Based in Chicago's South Suburbs. I'm curious to see if anyone can make it work. I don't typically like sites that require registration since I'm nosy and like to browse. And I wouldn't hire anyone based on an Internet application - I'd still want to see a cover letter along with resume. Ditto for a web-based interview.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="75" caption="1-1-0; 2pts"][/caption] vs.

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Tonight the Blackhawks will be playing in their home opener at the United Center against the Nashville Predators. The Hawks are looking to notch their first victory of the season tonight in front of the home crowd. It isn’t a secret that the Predators’ offense took a hit when young gun Alexander Radulov left the team for the KHL in Russia this off-season, and with the realization that Steve Sullivan was still injured. The Hawks will also be facing a relatively inexperienced goalie in Dan Ellis, who only has forty-even games under his belt. Despite these issues, Nashville is still a tight defensive team and has great veteran presence up front.

As reported by Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, Cristobal Huet will get the start in net for tonight’s game. He also reported that Martin Havlat will be taken off the first power-play unit and will be replaced by Dustin Byfuglien because he posses a right-handed shot. Aaron Johnson has also been called up due to the rib-injury to Niklas Hjalmarsson. If you would like a little more detail, visit his blog for some more information.

Here is to hoping that we get to see the Blackhawks get their first win, and happy Canadian Thanksgiving to everyone north of the boarder.

It’s bad enough that American taxpayers have to bail out the privately owned, tax-exempt Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But it’s truly outrageous that tax dollars will also go to support activist groups involved in voter fraud and illegal immigration.

Their careful evaluation of the housing bill wasn't finished. They had more to say:

According to House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., the small print in the $42 billion bailout bill passed by Congress and signed by President Bush requires these two government-sponsored mortgage giants to deposit 4.2 percent of all new mortgages they underwrite into the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that will be $531 million in fiscal 2009 alone.

Here’s the catch. Bachmann warns that the trust fund — the largest expansion of federal housing assistance since Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society — is required to make grants to organizations that have “demonstrated the experience and the capacity to carry out the proposed Trust Fund activity.” Which means that money can easily be siphoned off to groups such as the National Council of La Raza and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. The latter has been heavily funded by George Soros, the mega-wealthy mogul behind many liberal causes.

La Raza, which opposes efforts to stop illegal immigration, and ACORN, members of which have been convicted of voter registration fraud in numerous states, are each eligible for $230 million under Section 134: Grants for Housing Counseling Assistance. And because the trust fund is “off budget,” the grants won’t show up on any congressional balance sheets. The Fannie Mae Foundation has already contributed more than $800,000 to the ACORN Housing Corp., which was also actively involved in the sub-prime mortgage disaster. La Raza testified before the Financial Services Committee in favor of the housing trust fund on numerous occasions. Little wonder. It’s a perfect way to hide payoffs to activist groups that in turn support political candidates who promise to keep their funding spigot on full blast.

The best part of this article was in the summary paragraph:

These morsels are just a taste of what’s to come if Barack Obama wins the White House and Democrats gain veto-proof majorities in the Senate and House. As an opening bid in his $6 billion anti-poverty program, Obama seeks a Social Investment Fund Network with a White House office to disburse funds to “social entrepreneurs and leading non-profits” that are inspiring “change in their communities.” Translated: Obama will give billions more tax dollars to radical non-profits like Soros’ ACORN and LaRaza. Soros – who is also a long-time Obama donor - must want a return on his investment.

This story hit the printed media in August. It is now October and the rest of the media is now coming onboard. They are coming onboard not because of the original housing bill but because of the massive bailout and stock market major fluctuations. The mark has been missed by most....now it is time to let everyone know why the markets keep erupting.

In my opinion markets are erupting because it is what George Soros wants. He is poised to put "his candidate" in the highest office of this country, The White House. It must be the last thing the American people do. Please stop Obama and Soros, or the USA will be destroyed. Your way of life will disappear. FISA will allow regular people to be "watched" for dissenting behavior. Wealth will be redistributed but not the way "low income" people think it will.

Be afraid folks, Soros has been trying this since 2000....first Gore, then Dean and now Obama....Think on November 4th, your future is at stake.

Photo: Getty Images

A couple of years ago when I was living in Chicago there was a theater I enjoyed visiting, Facets Cinematheque on Fullerton. One film I saw there that really stuck with me was Vera Chytilová's Daisies, a Czech New Wave film from 1966. The two young female protagonists have decided to rebel against their patriarchal war filled society.

They steal, use men, and eat all they want while still looking fabulous. I think this film really resonated with me at the time because I was so unhappy with my world when I lived in Chicago that I also lived by these rules of excess and anarchy, ignoring all societal norms. But this is a film I would recommend because it is visually so interesting. Below is a clip:

Does anyone have some suggestions for other avant-garde films you may enjoy. I always enjoy checking out new movies to put in my Netflix queue.

October has been packed full with still more to come. Here's just a taste of my life from this past weekend!

Thursday-Sat Traveled with Pete Cornelius Band to the "Here I am Lord" vocations conference at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Chicago. Great people, awesome time!! Thank You OLV!

Saturday- Missing the city life, I was able to coax Aaron, Vergie and Dominic to come down to CHI town on Saturday, making my short stay into a full weekend! Thank You Jess and Mike for letting us crash at your apt.! You guys are awesome!

Sunday- We all headed out to Cheer on fellow Rungazelle teammates, Dell and Maggie, in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Wow! Everyone who ran or walked that Marathon, I give you a standing ovation. It was such a great experience to be on the other side of the race course cheering people on. I love running however, it will be awhile before I'm running 26.2! The runners were so appreciative of all of us spectators cheering ( screaming) them on, many even thanking us as they ran by! I made sure to yell extra loud, so loud that people next to me were plugging their ears at times. One of the best parts of the Marathon was seeing a runner spot a family member and coming over to give them a hug or kiss, even I the one who never cries anymore, teared up when seeing this.

After waiting for Aaron to run Dell, his running buddy and fellow rungazelle teammate, to the finish, we all put our weary but not marathon feet up for some yummy Qdoba (Jessica S. I though of you). Finally with a little time to spare before we left I got some shopping in. Yea! What's a trip to Chicago without a little SHOPPING!

The road trip home, well lets just say we took a major detour and didn't make it home in the normal 3 hours. Oh well, even after 3 hours of sleep, I'm feeling great! I had a great weekend!

What's up next: My 1st 1/2 Marathon this weekend. If you're from the GR area come on down Sunday morning 8am for the Metro Health Grand Rapids Full and Half Marathon David D Hunting YMCA and cheer everyone on who's racing, especially those 26.2er's! They're waiting for your screams of encouragement. Also on my plate, eek more training for my awesome new job!

Well back to work! Enjoy Monday! I know I am :-)

Am descoperit astfel niste oameni complet sui, care nu respecta nici o regula, care nu au nici o limita si care pur si simplu par sa te indemne sa ti le cauti pe ale tale. Totul pare neconventional (intr-un context academic, bineinteles). UofC se pare ca este universul ideal pentru "dezvoltarea emotionala si intelectuala" a studentilor.

Ce frapeaza pentru prima data este asa-numita "Uncommon Application" care este pusa la dispozitia aplicantilor. Aceasta este centrata in jurul unor teme de eseuri care se schimba in fiecare an si sunt propuse de actualii studenti ai facultatii. Aceste teme sunt cat se poate de neobisnuite si de ciudate, nu se aseamana cu nici una dintre obisnuitele cerinte ale unui eseu de aplicatii.

Ca un exemplu, anul trecut (2008-2009) una dintre cerinte suna cam asa:

Modern improvisational comedy had its start with The Compass Players, a group of University of Chicago students, who later formed the Second City comedy troupe. Here is a chance to play along. Improvise a story, essay, or script that meets all of the following requirements:

• It must include the line “And yes I said yes I will Yes” (Ulysses, by James Joyce).
• Its characters may not have superpowers.
• Your work has to mention the University of Chicago, but please, no accounts of a high school student applying to the University—this is fiction, not autobiography.
• Your work must include at least four of the following elements: a paper airplane, a transformation, a shoe, the invisible hand, two doors, pointillism, a fanciful explanation of the Pythagorean Theorem, a ventriloquist or ventriloquism, the Periodic Table of the Elements, the concept of jeong, number two pencils.

:)

Alta traditie a UofC este organizarea unui Scavenger Hunt la care iau parte toti studentii si care, s-ar putea spune, are dimensiuni colosale. Lista obiectelor cautate poate ajunge si la 300 de itemi, care de care mai aiuristici (intr-un an, studentii au primit 500 de puncte pentru a gasi/construi o parte a unui reactor nuclear :P ).

Un filmulet dragut de la Scav Hunt-ul de anul acesta:

Si, last but not least, un citat dragut si foarte reprezentativ de pe site-ul facultatii :D

“Education is not to reform students...or to make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, teach them to think straight.”

—Robert Maynard Hutchins, former University president (1929–51)

P.S: Si sa mai mentionez ca Premiul Nobel pentru fizica de anul acesta i-a revenit unui profesor de la UofC?

We're happy to add it to the Cheeta Fight Board collection.

Our boards are the perfect competition shape and construction for all terrains. These boards got supreme pop! The best quality hard-rock maple decks and an unrivaled patent-pending printing process make this the best skateboard available in the world.

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-- Anthony P. Munoz

A few months ago I put up 4 Million $ Mano remixes that were straight fire. Today I found four brand new tracks from the Chicago DJ that make my balls shake. Each one sounds like the original for the first 30 seconds or so and then the Mano Magic kicks in. I hope a few Columbus DJ's add these to their sets...

Amy Winehouse - Rehab (Million $ Mano Remix)

[audio http://thegrip.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mano_rehab_remix.mp3]

Daft Punk - One More Time (Million $ Mano Remix)

[audio http://thegrip.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mano_daft_remix.mp3]

Justice vs. Simian - We Are Your Friends (Million $ Mano Remix)

[audio http://thegrip.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mano_justice_remix.mp3]

Kanye West - Stronger (Million $ Mano Remix)

[audio http://thegrip.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/mano_stronger_remix.mp3]

First, here's a summary, by KOAM-TV, Chicago, of the murder by a site that, as of today, still posts the story @ http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7540623:

CHICAGO (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of the choir director of the Chicago church where presidential contender Barack Obama is a member.

Donald Young was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds Sunday in his apartment on the city's South Side.

His funeral will be Thursday.

Reverend Jeremiah Wright at Trinity United Church of Christ says Young was well-loved by the congregation. He says Young taught fourth grade and was planning to attend graduate school to become a school principal.

The story is also posted at these sites:

• ABC7 Chicago @ http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=5854125
• Fox News @ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318267,00.html

Here are links that have since been pulled:

• Google News: Donald Young Dies
• ChicagoTribune.com: Teacher Found Slain in His South Shore Apartment Video (December 25, 207)
• The Associated Press: Chicago Choir Conductor Found Slain (December 25, 207)
• Chicago Sun-Times: South Side Church Choir Director Killed (December 25, 207)

Why?  Why would news orgs pull links to stories about the murder of the choir director at the most famous church of this election season?  Why has there been no follow-up to this?  Doesn't it make sense to take a harder look at the murder of a member of the church of Barack Obama?

I'm not one for conspiracy theories but it's a fact Donald Young was murdered and it's a fact that news of this murder is disappearing. 

Why?

Saí de casa as 7h para pegar meu trem as 7h30. Claro que comigo ia atrasar. Saímos 10h. E teve mais o atraso normal de cerca de 1h entre estações. Passei o tempo todo online com meu Blackberry postando no Flickr fotos do caminho, plurkando e falando no Gtalk. O legal é que tem tomada no trem.

Chegando na Union Station de Chicago (aquela da cena do final de "Os Intocáveis" - 4h depois que esperava - caminhei rapidamente para uma estação de metrô para ir ao hotel, lááá perto do aeroporto. (Excelente hotel, bom preço, mas longe. Acho que valeu.) Faltam três horas pro show.

Entro no trem. Claro que ia atrasar comigo. Na penúltima estação acontece um problema mecânico e tenho que esperar outro trem. Faltam duas horas pro show.

Chego no aeroporto e lá uma van deveria me levar pro hotel. Claro que ia atrasar comigo. Tudo em função do trânsito. Eu teria chegado a pé em 10, mas não sabia como. Falta 45 min pro show.

Faço o check in correndo, largo minhas coisas no quarto e volto para o saguão. "Moça, é mais rápido chegar no Congress Theater de táxi ou de trem?". "Táxi".

Ok, táxi. Claro que ia atrasar comigo. Tinha um táxi na porta do hotel, entro e aquele cheirão a asa. Tudo bem. "Corre pro teatro, moço". Com sotaque árabe ele usa o Nextel para falar com o chefe "Congress Theater, por onde eu vou?" e se vira pra mim e diz, "Desculpa, estou no serviço há apenas 6 dias". Great. Ligo o GPS do meu Blackberry com o Google Maps e fico seguindo a bolinha azul, que marca onde estou. Traffic.

- Chefe, tem muito trânsito aqui, tem outra rota? - nextela o cara.

- Não tem trânsito.

- Tem sim, eu estou nele.

- Diz para o cliente que não tem trânsito.

Eu impaciente. Passaram-se 20 min do horário de início do show.

Finalmente chegamos no nosso exit e CLARO que ele se perde. Eu digo, VIRA AQUI, enquanto leio o mapa no celular. "Chefe, o cliente quer que eu vire aqui". "Segue reto". VIRA! Virou. Chegamos lá em 5 min com minhas instruções. Coitado do cara, nervoso, jordaniano, asento e recém chegado nos EUA. Ele é advogado com mestrado na Jordânia. Disse pra ele não se estressar e elogiei a boa vontade, mas xinguei o chefe. Paguei metade do valor da corrida.

Chego no teatro 40 min depois das 8h, já sem bateria no celular (que 3G que come bateria!). O show de abertura já tava na metade, mas pelo menos o Ben não estava no palco. UFA! Comprei uma camiseta e fui lá pra frente. Claro que ia atrasar. Pelo menos desta vez foi ao meu favor.

Sobre o show, próximo post.

Chicago, IL
Nov 27 2008 - to be announced
The Christkindlmarket Chicago is the most popular authentic German winter holiday event in the city of Chicago. The market is celebrating its 13th year in 2008 and is looking forward to welcoming an estimated one million guest to Daley Plaza, in the heart of the city, between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. A variety of typical German foods will tantalize the taste buds. The popular savory dishes range from potato pancakes, bratwurst and Leberkäse with sauerkraut to treats for those with a sweet-tooth including European chocolates and baked goods, roasted nuts, and many more delights. The famous Glühwein, which is served in a souvenir boot shaped mug, and the imported German beer rounds off the culinary tour. Enjoy the unique shopping and culinary experience in a charming winter village atmosphere. For more information, visit the Christmas Market in Chicago web page.

This:

The vow to stop evicting residents has prompted praise and criticism of Dart, who discussed his apparently unprecedented action with national news outlets discussing his apparently unprecedented action.

Please tell me that you can spot what is wrong with the above, which appears in a news story about this on the Chicago Tribune's website.

I'm not spelling it out for anyone, but what I will say is that it is absolutely appalling for such a blatant grammatical error to be made not only by the reporter, but whatever editors touched the piece before it was published. Come the hell on, people, this is supposed to be what you do for a living. Fight the rising tide of stupid, stop sodomizing the language, and work towards restoring some manner of standard to journalism.

So someone in Chicago thinks they should create a 'pride campus' in their school district to creat a safe haven for GLBT students (and anyone else who wants to go there).

While I applaud Chicago's recognition that harassment and bullying that GLBT students face seriously degrades their academic achievement and their will to seek out higher education, I have very serious doubts that this is the way to go about addressing it.

The creation of a 'gay school' in no way addresses that the behavior and atmosphere these students face is simply unacceptable. In creating a separate school that is 'harassment free' they thereby passively accept the harassment in other schools as an unavoidable situation. Rather than address the basic problems of bigotry, discrimination and hate, they are simply removing the stimulus.

While it is true that these students shouldn't have to wait for the societal change that must occur for them to live in an accepting world, the creation of their own 'separate but equal' school shouldn't proceed without some sort of effort to make every school in the district 'harassment free'. This sort of setting shouldn't require a special building or status. It should be an inherent policy of every. single. school.

Rather than the creation of one campus that is a harassment free zone, they should work on making their entire district harassment free.

Week six of the Pro Football Computer Simulation League was a Sunday of extremes.  The 1998 Minnesota Vikings and the 1996 Green Bay Packers went on huge scoring binges, while the 1992 Dallas Cowboys, 1998 Denver Broncos, 1985 Chicago Bears and 2000 Baltimore Ravens played terrific defense.

Seven of the eight divisional races are still wide open contests.  The 1998 Broncos appear to be poised to run away with the AFC West, as they now own a three-game lead in the division.  The one-two punch of John Elway and Terrell Davis has been unstoppable thus far, as Denver is 6-0 and on pace to score almost 540 points against some of the best defenses of the last 25 years.

Here are the results of Week Six's games:

Here are the boxscores and statistics:

NO: Dalton Hilliard 2 rush TDs / Vaughan Johnson 7 tackles & 1 Int.

NYJ: Vinny Testaverde 3 TD passes incl. 42 yard game-winner to Dedric Ward with 1:30 left in 4^th qtr.

Chi: Kevin Butler 6 FGs (36,47,45,30,33,48)

Min: Randall Cunningham 5 TD passes / Randy Moss 8 Rec. for 131 yds. & 2 TD

Was: Earnest Byner 20-146 and 2 TD rushing

Car: Anthony Johnson 83 yd. pass from Kerry Collins sets up winning FG

Mia: Dan Marino 3 TD passes / Uwe Von Schamann 39 yd. FG on final play

Bal: Ray Lewis & Sam Adams 7 tackles each

Den: John Elway 3 TD passes / Terrell Davis 27-113 rushing

GB: Dorsey Levens & Edgar Bennett both top 100 yards rushing / Reggie White 3 QB Sacks