Monogamy. The concept is something I've never understood! Over the past few years, I've been dating a girl from Sweden and we have what can be most commonly defined as an "open relationship."  What does this mean exactly? Our relationship is serious. As friends, we are hard on one another; demanding our best, pushing for change and challenging each other. As lovers, we are passionate, honest, respectful and caring. Combine the two and you have us; soul mates. Yet because she lives in Sweden and I live in California, it's not entirely practical nor realistic for us to be in a monogamous relationship. So, we don't. We told each other we never make promises we can't keep. "I don't' want to be that guy," I told her. "You know, the one that tells you he's only going to be with you when he can't. The truth might be hard to handle sometimes, but I'll never lie to you." I've never broken my word to her and I intend to keep it that way.

    I know what's going through your head at this point! I've been asked a million times before. "Do you tell each other you sleep with other people?" "Is it hard when you find out she's doing it?" "I couldn't take getting hurt like that. I just like monogamy." Yes, I've heard it all. What I find terribly ironic is while so many easily question my decisions (simply for being different), they never seem to reflect on their own relationship habits.

My College Education - Part Two

For those of you just tuning in, last issue we critiqued the increasingly overbearing costs of a college education. If you haven't already, you can find last weeks issue here: http://tinyurl.com/27zf6lv In this month's issue, we are going to delve into a world of opportunity that awaits. Enter if you dare!

    Following your high school graduation, imagine you told your parents, "instead of sending me to college, give me $175,000 and let me do as I please." (For you rich people that's over 4 times higher than the average American income). "You will save $50,000 and spare me the pain of enduring 4 years in a classroom." Sound crazy? Think again. As a student, I would take this deal in a nano second. Furthermore, I'd be fully confident that I could use that $175,000 to make much more than my college diploma would ever award me. Don't believe me? What if I told you that you had two choices. Option 1: A degree from your university of choice (this is best case scenario) with potential college loans to pay off for the next 5 years. Option 2: ALL of the following over the course of the next four years; Visit 25 countries, learn a language of your choice, start your own business, learn to cook foods from all over the world, learn to dance, play an instrument, see your favorite bands perform in every corner of the globe, visit your very own wonders of the modern world, explore every major museum and library on your wish list, meet like minded people from every major metropolitan city on the planet AND have $50,000 left over - in essence DO your bucket list.  Still not convinced? We'll folks, over the last four years I've done every one of these things and more! Ask yourself this, "why do I need a college degree?" I'll tell you why. Everyone else does it! Sure there are exceptions for those that want to be a doctor or lawyer.  But a musician, dancer, producer, writer or (insert esoteric profession of choice here). Give me a break. Do you think Eric Clapton would say, "you better go to school so you can play guitar." No you imbecile. You lock yourself in your room and play until your fingers bleed. That's how you get good. Those who are going to "make it" aren't going to have their future hindered by their lack of diploma.  Once we can understand that our education doesn't end when we leave college, but rather begins, we start to see the light!

My College Education

"Today we are going to review the persecution of the American Indians," began Ms. Duenzen. I sat there in pain. As usual, I pulled out a piece of scratch paper in an attempt to find a better use of my time. I began my habitual breakdown of the latest poker session. I explored future earnings, goal setting and opportunity cost. In fact, American History proved to be one of the biggest enhancements to my poker career; I paid the least attention while further advancing my knowledge of poker. I'd often bring books, articles, hand histories, math problems or anything pertaining to the subject that I could study during class. This particular Tuesday I found myself exploring the idea of opportunity cost. I had a theory that eventually one would make enough money where certain things would be a waste of time; say for example returning a movie at blockbuster because the penalty suffered isn't worth the effort it takes to return the movie.  While this seemed quite trivial after a short analysis, I was perplexed by more complex areas of interest. With application deadlines approaching, there was on thing on every senior's mind - college! While everyone wrote it off as a mandatory rite of passage that follows high school, I had my doubts. I did what I knew best and ran the numbers. I began by breaking down the cost of a standard degree at a supposedly lucrative university.

Neuropsychological Evaluation

       I recently read a captivating book titled, "The Brain That Changes Itself" and being motivated by the power of the human mind, I decided to expand my horizons. I did some research and signed up for a Neuropsychological Evaluation. "What's that?" you may ask. Essentially it’s a detailed evaluation of oneself - biography, history, IQ, standardized tests, and insight that can help one determine strengths and weakness. After a detailed phone conversation, I learned that were to have three meetings - a briefing, test day and follow up. The doc informed that he would be administering tests from all over the spectrum, from problem solving and logic puzzles to vocabulary and memory. Anxious to get started, I scheduled several appointments on my search for answers.

    Several days later, I arrived at the office for our first meeting. I headed up several flights of stairs to the back corner of a building - Studio C. I sat patiently in the waiting room before being called in. “Dr. Con Fidential,” he started. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Right this way.” I walked back into the small cubicle which some people call an office. “Take a seat.” I sat down. White walls surrounded the bland interior. Brown chairs and the small folded laptop on his desk were the only signs that the room was occupied. I later found out the room was strategically designed to literally bore the patient so he could focus on the task at hand. “Everything we discuss here is confidential," he reassured me, “and your scores won’t be shared with anyone. He concluded by conducting a detailed background of my life - childhood, early schooling, parents, college, work, etc. “That’s all for today,” he stated. “We’ll get you back here next week. Plan on 4 - 5 hours of examinations.”