Another day, another dollar.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, the company lost about 25 billion in market value before the bell this morning after reporting that it's next quarter's expectations missed analyst's targets for Q3.

Now every company has it's problems, but with a 20% drop over the past 5 years, while the S&P 500 gained about 12%, Mr. Softy has been scrambling to keep up with the likes of Apple and Google, where innovation and user experience are proving to be more lucrative than dominating the desktop which Microsoft had done all through the 90's. The world is shifting towards the Internet and open source, while in the past, Microsoft focused on squeezing profits from it's Windows OS by forcing users to use it's products and driving out competitors such as Netscape and RealPlayer through monopolistic practices.

As online music and search continue to grow at mind-boggling rates, it's hard to understand how tech guru Bill Gates underestimated the importance of these trends. Even with his renewed focus and urgency on MSN, Mr. Softy has quite a bit of ground to cover to take a bite out of the 70% US search engine market share pie that Google and Yahoo collectively enjoy.

However, with a cash hoard of about 35 billion (and consistently generating over 1 billion every month), MSFT is still a threat and has the ability to get back into the game by using that capital for growth, either organic or through acquisition. But with more and more shareholders losing patience, Microsoft better figure out something quick, as the days of being a Wall Street darling might just be a search that cannot be found.

Put another shrimp on the barbie!

I recently had the pleasure to dine at one of Chicago's most elite restaurants, the original Chop House. This award-winning joint on Ontario and Dearborn is dedicated to providing the finest steaks fulfilling every heart's desire...And even though Outback is still one of my favorite digs for juicy steaks, I have to admit that the experience and quality at Chop House is unparallel.

When choosing steaks, it's best to be versed with the different types of meat cuts and grade quality associated with them. Most are graded prime, choice, or select where grade refers to the degree of marbling in the meat (the fat within the muscle that adds flavor and juiciness). Prime has the most marbling and yields the juiciest steaks, but it is expensive and goes primarily to top-notch restaurants and high-end stores. Choice, the most common, is the next grade while select is the lowest.

There are many ways to enjoy the meat, but I prefer mine grilled medium to medium rare, with a touch of A1 sauce to wash it down. In case you're wondering where next to satisfy your "grade A top choice meat" cravings, I suggest checking out USDA Prime Steakhouses to visit an establishment near you.

pub trivia

haven't you always wanted to find a place where you are rewarded for knowing that sandra bullock was miss new jersey in miss congeniality, that matt leblanc was lost in space, or that the movie bubble boy even exists?

well now such a place exists. i'm taking about the new craze sweeping the nation. nerds unite - it's pub trivia time! it makes so much sense, i can't believe it wasn't started years ago. let's ask people trivial questions and watch as they buy food and drinks for 3 hours! so simple. so brilliant. so good.

finally a reason to watch even more tv, read even more mindless magazines. but for those not interested in entertainment, don't worry. there is something for everyone - geography, science, art, sports! i'd like to give a shout out to stump!

i felt myself getting dumberer after college, but now i can feel my brain working. did you know that starbucks coffee was named after a character in moby dick? or that the rock played football for the university of miami? or that gandhi was the first non-us born time magazine's man of the year?

pub trivia - making the world smarter one question at a time.

big tv tonight. HUGE.

a quick look at some wb favs

now i really do believe those gilmore girls are super cool party people, but what was with last night's episode? and the week before? this whole season even? those quick-witted gals have never disappointed me in the past and i'm not saying i'm disappointed now, but i expect more at this point. i want more crazy pop culture references, more rory/lorelai interaction, and (dare i say it) more christopher! has he been great the past few weeks, or what? and now only one episode left?! did anything even happen this season? the always accurate previews show lorelai asking luke to elope. why do i have a feeling that rory and logan might beat the l's to it...

you know how there are some shows you watch for the storylines, the dialogue (gilmore girls can't be beat on this one!), the sensational acting, or for that warm fuzzy feeling you get inside (oc fans, you know what i'm talking about)? well one tree hill is not one of those shows. it's what we call a "guilty pleasure". with that said, i'm hooked! it's sad really. i don't even know if i enjoy it anymore. i think i just need to know what happens. will dan be revealed as keith's murderer? i don't think so. will peyton and jake get married? i don't think so. will haley and nathan get re-married? i think so but not without a huge CLIFFhanger.

i need help.

i'm slowly trying to weed out the wb. i'm down to three shows: gg, oth, and everwood. from what i hear oth and everwood are on the chopping block with the shift to the cw...

bye bye wb. hello life.

There's no 'I' in 'TEAM'.

With the NBA Playoffs underway, I wouldn't be surprised to be watching the rematch of the Spurs and the Pistons battle it out in the finals early June. My confidence has grown over the past regular season as both teams not only have the stars, but the vital supporting team players to keep them in check.

Bball hasn't been this exciting since Jordan left the scene (the 2nd time), with younger talent seeking superstar status such the likes that of Wade, Iverson, and McGrady. But will any of these idols ever be crowned as champions? Is it possible that King LeBron James, even with all his Nike endorsements and Sprite commercials, will be able to reign supreme without a solid team to back him up?

Even mighty Jordan, with all his power and dominance, needed help from Pippin, Kerr, Kukoc, and of course, Rodman. Unfortunately, a key lesson harshly learned by Kobe. Being crowned scoring champion is great, but I'm convinced that if it wasn't for the breakup with O'Neal, the Lakers would still own the rock.

welcome boys and girls!

it's official...the hatch is open for business. a special thanks to nitty for inviting me on this adventure. we promise not to disappoint.

as for beckham...i just don't see it. am i alone out there? but i do like the girl that can bend it like beckham. more on that later.

coming soon - my thoughts on tonights episode of the wb's underrated dramedy about them quippy gilmores.

oh and for the record, no need for in depth analysis nitty. summer. hands down.

It's our time down here.

From the days since Google purchased Blogger, I have promised myself day after day to try this badboy out. Unbelievable that after contemplating for about 2 years, I have finally gotten this blog up and running.

What I intend to post from time to time is still a mystery, but here are some thoughts:

What I like about David Beckham.
Will crude oil ever drop down from 75 clams?

Or perhaps a deeper analysis of who's hotter:

Summer from OC or Kate from Lost...

Either way, this blog is in business, and I welcome you to post your comments and feedback. Enjoy!

"Don't you realize? The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town. The next time you take a test, it'll be in some other school. Our parents, they want the best of stuff for us. But right now, they got to do what's right for them. Because it's their time. Their time! Up there! Down here, it's our time. It's our time down here."

Mikey from The Goonies