vermlioncountyforum

[Oliver]

Illinois has been a state with much variety in my decades here. It is not simply a bunch of cornfields or soy beans as seen by the "higher-ups" in other states, esp. a state I consider to be it's own country: Califortuia.

From the biggest city with an urban population in the millions, to, the smallest, say, "Hawbuck", you can see much of humanities window dressing. Yet, more important than all of humanities' visual presentations, a person is still a person. He/she is neither more or less important due to his/her location..

I've never really explored my state. I've seen the change of scenery in S. Il., seen the mighty Father of Waters and have only driven through NW Il. If I were to simply choose a place of curiosity, it would be Quincy, only because it is a sort of twin to Danville in size and proximity to our respective state borders. Without reference, it would seem to be about a 200 mi. trip, a major one in my book at this time in my life.

And so, when you mix in fairly equal seasons which are normally fairly mild, and a vast population of citizens who are fairly equal and normally fairly mild, you've got a lot to enjoy and explore here in Illinois.

[Scooter]

Lets me collect me thoughts, me hardies, seeing as how I'm momentarily blinded by the bling of the "social bookmarks" that just recently appeared at the bottom of the page. What's that all about? There's nothing social about a bookmark, is it a typo, should it be social butterfly, or make your own bookmark, or have I overly concerned myself?

Ahh, Springfield. Okay, that's about it. Like my Jamaican momma always said, "if ya cawn't tink of anyting nice to say, leave eet alone, mon."

But of course, since this can of Olive(r)s has been opened, how can I resist?

Boring statistics out of the way first: It's a big small town. 150,000 people, takes 1/2 hour to get from one side to the other, we have 2 Wal-Marts, one is a Super. Too full of politicians, not full enough of the man who supposedly runs the state (come back to the five and dime, Jimmy Edgar, Jimmy Edgar), and everybody knows everybody else's business. The mindset is small town. Lincoln Museum aside, we don't got it.

I'd rather go to the DeKalb County Fair in Sandwich than be anywhere near the State Fair.

Spfld's latest tip of the hat to technology? Curved lights in the road at ONE intersection to show you how to stay in your lane. Wow! That'll bring the tourists flocking in, like sheep. The Japanese will be begging for the key to that successful maneuver.

Oh dear, have I tipped my hand? Have I been disloyal? Have I turned my back on the city that helped raise 2 generations of family? No, but I plan to in 4 years!!

Thanks for the vent-session, O. You are a gentleman and a scholar. Or an officer and a gentleman. Or a bicyclist. An organist? Phlebotomist? Optimist? Optomostrist? Flick o the wrist? Okay, put down your fist, I'm through.

{Who won the bet on how long it would take me to respond}

[Oliver]

You said a lot there, Scoots.

[Scooter]

Well, I sure did Springfield up proud, huh? Hope nobody was packing up the family for that 2-hour drive from Danville just at the time my poison words were displayed, those words being the promotional tool for Spfld tourism that they were. Could I have been any meaner? Perhaps I could come up with one or two nice things to point out on our guided tour of the city . . . . uh, um, er, uh, well, the one-way streets haven't been rearranged for years now. We still have a closed-to-traffic block downtown. History is everywhere you look, and if you look long enough, someone will charge you to look. We gave the homeless some storage space at the library, which is conveniently located in close proximity to Lincoln's home, as is the red light district. They closed a street with major use so that no one would have to wait on an Amtrak ever again. A guy got shot down the street from where I live this afternoon. Oh wait, I was going for nice, wasn't I . . . hmmm, harder than I thought. Two good heart centers, great burn units, very nice birthing centers. Besides, what else was I going to do with the last 25 years of my life? I'll be "home" soon enough, I guess. Four more years, me and Old Rod will weather them out together.

[Scooter]

I spent so much time re-reading the past via the entries of 2 years ago that I completely forgot why I came in here in the first place. Then the light slowly started glowing in the old brain and it came back to me. It concerns the lay of the land, and I believe you, Mr. Oliver, briefly touched upon this very subject in another entry. May I?

I was looking on a map of the area between Springfield and Indianapolis. I always knew we drove "down" when we went to Indy from Danville, and it seems like we drive "up" to go from Spfld to Danville, so why was I surprised to see that Springfield and Indy are nearly straight shots across? That got me to thinking about why the highway (74) made that turn towards Danville from here instead of, say, beefing up Route 36 to be what 74 looks like now. That should be a sign to the "leaders" of Danville that fate had a hand in not excluding the town and to get with it. Old memories aside, what the heck happened?? And why do some of those hapless and happy-less people on the GB seem to make sense when they argue that the money's not exactly being divied up in the best interest of the welfare of Danville's population? Is this latest fire station debaucle a ploy to get the people of Danville off their duffs and voice an opinion, is he bluff-calling, is he insane? But I digress.

And while we're there, is there any truth to the rumor that the mayor is a partier?

Again, digression.

With all the talk about Scott coming to Spfld (maybe), has there been anyone boasting about taking his place with any sort of sincerity? Someone who wants to see Danville rise out of the ashes and can accomplish something. Let's hope so. I'd hate to have to move back to Danville to retire and run the city at the same time!!

[Oliver]

Mayor Scoots,

Would you do a slight favor for my vote? Clear out all of the *rest* of the dilapidated squalor holes off my block and put up barbed wire and security cameras so I can enjoy myself once again just as the little Oliver did playing in the alley mud puddles. Thanks!

In my almost 59 yrs, this morning my beady little brown, somewhat dulled, eyes have been yanked open—and you'd best be looking elsewhere!

YES! Indy and S’FLD are both about 39.8 N. Latitude (of course, depending on just where you normally keep your Lat.) ……….I had not been aware of that. So, I’m even more appreciative now that an Interstate came as close as it did. However, Cham/Urb would seem to figure into the route, obviously. It is only a little “south” of Danville. And since we know, God forbid, that CU could not possibly be overlooked for an Interstate, it was VITAL for 74 to swing a little north for CU, and perhaps begrudgingly, Danville too since it was in the way…

(How am I doing so far? A little less insane, huh? Gosh, I’ve slipped so much since about 3 frames ago. I’m still trying to figure out why it took me 3 edits to come up with “You said a lot there, Scoots.”)

Now as to the rest of your remarks, I refuse to testify on the grounds that I may incriminate myself (which is ridiculous since that’s all I’ve ever done!)

So, suffice it to say, that some future sunny day, hopefully before I’m maggot entrée/main course, I may be huffing along pedaling and unbeknownst to me, I’ll be passing your lovely abode while you are out watering your redwood trees, and you’ll recognize me (from issued warning billboards) and scream out “I’m Scoots! Take THIS!” Then you’ll proceed to powerfully hose me and the bike down after which *both* the bike and I will say, “Thanks, we needed that!” Then Mr. LeTour and I will proceed along singing the DHS Fight Song. (The bike sings the harmony part, by the way.)

Thanks for the future memories…

[Scooter]

I'm crazy about Illinois, only because I don't know any better. Actually Michigan and Indiana are higher on my list of places I'd rather live than Illinois. Especially with our Gov . . . .
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every day your eyes open is a good day

[Oliver]

So, you'd rather live with the governors of MI or IN instead of ol' Rod?

What does they got that Rod don't,,assuming them other 2 R dudes?

[Scooter]

Actually the Governor of Michigan is a woman, and I'm not sure about Indiana. The Gov of our lovely state is doing every thing he can to make state employees and now park enthusiasts as mad as possible at him, and I'd say he's suceeding quite well.

I just like the scenery of Michigan and Indiana so much better than Illinois is all I meant by the remark about liking them better. Don't know a thing about them personally or professionally for that matter. Might be decent sorts.
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every day your eyes open is a good day