Category Archives: Common Man

The Boss at the United Center.

IMG_8025.JPGIMG_7959.JPG

Last night I went to see The Boss for the first time and the show was awesome. I knew a good portion of the songs which was good considering I’m not a Springsteen fanatic like some one I know. I opted out of waiting in the rain for the numbered wristbands for the pit but the rest of the floor was still general admission. My view of the stage was pretty good and besides a douchebag taking photos with his Blackberry all night it was a great spot. I was surprised by the crowd which was mostly middle aged men. I figured middle aged but not men.

The sound was great and I got to see Clarence so I can’t really complain. The highlight of the night for me was ‘Spirit in the Night‘ which of course reminds me of driving to Montreal.

Here’s the review from the Tribune.

IMG_7968.JPGIMG_8008.JPGIMG_7979.JPGIMG_8024.JPGIMG_7980.JPGIMG_7916.JPGIMG_7952.JPGIMG_8006.JPG

Have the Football Gods forsaken us?

Needless to say this has been the most dynamic College Football season of recent memory. From Michigan and Notre Dame starting 0-2 to South Florida sitting at number 2 in the first BCS Poll. Not only is USF in the top 15 but so is Boston College, Kentucky, South Carolina and Kansas. What is going on in College Football?

BCS Standings
Rk Team W-L Harris Coaches CPU % BCS
Rk Points % Rk Points % Prev Avg
1 Ohio State 7-0 1 2845 .9982 1 1495 .9967 .8300 0 .942
2 South Florida 6-0 3 2508 .8800 3 1320 .8800 1.0000 0 .920
3 Boston College 7-0 2 2650 .9298 2 1383 .9220 .8200 0 .891
4 LSU 6-1 5 2303 .8081 5 1173 .7820 .9300 0 .840
5 Oklahoma 6-1 4 2503 .8782 4 1288 .8587 .5500 0 .762
6 South Carolina 6-1 6 2009 .7049 8 997 .6647 .8600 0 .743
7 Kentucky 6-1 11 1759 .6172 13 874 .5827 .8500 0 .683
8 Arizona State 7-0 12 1697 .5954 12 936 .6240 .8300 0 .683
9 West Virginia 5-1 8 1926 .6758 7 1007 .6713 .6400 0 .662
10 Oregon 5-1 7 1974 .6926 6 1077 .7180 .5000 0 .637
11 Virginia Tech 6-1 13 1638 .5747 11 982 .6547 .6600 0 .630
12 California 5-1 10 1894 .6646 9 983 .6553 .4800 0 .600
13 Kansas 6-0 15 1200 .4211 15 705 .4700 .6600 0 .517
14 USC 5-1 9 1915 .6719 9 983 .6553 .0900 0 .472
15 Florida 4-2 14 1458 .5116 14 726 .4840 .3100 0 .435

Of course I found the only USF fan in Illinois this weekend siting next to me at the bar. This man guaranteed to me that USF would roll throw a Big Ten schedule and would beat Ohio State by 20 points ala Florida. If this guy didn’t have the grip of a coal miner I might have been able to sway him more. I guess we’ll see when they face off against Syracuse and Pittsburgh… but I digress.

And to top off the week I watched Vinny Testaverde throw a touchdown pass in High Definition. Is this even possible. I wonder if Vinny is available for flag football games? Here’s to hoping the Ol’ Ball Coach wins the SEC.

Casey Moran's in Wrigleyville.

A night with Nik Bronder.

Friday night we went to Casey Moran’s in Wrigleyville to catch some more baseball and see where the night would lead. Well, it lead to me pulling my groin jumping a fence. We ended up runing into Rob’s sister Jessica who was also in Chicago for the weekend. She did not end up buying us shots, no one did for that matter. Casey Moran’s was absolutely freezing and at about 10pm the DJ started so we headed out to next door which was much more mellow.

Nik Bronder endorsing Miller Light.Nik and Rob at Casey Moran’s.Erin and Julie at Casey Moran’s.Nik, Rob and Julie at Casey Moran’s.Erin and Jessica.Nik and Julie taking signs from bars.

Erin endorsing Miller Light.

As you can tell we had some fun with a Miller Light label.

This is where I pulled my goin which I’m still nursing all week. Basically I am now a ‘game time’ decision.Nik and Erin (I found a flower somewhere).Erin and Rob.The Miller Light sticker making the rounds.The night is over.More flower.