Regular Route

How I get home each night...

... across the street, the former Chicago Mercantile Exchange building...

... and the Lyric Opera House...

... the Boeing building spears the sky...

... my friend Ethel, who I just adore...

... and my birdies, who know me by face...

Bus Fumes

Here's another dandy example of what's wrong with union work rules:

Robert Kelly, president of Amalgamated Transit Workers Union Local 308 representing motormen, said what Claypool calls “coffee time” is a 15-minute window to give motormen time to park sometimes a block away and get in the cab of a train before it’s scheduled to leave the station.

“If he wants to eliminate that, I’ve got no problem with that. But, that also means that train won’t go out at 8 a.m. It’s gonna mean huge service delays,” he said.

That's right -- Chicago transit workers get paid to park their vehicles and get to work on time.

More of the crazy?

• Twenty-minute paid bathroom breaks for customer assistants with easy access to washrooms.
  
• [L]imits on discipline built into union contracts that make it difficult to punish no-shows. For example, an employee can only be discharged for excessive absenteeism after seven occurrences while consecutive absent days are considered one occurrence.
  
• Paying workers convicted of drunk driving to do nothing for 180 days while they appeal and attempt to get their driving privileges back.
  
• Starting the clock on emergency overtime when employees get the phone call at home instead of when they arrive at work.
  
• Paid holidays for birthdays and work anniversaries that guarantee bus drivers and motorman who chose to work on those days 2.5 times their normal hourly wage.
  
• Forcing the CTA to run a normal schedule of buses and trains, even on slow days like the Friday after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years, instead of “right-sizing” service to meet demand.
  
• A “spread premium” that pays operators — who pick their shifts based on seniority — time-and-a-half for working more than 10.5 hours a day. They receive the extra pay even if they deliberately pick runs at the beginning and end of a day and take a 5.5-hour break in between.
  
• A guaranteed, three hours’ pay for any work done outside a janitor’s normal hours, whether or not that janitor works more than eight hours in a given day.
  

It's amazing to me that union workers don't see any of this as a slap in the face of the rest of us working stiffs.

Drive-Bys

Finally the folks down in Springfield have finally used their noggins:

The vast majority of the 440,000 senior citizens who registered to receive free transit rides over the last three years will lose the privilege on Sept. 1, officials said Wednesday.

That's when current senior free-rides permits on the CTA, Metra and Pace will be deactivated.

As a result, the revenue from fareboxes is expected to increase by a total of $30 million annually at the three transit agencies, officials estimated.

Only about 25,000 seniors enrolled in the current free-rides program are expected to still qualify for free transportation on mass transit when the changes implementing a financial means test take effect, according to the Regional Transportation Authority, which administers the program.

There's no reason that people who can afford to pay shouldn't pull their own weight, especially in these economic times.
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Bistro 110 is closing in August? I'll have to get up there before then! They've always had fantastic food.
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Require homeless shelter residents to pay for their night's stay? Before you blow your stack, consider this:

The policy has had some unexpected advantages.

Residents say the shelter is much calmer and cleaner since the fees started and paying guests seem more serious about getting their lives in order. There are fewer fights and emergency calls.

"Beforehand, it was like a madhouse," said Ronald Wells, who has been living at missions for a year. "People really weren't interested in doing anything for themselves."

Edward Bravo, who became homeless after being evicted from his apartment, said paying his way makes him feel better about himself. "When everything was free, it was okay," he said. "Now I feel inside of me, it's helped me."

Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all.
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Drive-Bys

Euphemism of the Day:

"Manager"

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Quote of the Day:

"You can look it up in the Guinness Book of Nut Huggers." -- Julie Hammerle

It'll take me a while to bleach that image from my brain.
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Pssst! You might want to consider changing your Facebook password.
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I've had three -- count 'em, three -- referrals from here today. Why?

Note to the big-mouthed guy who holds our entire train car hostage with your pontifications on everything and nothing every single day of the work week: We're getting quiet cars, pal. Nanny, nanny boo-boo to you!
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Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

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Quote of the Day:

"China has produced a number of other elderly horny folks in recent years."

I can't believe this one slipped by a news editor!
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Yay!

The loudest noises heard in the lead car of Metra's Rock Island District train No. 416 this morning were from the train whistle.

Annoying phone conversations and loud chatter from passengers? Not any more, if all goes according to plan.

Today marked the inaugural run for Metra's "quiet cars," where cell phones, noisy electronic devices and loud conversations are off-limits in the first and last cars on trains during morning and evening rush hours.

Faster, please! Lately there's been a blowhard sitting at the far end of my usual train car. He pontificates loudly to his seat mate all the way in to the city, and he's never got one good thing to say about anything or anyone. Bleah.
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Oh, sure! Now use Rep. Giffords' attack as an excuse to make yourself better than the rest of us peons, will ya?

A top House Democrat said the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) should change how members of Congress are screened at airports.

“We’ve had some incidents where TSA authorities think that congresspeople should be treated like everybody else,” he said. “Well, the fact of the matter is, we are held to a higher standard in so many other areas, and I think we need to take a hard look at exactly how the TSA interact with members of Congress.”

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) Remember that name and vote the bum out next time he's up for reelection!
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You sure wouldn't hear this coming out of the black community here in Chicago!

Sure, immigration is an important issue to Latinos nationally, but it comes in well behind the economy, education and health care. In Chicago, it is at the bottom of a list that includes extreme poverty, gun violence and troubled schools.

Silly conversations about ethnic solidarity have distracted us enough.

Smart Chicagoans of all walks of life should look past skin color to elect the person best poised to lead this city out of the economic doldrums.

Well said, Ms. Cepeda.
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Fear of being a “bag lady” is the secret worry of every older woman. I’ve written and talked about this before, and the subject always gets a nod or a grimace of recognition.

No woman wants to be a burden on her children – or grow old alone, worry about money.

But the latest reports show we aren’t doing enough to deal with this fear — or the reality of the growing number of elderly women living in poverty. A new report by the Society of Actuaries states the case clearly: 92 percent of female retirees are not planning long-term for retirement.

The statistics are grim.

Cut this out and share it with every woman you know, regardless of her age or marital status.
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Ear Worm of the Day:



Yes. I do miss Ireland. Why do you ask?

Drive-Bys

I don't know what I find scarier -- that this might for even a second be true...

White House leaks about the ineffectiveness of Obama's presidency are expandng [sic] beyond the revelations attributed to a former high-level Obama administration insider and which have been reported by a blogger named "Ulsterman." Some White House staffers have described a "reign of terror" in the White House over continued leaks and a troika of leadership that is making decisions without any input from the president. The troika reportedly consists of First Lady Michelle Obama, presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, and the president's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, who resides in the White House.

Not to be deterred, some White House staffers have sought out journalists and have arranged to meet them at nearby Starbuck's cafes to discretely convey to them inside information about the current disarray within the Obama administration. Some staffers have personally born the brunt of Obama's temper and witnessed his extreme narcissistic behavior. WMR has also learned from White House sources that Obama is taking presciption [sic] anxiety medication.

... or that Biden is second in line.

I trust that this is wishful thinking, but then there's that faint whiff of truth. *Sigh* If it's not one thing, it's another.

(A tip of the cap to Desert Cat.)

Update: It's in stories like this that I find that faint whiff.
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Governor Giveaway just doesn't get it...

"Well, (legislators) voted for it, seniors ride free, a couple years ago. I think when you have a program, you want to see how it works. I think the seniors are pretty happy with it. (Curtailing free rides) is really not going to save the state money. I think we should do as much as we can for public transit."

Asked if a means test should determine which seniors ride free, Quinn said: "Well, you don't have means tests for Social Security. The genius of that program that was founded by President Franklin Roosevelt was, when you have a universal program, you have everyone participating and everyone supporting. I do believe in that principle of universality on important programs. I have supported seniors ride free, and I don't think that's our top priority right now; our top priority is to fund our schools."

...but at least one newsman does:

The free-rides program for seniors that Blagojevich jammed through the legislature costs the three transit agencies at least $38 million a year. Given their finances, the transit agencies cannot afford these free rides. Quinn should be apologizing for another governor's financial recklessness, not declaring that he'll block any attempt to rein in the freebies. [Emphasis mine]

Remember, these transit systems survive only because governments create them and riders pay to use them. We were troubled to read a comment in Wednesday's Tribune from Beryl Clemens, former president of Metro Seniors in Action, an advocacy group: "The whole bus is empty. It's not costing (the transit agencies) anything." Yes, it is. Those who use these systems ought to share the costs. All of us could, in a moment of selfishness, point to an empty seat and say, "I'll just plop my fanny right here and nobody's out a dime." Doing that would steal revenue from the kitty that keeps public transit in business for everyone.

We hope legislative leaders deliver to Quinn a more sensible means for handling senior riders. If Quinn issues a veto, we hope legislators override him and bring this notion of free rides to an end.

Too right.
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With all the controversy over the new airport body scanners and pat downs (which are, from very recent personal experience, really rough gropings, not fondling), $1 Greyhound fares on brand spanking new motor coaches sounds pretty good, as does Megabus or Amtrak. Since I'm not an Islamic woman I can and did have more than the area from the neck up manhandled.

So, I got to have at least one complete stranger see me nearly naked, and then I got the privilege of being mauled by another complete stranger in a way that I wouldn't have put up with on a date with someone I actually knew and liked... and I wasn't the only one.

Be prepared -- TSA is not using these scanners when they think there might be a problem -- they're using them for everyone.

Quite frankly, until and unless Big Sis volunteers for both, we ought to all say an emphatic "NO" and find alternate transportation.
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Hah! I love it when Karma works it's mojo:

For the first time in almost two years Thursday, WGN-AM 720 made a major personnel move that didn't upset at least some of its longtime listeners: It said so long to Kevin Metheny, its polarizing program director for the last 23 months.

I didn't like what he did back then, and I still don't like it. I'm not sorry to see him go.
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Drive-Bys

It's a trifecta of man vs. train within the past 24 hours:

• One guy on the Pink Line during rush hour (try 'splaining to St. Peter that you met your end on the pink line);
• One guy in San Antonio in the wee hours who traumatized an engineer, but at least didn't screw up rush hour; and,
• A stupid teen who might just get lucky and pull through despite his best efforts to the contrary.

I shudder to think what the totals for man v. train will be here in Chicago by year's end.
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The hippiest, dippiest joint in Chicago appears to be in financial trouble:

The Heartland's financial problems are varied. Some might blame the service or the food. (I like the food.) [I do, too -- especially the fried brown rice.] The bigger problem, James and Hogan say, is the recession. Paying bills with money they didn't have, they accumulated huge overdraft charges. Their bank won't give them credit. Big city license fees are due.

"It's the first time someone could say 'You're not living within your means,'" Hogan said. "It's taken us close to two years to ..."

"Get it," James said.

They get it now. They've made changes they hope will help. And they're hoping that the same trust and instincts that made them shake hands on a far-fetched deal 34 years ago will get them through again.

I hope they do learn the lesson, because that place is a gem. In fact, this song pretty much sums it up:


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Don't blame the mobile phone -- blame the inconsiderate assholes who think their time is more valuable than yours. (And if a friend does it to you more than once, they're not a very good friend.)
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The first in a series of laws designed to completely eradicate smoking and tobacco use in Finland came into effect Friday, including possible prison sentences for selling cigarettes to minors.

Finland is the first country in the world to write into its legislation that it intends not just to reduce smoking but to end all tobacco use through law.

Actually, my argument all along here has been that if it's not illegal to sell them or smoke them, it's pretty hard to say you can smoke them here but you can't smoke them there. Pretty smart, those Finns...
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Seeing "pink testicle" at first glance here, instead of "pink tentacle" means I should think about getting my eyes checked, right? (And not that my Freudian slip is hanging down a mile...)


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What are we heading for here? Oh... maybe this:

Most families who are due to lose their child benefit are worrying about how they'll make ends meet without it.

But for Kelly Marshall, who has five children by four different fathers, the handout has never been about paying for nappies, food and other everyday expenses.

She saved her benefit money to help pay for breast enhancement.

And as many parents envisage tightening their belts after the Tories announced plans to cut the benefit for higher-rate taxpayers, she plans to save more of hers for liposuction and a tummy tuck.

Fasten your seat belts. I predict that attitude will find it's way across "The Pond" soon, if it hasn't done so already.
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PSA

Dear people like this lady who simply must end it right now and hurl themselves headlong in front of a train...

... please wait until after rush hour and find yourself a nice freight train. It's not fair to the poor Metra engineers and conductors and the gazillion commuters at the train stops in the morning to screw them up emotionally and make them late for work.

Callous? That's three Metra-cides and one stupid jerk who was late for a meeting and decided to ignore the flashing lights and lowered barrier in six weeks on my train line alone. You betcha I'm getting more than a little callous about this.

Drive-Bys

Oh, no! There was another person killed on my train line -- two weeks to the day since the last one -- and it was a teenager this time.

How can otherwise intelligent people not figure out that train beats human every time?

Good God.

My heart goes out to that kid's parents.
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Arrogant Quote of the Day:

"Although this new level of transparency may not be obvious to casual observers, it is inspiring real transformation in the federal government," Devaney wrote.

If it's not obvious, it's NOT transparent, you idiot.
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The Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2014 is up. Yikes, does that make me feel OLD!

(And Bou should note that her eldest son is not alone. See #1 on the list!)
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Humorous Quote of the Day:

"Heck, I could have strapped on a coconut bra and still have flown under radar." -- Steve Dahl

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Holy Crap! Quote of the Day:

"I actually think most people don't want Google to answer their questions. They want Google to tell them what they should be doing next." -- Eric Schmidt, CEO, Google

And he's serious, too.
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Ear Worm of the Day:


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Giggle of the Day:

Milk Run - BlogHer 2010

On my Metra Route, a milk run has no express runs -- it hits every stop.

Here's almost every stop I made today:

Lunch with the lovely and talented Miss Nancy, as well as: Eliana, Emily, Laura (who has great ideas for where to eat on the cheap in NYC), Veronique (a crafty, wonderful lady who my nieces would adore!), Sandy and this lovely lady, who shares little but the twinkle in her eye.

A run through the downstairs swag hall -- SOYJOY bars, including the new banana one that's not even out on the market yet (Hi, Kendra!), Weebles!, live Mrs. Potato Head (pictures to come), eye makeover thanks to Debra Macki, interesting conversation regarding HPV testing with cervical cancer survivor and all around great chick Christine Baze, Poppin' Fresh the Pillsbury Dough Boy and the dog from Marmaduke (pictures to come), an offer from Jenn Foreacre to blog about her most interesting products from time to time and in any fashion I felt comfortable (okay, it was this post that prompted that offer), enough Eucerin products to moisturize an entire tribe of Bedouins, a lovely service dog, personalized Dora the Explorer tee shirts for my nieces (Crap! Reminder to self to go pick them up in the a.m.), Laughing Cow cheese (which is sitting in the mini fridge, and will be breakfast on Sunday)... okay -- enough already!

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnn!!!

More tomorrow...

I'm about to fall over from exhaustion!

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But I did want to give a shout out to our waiter Alex at Le Brasserie de Maison. He was the capper on our most lovely day!

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And Miss Nancy says she loves having cocktails getting tipsy with me. Like I'm the bad influence or something...

Rules of the Road

Rule No. 1:

If you're at the wheel of a moving vehicle and have to vomit, pull over and put the vehicle in park and then puke.

Rule No. 2:

Train beats car every freaking time.

Yes, that's my train station. No, I didn't go to work today, or I'd have actually witnessed this.

What an incredibly foolish waste of a life.

Drive-Bys

The novel I've been working on forever?

I write like
J. D. Salinger

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

My blogging, on the other hand?

I write like
Ian Fleming

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Personally, I think that thing doesn't work. Either that, or I'm a brilliant but darned eccentric writer.

(Blame Mrs. Who.)
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Transformers 3 Update: They're taking over Michigan Avenue tomorrow. If you were planning a shopping day or figured you'd take the direct route and cut off Lake Shore Drive... think again.
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Ear Worm of the Day:



Where in the heck did that one come from? It's been stuck in my noggin since noon!
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Another bus driver I'd be proud to call friend.
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A couple of Blogthings, because I haven't done them in a while:

You Are Observant

You are an insightful and wise person. You like to think things through carefully, and you usually come up with amazing ideas. Some people may think you're boring, but they don't realize how much you're learning through careful observation. By moving slowly, you are able to really see and appreciate every detail in life. You have a vivid and complete picture of the world. Your intelligence runs deep. Anyone who takes time to talk with you is eventually overwhelmed by your brilliance.

The Sand and Surf Test

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

And...

Your Brain is Complex

Your mind is a multi dimensional wonderland, with many layers. You're the type that always has multiple streams of thoughts. And you can keep these thoughts going at any time. You're very likely to be engaged in deep thought - and deep conversation.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Road Conditions

Severe thunderstorms are currently moving across Iowa at 50-60mph, and are expected to hit Chicago between 4-5pm this afternoon. The storm is producing winds up to 70mph. Reports also predict possible hail the size of half-dollars and rainfall up to 2 inches per hour.

Lovely! Take public transportation if you can.
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Update: Boy oh boy, they weren't kidding. For the first time in all the years I've worked in this city, our office building did an announcement advising everyone to move away from the windows and into central corridors because they were concerned windows might break and glass might fly. It was really eerie watching the glass flex (and yes, I skedaddled into a safe place as soon as I witnessed that bit of oddity).

Hope you're warm, safe and dry wherever you may be tonight.

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Update II: See? It really was one helluva storm!

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day, Part I:


(Gleefully swiped from the Cranky one.)
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Here's another idiot who argued with a train and lost. 18 years old. What a freaking waste!

John Hilkevitch is right:

Warren Flatau, the longtime spokesman at the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, ends his recorded phone message with this line: "Have a safe day, and please remember: Always expect a train."

It's not just good advice. It's an essential element of defensive driving, and any time a pedestrian is walking across railroad tracks. When approaching a railroad grade crossing, I always slow down and, if necessary, turn on the emergency blinkers and briefly stop to make sure no trains are in sight before proceeding across the tracks.

There's good reason that the drivers of school buses and trucks hauling hazardous materials are required by law to stop, look, listen, then proceed.

I refuse to feel pressured by the occasional impatient jerks who honk their horns over this safety technique — and neither should any of you. By all means, do not drive onto the crossing unless you see that there is already at least a full car length of space on the other side of the tracks.

I've covered too many vehicle-train wrecks for the Tribune to even consider taking a chance. There are too many things that can go wrong, ranging from human error to gremlins in track circuitry.

Can I get an "Amen"?
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Governor "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" is at it again:

In an analysis released today of Quinn's latest budget proposal, the Chicago-based Civic Federation expressed its opposition to the governor's spending plan because it is not balanced, relies upon nearly $6 billion in borrowing to fund day-to-day operating costs and does not fund the state's mammoth pension obligations.

(And if you stick a teeny tiny hat and a bristly mustache on the Gov, the resemblance would be complete and unmistakable.)
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These "Real Men" rock righteously. More, please.
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Insult of the Day:

"To think your mum and dad were sober when they decided to have you. It beggars belief."

I'm stealing that one.
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El Capitan is feeling a little neglected. Drop him a warm fuzzy comment and tell him I sent you!
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Giggle of the Day, Part II:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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Ear Worm of the Day:



Inspired by Boobquake!

Drive-Bys

Everything you ever needed to know about baseball booty. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! Baseball booty!
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This is fantastic news:

If you want to buy a meal of doughnuts, chips and soda with food stamp benefits, you'll have no problem in Chicago. But if you want to use them for fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmers market, it's been impossible.

That's about to change. In a pilot program announced Monday by the Mayor's Office of Special Events, five city-run farmers markets — Lincoln Square, South Shore Bank, Daley Plaza, Division Street and Beverly — will accept LINK cards, Illinois' debit cards for food stamp purchases.

The first is expected to be Daley Plaza, which opens May 13.

It's really great that technology has caught up enough that this is possible.
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If you're using nicotine substitutes to try and quit smoking and you are anywhere near young kids, please put the substitute somewhere where the kids can't get at them:

A candylike lozenge designed to satisfy a smoker's nicotine craving could prove dangerously tempting to little ones and lead to nicotine poisonings, a new study warns.

In addition...

Beyond the prospect of unintentional poisoning, researchers flagged the attraction of the flavored cigarette-replacement product to teens, who could then become addicted to nicotine.

Cold turkey was the only successful method of quitting smoking for me... and I've tried just about every method of quitting there is, including Welbutrin, Chantix and gum, patches. I'm pretty well convinced that the tobacco companies have an interest in keeping you hooked on nicotine, and these so-called smoking cessation tools are designed to keep you dependent, rather than freeing you.

Smoke 'em if you want to, but be careful with the Nicorette, etc., if you do decide to quit.
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How'd you like to be one of the guys responsible for this?

A track crew inadvertently turned off the gates and warning lights at a rail crossing in University Park late last week, shortly before a deadly crash in which a train blindsided an SUV driven by a Chicago woman, according to the preliminary federal and state investigation disclosed on Monday.

Yeesh.
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Just a quick plug for the very nice folks at Virgil Films and Entertainment, who accidentally shipped the movie I ordered to the wrong address... and then arranged to refund the cost of shipping. There were no questions and no hassle -- just really polite service.

(Shhhhhhhhhh! It's a gift for my Son-in-Law, who bleeds Cubbie blue... and who'll most assuredly make sure my grandson does, too.)
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I, Heartless Bitch

Dear Lady...

... who almost walked your six-year-old across the railroad tracks while the lights were flashing, the cross-arms were down and the klaxons were louder than hell...

Don't expect me to apologize for shouting at you and making you stop. Did you look bad in front of your kid? Too bad.

It was your first time taking the train into the city and you didn't know any better?

GOOD.

I taught you both something.

That someone cared enough about your kid to make sure she learned that YOU DON'T CROSS THE TRACKS WHEN THE CROSSBARS ARE DOWN AND THE KLAXONS ARE RINGING.

You both got home safe tonight.

Some people didn't have a loud mouth like me to give them hell. And they never made their destination.

They never will.

Sorry if you're angry at me. I'm not apologizing.

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Update No. 3: I take back the previous two updates. Not her fault. But the gates not working right are VERY unusual circumstances.

PSA

I have been sick at heart for days over this story:

The video shows a Metra express train approaching the North Chicago station in a light morning fog as several people dart across the tracks. The horn is still blaring as Blanca Villanueva-Sanchez jogs across cradling her goddaughter.

Then Villanueva-Sanchez and the baby fall from view.

You know, sometimes you need to have it graphically clear why you need to obey railroad crossing signals. Go here and watch the whole sickening thing. Show it to your children. Show it to anyone you know who has ever run across a track in front of an oncoming train because they were afraid of being late.

If you insist on being recklessly stupid, at least don't involve a child -- not your own, and especially not somebody else's child.

I know I harp on this a lot, but, as the video above illustrates, it's never enough. Being a little bit late -- even being a lot late -- is not worth the risk. In this case, two families will never, ever be the same.

Saturday Ramblings

Giggle of the Day:

(Via Ken Lammers.)

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Karma is a bitch. (Yay!)

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Quote of the Day:

CLIMATE scientists yesterday stunned Britons suffering the coldest winter for 30 years by claiming last month was the hottest January the world has ever seen.

Yep. That sneaky global warming certainly fooled the UK. Texans, too.

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Now you don't have to have a list of signatures in order to run for office in Illinois -- both Mayor Shortshanks and Governor Give-a-Lot are asking for resumes online.

(And, as I predicted, Governor Give-a-Lot is indicating he has no love for the plan to end free rides for seniors program -- even though it would save in the neighborhood of $30 million annually and only people who can damned well afford to pay their own reduced fee will be affected. But someone might think he was being a big ol' meanie, and he can't stand that. I'm sure he's a very nice man -- but he's a lousy governor.)

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How to dispose of prescription medications safely. Good to know.

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Style points to the Old and Evil one!

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Spit-Take of the Day:

Dad: Never trust a priest with a boner. And definitely never trust a nun with a boner.

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License to slut around??? But it's all in the name of "humanity."

Drive-Bys

You want incentive to have a blogmeet in Chicago? Okay, I'll give you incentive.
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I don't know Mr. Tomaszewski from Adam, but what a lovely epitaph:

Tom Tomaszewski left his native Chicago for Poland shortly after World War II and fell into a love story that changed his life forever.

We should all be so lucky, huh?
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It looks like somebody down in Springfield has finally figured out that this program is not necessary. Now let's see if they can get it past the governor, who's just as bad as our former Governor Give-away....

In the meantime, the CTA and its labor unions continue to flail away at each other and the $95 million+ budget deficit that caused cuts to jobs and services in the first place. You know things are bad financially when even Jesse Jetstream concedes:

"The workers can't very well allow their health care and their 401(k)s and their pensions to be gutted,'' Jackson said after the meeting at CTA headquarters. "But the shortfall is limiting what the CTA can really do too." [Emphasis mine]

Yup.
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Hit by a train twice in two weeks? Sounds like somebody is bucking for a Darwin Award... or a lawsuit.
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Ooooh! Look, fellas! Apple's bringing those apps back... and making them easier for you to find.
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Yeah, I really rooted for Kelly Osbourne during the last season of Dancing With the Stars. Why? Because the chick tells it like it is:

Working out sucks, it’s miserable. You sweat and you stink, but then you’re done — and you see that just taking an hour three times a week can change you so much.

She doesn't sugar-coat stuff and make you think she got that way magically.
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Via my Barstool Blog Son... another contest to win tix to Craig Ferguson when he comes to Chicago.
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Can I just say one thing? Not in this lifetime!

(But the comments are most excellent.)
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Giggle of the Day: Stuck In Pittsburgh



(For my BlogDaddy.)
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Charlie Delta's Cat:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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Drive-Bys

Quote of the Day:

I imagine right now Satan’s imps are trying to start a snowplow…

Heh.
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For all those people who are being inconvenienced by CTA bus and el service cuts, remember this:

Free rides for senior citizens and other categories of riders account for a big source of lost revenue -- more than $60 million a year, officials said. The CTA provided 68 million free rides in the first 11 months of 2009, said Karen Walker, CTA chief financial officer. That's an increase of 16.8 million free rides compared with the same period in 2008, she said.

I have no problem issuing free cards where there's a genuine need, but many seniors in the Chicago area can well afford to pay their own way. This is just one more of those cases where Governor Quinn's largesse makes no financial sense whatsoever.

Yeah, yeah -- Blago started it. Quinn, however, could have and should have put an end to that program. He just can't bring himself to do it.
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Man, this sounds like a great leap forward in dental care. When can we get this here in the U.S., please?
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Hmmmm.... why does this post on 44 extreme snacks make me think of Elisson?
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Steve Dale would like to remind cat lovers everywhere that a good way to open your heart for Valentine's Day is to support the Winn Feline Foundation's Ricky Fund for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy research.

I know that this is a subject near and dear to Steve's heart, as I was Ricky's breeder. Steve has been a dear friend, and is a great champion for this common and often fatal form of feline heart disease.

If you can, go here and drop a buck or two.
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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As a very early birthday gift to me, The Plumcake posts the recipe for one of my favorite sneak-up-and-bite-you-in-the-butt (because it tastes good and you just can't taste how strong it is) cocktails. You guess the month. And it's no wonder I have a girl-crush on her!

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If you read no other article from the New York Times this year, read this one about the Jihadist Next Door. Positively terrifying!

(Swiped from leeann, who usually writes the funny, but not this time.)