I say “lucky” not as in literal luck. He worked hard and on his own steam for it. I say “luck” as in the timing. I won’t get into politics, but let’s just say that certain politicians and executives made some dumb decisions that caused a huge chunk of the nation to lose their jobs. So for all of us, the job market was and is essentially slim pickens.

The thought occurred to me to go for graduate school, but the first thing I thought was

where will I find the bloody money for it?

If I had a better job then that wouldn’t be a concern. More on that later. Today I visited NYU-Polytechnic University in Brooklyn for a graduate information session to get my feet wet in a possible return to academia. Well let me tell you, when I finished undergrad I did not want to know a damn thing about school…after straight studying since pre-k, I needed a break. But this time, my enthusiasm to return to grad school is purely out of my own will. I’m actually excited to study again. I know…let it settle in. I want to persue grad school NOT just to build up on my educational background while the job market heals. But above all, I want to return because I simply want to. And I’m a firm believer that when you enjoy something and show eagerness to do something, chances are you’ll end up doing it right. I recall one time during undergrad when I started a semester with a 7am calculus class. It was rainy, I was tired…but also unenthusiastic. Right then and there I had a feeling that the semester would not be so great…and I was right. The following semester I was eager and excited…the opposite effect was achieved.

So I’m seeking to take advantage of my eagerness and gusto to get back on the a ademic grind, and get into the mindset that anythjhg is possible…which leads me to that question that I’d always ask myself when thinking if grad school:

where will I find the bloody money for it?

The way I see it, we’re always going to be repaying something or someone (mortgages, car loans, bills, etc). To claim a debt-free life would be just lying. So if that’s the case, might as well get a loan…I can pay it back, and maybe the promise of a job will help make the payback process easier…always does.

Pennsylvania Station, New York, 1930s

Originally uploaded by bobster855

ah ye olde penn station…the way it was, and frankly the way it should be