Fifth Street ramblings

2004-04-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

In great news my buddy Freddy is getting married, which means I am heading to India in November....the world travels continue. I will have Asia covered by the end of the year....the Taj Mahal, the Himalayas....and anything else i can think of!!!!

2004-02-01T20:24:00.000-08:00

Am I the only one who thought the ads during the Super Bowl sucked? I didn't see a single ad that was funny or spectacular which is surprising for the amount of money spent, normally there are one or two really good ones. Oh well at least the game got good at the end. Now I just don't want to go to work tomorrow, it has been so nice relaxing this weekend. Oh well I have come to the conclusion my roommate is a video game savant after getting smoked in a tennis game after the superbowl, that and our new addiction to NCAA Basketball on Xbox is going to have to be watched so it doesn't become too time consuming. Anyway hope everyone had a great weekend...

2004-02-01T09:37:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about today, and the Super Bowl has nothing to do with it. It is going to be a balmy 30 out today which is about 30 degrees warmer than it has been most of the week. I may actually venture out of the house today, although I did manage to make that grocery run and coffee shop run. I know exciting.
Anyway I skipped church this morning because I was up late last night watching the West Wing and playing NCAA basketball on Xbox. I was happy to see that the Illini won yesterday and that Kansas lost, not that I harbor a grudge or anything but those two events in tandem make me a very happy person.
Howard Dean on Meet the Press this morning and I would like to thank him for his appearance. He says he is still running in all 50 states and then bascially laid out the playbook for beating John Kerry. Always helpful when those inside your party give the opposition help on beating you. Not that I am solidly behind Bush at this point, I would get off on a rant here but it is SUnday morning and I am sick and have things to do today. Enjoy your day!

2004-01-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

Wow! It has been far too long readers since I have updated this spot, sorry about that. I would love to regale you with fabulous tales of what I have been doing but I have nothing exciting at this time. I will say that it is cold, so very cold, here in the Windy City but you get used to it and do what you have to do.
I must say that I love this year though...why? because it is an election year and I am a political junky. I must say that while I have enjoyed Kerry's two wins so far I am a bit disappointed that Dean isn't doing better, because it would have been an easier stroll for W in NOv. Although I have to be honest I can't say I am enamored with W right now either. I thought the State of the Union speech was very lacking. I will say this, I see real problems out in America. This is the greatest nation in the world, but we have problems with jobs, health care, defense, and other things and I don't see any candidate on any side of the aisle proposing actual credible ideas with any merit. Everyone has their pet plan which would in all likelihood never see the light of day due to cost or feasability but it is pie in the sky promise time during the campaign....I would rather see someone (Republican or Democrat) actually discuss ideas, real ideas....
OK that's all for now, i think i am getting sick so I am off to watch The Apprentice.....Later

2003-10-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

What an uninteresting and not good day i had. Nothing really bad happened except for the neighbor hitting my parked car....Now how one hits a parked car i am not really sure but thankfully all it did was scrape up the bumper so I am not that worried about it. Work is slow I know there is a lot to do but for some reason I am not motivated at all. I am feeling once again unfulfilled by my career choice so I am hoping it is just a day thing and not some sort of long term issue that I will have to solve, because frankly I can't afford to go career hunting again. Most days I like it though so I am chalking it up to a bad day at this point.
Other than that I caught the new Joe Millionaire tonight and find the only thing redeeming about it is Paul the butler.....I don;t think the hick guy they got can pull the act off and the women I find unimpressive since they are all ready making fun of him...which is funny as they talk about wanting a rich man who can treat them as they are accustomed to when they are all either students, bar tenders, or sales girls....please here is $10 find someone who cares....
Cheers!

2003-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry readers I have been busy lamenting the Cubs loss which I must admit that I found completely laughable. Forgive me readers I know the appropriate response is "oh what a great season and next year will be great" but I am sorry I don't buy it. The team collapsed down the stretch was mismanaged to a large degree all through the series. Oh well the best part of the whole run was the general excitment in the neighborhood, now it would be nice to have that again next year but somehow I doubt it.
Can someone explain to me why the government is advertising the new $20 bill? It isn't like people will not use it or you have to be aware of it so why is the money being wasted on tv and print ads? I can think of about a million places our money could be better spent.
I saw Runaway Jury this weekend and would recommend it. Never read the book, but the movie was a good story and good acting by all major players involved.
Overall it was a good weekend as I once again joined my old academic team on the sidelines to watch them at a tournament. The once powerful dynasty is in rebuilding mode but I am thinking that within a year or so a run could be made at the elusive state title for our coach. Fun to watch and it looks like I will be doing some moderating early next year and may try and get involved with another team.
Anyway folks I gotta run, more later...

2003-10-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

OK I admit it the Cubs have sucked me in after a season of swearing I wouldn't. Something about being right here in the neighborhood that just gets you sucked into the madness. Thankfully after last night's tough loss they are up 5-0 tonight so hopefully things will keep rolling. I will say that although Sammy has jacked 2 homers in his last three at bats I am unimpressed. He needs to be consistent for me to jump on his bandwagon....I am hoping to get on but at this point he needs to not go 1 for 11 or whatever he did in the first round...that is more like a mouse not a gladiator....Anyway i had rant today at work on how i believe all sports except English soccer are fixed that i thought i would post just because some friends thought it was funny...enjoy..

I can't hold it any more....They are all fixed except the EPL....The evidence....
1. Yeah the Colts just magically came back Monday night against the Tampa Bay with 4 minutes to go....now everyone will think twice before switching off any game that is really a blow out, think of the increased ratings!! Kansas City 5-0, who know that there even was a Kansas City and they actually had a team, can you see the small market big market angle being played all ready??.....

2. Anaheim, a city which I needed spell check to spell properly because no one cares about the city or a team named after and Emilio Estevez movie, almost won the Stanley Cup because their goal keeper, who was good enough to get them to a whopping seven seed in the regular season, becomes a wall and lets nothing through until the finals were it becomes a competitive series...Hockey generates increased buzz to the point that my father who lives on a Midwestern farm could tell you who that Giguerre guy was.....Call this the Please Keep Us Out of Bankruptcy Court effect.....
3. Baseball... this one is easy....Yankees/Red Sox wow the biggest rivalry in all sports and they both make it through (although I am happy because although Bill Simmons keeps stealing my material he is the funniest ESPN guy around)...Cubs last night down late, Sammy ("hey I am in this for the team, until I hit a dinger") Sosa gets the call from Bud Selig and finally hits a homer which ties the game and extends a thriller...how convenient that right before that FOX display a graphic of the 3 guys never to hit a homer in post season play on the 10 ten all time list... FOX can run those damn annoying promos with the goat, the dribbler through Buckner's legs, and those annoying Steinbrenner Visa commercials...
4. Basketball....WOW how smooth was that transition from Magic to Isiah to Jordan to Shaq/Kobe to Duncan (ok yeah right back to Shaq and Kobe), name me one place you have ever lived, worked, etc where transitions at the top are that smooth and you just know what is going to happen....NEVER but look at the NBA you always pretty much know who will win, yeah they always trot a second place team out there to make it interesting but you know that one team is always pretty much going to win unless they screw it up....Thankfully someone in the league office hates Chris ("put the money in the bag") Webber as much as I do...
5. Women's soccer....oh yeah it is fixed too, you think the US was supposed to win the World Cup....fools you must use your imagination...the only better story than a title when you retire is a comeback to win that title going into retirement (see Rocky V with that street fight at the end)...the drama that now exists for the Olympics and the gold medal together with many stars retirement after coming back from World Cup defeat, it will be a ratings bonanza (ok it is soccer so a 2 share) and a more unifying moment for young girls than a Justin Timberlake concert...so as you can see it is all fixed....

OK all I can think for now...=)

2003-09-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

May I just say Paradise Hotel may be the saddest hour of television i have ever have seen. Unfortunately my roommate has sucked me in for a little while so i blog to escape.
Not a whole happened going on today, work was slow until then end but i left myself stuff to do tomorrow so i am not too concerned about anything. I had another good run today although i know i am going to be in great pain in the morning. I am getting excited about running this 5K and hoping i can shave a minute or two off of what i expected to run.
Sorry folks busy day life is slow hopefully more things will be more exciting for everyone tomorrow....

2003-09-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

A rather slow day at work dear readers as everyone was getting back into the swing of things after the long weekend. Got some things accomplished but not as much as I would have liked, oh well i guess I always have tomorrow.
On a somewhat related note, Harvard Business Review's case study this month is on the use of blogging by company employees and the impact it could have on the company and the individual. An interesting read which i recommend. It is also a reason that some of us bloggers have chosen to remain anonymous becuase should we mention anything about our jobs, we don't want it coming back. I by choice don't talk that much about work because I don't want to violate confidentiality and I just got my job so i don't see the point of losing it.
I see that John Kerry announced he is running for president today...yawn...same announcement, same lack of vision and personal attack thanks for playing i saw this before.
I began training in earnest for my 5K later in the month and although my calves hurt i was able to turn out almost 3 miles in 20 minutes so i am happy with my begining. If i can't run this thing in under 25 minutes i am going to be upset, secretly I have a group of friends running and I want to beat them all.
Other than that on the advice of some of my good friends I am making some other subtle changes in life trying to become a bit more healthy both personally and spritually. Feel like I may have let some things slip since December and I need to get a bit more control.
On a personal note readers I am becoming more and more frustrated with my lack of dating prospects, so I am requesting help from my readers if you need something to occupy some free time. Help me get a date...=) the match.com thing isn't working...maybe my profile is bad...or maybe i am just a boring person...either way your suggestions would be appreciated...=) Hope everyone is doing well.....later

2003-08-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

Ah readers hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. I must admit mine has been quite frustrating on if nothing else the sports front. I watched the Illini gain something like 440 yards but only score 15 points and lose to Missouri. There were some bright spots but the game should have been won but some key turnovers turned the tide. All in all i was hopeful about Illinois football this year but i think the verdict is still out. Then i got to see Manchester United get scored on in the 88th minute of a 0-0 game and lose. Let me just state that you should never get scored on with 2 minutes to go when you are essentially playing for the tie at that point. Oh well some key injuries to United as well and they are going to add some more depth during the transfer period if they expect to make a serious run at the EPL and Champion's League titles.
Watched Meet the Press this morning and figured out why I am less politically active then at other time during my life. There is such a lack of ideas being discussed on both sides of the aisle these days it is a bit distrubing. This point I first heard discussed by Tucker Carlson in an excellent speech i was fortunate enough to attend. It seems everyone i see these days doesn't discuss actual ideas, but having ideas or vision but the actual details and debate seem to be lacking. I would like to see this change soon but sadly i don't think it will.
Other than that nothing much is on my mind right now, hope things are going well wherever you are at...=)

2003-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Apologies dear readers for not updating in so long but it is beautiful here in the Windy City and sitting in front of a computer doesn't hold a lot for me most days, especially after doing it at work for hours on end. Lots of things I could talk about here so there probably won't be a lot of structure to this but so be it.
First a CD recommendation....now before i do this let me say that i have been in a pretty good mood the last couple of weeks, some frustration but for those of you who know me i am generally cheery than normal. Anyway Johnny Cash has a new CD out which is a lot of covers but is fantastic. He covers NIN's Hurt in what could be the most depressing, haunting, and at the same time beautiful song i have heard in a very long time.
Secondly....California....what a mess...I have some friends out there and I can only say i feel badly for them, their state is a mess. I can't fault Arnold for running because it is a great opportunity for him to win the Governorship but i don't think he will pull it off. I don't think he can make it two months on non specifics and his choice of Buffet as an economic advisor is marginal at best. I think it is better for the Dems to stay in control from a presidential GOP view but who knows. Of course W needs an economic rebound in the next 6 months or he is going to be haunted by the name on the sidelines right now....Mr. Clark
Work continues to be ok, big adjustment from a very social workplace in my past. Much less so this time but i still enjoy what i do and the hours are much better.
Man U looked good in the season opener with a 4-0 win over Bolton. It scares me how much i am into the team but it is a fun little hobby and since my dating life continues to frustrate me this seems like something to do at least.
Well folks I must be going I will try to be a little more up to date and thought provoking soon but right now it is summer in the greatest city in the world....

2003-07-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Up way too late
I hope everyone had a good weekend, I am up way too late on a Sunday night as i suddenly decided up to finish up some lingering things and know i will be paying for it tomorrow. The weekend was good as i saw the family and got some shopping and reading done. Other than that it has been quiet. Ruud and the boys won last weekend and now i am under blackout again until I can actually watch the game they played yesterday or today....I need to get to sleep so I will talk to you all soon...

2003-07-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

AOL is killing me
Since I can no longer seem to get an AOL connection long enough to post I am forced to write off line and then hope I can get these posts up in some reasonable timeframe. Anyway nothing much of note today, I spent most of the day reading and trying to get up to speed at work. I would rather be reading for fun since I am reading a great book….Straight Man by Richard Russo. I highly recommend it, a great book which I am unable to put down; I should have it finished by the end of the weekend.
As for now I am looking forward to heading back home for the weekend to see the family and get some relaxation in. For now I have been anticipating sitting down to watch the Manchester United match I taped this afternoon. I hope Ruud and the boys score a lot and make it interesting for the American fans who probably won’t appreciate it anyway. Well I am off to my match hope everyone is doing well. For those I haven’t talked to in a while I will try to email you on a good connection this weekend….Cheers

Back Again
Sorry for my absence dear readers but life has been hectic as I have tried to get everything all settled back into my apartment here in the Windy City. Things are going well as I am getting acclimated ever so slowly with the new job. It is a lot more to learn than I ever thought but I am enjoying it nonetheless. My only complaint is that my desk is a bit isolated from the rest of the team which means I have less social interaction than I would like, but at the same time it keeps me focused on what I am supposed to be doing, which is research and analysis.

Getting a schedule down has been a bit harder as I am trying to find time to read, cook, write and exercise outside of work. It was a lot easier when I was a student but I am slowly working everything back into my schedule and developing some sort of a routine.

Random thought---why do people find it necessary to speak loudly on cell phones on a crowed train?? Personally I would like to see the phones banned just so I don’t have to listen to some of the insipid conversations that I have had the “pleasure” of overhearing in the past week. I am happy you got drunk this weekend and hooked up with that random person at the bar, or that you are having some sort of personal epiphany but that doesn’t mean me or the other 100 people in the train care to hear about it.

I am currently indulging my new guilty pleasure, Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. I don’t know why but I love watching these five guys make people over. I would love for them to come to my place and redo my apartment or at least give it some sort of theme. It will be time to add some more furniture soon and I know if I try to do it myself it will be a disaster. But I have too much space and there is no way I can entertain unless I get some more stuff.

Anyway dear reader I am off, I hope everyone is doing well. I am going to try and produce some more substantive writings here in the next month but in the mean time I will try at least to ramble here more frequently…

2003-07-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my absence dear readers but life has been hectic as I have tried to get everything all settled back into my apartment here in the Windy City. Things are going well as I am getting acclimated ever so slowly with the new job. It is a lot more to learn than I ever thought but I am enjoying it nonetheless. My only complaint is that my desk is a bit isolated from the rest of the team which means I have less social interaction than I would like, but at the same time it keeps me focused on what I am supposed to be doing, which is research and analysis.

Getting a schedule down has been a bit harder as I am trying to find time to read, cook, write and exercise outside of work. It was a lot easier when I was a student but I am slowly working everything back into my schedule and developing some sort of a routine.

Random thought---why do people find it necessary to speak loudly on cell phones on a crowed train?? Personally I would like to see the phones banned just so I don’t have to listen to some of the insipid conversations that I have had the “pleasure” of overhearing in the past week. I am happy you got drunk this weekend and hooked up with that random person at the bar, or that you are having some sort of personal epiphany but that doesn’t mean me or the other 100 people in the train care to hear about it.

I am currently indulging my new guilty pleasure, Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. I don’t know why but I love watching these five guys make people over. I would love for them to come to my place and redo my apartment or at least give it some sort of theme. It will be time to add some more furniture soon and I know if I try to do it myself it will be a disaster. But I have too much space and there is no way I can entertain unless I get some more stuff.

Anyway dear reader I am off, I hope everyone is doing well. I am going to try and produce some more substantive writings here in the next month but in the mean time I will try at least to ramble here more frequently…

2003-07-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

In the City
Well readers I got all moved in with a big assist from a friend in Bloomington, my uncle, and my Dad. I am very happy to be back and getting settled in but I am emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained. I think the stress of finding a job, getting moved in, and reestablishing things here have taken their toll. I will work on contacting everyone this weekend with new contact information and check in with people. I am going to finish unpacking the kitchen..more later....

2003-06-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

Mostly packed and ready to go!!!
Well I am mostly packed which is good since I am moving back to Chicago tomorrow. I found a great place in Chicago which I am very excited about moving into. It was more than I wanted to spend but sometimes you ust have to say what the hell and throw logic out the window. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, so I can host visitors quite nicely, plus a ton of space which means for the first time in my life I will actually have space and money and must decide how to decorate and buy real furniture. I also have to be into work Thursday for a meeting so things are going to start a bit sooner than I anticipated so I am already looking forward to the weekend. To my friends, I will be in touch with contact info soon, if you need me call my cell phone.
Some of the Blogs I read have posted on last week's Supreme Court rulings so I thought I would quickly throw my 2 cents in. In my view a very bad week for the court. First a set of contradictory and sure to be tested rulings on affirmative action, and then an awful decision on the Texas sodomy law. Now before you email your rage let me state that I could care less that the law dealt with, or was used against homosexuals. In my opinion people should be free to date, sleep with, whoever they want--I think the law itself is stupid and the fact that this is the best thing they could find to legislate in Texas is quite disturbing. My problem is that the Court should have never heard this case in the first place. Since when is the Court an agent of culture change in this country, I thought the states were free to make their own laws. The court seems to entered a very slippery slope all for the purpose of leading culture change in the nation. I can only wonder what could possibly be next and how far the Court will go before people push back....

2003-06-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Quick Note
I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes on my new job. I have been meaning to post more info or email you with the details but things have been frenzied as I try to get packed, find an apartment, and move all in a 2 week time span. More details will be coming soon but right now I need to get back to Chicago and find a place to live. Details hopefully coming this weekend. Hope you all are doing well. In other news the Fed cutting interest rates only 1/4 point seemed a bit perplexing to me, but more on that when I get back as well...

2003-06-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Time for Johnnie Walker!!!!
Anyone who knows me knows I like to celebrate big events in my life with my friends, a good meal, and a good drink.. Well finally something to celebrate as I have obtained the job I wanted in Chicago and will be drinking a nice expensive Johnnie Walker blue and eating big steak tonight with friends. I feel so blessed right now it isn't even funny. Six months ago I was just getting out of the hospital and not sure I would find a job, now i have my health and the job. Well i could go on but I will just get to the celebrating...hope everyone is having a great day!!

2003-06-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Back again
Sorry dear readers that I have been absent for so long but things have been hectic as I have been bouncing between Chicago and Bloomington trying to get a job. Potential big news coming on this front come Monday. I could have gotten it Friday but I was playing golf on an absolutely gorgeous day so now I am forced to wait the weekend. Must say the whole search has gotten a little overwhelming and with only a month to go before my lease runs out the pressure is on myself and my friends to find jobs quickly.
Anyway the weekend is beautiful so I will be spending most of it outside doing miscellaneous things. I think there is a street fair this weekend and some other things going on.
On the political front, I must admit I haven't been paying as much attention to that as I have the stock market and economic forecasts. The news on that front appears to be positive at least. It may take some time but things look like they will turn around. Although a recovery probably won't mean an abundance of jobs or huge prosperity, becuase as we saw during the tech boom you can now do more with less.
Anyway off to enjoy the day, I hope the day is sunny whereever you are....

2003-06-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Job Search
Good Morning all!! Feeling better after a good night sleep in my own bed. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind and it is good to be back home. I think the interview went ok yesterday but I am not expecting to get that job. There is a difference between a good interview and a great one and I only had a good interview. A couple of things I probably could have done better but all in all I thought I did an ok job, I just didn't click with the interviewer.
A good article in the WSJ today about how companies are eliminating their higher paid workers () in order to cut costs. As many of my job seeking friends and I are finding out, salaries are not what they used to be and even having a master's degree doesn't guarantee salary or position. I am enjoying some of the ads I am seeing as I search...things such as 5-7 years exp with an MBA and the salary offer is $50,000. Are things really so bad out there that someone with those qualifications would take a job with a salary so low?
Will he stay or will he go??
This being America I know most people don't care but Man U traded David Beckham over the weekend to a team in Barcelona. Thankfully Beckham (who is one of the most talented soccer players in the world) is blocking the trade and therefore will hopefully remain at Old Trafford for the upcoming season. I am still bummed I cannot afford to go see Man U on their American tour, but in the summer of joblessness sacrifices have to be made.

Middle East
It looks like Hamas is taking credit for the latest suicide bombing in the Middle East today. Looks like there will be serious roadblocks to Bush's peace plan. This should not be surprising. While I feel Bush should be lauded for his efforts at peace, I see some disturbing attributes of this policy. I don't see how America can justify going after all terrorists threats to the country while not allowing Israel to do the same thing. Their citizendry is under constant attack and current US policy seems tells them to turn the other cheek in pursuit of a lofty and possibly unattainable dream of peace.

Looks like rain this week so I will be curling up with some books instead out enjoying the summer. If anyone has any good recomendations let me know. Currently I am about to start Diamond, which follows the path of one of the largest diamonds in the world as it is fought for by various parties. Should be a short read however so by the end of the week I will need something else....Later all

2003-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

Livin out of a suitcase

Sorry readers for the lack of posts in a week or so but things have gotten hectic here. Spent the weekend in Manhattan(or Newhattan as it was called over a round of shots at a bar in 2 am) for a friend's wedding. I enjoyed New York a lot. The city was great and it was much less intimidating than it was the last time I was there. Good to see some old Chicago friends who I haven't seen in a long time. Made me realize how much I miss hanging out with at times and how things have changed since I have been gone for two years. But more on that later I need to keep this fairly short as I am returning to Chicago for another interview tomorrow.
I will say that the last week has been interesting to say the least. Sammy Sosa busted for corking and Martha Stewart busted for lying. I will say that I feel no remorse for either one of them. Both of them are multi-millionaires who wanted to play by a different set of rules, and hopefully they both get what they deserve.
Best news of the day is that the mini-series V, the one with the aliens who were trying to take over Earth to eat the people, is coming back to NBC in some form. Reports have it as a three hour return movie or something. I loved that show as a kid and would love to see another movie made. Take care readers much more when i get back from Chicago tomorrow...

2003-06-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

A quiet day around the hold homestead as I just took care of things around the house. Managed to get some golf in with a buddy of mine which was great. Supposedly the weather around here isn't supposed to last so had to get out today and at least enjoy the weather. This week will be more of the same involving the job search and trying to enjoy the summer at the same time. Friday I leave for a weekend in NYC which should be great. I haven't been there in a couple of years and am curious to see how the place has changed since 9/11. I remember a very energenic city teaming with life that was almost intimidating. Should be good catching up with some old friends and exploring some aspects of NYC that I didn't get to explore the last time I was there, ie the bar scene.
My sister gave a great review to Finding Nemo which is almost enough to make me see it. I don't get to see many animated movies these days as they don't seem very interesting and normally make good date movies but for some reason this one looks entertaining so I may go see it.
Seems a storm is brewing in Washington over whether or not the Iraqis did in fact have weapons of mass destruction. If in fact they did not this could have serious effects both on the Bush reelection efforts and UK/US ties. Signs are starting to point to an absence of weapons which means one of the principle reasons for going to war was in fact incorrect. This even in the face of a strenthening economy could be the opening, and perhaps the only one available, the Democrats need to make the 2004 presidential race in fact a race. Even more frightening is the fact that the US runs the risk of losing a strong ally in Tony Blair. Blair's primary backing for the war came, I believe, because of the existance of the weapons. If he was in fact wrong, he could be replaced as British PM which could put a strain on relations. Should prove to be an interesting couple of weeks....

2003-05-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

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..

2003-05-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

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.

2003-05-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

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!!

2003-05-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

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.

2003-05-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

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...