Long Time, No Post

It has been a long time since I've posted on this blog. I originally set it up to point out things that piss me off or things that I want to complain about. Well, it is time to put it to good use. It was one of those days where beating people over the head with a shovel would require a masters degree in some art form or another.

First, pedestrians. Traveling through a few shopping centers during the last few days have really cranked me the wrong way. Just because you are a pedestrian doesn't give you the right to just walk whenever, wherever, however you damned well please. Your dumb ass is going to get run over. Can you get your vehicle to stop on a dime? Especially in this weather? I think if I ever hit one of you "I'm a pedestrian, I'll walk whenever, wherever, however" types, I'm going to back up over you to make sure I got you. Why don't you just run east on the westbound lanes of I-74 and play "chicken" with a semi if you have such a death wish? Hell, just save us all time and insurance policy increases by just jumping off Murray Baker. Maybe a barge will hit you on the way down.

Speaking of pedestrians, I'm on my way home tonight and the two joggers, dressed in dark clothing, on less than perfect condition pavement are trying to get across War Drive by sneaking through traffic stopped at a light. If you are out jogging for exercise, are a few extra yards to cross at the light going to over exert you?

Blue day. Blue cards (Link - food stamps) and blue hair (Social Security checks) day. First LINK card purchase I saw: 10 CASES of soda. One of the local media outlets had some "Can you live on what LINK card recipients receive" feature. And you hear stories where there are kids going hungry at the middle\end of the month. I'm not busting ALL LINK card holders...I know some are really trying to get their feet back under them. But I just have a hard time with it when I see some mom and several kids in tow with 10 cases of soda and bags upon bags of chips and candy.

What the hell is up with the "Build The Block" museum people? I hope the hell someone(s) are picking up the tab for all that advertising you are doing, because if you are spending the money you raised to build that future taxpayer supported (read Civic Center HRA tax) boondoggle, you will never get that thing built. There is an idea. Spend all the money on advertising so you don't have enough money to build it saving us taxpayers the expense of having to support it later.

I'm not tired of complaining...just tired of typing.

'Tis The Season

Well, it is happening. Those who flunked 3rd grade reading are out shopping, ads in hand. It continually amazes me that people, ad in hand, will incessantly argue with me that I'm wrong about the price and\or product. I'm not bitching about someone who makes an honest mistake; we all do that. It is the people who become argumentative, abrasive, loud, resort to name calling or stating the lack of my intelligence when THEY ARE WRONG.

Did all of you know I have magical powers that allow me to override systems put in place to keep me from taking your bad check, over limit credit card, not enough $ on your LINK card, etc. ? There is a reason for those checks and measures to be in place and Me NOT being able to override them. I don't care how much $$$ you SAY or THINK you have, I can't do a damned thing about it. Call your bank, state, etc. and figure it out; don't stand there and yell at me. Pony up another form of payment or move on. And the only people I feel sorry for is my staff who has to put all the stuff back on the shelf. This also goes for expired coupons. Why the hell do you think they put dates on them? Companies spend huge dollars on advertising and they want to track how well their advertising is working for them by bringing people in during a certain time frame. They WANT you to shop during that time frame and the coupon is designed to bring you in during that time frame.

They are called cashiers. They ring up your purchases. That is what they do and the reason they are there. If you have any other needs, please see a person at the customer service desk, a department head, whatever cool name the company has given the sales floor person or a stock person. Nothing is more aggravating than being in line behind you and for you to drag that line's cashier out into the store to help you find bunny slippers.

I know I've mentioned this before. If I have a 75 pound case on my shoulder and I'm dragging a cart full of product behind me, so, no, I can't show you were the cat kibble is. I can come back and help you when I'm finished with what I'm currently doing. I dunno. If I'm in a store and I see some guy struggling with a box on his shoulder and straining to pull a load of product behind him, I just don't think asking him for help finding something because he doesn't have anything else going on at the moment.

I've explained the situation to you. You are asking me to do something against, or seriously bend, my company's policy. Why are you so insistent? Do you like to get people in trouble, written up, reprimanded or fired? Do you go around and get your jollies doing that? Oh, now you want to talk to MY boss. Good for you Mr.\Mrs. Imsoimportant. I'm sure my boss will tell you the same thing. Get over yourself. Don't like it, call corporate and tell them you think their policies suck and shouldn't apply to your pompous ass. Trouble is, when you are dialing the general customer service number, I'm calling the person you REALLY want to talk to DIRECT.

Wow. Two days gone, 22 to go. Jim Koch better schedule some overtime.

Side note. The day wasn't a total loss. I did get a hug from an attractive blonde customer. Some people are so much more appreciative.

People With No Sense of Right

What the hell is the matter with some people? I have to run into more short-minded people of late. Examples:

As I don't want to hurt anyone's business, I was at a nameless buffet last week. There was a woman who was picking out food with her fingers, eating it with her fingers, then trying something else in the same fashion. My GUESS was she was seeing what she liked and did not. YUCK!! About the same time I noticed this, another buffet guest said something to this woman and got a dirty look. Moments later an employee had a converstation with this woman, she left the buffet area and went back to the dining area. Don't remember her seeing her after that. But WTF? Can someone REALLY be that socially stupid? This is probably the same type of person who would have called the health department if an employee stirred the pudding without sanitary gloves on.

I'm in at CUB Foods on Knoxville. I notice this mother, father and two little kids. The one kid is eating candy from a bag. They stop their cart and the kid sets the candy bag on the shelf and they all wander down the aisle. Here is my deductive reasoning. If the candy was brought in with them or previously paid for, would the parents just left it on the shelf (could be they that they didn't notice, but...) or would they have retrieved it? My guess it wasn't paid for and they just didn't give a shit. Kids are happy and it didn't cost anything. I'm sure the grocery manager just loves to find things like this as I'm sure as with most departmental managers, they are bonused on keeping spoilage (out of date items), customer damage, received goods damage, and theft to a minimum as it affects his\her bonus. Next time I'm at CUBS, I think I'll help myself to the sushi??????????

I can't make this shit up. A group of young women were slowly meandering across Prospect in front of Glen Oak Park having an apparent conversation\discussion\argument (was above the decible level of what I would consider normal as I could hear them, but not what they were saying, in my car with the windows up two cars back) WHILE one of them was on a cellphone. The light turns green finding them in the TURN LANE into the park. The car wanting to turn left into the park honked at them to (I'm guessing) move out of the way. Well, the focus turned quickly to the honker and verbal assaults and guestures were offered in response.

I dunno. I can't fathom acting or behaving like any of the above. Maybe it is I'm a wimp. Maybe good manners. Maybe a sense of decency. Hell, maybe just some old fashion common sense. I think they just need a good fanny paddling from my mother to straighten them out.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Have Questions, Too

Over on BJ Stone's Blog, he has some serious and not so serious questions that probably need some answering. While driving around the Peoria area today, I came up with some, also.

1. There is a building for rent, lease or sale within the first 1/4 mile north of I-74 on Knoxville. You mean someone can't pull some strings and get a Cash Advance store, a nails\tanning\hair cut joint, a Mexican restaurant, a cell phone place or a sub sandwich shop in there? Come'on Peoria, we're slippin'!!

2. There is this nice, new long I-74 on ramp off of Lafayette Street (for I-Brows) with a pretty good view of east bound traffic going over the Murray Baker. However, both times going to East Peoria via that route, there was a car damned near parked in the merge lane. What? Can't talk on the cell, eat, pluck nose hairs and merge onto 74 at the same time?

3. I come back and take the exit that will get me up Adams to 150. I'm stuck in front of Taft Homes because two school busses are letting off kids. It took soooo long, that all lanes of traffic were backed up waaaaaay into downtown. So, why does it take these kids so long to get off the bus?

4. I know I shouldn't harrass the Peoria Police Department. However, at University and War, these TWO cars turned left sooooooooooooooo long after the arrow went red onto War from University RIGHT in front of this officer and nothing. Guess he was too busy staking out Beechlers.

5. What happened to spring? Spring-ish, then cold, then rain and now it is 85 flippin' degrees. Note to self. Next year take month long vacation on Tybee Island, GA so I get my spring. That said, it is now time for "open the windows" season which also happens to coincide with the neighborhood "toss Fido outside so he can bark his fuckin' head off for hours on end" season. This quickly turns into the "continual testing of Cerwin Vega H-15 speakers powered by a 350 watt (8 ohms, baby) Yamaha amp" season at my house. Nothing like dusting by sound waves :)

6. I complained profusely about my insurance company wanting to raise my rates because I have a less than perfect credit score. Since I was on vacation this past week, I decided to write a nasty-gram. I received a phone call today and though my credit isn't a thing of beauty, apparently it isn't bad enough to raise my rates. Now I understand that they are required by law to send this letter out informing me (and everyone else) that they are going to start using FICO scores to determine insurance rates. Since you can find out your score for free, why in the hell don't they put in the letter "If your score is xxx or above, you have nothing to worry about."? I'm sure my poor agent probably got many seething letters as I wrote because the dipsticks up at world headquarters forget what it is like to be in the "field" and send out braindead, negatively misleading and thoughtless form letters to millions of people.

7. If you tell someone you need 10 square feet of sod, does their suggestion of two rolls of 8' x 18" (or whatever the standard sod roll is) make any sense to you? Me, neither. Thank God they don't sell carpeting.

I think I'm done.

Its 6:08 AM

I'm asleep, or at least it would have seemed to be the case. I'm awakened by lawn mowing and weed-eating. I don't think either of my neighbors are that industrious at that time of the morning. The COP was mowing and trimming the boulevard at 6:08 AM!!! Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that it got done, but 6:08 in the morning? I know if I cranked up the lawnmower at 6:08, I'd be the cause of early morning doughnut break interruptions.

While I'm watching in disbelief of break of dawn high decible sleep interruption, a thought comes to mind: I wonder if this is the same guy who weed wacked my 6' hollyhock last year in my back yard.

This year, I'm going to put up a big sign: HEY! This is a flower you botany challenged foliage terminator!! Put down the weedwacker, take two steps back and pray I'm not at home having a bad day.

Guess I'm in the minority....

The people I voted for made the council. However:


Peoria Library Bonds
93 of 93 Precincts (100%)
Yes 9,951 72%
No 3,949 28%


Peoria Smoking Ban
93 of 93 Precincts (100%)
Yes 9,191 67%
No 4,560 33%

I voted in the 28 & 33 percent groups respectively. If 9191 people split my $49, it'll only cost them a half cent each....until all the bars start closing when all the smokers run to the Heights, Dunlap, Norwood, West & East Peoria and some digit scrambler decides to raise AV to make up for lost property taxes. I'm joking about the last part...someone will still have to pay property taxes whether the building is inhabited or not. Unless the state imposes a ban, I'm just getting another "I told ya so" shot in.

Now off of that subject. I'm witness to potential stupidity today. I'm driving down Prospect. A mom (I'm guessing) daughter (5-sih) and child in stroller heading toward me, on a pretty bumby looking, less than maintained sidewalk (but gee we can pump 35M into a library). The little girl is giving the stroller a huge push and lets it traverse on its own. Mother does nothing. Now, I guess the stroller could have been empty (the convertible top was up) and that Ms. Pushy was the previous occupant, even though the stroller looked a bit small for her. But it freaked me out!!

Do you think yelling at me over the phone is making me more sympathetic to your issue and wanting to help you? A. NO B. Hell NO. C. Click.

I saw an SUV with, what appeared to be, maybe 30" rims. Kinda looked silly. Was waiting for the clowns to come out and start a parade.

I can't make this up. "So, YOU'RE Chef Kevin." "Yep, its me." "I thought you'd be older." Great. So I type in old or something. Nothing like a backhanded compliment.

Sigh...

Getting Tired of Feeling Broke

I know I'm not, but the recent and possibility of more outlay of cash is getting a bit much. More Ameren, increase in house insurance, $3.00\gallon gasoline looming, three year high beef prices, I know my property taxes will most likely be higher than last year and now the library wants $49 a year. I know my last (yearly) raise isn't covering it.

I bought an older home in a "nicer" part of the East Bluff. It needed some work and some remodeling. It started off with a bang, but has staggered and now is crawling to get finished. The excess cash to do so has evaporated into other people's pockets. Everyone thinks they need my money for their purposes worse than I do.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Cars That Honk

I feel this blog has been a gripe session of late, but things just seem to be getting on my nerves a bit more than usual. Here is my latest.

A lot of new(er) vehicles, when you lock or unlock your car via remote, honks the horn. Both of my neighbors have this damned feature and park their cars outside. This morning HONK! HONK! HONK! at 6:45 am right next to my bedroom window. A nice rainy day to sleep in (I don't have to be at work until late). Not anymore. Now I'm not saying I'm a perfect neighbor (ask them, I'm sure they will tell you), but this is a daily thing...sometimes twice...or 4 times.

It seems to me that with all today's modern technology they could make this: A keychain remote that would chirp (or hell, play ringtones) and buzz in your hand when you lock\unlock your vehicle. There could still be a "alert" button to get the car to honk in an emergency situation or when you want to find your vehicle parked in O'Hare parking lot.

Of course, I'm sure the "higher ups" at GM, Ford, etc. don't get awakened at 6:45 am sleeping in their gated estate mansions so they know to correct this stupidity....

More Insurance Bitching

As I posted previously, my insurance company informs me that they are providing me with less coverage with no additional cost to me. Now these geniuses are informing me that they are going to start basing rates partially on credit history.

This bothers me. I know I don't have great credit...maybe average at best....some troubling times several years ago. However, I've had my car insurance with them since the mid 80's and my house insurance with them since '95 and renter's insurance before that. As far as I know, I've never missed a payment...might have been late, but never missed. I had one claim on my car insurance about 3 years ago when I took a turn in a parking lot a little too short and knocked off my driver side mirror on a cement post. Its not like I hit someone causing thousands of dollars worth of damage and\or hospitalization, lawyers, court, etc.. And if they REALLY want to do some research they will find in 30 years of driving, my "mirror" accident was my only "accident". Last ticket, over 10 years ago ( which was a laughable matter...I'll bore you with it after this rant). You'd think this clean of a record would be worth something.

However, according to them, statistics "show" that the worse your credit score is the more likely your are to file a claim. Anything to screw you out of more money.

Let me give them two statistics....statistics don't write insurance payment checks, I do. And statistics say that when you feel like you are being bent over by your insurance company, you go looking for a new one.

Ticket scenario: I'm in Kewanee. I had just bought my Monte Carlo z 34. I hear on the news that golf ball sized hail was reported in Cambridge (12 miles west of Kewanee) and the storm producing it was traveling SE at 35 miles per hour. Well, I don't want golf ball sized hail hammering my brand new car. So, I leave Kewanee on 34 and head due east on 91, thinking taking it (and rt. 93) to Bradford and take 40 into Peoria might let me avoid the SEerly travelling storm. Well, I'm cruising at 75 in a 55 and zip past a State guy (wtf is a state guy doing camped out on 91? - sheesh). Pulls me over, does the routine, all the while I'm sweatin' the storm. He comes back to the car, hands me the ticket and says "Just to let you know, there is a bad storm coming this way producing damaging hail and high winds. You might want to seek out a safe place until the storm passes". To which my response was "It's a brand new car, what do you think I was doing?" *eyeroll* DUH.

The Anti-Gun Morons Are At It Again

I am so sick and tired of the anti gun people and the gullible legislators who listen to them I could scream. I was reading Rob's Rant over on Angie's blog how there are bills that are trying to be passed that once again only affect law abiding, legally owning gun owners. Stupid things like banning semi-auto rifles and shotguns. So, the semi-auto shotgun once belonging to my grandfather which probably hasn't been shot in 25-30 years, which I don't have any shells in the house to put in it, will now be against the law and I should just hand over a remembrance from my grandfather. Well, f*ck you and bite My ASS!!! Will all you brainiac anti gun fantics please explain how the hell taking away my grandfather's legally owned shotgun is supposed to stop some idiot with an illegally owned Mac-10 or Glock 9 from holding up liquor stores or shooting someone? HUH? What was that? Speak up! Please explain it to me. You can't, so don't pass such a stupid bullshit law. You can't have it until ALL illegal firearms are removed from those that are in illegal possession of them.

Why don't you people make anti-gun laws like this:

Using a gun of any kind that is not legally yours to commit a crime: 30 years in San Quentin busting rocks with a ballpeen hammer for 16 hours a day.

Using a gun of any kind that is not legally yours and wound someone: Add 25 years to the above, but at Rikers Island.

Using a gun of any kind that is not legally yours and kill someone: Slap on another 25 years to the 55 you already have at the Holiday Inn of the Rockies, ultra max security, Florence.

Oh, and no time off for good behavior. And get rid of laws that say if you are a minor, the sentence ends at 21. Bullshit! You go from Juvie to the big house: do not pass go, do not collect another illegal weapon.

Get tough with criminals, not legal, law abiding gun owners. Until you get some laws on the books that actually deter crime, leave us law abiding gun owners alone.

I know, I know...(in a puny, nasally, whiny-ass voice) "why do you need a semi-automatic rifle with a 30 round clip?" Am I pointing at you? No. So what difference does it make what I do with it? Maybe there are some evil retired bowling pins that need their tops blown off at 300 yards with a Mini 30. And you know, shooting those darned clay pigeons at a range in rural Tazewell County may very well start some farming turf war.

Second thought, I might need some shells and new batteries for the holloscope...

Too Be or Not To Be..Glen Oak Park a Historical Site

There is a hearing on Wednesday concerning whether or not to designate Glen Oak Park as a historical site.

Well, it would be nice, but I think that time has passed. Why? Well look at everything that has already been lost...the Sunken Gardens and the Palm House. At at this time you can't cross the suspension bridge and they want to remove the Parapet & Cannon from the shore of the Lagoon because it is falling apart. The roads in some areas are falling apart. The history to be preserved is gone or very close to extinction. Yet there is this fine quote (emphasis mine):

"The park district is opposing the designation, saying it will interfere with its ability to govern and maintain the park, which is Peoria's first public park. Park Board trustee Roger Allen told commissioners that residents can come to Park Board meetings to lodge complaints."

So, the city council and the Historical Society would interfere with their "maintenance" of the roads, parapet, cannon, suspension bridge, lagoon, etc.....? Personally, it LOOKS like someone needs to interfere...and they want to maintain a how many mile long trail? Like my mom used to say "If you don't take care of this bike, we aren't getting you a new one." Hmmm....where's mom?

I'm Insured Against What?

I got a letter from my homeowners insurance company today. They are amending certain parts of my policy. In other words, they are eliminating or reducing coverage AT NO CHANGE TO MY ANNUAL POLICY COST. Well, thank you. In other words, I'm just paying the same for less. And of course it is in such jargon that you have to be a politician to understand the legalbabble or have your lawyer explain it to you. I'm pretty sure at this point I'm covered only if nothing happens...and I can only make claims on Tuesday as long as I didn't have dinner after 6:30 PM and 7 African wooly worms wearing fuschia vests and paisley ties are dancing to "Wild Thing" on my front porch.

Equality?

After years of pressure, the Wimbledon tennis tournamnet is now going to pay women the same prize money as men. HUH?

I'm sorry, but WTF is that? Women play best of three sets, men best of 5 sets. So even if the number one seeds breeze through all six matches in straights sets and the prize money is (estimate) $1,000,000 each, that means a woman makes $83,334 a set and a man makes $55,556 a set. If things go badly, but still win and have to play 3 and 5 sets respectively for six matches, a woman makes $55,556 a set, a man $33,334.

I know all women are cheering and in most respects I'm glad that a professional sport has done the right thing and paid female athletes their just due. But this isn't the case. If women play the same 4 quarters of basketball as men, well, I see it. Or the same rounds of golf on the same course. Or the same NASCAR race. Or play 2 halves of soccer on the same field. But not 3 sets of tennis versus 5.

Womens' mantra for years has been "equal pay for equal work". So, play potential 5 set matches and get potential 5 set pay.

I don't know what his view is, but if I were Roger Federer, I'd be pissed. I'd do everything I could to win Wimbledon this year to tie me with the immortal Bjorn Borg's record of five straight Wimbledon titles. And if I did so (and it looks like right now, nobody is going to stop this guy), what do you think would be the interest of '08 Wimbledon? On the verge of breaking Borg's record? F N HUGE!! Or he says "I'm playing equal sets for equal pay..until I'm paid for 5, I play for 3. Ball's in you court, Wimbledon. There'd be no shame (but no glory) staying tying for Borg's record.

Rails & Trails

Everyone seems to have a point of view on this, so I am going throw in my two cents.

First, though, some disclosure. My parents live very close to the Fon du Lac Trail in East Peoria right before it goes into Morton. As a kid, we used to watch the trains go by. It rocked. I'm in my mid 40's and I still love a good 4 engine, 120 car train lumbering by. Damned technology killed the cabooses, though..damned shame. And as far as I remember, no one was ever killed on the three very primitive crossings that existed in the immediate area. My parents probably use the trail daily. As the train\trail heads toward EP, it cuts through my grandfather's (now aunt's) farmground. Enough disclosure for all of ya?

This is kinda long and doesn't really say anything new except for an interesting idea toward the end.

When Pioneer was on the Kellar Branch, I can't say I ever saw it a giant weed bed. But then again I wasn't REALLY looking. As I believe David Jordan said, the STB makes surprise inspections. What have they found at other Pioneer maintained tracks? Are these inspections findings public or available to the COP? I think it would be a portion of a deciding factor before selling the branch. In otherwords, I say let the tracks be and sell them to Pioneer. Even if business grows in various cells that require a train or two or three to cross Knoxville daily, so what? My guess is that the train will be very short and probably wouldn't shut down traffic any longer than a stop light. It will give those who are yakking on their cells, shaving, putting on make-up, screw with their Blackberry, finding tunes on their I-Pod time to finish before venturing off into traffic. It can't be any worse than the mother of all stop light clusterfuckz on Sterling. And no, I didn't receive cash, check, money order, a cookbook deal, trips to Cabo, sexual favors, sporting event tickets, a lifetime supply of saffron, use of aero transportation or any other sort of compensation for my endorsement. Not that my endorsement means a shit. Personally, I'd think there would be more interruptions of traffic from people using the trail trying to cross Knoxville.

As for the Trolley. I don't see where it would be a moneymaking operation, but I could be wrong. But if it was a private enterprise (as if Pioneer ran it) and didn't cost taxpayers anything, go for it. As for Mr. Junction City who threatens not to finish Phase 2 (or whatever) if the Trolley goes in. Your land, do with it what you will. Most Peorians are just thankful that you tore down the Grandview so we don't have to look at it (or hear about it) anymore. But if the trolley is a privately funded and maintained identity, I hope the city council doesn't give in to a developer's threats. OTOH, anyone who has invested the time and money into J.C. as Mr. Khazzam has, regardless of the trolley, eventually won't be able to stand seeing empty, undeveloped space. I don't see how the trolley wouldn't benefit him and his tenants. But I'm a chef, what the hell do I know about these things?

Now the trail. I would much rather see the trail next to the rail instead of replacing it. If Pioneer is going to assist in building it, great. I think there are some logistical issues regarding where it would go if the trains tracks are not used, but I'm sure there are people who have ideas, etc. to overcome that. The trail people worked around the glorified trailer complex in Morton. I think that it would be a neat thing to see a Morton to Toulon Trail going from a more scenic setting (Morton until downtown EP), through two urban areas (downtown EP, Peoria) and back to serenity from outskirts of Peoria to Toulon. Actually, there would have been a cool way of getting to Washington, IL via the Fon du Lac Trail going into Morton, but I think that (my) idea is shot because of how they built the Morton spur (as I call it). More on that, later.

Personally, I like to ride my bike on occasion. I find it a pain in the arse to hook up the bike carrier and drive to Alta or EP to get on a trail. I'm not so inclined to ride the cellphone ridden streets of Peoria.

However, this is my nay for the trail. The Peoria Park District. Some are SOOOO concerned that Pioneer won't maintain the tracks. How about the PPD maintaining the trail or will it look like these two fine examples (stolen from PeoriaIllinoisan) of upkeep maintenance exhibited by PPD in 20 years?

Now, back to my Toulon to Washington scenario. When they (whoever they are) announced that they were expanding Fon du Lac into Morton, I thought, no, make Morton a spur, take the trail to Washington. I know, "Kevin, you are an insane man. How the HELL do you propose that?" Half way between the East Peoria|Morton border and the village of Morton on Rte. 150, Rte. 150 crossed over the top of a set of (now defunct many years ago) tracks. Now where do these tracks go. One way they head on a SSE direction out of Morton. The other way: Farmdale Park area. The tracks ended up on SE Farmdale Road. A quick ride\walk along SE Farmdale road to Farmdale Road and you end up at the Toledo, Peoria and Western line going pretty darn near downtown Washington. Not abandonding the line, just doing a trail beside it. Some very scenic and wooded areas to make for a nice ride. Now, how do I know this. As in all of our lives, we have done some REALLY STUPID shit. We used to ride our bikes in the woods in this area. There was a spot that the train wasn't built up very high. Some trains moved so slowly through there that you could almost out walk them. Is all you had to do was grab the ladder on a car.... Of course we were invinsible high school students and a bizzillon ton train couldn't hurt us. We figured out getting on it...getting off wasn't as simple on the other end. Of course, I have no idea how this would have been financed..it was just an idea. But how they built the trail into Morton kind of kills this idea unless they built a tunnel :) But that would have been a killer trail..Washington to Toulon. ah, shit. I probably gave the trail people a wild idea and they are foaming at the mouth with endeavor...if anyone read this far :)

This Explains It

I have always wondered why there aren't more happy blues songs (there are a few). I was watching a blues documentary tonight and this old blues dude explained it:

"There are two types of blues: Sad blues are written cause the girl goes away. Happy blues are written cause the girl comes back." (A big, shit eating grin appears on this guys face and starts nodding his head up & down.) "We all know whats gonna be happening when the girl comes back. Thats why there ain't no such thing as happy blues."

Ahhhhh....THAT's it. Wise old horndog.

Now, I wonder if he could explain Britney Spears.....

Convenience Fee Outta Hand

I was looking for tix online to the Lynyrd Skynyrd show at the Civic Center. To order them online there is a $9.50 convenience fee per tix. I remember when the first convenience fees were $2-3. Hey, I can understand that to cover handling, shipping materials and postage. But $9.50? I then looked at cheaper tix. HUH? the convenience fee dropped to $8.75 or something. Isn't convenience, convenience? I mean does it take more time, effort, material, postage, paper to print tickets on the high $ tix compared to the mid $ tix? What the heck is the reduction in convenience fees? If I buy the 8 ticket limit, does the convenience fee decrease? I'd assume all tix would be shipped in one envelope for far less postage than sending them individually. And I wouldn't think it would take TOO much more effort to put 8 tix into an envelope compared to one.

Can someone explain to me what $9.50 is covering or is it a Civic Center money making ploy to try to get them out of their constant state of financial red?

Sir, if you want your steak its in the kitchen....if you want me to bring it to you, there is a $9.50 service charge..................

National Health Care

In a recent Yahoo news article (to which now, I can't find a link) I was reading, John Kerry wants to raise taxes, especially on the wealthy, to provide health care to everyone.

I guess to some of us who have health care benefits, maybe we don't seem sympathetic to those who do not. After I left my parent's house, I didn't have insurance for 20+ years, but, of course, I was INVINCIBLE!!! I realized I was wrong. I also realized that I would have probably paid far more in than I would have eventually received. But, this is a two sided coin to me. Of course, everyone screams tax the wealthy, they have a lot of $$. And scream louder when that $$ was made on the backs on the working class. And get laryngitis from screaming so loud when they see the Paris Hiltons of the world spending those $$ faster than the cleaning staff at grandpa’s\daddy’s Hilton Hotel chains can scrub toilets.

But how about those who have achieved their $$ the old fashioned way and worked, without screwing others, saved and end up with some decent to serious cash? Why tax them extra; because they were frugal? Because they invested wisely? Without getting into specifics, my grandfather & father both came from Germany with nearly nothing. They both learned to speak the language. Eventually, through the years, they fought and toiled, scrimped and saved and both, along with their wives are\were fairly\very comfortable in their retirements. But tax them extra, we shall, so those people who spend their $$ on 24” rims, latest fashion, X-boxes, clubbin’, etc. can have health care. Something seems very wrong about that, doesn't it?

I don’t have an issue with public heath care. But it has to have a cap of what you can spend. We all know people who run to the emergency room NOW for a stomach ache, canker sore, hangnail, pimple on their ass, “just don’t feel right”, their hair hurts, nick themselves shaving, just hung over, etc., Lord KNOWS they would LIVE in the ER if they had free, unlimited healthcare. Bill Gates’ wealth would be reduced to zero in 3 hours if there were no deductible or cap. And then there are some of us that if massive doses of Cabo Wabo tequila and\or ibuprofen doesn’t kill\cure it in two weeks, we figure another two weeks might work. After a month, we MIGHT go see a doctor.

I think there should be a deductible just like regular health care. It should be a percentage of your income. And by income I mean everything from the dividends on your Berkshire Hathaway stock to the amount on your Link Card. And there should be three sections to everyone's "policy": Emergency care, preventative (dentist, etc.) and catastrophic\hospitalization. The deductible applies to any of the above, but there is a yearly cap to the first two.

Oh, and we better make DAMNED SURE that to qualify, you, or your parent\guardian, have a SOCIAL SECURITY number and are currently or have paid into that thing called Federal Withholding Tax line on a paycheck stub unless you are a ward of the state. If you are able and haven’t held a job in a year, better start looking. No pay in, no pay out. If you aren’t contributing to the greater good, the greater good isn’t going to contribute to you. There are exceptions, but….

More Barbies

Sorry -

No pics here. We were discussing this at work and two of us are really offended by the Barbie post below. We live in the East Bluff and do not have our own Peoria Barbie. We feel discriminated against and plan to sue Mattel unless they make an East Bluff Barbie. >end sarcasm for those who don't "get it"< Here are our suggestions:

East Bluff Barbie: This gangsta wannabe Barbie comes with thong exposing extra low riding baggy pants, hoodie and a pair of $300 sneakers. Comes with a permanent "why you lookin' at me" expression on her face since she can only meander\jaywalk across busy E.B. streets at her convenience and a 1985 Buick LeSabre Limited with 7000 watts of subwoofer power and 30" rims with spinners. A new talking version is in the makes, but Mattel can't figure out how to get it to stop ending each phrase with "bee-otch".

Anybody else feel slighted out there?

Peoria Barbies

Ok, this was sent to me via e-mail. While I do not endorse nor did I design any of these, I do find them kinda funny and thought I would pass it along.


Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for

the Peoria market:



"Weaver Ridge Barbie"


This princess Barbie is sold only at Grand Prairie. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Work-a-holic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version .





"Dunlap Barbie"


The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.







" West Bluff Barbie"

This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife,a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills), unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.






" Peoria Country Club Barbie"

This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.






" Creve Coeur Barbie "

This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.






" Bartonville Barbie "

This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Creve Coeur Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.






" Moss Avenue Barbie"

This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Moss Avenue Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.





" South Side Barbie"

This 16 year old Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED, bus pass and Link Card. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.







" Downtown Peoria Barbie/Ken "

This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

And The Most Ironic Statement of the Year Award Goes To....

I didn't look too well at my snail mail yesterday. I just did and now I'm LMAO. Good way to start a Sunday...a good cup of coffee and a laugh.

I read in the Winter 2006 River City Review (sent by the city??) under the heading: Snow + cars parked in snow routes = traffic fine increase. (The bright green emphasis is theirs...it is in the publication this way, the gold is my .02) "It will cost Peorians more in fines if they leave their cars on "snow route" streets when snowfall reaches more that two inches. The City Council recently voted to raise the fine from $40 to $200 if the fine is paid within seven days. Fines not paid within the seven-day period will increase to $300 if not paid within 30 days. The traffic fine was increased by the City Council in December due to the number of cars parked in the street during a major snowstorm in Peoria in November, which prevented snowplows from doing their job. Cars had to be towed despite warning citizens that it was illegal to park along "snow routes" streets if the snowfall reaches more that two inches. Each car towed in November cost the City $50. After the fine of $40 was collected, the City was still responsible for the $10 difference. For questions, call (here it comes, the weener of the most ironic statement of the year award) Peoria Cares, 494-CARE (2273).

I could type enough snide comments here to fill the Rose Bowl, but I figure I'll let my readers do that.

I now own a dog?

I come home from work tonight. I see something hanging from my front door. It is from PAWS. Apparently, my dog does not have it's rabies shot nor tags, it has been barking and has no water, food or shelter. If I do not reply to this "summons", it may result in legal action. WOW!! I'm a horrible pet owner. I don't know how they saw my invisible dog. Invisible as in I DON'T OWN A DOG!!

So, I call the number on the door hangy thingy. I give them all pertinent info. and let them know the only animals I own are goldfish (from my outdoor pond "slumming it" in a warm 42 gal. aquarium), that I fed them this morning, they are all accounted for, well hydrated and I could assure them they have not been out causing disruptions in the neighborhood. I speculated that it might be one of these two culprits that live on either side of me and that they are "barking up the wrong tree". (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

First, it is 6 1/2' "weed", now its unfed, unsheltered, dehydrated, rabid barking goldfish. I'm such a nuisance. No wonder the C.O.P. keeps raising my property taxes...they are trying to make me move!!!

Go to Walmart and buy a $5 calculator.

Ok. Most of my readers know I'm not a chain restaurant proponent and not a big fan of fast food. However, I find myself in some need (well, want) of chow. So, I go through a drive through. I have my window down thinking soon I will be at the ordering thingy. I hear from the vehicle in front of me: "I have three seperate orders".

You mean you can't take the food back to wherever and figure this out on your own time? So, I'm waiting. Then it appeared all transactions were complete, but no movement of said vehicle. I'm waiting. Window opens and arm extends and knocks on drive through window. It appeared that there must not have been enough (or any) ketchup. Can remember three peoples orders but not ketchup.

Ok, I'm a whiner.

Jerk

I witnessed some asswipe today whistling and snapping his fingers at a sales clerk trying to get her attention. Does that shit usually work for you? What the hell is the matter with you? Does she look like a Labrador Retriever? Seriously, how rude are you?

If she would have went over and beat the hell out of him she should be exonerated of all charges and I wouldn't have saw a damned thing.

The week ain't over but this tactless P.O.S. earns the "person I want to beat over the head with a shovel" award of the week and want to nominate him for Scott Janz's Idiot of the Week Award.

Minimum Wage Increase?

Today the House passed a federal minimum wage increase. It now goes to the Senate. The increase, if passed, will go into effect in three stages.

Now if this were Billy Dennis's blog with as many hits as he gets a day, I'm sure I'd get far more hate mail over this. I really don't have anything against the PRINCIPLE of minimum wage going up. What I am against is the issues, problems and costs with which it challenges the small business owner.

Let me set a scenario. Sally has been a stellar employee for Bob's restaurant for 8 years. She can do everything, wait tables, cook, hostess, wash dishes, prep and you can trust her to make a bank run for you. She is eager, ambitious and 99% complete isn't done in her eyes. She treats your business as if it were her own. Any company would love to have an employee like Sally. You pay her $12 an hour and pay a substantial part of her insurance to keep her around. You feel she is a true asset and fairly well compensated for what she does. And then there is Joey the wannabe gangsta high school dishwasher\busperson. He does a fair job, but you frequently have to remind him to take off the dirty apron and take out the nose ring before going out into the dining room. Last week he had on a Scorpion's "Virgin Killers" T-shirt and you had to find him something to cover that up before going out into the dining room. He may or may not feel like picking the fork out of the garbage can that he just dropped in there. However, he is like clockwork..he is always there...not something that can be said about most dishwashers you've previously had. Most seem to like him and he is a friendly sort of kid, but Sally thinks he's a slacker. He has been with you for 6 months and due to his stellar attendance, has been nagging you for a raise over the min. wage he is being paid. You sat him down and set some goals: No Virgin Killer (or the likes) T-shirts, the walkin needs to be mopped every night AFTER the waitstation is put away, just remove the nose ring before starting work and you won't "forget" during your shift, the radio can be on, but not so loud that you can hear it over the dishmachine so the customers out in the dining room get a full dose of Mudvayne and stop clocking in early and "hanging out" trying to "impress" with the younger waitresses. Do this for two months and there is .50 an hour. OK, 50 cents isn't a lot but Sally didn't start out at $12\hr., either. Now I'm going to have pay him $7.25 hour. He's happy. $7.25 an hour and he doesn't have to conform to get 50 cents. Of course, long term employees who are making little more than $7.25 now want a raise because they feel their worth is greater if I'm paying Joey $7.25. Unfortunately for you, Sally is one of these and feels that if you can "afford" to give average employee Joey a +\- $2 raise, she wants one too for not doing anything more than she already does...just like Joey. Kinda sucks, huh? And where are you going to get the extra money for this. Guess jack the price of meatloaf and iced tea, huh? Great...just what your customers will want.

Gotta love small business. Not only does it increase hourly wage, but it increases the amount that the business has to contribute to Social Security, Medicare, on state and federal levels. A $2 raise is almost a $4 raise when you figure ALL the payroll numbers.

I worked for min. wage a lot of years. Heck, I remember $3.15 an hour. But I was never happy with it. Wanted more. Now I'm going to sound really bad. Why are people happy with min. wage or slightly more? If they constantly live on that, don't they think that trying to better themselves, their performance at work, etc. might pay dividends to secure a better paying job or receive merit raises? But they drone on with mediocre work ethics and have little or no ambition to go back to school, etc. to obtain better money. I'll be willing to bet than when $7.25 rolls around the only thing that will improve for some of these people are a better cell phone, a better brand of beer, some new "fashionable" clothes, dying their hair purple, a new tattoo, an Ipod and all sort of other useless stuff instead of fixing their car, taking a college class, paying off a 28% credit card or putting a few bucks back in savings.

OK, yell at me.

One should be able to get a permit....

After today, I think there should be a law that allows you to get a permit to beat the hell out of a person by any means feasible for using the word "fuck" in front of a child in a public place. What the hell are the matter with people? Ya better not PRAY in public, but going off with the f word in front of kids that aren't your own is totally permissible...?? no wonder this country is (bleep)ed up.

Freedom of speech? Sure. You have all the rights you want to tell the nice EMT person your blood type for the transfusion you're going to need at the hospital to get that 34 Louisville Slugger removed from the side of your head that is causing you to bleed profusely for f-bombing in front of a child.

What Does Federer Have To Do?

I read where Tiger Woods won the 2006 AP Athlete of the Year Award. I don't have anything against Mr. Woods, but come on, over Swiss tennis star Roger Federer? Even Tiger was surprised:

"What he's done in tennis, I think, is far greater than what I've done in golf," Woods said. "He's lost what ... five matches in three years? That's pretty good."

Federer actually has lost a few more than that, but not many. His record in 2006 was an amazing 92-5, including three of the four Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open, U.S. Open & Wimbledon in addition to 9 other men's singles titles. He utterly annihilated people. NOBODY dominated their sport like Federer did this year.

And Woods wasn't the only person to beat him. LaDainian Tomlinson did too. Geez, what does this guy have to do? Play blindfolded and left handed, beat the world's no 2 & 3 men's tennis players at the same time? Or doesn't he have a hot enough girlfriend\wife?

Woods received 260 points from sports editors around the country. Tomlinson, who already has set an NFL record of 31 touchdowns with one regular-season game left, was second with 230 points. Federer, who lost in the final at the French Open, had 110 points.

I guess he'll have to improve next year....

UPDATE!!!!! I read\heard\saw that Federer was named the Outstanding Athlete of The Year by USA Today. Guess the voters for USA Today didn't get "the same oral perks" the AP people got....

RAISE PROPERTY TAXES and More Complaining

I don't know where to start.

The Library Board voted to go ahead with a multi million dollar renovation of its Libraries. Whoopee. As President of my house, I just voted to renovate my fourth bedroom and the second phase of my backyard landscaping. What's the difference? They want property taxes to be jacked up to pick up part of the tab. Of course, they want a referendum on a ballot, which unlike the school district, I gotta give than some credit. WTF is it in this town that whenever some identity wants $$ the first thing they go screaming for is to raise property taxes? RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!!

When I started my restaurant, is was my money and a BANK loan. So, I really get pissed off when I hear shit like RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! because someone wants money for something. Raise your own damned money like I did. Leave us property owners alone. I'm sorry I'm making the library an example; I really have nothing against them; its just the way they want to obtain funds. However, I don't remember the last time I stepped into a library. Maybe in 1994 at Culinary School? So, when the possibility exists that my taxes are going to go up around another $50 bucks, well, I equate it to 2 gallons of really good paint and some plaster patch and I have a room partially done. I don't see me getting $50 use out of the library.

And how long would this tax go on? Will it be like the civic center?

Speaking of the civic center. When are we going to yank that 2% entertainment tax life support system and tell this indentity to stand on its own two feet? Put the 2% into basic services or something. It is time to wean. In 2008 (so they have time to plan their budget - don't want hear any whining), 1/2 of what they get goes away and in 2009, it is time to stand and walk. Which brings me to this rant: Although I don't like the 2% tax, it is something I would rather see than RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!! all the time. It is a use tax\fee. Ya wanna use it, YOU pay to support it.

I'm done with those multiple rants. Now another one. The school in the East Bluff. I think CJ Summers or Peoria Illinoisan (which one I'm not sure and I'm not going to run around looking for it) said something like this: Ken Hinton & Co. always said the new school was all about the children. So, now that the school isn't going into the park apparently it isn't about these kids anymore. It is about different kids in another part of the city. Well put. Apparently, it is only about certain kids at certain times when it is convenient for Ken & Co. to be concerned about them. So, where to put the school. I guess if I had $877,500 dollars extra to make some suggestions it would help. Someone really needs an asswhooping over that AND pay it back. So, some research. The first thing I though of is where I went to school. Waaay to small. Those of you who are familiar with the Pleasant Hill Antique Mall in EP...that was the "campus". The school sat where the parking lot is, the gym is still there as part of the "mall" and where the new building is was the playground. About when I was in 4th grade, we moved to the school across Pleasant Hill Road. We went back & fourth to the gym for lunch and recess (in the winter) daily. So, I get on mapquest and do a little site comparison between the "new" Pleasant Hill school and where I'm thinking the new EB school should go. Well, I will admit that the ground that PH in EP *might* be a bit bigger, it IS a shitload of space. If you couldn't build a school (not a school, community center, nuclear weapons test site, Indoor football arena, Taj Mahal thingy that Ken & Co. wanted), a gym, parking, a recess area and green space for a ball diamond or whatever, wow, you are building something huge. That space in EP is pretty good size.

There have been many possibilities discussed about the current spot. I still like going south. Build the school on the block south of Frye. When it opens, move the kids. Over the summer, knock down the old one, develop green space and parking. So, it becomes a split campus. The kids are used to crossing the streets there plus they would have adult supervision. People who drive daily in that area are used to the school zone speed limits, etc. As the south end of the campus would be Kansas, the Boys & Girls Club is right there and maybe the two identities could work out some sort of co-sponsorship of afterschool activities. I know I'm gonna catch grief over this idea, but it is only an opinion and I don't have $877,500 to go out and start buying up houses, anyway.

Ok, I think I'm done. Time to find breakfast.

Help Me Out, Here.

I read in the P.J. Star that the River Station is planning to re-open. I don't have any feelings about it one way or another. However, where in the budget did the city find $150,000 to give the owner a low percentage loan? Can other small, independent restaurant owners get low percentage loans, too, or does the building have to be owned by the city to qualify? Three more shootings, not enough police officers, truancy school closing, fire station not open, sidewalks crumbling, not enough snow plows, yet the city can find $150,000 to low interest loan a private company. Personally, I don't care if it comes from some "special budget" or grant or some shit. I just find something "not quite right" with this.

Something You Didn't See On The News

Happened on my street. Why in the name of God would anyone attempt taking such a large vehicle around the miniscule area at the end of a dead end street perplexes me. Notice that the side of the bus has been crinkled by the light post and the bus itself is sitting on a fire hydrant.

More Shovel Beatings

Am I the only one running into mindless idiotic shoppers? Do any of you encounter this shit? I'm doing the last of my Christmas shopping today. I didn't see the sign to which the clerk and the female shopper were "debating". Apparently, the woman had items that were on a sale\discount rack. According to said woman shopper, there was a 20% sale on and she wanted 20% off. But, says the clerk, the 20% off doesn't apply to items previously on sale and that information is clearly posted. Of course, we all know what happened next . I guess I gotta get my ass up and outta bed 5 minutes earlier or quit playing on the computer so I get a head start so I'm in FRONT of these people in line. The joy of the Christmas giving season just goes out the f-in' window during my last two Christmas shopping expeditions.

Next year, all gifts will be purchased over the internet.

Maybe it is me. Maybe it is a guy thing. Maybe there should be a guys only line. I guess I will get hate comments from women readers. We simply don't care. We go in, pick up an item, pay and leave. We don't care if it is on sale, not on sale, 1/2 off with the purchase of a greater priced item, free with additional purchase, etc. ... we have better things to do like mess up the house, drink beer, watch sports or check out eye candy on Billy and Scott Janz's sites than haggle with a clerk over a free thingybob when you buy a whatchamacallit. Great if it is on sale, we have more beer money!!

I'm beginning to think that reading and writing in this country isn't the problem...it is COMPREHENSION. Now I'm going to bash a guy. I'm trying to explain the following: Different manufacturers package items differently even though the item may be darn near identical. One picture shows a table cloth hanging far over the edges of a table and the other has a shorter overhang. There were not enough of the "shorter overhang" picture tablecloths to meet his need and wanted more. The explanation was it is simply a picture...both table cloths are 84" in diameter. "But this one hangs over farther". Maybe the manufacturer used it on a 60" round table so it does appear longer than the other manufacturer that appeared to cloth a 72" round table explaining why one 84" diameter table cloth looks "longer" than another 84" diameter tablecloth. It didn't make a dent...still wanted the "shorter" tablecloth..........

Help me......

Filing this under "people I want to beat over the head with a shovel".

I'm doing a bit of CHRISTMAS shopping this morning before work. I'm in a department store in the mall (why I go there, I don't know...) and I'm behind this woman in line to check out. She is berating the poor check out clerk because the store was out of what she wanted. The clerk kept saying "I'm sorry" and the woman went on and on and on about how "sorry doesn't get me the gift I want to give", blah, blah, blah. Will you STFU!!! I was looking for something heavy to just beat the hell out of this woman with because a. she was rude b. I'm sure there is nothing the clerk can do about it nor does she have any control over inventory c. she is wasting my time with her ill pointed rant d. I felt bad for the clerk. If you want to bitch, bitch at a manager, call the corporate office, hell, call the world headquarters. What the hell do you expect...the clerk to take a squat and crap you one out? "Gee, there is your fuschia angora sweater in medium, ma'am...has a bit of a stain on it, though." I get to the counter and the clerk was trying to compose herself after bitchzilla's verbal onslaught and look happy. Before she could say anything, I said "What a bitch". I thought the girl was going to pop. With a smile, she replied "They come out of the woodwork at Christmas". Hopefully, I made her day a little brighter (even though beating this woman with a shelving unit would have been more appropriate).

I would like to nominate this unknown woman for Scott Janz's "Idiot of the Week" Award. Hmmm...Scott has this "Idiot" Award. Maybe I need to start the "Person Who Deserves To Be Beat Over The Head With A Shovel" of the Week Award.

Is there a law against this (or should we just get to smack people around for doing it?)

In my travels the last few days, I've seen three morons shoveling their cars (or whatever) out of mountains of snow by SHOVELING THE SNOW BACK INTO THE STREET!! I saw it again this morning on my way to work. While most of Peoria is bitching about the untimeliness of getting our streets plowed, these yahoos must be oblivious to the fact that with the amount of people irate about (the lack of) snow removal, that they could be putting their physical well being into jeopardy with their actions.

Rewind to last Friday. I dug out my driveway which had a drift about eyeball high to me. I'm thinking I can make it out to Prospect because two neighbors down the street from me have 4 wheel drive vehicles and have made some nice tire trails to follow. I look up the road and what do I see? Two idiotic neighbors shoveling and snowblowing the snow from their driveways into the street blocking any chance for my escape from being snowbound. After a few "choice" words, I calmed down and tried to figure out what would be the best way to let the air out of all their tires so THEY couldn't leave...then I realized I didn't have enough 7.62x39 rounds in house to accomplish that feat.

So, in both cases, what are these mental deficients thinking? I think they better plan an escape route next time because I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to stomp the shit out of them.

Is all I wanna know is....

NOW where are all those neighborhood kids that want to shovel my driveway for $20 when there is 1/16" of snow on it ????? Don't hear anyone bangin' on my front door now with that offer today (however, with size of that drift they may need oxygen masks.....)....