Thursday, October 30, 2008

Sweet Jane

Last night Nick and went to Johnny's Ice House to get our skates sharpened for a big day of hockey. I decided I am going to shadow the best guy on the other team when I do not have the puck because (1) he scores too many easy goals and (2) I figured since he has the puck a lot I will be able to have the puck more often as well. At Johnny's we watched some pretty decent guys and it was getting really choppy and dirty. Dad, you mom and angela should come up on a thurs one weekend and play with nick and I.

After Johnny's we went to Murphy's Bleachers to get a few beers, wings, and burgers. While we were there one of dad's favorite songs "Sweet Jane" by Lou Reed came on. It might be the first time I have ever heard that song out in Chicago.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Grandparents

I found these two charts on ancestry.com



Unfortunately both of my grandpa's died young. My grandpa Klipsch died before I was born and my grandpa Condellire died when I was around 3 years old. First, I wish I could have met my grandpa K. My mom says that he would have really enjoyed watching us play all of our sports. I don't think my grandpa C. was alive when I started playing hockey, soccer or baseball, but my mom and dad are sure he would have been to most of the games too. I enjoy hearing stories about both of them whether good or bad. It is a shame that I have had to make perceptions of them through other people rather than really get to know them myself. I am grateful that I was able to develop fun relationships with both of my grandma's. I sometimes get upset for my dad because I know how close grandpa and him were and I look forward to the day in the distant future when my dad can spoil my kids and watch them play their sports and what not. Same thing goes for you mom. I bet you two are getting pretty bored at home without Anthony or me playing hockey, but I am sure Angela is keeping you both busy. I loved that both of your parents remained your closest friends and I look forward to our relationship growing as well.

Sorry Everybody

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Update/ Nick's Future

I don't have much to blog about except for the fact that I am in the library freezing my butt off and writing and writing an international finance paper. Anyway Nick this post is for you. I'm not sure if you have seen this but it is of Rick Nash. Probably the sickest goal I have ever seen. This will be you in a few years. If you think I could be in the NHL take a look at this first.


And the weekly Blues update...

Saturday, October 25, 2008

CTA Old Hag

Quick Story...

I was on the 147 bus on my way home from work sitting next to an old stinky lady reading a book. The bus was crowded and I was falling asleep by the time we got off lakeshore drive. Anyway, seats were opening up and instead of moving to any empty seat with no one next to me I chose to stay where I was. This jerk next to me decided that it was worth her effort to pull the string and act like she was getting off the bus so I would get up and sit somewhere else. As soon as I sat down at another seat the lady sat down and started laughing. What a jerk! Why not just ask me to move seats so her smelly bottom could occupy two seats?

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Walking Dead

I have always heard about this drink, but I have never tried it. My dad would like it because it comes from Scandinavia land of vampires, werewolves, and van helsing. That was a good movie. Do they sell these ingredients in 2 oz bottles? Probably not. That is basically an 18 oz shot of disgusting. Think about taking a shot that was 1.5 x's a can of beer. Mom you might like this.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Relatives?

While in Italy, this was the closest spelling I could find of our last name. In Sicily I found our real last name, but I was unable to go and meet them in Alessandria Della Rocca. This picture was taken in Venice and the store was a restaurant. An expensive one from the look of the menu, but unfortunately it was closed.

The Great Frog+Toad+Salamander Rescue




Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Palin Tackles the Issues

Tribute to Ken Wilson OHH BABY!!!

Growing up I loved listening to Ken Wilson announce Blues games. I still feel he is the best. It was a shame the Blues organization let him go.

Kawasaki Disease

For those of you who do not believe me when I say I had Kawasaki Disease when I was little take a gander if interested:

Kawasaki disease is a condition that primarily affects young children. It is believed to be caused by a non-contagious infection, although scientists are unsure of the exact cause. About 80 percent of cases occur in children under the age of 5, and boys are more likely to get it than girls.

Although a pathogen is suspected, scientists have been so far unable to identify the virus or bacterium that causes Kawasaki disease. Some recent research suggests that Kawasaki disease may be caused, in some children, by the New Haven coronavirus, a newly discovered virus related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. While clinical data appears to suggest a link between these illnesses, further testing is required to substantiate a relationship between the two.

Other studies have suggested a genetic component because siblings of affected children are more likely to develop Kawasaki disease than children in the same neighborhood. Also, people of Japanese descent are more likely to develop Kawasaki disease no matter where they live in the world. It does, however, affect children of all races, and between 1,500 and over 4,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Some recent research suggests that Kawasaki disease may be caused, in some children, by the New Haven coronavirus, a newly discovered virus related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. While clinical data appears to suggest a link between these two illnesses, further testing is required to substantiate a relationship between the two.

During Kawasaki disease, the blood vessels may become inflamed. Kawasaki disease is a self-limiting disease, meaning that symptoms appear for a short while and disappear on their own. The disease has three specific phases, each associated with certain signs and symptoms. The most dangerous phase is the acute phase, which typically lasts from 10 to 14 days, depending on whether or how it is treated. Overall, Kawasaki disease usually lasts between six and eight weeks, although it may take a year or more for complete healing.

Kawasaki disease is rarely fatal. Less than 1 percent of treated children will die because of the disease. Among untreated children, up to 25 percent of children will experience coronary artery aneurysms in connection with the disease. This rate drops to 10 to 15 percent among children who are treated. A coronary artery aneurysm is a condition where part of the wall of the coronary artery bulges out, sometimes resulting in a heart attack. However, modern treatment techniques have reduced the rate of coronary aneurysm to about 5 percent. Throughout the disease course, however, various cardiac abnormalities may occur, including arrhythmias, damage to the heart valves, pericarditis, and other cardiovascular problems.

Kawasaki disease was first identified in Japan, where it is most common, in 1967 by a Japanese pediatrician named Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki. The medical term for the condition is mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Prior to Dr. Kawasaki’s description, some infants and children with this condition were said to have a condition called infantile periarteritis nodosa.

There is no known prevention for Kawasaki disease, although physicians have developed ways to treat the disease. Successful treatment depends on rapid diagnosis and action. If treated within the first 10 days, the potential cardiovascular damage from Kawasaki disease can be dramatically limited.

Clear Lake Trip

This past weekend Brittany and I visited Randy and Barb (Brittany's parents) in Clear Lake. I love going because it is very peaceful and relaxing.

First I was given a minor tour of where Randy worked at Five Star Coop. Really I just got a tour of the his office because the elevator was too dusty, which was fine because I saw a lot of old pictures and news articles of Brittany. ( what a big shot)

After the elevator we visited Brittany's grandpa in the nursing home. When we got there we saw him wheeling himself down the hallway minding his own business, and we were able to check out his cool green sweater, which Randy convinced him he got for his birthday.

We then hightailed it Grandma Loretta's house to pick some apples and scratch some corneas. We were able to find a lot of juicy apples, but almost lost Brittany's eye in the process. I didn't know apple picking was a contact sport. Then we were off to Grandma Irene's to visit. She is a very active and hip lady going to concerts with younger crowds.

Then came the pumpkin carving:

After we carved the first pumpkin and ate dinner Randy and I watched the Blues beat the Blackhawks in shootouts while Brittany and Barb carved the other pumpkin. Blues still looking good at the top.

On Sunday morning I had an encounter with about 100 frogs, 50 toads, and 1 salamander. It was pretty disgusting. I will post the pictures of that when I have good ones.

Friday, October 17, 2008

OHH BABY!!!



I know it is still early, but just in case I do not see the Blues on top of the Central division ever again this season I wanted something to remember this by.

Weird Pet Obsession



The above picture is of Brittany's two cats Simon and Mimi. Last fall when I first met them I was honestly very mean toward them because they caused me to want to rip my eyes out of my sockets because they were so itchy. Also I thought cat people were a little coo-coo, but I have found they are not... well some are. Now after getting used to them I have become to like them a lot more. Especially Mimi because she likes me more, but Simon just kind of does his own thing.

Maybe one day they can meet Ginger...


mmm... she looks hungry!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008


Thought this was funny. I know it is out of context, but it still is fun to crack jokes at the joe six-packs of the world.

Employer


Here is the new company I am working for and the web address.
http://www.blaige.com/

Bored at Work

I was bored at work today and decided to write a quick post to see if the two people who used to read my blog still come on and reads my blog. I wouldn't blame anyone for not looking since my last post was when I was in Europe.

Managing work and school has been a lot tougher than I thought it was originally going to be. I find myself always procrastinating with regards to schoolwork. Like this week I have 2 exams, a paper, and a group presentation due. I have been in the library longer in the past two days than I have been all semester. Which isn't saying a lot because I know Amy and Nick were in the library a lot more than I have been while in college. I remember my sophomore year I chose hockey over studying for an accounting exam, mainly because I knew if I did not go with NIck none of the old men would pass him the puck.

All the studying aside, everything is going really well. Election season is among us and I will have to take a study break this evening to check out the final debate. The debates have not moved me in anyway though and I am afraid that neither candidate is up for the job. Who would be though? Ron Paul? He seemed to have an idea of what was going on during the primaries, but he was preaching less government interference and now we are moving in the opposite direction. Obama sounds good, but I really do not know how he will react to things when in office. This is true with all campaigns. I want a candidate who isn't afraid to tell people what they do not want to hear. For McCain... Enough of this Maverick crap. It gets to be very repetitive and frankly annoying.