Matthew Larkin

Best of Blog...

Hello everyone,

This going to be a quick summary of the summer, I am currently sitting in a hostel in D.C and heading for Miami for a few days with Graeme. I will try to get everything in but if anything is missed, ill try update it! Its been great...

Best Day: Many to choose from but Jem's Bday/Sox game takes the biscuit!

Best Night: The night with Maroon 5 and Leanne coming up. The Cod, Minnie-Me and Jaws was a close 2nd.

Best Company: Liberty Mutual. They have taught me loads and helped me develop more than I could have imagined. My project especially was greatly helpful, considering I could have just made coffee.

Best Food/Drink: Steak and Spuds in the Cape. 1st Beer legally in US after walking from Radiohead.

Most Liberating Moment/Favorite Quote: In the Charles. "I didn't need to wear my t-shirt, I haven't.."

Priceless Moment: When Jemma and Graeme both dropped their GC's on B Street!

I know there are hundreds more but I cant remember. So here is where I leave it.

Thanks to Saltire, Liberty Mutual (especially Helen, Lucy, Chris and the Marketing/Actuarial Dept.) and all the East Side Massive. Its been Great Weetabix in Water!

Matt

Having a Whale of a Time...

Hi Everybody!

It's been an exciting last week here in Boston. Labor day got us a long weekend and we used it wisely.

On Friday, we went to Border's Cafe for a Mexican and a bruski. Headed to Newbury on Saturday and headed to Chinatown that night to get a cheeky one (Chinese food). On the Sunday, the silver lining turned out to be a blessing, because the whale watching was sold out so we stumbled apon an Italian festival in Little Italy. We fed into every stereotype and got a pizza, which didn't disappoint. That night we headed to the Indian Mohegan Sun Casino, which was not the glamor we had hoped for. The night at the bingo for these old people is a two hour bus both ways, but it was fun! I gave my coupon to a guy, he came back and said I had won a free meal (i.e. I bought food but more exciting this way!).

On the Monday, we went "Whale Watching" which was cool. These whales, the second biggest mammal's in the world(Blue Whale is #1), are massive. Who would have thought!But the boat caused me to start making bad jokes like "I'm Waylen Smither's, I am having a Whale of a time, but I wish these kids would stop Whaling". I'll stop.

As for work, the rest of the week I have been doing my project. It all went well, until my computer crashed on Wednesday and wiped my day's work. I had been saving all day but it just erased them all. I had to do about half of it again, but it worked out well. I done my presentation to my team earlier today and the response was good. This experience has really helped my presentation skills and I surprised myself how much I knew in the meeting. I found out that my work has had immediate effect with one of the companies which is great. We met with Helen also and I hope she knows how much we appreciate everything she has done here for us, Liberty and outside. We offered to take her to a Edinburgh Diamond Devil's (Baseball) game in return!

That's all folk's!

Matt

PS. Tomorrow will be the end of internship "best of" post, so make sure to tune in!

If Bill Gates dropped out of Uni, Great Motivation for next year!

Hello everybody,

Almost a week has past since my last post and almost a week until our placements are over. Busy week as ever here in Boston.

Since I left you, we went to the "best" restaurant in Boston, Mistral, which really did not disappoint. The food was amazing and what only can be described as grated chips are a new favorite. After which we went to what is arguably the best "condo" in Boston. Iain kindly asked us round for a party, which entailed listening to Berklee music students play the piano and teach me a lesson on guitar, really fun night.

The next day we headed for the unofficial tour of Hahvahd (Boston don't pronounce R's-must be hard for a pirate). The tour was run by students, so we were filled in on the gossip like naked running and the past students (Matt Damon+Bill Gates=Dropouts, Al Gore+Tommy-Lee Jones= Room-Mates). That night we headed to the Middle East, long flight but worth it as the Jazz band where amazing!

On Sunday, we headed to Ipswich beach and played some volleyball with the locals, I am a ringer whatever that means? We also went to the Prudential building on Tuesday, second tallest in Boston with 52 floors. The view over the city was great with the Bob Marley building a particular favorite (not the real name but if you see the building it will make sense!)

As for work, I am still working on my project. I have my presentation next Thursday so that should be good. I should hopefully know Acquisition tools of by heart by then. I am waiting on some very busy people to get information back to me, until then I am working on my presentation skills which always helps. I also have handbooks that are helping me learn all the inner workings on such a big company, who knew that its difficult to run a major company.

Tonight we head to Harvard for photos (no camera on the tour) and hopefully to a gig afterwords (One of the guys at the party with his Blue grass band).

Laters FOS's (Future's of Scotland)

Matt

Glory Glory Revolution!!

Hello everybody,

Well another week has flew by and the end is nearing. Scary thought!

Well highlights of the week where Manchester by the Sea(the beach), an international Olympic style employee appreciation day and the New England Revolution game. On Wednesday, I was invited to the HR appreciation day event(I am not in HR but thanks to Helen again). It was great and really shows how well Liberty treats their employees. With food from all over the world, Wii racing(which I was a solid last in almost every time) and even some Dominican dancing. A really relaxing atmosphere which was great, I probably embarrassed myself in front of some executives but it was a great day. Graeme also one an iHome which made me jealous but cant win them all.

That night Solomon took us to the New England Revolution game(Soccer). It was an experience to say the least. Firstly the stadium was about 1/4 full, the standard was not that bad but the chants were comical. The adaption of English football chants would get full marks for effort, but hearing "Glory Glory Revolution" in an American accent just doesn't sit right. But there are a few I am taking home;

To the Referee: "Why don't you learn to look", "We hate the team in the yellow(Ref's Colours)".

Opposition Goalkeeper: "You Suck"(shouted loudly at each kick) and "It's all your fault" after the second goal!

Priceless. The Revs won 2-1 so fun night had by all. Thanks Solomon.

As for work, my project is coming on well. I am looking at an acquisition model to see how policies are being obtained and calculating return on surplus to test efficiency. It allows me to see the way a business approaches new clients and the targets group policies must meet in order to do business. In my course I do lots on premiums and expenses, so its actually interesting to see where the money actually goes, especially in a company/market this big.

Tonight we are headed to the "best" restaurant in Boston because its restaurant week. Never know, they might bring us the wrong bottle of champagne again, hopefully.(Top bottle is $1300)

Peace out Tacos!

Matt

ps. Beckham shirts were on sale at the game the other night and he wasnt even playing?

What have Thom Yorke, Jay-Z and Gandhi got in common?

Hello everyone,

The answer is, they affected my life in some way this week.

Firstly, where I left of we were heading for the big apple! When there we;

Went the Rockefeller building( it's Jay-Zs), watched very obscene Muppet's, Seen a big woman holding a torch, went to Wall Street, Beaver Street,Time square,Ground Zero,enjoyed the night life( with a very skeptic bouncer looking at my id) and got serenaded by a Proclaimer's loving Musician. All in a weekends fun!

On Monday, we were part of the 'Liberty Mutual lend a hand program' which entailed us going to a warehouse and preparing boxes for food shelters. On the wall was "You must be the change you want to see in the world" which inspired me for the day. That of course is a famous Gandhi quote, and I know I didn't exactly free India but we did help feed 7,210 people that day which is reassuring. It was also a personal test against temptation, watch the Lindor chocolate go by was tough!

Thirdly, Wednesday was my Birthday! We went to see Radiohead in Mansfield which was amazing. The stage show was incredible with every light synchronized to the music. Thom Yorke and the gang played a great show! I had previously received a Jewish new year card as well so all-in-all a really fun day!

As for work, I received my project this week and I learned that I will be doing analytical analysis to insure that the top groups are working to their potential. Its complicated stuff to explain without giving too much away so I will leave it at that. Busy, Busy, Busy.

Peace out Joe!

Matt

Dont do a job for the Money, but dont be a fool and get well paid!

Hi Everybody,

Well its been a busy week. The title is a quote from my new hero, Ted Kelly. Over the last week I have worked on a project for updating the marketing website. Its lots of tree diagrams and power point but its going well. Hopefully I will be introduced to Microsoft Visio, adding to my knowledge on computer packages! Other than that, I was at the intern senior forum for a few days. It was really good, being put up in the Radison, meeting lots of interns and learning more about the company. On Thursday, Helen welcomed us all in and luckily didn't point us out for embarrassment. Then after some short presentations, Mr. Kelly was up. It was clear to see why this man is one of the most highly regarded CEO's in the country and why Liberty has seen so much success over the years he has been in charge. He gave an excellent incite into both the company and the business world, showing that ethics can go hand in hand with business and how you should only do a job for the right reasons,

"Who here would clean the toilets for $20,000 a year? How about $120,000? It would be fine for awhile, but after you will realize that its just crap!"

I also asked him a question in the strongest Irish accent I could get, but unfortunately he did not grab the bait and ask me about it! Maybe another time. I was also chatting to the Representative of the corporate actuarial department and we are setting up a meeting for next week.

On the Thursday night, thanks to Helen again, we went to the Patriots game. It was amazing, in the corporate box, with our great hosts Bill and his son. The game was good, the food was great and the view was the best. I also got chatting to the head of the Corporate Actuarial department and a few trainees while I was there which was an added bonus!

Headed on to NYC on Friday, but thats for another post!

Peace Oot!

Matt

Maroon 6!

Hello everybody,

So the weekend is gone again and what a fun one we had!

Leanne joined us for two nights, although unfortunately the working half 8 to 5 all week catches up with you. We headed to the fake cheers for one after work and later just went to the "local", eatery that is, in Harvard. Had an early night and had a busy day planned for Saturday!

On Saturday, we enjoyed the walk along Newbury street, mainly with the ladies looking at rows of shoes and me showing great interest. They repaid the favor though, by walking through the torrential rain to a guitar shop later in the day! That kept me happy!

Now, the night! I felt this deserved a paragraph of its own. After leaving the house late, between a game of dares and a pillow fight, we were on our way. Firstly the "mega" club we were heading for had burned down two years previously, not the best start. But it was to improve. After making lots of new friends when getting directions (one group where a marketing team from D.C and gave me advice; if you can convince someone to give you there t-shirt in public then you can sell anything, something I don't think id learn in Liberty), we were on our way. So we get into the club, having to buy a table with six Kuwaitis and we got a free bottle of champagne. Only they gave us the wrong bottle, so here we are sipping $200 bottle, don't worry its not at the Saltires expense.

Since I am rambling, ill finish it off with the best bit and the explanation of the title! Next thing Maroon 5 walk by and are sitting the table next to us, unfortunately we didn't get a chance to speak to them, but I am the unofficial new member. FACT!

Alligator!

Matt

Times fun when your having flies!!

Hi Everybody, Hi Dr. Nick!!

Okay well firstly the title is a Kermit the frog quote made by a busker few weeks back, priceless!!

Another week at Liberty almost completed. Carried on where I left of last week, doing a report on employer groups in individual states. Had to make a quiz for a going green initiative, apparently keeping your car clean increases fuel efficiency (so engineer Tom Wagner Jr. tells us?). On top of that I was working on a company comparison presentation, helping LM decide which insurers to partner with in specific products. All these tasking mainly helping my analytical skills, as well as learning about what different products are on the market. Each company has their own gimmick to sell policies and when comparing them I feel I am learning what the consumer wants. If I was concluding an award speech now, I would have to thank the people at Google! Without them this research would never have happened (bit dramatic I know but has to be said!!)

As for fun! This week consisted of a visit to the mall, a failed trip to a guitar shop (in which we got to see central Cambridge) and a photography night down by the Charles. Doesn't sound eventful, but it was fun. The time is starting to fly in so going to make sure I enjoy this weekend. Leanne is up so we are going to show her the sights, including dinner on the Spirit of Boston (Boatlady oh yeah!) and much more!

Next week we have our Intern Senior forum and the Patriots game (thanks again Helen), but ill be in touch by then!

Peace out houses!!!

Matt

Swing Batta Batta Batta!!

Hello everybody,

The title is a south park baseball reference that I was repeatedly shout at the Yankee players, unfortunately they were not distracted. Well the weekend is over, and it was very fun. Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to thank both Helen and Iain, was a night I wont forget for a long time. Fenway park is amazing, its more like a stage show than a baseball match. The atmosphere was intense, ferrous rivalry between the two clubs! Iain kept us right with the tactics and the gossip (one of the Yankee's players was having an affair with Madonna so everyone brought posters). He also kept us right when we were chanting the wrong name (Ortiz and Papa sound the same when 36,000 people are saying it!!). Although the game play was slow and the red sox lost, it didn't take away from what was a great night. For some reason I can see why football isn't catching on, there is no sing along to "Let's all go to the ballgame" at the end of the seventh inning stretch or "Sweet Caroline" after the eighth! With Jack Nickolaus throwing the first pitch, its all one big and very fun show!

On Saturday we went to the park and met some other interns via a "soccer" game, and last night we went to step-brothers, I would quote but I think they may be a little crude. So back to the grind stone for another week!!

Peace out playaaaa's!

Matt

Why does it always rain on me?

Hello everybody,

Travis was not lying, the Scottish really do bring their weather with them!But gladly we have not let this dampen our spirits. We had a quite week this week, catching up on sleep from our journey to "the cod"!

In Liberty Mutual, I was given an idea of my projects will be. I had a meeting with Kristen to discuss client segmentation analysis and how the company is improving its Internet campaign. So far this has just entailed extracting information from excel documents but I will be working with a statistical package soon, all them stats lectures might actually pay off. With that, I am mainly writing reports on HR issues at the moment and getting some much need improvement in my English skills. I also attended a meeting over a possible new client and even made some brainstorming ideas that I think went down well, maybe this marketing malarkey isn't that bad after all!!

But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Headed to Harvard on Monday night, walked through the university and got some frogurt. Took our usual seats down by the buskers and listened to some very good renditions of Cat Stevens and Neil Young (Which said fast is apparently a french word?). We are literally paying this guys kids through college, although secretly think he's a nutty professor, he has the look! Got our Red Sox t-shirts at the "mall" for the game tomorrow! Don't really fully know the rules, only that lots of people are jealous of us, Papelbon is my favorite player (he's on my t-shirt and apparently can do an Irish jig?) and if there are official parking lots of the red sox there must be method in their madness!

So if anyones watching, keep an eye out for a face-painted "die hard" and maybe topless fan!

Go Sox!

Matt