1. I canceled cable. Specifically, I canceled my TV service through Comcast. Since moving to California, I’ve gone through 4 or 5 set-top boxes. Every time this happens, I have to unplug my old box, go to the Comcast service center (mind you making sure that I get there before they close), wait in line, return my old box, get a new box, and plug in my new box. And every time that this happens, I lose the recordings on my DVR and have to re-setup all of my series recordings. If you’ve used Comcast’s DVR, then you know how much of a pain it is to do this (especially when their search/program data sucks - like when it can’t find The Biggest Loser or American Idol). I started having problems with my set-top box last week and it finally died on Sunday. Comcast’s solution was the usual - return it and get a new one. I think I would have had more patience with them but I just went through this whole process in November! And I was so angry with them that I even ordered DSL, which will be installed next week. After that, I’ll be Comcast-free (and saving about $70/month)! Netflix will now be my sole source of video entertainment. I have to admit that it has been a little weird to come home from work and not turn on the TV to some mindless reality program. At the same time, though, I’m looking forward to spending more time watching movies (which I actually enjoy far more than most TV programs), reading, and playing Xbox games. So far, I’ve just been spending more time online.
  2. I’m taking a statistics class. Through some sort of self-imposed punishment, I decided to take a statistics class. I begrudgingly took one as an undergrad (because I was required to) and was elated in grad school when I was able to get the stats requirement waived because of said class. I now sort of regret the path I took (although I know that doing so afforded me other things - like taking more exciting classes in grad school). Even though most of my work is qualitative, I figure that as long as “researcher” is in my title I should make a serious effort at improving my quantitative skills. I’ve only had one class session but so far the workload is manageable. The only things that suck is that it meets for 3.5 hours every Wednesday evening until May (and a few Saturday mornings) and that I have to do homework. Other than that, it has been kind of cool to take a class just for the hell of it and not to meet a degree requirement. It’s funny how much more motivated I’ve been without the added pressure of “OMG! This is going on my transcript!”
  3. I’m wearing Invisalign. I’ve actually been wearing them since October but somehow managed to not blog about it. I’ve had a gap in my front teeth for as long as I can remember. It is the sort of thing that most people probably don’t notice but always bothered me about my teeth. To fix the gap, I’ve been wearing (almost) invisible plastic aligners on both my upper and lower teeth. I have to wear them all the time (they say a minimum of 22 hours a day) and have to take them out when I eat. Every two weeks, I get a new set of aligners. Overall, it has been really easy to live with and I’m pretty impressed with how far my teeth have moved. My entire treatment is going to take about eight - nine months so I’m about halfway there. There is a considerable amount of pressure on my teeth (it can be painful) when I first put in a new pair of aligners but that goes away after a couple of days. Aside from the expense, I’d highly recommend it.