I read a Time article today that reported Denmark imposing the world’s first “fat tax”. Going into effect last Saturday, the law charges a 16 krone (about $3) tax per kilo of saturated fat on any food that contains more than 2.3%. It is aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.
The fat tax is definitely an innovative attempt to curb unhealthy eating. I wonder how a similar tax would be received in the United States, where the healthy eating movement has been gaining steam. With powerful food industry lobbyists and capitalist backlash, I’d imagine it wouldn’t garner enough political support, but stranger things have happened… It would certainly make things interesting though.
Big life decision made.
At the end of this month, I will be moving to Madison, Wisconsin to work as a Project Manager/Implementation Consultant at Epic Systems, a large health care software company.
It’s taken me a while to make my decision, mostly because I’ve been a little scared to move. After all, I grew up in the Bay Area and have lived here all my life. But everything about the job fits what I want to do career-wise, at least to start off. I’ve finally wrapped my head around moving and am genuinely excited for the new experience.
One of my friends from college actually started working at Epic at the beginning of summer, so at least I know someone there. Also, as an official employee now, I can recruit! So if anyone’s looking for or interested in a job in healthcare/software at a place with a cool company culture, let me know! I’d be happy to chat and refer.
I don’t know if it will be more of a short-term or long-term stay in Wisconsin, but life has a funny way of working itself out :)
I’ll be hanging around the Bay Area during October before relocating to the Midwest, so holler if you want to meet up, grab food, go on an adventure, or all of the above. I’d love to see you!
Went running yesterday and got a real world lesson in brand loyalty.
Ever since trying Asics running shoes when I started running cross country way back in freshman year of high school, I’ve stuck with the brand. It’s been the same with the Superfeet insoles I use.
The shoes are great. I’ve tried other brands in stores from time to time, but the feel and fit is never quite right. Thus, I always end up leaving the checkout with Asics, even if I have to pay a slight premium.
After reading about brand loyalty so much in business classes, it took this realization for it to finally sink in.
Since graduating this past May, I’ve gone back to the UC Berkeley campus several times. Each time, I no longer felt like a student, but felt like a visitor.
The campus I had called home for four years lost some of its magic. I know I’m an alumnus now and not having classes everyday would be a huge change, but I didn’t think it would be this different.
One instance of feeling removed from college: Watching media coverage of the protests against the controversial SB185 affirmative action bill, I can’t help but think that I used to be able to stroll onto campus and be right in the middle of these events. But now I watch it on the news.
Photo by Lance Iversen/The Chronicle
In the past, I often signed emails/letters with “Thanks, Stanley”.
Lots of thanks, but it showed my appreciation of the other person’s time in reading what I had to write and/or responding.
I tend to sign off with “Best, Stanley” now.
I think it serves as a good reminder to myself that I should always give my best.