Best of 2013

Best Movie I Saw- American Hustle 



The all-star ensemble cast really hits it out of the park in this film loosely based on real event. Christian Bale and Amy Adams play con artists who are forced to work for an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) after he figures out their scheme. The three then attempt to take down other con artists, an ambitious mayor (Jeremy Renner), U.S. Congressmen, and the mafia. There are severely hitches in their plots, many of them caused by Bale’s wife (played by Jennifer Lawrence).

Others receiving votes- Moonrise Kingdom, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained, Pitch Perfect


Best TV Show I Watched- Veep 




I continue to marvel at what Julia Louis-Dreyfus has done. Instead of being forever known as Elaine Benes, she has continued to flourish in her post-Seinfeld acting career. Her role in Veep as the foul mouthed, raucous vice president Selina Meyer is one of the best things going on television right now.

Others receiving votes- Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Parks and Recreation, Master of Sex


Best Book I Read- Give and Take by Adam Grant 




Other receiving votes- And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Housseini, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman, The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman, Ghost Man by Robert Hobbs


Best Song of the Year- I’m not as in tune with the music industry as I used to be. For that reason I always look to support my own intuitions with the work of respected organizations. Below you’ll find the Top 10 songs of the year by Rolling Stone and Billboard. After that you’ll find mine.

Rolling Stone 

10.) Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys
9.) Started From the Bottom by Drake
8.) Retrograde by James Blake
7.) Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
6.) Stoned and Starving by Parquet Courts
5.) When a Fire Starts to Burn by Disclosure
4.) Hannah Hunt by Vampire Weekend
3.) Black Skinhead by Kanye West
2.) Royals by Lorde
1.) Get Lucky by Daft Punk

Billboard Critic’s Picks 

10.) Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
9.) Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
8.) White Noise by Disclosure
7.) Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake
6.) Black Skinhead by Kanye West
5.) Get Lucky by Daft Punk
4.) Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
3.) Royals by Lorde
2.) Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves
1.) We Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus

My Top 10 Song of the Year 

10.) Royals by Lorde
9.) Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
8.) Normal Person by Arcade Fire
7.) Walkin’ on a Pretty Day by Kurt Vile
6.) Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves
5.) Feeding Line by Boy and Bear
4.) Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
3.) Ohm by Yo La Tengo
2.) Mine Would Be You by Blake Shelton
1.) Wake Me Up by Avicii


Best Tweets of the Year (@DanStanczyk)-



This portion is totally self-serving, but I enjoy looking back at what I’ve tweeted throughout the year. Here are my 10 favorite tweets.

December 21st- “Go ahead and reset the puke counter. Thanks Syracuse. I need to get my life together because “vomit free since 2013” has a nice ring to it.”

November 11th- “I’ll go ahead and beat everyone to it. Tomorrow is 11/12/13. Go nuts.”

October 9th- “Kelly Olynyk is the early favorite for the “Shelden Williams Award” given annually to the ugliest player in the NBA”

September 16th- “THEY’RE ALL TWIX! IT WAS A SET UP! A SET UP I TELL YA! RT @BBTN Greenroom discussion- What is in your candy Hall of Fame? @BoogSciambi”

August 12th- “One of my many bosses (@AmandaLGifford) just sent me an email that read, “booyah”. Not sure if @StuartScott collects royalties on that.”

July 11th- “Half of my Facebook newsfeed is filled by friends’ ex-gfs. Am I supposed to unfriend them or are they supposed to unfriend me?”

June 24th- “My sober desires for Chipotle have nearly eclipsed my intoxicated urges for Taco Bell in their intensity.”

April 8th- “Thankfully we’ll get the white guy’s perspective from @GottliebShow at the half bc it was all Albrecht and Hancock in the first 20 min”

 February 17th- “John Merrick won the Northern Trust Open? SportsCenter anchors everywhere better be ready to yell, “I am not an animal!” @adnanESPN”

January 24th- “The ESPN Radio intramural basketball team motto, “And you thought we were bad at softball…”

Books of the Year

One of my goals in 2013 was to read at least 25 books. I figured roughly two per month was definitely doable. It was. I read the following 32.

January 

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart- A dystopic look at the pitfalls of our society’s obsession with status, hand held devices, and material goods.

My thoughts- I bought this book because it was listed on Barnes & Noble’s website under the title “Those who bought this book also bought” on the page for one of my favorite books of all-time, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. This book was nothing like Goon Squad. I didn't like it from the get go, but simply powered through it.

Ranking- 32 of 32

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman- The downfall of a globally distributed newspaper is told through the prism of its staff. Each chapter is told by a different staffer and is never solely focused on the paper.

My thoughts- I’m all about the environment of a newsroom. The relationship between those making editorial decisions fascinates me. This book doesn't have too much of that, but it was still a great read. It reads almost like a collection of short stories, but the tie to the newspaper tangentially connects them all.

Ranking- 5 of 32

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- A reporter returns to her hometown to cover the murder of a teenage girl and her past cuts her apart throughout her investigation.

My thoughts- Gillian Flynn wrote the 2012 summer hit Gone Girl, which was amazing (outside of a weak ending), so when I saw the paperback for Sharp Objects on a discount aisle I felt compelled to give it a try. The same intense pacing and suspense that made Gone Girl such a quick read was prevalent throughout Sharp Objects. The plot wasn't as intriguing, but the ending was much better than Gone Girl, which makes me excited for Flynn’s future works.

Ranking- 25 of 32

February 

All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg- A New York Times writer recounts his path from destitution in the Deep South to critical acclaim as a sports columnist.

My thoughts- It was interesting to see how a small town reporter made it in on a national stage, but I didn't care for the first 60 percent of the book which centered on Bragg’s incredibly impoverished childhood.

Ranking- 29 of 32

March 

April 

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon- The owners of a local record store fear that their business will go under if a national chain opens up a new store down the street.

My thoughts- I read a fascinating review for this book by New York magazine’s Kathryn Schultz, which elevated my expectations exponentially. Toss in the fact that Chabon won the Pulitzer in 2001 and this book didn’t have a chance at living up to the hype I had created for it. It was tough to get through this one for me. The plot seemed interesting enough (there was even a fictionalized cameo by Barack Obama), but something fell flat.

Ranking- 31 of 32

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann- An Irishman comes to America to visit his brother, who is a New York City priest that is a godsend to a ring of prostitutes. It’s another book where each chapter is told by a different character and there’s only a small connection from one to the next.

My thoughts- It took a little while before I got caught up in this book (might have had to do with the shifting narrators), but I eventually grew to enjoy it thoroughly.

Ranking- 6 of 32

all you could ask for by Mike Greenberg- Three women form a bond through their battle with breast cancer.

My thoughts- I’m still surprised that a sports talk radio show penned this novel. The first half flies by and is relatively entertaining, but the second half seems like a bit of a stretch at times and the ending is a little too cute.

Ranking- 30 of 32

Give and Take by Adam Grant- In the business world people fall into one of three categories: Giver, Taker, or Matcher. Givers selflessly offer to help others. Matchers operate under a quid pro quo mindset, and Takers get others to do things for them. Although givers can sometimes get abused they actually make the best leaders.

My thoughts- I thought this book was fantastic. It read a lot like a Malcolm Gladwell book, but with more of a real world practicality to it. There were several interesting/surprising points that I continue to use to my advantage at work.

Ranking- 1 of 32

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson- Once you’re diagnosed (probably the wrong word) as a psychopath it’s nearly impossible to prove otherwise. Also, plenty of successful people (CEOs) fit the definition.

My thoughts- A quick read about a topic that you’d think the general populous would know more about.

Ranking- 19 of 32

May 

Ghost Man by Roger Hobbs- George Clooney’s character in Michael Clayton was a ‘fixer’ for a law firm. If something went wrong or needed to be taken care of, he made it disappear or took care of it discreetly. The protagonist of Ghost Man is a fixer for crimes. After a casino robbery goes terribly awry he’s tasked with making the damage disappear for the man that ordered the crime.

My thoughts- I was never a huge fiction guy, but once I saw that Stephen King and Gillian Flynn recommended this book I had to buy it. The most amazing thing about Ghost Man is that it was written by a 24-year-old.

Ranking- 4 of 32

The Dinner by Herman Koch- Two brothers, one of which is about to run for Prime Minister, have a tense filled dinner where they decide what to do about their sons, who were caught on videotape (but not identified) murdering a homeless man in a phone booth.

My thoughts- It’s usually pretty hard to talk me into a book/movie that announces how there is only one setting throughout (127 Hours, Phone Booth, etc.), but I’m glad I eventually picked this book up. There is a lot about family, jealousy, and protecting one’s public image involved.

Ranking- 18 of 32

The Sportswriter by Richard Ford- This novel is about the angst of a divorced middle aged man who recently lost his son and covers sports for a living.

My thoughts- I don’t know if I can accurately summarize the main themes from this mid ‘80s work, but at the same time I feel like I understood the message as I read it. The novel deals with finding true happiness and meaning in life and coping with loss.

Ranking- 14 of 32

The Hit by David Baldacci- A female assassin seemingly goes rogue and a hit man is tasked with taking her out. The two have worked together in the past and end up working together again.

My thoughts- When you mix high level crime, espionage, and government corruption I’m generally interested.

Ranking- 11 of 32

June 

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson- Part auto-biography/part coaching philosophy. Jackson reveals his worldview as he recounts his career in the NBA as a player and coach.

My thoughts- I’ve always been a fan of Phil, so reading this book was a no-brainer for me. In many ways this book just confirmed my previous conception of the legendary coach.

Ranking- 7 of 32

The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud- A famous writer living in New York City deals with his daughter that won’t grow up and move out of his shadow, her free spirited friend who he’s known for years, and a forgotten nephew that shows up at his doorstep looking for assistance all while he continues to work on what he thinks will be his magnum opus with the 9/11 terrorist attacks serving as the background.

My thoughts- I learned about this book in a review of Messud’s 2013 work titled The Woman Upstairs and was very intrigued. I’m sure there was a ton of social commentary that I didn't pick up on, but I thought the book was well worth my time.

Ranking- 10 of 32

July 

Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss- The titans of the food industry had a meeting over a decade ago where someone brought up the growing concern about the health risks involved with mass produced food in America, but nothing was really done about it.

My thoughts- This is not a book that’s going to scare you and prevent you from eating processed food (you should already be scared- it’s gross). It also does not read like a textbook. Overall the point is hammered home a little too frequently, but I still found it interesting to learn about the lengths that food companies go to just to continue tricking Americans into eating stuff that barely qualifies as food.

Ranking- 23 of 32

Silken Prey by John Sanford- A private investigator is called upon by the governor after a campaign staffer in a senatorial election winds up dead.

My thoughts- A political crime thriller that hinges on a major election? Yes, please. Can they make it a movie already?

Ranking- 9 of 32

Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris- I honestly don’t know how to summarize this book. It’s a bunch of seemingly random thoughts and mini-stories told and written by Sedaris. Some are autobiographical. Others are 100% made up.

My thoughts- Funny, but not nearly as funny as critics and commentators would have you believe.

Ranking- 21 of 32

Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane- The sequel to Gone Baby Gone in which Amanda McCready goes missing again and Patrick Kenzie once again has to find her.

My thoughts- I think Gone Baby Gone is one of the best movies of all time, so I had to buy this book (written by the same author). It wasn’t as good, but already knowing many of the characters made it very easy to dive right in.

Ranking- 20 of 32

The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman- A book about the modern dating scene in Brooklyn.

My thoughts- I was very impressed by Waldman’s ability to get inside the mind of the modern male twenty something.

Ranking- 3 of 32

I Wear The Black Hat by Chuck Klosterman- Klosterman explores the role of the villain in real life.

My thoughts- Klosterman is an idea man. In this novel he presents some interesting theories and makes a handful of keen observations all while delivering his usual dose of pop culture references from the 80s and 90s.

Ranking- 17 of 32

August 

This Town by Mark Leibovich- An insider’s account of the Washington DC scene over the course of two years.

My thoughts- I’m a little politically inclined, so I was excited to read this behind the curtain look at how the political machine that is DC operates, but I wasn't particularly taken with the contents.

Ranking- 26 of 32

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Foster- A woman reflects on the pain of her childhood. Her sister was taken away when she was 5 and her brother ran away shortly thereafter.

My thoughts- Probably the weirdest book I read all year, but at times I found myself fascinated with the plot. I almost stopped reading when I learned of a key plot point, but I was already so invested that I had to continue on.

Ranking- 16 of 32

September 

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer- Six teenagers become friends at a summer camp for the arts and they remain in contact as they become adults.

My thoughts- This book explores how the ties of friendship change and are tested over the decades. There are ups and there are downs, but some connections are so strong that they endure.

Ranking- 8 of 32

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini- The author of The Kite Runner is back with a novel centered on a little girl being torn away from her brother and the ramification that the separation has over a lifetime. Each chapter is told by a different character at a different point in time, so you only get bits and pieces of the entire story, but enough is revealed in the end.

My thoughts- I don’t know how, but Hosseini sure knows how to latch on to the emotional core of his readers. He makes you feel deeply for the characters that he creates. I would recommend this book to almost anyone.

Ranking- 2 of 32

October 

Difficult Men by Brett Martin- A behind the scenes look at how antiheroes became the go to formula for successful television programs.

My thoughts- If you've seen The Wire, The Soprano’s, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad then you should absolutely buy this book.

Ranking- 22 of 32

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell- We miscalculate advantages and disadvantages.

My thoughts- Not Gladwell’s best. Some of his examples hold water, but others don’t. Still a quick, thought provoking read, but not nearly as illuminating as his previous work.

Ranking- 24 of 32

November 

Night Film by Marisha Pessl- A reporter tries to figure out why the daughter of a cult hero film director has committed suicide.

My thoughts- This book takes you on a wild, dark ride that is entertaining, but a little too crazy.

Ranking- 27 of 32

The Last Alibi by David Ellis- The ultimate test of attorney-client privilege. A man tells a lawyer that two women that he knows well have been murdered, but that he didn't do it. The lawyer suspects that the man is guilty as the murders continue to mount, but he can’t notify the police unless he knows that the man will commit another crime. In a crazy twist the lawyer ends up on trial for murder after the man plants evidence against him.

My thoughts- A fast paced thriller that will almost undoubtedly become a movie in the next decade.

Ranking- 13 of 32

December 

You Herd Me! I’ll say it if nobody else will by Colin Cowherd- ESPN Radio host Colin Cowherd provides his take on 35 different sports arguments.

My thoughts- Cowherd is the best sports talk radio show host in the country, so the content is definitely interesting. The presentation is definitely different, but I’m not sure how much that will bother the masses.

Ranking- 12 of 32

Defending Jacob by William Landay- The assistant DA is the lead investigator of the murder of a 14-year-old boy…until his son becomes the leading suspect.

My thoughts- Certainly a different take on the legal thriller genre, but I feel like the crux of this book involved parenthood i.e. what a parent believed their own creation was capable of.

Ranking- 28 of 32

The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly- A hotshot lawyer defends a client who was recommended to him by the very prostitute who he’s accused of killing.

My thoughts- A page turning legal drama that’s perfect for a plane ride.

Ranking- 15 of 32

Hate List 5.0

I can't believe that I almost went all of 2013 without updating my hate list.

1.) When someone forgets to remove the lint from the dryer screen- This may seem trivial (and it is), but I've lived in a house with three roommates for the past 18 months and not once has the dryer screen been free from lint as I transfer my clothers from the washer to the dryer. I mean, it only takes four seconds to do. Although, so does washing a spoon, fork, or knife and my room mates don't do that either. I've almost concluded that ignorance is at play here. Maybe they simply don't know that this is something that one should do after using the dryer.

2.) People that recline their seat on airplanes- Even before the liklihood of sitting next to an overweight flyer space on an airplane is extremely limited. We all understand that. For someone to consciously minimize the amount of room of the person behind them is beyond me. These people are pricks. Once they recline the person behind them almost has to recline in order to breathe, which leads to a domino effect.

3.) People that post pictures of the temperature gauge from their car/phone- We get it. It's either really hot, really cold, or you're in a place (most likely on vacation) that's considerably warmer than where you reside. I refuse to "like" any picture of this kind on Facebook/InstaGram. The lack of originality is infuriating.

4.) People that leave time on the microwave- I'll never understand how this happens. At least 2-3 times a week I'll enter my kitchen and see something like, ":37 Start?" on the microwave. To me, using a microwave is simple. You choose an amount of time that you think will heat your food to the right temperature and you hit "Start". Once the time is up you remove the food and if it's warm enough you go to town. If it's still too cold you enter more time. Why would you remove something before the timer goes off? Ok, maybe you're eyeballing the food and it looks ready, so you open the door. Hit the "Clear" button! It takes less than a second.

5.) The phrase "quick question"- I hear this allll the time and it drives me crazy. Why don't people just ask the question? Saying, "I have a quick question for you," only takes up more time than just directly asking the question. I don't even like when people say, "Hey, I've got a question for you." Does the person you're about to ask need a warning? Just ask the question.

6.) People that walk into a room and expect those already in it to acknowledge them- This happens to me at least twice a day. People I like a lot do it routinely. I've trained myself to not even turn. I just focus on the computer or television screen in front of me and wait for the person who entered the room to say something. A handful of times people have opened a door halfway and after I deliberately did not acknowledge them they chose not to enter and closed the door. Here's my point- the person opening the door or entering the room is the one that disrupted the homeostasis of the room. Why should the inhabitants of the room be forced to address the newcomer? The person entering the room surely has some purpose for doing so, right? Instead of waiting to be acknowledged they should state their reason for entering.

7.) Tweets/Facebook posts involving the phrases "said no one ever" and "asking for a friend"- Stop it. Pointing out things that people wouldn't say is not funny. Nor is asking a relatively embarassing question and playing it off like someone else asked you to ask.

8.) When the contestants on Jeopardy fail to reveal all of the clues on the board because their pace is too slow- Hey people, don't you know that I'm counting the number of answers that I get right?

9.) The word "ditto"- I can't believe that it took so long for this to make the list. Ditto is probably my least favorite word in the English language. Not only is tacky, it was featured prominently in the movie Ghost (1990) starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. I can't think of an appropriate time to use this idiotic word. If the person to your right at dinner orders what you want do you say, "Ditto for me" to the waiter/waitress? No, you say, "I'll have the same."

10.) When people eat (myself) included in front of others that are not eating- As far as I'm concerned eating is either a shared experience or a solo activity. I can't stand when people eat in front of me or when I'm forced into eating in an area where someone else is not doing the same. I try my hardest to avoid these situations at all costs, but they still happen from time to time.

Become More of a Man

My buddy Gens, a dear friend of the blog, sent me a link the other day that was right up my alley. Two guys (one being the man behind @GSElevator) compiled a list of things that if obeyed will serve as a guide to being a man. It wasn't as simple as eat red meat, drink beer, and watch football. There was actually nice balance between genuine life advice and whimsical one liners. I've included most of them below, but if you want the full list you can click here.

·  Stop talking about where you went to college- I can see how this would get another in the Wall Street world, but I’m actually pretty interest in where people got their diplomas. I think it’s a good jumping off point for conversation. In many ways it’s one of the most common questions asked among millenials that are meeting for the first time.

·  Always carry cash. Keep some in your front pocket- I’m the type of person that will spend cash if I have it on me, so I generally avoid carrying that much. Once a $20 bill is broken the change will be spent shortly thereafter. Carrying cash definitely makes sense in a city environment when it comes to buying drinks, etc. I live in the middle of Connecticut, so I think I’m good.

·  Rebel from business casual. Burn your khakis and wear a suit or jeans-  Business casual is sort of half assing it. It’s like sticking your toes in the water without going in. Either go all out or don’t I think this advice is applicable in many other walks of life.

·  Join Twitter; become your own curator of information- I love how this is phrased. I’ve mentioned time and time again how joining Twitter (after years of criticizing the medium) was one of the best decisions that I ever made. Even if you don’t feel compelled to spout off on anything Twitter is a great tool to streamline your interests. It also puts a bunch of things on your radar that you normally wouldn’t know about because the people you follow are constantly sharing things that they’re interested in.

·  When the bartender asks, you should already know what you want to drink- I’m one of the most indecisive people that you’ll meet. I also feel slightly insecure about my go-to drink order, gin and tonic. As my hero, Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, once said, “Clear alcohol is for rich women on diets.”

·  You don’t have to like baseball, but you should understand the concept of what a pitcher’s ERA means. Approach life similarly- I’m not sure if I totally understand this one, but it seems like a profound thought. I assume it means that you should know what’s going on in the world even if you could care less about news and politics.

·  When in doubt, always kiss the girl- What’s the famous Gretzky line? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

·  Tip more than you should- Unless the waitress is an absolute cunt. Then you can tip like your last name is Greenberg.

·  You probably use your cell phone too often and at the wrong moments- This one applies to everyone. Our society’s reliance on handheld devices is staggering. I’ve thought about going a few days without the use of my phone, but I don’t think I can pull it off. I may just start leaving it in my room for hours at a time, so I’m not constantly checking Twitter, Facebook, InstaGram, Snapchat, etc.

·  Buy expensive sunglasses. Superficial? Yes, but so are the women judging you. And it tells these women you appreciate nice things and are responsible enough not to lose them- I’ve long been anti-sunglasses, but this makes sense. I’ve never owned a legitimate pair, but that’s probably because I wear actual glasses all the time.

·  Do 50 push-ups, sit-ups, and dips before you shower each morning- Tying a workout to something you do every day, like showering, is the best way to develop a habit. I do 100 pushups every morning after I shower.

·  Eat brunch with friends at least every other weekend. Leave Rusty and Junior at home- I love brunch, but I generally work weekends, so this one would be tough for me. A good slop session with the guys is always a great time.

·  Be a regular at more than one bar- Some variety is a must.

·  Act like you’ve been there before. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the end zone at the Super Bowl or on a private plane- Knowing how to act properly in all settings is a clear sign of maturity.

·  A glass of wine or two with lunch will not ruin your day- I know a few people who have a glass of wine everyday when they get home from work and then another glass with dinner. I usually only drink wine 3-4 times a year.


·  It’s better if old men cut your hair- I normally avoid conversations with strangers when I can, but old men often have semi-interesting stories.

·  No selfies. Aspire to experience photo-worthy moments in the company of a beautiful woman- As much as I like InstaGram I still can’t deny that taking pictures is definitely more of a feminine thing to do.

·  Ask for a salad instead of fries- Eating healthy is a commitment to your future self. Oftentimes it’s difficult, but it’s for the best. You won’t be able to fight the urge to consume garbage like fries all of the time, but you should be trying.

·  Don’t split a check- I like paying for an entire meal because it’s just easier that way, but it depends on how many people are with me. I don’t make nearly enough money to make this a common thing.

·  Do not use an electric razor- Really? Ok, it’s been noted.


·  One girlfriend at a time is probably enough- You’re not in college anymore.

·  #StopItWithTheHastags- I’ll let most of them slide on Twitter and InstaGram, but they have got to be cut from actual conversations.

·  You may only request one song from the DJ- I think one is pushing it.

·  Measure yourself only against your previous self- This may be the best advice on here. Too often people compare themselves to their peers. If all of your friends get married it doesn’t mean that you’re a fuck up or that you’re falling behind. Similarly, people may appear to be happy as clams, but behind closed doors they can be absolutely miserable. Make peace with yourself and try to become the best version of yourself that you can be. You shouldn’t need any external motivation or feel any sense of pressure from others.

·  Place-dropping is worse than name-dropping- I don’t hear the former that often, so I’d say it’s a toss up, but I’m definitely going to keep my ears peeled for when people do.

·  When you admire the work of artists or writers, tell them- Forget about artists and writers. If someone does a good job at something, let them know.

·  Your clothes do not match. They go together- A good line for the fashion challenged.


·  Staying angry is a waste of energy- Completely agree. Nobody likes a perpetual hot head. Strive to be a positive person.


·  If she expects the person you are 20% of the time, 100% of the time, then she doesn't want you- Don’t change who you are to fit someone else’s version of yourself.

·  Always bring a bottle of something to the party- It’s common courtesy, right?


·  Don’t use the word “closure” or ever expect it in real life- “I wanted a perfect ending.  Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.  Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next”  -Gilda Radner

·  Drink outdoors. And during the day. And sometimes by yourself- Alcohol can fuel self-reflection.

·  Date women outside your social set. You’ll be surprised- You can learn something different from every person that you meet. We all have our own unique story to tell. Entering into conversations with this mindset will make you a more open and engaging person.


·  Feigning unpretentiousness is worse than being pretentious. Cut it out with the vintage Polo and that ’83 Wagoneer in Nantucket- Trying to appear as if you aren’t trying has been happening ever since college when kids in pajamas/sweatpants had gel in their hair at the cafeteria for Sunday brunch.

·  No-one cares if you are offended, so stop it- Whining is annoying and gets you nowhere.


·  Never take an ex back. She tried to do better and is settling with you- It’s easy to fall back into an old rhythm, but things stopped working for a reason.

·  Eating out alone can be magnificent. Find a place where you can sit at the bar- I’ve done it a few times for breakfast and once for lunch. It’s fantastic. I prefer to eat my meals alone in the first place.

·  Read more. It allows you to borrow someone else’s brain, and will make you more interesting at a dinner party – provided that you don’t initiate conversation with, “So, who are you reading …”- Reading may seem like something that old people do, but it’s actually what smart people do. The absorption of new words, phrases, and ideas is immensely beneficial. Reading cultivates your mind and makes you a better communicator.

·  Ignore the boos. They usually come from the cheap seats- Don’t let the opinion of others affect you.  

·  Don’t ever say, “it is what it is.”- You’re smart enough to come up with a better explanation.

·  Start a wine collection for your kids when they are born. Add a few cases every year without telling them. It’ll make a phenomenal gift in twenty years- Pretty cool idea.

·  Don’t gamble if losing $100 is going to piss you off- Set a limit and stick with it.

·  Remember, “rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.”-  Another one that I don’t fully comprehend, but it seems like a deep, meaningful collection of words.

 

I don’t think that if you adhere to this list you will be more of a man, but I think you’ll be a lot less of a douche and more of a thoughtful human being.

Trick or Treat

I worked 28 of the 31 days in October, so I haven't really had the appropriate amount of time to let a thought or two really germinate and become a full blog post. Instead I'll just spout off on a myriad of topics that have crossed my mind in the past month.

My parents routinely ask me what my friends do for a living. In most cases I genuinely don't know the answer. Maybe it's because I don't know what my friends actually do at work because I don't know how things operate in their industry (finance, for example) or maybe I just don't care. That might sound horrible and I'm sure my parents are skeptical about my lack of knowledge when it comes to the professions of my friends. I think that the go to question for adults my parents age has always been, "What do you do?" More than likely it's the first thing that an adult will ask another upon being introduced. I guess my question is this. Does a person's profession reveal anything significant about their character? I would argue that it doesn't. I don't know what the majority of my friends do for a living, but that doesn't mean that we aren't close. Their day to day tasks and duties have little bearing on the type of person that they are. I'm more interested in where they're living, who they're hanging out with, what they've recently posted on a social media site, and what movies, tv shows, and books they've recently consumed.

* I recently made a serious attempt at guessing what the other 9 members of a fantasy football league do. I got one correct (my cousin who will not be named) and another partially right (a lawyer, but I don't have a clue what he does).


Sunday Night Football's open on NBC is different this year. Country star Carrie Underwood has replaced country star Faith Hill. From what I can tell the lyrics to the song, "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night" have not changed (they still rhyme NBC with NBC in the last stanza), but the video has. Underwood is younger (30), more attractive, and more vibrant than Hill (46). In fact, Underwood might be in my top 5 of celebrities that I want to bang. That all said, I much prefer the Faith Hill version of the Sunday Night Football open, which, by the way, is the greatest thing going in terms of sports television.

Faith showed her legs (she changed outfits from year to year- sometimes within the same version), worked her hips, and there was that one brief moment every week where you thought you could see her vagina. She got every drip of sex appeal ringing through her body and put it into that performance. I used to get a little tingly before the big game every week. Underwood just looks bubbly and fun. She jumps around and claps her hands. It's like she knows that she's beautiful, so she doesn't exert much effort. I love Underwood, but I'd be all for bringing back Faith.


The NBA is back and I, for one, couldn't be more thrilled. I'm a big Knicks fan, but I've really tempered my expectations for the season. Last year they won their division and finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference. I'd be stunned if they managed to do that this year. I actually like their depth a lot. Andrea Bargniani is soft, but he's 7 feet tall and can shoot, Tim Hardaway, Jr. has some spring in his step and he can knock down three-pointers, Metta World Peace actually plays defense and can hit a corner jump shot, and JR Smith won the 6th Man of the Year award last season. I also think that Iman Shumpert is going to have a semi-breakout year (his biggest issue is consistency).

The reason that the Knicks probably won't be the #2 seed again is that the top of the Eastern Conference has gotten significantly better. The Heat, last year's #1 seed, are obviously better than the Knicks. The Bulls swept the Knicks in the regular season last year and now they have former MVP Derrick Rose back. The Pacers beat the Knicks in the playoffs and they get Danny Granger back, added Luis Scola and CJ Watson, and their star Paul George is only getting better. The Nets added future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and are the clear favorites to win the Atlantic Division. That puts the Knicks at the #5 seed and that doesn't even account for a team like Washington that should be drastically improved from a season ago with the health of John Wall, development of Bradley Beal, and the addition of Marcin Gortat.

I'll probably watch upwards of 60 Knick games this year, but I also watch plenty of other games as well. Here's my starting five of non-All-Stars that I enjoy watching.

PG- Jarrett Jack, Cleveland Cavaliers
SG- Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
SF- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
PF- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
C- Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks

While we're talking NBA, how about the debut of my guy Michael Carter-Williams?



The Sixers are expected to be the worst team in the league (over/under on wins is 16.5) and all they did in their season opener was beat the two-time defending champion Heat thanks to the performance of Carter-Williams. He scored 22 points, dished out 12 assists, set an NBA record with 9 steals in his debut, and also grabbed 7 rebounds.


Since it's Halloween we can end there. I'm going/went as Bradley Cooper's character in Silver Linings Playbook. It's relatively creative (most people should know what I am) and incredibly easy to pull off (grey sweatpants, a grey hoodie, and a black trash bag).

Here are my Top 10 Favorite Candy Options

1.) Twix (THEY'RE ALL TWIX. IT WAS A SET UP. A SET UP I TELL YOU.)
2.) Charleston Chew
3.) Reese's Pieces
4.) Kit Kats
5.) Milky Way
6.) Snickers
7.) Baby Ruth
8.) 100 Grand
9.) 3 Musketeers
10.) Junior Mints

Tool or No Tool

This Monday The Dan LeBatard Show debuted on ESPN Radio (4-7pm ET). LeBatard has long been a well known member of the sports media (he hosts a TV show with his father weekdays on ESPN), but until Monday I had never heard him host a radio show. He’s wildly eccentric, self-deprecating, and apt to go off on tangents, but I’m already a big fan. In one of the first segments I heard he and his co-host who goes by the name Stugotz played a game with Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. It was called Tool or No Tool. LeBatard and Stugotz rattled off a bunch of things that people say and do and Tannehill had to decide if the performer of the act in question was a tool or not a tool. I’ve borrowed a bunch of theirs and added a few of my own below.

The game reminded me of when I first started working at ESPN. A high school friend asked me if Josh Elliot, at that time an anchor of the 10am SportsCenter, was cocky cool or cocky tool. I had never heard the term before, but immediately knew what it meant. With that said, let’s start Tool or No Tool there.

Josh Elliot (who now works for ABC on Good Morning America)? No tool. There’s an air of smugness about him, but I think he’s a cool dude.

Asking for a re-tweet? Tool. I will never understand this. Even if a celebrity is dumb enough to re-tweet you all that their followers will see if how pathetic you are by asking for a re-tweet.

Wearing jeans and sandals? Tool. Unless you’re a country singer.

Selfies? Tool. I’ve never stooped that low, but my cousin who will not be named has incorporated selfies into his life in an interesting way. He uses them as stakes for bets. For example, we have a bet about whether or not I can eat two pizzas from a particular restaurant in one sitting (I definitely can) and the loser has to post a selfie on Instagram. The winner gets to write the caption.

Ordering a salad at a restaurant? No tool. Had you asked me a year ago my answer probably would have been different, but in today’s day and age this is definitely a legitimate move (even if you’re with a group of guys).

Making jokes about the government shutdown? Tool. They’ve been incessant since it began.

Tweeting about things that happen on Jeopardy? Tool. Guilty as charged, but I still contend that there’s always a contestant who thinks that they are awesome at the categories in which a word or a few letters are in quotes.

Watching Jeopardy? No tool. I actually watched an entire episode while at work this week with my headphones on.

Buffalo Bills backup quarterback Jeff Tuel? Tool.

Posting a picture of your car on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram for any reason? Tool. I got a new car on Monday and have been fighting the slight urge ever since, but I can’t see any positives to doing so.

Having a go-to order at Starbucks? Tool. Grande skinny vanilla latte. I disgust myself.

Growing a playoff beard for the Major League Baseball post season? Tool. This is a hockey thing. Any other attempt pales in comparison. That said, I did shave today in preparation to work every day for the next month on the Major League Baseball post season.

Twitter arguments? Tool. I’ve never done it, but I’m usually quite entertained when two celebrities get into it in the social space (unless it’s the made up feud between Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade).

British accents? No tool. I’m all about them. I also marvel at the way that British actors develop an American accent. In a related note, Daniel Radcliffe (better known as Harry Potter) was a guest on The Colbert Report last night and was hysterical.

Listening to podcasts? No tool. They are actually pretty good for long runs/workouts. There are also so many of them that it’s hard to not find a topic that interests you.

Strikingly Similar

When it comes to technological advances I'm a bit of a laggard. I had a flip phone all throughout college. In fact, I didn't enter the world of smartphones until December of 2010. I got my first iphone within the past 12 months. I staunchly refused to join Twitter, thinking it was trivial, for years before realizing that if you're not on Twitter you're falling behind. I have only recently joined Instagram and Snap Chat. I adamantly refuse to buy a nook/kindle. I enjoy the experience of going to a bookstore and browsing for new titles. In most instances I know deep down that I'll eventually cave, but I don't think that's the case with reading off of a screen. I like holding the book and feeling how pages I've read and need to read to finish each passing novel.

I tell you this because a thought dawned on me as I was recently reading one of the three magazines that I subscribe to (New York magazine in this case. The other two are Rolling Stone and Maxim). I was reading an article about the new Leonardo DiCaprio/Martin Scorsese movie The Wolf of Wall Street and it dawned on me that two of my favorite celebrities, DiCaprio and Kobe Bryant, have had strikingly similar careers.

DiCaprio is arguably the best actor of his generation. He took the torch from Tom Hanks/Tom Cruise in the mid to late 90s and has been a critically acclaimed box office draw ever since. There have been other elite actors in that time frame (notably Sean Penn, Denzel Washington, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney), but no one has clearly risen above Leo. You could make the case that some have had better careers, but there is no consensus.

Kobe Bryant is the 2nd best shooting guard in NBA history and I don't think there's much debate about that. Bryant idolized Michael Jordan growing up and was eager to follow in his footsteps. It didn't happen over night, but Kobe has been the best NBA player in the post-Jordan era. Sure there were other great players (Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd), but Bryant's accolades are far superior to most others. It should be noted, however, that LeBron James has usurped Kobe's title as the greatest basketball player on the planet.

The two megastars (they have world wide recognition) are both in their mid to late 30s (Leo is 38, Kobe is 35), but we knew them as teens. DiCaprio was a child actor (appeared in Growing Pains) who got his big break on the silverscreen at age 19 in 1993's What's Eating Gilbert Grape. He earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a teenager with a mental disease. He then burst onto the scene as the male lead in James Cameron's 1997 epic Titanic. Kobe was not the first highschool basketball player to jump straight to the NBA, but he was one the most well known and covered at the time of his ascent. Case in point, we all know that Kobe took Brandy to his prom. Less than a year later Kobe was a high flying rookie who won the 1997 Slam Dunk contest.

Leo's individual career is, admittedly, not as impressive as his reputation would suggest. He has not yet won Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar, the ultimate honor in acting. In fact, he's only been nominated for it twice (The Aviator in 2004 and Blood Diamond 2006). I would argue that he should have at least garnered a nomination for The Departed (2006), but the studio (Warner Bros.) instead pushed for his role in Blood Diamond to be rewarded. He also should have received Best Supporting Actor nominations for his work in Gangs of New York (2002) and Django Unchained (2012). I do think that he'll eventually win the Best Actor Oscar as almost a career achievement sort of way. Similar to how Kate Winslet won Best Actrees in 2009 for her role in The Reader, which was probably her 4th or 5th best performance all time.

Similar to how Leo has been snubbed by the Academy, Kobe was snubbed for years when it came to the MVP award. He's finished in the Top 5 ten times, but only once (2008) did he come away as the winner. For example, Steve Nash won in 2006 by averaging nearly 19 points and more than 10 assists per game. Kobe led the league in scoring (35.4), hauled in more than 5 boards a game, and dished out 4.5 assists to the likes of Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, and Chris Mihm.

While Kobe only has one MVP award, he does have five championships. The acting equivalent would be being cast in a film that wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards. DiCaprio has been a part of two Best Picture wins (Titanic, The Departed) and has "been to the finals" (been in a movie that was nominated for the grand prize) four other times (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, Inception, Django Unchained).

What this tells us is that Leo and Kobe are great individual talents that have been a part of some really good teams. In fact, it's clear to see that they're both at their best when they're surrounded by other elite players/actors. Kobe was at his best playing with Shaq and has won two titles with Pau Gasol as the Robin to his Batman. DiCaprio has thrived alongside Kate Winslet (Titanic), Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs of New York), Tom Hanks (Catch Me If You Can), Matt Damon/Jack Nicholson (The Departed), and Jaime Foxx/Christolph Walz (Django Unchained).

Not only have they had great teammates, they've also had great coaches. For Kobe it was Phil Jackson. He of the 11 championship rings and unquestionable pedigree. For Leo it was (and continues to be) Martin Scorsese. The two have now teamed up for five successful films (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, and The Wolf of Wall Street).



It's no secret that DiCaprio and Bryant are among the best of all time in their respective fields. It's just striking how similar their career paths have been. Bryant is well ahead in terms of cementing his legacy, but DiCaprio has 30-40 more years to add to his acting career if he so chooses. We don't see such sustained success in sports or acting anymore these days. The two elite performers, who both have LA ties (DiCaprio was borned/raised there, Kobe plays there) are truly titans of their industries.