Today's pathetic episode of As The Grandview Turns

Just like most people, I am bored by the Grandview saga now. A new day, another court hearing or silly maneuver that results in, well, nothing. I guess we can accurately state the property is semi-closed now.

Former residents had a magic wand waved over them and they are now employees, working in exchange for rent. As long as no money is being made, the City probably won't object.

This is a picture of the family, from today's Journal Star now residing at the hotel:

Throwing these people out would be political suicide.

Notice anything besides the economically challenged parents, the four adorable kids, and the rotweiller puppy? I'm talking about the slow cooker in the corner. Those aren't allowed in hotels. Extended stay hotels equipped with kitchens and fire extinguishers, yes, but not your typical hotel/motel. Fire hazard. Very strict regs. Remember, this is NOT an apartment complex. Has anyone informed Ingersoll of this fact?

I recall another article in the newspaper where a woman living at the hotel defended the establishment, saying that the people living there looked out for each other and shared meals they cooked.

I'm just wondering. Could the City Legal Department been saved a lot of work and got this place shut down a long time ago just by having it inspected?

I want to know, did the last owner pay taxes, especially HRA (Hotel, Restaurant, Amusement) taxes? Incompetence in one area often signals incompetence in others. Seems to me that if the City really thought the Grandview a nuisance, City Hall should have been inspecting it from every possible angle. Inspections, crime, financial audits, etc.

I couldn't pull it up on the web, but there is another picture in the newspaper of a resident turned Grandview employee. She lives in a hotel room with her great dane, collie, one of those little yapping dogs, AND a cat. Four animals (five if the employee is included) living in one hotel room. That is disgusting! Someone call PAWS. If it isn't illegal, it should be. Does this woman really have the ability to take each animal out when then they have to "go?"

Hidden behind a dying strip mall the Grandview Hotel location is crummy, even if it is in far North Peoria. It's never going to be the Ritz. Perhaps an animal shelter would be a better use of the property.

We still await to learn which Judge will inherit the Grandview case now that Ingersoll has had himself admitted to the complaint and Barra recused himself. (Rescusal is usually automatic upon request.) I'm trying to figure out Ingersoll's angle here. Either he doesn't think Barra will side with Ingersoll regardless of the law, or he is trying to delay things again. Delay doesn't make sense, since the hotel is closed, it would seem prudent for Chase to get this back into court ASAP with the hope he can get the property opened before the sanctioned 90 days.

Should you ever get to be a contestant on The Price is Right....

My niece is sick. Nothing too serious, just a miserable cold and sore throat. My sister claims her boss is more of a jerk than mine. I very much doubt that, but since she was afraid to call in absent after the slew of holiday vacation time we all "enjoyed" (extended family and fish smell after three days) I volunteered to take care of the tyke and "work" from home.

Enter daytime television. I have a fantasy. No, this one does not include Scarlett Johansson, Bill Dennis, or Russell Crowe. My fantasy is to get on the game show "The Price is Right." I watch The Price Is Right about twice a year, when time off from work or illness allows. I'm telling you, I would kick serious butt on this show. Every time I watch and state my guesses, I AM ALWAYS RIGHT. Today I would have won two cars, a hot tub, and both showcases. I don't know how the show's producers always succeed in picking the six most uninformed consumers every episode, but they do. Seriously, I don't think most of these people have ever set foot in a grocery store, a shopping mall, and they most certainly have never been in a car dealership. The only person who has a valid excuse for guessing that a can of Pringles costs $6.89 would be someone just off the boat from Bangladesh.

Anyway, should any of you out there in bloggerland ever get the chance to stand in front of Bob Barker please know this: The price of every car ends in 9. Why do so many contestants miss this one? Haven't they ever seen or heard a car commercial? They always conclude with some verbiage like, "At Toykiaona's Year End Price Blow Out, you can get a 2005 Camvic Spoilage at the low, low, low price of $19,999! Price does not include tax, title, or license. Dealer's price may vary."

Keep this tip under your vest until the next time you are CBS studios in L.A. Please tell Bob Barker I said "Hi!" Did you know Bob is like, eighty something years old and grew up on an indian reservation? I know, cool.

Hey, Bob, just so you know, all my pets are spayed and neutered. Thank you.

The Biggest Non Story of 2005: Farris Hassan

Oh, permit me not to care. Some over indulged prep school Ft. Lauderdale teenager, equipped with more testosterone than intelligence, broke open his penny bank, took over a grand, got himself a visa, and landed his acne faced ass in Iraq.

SO WHAT?! If Farris wanted to do some worth while reporting (instead of just three weeks off), he lives within spitting distance of the hell hole that is Miami. Miami is one of the most violent cities in America. Plenty of drugs, guns, and thugs to see there. Plenty of poverty in Miami too. The wannabe journalist could have found lots of triumph over tragedy to write about working at a soup kitchen.

Hell, in a year and half this brat could actually join the military and do something productive in Iraq, instead of just stepping foot in the country, finding a swank hotel, and then whining to the embassy to bail him out. What peeves me more than this dorkwad's stupidity (we expect teens to be self absorbed and occasionally very stupid), but the media's devotion to the story. This non-event probably received more attention than the combat death of any soldier.

Gosh, I sure hope Farris had enough money to get his "I went to Iraq and all I got was this lousy t-shirt and a whole lot of unwarranted press coverage" souvenir.

A Suggestion for Room Renovations at the Grandview Hotel

It's Chase Ingersoll's personal suite.

I have been receiving e-mails from Chase himself, and forwarded e-mails that Chase has sent to others. Seriously, I think the guy is losing it. Prepare the padded cell, Capt. Scully.

The following is an e-mail sent to Peoria Police Captain Scully and City leaders:

"Capt Scally:
Tell your bosses that they have until tomorrow when Mr Ghandi at the Deluxe boots them to the street to find that mother, father and four children another place to stay. If your bosses, cannot stop their New Years reveling or get over their fucking hangovers by noon. I WILL BE PUTTING THEM UP AT THE GRANDVIEW, as THE FIRST GRANDVIEW GUESTS OF THE YEAR, and you can throw my ass in jail tomorrow night. That is what the former Mr. Ghandi would do, so I cannot think of a better way to start the year.
My staff will be instructed that until they own the Grandview, those people are my guests and they will not be putting them out.
And if your bosses and their "ass kissing, federal money grubbing, whores" at the social service agencies can't find a shelter situation for these people that is better than on the wrong side of town and with a bunch of crackheads, I will be putting each and every one of them on staff when I return.
And since I know you can't say it without getting disciplined, YOU WORK FOR THE BIGGEST GOD DAMN BUNCH OF DICKLESS LOSERS!!!"
Happy New Year!
Have a set of cuffs ready, with my name on them, 40 days of fasting and praying in prison, never hurt anyone.
Am I the Villiage Idiot, or a Jedi Warrior?

Okay class, for yet another example of what, IMHO, appears to be a psychotic break, checkout this doozy of an e-mail sent to elected City leaders and members of the press. (This one was forwarded to me by six different folks, who found it both odd and yet hilarious.)

"Re: Bob Manning, District 3 Councilman: "All we did was follow through on judges order. Now it's going to be closed 90 days instead of 30 days."BR>
Councilman Bob Manning says Ingersoll promised the city he'd make improvements to the hotel.
Bob Manning: "None has been done yet."

Bob: go talk to your pops about slander, specifically, slander "per quod".
As I did with Mr. Oliver, I will give you until the end of the week to correct the record with me and anyone else to whom you made this statement that was clearly designed to divert the issue from the fact that YOU KNOW THAT WHAT YOU ALLOWED TO HAPPEN TO THESE PEOPLE WAS EVIL.
You never did go and talk to the priest or the nuns, did you?
And while you are at this, have a chat with Oliver, Ray and Ardis, about how because something is "pending litigation" it cannot be discussed on the public record at the council, but y'all seem perfectly willing to go in front of the cameras outside the Council chambers and talk all about it!
Sign me
VILLIAGE IDIOT"

Gosh, I hope Councilman Manning can find a good attorney to represent him. Hey, Bob, I've watched an entire of season of "Judge Judy" and have a little time on my hands.

Village Idiot, Jedi Warrior, or just another nut case? You decide.

For Pete's sake, can't someone get this guy committed?

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BILL!

Stop by the house by midnight for some champagne and a New Year's kiss.

Twas the Night After Closure. A New Year's Poem.

Twas two days before New Years,
and all through the hotel,
not a creature was stirring,
not even the town dumb bell.

Despite numerous whines,
and bogus legal pleas,
the police easily escorted out the guests,
a few happy to leave.

The surrounding neighborhood sighed with relief,
happy that the City at last had paid heed to their beef.
Relief did not lead anyone to gloat,
as the media could not get from any neighbor
a single quote.

Bewildered, ashamed and afraid to show his face,
away stayed Mr. Chase.

Lesson learned,
or just a pause in the action?
I would wager that for Ingersoll,
silly suits are still the preferable fashion.

For today at least,
and hopefully tonight,
Prospect Point residents can take a break from the fight.

As the police padlocked the doors
with a happy, clanky clatter
I heard City Attorney Randy Ray
mutter,

"I may not be sly.
I'll never be slick.
Justice, I've learned,
tends not to be quick.

Nonetheless, to every slumlord
notice I give:
The City will is coming for you,
this purpose is why I now live."

So, Happy New Year,
Welcome 2006!
The City of Peoria
its problems it WILL fix!

Scarlett says, "The holidays just exhaust me."

It's okay, Sweetie. Get some rest. New Years is just around the corner.

This just in from Chase Ingersoll (or, as he prefers to call himself: The Village Idiot):

Just received by e-mail from Chase himself:

The Court has granted the City's motion.

Now the question is: Does the City have the Cahones to make its move on The Grandview, and roust the residents from their homes and chase them back to the ghetto neighborhoods on the East Bluff and Valley, while Chase is out of town?

I'm certain that everyone is on the edge of their seats!

See you all Sunday night.c

Uh-huh, so, Chase, this is like the THIRD judge in a row who has ruled against you. Are you any closer to taking the hint? Declaring bankruptcy didn't work either. What will it take for you to get the message? You lost and you will continue to lose.. BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CASE!

Edge of my seat? Not so much. I'm willing to wager the City is going to bootkick residents out sooner rather than later, with or without you present, and if anyone is shoved into homelessness it is because they believed your LIES i.e., "Appealed filed, appeals take approximately one year," "I am being denied my constitutional property rights," "Bankruptcy would provide an automatic stay." Chase, I saw you on the news announcing your fraud bankruptcy filing. I got a hearty chuckle from your statement,"They can take away my law license (re: your disbarrment) but they can't take away my law degree or education." Doesn't seem you learned much in law school, Chase. Some top notch education there. God, how did you even get admitted? Pass the LSAT? The Bar? Maybe that was all before your apparent psychotic break. Anyway, I hear McDonalds is looking for fry cooks.

My deepest sympathy to those hotel residents conned by Ingersoll into believing that they would not be forced to move. If it is any comfort, you are far from the first to be duped by the Village Idiot. In the future, it might be wise to get your legal counsel from someone other than a disbarred attorney.

So, once the hotel closes what next? My guess: Ingersoll won't be able to pay the light bill without residents and will forfeit the property back over to Jain.

There's something about Mary.

As a Christian, I am most appreciative that God sent his only son to die a horrible, miserable, painful death in order to pay for my numerous sins. I am thankful and humbled by the sacrifice made for me, and amazed that forgiveness is mine for the asking. Jesus is the reason for the season. Actually, he is the reason for the whole religion.

But there is something about Mary. I think Christianity doesn't give her sacrifice near the recognition it deserves.

Imagine. You don't get to enjoy a satisfying roll in the hay with the love of your life, but you wind up pregnant anyway. Some selfish king couldn't give a rat's ass that you have just entered your fourth trimester of pregnancy. He wants your name on his tax rolls, no excuses. During a long, miserable donkey ride your water breaks and strong, painful contractions begin. You are a very young woman with no access to medical care, or even your mother. What woman wouldn't be terrified? You can't get a hotel room anywhere in town, not even the Grandview! You wind up in a dirty stable where you labor for hours without the benefit of a doctor- let alone pain medication. At last, while amused farm animals look on, you give birth to a healthy son.

Relieved and exhausted, you are now expected to entertain. Hours ago, you were an inconvenience. Now that you have given birth to the Son of God, angels sing, and a huge star is placed in the sky so that the king's men and all the townfolk can come take a look. They don't care that you haven't even had the chance to bathe. I love the fact that every artist paints Mary - just hours after giving birth - as both beautiful and serene. And the "Wise Men!" Ha! Don't get me started! These guys learn of the birth of the Messiah and what do they do? Bring impractical gifts for the baby! Gosh, guys, don't you have enough pull to at least get this family a room at the Ritz? A Motel Six? At least bring a casserole.

The birth of Christ was difficult enough, but can you imagine what his death must have been like for his mother? I've always thought losing a child would be the hardest burden to bare. The only thing worse would be to helplessly witness your son tortured and slowly put to the death.

There are a few things about being Catholic that trouble me, but IMHO, it is the only sect of Christianity that even comes close to paying Mary the respect and admiration she deserves. At every Mass, Catholics recite in unison:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.

Today is put aside as a day to celebrate the birth of Christ, but I always want to shout, "What about Mary?!" This may strike some as blasphemy, but I'd be willing to wager that Mary was not the delicate, petite flower of womanhood portrayed in paintings. I think Mary was probably one tough cookie. She would have to be, which is why God chose her to birth his only son.

So, Happy Birthday, Jesus! And to the new Mommy, Mary, thanks and well done. There will always be a soft bed, clean sheets, and a hot casserole waiting for you at Polly's Place.

For those of you expecting family this holiday...

(This was originally written last Thanksgiving, but it got a lot of hits, so I thought I would re-post it.)

Hey! It could be worse, this could be YOUR mother-in-law.

The holidays are a reminder that we leave home and become independent, free thinking, capable adults for a good reason. The holidays also serve to keep us humble. How great can you be if you share DNA with a guy who undoes his pants at the dinner table in order to make more room for seconds? If you're snickering because you don't share DNA with such people, smack yourself. You willingly married into this family of freaks.

Ladies, don't be control freaks. You want people to have a good time right? Let the guys watch football. No one wants to play charades. Everyone hates charades, and they roll their eyes at you when your back is turned. Turn off the tube for dinner and then let folks do what they want. Better memories are made when folks are happy. Keep the prayer short, and for the love of God, don't make us go around the table and share what we are thankful for. (Real answer: At some point this torture will be over and we can go home.)

Guys, when dinner is served, get your ass to the table. Don't wait until half time or the moment suits you. People worked while you sat around and scratched yourself all so that you could stuff your face. Here's a thought... since the ladies have been working all day, how about the men do the dishes for a change? Fair is fair.

Guests, unless asked, don't give advice. The dining room was painted green because your host/hostess likes green. Please don't go on and on about how lovely a pale yellow would look in a home where someone else pays the mortgage. Your host/hostess knows that you believe a stuffed turkey stays moist, but your hostess believes said stuffing had her stopping to puke at every rest stop on the journey home last year. This year, it's her house, and she's gonna do it HER way. Let go, make yourself useful, and offer to peel the potatoes. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT offer to dust using a comment like, "Clearly you have been too busy for thorough housekeeping, Dear." Your hostess also does not want to entertain your views on disciplining her children, thank you, you old bitty/hag.

Kids, don't gripe about having to sit at the kiddie table. I finally got a seat at the grownup table last year -at forty something- when someone died. It isn't all it's cracked up to be, trust me. Everyone notices when you don't eat Aunt Suzie nasty candied yams. The only thing that makes the grownup table tolerable is the wine.

Speaking of wine, liquor is to flow freely during the holidays. You should definitely bring a bottle. Or two. Skip the flowers and bring three. Jesus turned water into wine for a reason. To prevent us mere mortals from taking our kin too seriously and strangling a relation in lieu of the bird. My holiday commandment is to keep a sense humor by always having a glass of liquor in hand. Burnt bird, a little broken china, an over flowing toilet... all humorous when combined with the proper amount of liquor.

God speed, and remember, if they behave in a particularly evil manner, lace their pumpkin pie with a few drops of raw turkey juice. Works like a charm. Trust me. Heh. Heh.