Saturday, May 31, 2003
Back from Chicago
A great couple of days in Chicago. It made me realize how much I have missed the city in the two years I have been gone. Took me a little while to get reacclimated but once I did I felt really good. Got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while and had a very positive interview. Hopefully that will allow me to get back to the city sooner rather than later. There is such an energy around the city that always makes me happy no matter what else is going on in life.
No where is that energy better than me than in my favorite bar on the North Side of town. Thankfully I got my old seat at the bar and was able to drink for a good long time with some friends. It felt excellent to be back and fall into old conversations and habits that haven't been indulged in a good long time.
Came home and went to see the Italian Job with friends. Now not to rant here but you would think that people over 20 would know how to shut the hell up during a movie. Sadly there was a couple behind us that would just not shut the hell up even though we asked twice. Just for the record when people go to a movie they don't go for your stunning insight, they go to hear and see the movie. Sorry this is my greatest movie pet peeve, even greater than cell phones going off. Anyway the movie itself was entertaining enough. No great work of cinema, but the chase scenes were highly entertaining and for the first time I think the mini-Cooper is a cool car. Plus Ed Norton is the finest actor of my generation so I will go see anything he is in.
Anyway time to go I will be posting more again tomorrow if anyone is reading this and even if not..
A great couple of days in Chicago. It made me realize how much I have missed the city in the two years I have been gone. Took me a little while to get reacclimated but once I did I felt really good. Got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while and had a very positive interview. Hopefully that will allow me to get back to the city sooner rather than later. There is such an energy around the city that always makes me happy no matter what else is going on in life.
No where is that energy better than me than in my favorite bar on the North Side of town. Thankfully I got my old seat at the bar and was able to drink for a good long time with some friends. It felt excellent to be back and fall into old conversations and habits that haven't been indulged in a good long time.
Came home and went to see the Italian Job with friends. Now not to rant here but you would think that people over 20 would know how to shut the hell up during a movie. Sadly there was a couple behind us that would just not shut the hell up even though we asked twice. Just for the record when people go to a movie they don't go for your stunning insight, they go to hear and see the movie. Sorry this is my greatest movie pet peeve, even greater than cell phones going off. Anyway the movie itself was entertaining enough. No great work of cinema, but the chase scenes were highly entertaining and for the first time I think the mini-Cooper is a cool car. Plus Ed Norton is the finest actor of my generation so I will go see anything he is in.
Anyway time to go I will be posting more again tomorrow if anyone is reading this and even if not..
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
First and foremost congrats to Chris Moneymaker for winning the World Series of Poker. Since the name of this site is in fact a gambling reference I couldn't not mention his outstanding feat. All the more amazing is the fact the guy won an online qualifier to gain entry and that he had never played competitive poker for these stakes in person. Some are saying this could revolutionize online gaming. I don't know about that but any man who wins the final hand holding a 4-5 deserves a mention at least. I would some day like to play in this tournament just for the thril of it although I have no illusions about winning the thing. I just think it would be a fun experience.
Another day spent looking for a job and some good results. I have an interview Thursday in Chicago so I am hoping good things come of it and I am at least able to generate some positive momentum. If anything I am excited to get back to Chicago and see some family and friends.
I am compling a list of things I want to do in the next five years just to have some goals to shoot for. So far it contains traveling to different places and doing some out of the way things. The top so far is running with the bulls in Pamplona. Dangerous yes but exciting just the same.
Memorial Day weekend was good if unproductive. My thoughts often turned to the troops in the middle east as I pray for their safe return and a lasting peace in the region.
That is it for tonight I need to prepare for my interview on Thursday. I will have a nice long post when i get back.
Another day spent looking for a job and some good results. I have an interview Thursday in Chicago so I am hoping good things come of it and I am at least able to generate some positive momentum. If anything I am excited to get back to Chicago and see some family and friends.
I am compling a list of things I want to do in the next five years just to have some goals to shoot for. So far it contains traveling to different places and doing some out of the way things. The top so far is running with the bulls in Pamplona. Dangerous yes but exciting just the same.
Memorial Day weekend was good if unproductive. My thoughts often turned to the troops in the middle east as I pray for their safe return and a lasting peace in the region.
That is it for tonight I need to prepare for my interview on Thursday. I will have a nice long post when i get back.
Friday, May 23, 2003
I have decided to take in Memorial Day weekend at home with the family so it should be a weekend of good eating and fun. Just sitting around watching a little NBA right now, although I must admit my level of care has gone way down since my Lakers got dumped by the Spurs last round.
Lots of interesting random stuff going on today. I saw Annika did not make the cut at the Coloniel. I bet the TV people are unhappy since the ratings will go way down for the weekend. Regardless of whether you feel she belonged there or not, I think Annika carried herself very well during the whole ordeal. Despite some of the negative stuff said about her she just went out there and did her thing which I think is a great credit to her.
The Bush tax cuts did manage to pass today thanks to VP Cheney's tie breaking vote. Now i don't know if tax cuts are the best way to stimulate the economy, let's face it there are a limited number of things any President can do, but I will be happy to get some of my money back. I guess that is my whole point on the cuts, it is my money not the government's. If people are that worried about the deficit then here is a very simple idea...have the governement spend less. We seem to have become more and more of an entitlement society which i believe is very contrary to the American spirit most people feel.
I saw Britney Spears is auctioning off things for charity including some of her junior high book reports. Now I am all for raising money for charity and I think Britney is very attractive, but I must question the sanity of anyone who will pay $200 for Britney's views on A Wrinkle in Time. I think a restraining order is probably the logical next step...
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!
Lots of interesting random stuff going on today. I saw Annika did not make the cut at the Coloniel. I bet the TV people are unhappy since the ratings will go way down for the weekend. Regardless of whether you feel she belonged there or not, I think Annika carried herself very well during the whole ordeal. Despite some of the negative stuff said about her she just went out there and did her thing which I think is a great credit to her.
The Bush tax cuts did manage to pass today thanks to VP Cheney's tie breaking vote. Now i don't know if tax cuts are the best way to stimulate the economy, let's face it there are a limited number of things any President can do, but I will be happy to get some of my money back. I guess that is my whole point on the cuts, it is my money not the government's. If people are that worried about the deficit then here is a very simple idea...have the governement spend less. We seem to have become more and more of an entitlement society which i believe is very contrary to the American spirit most people feel.
I saw Britney Spears is auctioning off things for charity including some of her junior high book reports. Now I am all for raising money for charity and I think Britney is very attractive, but I must question the sanity of anyone who will pay $200 for Britney's views on A Wrinkle in Time. I think a restraining order is probably the logical next step...
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!
Thursday, May 22, 2003
My first post of any substance and a lot of things I would like to talk about. I must say it was a good day to be an unemployed MBA, well as good as it can be. I got to play some golf, look for some jobs, and get to the gym. All activities I enjoy or needed to do. But enough of this stuff on to my rants and thoughts...
You know I continue to be amazed by people like the Dixie Chicks and the graduation speaker at Rockford college over the weekend (see Illinigirl's blog for details) who seem to think free speech for them has no consequences. In the case of a college graduation, I think it is wholly inappropriate to talk about the war at all. The speech should be celebratory and/or inspiring, it is not a place to display your view points regardless of what they may be. I must admit I did find my graduation speaker uninspiring but at least the speaker realized this was not her time, it was and always is the graduates time. In either case what makes these people think that just because they express their opinion others are not free to express theirs by booing or leaving. If you have a problem with a negative reaction don't go into a public forum. Now I think things should be kept civilized, but don't expect a polite positive reaction just because we are in public. If you have the guts to say it have the guts to stand buy it regardless of if you never sell another record or ever write another news column.
Congrats to Lebron James for pocketing $90 million before ever stepping into the NBA. Now while this may seem like an outragous sum you can't blame the man for taking the money. If you think it is too much here is what you do....don't buy Nike products. Nike only pays him because they can afford to and they think his presence will improve market share. It is the beauty of a market economy, if you don't like it you do have power to be heard, you have to vote with your wallet. Personally I think is an overvaluation of market share, but Nike has been smart with these moves in the past.
Alright enough for now, tomorrow should be more of the same with hunting for jobs (please let me get back to Chicago) and trying to take some time to read some books and other fun stuff. Have a great night.
You know I continue to be amazed by people like the Dixie Chicks and the graduation speaker at Rockford college over the weekend (see Illinigirl's blog for details) who seem to think free speech for them has no consequences. In the case of a college graduation, I think it is wholly inappropriate to talk about the war at all. The speech should be celebratory and/or inspiring, it is not a place to display your view points regardless of what they may be. I must admit I did find my graduation speaker uninspiring but at least the speaker realized this was not her time, it was and always is the graduates time. In either case what makes these people think that just because they express their opinion others are not free to express theirs by booing or leaving. If you have a problem with a negative reaction don't go into a public forum. Now I think things should be kept civilized, but don't expect a polite positive reaction just because we are in public. If you have the guts to say it have the guts to stand buy it regardless of if you never sell another record or ever write another news column.
Congrats to Lebron James for pocketing $90 million before ever stepping into the NBA. Now while this may seem like an outragous sum you can't blame the man for taking the money. If you think it is too much here is what you do....don't buy Nike products. Nike only pays him because they can afford to and they think his presence will improve market share. It is the beauty of a market economy, if you don't like it you do have power to be heard, you have to vote with your wallet. Personally I think is an overvaluation of market share, but Nike has been smart with these moves in the past.
Alright enough for now, tomorrow should be more of the same with hunting for jobs (please let me get back to Chicago) and trying to take some time to read some books and other fun stuff. Have a great night.
Welcome to my new blog readers! This blog will consist of various ramblings on any thing I care to post or that I find interesting. As for me I am a 27 year old guy living in the Midwest and that is all i shall share for now. Hopefully this will be full of interesting musings and stuff starting in the coming days....Enjoy and if you wish to talk to me I can be found at Toohey@aol.com...
