John Mc

This is a collection of my thoughts. Some of the thoughts that I once had, I no longer do. Some thoughts I have now I have never had. Yet none shal be discounted. This blog is soley for the enjoyment of the author and the readers. On occasion the views expressed are overly exagerated in order to prove a point. Also there may be a dirty word or thought in some of the posts. Grow up and take this for what it's worth - a blog that barely anyone will ever see.

12/27/2008

Happy Holidays

I spent way too much money this Christmas. Every time I thought I was done, I would remember someone else. It was even on Christmas Eve that I remembered I got nothing for my neighbors and went out to get a small box of chocolates. (Although, I must say that this is to put some minty chocolates in their mouths to make it more difficult to call in another noise complaint.)
One thing I noticed while shopping was that not once did I hear "Happy Holidays." I was so very impressed. I heard "Merry Christmas" from everyone who wished me well in a timely manner. I didn't know that this was allowed. Plus in the service industry, one may run the risk of upsetting someone of a different faith. (However, I doubt that many people will get their feathers ruffled over the well-wishes of someone just trying to make it through their shift.) What a great turn of events in the "war on Christmas." I think I will have to write O'Reily to alert him that he no longer has to yell. He (and we) will be so relieved.
I have also noticed that as one grows older, things shift. When receiving was the big deal as a child, giving has become a greater joy for me. Don't get me wrong, I like getting stuff (contact me for ways you can assist with this) but, I really enjoyed giving stuff this year. Just today I will be heading off to my aunt's house to give her and my God Son, Max, some presents. I can't wait. I don't even care what or if they got me anything.
I have also been told that I'm difficult to shop for. (Cash is always a welcome option) I think it's because I really don't want anything. I'm a minimalist. I don't need much to be happy. A Bears win and a few cold beers and I'm set. I don't need to watch the game on a 755" HD LCD TV. (Also a welcome option) I don't need to sip the expensive wine. (My palate won't appreciate it anyway.) I don't need the newest downloads. (I still don't have an MP3 player)
I am content with the way things are. However, I am excited at making things better in the future. I have a solid foundation for advancement and for that I am grateful. I have a great social network of incredible friends. (I even have some great ones three hours south of me!) I love each member of my family and enjoy each moment I have with them. Even most of my co-workers are alright.
Essentially, I have all that I will ever need and most of what I want.
Merry Christmas.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Last NFL Week

It has been a fun ride through the regular season. I feel I did rather well. I'm not sure of my record (If someone with some time on their hands would like to figure it out, it would be much appreciated) but I'm sure that I'm extremely close to perfect. This week, the Giants and Bears must both taste victory in order for Da Bears to make it to the play offs. Should one or both of these things not occur, the evil Minnesota Vikings will advance to the post season and Da Bears go home to Burr Ridge. This unique situation will lift our "I Hate NY" status for a three hour period on Sunday. Be advised.

Here's what's going to happen in the last week:

ATL over STL
BAL over JAX
NE over BUF
CIN over KC (Upset? Really?)
GB over DET (Why not make it a new record!)
CHI over HOU (LET'S DO THIS!!!)
TEN over IND
NYG over MN (MAKE IT HAPPEN! Become Archie's favorite for once, Eli!!!)
CAR over NO
MIA over NYJ (Seek revenge, Chaddy!)
DAL over PHI
PIT over CLE
TB over OAK
AZ over SEA
WAS over SF
DEN over SD (Final upset of the regular season.)

I must say that these predictions are based on full team performance. Should a team that has clinched put in their scrubs after the first series, I can't be held responsible for the outcome of the game. (That should cover my ass.)

Enjoy football. I'll see you in the post-season.

Labels: , , ,

12/21/2008

Another NFL Week

Here's how this is going to play out:

IND over JAX
DAL over BAL
CIN over CLE
TB over SD
TEN over PIT (Upset one)
SF over STL
NO over DET (Go winless, you jerks!)
AZ over NE (Upset two)
MIA over KC
DEN over BUF
NYJ over SEA
HOU over OAK
ATL over MIN (PLEASE!!!)
WAS over PHI (Final upset)
CAR over NYG
CHI over GB

Now, I'm off to Second City to see some former classmates perform. You enjoy your football, and I will join in with you shortly!

GO BEARS!!!

Labels: , , , ,

12/17/2008

Blockhead Update

Ok. While looking up the Charlie Brown Christmas clip that I found for the previous post, I found this and had to share it. It's cheezy. It's well-edited. It's a slight twist on your favorite dancing Charlie Brown charecters. (I usually play the part of the yellow shirt kid, but I just noticed the girl in green. What the hell is she doing?!)



Labels: , , , ,

Christmas Specials

I still enjoy watching all the Christmas specials that play each year. It brings me back to a time when my sister and I would watch Frosty, Rudolph and the rest with our folks and some popcorn.
This year, I really noticed how messed up Rudolph really is! That "Holiday Special" is dangerous! It teaches kids that if you notice someone different than you, ridicule them. This builds character. Then Rudolph runs away from home to solve his problems. He teams up with a gay elf and a prospector. This seems safe! THEN he runs away AGAIN! The gay elf stops the evil monster that has been following them by taking out all of his teeth... Yeah. When Rudolph's girlfriend and mother say they want to go searching for him, Rudy's father tells them "No. This is man's work." It wasn't until Rudolph returned and his abnormality was found to be a benefit in the harsh snow that he was permitted to join in with the rest of the group. Had this not happened, surely a reindeer eating disorder would have occurred.
I missed Frosty and accidentally taped the Jim Carey version of The Grinch, so I missed out on those. But, I bet I would have been just as disappointed.
What was on just last night that I am glad that I got to see was A Charlie Brown Christmas. Now, disregard the last half hour of this hour-long Christmas special. The last half hour is all the characters asking for stuff on their Christmas lists, which completely ruins the message of the first half hour. This looked like it was done in the mid-90s. Although, I'm assuming it was after so that Charles Schultz could spin in his grave over this crap.
Today's youth should turn off the TV at the 30 minute mark of this program. It is here that Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas. This moment was asked to be taken out by CBS and Schultz refused. Thank God he did. It is this little speech that makes it, by far, the best Christmas Special ever.



Labels: , , , , , ,

12/15/2008

First Snow

A few weeks ago, Chicago got 437 inches of snow in one evening. It seems ridiculous that they still stuck with the inch measurement, but they did.
I captured this event, the first snow of this season, with my camera from my balcony just for you. Here are some of the images:


Here's how it all started.


My Christmas decorations got a little more festive.

Nope. Not in black and white, it was just that damn cold out.

Electric lights + Melting snow + 1972 extension cord = Merry Christmas!


Moon not actual size.








Steve P. and me on 12/07/08 - Bears vs. Jags. The good guys won.

Labels: , , , , ,

12/14/2008

New NFL Week!!!

Da Bears have already played and won against The Saints. Of course I was going to pick Da Bears, so we will add that to my picks. Our defence showed up to play. They brought both the noise and the funk. Our offence seems to have lost a step. Orton needs to gain some confidence (he has the protection, if you ask me.) And speaking of confidence, our special teams FINALLY ran one back this week. This SHOULD have lit a fire under 23's ass, but it didn't. Instead he kept going backwards. But, I will not do that. Let us look forward to this weeks' remaining games:



SEA over STL
NYJ over BUF (Why is this game on instead of The Packers? I think that Chicagoians would rather see a divisional rival fall on their face instead of a town in NY that no one ever travels to?)
MIA over SF
SD over KC (The official "I don't care" game of the week.)
JAX over GB (First upset of the week. I had to go against my better judgement here.)
IND over DET (Let's have a consistent season, Detroit, shall we?)
TEN over HOU
WAS over CIN
ATL over TB
AZ over MIN (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!)
NE over OAK
BAL over PIT
CAR over DEN
NYG over DAL (Upset two. TO needs to shut up in order to get some wins.)
PHI over CLE



That's it for this week.
Enjoy your football.
Go ARIZONA!!!

Labels: , , , , ,