Historical Society Thinks Buildings are More Precious than Children

Old, abestos buildings housing Peoria's kids six hours a day must be saved at all costs. District 150 must be stopped from destroying 19th century schools ill equipped to serve 21st century children. I heard on news radio this morning that the Peoria Hysteria Society is attempting to have three schools declared historical. Such a declaration would block District 150 from demolishing dilapidated schools in order to build schools designed to better educate children.

Gosh, if the Hysterical Society finds these old schools so precious, why don't they make an offer to buy them? Don't have the funds? Well, why don't you raise the necessary funds to buy them? Oh, there aren't nearly enough people willing to donate their hard earned dollars to save these old schools? Guess what? THEN YOU ARE (OR SHOULD BE) SCREWED.

Don't get me wrong. I love old buildings. Give me brick. Give me hardwood. Crown moulding. Cornices. Trees. Love and need all of them. However, if giving up my charming older home was necessary in order to provide a better education for my offspring, I would give it up. Kids come first. At least kids should come first. I notice the three schools the Hysterical Society are trying to save are in the poorer areas of town. Huh. I wonder how many Hysterical Society members have children enrolled in those schools?

Schools are meant to serve and educate students not monuments. I don't care if Whitter School was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and he built it all by himself by hand (no, he didn't do either) if there isn't anyone out there willing to pay for the property, it has to go. It is more important to invest in the future than preserve the past.

Here is a little Grace Kelly to warm a cold, grey, Monday.

I dedicate this to all of you who believe that people weren't more discreet and well mannered during the the "Good Old Days". I ask, could you imagine this lady behaving in the same way as say, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt?


I want an outfit like this. Tasteful, classy, sexy. This is from Rear Window. Great movie. The only part I found unbelievable was Jimmy Stewart having any hesitation whatsoever about marrying Grace and devoting himself to her happiness for every second he was awake and alive.

I just KNEW there had to be a reason...

...too bad it isn't a good one.

I refrained from blogging regarding City Council's decision last week to at least temporarily stall the sale of a city owned vacant lot to a private hospital because I figured there had to be more to the story than was being told.

Just because the public isn't the first to know doesn't mean what government does on their behalf isn't noble or just. Negotiations, the art of the deal, requires timing and discretion. I thought perhaps the City wanted more time to check the buyer out, make sure they were a responsible entity that paid their bills on time and disposed of bio-hazard waste properly.

I raised an eyebrow when I learned OSF had concerns and asked the Council to stall. Frankly, if OSF has concerns, why don't they make an offer on the property or call up the would be buyer themselves?

No doubt, having three major hospitals is a big feather in Peoria's cap and they certainly do something to butter our bread. It is good to know and pay heed to those who butter your bread. So, I respectfully kept my mouth shut and waited for the full story.

I know, a mistake. Pessimism and government go hand in hand for a reason.

According to today's Word on the Street column in the P.J. Star, the sale is actually being held up by Methodist, who wants to do a big, better, version of the same type of facility as the would be buyer. Said facility would be located in the Med-Tech/Renaissance District. Methodist apparently would appreciate it if City Council would not do anything to jeopardize the project or provide any pesky competition.

Why OSF was the first to whine is a mystery, except that they have plans for their facility up by Route 91. Keep in mind that anyone even mildly interested in the City owned property in troubled Southtown had several decades to make an offer. Someone else made a bid on property you've been twiddling your thumbs over for decades? Tough cookies. Thats free enterprise for you. Welcome to America.

Peoria very well might be better off if Methodist and/or OSF build their planned facilities and the would be buyer of the vacant lot be shut out. However, that is the role of the market place, not local government (no matter how noble their intent) to decide. We were led to believe that there were questions as to how all the involved parties and institutions would work together to provide services. Even if true -Har!- why is it City Council's duty to make sure these parties get along and play nice? What next? Is Council going broker deals between McDonald's and Burger King? Decide how many feet should be between the Coke machine and the Pepsi machine? Last I checked, Peoria was part of the United States of America which promotes itself as a capitalist country, not China where only those businesses with a wink and nudge from government are allowed to succeed.

The arrogance of these hospitals is really starting to get on my nerves. Gives all the more credit to the conspiracy theory regarding the relationship they have with AMT (which the hospitals collectively own) and the belief by many that AMT has diligent emergency service take a backseat to cost cutting/overcharging. Meanwhile, much of the Peoria Fire Department is both educated and eager to provide emergency medical services and transport, but are forbidden to do so.

Unless there is an ordinance already on the books banning such a business/facility (i.e., adult entertainment businesses that serve liquor outside the boundaries of downtown) the sale should be approved.

As a citizen and taxpayer, I have been waiting for the financial benefit and relief that would come from the sale of this vacant lot for a very long time. How dare the City decide whose money is greener and better - OSF's, Methodist's, or a private buyer?

Hey! City Council! Remember your place - Hint: It isn't to serve as OSF's bully or Methodist's whipping boy. Or, at least be honest and make a motion to rename our fair city the Peoples Republic of Peoria.

Looking through my rose colored/Jackie O. glasses

I've been accused of falsely portraying the "Good Old Days". Bill Dennis had the nerve to suggest they never existed. I think it was Prego Man who wrote I was losing it if I even so much as batted a dreamy eye lash at the past.

There are many truths, and in this case, it is all in the eye of the beholder. I readily admit (and wrote) some things are, in fact, better these days. I also wrote that I'm thankful to those who fought for the closer-to-but-not-quite-equal-rights I now enjoy.

I admit I've been a bit down lately, which typically causes me to curl up in front of late night television and watch old black and white movies. They are kind of a non-fat comfort food for me. If I relented and indulged in real comfort food, I wouldn't fit through the door by weeks end. So I cuddle up in my softest sweats, drink hot chocolate and get suckered into a different time.

I think we live in harsh times.
Others find them liberating.
When I think of the "Good Old Days" (1950s, 1960s), I think of good manners.
Others think of subservience.
I think of classy clothes, big hats, gloves, long coats.
Others think of tight girdles, hot wool suits, padded bras.
I think of men helping a woman with her coat (totally sexy BTW), opening her door, giving up his seat on the bus.
Others think of male dominance and female servitude.
I long for just one day of not hearing cars playing ghetto blasters so loud my bedroom windows shake.
Others are enjoying their version of a joy ride.
I long for just one day of not hearing anyone swear.
Others are reveling in their right to free speech.
I long for just one day of not watching female co-workers attempting to soothe their off-spring by phone from the office, instead of at home with a cookie and a kiss.
Others are doing what it takes to pay the bills, or have it all, or at least juggle it all.
I long for just one day where I don't hear an annoying ring tone/cell phone in an inappropriate area/situation.
Others are relieved that the babysitter was able to reach them and let them know Junior just threw up and has a temperature of 105 degrees.
I long for one day where I don't seen some tweenager baring her midrift, complete with belly ring and tattoo for attention.
Others are happy that kids these days have the freedom to express themselves.

I'm not above throwing a good cussing hissy fit. I've been known to blast The Rolling Stones on the highway during long road trips. No one hates control top pantyhose or loves denim more than Polly. As far as the exploitation of women, hell, I've probably posted as many pics of Scarlet Johanssen as anybody. I've posted more of her than my husband, Russell Crowe! Moreover, I'll have you know that Polly owns not just one Wonderbra, but two!

I KNOW the Good Old Days weren't perfect. They were undoubtedly flawed. I have no doubt that some things/situations today are vastly improved over yesteryear. In my opinion, some lovely gestures and romantic elements were lost in the battle for progress. Lately, as society strikes me as increasingly hostile and over aggressive, I miss those lovely and romantic things, dearly.

Allow me my rose colored Jackie O glasses. Sometimes, they are my most prized and comforting possession.

By Request, Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe for C.J.

This is just how I look first thing in the morning, BTW.IMHO, this is the ideal figure for a real woman.

Isn't she lovely? Smart and Loud Too.

The best women are, you know. I like Katherine Hepburn. She was sexy without taking off any clothes. I couldn't find one revealing picture of her, not even in an off the shoulder gown. Hepburn wasn't intimidated by anybody, a rarity for a woman of her day. She thought it was more important to be interesting and honest than "lady like." If I had daughters, I'd point to Hepburn as a role model.

Channeling Marilyn Monroe....

Just because my life sucks eggs, and just because I'm too busy being a self absorbed unhappy brat to blog anything worthwhile, doesn't mean you don't deserve a treat.

Besides, Marilyn would understand my current funk.

Please Pass the Prozac, Polly is Depressed

I was going to quit my job. It was going to be a beautiful, wonderful thing. Angels wept tears of joy at the thought. I was going to be free. Well, for a while at least. I figured I had enough funds to remain unemployed for at least a year, if need be. My next job would be the RIGHT job, damn it. I would not take a job working for a selfish,evil dorkwad ever again...

HA!

When women make plans, God giggles. Evil Dorkwad Boss beat me to it and QUIT yesterday. Crap. Crap. Crap. Now I can't quit without seriously messing up the lives of several innocent employees/by-standards. Now I have to do Evil Dorkwad's job -not that he was particularly productive- and mine as well. No watching Soap Operas all day. No blogging/writing my fictional-nonfiction Oprah novel from bed in P.J.'s and eating bon bons all day. Must still put on scratchy suits and sensible pumps. And Pantyhose. I HATE pantyhose. Crap. Crap. Crap. Yes, I know other people are starving in the world, and there are many who would love to be gainfully employed... I'm just not one of them.

I. AM. IN. HELL.

Yes, I'll get over it and on with it.

Just not TODAY.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

I will refrain from blogging until I have something mildly unselfish, mildly amusing, or mildly productive to contribute. Okay, at least I can stop behaving like a spoiled brat and a mature adult. Blech. Gag. Puke.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

An Ode to Audrey Hepburn

Proof that you don't have to be blonde or naked to be beautiful...
The bike is kinda sexy though...

Before I die I just gotta find a hat like this and an occasion to wear it.
Halloween costume party doesn't count.

Hey! Isn't that one of Councilwoman VanAuken's "kids?"


Something a little more modern...


Just to prove Audrey wasn't a prude.
That's exactly how I look chatting on the phone, by the way.

I'm off to rent Breakfast at Tiffany's and Funny Face now.

For This Alone She Should Bootkicked Out of Office...

The only person less qualified to be Illinois Attorney General, IMHO, than Lisa Madigan would be Chase Ingersoll.

Yes, she was elected but have no doubt, if her Daddy wasn't head of the Illinois Democrat Party Machine she would have never gotten the post. Lisa Madigan was a lawyer for all of five minutes (okay, something like six years or so) before she became our Attorney General. Yes, Chase, there is hope for you too.

Baby Girl Lisa thinks that donating to charity is an appropriate punishment for committing crime. After Hurricane Katrina, a few gas stations in our State had the gall to charge over three bucks a gallon for their product. Over 2,000 residents complained. Madigan's office investigated. Apparently she wasn't eager to prosecute because the Stations did nothing legally wrong, or she actually thinks that having each station hand over a thousand bucks to the American Red Cross is a deterrent to keep the greedy bastards from behaving badly next time. Huh. If memory serves (and it might not), Huck's was accused of price gouging after 9/11. I wonder, since these penalties were paid in form donations instead of fines, weren't they tax deductible? Yup. I'm sure the greedy bastards learned a painful lesson, thanks to you Lisa. I bet you and our dorkwad governor get along great.

Hey, Lisa! Fair is fair. If I ever face prosecution for "annoying" someone anonymously on the internet, which is never my intent BTW, I demand the same heavy handed treatment. I hereby agree to donate six cents to elect anyone else to the Office of Illinois Attorney General.