I did something this morning I have not done since 2006: I paid my Ameren/CILCO gas bill. In Illinois, your gas cannot be turned off until April, regardless of whether you make partial payments or no payments at all. It is a humane thing to do. But it makes paying my electric bill from Springfield’s [...]
Archive for October, 2008
Toward Heat
Posted in writing on October 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Smiling On Through the Slings and Eros of Low Wageous Fortune
Posted in writing on October 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I’ve played a betting game with office temperatures. I was so comfortable in the sweater I brought Tuesday, I bet with the warmer temps predicted for Wednesday I wouldn’t need it.
WRONG. I left the showroom yesterday slightly bent forward from trying to conserve body heat, mostly the discomfort in my midsection. This morning at work [...]
What’s the Big Worry Over A Democratic Congress and White House?
Posted in Uncategorized on October 29, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Over the years, we’ve all heard folks fed up with the way politicians dug into the granite edifices of DC SHOUT as though a chorus that they should be removed with our votes and replaced. “THROW THE BUMS OUT” is their mantra. Given the fact that Republicans have ruled that roost from 2001 through 2004 [...]
A Quickie Re Two Talented Columnists
Posted in writing on October 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Some days I spent more time reading State Journal-Register editorial page columnists than the rest of the paper. The October 28, 2008 contributions by Richard Reeves and Clarence Page were particularly attention-worthy. The danger of having erudite writers of similar political perspectives is that — at least today — the focus of their contributions, even [...]
Ragged Nights
Posted in Uncategorized on October 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Pilot induced oscillations (PIO) occur most frequently during landing when the hands on the stick or control wheel overcontrol, often to pull up the nose when the rate of descent is too high. What follows, as he or she realizes the airplane is about to stall and fall because of the sudden pull-up, is an [...]
Poetry Break — Punk on a Roll
Posted in arts, writing on October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Punk on a Roll
By Job Conger
Every schoolyard has a bully with a bad attitude:
a grand dragon out to build his own name.
As he swaggers through the throng of kids he doesn’t get along with,
he’s the referee and master of his game.
Watch him transform earnest student into dull street thug,
from friendly young man into strutting demi-god.
What [...]
The Chill on the Edge of the World
Posted in writing on October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The city’s slithering on a cold patch today. There were rumors of snow flurries in northern Illinois a portent of the inevitable. If I hadn’t seen the extended forecast last night which predicted a trend to warmer temps later this week, I’d be colder than I feel today.
There is no heat here. SURPRISE! During the [...]
Just Another Day In Paradox
Posted in writing on October 26, 2008 | 2 Comments »
At about 1:20 Monday morning, three minutes affer turning off the office, I came back to re-engage: to put a verbal cherry on top of what is typically an “I scream Sunday.”
It was a productive day. John McCain graced Meet the Press; Lindsey Graham and Rom Emanuel chatted competently but predictably on This Week. If [...]
Depressed Out of a Concert
Posted in writing on October 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I MUST get started transcribing some interviews recorded over the last month so I can write two articles for the November Springfield Business Journal, but I must pass the following out of my system in hopes that something I used to experience when anxious as a child, a stomach ache, will go away. I have just done [...]
Safe Halloween At Lincoln Home Visitors Center
Posted in Uncategorized on October 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Closed cirtuit to Marie: I’m okay.
At 6:30 Saturday am, I’m sipping my first coffee of the day and watching the sky brighten outside the window off my left shoulder. I’ve just deleted a posting made soon after returning home from performing at the Safe Halloween activities at Lincoln Home Visitors Center on South Seventh. In [...]
