Keep on Keepin On...
Well, if you didn't see it last night you missed a great game between the Fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers. What a game! The Illini entered the game on a 19 game winning streak and were looking to stay undefeated and the Badgers were looking to continue a 38 game home winning streak that started 2 years ago. With both these streak something had to give! Fortunately it was the Badgers win streak that was broken. They Illini had a tough game on their hands throughout and at times during the second half it looked like their win streak was going to end, but thanks to a spark off the bench from Jack Ingram and some forced turn overs the Illini were able to strengthen their case as the #1 team in the nation. I think you will all agree that this team if fun to watch. They play so unselfishly and are patient even when the game is on the line. Now granted just before half time Dee Brown and Luther Head took a few unwise shots but I think that Coach Webber was able to put a stop to that during the half time pep talk. This team just plays so well together and play a stifling defense to boot. They forced Wisconsin to turn the ball over several times, which is a big deal because the Badgers pride themselves on not turning the ball over in games. So now the Illini are 20-0 and one of three undefeated teams left in division, along with Duke and Boston College. They have another big coming up next Tuesday at Michigan State. Hopefully their big win against Wisconsin won't cause a let down against the MSU Spartans and lets not over look the Minnesota Golden Gophers who they play in a couple of days.
On another note, work has been going well and I am settling into my new position and have already handled a few research requests. The rest of this week I will be learning how to keep our team website updated and how to produce the monthly newsletter that I am in charge of. Well, I better get back to it...
Go Illini!!!
Prediction for IL vs. IA game
Well, the Hawkeyes have had a pretty good run so far this season and they are one of the few teams in the Big Ten that I worry about handing my Illini their first loss. Along with Wisconsin and Michigan State. Though chances are that if a team does knock them off it will be someone you would least expect like Indiana. Back to my prediction! Even though the Hawkeyes have played well this season, they have looked very beatable lately and the way the Illini have consistently dismantled good teams I would say that this one goes to the Illini by 18 pts. Look for another big game from Luther Head. I have a feeling he will be open to shoot the threes during this game! Go Illini and a shout out to my homies in the Scooby Gang down in Chambana!
A case of the "Mondays"
Well back to my "lame-duck" position at work again today. It is weird being in limbo like this. Not really in either position but in both at the same time. I did get some online training classes to take for my new position. It looks as though I will be handling the content management for our teams website. And I also found out I that I will be handling the Emerging Technology Road Map for my team, which should be pretty cool. Well for those of you following the Illini you know that they have done nothing to lose their #1 ranking, in fact they may have solidified it further by remaining undefeated this weekend while North Carolina (the team that everyone is saying is better than Illinois) fell the Wake Forest, a team that Illinois beat by 18 points earlier in the year. I even noticed that good ole Dicky Vitale is calling Illinois the best team in the nation rather than still pushing Kansas. The Illini get a big test in their next game against Iowa, who have been playing well themselves this year. Though they haven't looked as good lately. Well, here's to another week of #1 stature. Oskewawa!!!
TGIF
Well its Friday and obviously a slow day at work for me, considering I have time to make a post. I am officially between positions here at work and do not make the move to my new one until next week. And with my work wrapped up with my old team I am struggling to find things to work on. I was planning on spending the afternoon packing up my stuff to make the move to the new desk but our facilities services has postponed my move until next Wednesday. So, I have no boxes to put my stuff in yet. Oh well, at least it is Friday. I may try and cut out early or even head over to the gym and get a quick work out in before I head home. Luke (brother) heads for Kuwait today, so now I can worry about him for the next year or so. Though he is a smart kid (kid to me still that is) and I am sure he will keep himself safe. If you know him be sure and keep in touch with him because I am sure he will love to get constant communique from home, let me know if you need his contact info. On another note, I finally get to go to the Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago tomorrow. Can't believe I have been here for 2 years now and have never been there. Should be fun! Well that is all for now...lunch time is quickly approaching and I am getting hungry!
New Year New Job...
Well, here I am with another long awaited post. Trying to start the new year off fresh and maybe even keep this thing updated. It's not like I have a good excuse like I am in the field training for the military or anything thing :) (See
http://sgtport.blogspot.com) Well, as of January 17th I will be making my transition from data analyst in Allstate Financial to the broader world of Allstate Enterprise Technology as a Research Analyst with the Strategy and Planning group. This is good move for me and will allow me to hone some of the business skills that I am going to need to push my career forward (e.g. competitive intelligence, business analysis, business strategy, etc...). It will be exciting and somewhat new territory for me and I am looking forward to making the most of it.
Also, with the new year we see that the Illini are still solidly atop the rankings as the #1 team in the country (in your face Dick Vitale!!!) and are still undefeated at 16-0! Though I am sure that over the next few weeks the Big Ten will take its toll on my beloved Illini. Though in the long this will be good. The Illini need a few close games (and even, dare I say, a loss) to prepare them mentally for the big dance in March. Though every time I expect them to fall apart and start playing selfishly or lazily they surprise me with another inspired effort. It really has a been a pure joy to watch them play this year and I have a feeling it will be the most memorable season Illini fans will see in awhile. Well, I better get back my lunch. Hope all is well with my readers! And remember...
GO ILINI!!!!!!
