B-A-C-K

Someone in my office just said "No Talent Assclowns" and that, of course, reminded me of you fools.

1. Back from Panama and Costa Rica on Sunday...what an f-ing trip. Highlights in no particular order:
-Turned 26, very possibly the most fun I've ever had on my birthday. The beach, a live band, dancing, stars, ocean, palm trees, hot central american women all over. etc, etc. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is alllll right with me.
-My traveling buddy from Michigan was robbed in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.
-I was bitten apparently by a spider and now I have a half dollar size bruise on my arm. I'm going to the doctor today.
-Went mountain biking and hiking on Volcan Baru, the highest point in Panama (it's a volcano).
-Got a tan. Yes, a tan. I couldn't believe it either.

2. Red Wings/Pistons Update: Despite the loss last night to the Stars, the Wings look to be headed to the best Stanley Cup Finals in years with a matchup against the Pens. BB's heart just skipped a beat.
Pistons are rolllling and hopefully this break will allow Chaunce to get healthy in time for the matchup against the 'Brons or the Celts. This series is going 7 because clearly, Boston is incapable of winning on the road.

3. Is there anything more annoying that when people have Bible quotes on their answering machine? I'm all for religion (well, sort of), but when it's on your work phone? Is that appropriate? Really? Thank you, I will have a blessed day, you jerk.

4. Tigers: Still suck, but not quite as bad as before.

5. Bonus Goal: I ran into Mrs. Jnicho on State the other night. Actually, it was less of a "run into" and more like a "secret date at Flemings, in which we shared all our innermost secrets and planned to run away together to the South of France". I mean, what?

Daddy's Home!

I'm somehow immune from jetlag. I don't know how I'm able to avoid this, but my only real superpower is being able to avoid fatigue after a long (8 hour) trip. Well I'm back in the states for the first time in a month. I think we can all agree that Amsterdam, above all places was the most fun. But in true BB fashion, I will now present a list of underrated/overrated (as well as "accurately rated") in Europe.

1) Most underrated city on my trip: Glasgow, Scotland. This place gets a bad rap. In fact, people looked at me funny when I told them I was going there. To them, it'd be like vacationing in Dover, Delaware. But Glasgow has come a long, long way since....well, since it sucked, I guess. Basically, this city has benefited greatly from the fact that all the smart artsy kids from London move here after finishing school. The biggest beneficiary of this has absolutely been the music scene. Of course we all know Franz Ferdinand and KT Tunstall, but I saw a couple bands during my 5 days here, the most impressive of which was the Attic Lights. Think Wilco, with the lyrical soul and UK spirit of Snow Patrol. Great live band, too. Also great about Glasgow, the girls dress like sluts, and are uber-friendly.

2) Most overrated: Dublin, Ireland. I know! Blasphemous? Maybe...but Dublin has a few things working against it these days. Its hella-freaking-expensive there. Just as bad as London. Its not the cleanest place in the world. And perhaps most disappointing, the nightlife is somewhat lacking. Sure, Saturday nights are rowdy...but I looked onto the streets of Temple Bar and thought I could've just as easily been in Lincoln Park (what with the clientele, and various irish pubs). Another big strike against Dublin was the fact that there is currently a major housing shortage right now, with students and young professionals forced to live in hostels. As in...my hostel...which resembled a multicultural freshman dormitory. Everyone was nice, but they were all broke, and didn't want to go out partying much. The daytime tourist stuff was cool though...remind me to scan my Jameson certificate!

3) Most accurately rated: Amsterdam. Everything you hear about this place is 100% true. There is no vice, no sin, no bastion of excess that isn't within walking distance of your hotel in Amsterdam. I did things in this town that I may never speak of again.

4) Missing the cut: Edinburgh (was having too much fun in Glasgow, skipped it). Brussels (ditto, only in Amsterdam), and Paris (been there done that, not all that great, really). And I guess Sri Lanka is worth mentioning, but I mostly just lay around the pool reading during my two weeks there, while my dad's servants brought me Carlsberg after Carlsberg. I felt like one of those sheik muslim princes.

The moral of the story?

Unemployment rules.

The Plants and the Animals Eat Each Other

1. I finally did the Red Hook brewery tour a few weekend back...great fun, $1 for basically three beers and a killer bar downstairs with all types of delicious, rare brews. Speaking of brewery tours, BB messaged me (drunk) after touring St. James's Gate in Dublin...Guinness for strength! What I'm drinking tonight: Redhook Copper Hook.

2. Going to Oregon this weekend, never been there before and I'm stoked. Going to see the Rogue Brewery and hopefully the Full Sail as well. Other than that, I'll be hanging in Corvalis and Eugene with some Pac-10 beauties.

3. You guys see this? The best is that big trail of blood left on the ice. Popular or not (and maybe that should be Bettman's blood on the ice), but Hockey players are still the toughest sons of bitches in sports.

4. So Blackberry lost service today. I have a Blackberry. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my Blackberry...a lot even. But c'mon, people...get a fucking grip. People were freaking out. Two co-workers specifically walked into my office today (while I was at my laptop) just to tell me. Then I got a phone call from a frantic co-worker in an airport asking me what was going on. The corporate dream is for douche bags. That's why they call me the Business Hippie. Fuck it.

goals for your mother

1. Had a nice time in Michigan for Christmas and rounded out my Seinfeld DVD collection nicely...other than that, it was cold, snowy and full of drunk friends. And it took me 14 hours to get from Grand Rapids to Harrisburg. GR to Detroit to Philly to H-Burg, thanks Northwest.

2. Man...anyone watch the Motor City Bowl last night? The Chips nearly pulled out a near miracle win against Perdue (yes I know that's not the spelling of the university, but rather the chicken company).

3. New Year's looks to be located in Philadelphia as my plans for New York were foiled by the Man. I have to work New Year's Eve until at least 2pm or so, and with traffic there's no way I'm attempting that.

4. Skurny heads west in January...stay tuned.

Saturday Goals

Since I'm stuck at the office on a Saturday I thought I'd post some goals....

1. Grand Rapids' own Mayweather/Hatton tonight: Should be a classic. I'll be watching the fight with my friend "The artist formerly known as Law School Tim" down in Baltimore. I like MY BOY Floyd in 9th Round KO. Yes, I am a homer. But I've picked him for every fight, and he hasn't lost yet!

2. Quick college basketball prediction: Duke beats Michigan by at least 40 today in Cameron. The true freshman backcourt (Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady) is going to get eaten alive today.

3. So I think my next Project is going to be allllll the way out in Seattle. Looks to be a mid-January arrival and I can't wait!

4. After the finale reunion special capsule: "Phil's real estate business begins to take off as he finds out his first property is located at 3500 Halsted. Phil arrives, vomits and vows never to return to Chicago; Vicki wonders what a 'reach around' is."

Return of the Skurn

1. Back to Chicago next weekend! I'll be there Thursday through Sunday and ready to haaang out. Friday night I'm going to Taste to see Umphery's and The Black Crowes, oh...and Thursday night I'm staying at the Ambassador Hotel downtown, on my company. Thanks company!

2. Rest of next week's travel plans:
Monday: Dallas
Tuesday: Flying from Big D to Hotlanta (meeting, tour)
Wednesday: Flying from ATL to Pittsburgh (meeting)
Thursday: Flying from Pitt to CHICAGO.

I'm already tired thinking about it.

3. NBA Draft tonight (yawn)...I think I'm the only person that doesn't really care that much about it...I'm interested, certainly not excited.

4. But I am excited about the USA vs. Argentina tonight for Copa America. (Soccer, again) Even though the US is coming off a HUGE win against Mexico in the Gold Cup last Sunday in Chicago, they're playing with the B- team because of MLS and other league considerations. The good news: Mexico SHUT DOWN Brazil last night 2-0. The bad news: Messi, Tevez, Zanetti, Riquelme and Crespo. In case you were wondering, these guys are good. Really good. I'm excited about the game, but the US is going to get destroyed. Prediction: Argentina 3, US 1