Day 58

Went to see Syriana last night with Jaime and Steve and Brett and Jolie. It has gotten very good reviews and I hadn't heard much about it. To quote Frank Costanza, "I like to go in fresh." I would give it a B, B-. First of all, you have to pay very close attention to what is going on, because you seriously have no idea who is who and what is going on until the end of the movie. While do like movies like that, this is a very "smart" movie if you will. Good solid cast and was acted very well. I heard that George Clooney gained 35 pounds for this role. That had literally zero to do with his part. He could have kept off the weight and he would have been exactly the same. I did like it, didn't love it, but would advise seeing it. It is very interesting.

After the movie we went to a late dinner at Boston Blackies, which supposedly is known for having the best burgers in the city. I'll say this. I've had a lot better in the city. The best burger in the Chicagoland area bar none is Charlie Beinlich's in the burbs. Beinlich's is one of those out of the way, hole in the wall places that is a must stop for visitors. A close second for me is the Cheeseburger at Joe's Stone Crab. Even though it is known for its seafood and steaks, their bar food is unreal. Yet another one of the various reasons it is by far my favorite restaurant anywhere. The Merk's cheddar spread burger at Mystic Celt on Southport is another one of my favorites. I will NEVER understand vegetarian's. Steaks and burgers are the whup. Period, end of sentence.

Good to see my Jayhawks bounce back yesterday and beat Cal 69-56. We came out flat again and were trailing by 4 at the half, but stepped it up in the second half. I am trying to stay patient with this team, and I saw some definite growth yesterday, but we still have a long way to go. My main concern is McDonalds's All American point guard Mario Chalmers. He only played 11 minutes and looked awful 6 turnovers and 2 points. His minutes were taken by a walkon who never plays, Stephen Vinson. That is not a good sign for Mario.

Why is it that nobody in this city had an idea how to drive in the snow? It took us 40 minutes to get downtown to go to the movies last night on a drive that normally takes 15. I was heavy on the horn yesterday, and Leah continues to tell me that I am going to honk at the wrong person once and we are going to get shot.

Song of the Day: "Can't Truss It" by Public Enemy