Out of the Blue

The title is what it says. I'm watching the movie Out of the Blue, based on the Boise State Broncos football team and the dream 2006 season which included their Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.

The movie is awsome and really delves into the world of college football and life beyond the scoreboard. It's an hour and a half long, and the full thing is on Youtube. I'll embed it below.

College Sports Spending.

I don't care whether you want a sports marketing/economics lesson, this is a great read. This article does a great job highlighting the massive economic disparities in college sports, as well as adds more fuel to the growing displeasure with the gross injustice that is the BCS system.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4314195

No Reservations

Just click play. I dare you to not like it.



In a short year and a half, No Reservations on the Travel Channel has become one of my all time favorite shows. Why, might you ask?

I think it's layers deep in reasoning. First, Anthony Bourdain is simply the man. His intelligence, wit, global/cultural experience and sarcatic humor are that of what runs in my very own family. It's what I love. Smart, funny and no bullshit. Second, I have a serious love of traveling. When I have the funds, time and logistical resources I am all about exploring the world as much as I can. I find high levels of self-fullfillment in travel and learning, which I guess gives me a high level of appreciation for a guy like Tony.
The third reason is quite simple...I love food. I love good food and lots of it. Thank God I occassionally excercise or I'd be 400 lbs instead of 156. Food is one of the human race's foundations of even being. Who knew it could be so interesting!?

Seriously though people, youtube some of this stuff or check out his new shows on the Travel Channel. Your IQ will grow.

Peace and Chicken Grease
PJA

Making the Weekend Enjoyable

So what makes the weekend enjoyable to you? We all have different things we like to do or people we like to see in order for the weekend to get put in the really enjoyable category. Whether is be just sitting at home watching tv, a certain bar or group of friends, it's common across our human collage.

For me, I like spending time with my girlfriend and my friends from college. Either or both usually sets the scene for quite the fun-loving environment.

I also enjoy the dining out on really good food for not a whole lot of coin. So since I stated the term "really good", we can automatically leave out the applecrapbee's and McGrills around the country. What do I really enjoy? I'll give you a couple examples. First, is Relli's Pizza and bar in downtown Dewitt, MI. The portions are immense, and price is shockingly puny. Last night I once again enjoyed their all-you-can-east Fetticcini for $5.50. That INCLUDES a large salad to start (with homemade ranch on the side) and a big basket of fresh bread. If you want chicken or shrimp, it's $6.50, but STILL! That is truly one awsome establishment they have.

Some others to note as well for their portions, quality and price would have to be; Uccello's Sports bar in GR, half off all drafts and appetizers Sun.-Thurs. 10-midnight.
Yesterdog, Grand Rapids, MI. If you don't know, go.
Doc's Sports Bar in Livonia, MI. Unreal amount of tv's, great menu with really affordable prices.
Lou and Harry's in East Lansing, MI. Just go get a pita with fries. You'll know.
Benito's Pizza in Novi, MI. Umm, let's see...2 medium pizzas with 2 toppings each, benito cheese bread and a choice of salad or wings for $20. W-I-N.

There's more, but I can't name them all. Too much good food for a small penny.
What's common about all these? They're all local business to their towns keeping the money local. Get my drift?

Peace

GVSU to South Bend

Laker Nation knows, and soon Fighting Irish faithful everywhere will know too.

The nation will know...more than they already do.

Former Grand Valley State head football coaches Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin are now leading the charge at the University of Notre Dame. Brian Kelly came from the University of Cincinnati to take charge, and Martin came straight from GVSU where he held an impressive record of 74-7 in his six years as head coach, including two national titles, three title game appearances, and five conference championships.

To Notre Dame, get ready to welcome back football relevancy on a national level within three years. You will be in a BCS game within three years, mark my words. They'll beat USC in two.

To the nation, here come the Irish. Hated by many for whatever reason they can conjure up. No matter the excuse, they'll hate them even more soon.

Kelly was and is the hot commodity in coaching these days. I guess you could say the same for Chris Peterson of Boise State, but I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon. Whether Kelly turns into the next Urban Meijer success-wise is yet to be seen. That is dependent on a lot of factors. Having seen both men in person, I feel I can safely say that this next decade of Irish football will be fantastic.

Let's go Lakers, and let's go Irish!!

Tiger Woods Ruined For Life!!!

Okay, so I'm kidding. I have no clue what happened with his relationship mess and don't care. I am however trying to get your attention as it is needed to save the planet....sorry, too easy.

So I've been sitting here expending brain power trying to figure out a somewhat efficient way to grow this blog and it's readership.

I know I need to do something with actually getting pictures and video on here, that's no mystery. First, I need to get a new camera so that it is possible for me to upload some images on here. I want to make this blog mine and not just a jumble of stuff taken from other sites as much fun as that is.

Second, how do you embed photos/youtube videos onto your blog from elsewhere on the internet? I guess I'm a real novice when it comes to this stuff, especially for 2010. Just means more time I need to spend looking this stuff up!

Alright now I will leave you with a little fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Folh7C5fqow

New Year - Same Goals

Well 2010 is here and it brings with it the same goals and issues of the past several unfortunatly.

I hope all had a safe and enjoyable NYE celebration, big or small. I was out of town for the weekend and NYE, but I came home to fine out that the New Years Eve celebration in downtown GR had drawn over 30,000 people. Adrienne and I do slightly regret deciding not to head down there as that must have been quite an interesting sight.

Well, I'm still looking for a job in my field. The truth is I feel as though I don't specialize, or am an expert in any aspect of my degree. I have a great education with two internships under my belt. However the market since I have graduated has dictated that experience and specialization is the key. I'm struggling with finding a way to get that oh so precious experience.

Having done two unpaid internships, the time for that is over unless I can find a part-time one that will allow me to work to pay my bills at the same time while not lose my sanity from taking on too much. As much as I would love to go to grad school, all my job-searching has shown employers asking for anywhere between 4-9 years of experience post-internship. I figure a masters looks great, except where's the work experience? It would mean me continuing on my career path better than I am now, the problem is that I need to start making enough money to be paying off my current undergrad loans rather than adding more onto the mountain.

I'm trying to network, so if you know someone shout me one! I'd love ya forever.

I gotta look for sub jobs for tommorow. Peace out!