Dull Weekend

So it is Sunday afternoon and I am in the midst of catching up on work. Yesterday was spent mainly working, i did get a workout in and managed to get dinner at Skretta's house. I have a lot of work that needs to be done before the 4th and with both Thursday and Friday off, that is RAPIDLY approaching. Last night we even checked out the festival on Belmont for about an hour. It was a nice little break.

Today, I am heading over to the purple otter for a break to watch the Spain/Germany finals of the Euro Cup. I hope Torres from Spain has a great game. He had an incredible year with Liverpool and is an amazing player. Lets hope he scores three goals just like when I watched him play live!

Since we have Thursday off (and most people do not), a bunch of PwCers are getting together for a small golf outing. Lets just say this is all I am looking forward to at the moment. I even gathered a few items so that I will be looking sharp on the course.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Domination!

We won in softball last night by slaughter rule. Technically, we did not have to play. We could have taken the forfeit since the other team only had 7 people but we wanted to play. So it was a live game. We caught for them so that helped. We started of slow but eveything came together for us (except my hitting which was awful). Our defense played really well. Fubar pitched great and we put up a 7 spot in the 2nd inning and never look back. The called the game in the bottom of the 5th. We are back at .500 looking to get back into the winning side of things.

Nice job Tool, Inc!

Hump Day Top 5

Happy Wednesday everyone! This top 5 is pretty simple. I want your top 5 favorite game shows of all time! I hope you have been watching the game show network all week preparing! I went about this in a couple ways. I thought to myself -which show would I want to compete on and which show would I watch. I left off a couple shows I liked growing up like Remote Control, Double Dare and Win, Lose or Draw. I left off a couple big names (Jeopardy and Wheel of Fourtune). Also, here is a link to 50 different game shows.

1. LETS PLAY THE FEUD! Family Feud is my favorite. I would love to be on the show. I love watching the show. We have the Family Feud interactive board game. I am talking about the Richard Dawson Feud too...
2. Price is Right. I love Drew Carey and I think he was the correct successor to Bob Barker but I would have wanted to be on the show with Barker (just because I do not want people confusing me and Carey...lets move on).
3. Lets make a deal - I love gambling and this is gambling at its finest. Also, this gave rise to the Monty Hall problem. You double your chancing of winning by switching doors. Most people would not think that but you go from 1/3 chance of winning to 2/3 chance after the "dud" door have been revealed.
4. Pyramid - If Catch Phrase is in my board game list, then this has to made my list right. The winner's cirle is intense!
5. Press your luck - No Whammies no whammies STOP! I loved those little guys as a kid. Again, the gambling side of me loves this!

There is my five! I would love to hear yours!

Editor's Note: I highly recommend checking out the youtube clip that was left in my comment section. Russian Roulette Game Show...wow!

Random Thoughts

- I could not agree more with what people are saying about George Carlin. I am very sad he passed away and even more sad that I did not ever see him live. I had a chance in Reno and did not go.
- I started watching Nashville Star last night and love it. I have a huge amount of respect for John Rich. The man knows music. The fact that one of the contestants did not take his advice is beyond me. He is a judge you know.
- It is going to be a busy week at work so do not expect much from my blog. Not that you do anyway. Game shows tomorrow so get your thinking cap on!
- Whoever voted for me on my poll, thanks!

Chicago's potential

In my humble opinion, Chicago's potential hits its peak in the summer. If you are a huge bears fan, you may disagree but the ultimate day in chicago is usually in the summer. For some people it involves a baseball game but for me it is involves country music. This saturday was the peak. No question about it.



A couple friends, my wife and myself plus 10 hours of perfect weather plus good music equals the best summer day. It was was great. Jake Owen came on at 2:50 outside of soldier field. Free concert. We got there around 2. Around 4 we headed into Soldier Field. At 4:15 Luke Bryan came on. A little after 5, Gary Allen came on. Right there...5 pm...sun still high in the sky listening to great music beer in hand skyline to my right...great moment. But the concert was just starting.



LeAnn Rimes was on next and she is good. She may have been showing more of herself than she wanted to (really no bra...) but she has a strong voice and was a lot of fun. She played hit after hit. She had fun out there. Summer concert playing some fun.


urban...keith urban was next...by the end..KEITH URBAN!!!! WOW!!!!! He was a man POSSESSED! Everyone has good days and bad. That day was a good day for him. Wife's birthday, beautiful day in chicago, who knows...he was on and i mean ON. He put the crowd on a whole new level. Side note: at one point we sang happy b-day to nicole kidman...kinda cool. He rocked and rocked and rocked. I was not that big of a fan of Urban untl yesterday. He showed me a lot.

Kenny came on to end the night. He played for barely two hours and did not show the life Urban did. He still played hit after hit after hit. If Urban had his A plus game Kenny had his C game. He was not bad but he did not blow the crowd away like Urban.

In the end, 10 hours of music, having a few beers ( and a few more), next to my wife, soaking in the sun, enjoying the scenery...living Chicago to its potential. No where else I would rather be.

Power of Funk's blog

After reading Funk's challenge on his blog, President Bush hopped on Airforce One and headed to Iowa.


"Where is CFunk? I demand another post clearing my name!"

Beckham vs. Woods

Okay, due to my driving all over the last few days, I have listened to a TON of Mike and Mike. I love the show so I do not mind. Today they were talking about how famous Tiger Woods is. Greeney was saying he thinks that Tiger is more well know than Beckham. Golic was completely on the other side. Yes, Tiger is known worldwide. He belongs in this conversation. He wins the British Open. He plays tournaments in Dubai. He is HUGE in Asia (since his mom is Asian).

Come on. Do you really think he is more popular than Beckham? i asked a couple people here who are not from the US. A couple points they made. One of them was in Thailand not too long ago and he saw gold shrine of Beckham. The other guy said the following.

"If Tiger Woods was in the airport in Seoul, people would go up to him and want to take a picture with him. If Beckham was in the airport, it would be a media frenzy and a mob scene."

I want to know your thoughts. I am posting a survey.

Hump Day Top 5

Well, happy wednesday to all. Jackson is on day three of four of basketball camp today. Yesterday he learned how to take a charge. AWESOME! I can not wait to hear stories about today. Anyway, I am hoping for a good turnout in my comment section for today's top 5. I am going with top 5 board games! These are my favorite board games to play ever!

1. Monopoly - The giant of board games. Who doesn't love this real estate game?
2. Strat-o-matic baseball - I put a link here for people who have no idea about this game. Well, this is a played with cards and dice. It is a great game for kids who love statistics and baseball. I played hours of this as a kid.
3. Clue - One suspect, one weapon, one room. So fun!
4. Mastermind - This is a code breaking board game. Who doesn't love code breaking? I sense a theme...
5. Yahtzee - Is this a board game? If yes, this is #5.

If Yahtzee is not a board game, I would put Catch phrase next. You have a team and you have to give clues until they guess the word and then you pass it on. Whoever is holding the clue box when the timer goes off loses. This game is fun with a big group.

I know. I left off some big ones like Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and Battleship but this is my list.

Have a good rest of the week!

Whitesell Basketball Camp

Yesterday, I took the day off and spent the day with my nephew Jackson. Let me say it was perfect weather to be up at Loyola. We got up there early so we headed over to the rocks. LU campus is COVERED in construction. It is crazy. Camp started at 9 am and I sat in the bleachers playing Nintendo DS (jackson's) and I actually got online to do a little work. Camp was awesome. There were like 5-6 players helping the coaches. So all together there were like a dozen coaches and 150 kids there. It was a little chaotic but fun. Here are a few pics from the day.

Boomer teaching passing drills. I know...it is a little far fetched.

Here is one of Jackson doing the rebounding drill with Polka.

A little look at the chaos of kids...

I had a blast yesterday. I wish I could have taken all four days off!

Whitesell's Basketball Camp

I am so EXCITED! Jim Whitesell's basketball camp starts tomorrow. No, I am not participating...but my nephew Jackson is. I am taking tomorrow off to take him to day one (of four). I am quite intrigued on how this camp will be run.

If you need me, you can find me at the Joseph J. Gentile center!

Go Ramblers!

Random Thoughts

- Softball - we did not play well and the scored showed it. 11-3 lost. A special shout out to Funk on his home run and then in the bottom of the innning, dropping a can of corn...give one take one.

- Congrats to the Celtics winning the championship. Garnett will finally get a ring. If I had to give the MVP award out today, it would go to Ray Allen. He is playing PHENOMENAL!

- Incredible Hulk - Another bust or good???? I love Ed Norton. So I am excited. 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

- Have a great weekend!

The Power of BEER!

Congratulations Ivica Vastic for scoring Austria's first goal and tying Poland yesterday.

Why is this a big deal you ask? Well, a Vienna brewery (Ottakringer Brauerei) is promising a lifelong supply a beer for ANY Austria player who scores a goal in the tournament.

This guy has to have people over to his house all the time. It has to be mandatory. He is set for life. Gifts...give cases...BYOB...no problem.

Why was I not a soccer player growing up. Why am I not Austrian? ARGH!

YESSSSSS!!!!! The Shield's return date

FINALLY! FX has announced the exact date The Shield is coming back . So mark your calendars because Vic Mackey is coming back on September 2 for one last time!

2011 - Orlando, here we come!

Well, I know one year for sure that Michelle will go with me on the USBC open championship. Disney plans on building a 100-lane bowling stadium. There is a strong possibility that if the lanes are complete by 2010, they will host the 2011 USBC open. Looks like Vic and Mary may have a few guest in March of 2011.

I also love the fact that the stadium will be open to public when not hosting a tournament. I could get some practice on it when I am visiting. Not that it will help...


Sidenote: I am glad that everyone said Batman was a superhero!

Hump Day Top 5!

Top 5 action movies of all time. This one I have been thinking about for a week and I want to thank everyone who has helped me.

Action movies is a HUGE genre of movies so let me lay down a few guideline.
NO Bond Movies, Comic book movies, Star Wars, Westerns and War movies
1. Die Hard - "You ask for a miracle. I give you the FBI." Honestly, this has to be in everyone's top 5 right? No questions asked.

2. Predator - Arnold had to make the list and this is my favorite. I know this means I am leaving off T1 and T2. That will be considered a mistake by many. Any movie with TWO future Governors...come on!

3. Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark - It was either this one or the Last Crusade. Both great. I am going with the original. Dr. Jones brings it. What can I say?

4. The Bourne Identity - Jason Bourne is one bad m-fer. This movie was intense, fast paced and loaded with action. I loved every minute of it.

5. The Matrix - Ahead of its time. Great concept. The next two were not very good but this movie had it all. The opening scene was so good.

I know I am leaving off some great movies. If you think Beverly Hills Cop is an action movie, that would be my #5. I can not believe I left off Rambos but it happens. Also I have no Kung Fu movies or any John Woo movie. Here is a list of movies that I was thinking about when making this list (just to help you out).

Lethal Weapons (may be #6 for me), T1, T2, Commando, Kill Bill, 48 Hours, French Connection, Blade Runner, Blade, Great Escape, 7 Samurai, Dirty Harry movies, Enter the Dragon, The Road Warrior, Aliens, Transformers, Highlander, Esacpe from New York, Bloodsport, Mission Impossible.

Sidenote: Any Conan movie counts as a comic book movie.

Please leave your list in the comment section. I would love to hear them!

ANOTHER NOTE: Transformers was a comic book...i dont remember that but it was a comic book. So, it can not be in your list.

A couple more movies

I feel like I am turning into Ahow. Anyway, I rented a couple movies last night and watched them both. The first one I watched while Michelle was at school. The second one I watched with her. Actually, I rented the 2nd one just for her. She had been bugging me to rent it for a while. I figured it would be a nice thing to do.

1st movie - Untraceable - I enjoyed this movie. It was predictable but i thought the idea behind the movie was good. Basically, the webmaster kidnaps a person and puts them in a situation (for example surrounds them with hundreds of heat lamps). He then puts it on live feed a website and as the popularity of the website goes up more heatlamps go on until he is dead. The website was called killwithme.com. Basically the FBI is trying to find him as he is killing people. Interesting concept, okay movie.

2nd movie - P.S. I love you. Total chick flick. Interesting idea though. Her young husband dies of a brain tumor but the last 6 months he is alive he sets up for her to receive these letters from him telling her to do various things. It was ok. By far the best part of the movie was the wake. He is Irish and the wake was in a bar. There were a bunch of shot glasses upside down next to his urn (glorified box) and people would walk up, do a shot of jameson and leave the shot glass on the urn. AWESOME IDEA!

Well, I hope everyone has some action movies in mind becuase my top 5 is coming tomorrow.

The battle of 84 minutes

Michelle was going to see Sex and the City tonight with Bridget. I decided to grab a couple of movies that I have been meaning to see but Michelle had no interest in seeing them. My two choices were Cloverfield and Rambo. Both movies were 84 minutes long (sidenote: Cloverfield was really only 75 minutes long). I enjoyed both movies but one was a clear winner.

Rambo- #4 in the series and I would probably put it there when ranking. It was enjoyable and the last 15 minutes is crazy! Lets just say Rambo plus heavy artillery equal one HUGE whooping. It was fun to watch but there was not much substance to this movie.

Cloverfield- This movie was INTENSE. Pure intensity for the last 65 minutes. The whole concept was fantastic and I absolutely loved this movie. Loved it. This movie made me jump multiple times and that usually never happens. I highly recommend this movie. Well done JJ Abrams. Well done.

Well, it is clear who the winner today was.

Final note: Michelle left at 5:40 for a 6:10 movie. I started my movies then. I was done at 8:10 (just in time for game 2). She is still gone at 8:42. Her movie was 145 minutes plus previews and commercials. I will not her before 9. The effeciency of watching movies at home (I do love going to the movies though).

11,632, well more accurately 5,788

11,632 days is how many days I had been alive before I bought my first car. More accurately, it took me 5,788 days after my 16th birthday to buy my first car. Now, I married into a car but this is the first one with my name on the title, a BWM 540i. We bought it from Michelle's uncle Tom. Like I said before, it is always better to know people! I honestly think it was Tom's plan all along when he gave us the M5 for the weekend. We have had the car since Friday and I love the way it handles. I am sure I will not love it when it needs a repair... There goes my idea of buying a boat before a car...

On a different note, Saturday was my 75th workout of the year. I am halfway to my goal and WAY ahead of schedule!

Softball begins (and ends in my eyes)

Last night softball began. I am doing this summary in bullet form.

- Michelle had a great idea for making lemonade vodka. She bought a gallon of water, poured some of it out, added vodka and mix and shook it up. Under 2 min, you have vodka lemonade. Why were we not doing this earlier?
- We played Murphey's team and won. Again. This makes four years in a row we beat Murph but who is counting!
- I was happy and sad we played Murph last night. We now have nothing to look forward to. That is always the most fun game of the year.
- Rust. If I could describe the game with one word, it would be rust.
- Purple Otter. This bar could quickly become our softball bar. It didn't hurt that Fubar was the bartender last night.

Have a great weekend!

NBA Finals!

Lakers/Celtics finals!

So they are here and for some reason everyone is jumping on the Laker train. I understand they have the best player on the court. They basically rolled through the DEEP west. Plus, Phil Jackons vs. Doc Rivers is the most lopsided coaching matchup maybe ever.

BUT...The Celtics play big. The Lakers play small. If the Celtics control the boards and play tight defense, they will control these games. There is a reason they went 2-0 against them in the regular season.

One of Pat Riley's big quotes was 'Rebounds = Rings.' Well, if that is the case, the Celtics are winning this thing. I am with Sports guy on this one. Celtics in 7.

Is Batman a superhero?

I was listening to Mike and Mike this morning and they were cleary divided on this very question. Golic says Batman is not a superhero because he has no super powers. Greeney was beside himself. Batman is his favorite 'superhero'. So, I am putting this to my readers. I really see both sides of the argument but in the end, if the comic book calls him a superhero, you are a superhero.

BTW, I heart Iron Man. By far, that is the best movie I have seen in months.

Hump Day Top 5!

Well, it is time for another round. I going to stay on the theme of food but this time moving toward candy, more specifically, candy bars. To help you all out, I have provided a link to a list of candy bars. I am excluding M&Ms, Junior Mints, reeses pieces. I am including reeese peanut butter cups. My top 5, my rules!

1. Peanut Butter Twix - I love these bars and then they added peanut butter! Wow!
2. Snickers - Growing up #2 would have been milky way but I love the peanuts combination.
3. Dark Chocolate Milky Way - I love dark chocolate and milky way. They combine to become the mega powers!
4. Peanut Butter Cups - They may not be in bar form but I love those cups!
5. WHATCHAMACALLIT - I love the name of this bar! Genius! I also love the crunch!

Tootsie Rolls are totally acceptable to the list. I just am not a big fan. A couple that barely missed the list are 100 grand bar and nestle crunch.

Happy hump day!

Preview for next week: Start thinking about action movies...

Random Thoughts

Last weekend was busy! Friday started off GREAT! Michelle found out that she does not need surgery! YESSSSSSSSSS! It was Squire's last day at PwC...an end of an era BUT we went out partying for his last day. Michelle somehow talked me into leaving the party a little after midnight. Nice call.

Saturday we drove to Bloomington, IL for MIchelle's cousin graduation from high school. I also ended up watching the entire first season of Californication. It is a really good show and I high recommend it. The 2nd season starts in September.

Sunday we drove back. I came to my office and did not cleaning at my desk and then I went to the gym. I know a boring day.

On a different note, softball starts Thursday! WOO HOO!

Have a great week!