MBA Final Exam

I have a scenario for all of you MBA types. Let’s see if that $50,000 in tuition was well spent or not.

Imagine you are a C-level executive at a petroleum company. Your company is and has been doing very well over the last few decades with the huge dependency that the US has on gasoline for our everyday lives. But a few years ago the price per barrel of oil started to go up and gasoline began to hit record high prices. Now most of the overindulgent American citizens didn’t pay much attention, but you did.

Then Al Gore got on his Global Warming soapbox and started to point out the negative effect we are having on the planet. Couple the rise in popularity of the global warming bandwagon with the ever increasing oil prices and all of a sudden the public decides that 20 MPG is not good enough.

Next thing you know the auto industry is developing more fuel efficient vehicles and the suddenly popular hybrid. There is even talk that the government will mandate that all vehicles get 40 MPG by the year 2012. So here is your final exam question. Which of the following do you think those C-level petroleum executives would do next?

1. Would they look at the revenue they currently generate, which is in the billions, and decide that, if ALL cars got 40 MPG instead of 20 MPG, it would be OK to generate half the revenue they generate today because it will be better for the country, the environment and the planet? Or…
2. Would they think they need to generate the same revenue once ALL cars get 40 MPG instead of 20 MPG and the only way to do that would be to DOUBLE the price of gas? Would they double the price of gas over night? Or would they gradually increase the price of gas over a span of years to make it more acceptable to the public?

Which one did you choose?

Mark my words…when all cars get better gas mileage, a gallon of gas will cost $6.00 to $8.00 a gallon. We live in a greedy, capitalistic society and there is no way that a large company looks into the future and thinks it will be OK to make half the money they do today. It is not as if this is unprecedented. If you have ever visited a country in Europe, you will notice that gas prices in Europe are much higher and, guess what, cars get 50 MPG. You probably just didn’t notice the price of gas because they charge by the liter – sneaky bastards!

As a recent hybrid owner, I wanted to acknowledge my part in causing the increasing gas prices in the US. It is people like me that have caused the petroleum companies to consider new revenue strategies. So for my part in the ridiculous gas prices, I apologize to you all.

I wonder if we all went out and bought monster trucks instead, would gas prices drop back to under a buck? Owning a monster truck would be fun and it sure would make traffic jams more interesting.

Random Quiz

I stole this from Blither.

What curse words do you use most?
I have actually tried to curse less. Although I love to use British curse words like Bugger, Bollocks, etc...

Do you own an iPod?
Of course I do, I actually own two.

What time is your alarm clock set to?
I never need an alarm clock. My internal clock wakes me up at whatever time I need. Problem is it is always five minutes fast and I really hate to lose that 5 minutes of sleep.

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
Take the picture no doubt. I am not camera friendly.

What was the last movie you watched?
I watched Fly Boys on DVD on the flight out west. Don’t bother.

What CD is currently in your player?
I always make my own CD’s.

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
Regular although the last few years I have really cut back on milk intake. I am hoping for some broken bones later in life.

Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Always and I always keep them.

When was the last time you had Starbucks?
I am in Seattle, so you figure it out.

Can you whistle?
Not well.

Did you watch cartoons when you were little?
Yes and they were much better back then…Bugs Bunny rocks.

Do you own any band t-shirts?
A few, but not enough.

What will you be doing in an hour?
Eating lunch.

What was the last song you heard?
The tune that plays when my phone rings.

Last time you cried?
One word answer day…can’t explain it.

Desktop or laptop?
I have both. Need a smaller laptop as I am tired of carrying this one around the world.

What’s the weather like?
It is actually a beautiful day in Seattle considering they had snow yesterday.

What were you doing an hour ago?
In a meeting…just like right now.

How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
I only really sleep about four hours a night although I try for a lot more.

Do you eat breakfast daily?
No, but I should cause I am really hungry right now.

What did you do last night?
Not much…ordered room service and watch TV. Long trip, long week and I won’t be home for another5 days.

Do you use sarcasm?
Naaaa…not me. (did that sound sarcastic?)

Do you sleep on your side/back/stomach?
Side unless I have had too much to drink, then who cares.

Do you watch the news?
Never, it is too depressing.

Do you have any scars?
I have a few…one over my left eye from an elbow I took during a football game.

Standout Lyrics

You ever notice that there can be on or two lines of a song that can really resonate with you? You like the song just because of those lines. Those lines stick out brighter than anything else in the whole song. My sister always says that I remember every line to every song. I am sure that is a bit of an exaggeration, but I do remember a lot of them. Well, I picked ten of my favorites…well ten I could think of today at least. They are from new songs as well as old songs. See if you can spot any of them. Click the links to hear them.

1. I know there’s little use in crying
It’s more wide awake and dying than I’m used to
I thought we’d walk these streets together
Now I’m hoping that I’ll never have to meet you

2. Winter just wasn’t my season

3. And we never failed to fail
It was the easiest thing to do.

4. It’s coming down to nothing more than apathy

5. It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss

6. Like a vision she dances across the porch
As the radio plays

7. And the talkin' leads to touchin'
And the touchin' leads to sex
And then there is no mystery left

8. Somebody going to emergency
Somebody’s going to jail

9. Could I have been anyone other than me?

10. You can feel her by your side in an empty room
And words like forever, you spoke too soon

I got a lot going on right now including a trip to NJ to help my friends move…well I can promise I will be very little help. Luckily for them they have plenty of other volunteers. I am getting ready for my Spain trip – only 12 more days. E-Dog is visiting next weekend. I am also talking with a new girl on match that so far I really like. We’ll see what happens when we meet in person and my “picky gene” takes over. Updates to come next week. Anyway, everyone have a great weekend.

A Random List

1. My roommate once: Passed out in bed after a night of drinking, but left some candles burning downstairs. She woke up when the firemen came into her bedroom.
2. Never in my life: Have I lived on the East Coast, but I am taking care of that in a few weeks.
3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile: That would be my entire family.
4. High School was: A fight for survival.
5. When I'm nervous: I get really quiet.
6. The last time I cried was: When my sister blew up at me and said some mean things for no real reason.
7. If I were to get married right now my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be: In Vegas as drunk as I am.
8. My eyes: Are looking very old these days.
9. My hair: Is getting shorter and shorter...OK I cut it that way but still.
10. When I was 5: My mom met my step dad. He is the only father I have ever known.
11. Last Christmas: I gave all my nieces and nephews a gift certificate to spend time with me and now I am moving so they won’t get to cash them in.
12. When I turn my head left, I see: San Francisco.
13. I should be: Packing
14. When I look down I see: My feet, why what do you see?
15. The craziest recent event was: My going away party last weekend.
16. If I were a character on Friends I'd be: Chandler, I would like to be Joey, but in reality I am more like Chandler.
17. By this time next year: I hope to have bought a new pad in Virginia.
18. Current Relationship Status: None.
19. I have a hard time understanding: How some people can abuse children, animals, and each other. Oh, and the theory of relativity.
20. One time at a family gathering: My brother damn near broke my nose.
21. You know I "like" you if: I make fun of you.
22. If I won an award, the first person (people) I'd thank is/are: My mom.
23. Take my advice: Don’t sweat the little shit and remember that it is all little shit.
24. My ideal breakfast is: Paige's Pallete at the Chicken and Waffle House
25. If you visit the place I grew up: You wouldn’t get out of the car.
26. Where do you plan to visit anytime soon: Europe in the fall with Nick.
27. If you spend the night at my house: Well, at least one of us would be happy in the morning.
28. I'd stop my wedding if: I sobered up.
29. The world could do without: Guns
30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than date: Roseanne Barr
31. Most recent thing you've bought yourself: A bar for my apartment
32. Most recent thing someone else bought for you: A shot
33. My favorite blonde is: A natural blonde
34. My favorite brunette is: The girl in the Bahner picture over my bed
35. The last time I laughed really hard: When I saw Larry Miller do his skit on the five stages of drinking.
36. The last time I was drunk was: Saturday
37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: Pigs - then you couldn't say "When Pigs Fly!"
38. I shouldn't have been: Allowed to marry at 18.
39. Once, at a bar: Once? Come on I have done nothing once at a bar.
40. Last night I: Drank tequila at a Mexican restaurant
41. There's this girl I know who: Can’t seem to get her lipstick on her lips…ever.
42: I don't know: Where I will be living in a month
43. A better name for me would be: The Wanderer
44. If I ever go back to school I'll: Only date seniors
45. How many days until my birthday?: 226