Merlin's Blog

Dan are we still on for Scores Saturday night? I know you were disappointed that Mublin's party was at a bar. Anybody else want in?

So the blog's been slacking lately, and I apologize. I promise in the upcoming weeks we will be able to invest more time in the blog and make it a site that is truly worth being the homepage on Shinemor's computer. In that regard, there will be a few changes made. Velvel will no longer be posting here. It's not that his posts weren't appreciated - they were - but Velvel has his own blog and he won't be needed in theis forum. We'd appreciate continued comments, links from his site, and recommendations as necessary. There will be more posting on the Cubs once the season starts. And Mubin will certainly be posting on a more frequent basis as well.

A few things:
1) The Cubs trade of Juan Cruz to the Braves is somewhat bittersweet - not that Cruz is anything special, as he's certainly had his opportunities the past few years and the Cubs have several better pitching prospects in addition ro a full rotation - but rather because last year the rumor was the Cubs could have had Javier Vazquez and Jose Vidro if they were willing to part with their best prospects - namely, Cruz, Hee Seop Choi and Bobby Hill. Now all of them are gone, but we do have E-ramis and D-Lee to show for it, so that's not bad. 10 days until opening day!
2) The Illini face off against Duke tomorrow night after completely dominanting in the first two rounds - unfortunately, Duke did as well. I think the Illini have a great chance - Duke's not that deep a team (neither are the Illini) and the Illini guards are certainly comparable. It should be a fun game. Illini 81, Duke 76.
3) I was sick last weekend, and being sick sucks. I guess as an infectious disease doctor I should ahve realized this, but since I hadn't been febrile in 5 1/2 years (since my pediatrics rotation in 11/98) I sort of forgot. Much props to the sick people. I lived on chicken soup for a few days (Kosher Marketplace). At least I didn't have malaria, which I was a little worried about after my fever pattern of the first few days after the recent trip to Tanzania (check out the states and countries I have been in on the bottom of the page).
4) People ask about the origin of the name "Mubin." Mubin was a contestant on an Indian version of the game show "College Bowl" that we watched in Tanzania - I believe Mubin went to the winning squad from I.S.B. Ahmadabad. Therefore, out of respect, Mubin took Mubin's name.
5) Listening to Jay-Z's "Grey Album" - namely his "Black Album" mixed with the Beatles "White Album". Good stuff - you should download it.

As many of you know it was my 29th birthday yesterday. I want to first thank Joanna for planning the party and inviting all of you. As she will attest I was not thrilled with the idea, but I had a great time and I want to thank you all for coming. I would also like to apologize to any readers that were not invited. Since Joanna put a list together based on previous emails I cc'd her on and I was not involved in inviting people, which I probably should have been since some people who I would have liked to come were inadvertently not invited. I apologize. As to the event itself, in typical Rubin fashion we planned to hit Big Sur at 8 last night but when we got there, d'oh, closed for renovations. Way to go Goldwomen. Barry Goldwomen had only one responsibility, only one. Pick the place. Well he did a bang up job. Way to go Barry. So we are sitting outside in the rain. I myself not being the most patient person, wasn't bothered in the least, even though the others were griping at each other about what we should do. A majority of the reason was because I was not a big fan of the whole party thing in the first place but secondly I started drinking at 6. We finally picked Mad River which could be the classiest with a K establishment in New York City. Nothing like college age fraternity guys doing keg stands. Party. Especially with Joel and Tammy coming to the party, all I can say is classy with a K. Joel walks into the bar, which carded him, not because of his age, sorry dad, but because they couldn't believe a guy wearing a suit, bow tie and brown bowler hat would come in there. Tammy fit right in with her shear ling coat, especially with the female clientele who needless to say were not modestly dressed. Anyway we proceed to gather at Mad River. We were able to inform everyone of the venue change either by phone or by the big sign in black magic marker on the front door of Big Sur. Right next to the closed for renovation sign, ZELLIN. Do they actual pay you a salary at your job or are you like Kramer, working for free? Moving on. Mad River has a guy belting out songs from that quality radio station PLJ so loud you could hardly hear yourself think. Meanwhile I am drinking heavily. By the end of the evening I think I was giving Dan and Wendy a motivational speech. just call me Tony Robbins. I ended up going home, eating two slices of pizza and some cheese cake or maybe rugalah, I don't remember. I went to sleep in my bed, alone, but woke up on my couch, also alone. I felt so ill at 6 in the morning that I thought I might hurl, but I didn't. Hence a successful party. Thanks again for coming and as Tony Robbins says "its in your moments of decision that your destiny is made". Go out there and make a difference.