Read Our Minds

Fighting Illini Basketball

Normally, we are supposed to provide a review of a current movie or book in these posts. I just adopted a son from Ethiopia. I haven’t sniffed a movie or a good book in ages.  So I’m going to “review” the one thing I have been able to watch on a regular basis, even here in Madison, WI—the 2010 University of Illinois basketball team (thanks Big Ten Network).

In short, the Illini this year have been inconsistent. Stretches of good play, followed by stretches of drought. On both a macro and micro basis. Going scoreless for extended minutes in games has been a factor in almost all of their losses so far this season. And I’ve never seen an Illini team get its “dobber” down so easily. A couple of things go wrong and it appears they throw in the towel. Yet, this team has made some amazing comebacks this season---especially coming from 23 down at Clemson in December for a big win. Very much a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde type team.

The problem with this year’s team is defense, rebounding and overall toughness. Individually, the biggest problem has been junior forward Mike Davis. He’s been like the football team’s Juice Williams. Should be getting better each year but isn’t. And the coaches are pulling their hair out trying to figure out why. Davis disappears for too long in games, loses too confidence easily and is a lousy defender. Yet he has the potential to average a double-double in points and rebounds every night. If he ever figures it out, the Illini could go some places.

As it is, we are still in the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid. The biggest reason is junior guard Dimitri McCamey. He’s another one who has caused migraines for the coaches but primarily because he hadn’t been listening and learning about leadership. But he’s finally growing up a bit and getting it. His recent games have been stellar. He’s almost single-handedly won a couple of games lately and that has put the Illini back in the post-season picture. We’ve got some tough games coming up. Anything can happen. But I’ll be watching and, usually, cursing every step of the way.

Here’s a link to the University of Illinois athletic website for more info, stats and stuff:  http://www.fightingillini.com.

Go Illini.

--Reviewed by Kevin Johnson

Lewis Black at the Chicago Theater – February 12, 2010

I always find it fascinating that people in an audience think they can heckle a comedian onstage. When that comedian is Lewis Black, the sparks really fly. That was the case during his gig on Valentine’s Day weekend at the Chicago Theater, where Lewis did his act – mostly in CAPITAL LETTERS. 

Lewis skewers everything, starting with an audience that thought it would be a good idea to spend part of their Valentine’s Day weekend with him – “Some of you only know me as that nice guy from the Ariba vacation commercials – What a nice man. BOY, are you in for a treat!”

Then there’s George W. Bush – “He was a BLEEPING Bobblehead President, for crissakes! Cheney would just tap him on the head and he’d go BOBBIN’ ALONG!” And don’t forget the fine citizens of the Hypochondriatic States of Americas – “Think they have restless leg syndrome in DARFUR?!!!” he shouts.

He goes on to take on the so-called terrorists who thought it would be a good idea to send someone with a bomb in his pants to blow up an airplane over Detroit – “HAVE YOU BEEN THERE LATELY? Like there’s anything left to bomb in Detroit!”

Everyone is fair game, especially those in the audience who forget that Lewis HAS THE MICROPHONE (as if he really needs it).  One heckler tried to take Lewis on when it comes to taxing the rich, which led to a five-minute diatribe all wrapped up with one of his classic rubbery cartoonish blubbering facial wags. Another tried to argue about insurance companies. Bad idea.

But what a fun night. If Lew is in your neck of the woods, spend some quality time listening to him explain why he would run naked in the airport if that’s what it took to reduce the screening time. Just don’t heckle him – you don’t stand a chance. HE HAS THE MICROPHONE … and you don’t.

Lewis Black is on tour with John Bowman, an underappreciated comedian in his own right, mostly on the East Coast through August, with a gig thrown in here and there in Vegas and for some weird reason just outside Detroit in Royal Oak, Michigan – like there are any hecklers left there to bomb!

--Reviewed by Tim Boivin

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Thrilling Page-Turner

“Just get past all the weird Swedish stuff and boring business details. It’s awesome. Super creepy.”

That’s what my sister said as she shoved Stieg Larsson’s 600-page novel into my hands. She’s a pediatric intensive care nurse, and after working crazy hours in intense life-or-death situations, she likes to escape into a good book. With her recommendation, I knew it was going to be a worthwhile read.

In the novel translated from Swedish, we meet journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is watching his rising star dim. The story he thought would expose international financial scandal instead lands him in court accused of libel. His misfortune does open up a new adventure and a chance to rebuild his tarnished reputation. Mikael is recruited by the aging patriarch of a powerful corporate family, whose last wish is to solve the decades-old mystery of the disappearance of his beloved niece.

I am afraid to give too much away and spoil the plot twists and shocking scenes (some downright disturbing) that had me turning the pages for hours on end. I will say Mikael gets help unraveling the mystery with one of literature’s most unlikely and oddest heroines, Lisbeth Salander. A social misfit whose next move is impossible to predict, she adds an element of intrigue and surprise that makes her one of my new favorite smart and strong female characters.

I loved “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” so much that I am now on to the next book in the series, “The Girl Who Plays with Fire.” Only 100 pages in and it’s already as enthralling as the first. Unfortunately, Larsson died shortly after delivering the manuscripts for three books (he had outlines for 10 in the series). I am looking forward to the final novel’s release in May, but I am worried it will just leave me wanting more.

--Reviewed by Kristin Petersen

Couples Retreat Provides Anything but a Treat for Viewers

I always wonder if I should ever opt to rent a movie when nothing comes to mind that I want to see, because it often leaves me wanting my $5 back. And thanks to my viewing experience the other day, I discovered my answer is I shouldn’t.

I grabbed two movies: Couples Retreat and Carriers. Since I grabbed the last copy of Couples Retreat I figured it might be the better of the two so I watched it first- wrong move.

With a big named cast of Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis and Kristen Bell among others, the movie was somewhat interesting to watch, but for a comedy, only made me laugh twice. It also made me realize Vince Vaughn’s production style is much like Adam Sandler’s, but without the funny part. Vaughn’s got the repeating cast of characters.

The movie is about a group of friends (all couples) and the strains on their marriages. When the extremely organized married friends contemplate divorce, they convince the rest of the crew to take a vacation to Eden, a couples retreat mixed with a private party island for singles. Once on Eden, the couples realize that jet skiing and scuba diving is out of the question since they must spend their days according to a counselor’s itinerary. Of course, every couple begins realizing maybe they too don’t have the perfect marriage after strenuous rounds of unwanted counseling and temptation.

As the movie progresses and fights break out, the men and women split up and wander for some fun away from their spouses. Of course, they all wind up at the singles retreat- predictable.

Instead of spoiling the ending, I’ll just note that the two parts of the movie that managed to make me laugh aloud included a kid that was in only in two short scenes. If that doesn’t tell you how much of a treat that movie was (well maybe a dog biscuit), I don’t know what will. I did, however, like how one of the characters was wearing a Buffalo Grove High School shirt in the movie. And all of my colleagues that are Northwestern alums should like that purple shirts had cameos too.

--Reviewed by Christine Rojewski

SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life: A Four-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck

Do you have trouble keeping new year’s resolutions? You’re not alone.  According to research on New Year’s resolutions, fewer than 50% of those who made resolutions are keeping them 3 months later.  I’m a relentless resolution maker, but I’m not even close to the 50%, and the reason is that I always try to tackle more than is realistic. The good news is that I’ll make 4-6 resolutions each year, and typically see success with one or two.  Some might be disappointed with a 30% success ratio, but I focus on the wins and simply try to learn from the missteps, so success is inevitable in time. 

One thing I’ve learned in 20 years of resolutions is that change sometimes requires thinking outside the box.  For example, budgeting didn’t work for me until I flip-flopped the process. Rather than assuming the left-over was for savings and emergency funds, someone suggested I set aside my savings, tithe and emergency funds, and I now limit my spending to what’s left.  Similarly, my goal for staying fit and having fun doing it didn’t work until Nintendo introduced the Wii, whose EA Sports program brings an encouraging “personal” trainer into my home for a fast-changing, challenging routine that makes me eager to go  to the “gym.”

Sadly, the resolution to get organized has been on my list for about the last 10 years, and a quick look at my work or home office reveals the truth of my deficiency in this area.  Not wanting to see that on my list for the next 10 years, I called Julie Morganstern, whose talents in this area were made famous through Oprah and more than 20 years of success.  Morganstern didn’t answer the phone, but a quick conversation with one of her consultants helped me take the problem seriously, as the hourly rates would quickly usurp my savings set-aside and destroy my budget.  I took the mid-range option she suggested, and enrolled in Morganstern’s WorkSmart workshop, which included a copy of Morganstern’s new book, SHED.

The workshop was pretty intimate, and provided some very concrete nuggets, which may also help you.  I like the interaction and personal accountability of a personalized workshop, but you can also learn about the topics covered through Morganstern’s blog.  Her advice not to check email first thing in the morning was probably the biggest “Aha!” for me.  I haven’t become consistent in this practice, but focusing the first part of my day on the most difficult tasks (vs. email) helps ensure those tasks are accomplished and I (vs. my email) maintain control of my day.

My resolution for this year is to implement more of these organizing principles and to begin to SHED those things that no longer serve me.

I spoke earlier about how we need to think outside the box when the existing strategies aren’t bringing about the changes or success we desire.  Through 20 years of delivering organizational support and advice, Morganstern wrote SHED because she encountered people who just couldn’t see clearly enough to clean up their surroundings.  This is often the case with people who have had very full lives and want to hold on to aspects of all of their lives even when parts of their lives no longer serve them.  She uses the example of her professional interests in theater/drama, which she no longer practices and needed to shed.  I quickly saw that my MBA materials and prior marriage memorabilia were a distraction and drain on my time and space.  Rather than holding on to past lives, and letting them take valuable space in our homes or lives, Morganstern wisely advises readers follow the principles in her book, SHED: 

S=Separate the Trash from the Treasure
H=Heave that which is no longer useful
E=Embrace the new you
D=Drive forward… make tangible progress on your current theme

I encourage you to buy the book, or take the survey to see for yourself the power of Morganstern’s out-of-the-box thinking on organization and time management, http://www.juliemorganstern.com/.  My hope is that I’ll be able to provide positive proof that her system works for the organizationally challenged.  I’m sharing this publicly because I know how much accountability helps, and you have permission to ask me for pics of both offices (no sooner than July) to attest to the value of Morganstern’s tools and SHED. :) 

--Reviewed by Mary Eggert

La Humita Restaurant Review

La Humita
Neighborhood: Old Irving Park
3466 N Pulaski Rd.
(between Cornelia Ave & Newport Ave)
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 794-9672
www.lahumita.com

 

What a find! La Humita is one of those out-of-the-way places with good service, great food and personality.  If you're feeling adventurous and willing to travel west of I-94, La Humita is well worth the journey.  This cozy and quaint Ecuadorian restaurant reflects the pride of its owner, Nestor Correa. 

The food is fresh and tasty, and they have a full bar. Entrees, which include soup and sides are reasonably priced between $10 and $15. To our pleasant surprise, we learned that all meals are $9.95 on Sundays. Of small but important note: the bathrooms are very clean and nicely decorated.

We took our kids on the trek back to the ‘burbs after a recent visit to the Shedd Aquarium (skip the Fantasea show – fodder for another blog.) 

Among the four of us, we tried “Arroz con Menestra”, a flavorful grilled steak served with lentils and fried plantains; “Lomito saltado”, sauteed steak strips diced onions with peppers (a little spicy!) and tomatoes, served with rice and French Fries; and “Arroz con camarones,” jumbo shrimp with garlic and olive oil, served with rice, peppers, onions and coconut milk topped with naranjilla (a rare Ecuadorian fruit with an orange-like taste) butter sauce. 

If we hadn’t been in such carnivorous moods, we would have tried the tempting vegetarian dishes, such as the house specialty, humitas. It’s a mixture of freshly ground corn and cheese, steamed in a corn husk. There’s plenty to choose from, including pork, chicken and fish dishes. We were too full to bother with dessert – and that was the one part of the menu that didn’t thrill us.

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Latin America, you don’t have to update your passport for this one!

--Reviewed by Donna Gaidamak