End of an Era

Our former boss has decided to call it quits at our former job! She left to pursue...who the hell knows what. Not sure what you're qualified to do when all you know is managing online education sales. Not exactly a job that prepares one for other career avenues (update, just ask 60% of this group!). Thoughts? AWM is crying, I know...

February! The most boring month (unless you like the NHL and NBA)

1) The best part of the blockbuster trade from yesterday? The city of Chicago now has its solution for the homeless epidemic on the south side. You see, now that Larry Hughes is a Bull, there will be plenty of bricks to build a dozen new homeless shelters in the area. HEY-YO!! ZING! Ok in all seriousness, I'm trying to get JOB excited for The Larry Hughes Era, and I was having a tough time. But JOB will be quick to point out he was an all-star in DC, and he's essentially the same player now...just with an awful contract. And I've always liked his defense...the folks at 82games.com will back me up with the hard numbers.

2) Since half the roster was traded yesterday, the Cavs are rocking an NBDL lineup tonight against the Wiz. They hung on to win by a point, with The Bron hitting the decisive free throws with 7 seconds left. LeBron, off of two straight triple-doubles, clinches the MVP with this win, in my opinion. I mean seriously, I love what Chris Paul is doing as much as anyone, but how do you deny LeBron his first MVP after the season he's had with the roster up until this point? Even Skip Bayless was showing some love this morning on Cold Pizz...err, "First Take"

3) I'm not really excited for Semi-Pro. Am I in the minority on this one? I love Will Ferrell as much as the next frat boy, but I'm ready for him to go in another direction. Yes, Stranger Than Fiction was another direction (as well as filmed in my old building), but he needs to take a chance comedically. Think Bill Murray in Rushmore. The sad pathetic bastard role suited him perfectly, and opened the door for Lost in Translation, which got him an Oscar nod. Ferrell has that kind of transition in him, and I'd love to see him go for it. (keep in mind, I'm not talking about a jump to a dramatic role, like Truman Show with Jim Carrey, as Rushmore was a comedy for Bill Murray, I'd love to see Ferrell do something more subtle like that)

4) the Blackhawks are still within shouting distance of the playoffs in the crowded west. GM Dale Tallon isn't exactly in buying mode, and it'd be nice to unload Martin LaPointe for some prospects or draft picks. Patrick Kane is putting the finishing touches on the Calder Trophy (thats the rookie of the year), and other youngsters Cam Barker, Dave Bolland and Jack Skille are showing tons of promise. The future is bright on the west side, kids. Next year

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.