Mathematical Analysis of a Phone Plan

For a while, we had noticed that we weren't using the full allocation of shared 1400 voice minutes on our mobile plan, in fact using only about half. So we made the decision to switch to a 700-minute plan instead. As I revisit that decision from a mathematical angle, it is clear that we perhaps need to reconsider that switch. Enter the nerdiness.

Data from the last 15 months shows that we average around 717 minutes/month. Close enough to the 700-minute limit, with a little restraint on our part. This was why we switched plans in the first place. But a closer look at the data also shows that we were over the 700-minute mark 60% of the time, and in those specific months, the overage was 83 minutes on average (mostly during the holidays). At $0.35/min for extra minutes, it would cost $29 more. Given that the switch saves us $25/month, the 700-minute plan is workable.

The usage trend, however, would suggest we should be on the larger plan: month-to-month, usage has grown 0.9% (around 7 minutes) over the 15-month period. This means that the likelihood of overage on the 700-minute plan will be higher (and increases) in the next several months, making it more expensive to stay on that plan. If life gets more interesting or I garner more business later this year, this plan will obviously not be enough. So why are we sticking with it?

The good news is that we can switch anytime we need to (online even) at no extra cost. Verizon also allows you to set usage alerts; tripping those 2-3 times will necessitate a return to the old plan. The math indicates that the 700-minute plan is good enough for the time being, but we should consider the 1400-minute plan in the near future, depending on how "active" our life becomes.

Becoming a Drummer

Quite simply, the interest in drumming started with the movie "Drumline" back in late 2008, and several visits to "in-the-lot" events like the one in this video. That percussive sound permeates my very being, a surge of happiness.

Although the decision to learn the drum kit is older than 4 years, the last couple of years have been the crucible. I graduated from borrowed practice pads (for rudiments) to my very own electronic drum kit (an Alesis DM-10). I bought a couple of beginner books (with CDs in back, of course) and learned to play some of my favorite reggae tunes first. I'm pretty much self-taught musically, so I have not had lessons to-date. I think natural rhythm, a good ear, and having learned to "feel" songs from playing bass guitar have a lot to do with how quickly I have become proficient. I think I began appreciating music more from a drummer perspective than I had ever attained playing bass for 9 years. I could "hear" the whole song, how drums and bass "contained" everything and laid a foundation for the song. I was captivated by gospel drumming (and bass), how technical it is and how much "freedom" it leaves musicians to be creative. Although my influences are world music (such as calypso, reggae, and Latin or Afro-Cuban rhythms), I'll consider myself well-rounded when I can play gospel and contemporary jazz.

I've practiced drumming seriously for a year now, with an eye towards playing in any band. I've already had a chance to actually play in a contemporary worship church service since last year, in spite of how amateur I still am. On and off, I practice for an hour on days I can, introducing a new song to work on every 3 days. I usually can figure out any regular-signature (3/4, 4/4, 6/8, etc) song in a couple of practices (play the exact beat) before spinning a personal touch on it. And ... I don't lose sticks anymore or lose the click-track. I play conservatively, "measured"; definitely not a "loud" player by any means.

At this point, I consider myself a drummer (and bass player), available to play wherever it is needed. As goals go, the next couple of months will be to polish up my chops and develop consistency, play a wider variety of pieces, and finally foray into gospel drumming. There's still a lot to learn and do, drummer things like the composition of your kit, "luggage" and tools, following some good drummers and their work, reading drum music, and speaking drummer. With time, certainly.

One Car for One Month

What if we had one vehicle between the two of us, how weird would that be? That question is the topic of this month's experiment, where we'll try to use just one of our cars all month long. Already three days in, there are no issues yet except for the extra effort in coordinating our goings and comings, and that I might need to walk to work sometimes (not complaining!).

Like any good "scientist" though, I am also interested in answering a few other questions come March 1st:

• How much do we save in car-related expenses by using one vehicle?
• How many miles do we both drive in an average month?
• What other challenges, apart from the artificial limited transportation problem, arise from having to use one car?
• How well do we work together coordinating our schedules and transportation needs?
• Are there activities we may find unnecessary or have to forgo just because there is no transportation? (How much does transportation influence our decisions to participate in external activities?)
• What personal issues shall surface, that we might need to work on?
• What strengths will come into play, that maybe we didn't know we had, or that we hadn't had a chance to express? Big opportunity to serve one another.
• What other lessons shall we learn from this experience? I'm sure there will be a few.
• Will the experience be beneficial to our marriage somehow, or a total waste of time? Do we grow stronger from adversity or shall we crumble under pressure?
• How much urgency should we have to purchase another car, should any of ours go out of commission?
• How reliable is whatever car we choose to use?
• Did our apprehensions, assumptions, and fears pan out?

It all sounds like some assignment from a marriage workshop, but it is completely self-assigned. We are in no such hardship (both our cars work well), but I think this experience will reveal some things we perhaps hadn't had to deal with, and enhance the marriage in ways we hadn't thought about. We'll have  answers in 25 days.