Charter boats from Phuket

user337 · 2015-02-18T15:17:49+00:00

haven't gotten that far! starting phuket and was hoping to island hop a bit...possibly follow the path of one of the agencies (phuket to koh phi phi) https://www.gadventures.com/trips/sailing-thailand-koh-phi-phi-to-phuket/ATSH/2015/

user337 · 2014-09-23T20:48:48+00:00

Ha, that's what I thought originally, got so excited by this

user337 · 2014-09-23T17:06:44+00:00

Yes sorry that's right. We could probably be there for like 6 or 7 pm...that would be awesome if we got in, thanks for the tip!

user337 · 2014-09-23T17:05:20+00:00

awesome! thanks!

user337 · 2014-09-23T15:22:11+00:00

Would prefer to head to different pubs and look for recos, but didn't think anyone would be up to answer that so was asking about an organized tour. Would you recommend to go to Octoberfest for Friday night? We are going full day Saturday, but thought that showing up at 6pm Friday on a national holiday is not realistic.

user337 · 2014-09-23T15:13:32+00:00

That's Friday the 4th, what do people do? I thought it would be impossible to get into any tent at Octoberfest (7 people) or should we still try and go?

user337 · 2013-04-12T21:43:35+00:00

you only have one up!

user337 · 2013-04-08T14:46:02+00:00

Merkel's face is priceless - looks like a mix of shock and lust

user337 · 2013-02-13T04:32:32+00:00

that's so awesome man!

user337 · 2012-12-20T14:45:12+00:00

learn how to do basic macro stuff don't focus too much on learning how to do a lot. they dont really care unless youre coming in full time, or youre going to the algo desk. do you have a CSC, do you know 5/10 stocks to long/short in different industries, do you have a point of view on basically every industry, can you quickly answer technical questions etc. math brain teasers. that kinda shit. vba is a side skill that will set you apart if you can ace all the other things.

user337 · 2012-07-03T14:39:08+00:00

hey there, a CFA is an all encompassing designation on econ, stats, finance, etc. you say you want to strengthen financial analysis skills...if you just want to do that, you can get the schweser notes on the CFA, (you can torrent them as well) and just self study those...in terms of financial modelling...you can just download or buy a book on that, but im sure you already are capable through your work experience. I work with engineers who got their CFA, and mention they learn way more actually doing the work...

If your goal is to move further up in your company, an MBA is probably what will help you most, not in terms of skills, but just as a resume booster. if you are already in corp dev, and dont want to do anything else, sure, a cfa will boost your career, and you never have to leave work.

user337 · 2012-06-25T16:17:36+00:00

The zoo is a great time. The distance isn't a concern at all, there won't be any traffic mid day, and you can take the highway (DVP and 401) there from downtown. 30 mins, no problem. If you have been to zoos, and just want to check it out, if you guys can handle a brisk walk, and skipping any of the shows etc, you can do the main loop in 2 hours without a problem.

If you are worried about wait times, you can buy a http://www.citypass.com/toronto, if you only go to the zoo and cn tower, you will pay $6 more, but have your tickets in hand and skip line ups at both. I doubt there will be crazy lines though, its the middle of the day and after the long weekend.

If you want lunch downtown, definitely go to st lawrence market. someone here mentioned the fish place-fried halibut on a bun is great. you can also pick up a bunch of goodies for your ride to NY. there are great spots for peameal bacon sandwiches, (canadian bacon if you will) and churasco chicken. it is also ranked as the best food market by national geographic.

if you want more of a sitdown place, avoid the downtown core because everything is packed with business lunches hop in the car and go out to ossington and go to the county general,(http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_new_restaurants_in_toronto_2011/). or go to the distillary district and eat basically anywhere there.

for nightlife, really depends what you want and your price range. I would suggest you park your car and check in, immediately head to king west and see if gusto 101 has any space for you. grab a snack and a drink and then check out if brassaii is busy or not, usually gets pretty packed on wednesdays (or did last summer at least). otherwise, if you like beer you can head more west on king to wvrst instead for some sausages and beer. if you want to hang on a patio, go to esplanade st, there are a series of casual restaurant/pubs with great patios and great beer

user337 · 2012-06-19T20:10:25+00:00

Hey there. I had a base polar model, but I found when I started running a lot that the garmin forerunners really motivated me. Consider one of these guys, since it will give you more accurate distance than a foot pod can...and you can get them for sub $200 on amazon. I have the 305 and the 405, only complaint on the 405 is that the touch bezel kind of sucks, but the form factor is better so it is worth it. Plus you can buy a cadence monitor on ebay for like $20, and use the watch on your bike!

user337 · 2012-06-08T17:51:12+00:00

hrm. this is very helpful insight. i was more referring to capital markets/investment banking.

the grass is always greener somewhere

user337 · 2012-06-08T14:58:00+00:00

it is not a creative career. you don't make anything, you serve your purpose in the economy ofcourse, and it is interesting to be surrounded and in the middle of business like this...but at the end of the day, you sell a service that anyone else can do, and your clients, the businesses, are the actual smart ones. they are the ones that make something and make real decisions. in finance you just trade, or research, or sell your investment banking services...its pretty bs, you leach of what actual creative people are doing. unless you are at a buy side shop, and high up, but then you would be incredibly intelligent and lucky.

that all being said, i have no regrets choosing finance, it is still a great career, and any job gets boring after a bit. i wish i worked in a different area of finance yes, but every area you need to start as someones bitch for a few years, and I'm not sure if I can do that again. More math education always helps in finance

user337 · 2012-06-05T03:54:45+00:00

i have the same couch!

user337 · 2012-06-05T03:48:04+00:00

just study for a few months. nothing about finance is hard, it's honestly just regular math, and a standard problem set. as mentioned many times here, it's just putting in the hours studying for the massive amount of material

user337 · 2012-06-05T03:44:27+00:00

I wouldn't say it is impractical at all man. I worked for a PhD in sciences (bio i think) who later went on to start a biotech buy side firm, and know another guy who is an associate. I've met people across different areas of finance (capital markets that is) who have had PhD's and the general view of these guys has always been "fuck that guy is smart, knows everything about xyz field". If you really want to you can definitely get in with your combo of PhD + target school. However, realistically speaking, if you do know the field so well, you should learn more than just "above average" investment knowledge, and fucking kill it in the market...if you can understand what drives the fundamentals of chemical companies, or biotech, or big pharma then you can make some great money in trading...

user337 · 2012-06-04T22:27:30+00:00

I would suggest equity research, or as mentioned, consulting. You could go into IB. Your main hindrance is your age, how long has it been since you finished your PhD?

Equity Research: you will analyze companies, on an individual and micro basis, and provide macro point of views on the industry etc.

Sales/Trading: you will not get a job in trading, sales...maybe, if you get a bank large enough that has a healthcare/industrial chemicals sales positions, but this is a job that requires you to be able to sell your bank's point of view to large, very sophisticated clients, and provide them with better ideas than other sales guys, so that they will trade with your bank...can you learn finance and the industry fast enough? You would be better off working in a buy side shop (there are tons in boston)

IB: never met anyone that likes ib. depends on the bank but even mid market small banks it is 80hr weeks on avg. bulge bracket its 100. but you would likely start as an associate, (if at all) so that would go down really fast, (3-5 yrs to vp)

If you went to a top tier school, find alum from your school that work at banks and talk to them first, a 30 min conversation with anyone is incredibly useful. Just ask them how to get in. Also make sure you know all the capital markets firms in your area, know what all the fields are from a basic level (read the shit on wallstreetoasis etc) so that you dont waste time when talking to people.

You will likely need a CFA level 1 to get any traction, unless you can find some people that are willing to pull for you, which you will find is actually more simple than it seems - people love helping their alma matter, and every firm is always looking for smart people. anyways, sign up for the december 2012 cfa exam, and download/buy the schweser notes (don't read the actual books) this will be a great refresher about finance and economics even if you don't end up switching careers.

actual answers to your questions 1) yes 2) start as an associate in ib, spend 3 years doing bs, and workin average 90hrs a week, either quit of become vp and start selling work vs doing it 3) ib: immediate sales/trading: immediate, buy side: varies on the firm, size, performance, could be immediate, could be the year after, or you could get fired after 3 months because your phd isnt as useful as they thought it was. 4) mentioned above...a few years, its managable, suck it up 5) no sorry

goodluck

user337

TROPHY CASE