Warmer Days

Lake Michigan, south of Kathy Osterman Beach

Taken September 18, 2005

Frankisms 1 -2

Recent Frankisms -

"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous."

"Eating oatmeal is grueling."

My last game of 2005

The Bean

Located in the beautiful Millenium Park.

Lake Tahoe

A pier on the northern side of Lake Tahoe. Blistery day but still so scenic.

June 17, 2005

The Frat Pack

I knew these guys have been in a lot of each others movies but I didn't know they had a name for the group.
The Frat Pack consists of:
Ben Stiller
Jack Black
Luke Wilson
Owen Wilson
Vince Vaughn
Will Ferrell

Of this group Jack Black seems like the odd man out, but regardless they're a funny bunch that continue to put out hilarious movies. For a full blown chart, check out this article from USA today.

Joe Morgan - your larger hat size is ready

Joe Morgan. Great player. Great hypocrite. Great article about how Joe Schmo is conveniently skipping out on Ryno's induction this weekend. Not sure what this guy's beef is with Sandberg but anyone who claims to be a team player shouldn't be making bad comments about someone elses achievements if they happen to be a little better than yours, as far as individual stats go.
After reading the article I also want to raise a question. Why do players think one guy on a baseball team can make the other 24 players so much better that they can win a pennant? Baseball is a team sport but also relies heavily on individuals performing...more than any other sport.
But if anyone has seen some Cubs teams in the past 20 years I can't think of many where joe Morgan would have made such a difference that they would have won a pennant.

Soriano?

Bruce Levine of ESPN1000 reported this past evening that the Cubs are in serious negiotiations with the Texas Rangers in an effort to trade for Alphonso Soriano. This morning every major newspaper, The Chicago Tribune, The Sun-times, and the Daily Herald, all reported the same rumor.

Unfortunately I don't evening like the idea of this guy on our team. He is a microcosm of exactly what is wrong with the offense...feast or famine.

If they want to trade for a guy from the Rangers I say go after Kevin Mench or Mark Texeira.

Ask Paul Wilson

Farnsworth is at it again . Apparently Jeremy Affeldt wanted to be Paul Wilson. It's a minute or two into the video but well worth the wait! Thanks to MLB.com for this fantastic piece of video!

Best comment was from the Tigers announcer:

"YOU KNEW WHEN BIG BOY GOT DERE IT WAS GON GET ON!"

Download Google Earth Now

In the few minutes I've played with Google Earth, I've mapped directions from my house to a barbecue in the suburbs this weekend and driven the route. I've found driving ranges within a 20 mile radius of my house, nicely pinpointed on a 3D map of the Chicago area. There are layers you can show and hide that include cta and metra and all their stops! These are some of the local feature but it gives you 3d mappings on the entire world with specific details (streets, buildings, etc) for the major cities. I can only compare it to Google Maps on steroids. Download it now and enjoy!

Rumor Mill churns out a whale

Carol Slezak of the Sun-Times is reporting that Mark Cuban is interested in buying the Chicago Cubs in the event they actually become available. While money isn't the biggest key to winning a WS it certainly doesn't hurt and Cuban doesn't seem to be afraid to open the purse strings.

My only concern would be that he would turn his back on the traditions of Wrigley and try to squeeze as much revenue as possible out of it.

Chicago Marathon Registration Closed

For the first time in the last 3 years, I will not be running the Chicago Marathon. Despite it being one of my favorite things to do, knee problems during the 2004 race combined with my sluggish running habits in the past few months made me reluctant to register. As of today, the 40,000 slots for the October 9, 2005 race have already been filled as the following email indicates. For those who did not register in time, I suggest searching on local running websites or craigslist for people who registered but will not be able to participate.

Chicago Marathon <support@active.com>
07/14/2005 01:30 PM
Subject: Registration is Now Closed for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon
News FlashA Special Notice from The LaSalle Bank Chicago MarathonJuly 14, 2005
Registration for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Is Now Closed
Registration for The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now closed and the 40,000 participant cap has been reached. A limited number of entries are available through The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Official Charities. For more information, visit our Web site at www.chicagomarathon.com

Almost Right

Cubs Vs Pirates, 1:20 start time, Wrigley.

Starting lineup per ESPN1000

Hairston
Walker
Lee
Ramirez
Murton
Burnitz
Neifi
Blanco
Prior


Glad to see the rookie (Murton) getting some much needed PT. The kids a true, professional hitter and hopefully the likes of the Dutchvalue will be forever on the bench. Now if only we could convince Dusty to put Perez on the bench in favor of Cedeno.

Buckingham Fountain

From last year's Run Hit Wonder.

First post

So it's my first blog. In honor of that I thought I might share a funny, funny email I received today. A friend took an article from the London Evening Standard and added his own thoughts....I must say I laughed fairly hard. FYI...the study done are given first and then his additional thoughts follow the **.


This is what I see as a "normal" day in the life. It is great for the people who go to bed at 9:30 every night and can wake up to have a little bit of fun, but not all of us work this way. Yes I am very busy today, but I had to edit this a little bit for those of us who drink.
SOURCE: LNDON EVENING STNDARD - 29MARCH1999

2:30 to 3pm - Long-term memory at its best. Brain power takes a second hit at lunch.

**2:30 to 3 - (For one who drinks) Long-tem memory helps you recall that you actually graduated from college, and you realize that the job you have sucks. You become as frustrated as you are tired. This is the best time to get some caffeine.

4 to 6 pm - Best time to exercise - reaction time and hand/eye coordination at its best. Muscle temperature and other physical parameters reach a peak in late afternoon so your body is ready to exercise. Most Olympic records are broken in the late afternoon - very few are set before noon.

**4 to 6pm - (For one who drinks) Best time to socialize and walk around the office - reaction time and hand/eye coordination is at its best, perfect for the finger gun / smile and wink combo as you walk past the cute girls cube. Most sober flirting is done at this time.

7 to 9 pm - Stress hormone cortisol plummet, brain begins to produce melatonin. Drop pressure drops. Best time for socialization.

**7 to 9 pm - (For one who drinks) This is the best time to really start putting them down. Bars are still in the middle of their happy hour specials and everyone is there. Hormones in the brain start to make you think you are better looking than you actually are.

10 to 11 pm - Another surge of sleep hormones (melatonin) are released, peaking at midnight. Heat rate, body temperature, stress hormones falls.

**10 to 11 pm - (For one who drinks) Your drunk, heart rate and body temperature fall. Another surge of Hormones mixed with the alcohol start to effect your eyesight and judgement. You realize that the girl you were flirting with at work has left long ago. This is the best time to finally break the ice with an unattractive girl.

7 - Best time to have sex. Body produces a surge of sex hormones and a rush of adrenaline. Men's testosterone levels have risen during sleep and reach a peak now.

**7:00 (For one who drinks) Best time to regret having sex. Body produces a huge feeling of confusion, bewilderment and disgust when you open your crusted over eyes in shock and you see the appalling sight or what initially looks like a hyena with a skin condition. Only after you see the two paper bags on the floor do you realize that it is the "not so attractive" girl from the bar

7:30 to 9 - Best time to go to dentist - body releases a greater quantity of natural pain-killers, endorphins through the night.

**7:30 to 9 - (For one who drinks) Best time to vomit - the body stores a greater amount of undigested liquor. As this alcohol makes it's way back up your esophagus it gets absorbed into the blood, making a natural pain-killer. If you had burritos the night before, rotate 180 degrees and repeat.

8 to 8:30 - Gentle stretching to ease into day.

**8 to 8:30 - (For one who drinks) Gripping your head with all of you strength in the hopes that last night was just a bad dream.

8:30 to 9 - Metabolism works overtime first thing in the morning - best time to eat.

**8:30 to 9 - (For one who drinks) Your entire Metabolism has shut down.
There is no point in eating. Tell the ugly girl to leave and go back to bed.

9:30 to 11:30 - Brain power and short-term memory at its best before noon - best time for mind-intensive activity.

**9:30 to 11:30 - As you lie there drifting our of consciousness with flu like symptoms, your brain power and memories of the night before are the best they will ever be. You start to remember some of the things you did the night before and make a list of people to apologize to.

2 pm - Best time for a cat-nap - and time for reflection....

**2 pm - (For one who drinks) Best time to order a Pizza, and fall asleep on the couch. A couple of hours and do it all again.

The Vic

Southbound Belmont CTA.