Virginia Nielsen Bolek was a mother of five and a wonderful wife.
A grandma and great-grandma to many a life.
We can't judge her worth simply on her years on Earth,
But also the memories we will carry as we have since birth,
Of a wonderful woman who carried the name Bolek into what it is today.
A proud family with rich traditions that will stay
Around for milleniums to come
A family that is immense but will always be a unit of One.
While only some of us can claim her as a Grandma, great-grandma or Mom,
She was a mom who was great and grand to us all.
She will remain with us forever and ever.
She will be there with us when we rise and fall.
And rise and fall again, from beginning to end.
An angel over our shoulder when we need a friend.
She is what every family would want with its matriarch.
She led a life that left an indelible mark.
She will always be here, to make sure we are ok.
Day and night, night and day.
Let us not mourn her loss today, but rather celebrate her life.
By being the best children, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives
That we can be. Let's live out her memory.
It's the way she would want it to be.
Today, let's celebrate Virginia Bolek for what she was and what she will be-
A beacon of a Bolek & Nielsen - from now until eternity.
4/24/2011
I'm With The Band (wagon): How Do You Know Who is Who?
The past couple of hockey playoff seasons, I've observed the sudden rise in the Blackhawks. And while most people in my position (not a hockey fan and not really part of the wagon or true Hawks fan) wouldn't give a crap, I've always wondered if there's an easy way to spot out a bandwagoner from a true fan.
Are there certain signs that I should be looking for from the bandwagoners that wouldn't be seen in a true fan? Would quizzing people on the team's past (like anything from beyond the past 4-5 years) prove anything in their status? Are there certain jerseys that bandwagoners have that are considered too trendy for a "true" Hawks fan to get? I'm actually legitimately asking these questions, because I have no clue as an outsider to observes a plethora of Hawks love on social media - and while I know some of them are true fans, I also know there are some who are following the Hawks (much like some folks following the Bulls) because it's the cool thing to do.
I'm sure you (whoever reads this as a Hawks fan) know who, among your group of friends and "friends" on facebook, is a true fan. My question to you is: how do you distinguish between a true fan and a bandwagon?
If any of you have answers to this, I'd welcome some comments on the subject.
Big sports day in Chicago Tuesday. Buckle up where ever you watch the games.
-B
Are there certain signs that I should be looking for from the bandwagoners that wouldn't be seen in a true fan? Would quizzing people on the team's past (like anything from beyond the past 4-5 years) prove anything in their status? Are there certain jerseys that bandwagoners have that are considered too trendy for a "true" Hawks fan to get? I'm actually legitimately asking these questions, because I have no clue as an outsider to observes a plethora of Hawks love on social media - and while I know some of them are true fans, I also know there are some who are following the Hawks (much like some folks following the Bulls) because it's the cool thing to do.
I'm sure you (whoever reads this as a Hawks fan) know who, among your group of friends and "friends" on facebook, is a true fan. My question to you is: how do you distinguish between a true fan and a bandwagon?
If any of you have answers to this, I'd welcome some comments on the subject.
Big sports day in Chicago Tuesday. Buckle up where ever you watch the games.
-B
4/23/2011
Grateful Bed
I had an amazing dream about a girl who I've never met- I believe she said she was from northwest Indiana in the dream. When you're dreaming, sometimes you don't realize you're dreaming...or maybe you never really do until you wake up- I don't know. Either way, it was one of the better dreams I've had in a long while. It was a dream I didn't want to escape.
Of course, I had to wake up from it around 8am. I'm not sure if any of you have ever tried going back to sleep and recreate a dream you just had, but it never goes to plan. I laid in bed and fell back asleep, but was unsuccessful in dreaming about this mystery girl again.
Maybe it's a sign of something to come. I suppose it's better than dreaming about something gruesome.
Just gotta keep my eyes open and be at the right place at the right time. Maybe this will turn into a case of deja vu, like I've had happen before with previous dreams of mine.
Just gotta go out there and re-create it in reality.
Of course, I had to wake up from it around 8am. I'm not sure if any of you have ever tried going back to sleep and recreate a dream you just had, but it never goes to plan. I laid in bed and fell back asleep, but was unsuccessful in dreaming about this mystery girl again.
Maybe it's a sign of something to come. I suppose it's better than dreaming about something gruesome.
Just gotta keep my eyes open and be at the right place at the right time. Maybe this will turn into a case of deja vu, like I've had happen before with previous dreams of mine.
Just gotta go out there and re-create it in reality.
4/20/2011
Life of Brians: The Tale of the Tape between Me and Scalabrine
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| Brian Scalabrine (far left) |
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| Brian Bolek |
One may think me and Scalabrine don't have much to compare to each other, but I'm ready to prove that wrong. Here's a tale of the tape between me and the red-headed Italian:
Height: Me: 5 foot 9; Scalabrine; 6 foot 9. Advantage: In hide and seek and houses with low ceilings: me; With women and everything else in life: him.
Weight: Me: about 220 right now; Scalabrine: 235. Advantage: Scalabrine wins all-around, considering that's probably a normal weight for his height and mine is obese.
Hair color: Me: Brown; Scalabrine: Gingery. Advantage: Me. Duh.
Job title: Me: Sales Support Specialist for a consulting company; Scalabrine: Suit Model for the Chicago Bulls. Advantage: Me, because I don't have to leave the comforts of my home to work and also don't even need to wear clothes.
Salary: Me: close to 50K; Scalabrine: $1.2 million (per basketball-reference.com data). Advantage: Scalabrine, by a landslide
Salary broken down by $ earned per minute worked: Me: 2000 hours worked, so 120,000 minutes. $0.41/minute worked; Scalabrine: 88 minutes played (18 appearances), $13,636.36/minutes worked. Advantage: Clearly me....wait, I mean him.
Chances of making the NBA Hall of Fame, per basketball-reference.com: Me: (Data not available); Scalabrine: Hall of Fame Probability Active 0.000 (181) Career 0.000 (1050). Advantage: Me. Data not available means I could have been a hall of famer if I wanted to be. I just prefer not to live in the limelight.
Chances of picking up random chicks at Chicago bar: Me: See Scalabrine's Hall of Fame odds; Scalabrine: 100%. Advantage: Scalabrine
People we hang out with: Me: degenerate gamblers, drunkards, obese people; Scalabrine: Derrick Rose, Kevin Garnett. Advantage: Sorry, Scally wins this. Nothing against you people. If any of you learn a cross-over dribble and can make $13 grand per minute worked in a year, then we'll talk. (Editor's note: It should be noted that the people I hang out with all have my traits, so you could essentially say I hang out with myself and it'd be accurate).
Final score: Scalabrine wins 6-3.
If I tried comparing myself to any of the other Bulls players, I'm sure I'd win more categories. But it's Scalabrine we're talking about here. I dare you to find a dude with a sweeter job in Chicago right now....
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Yeah, that's what I thought.
4/19/2011
#1s with Some Bullets
Some bullet points of a blog today:
....coming soon in the next day or two, a Scalabrine article that you will definitely want to read. Stay tuned.
World Series Bets Placed:
- I have officially bet the entire AL Central to win the World Series. Before the season started, I threw $20 on the Sox at 21/1 odds (20 to win 420). I just checked all of the team's odds in the AL Central outside of the Sox and they were all 40/1 or over. So I threw $6 on KC (80/1 odds), $8 on the Twins (60/1 odds) and $10 each on the Indians and Tigers (both 40/1). Whether this proves to be a dumb strategy is a non-arguing point (I know it's stupid). I guess I figured if my Sox bet was gonna be shot in October, I might as well insure myself with the rest of the division at such high prices.
- Two trains of thought with the Bulls after going up 2-0 in the series: (1) Being on a double digit win streak, they're clearly doing something right, so no use in complaining on how they win, just as long as they win vs. (2) A #1 seed such as the Bulls with the supposed MVP should be destroying the Pacers on their home court, where they've shown themselves to be a dominant force, not letting them hang around (or in Game 1's sake, hold a lead the entire game up until the last minute). Both points can be argued. I don't think the Bulls can play like this against the Heat or Celtics (or even the Magic/Hawks) and expect to advance to the Finals.
- Speaking of the Bulls, I wore the Brian Scalabrine jersey again yesterday. I believe I have worn the jersey more than he has in 2011, and in about a quarter of the time.
- First day without class, so that means going to a bar of course. Well, for a friend's birthday. I don't want to make going to bars a habit, but I don't want to be trapped at home either this summer. Especially considering I work from home. So if you're reading this, GET ME OUT OF THE HOUSE!
- Just pulled the trigger on the Knicks for Game 2 tonight. I pegged them winning one of the first two games at Boston, so figured it was worth the risk at +275 for $35.
- Looks like The Playoff Stubble that I spoke of last week is about right for the Blackhawks, who are on the brink of elimination. I say they pull out a couple of wins here just to tease everyone, but then lose in Game 6.
....coming soon in the next day or two, a Scalabrine article that you will definitely want to read. Stay tuned.
World Series Bets Placed:
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| 96124774 |
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| 96124775 |
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| 96124776 |
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4/17/2011
Now What: Filling a 20 Hour Weekly Void
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| If they only had a Brain. Now- he's gone from the Center of Illinois Broadcasting and looking for stuff to do. |
What a great past couple of days to wrap up my time at school. Social events with my classmates bookended between a graduation where the school's dyslexia was in full display in the above picture (name and internship both messed up). Today was a good recovery/rest day from all of the excitement and madness that has ensued from the past week/month. But when Tuesday comes around, what will I do with the 20+ hours that I will now have to myself?
Sports: There's been some amazing basketball being played right now, which should fill some of the void. I've missed out on the majority of weekday sports since starting school. Luckily, during that time, I did pick up a CrackBerry, which allowed me to follow the scores of the games I was most interested in (i.e. the games I bet on). I had a brief early season buzz with the White Sox, but I am more interested in the NBA playoffs at this point. I'm sure I'll go to close to a dozen ball games this summer with my friends. I thought about doing the Ozzie Plan with the partial season ticket plan, but I don't like the idea of going to a baseball game with one other person for 13 games (I'd rather go to 13 games with 3-4 people). However, I don't have the cash to throw down on 39-52 tickets with the risk that I can't sell some of the tickets. Hopefully, sports will fill some of the void.
Bars/Drinks: To watch sports, I will likely go out every now and then to watch the big games and just to get out of the house. I already know of one bar having Summer Shandy on tap (Olivers), so that may be my bar for the summer. I need to go to Wild Wings more. My boneless wing craving has not been met enough this year. The question with the bars/drinks option is: Will I be able to get anyone to go out with me on a somewhat regular basis? That is the $20K question.
Bowling Leagues: More bowling leagues you say? Yes- much needed in my summer life. Last year's summer league was the highlight of what was otherwise a dull/depressing summer. And with the main league about to end in a few weeks, I'll need to keep sharp in the summer. I may look to bowl two summer leagues.
Job Searching: With school now over, it's time to put this education to use better than I did with my previous degree. I have been given some websites to use for job leads in the video editing field. I'm gonna take a week or two to myself before I start looking. Then it'll be time to start cranking out resumes and sending out my video editing demo in hopes of securing a gig. I'd like to get a part-time video editing gig to start if possible so I can keep my current job- which I do enjoy. If I do secure a part-time gig, I could see myself being a video editor at home- which means I'll need to score me a Mac and the new Final Cut program, which comes out in June.
Trips: A trip to Vegas is already set in stone, with a trip to Minnesota and Nashville, among others, on the horizon of being planned. These trips will help fill some of this downtime that comes from the ending of school.
I'm sure there's other things I'm forgetting, but luckily, it seems like I'll have a lot of potential outlets to kill the 20+ hours I will gain from not having school any more.
While it is bittersweet that we had to say goodbye to each other, it will be worth it for all of us ICBers in the end for the experience we went through together. It will make the future "Hellos" all the more sweet.
4/16/2011
The NBA playoffs: Where Predictability (Usually) Happens
I wrote in my last blog about the hockey playoffs and the Blackhawks' chances in it being better than 8 seeds in NBA. While the Hawks being down 2-0 doesn't exactly prove my point, in most years, it's 10 times more likely for an 8 seed to win a series in NHL than in pro basketball. If the oddsmakers at bookmaker have anything to say about it, this point still holds true.
To open the series, the Hawks were +185 odds to win the series. Compare that to the Pacers being +2000 (that's 20/1) to beat the Bulls (-4000) in round 1, and the Spurs/Grizzles handle currently at (-370/+310) for the 1/8 matchup in the West, which is about as low of odds as I'd expect to see in a 1/8 for basketball.
Without further ado, my predictions for the basketball playoffs, series by series:
Round 1:
Bulls over Pacers in 4- Bulls have owned the Central this year. I don't see how the Pacers win more than 1 game.
Magic over Atlanta in 5- The thing to look for here is Howard getting another technical. They can't afford to lose him for future playoff games in round 2. I think the Magic coast here and lose game 3 but win the rest. Magic are -650 to win the series.
Heat over Sixers in 6- Doug Collins deserves some coach of the year votes for his ability to turn around the Sixers within the year, especially after their terrible start. I think they will be able to steal a few games at home but ultimately, the Heat prevail (and I believe the Heat's Big Three will turn their switch on towards the end of this series). The Heat are overwhelming -2050 odds to win the series, so for every dollar you want to win, you have to risk $20.50.
Spurs over Grizzlies in 7- The Spurs are a shadow of themselves compared to their start of the year success. I think the Grizzlies will scare the Spurs and create one of the more surprisingly entertaining 1st round series.
Thunder over Denver in 6- This has my vote as the first round series I am most interested in watching/following. The Thunder are one of the best 4 seeds I've seen on paper since following basketball. They will win their first series as an NBA team in Oklahoma City. OKC coming off the board as a -210, which I consider to be nice odds for them.
Round 2:
Bulls over Magic in 6- Rose is unguardable, but that doesn't mean he will always get the best of Dwight Howard, who will make life more difficult in this series than the Pacers will do. Ultimately, the better team will prevail, and the Bulls continue their improbable run towards the franchise's 7th title. I will guess that the Bulls go off the board at -400 or -500 for this series.
Heat over Knicks in 5- As I said before, I think the Heat's switch turns on towards the end of round 1. While the Heat are capable of playing defense, the Knicks' best defensive plays are usually on offense when they hold the ball for more than 10 seconds. Take this one to the bank. The Heat would be -500 for this series.
Thunder over Spurs in 6- The Spurs have reached their fork in the road, and unfortunately it's not a fork picking up a nice piece of steak. Rather, this fork is covered in gravel bits. Perkins being added to the team will prove to be the best move made at the deadline in the short-term.
Lakers over Mavs in 5- See first round capsules. Laker's switch: ON = Mavs: SCREWED.
Conference Finals:
Heat over Bulls in 6- Consider this blasphemy for someone who owns a Scalabrine jersey, but I have this feeling that the Heat are going to play their best basketball in May. I haven't been able to shake this feeling that the Bulls are playing over their heads and will eventually crash. That's not to say this season would be a disappointment if they finished in the NBA Final Four- far from it. What the Bulls have done this year has been nothing short of incredible. I'm gonna trust my gut on this one and say the Heat win the series, but I will definitely be rooting against this feeling.
Lakers over Thunder in 7- This will be the best series of the NBA playoffs, much like their first-round battle last year (with the Lakers victorious in 6 games). I envision Durant making that next step to becoming closer to legend status, but he will have to bow to elder legend Kobe. I see both gentlemen going off for about 35 ppg in the series, but experience playing in the favor of the Lakers in an epic series.
To open the series, the Hawks were +185 odds to win the series. Compare that to the Pacers being +2000 (that's 20/1) to beat the Bulls (-4000) in round 1, and the Spurs/Grizzles handle currently at (-370/+310) for the 1/8 matchup in the West, which is about as low of odds as I'd expect to see in a 1/8 for basketball.
Without further ado, my predictions for the basketball playoffs, series by series:
Round 1:
Bulls over Pacers in 4- Bulls have owned the Central this year. I don't see how the Pacers win more than 1 game.
Magic over Atlanta in 5- The thing to look for here is Howard getting another technical. They can't afford to lose him for future playoff games in round 2. I think the Magic coast here and lose game 3 but win the rest. Magic are -650 to win the series.
Heat over Sixers in 6- Doug Collins deserves some coach of the year votes for his ability to turn around the Sixers within the year, especially after their terrible start. I think they will be able to steal a few games at home but ultimately, the Heat prevail (and I believe the Heat's Big Three will turn their switch on towards the end of this series). The Heat are overwhelming -2050 odds to win the series, so for every dollar you want to win, you have to risk $20.50.
Knicks over Celtics in 6- This looks like the most likely upset of the 4 matchups in the East. The Celtics have lost their edge since losing Perkins. While the Knicks haven't exactly been world beaters since getting Anthony, they've been getting hot as the playoffs approach. I think they'll hold their own in their home games and steal a game in Boston. Knicks sit at +290 odds.
Spurs over Grizzlies in 7- The Spurs are a shadow of themselves compared to their start of the year success. I think the Grizzlies will scare the Spurs and create one of the more surprisingly entertaining 1st round series.
Thunder over Denver in 6- This has my vote as the first round series I am most interested in watching/following. The Thunder are one of the best 4 seeds I've seen on paper since following basketball. They will win their first series as an NBA team in Oklahoma City. OKC coming off the board as a -210, which I consider to be nice odds for them.
Lakers over Hornets in 4- This is where the Lakers turn on the switch. Regular season losing streaks are exactly that- they happen in the regular season. The Lakers won't lose more than a game in this series. Their series odds are -2100, the second biggest favorite behind the Bulls.
Mavs over Blazers in 7- This series determines the team who will lose to the Lakers in round 2. I'd put my money on the Mavs, who aren't usually playing their best basketball historically in late April/early May as a team. I think they have just enough to win here, but beyond that, forget about it. Mavs are the lowest favorites on the board at -190.Round 2:
Bulls over Magic in 6- Rose is unguardable, but that doesn't mean he will always get the best of Dwight Howard, who will make life more difficult in this series than the Pacers will do. Ultimately, the better team will prevail, and the Bulls continue their improbable run towards the franchise's 7th title. I will guess that the Bulls go off the board at -400 or -500 for this series.
Heat over Knicks in 5- As I said before, I think the Heat's switch turns on towards the end of round 1. While the Heat are capable of playing defense, the Knicks' best defensive plays are usually on offense when they hold the ball for more than 10 seconds. Take this one to the bank. The Heat would be -500 for this series.
Thunder over Spurs in 6- The Spurs have reached their fork in the road, and unfortunately it's not a fork picking up a nice piece of steak. Rather, this fork is covered in gravel bits. Perkins being added to the team will prove to be the best move made at the deadline in the short-term.
Lakers over Mavs in 5- See first round capsules. Laker's switch: ON = Mavs: SCREWED.
Conference Finals:
Heat over Bulls in 6- Consider this blasphemy for someone who owns a Scalabrine jersey, but I have this feeling that the Heat are going to play their best basketball in May. I haven't been able to shake this feeling that the Bulls are playing over their heads and will eventually crash. That's not to say this season would be a disappointment if they finished in the NBA Final Four- far from it. What the Bulls have done this year has been nothing short of incredible. I'm gonna trust my gut on this one and say the Heat win the series, but I will definitely be rooting against this feeling.
Lakers over Thunder in 7- This will be the best series of the NBA playoffs, much like their first-round battle last year (with the Lakers victorious in 6 games). I envision Durant making that next step to becoming closer to legend status, but he will have to bow to elder legend Kobe. I see both gentlemen going off for about 35 ppg in the series, but experience playing in the favor of the Lakers in an epic series.
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| While Kobe's fingers may look a tad feminine and pale, don't be fooled by thinking they can't flip the switch again. |
Finals: Lakers over Heat in 6- The NBA, ESPN, ABC and any other 3/4 lettered sports channel provider gets the finals they wanted to see since LeBron made The Decision and the matchup they've been craving since the Cavs were the 1 seed in back-to-back years in Bryant vs. James. One thing that could play in the Heat's favor is that they'd have home-court advantage in this one should they face each other (Heat have 1 more regular season win than the Lakers). While I think Kobe is nearing the twilight of his status of an elite player, there isn't a single player in the game who has the talent and determination to win than he does. There are others in the game with more talent than him at this point, but Kobe's will to succeed is so much higher than everyone else's. His legs with millions of miles on them are attached to the body of a man whose appetite for championships is that of a starving fat guy left alone at an All-You-Can-Eat fish fry.
An aside: A couple weeks ago, I mentioned to my friend Nick that I think Bryant's draft position in the 1996 draft in the #13 slot is the biggest steal of any draft in NBA history, even moreso than Jordan "falling" to the Bulls at 3 the year he came out. Consider the two players drafted ahead of Jordan- Hakeem and Sam Bowie (can't blame the Rockets for selecting a 7 foot athletic guy who can do everything) vs. the last 6 guys who were picked ahead of Bryant in 1996: Lorenzen Wright (of course to the Clippers), Kerry Kittles, Samaki Walker, Erick Dampier, Todd Fuller (who the hell is he? - here is who "he" is, in case you are interested.) and Vitaly Potapenko. When Erick Dampier is the best player picked in the same range of a draft, you know you're talking about a disasterously fantastic deal the Lakers got to get Bryant- traded to LA after being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets.
Back to the point. With this being Phil Jackson's supposed last hurrah, I think Bryant and company will send Phil out a winner.
This above series would be being played while I am in Vegas for my Vegas VI trip. I hope to see the beginning of what could be an amazing Finals matchup. I hope I'm wrong about the Bulls not making it this far.
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