This is blog entry number one. I'm just setting the table over here. Blogs this week will focus on the Badgers in the Big Ten tourney as I will be in attendance in Omaha, NE for games one and two. After that the blog will focus on sports, humor, and dining in Milwaukee and Chicago.

The title "the prodigal son" is of course a reference to the story in the bible of a young man's journey away from his home only to return home where he belongs. I am a Milwaukee resident who has spent my whole life in Wisconsin, the greatest state in the union. However, my girlfriend lives in Chicago, so every other weekend im in the Second city (Second to Milwaukee) absorbing the bear loving, cub hugging propaganda. That is why some of the blogs will give tips on dining in Chicago.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Sports: I am an avid sports fan who loves to talk about sports on all occasions. I have taped the espy's since i was a kid and even taped SC on its 20th anniversary show. I used to like the daily show because craig kilborn was the host. Michael Jordan is my favorite athlete of all time (sorry Brett). Number four is my favorite number. I am a UW-Madison alumni, (where my grandparents have had season football and hockey tickets since I was born). I am continuing my education at Marquette now (where my mom was in the band when Al led the boys to a national title. She played the flute at the game). My favorite sports to watch, in order, 1. Packers Football 2. Soccer 3. Badger Sports (Hoops and Football) 4. THE NFL (the rest of em) 5. Brewers 6. College Hoops 7. College Football 8. The NBA 9. Golf... I will discuss all of them. 

Food: I love food. My dad was a bachelor until he was 38 so he had to cook for himself a lot. Because of that he has always loved cooking, and so have I. More than that I love eating at good restaurants. When I was in madison I used to get phone calls from all my buddies asking me where to take a girl for a nice meal. For me restaurants should be rated in two categories 1. Quality of food (creative dish, cooking skill etc.) 2. Bang for your buck (Ill pay $35 for a steak if it is a $35 steak. I hate food that is overpriced even if it is by just a dollar or two). With my experience at restaurants in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison I will attempt to recommend places in the three cities focusing on what type of food is being explored, and what price range.  

OK so that was the administrative stuff. I look forward to blogging and would love to hear your feedback. Especially if there is a restaurant you want me to review. I probably have already been and have a photographic memory when it comes to a good meal. Also give me your sports arguments I would love to hear them. 

TOPIC #1:

ok, I wasnt going to write anything but build up but I cant help myself Top Ten reasons (in no order) why Brett Favre has to be on the MT. Rushmore of QB's (Top Four like the presidents)

1. His Attempts/INT ratio is only worse than Steve young of all of the QBs people argue about...... That is right. It is better than Elway, and Montana. So all the haters who say that Favre has thrown the most INTs shove that in their cake whole like a muffin without the top.

2. He has played for four different coaches (and one was Ray Rhodes).... you look at elway, montana, young, bradshaw, manning, brady, etc. those guys have at the most played for 2 coaches. Being a QB that has to change systems all the time is not easy.  

3. Where is all the talent?..... With all due respect to Desmond Howard, Edgar Bennet, Dorsey Levens, Mark Chumura, Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman, and others. Brett Favre has only played with One HOF'er, and that of course was "The Minister Defense" mr. 92 Reggie White. Besides Reg Brett has not played with a single HOF'er unless Greg Jennings turns into one. I know Sterling Sharpe was on his way, but his career was cut short. I don't even think anyone he has played with will make it on a ballot. You look at the other guys (Young, Montana, Aikman, Manning, Brady, Elway) their teams are chalk full of Hall of Famers. Brett did more with less talent around him than anyone.

4. The Streak.... people who say the streak doesn't matter are dumb. You can't be a great player when you are sitting on the bench with an injury. How can the value of being on the field every week in a sport where one injury can change the course of a teams season be under-rated. It can't. Anyone who says the streak is dumb need only to look at all the teams who, since Favre's start, have gone through a handful of bad QBs both starters and back-ups.

5. Face of the Game...... In a league where everyone wheres helmets Brett Favre's face is one of the most recognizable faces in all of sports. That is a testament to his greatness and personality.

6. Green Bay..... Brett was loyal to the Packers, and didn't care that he was playing in a small market with a team that was owned by the public. Just look at Eli Manning who refused to play for New Orleans, or other super-stars who only want to play in the big cities. Can you imagine Shaq playing in Green Bay?

7. Creativity..... As a huge soccer fan one of the things that makes a great soccer player great is their creativity. Their ability to do things with the ball that no one else would even think to do. That was Favre. Even at the end his toss in the playoffs against Seattle is the perfect example. How many QBs would even think to do something like that. He is a genius who saw the game from a different angle than a regular QB.

8. The Kid in us...... there are players who everyone loves to watch. How many times have you heard the phrase, "I would pay money to see Brett Favre play". Like Michael Jordan, and current soccer phenom Cristiano Ronaldo, for $65 you might see something that no one has ever done before, and will see it being done by someone who loves the game they play more than anything.

9. The Records.... how can someone who is tops in Wins, Consecutive Starts, TDs, Attempts, etc. not be considered one of the top 4. He has his ring so you can't marino him, and he did it all consistently every year without a single Go-to reciever or dominant runner (with the exception of the 2-3 good Ahman years).

10. The near misses..... If it werent for 4th and 26 how far could the pack have gone that year. Ahman was running great and the team looked poised. If instant replay was around the T.O. game for the 49ers would have never happened. Jerry rice fumbled that ball early that drive. The Mike Vick game. We ran into a freak of nature that day. A QB who could not have been stopped no matter what.... I think that Brett could have taken us to two more SBs if the cards had just fallen a little better for the pack.

Ok so that was blog one. It was a little long, but I had to get my Favre list out there for all those guys arguing around the water cooler. The rest won't be this long. Keep an eye out for on the road with Bucky coming up, and dining in Milwaukee, and Chicago up-coming as well.