27 Dresses

On Sunday, my sister, Kari, Allison and I headed out to see 27 Dresses starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden. The movie is definitely girly and I am glad that I did not drag Matt with me to see it. There were some cheesy parts of course, it wouldn't be a chick flick with out the "cheese?" But also, there were some extremely funny parts. Katherine Heigl is hilarious and James Marsden such a babe (love you, Matt). Overall, I would say I really enjoyed this movie and highly recommend getting a group of girls together to see it. My love of weddings, probably adds to the enjoyment factor, but oh well. As a matter of fact, I would probably go see it again in the movie theatre and I am definitely planning on buying it when it comes out on DVD.

What's Happening This Weekend

I am gearing up for a good weekend. It will start off on Friday with dinner with my lovely wife and probably the lovely Carolyn at Cleo's - our favorite bar food in the city - which is awesome considering its a block and a half away from our house. No sitting outside on the patio though, but thankfully, the smoking ban takes care of a lot of our hate for the inside's of bars.

After Cleo's Ali will drop me off at the United Center for the Bulls game. Its my first game of the year - which is a good thing if you ask me - and we have a six-man crew going. Two years ago, my boss invited me and some others out for some drinks with his cousin from England. It was a blast and after many stories and about 8 car bombs later, I stumbled home that fine Tuesday evening. Well, his cousin is back. This time he is bringing his brother who lives in Amsterdam and my boss is bringing his dad - my buddy Faulkner from work is also attending. Best part of it all, the cousin is here on business - Super Bowl business. He is a broadcaster for BBC radio and will be traveling to Phoenix as he is the play-by-play guy for the game. That is what he was here for two years ago as well - the Super Bowl in Detroit. It's a ton of fun talking football with the guy since he really doesn't know anything about it - nor does the British public really care. As an example, the BBC has two Media Day passes for the cousin and his partner. Media day is a HUGE deal to everyone here, yet the partner isn't even coming over for it. Back to the weekend - we will go to the Bulls game, maybe hit a blues club, hopefully over to the Wiener's Circle and I will then call it a night.

Saturday at noon our time, the Hoosiers play UConn. I really hope the Hoosiers show up with their best game, if they don't, they might get beat. I predict a Hoosier blowout victory - 71-54.

Saturday night is an evening with the boys, Gib, Duke, Big-O and who knows who else. Oh yeah, we will also be partying that night with Anna, Emme and Delanie (three hot chicks - all under the age of 2 years and about 4 days - Emme's birthday was this week.)

Sunday is church where Ali and I will become godparents to the Gibson's daughter Anna. Link to their blog next week for all the details and I am sure some pictures.

And, that's about it. I am going to leave now to get my head faded. And bask in all 8 degrees it is outside.

Tote It!

Can a girl ever have too many bags? This is something I think my husband often wonders about me. The answer is "NO"! I happen to love bags and shoes, there are just too many cute ones out there and they always seem to fit.

Anyway, I came across these adorable totes on a blog I check occassionally, Something Old, Something New. While I don't particularly love the "A" tote, I think the "H" is great. I think the bag is perfect for a work tote or even as a cute hostess, bridesmaid or birthday gift. The price is not bad, only $22 for the small and $26 for the large. Hmmm, might have to add this to my wish list!

Check out We Are Bang's Etsy shop here to purchase.

IU Wonderment

Anyone watch the Hoosier game last night? I did via TIVO delay. Short story is that they followed up a terrible performance against Illinois with an even worse performance against Minnesota. They had something around 26 turnovers last night, when they average 14 and a half. They simply look like crap.

My dilemma is whether or not to push these two crappy victories aside and say at least they won both games or to say, they really aren't as good as we think. I am going to make the case for the former.

Against Illinois - who is terrible in everything except for the fact that Ali's cousin Meg goes there - the Hoosiers had no offensive rhythm, they took bad fouls and didn't seem too excited to be playing in front of a national CBS audience. (By the way, the fact that Billy Packer was there would make me lethargic too - the guy sucks - mainly because he openly roots against IU. It's true - I have proven it, to myself, many times.) Against Minnesota last night - the Hoosiers didn't seem to remember how to throw the basketball to each other. They kept trying to throw it to the scorers table, the officials, Minn players, the mascot, the hot dog guy, just about everyone in the building except someone with an IU jersey. They shot a great percentage from the field and only missed two free throws - yet - they should have lost. They lost their best player to freshman-itis when Gordon couldn't figure out that he had a target on his back from the refs. (I thought the refereeing was fair last night - Minn got some homer calls, which one should expect - IU got the same calls against Illinois - just adapt and change what you are doing.)

So for two games in a row - one at home and one on the road - IU played like me in 5th grade - and I am bad. Yet, they won both games. How? Not sure, they should have lost at least last night. How do they do it then? I think its the internal mojo - they just don't want to lose to inferior opposition and when it comes down to the end, they are going to make it happen. I definitely wish they would understand that throughout the whole game though and make the other team play IU basketball for once instead of playing into the opposition's game plan.

Here are some random thoughts about this year's Hoosiers:
Not getting the Big Ten Network sucks.
Gordon will be good, but he is definitely young. Every time he shoots, you get a feeling that its going in.
As far as game planning - maybe they have to play the opponents game plan because Sampson doesn't have one.
DJ White is finally a beast. He is playing pissed off and it shows in his numbers and desire to kick ass. Averaging a double-double in college is huge.
I wish Deandre Thomas could play more - he is fat, but smooth.
Why doesn't Jamarcus Ellis drive more often. Last night he had some slow white dude on him - drive and kick - take the point guard role over.
Jordan Crawford is a great shooter - sometimes. Sampson should not let him attempt a three pointer until he makes a 15 foot jump shot - I think that once he gets the feeling and confidence, he is lights out.
There is no reason for Mike White to touch the ball other than getting a rebound.
AJ Ratliff is disappointing.
Bassett is good when not injured (or suspended.)
I don't think I am a Sampson fan. I say give the job to McCallum.
At what point does a high ranking get into their heads and then they get blown out at Northwestern? Hopefully DJ will kick their asses before that happens.

Feel free to ridicule me for my opinions - but if you use anonymous, you are a wuss.

Something To Think About

While getting ready for work the past 3 mornings, I have heard Brad Paisley's newest single, Letter To Me, off his album, 5th Gear. For those of you that have not heard the song 1) because you don't like country music or 2) because you just really haven't listened to the radio, the song is about Brad writing a letter to himself at the age of 17 and all the things he wish he would have known then. It is a pretty neat song and got me thinking about what I would say to myself at age 17, if I had the chance to write that letter now.

I have been pondering this for 3 days now and while I would not change a thing about my high school days, I think I have learned a few things in the past 10 years or so that would have been beneficial to me back then.

1. Don't take things so seriously. While I had a lot of fun in high school, I also stressed about grades and college and the future. I think things fall into place naturally and life takes you where it is supposed to.
2. Spend more time with Grandpa Bob.
3. Breakups are hard, but they only make you a better person.
4. Appreciate your parents and don't worry them so much. I was a fairly good kid growing up, but I know that I took my parents for granted back then and did some things I am not so proud of. They were really cool parents and I am not sure I appreciated them as much as I should have.
5. Drinking SoCo at Horde Fest 1995 is not a good idea. Or, if you decide that it is, do not drink nearly as much as you think you can, you will not enjoy the concert!
6. Go to homecoming your senior year with Aaron, but thank goodness for Stacy and Andy, they were your lifesavers that night.

There is one part of the song that I would most definitely include in my letter because I think it is so true:

"you got so much up ahead, you'll make new friends, you should see your kids and wife (husband) and I'd end by saying have no fear these are nowhere near the best days of your life"

What would you include in your letter?

Cheeeeeeese

Cheese is on of my favorite foods and I was thrilled to hear that Weight Watchers just came out with a new line of cheese products. Their new line includes, shredded, string, sliced and cream cheeses. Each one offering a convenient alternative to full fat cheeses and all either 1 or 2 points per serving. I am the most excited about the individual servings of cream cheese, which I will now happily enjoy on my Weight Watchers bagel a couple times a week. Not only are the individual servings high in fiber, but they are reduced fat (much better than fat free) and only 1 point. I sure hope I can find the cream cheese in the grocery store....I will report back after I shop this weekend. I am not sure if I will give the other varieties a try as I have found Kraft makes excellent 2% cheese alternatives in singles, deli slices, and blocks.

Celebrations!

I have a Happy Anniversary and a few Happy Birthday shout outs!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD!!! I am a day late, but that does not mean I was not thinking about him yesterday. Yes, that is my dad in the picture to the left, I believe he was about 6 years old. Sorry dad, I could not resist, you are too cute!!!

A very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my parents as well. They celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary as well yesterday. Thank you for being such great role models and inspirations to your children everyday. We love you!!!

Another HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to my Uncle Peter. He is celebrating his birthday today!! Happy Birthday Uncle Peter, we are thinking about you!! Crack open a cold one tonight!!!

Resolutions?

I am not one to make New Year's resolutions because frankly, I don't keep them. Probably because they are too general and obtuse. However, this year, I thought I would make a list of "Things To Do In 2008." Yes, some of them could fall into the category of a "resolution," but I like to think of them as more specific accomplishments and life changes I can make. In no particular order, here are my Things To Do In 2008!

1. Bring my lunch to work at least 4 days a week
2. Be a more careful spender, don't be so frivolous
3. Judge less
4. Drink more milk
5. Watch my language
6. Learn Italian
7. Watch more movies
8. Have a picnic
9. Keep in better contact with friends
10. Get organized
11. Be thicker skinned
12. See the Chicago Symphony
13. Get involved in the community
14. Try a new restaurant at least twice a month
15. Hang some pictures, replace old ones
16. Go see a dermatologist
17. Take a class, perhaps mosaic tiling?
18. Make a healthy home cooked meal at least 4 days a week
19. Be more creative
20. Don't worry. Be happy!

Storming

Currently in my office watching a storm roll through downtown Chicago. The lightning is cool, but even better is the thunder reverberating off of all the buildings. Since I am essentially facing the inside of a "U" made by three buildings, the echo effect is awesome.

Cameraphone wont work through the windows with the lights on - unfortunate.

60 degrees in January makes some weird stuff happen.

Now, how do I get home as dry as possible? That is the question.

First Bowl in Eons

As Ali wrote last week, I went down to Phoenix over NYE to watch the Hoosiers in their first bowl game since 1993. The trip overall was very fun, as it always is hanging out with the crew in PHX. If the Hoosiers would have won, well that would have capped it off. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep up with OK St and lost 49-33.

I flew in on Sunday afternoon, and Spud, Riebe and I went to a bar in Tempe for a couple of hours to watch the NFL games. Vic met us around 7 for dinner at Tejas. Monday morning we were up early and in Tempe around 11 am taking in the bowl sights (and beer.) The game was at 4 pm local time and Deportes and BW joined in the festivities. After the game, Spud, Riebe, Vic and I went to some of Vic's friends for an NYE party. It was good to meet some of her friends. It was also great to finally meet Mallory and Nick - whose blog you can know find linked to this site. They are two pretty cool kids.

Flew home on NYD when Ali and I proceeded to go to bed by 8:30pm. Good times. Check out the pictures in the album to the left.

Chocolate Carmel Brownies

When we were in C-ville a couple of weekends ago for Konneker Christmas, my grandpa made these amazing brownies. I wanted to share the recipe with everyone because they are delicious!!!





Chocolate Caramel Brownies
1 box German Chocolate Cake mix
3/4 cup butter
6 ounces condensed milk
14 ounces caramel candies (this should be 1 bag), unwrapped
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 9x13 pan.
In mixing bowl, combine German Chocolate cake mix (just the powder) with butter and 4 ounces of condensed milk. Mix together well and spread half the mixture in the bottom of 9x13 pan. Set aside.
In a saucepan, over low heat, stirring continuously, combine remaining 2 ounces of condensed milk with the caramels. Continue stirring until smooth and creamy. Pour melted caramel over cake mix. Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over caramel. Press remaining cake mix on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 16 - 18 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Above is the original recipe, but I have made these brownies twice, and made a few changes the second time around. I used a bag a half (maybe a tad less) of caramels and only 1/2 cup of nuts. This definitely make the brownies much gooier and harder to get out of the pan, but Matt and I found them to be much more tasty!!! Enjoy!