Speedy62269's Blog

Here are a few of my complaints:

1.  The SMOKING BAN in Illinois is still being ignored by businesses especially small town bars.  And, the law specifically states the smoker must be 15 feet away from structure.  Sorry – but I cannot stand the smell of cigarettes.

2.  Foul mouthed parents on shopping trips - can these people please SHUT UP until they get home?  They convey a negative image to the public and are just flat out OFFENSIVE.

3.  RUDE DRIVERS need to get back to the basics of driving – use   PATIENCE.  Yeah, I am sometimes lacking patience but it’s usually because of rude drivers.  Note:  Usually!

These are just a few examples of what irks me – I can’t wait to hear from you guys.

I understand that some of the bloggers on here just hate cellular phones and others don’t  own one.  First of all, I could not survive without my cell now.  I have become too accustomed to it both for the convenience and business aspects.

Today I went to Subway for lunch and there were probably 6-8 people in line.  There was a younger gal (they all seem younger to me now) just talking away on her cell phone and being somewhat rude to the employee.  This gal (college student) was being very loud and obnoxious.

Please remember I am a cell phone user and have no problems with people driving responsibly while on the cell.  This person was just blabbing away then she gave the person on the other end her cell number – twice.  So, should I have called her while I was in line?  If so, what should I say?  This is left to you, the bloggers, what would you have done?

Ok, I don’t mean to sound rude but why in the heck were you (Fox 2) doing maintenance during the peak hours?  This is the mentality level of IDOT or MoDOT doing major lane closures between 7am and 9am on a weekday.

What was done to the blogs in order to keep the addicted bloggers out of touch for so many hours?  Not that I am a webmaster or even pretend to be one TV, but wouldn’t it have been better to do such an event at 1am in the morning?

I guess this proves my craze for blogging and keeping in touch with current events and fellow bloggers.  You are responsible for this non-life threatening illness called blogititis.  Please give at least 24 hours notice in the future.

After seeing the news this evening I was surprised that no one spoke about the real problem near Town and Country (TC).  The initial report was how drivers were stuck in the backup because of the re-striping on I-64 at 270.  These impatient drivers were driving over the median and curb to maintain the same direction of travel on the outer road.  The TC cops were waiting for these perpetrators and ticketed each of them for a minimum of $102.

I do understand that TC is virtually crime-free and most officers on a nice weekend day probably don’t have much to do.  And, if you had red light cameras at every traffic light you probably would be out of a job.  So, instead of slapping all of these drivers with tickets, why not help the flow of traffic by actually helping these drivers make a safe detour?

It’s much easier being proactive versus reactive but that means lower revenues.  And by looking at their FY budget, TC doesn’t lack in that category.  The budgeted line item for Fines and Forfeitures FY2008 shows to be $1,423,500!  This is 10% of TC’s anticipated revenues.  I am thankful that Fox 2 ran the clip on what happened today to these drivers.  This gives me more reason not to visit or shop in your community.

Sorry, it’s a boring Saturday night and I had to blog on the first news item I saw!

It’s been announced that AT&T will be cutting about 4% of it’s workforce.  With about 303,530 employees nationwide, 12K will be on the streets in 2009.  They are offering some type of severance package.

AT&T’s excuse for such cuts is because the landline business has decrease dramatically since cellular phones are used more often now as home phones.  They are looking to cut the lower pay level jobs and I ask this – why not cut the FAT?  The top 3 “retired” individuals’ total compensation for 2007 was just under $130,000,000 total.

These companies that are lining the pockets of their SUITS are in deep trouble and the only excuse and way to create less debt or expenses is to lay off the blue collars or the low leveled white collar worker.  I will attach a copy of the AT&T 2007 Compensation numbers please look at the figures on the far right.

When seeing these  figures, be sure to be sitting down and have someone around you when you fall out of your chair – set your coffee down first!  These numbers are dangerous. 

Did you read about the New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress?  Last night he “accidentally” shot himself in the leg.  My main question, why is this NFL star playing with guns?

Even though his stats aren’t great this year his salary is.  You figure that a combination of career, money, ability, trainers, and more would keep him out of trouble.  NOT!  He’s been guilty of inappropriate comments on officiating (fined $20K), unsportsmanlike conduct/verbal abuse of an official (fined $20K), and throwing a football in the stands (fined $5K).  It must be nice to throw $45K away.

By not participating at a mandatory mini-camp for the NY Giants, he risked losing $8,600 per day.  This isn’t too smart mainly since he just signed a $25M 6 year contract…for PLAYING a sport. 

Here’s my challenge to fellow bloggers, what sports stars have been fined or lost money because of their stupidity?  Yeah, Vick will be heavily commented on, how much did he lose?   Another challenging question, who knows some name Plaxico?  LOL – can’t wait to hear from you!

Funny item one – we brought our kids to the concert and after about 45 minutes into it our 7 year old fell asleep until the end!  This was a 3 hour concert and it didn’t bother him a bit.

Funny item two – I saw friends of ours that live in the same city as us.  They were only 3 rows in front of us.  When he was standing up I was getting ready to yell to him then all of the sudden the lights went out and BAM the concert began, and with a loud thunderous fury I might add.  So, without any intermission, for 3 hours you couldn’t hear another voice in the audience.  I called him today to let him know we were 3 rows back.

Funny item three – We noticed the couple in front of us had their cell phones out almost the entire concert.  Noise wasn’t the issue rather the lights from the phones.  My 11 year old and I finally caught on – this couple was text messaging each other!  There were fighting and we read bits and pieces!  LOL.  So, for that young couple (not married, just dating since I know so much about you) sitting in Section 318, Row L, seats 14 and 15 – TURN OFF YOUR PHONES!

Lastly, the funniest item of the night – this text messaging gal stored her phone … in her CLEAVAGE!  LOL- my 11 year old and I laughed about this and I am surprised they didn’t see us “peeking” – ok ME not my 11 year old.  They probably text messaged one another probably 50 times.  Who says that putting your phone on vibrate isn’t healthy!

Are there really that many things for sale on Black Friday or is it the adrenaline rush you get waking up early and stampeding into retail stores to find out they JUST sold the last of FIVE laptops for $400 each?

Black Friday 2008 is being remembered as a day of stupidity and violence.  Thankfully, the Metro East was more sedate than that of the coastal regions.  As a matter of fact, I haven’t heard anything bad happening in our area.

The Long Island Wal-Mart incident will possibly go down as a manslaughter charge after they try to review the security cameras.  This is just an example of the lack of respect society has for other human beings.  Officials claim that identifying a suspect would be near impossible.

In Palm Desert, California, two men were shot to death in a Toys R Us store on this violent Friday.  Authorities claim the incident wasn’t directly related to a shopping argument.  My problem with this is two men enter a toy store with guns?  What the heck is CA coming to?  It was said on one news report that the women with these men were arguing first thus causing the confrontation.

Folks – be careful out there and if you think you are really saving an extra $50 or so on a retail product, just wait a few months and it’ll be $100 less.  It’s not worth a trip to the hospital or morgue for such a discount.  Make 2009 a year to be nice to your neighbor or a stranger – pay it forward – help someone out rather than STEPPING on them!

Last night we went to the 8pm Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) concert. We got there pretty early in order to make sure we found our seats. There was an announcement that approximately 12,010 tickets were sold but I saw some empty seats so a near sellout.

If you want to see the offspring of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) then this was the show. It reminded me of an ELO concert many moons ago. It was an awesome light show at the Scottrade Center (SC). Our two kids went with us and our oldest (11) loved it. The fog machines, lights, “snowflakes”, and much more were cool.

On the negative side, after about one hour I realized the music/theme sounded pretty much alike. The narrator was a “Lou Rawls wannabe” and it got sort of old listening to the poetic injustice. And the Joe Cocker “clone” was ok but many in our immediate area were sighing when he came up to sing again. Lastly, by the 2nd hour the electric guitars sounded like a Journey concert.

The entire show lasted 3 hours and after sitting like sardines in the SC, it was great to leave. After we got into our car we did our own review and here’s our final input:

We would definitely go see TSO again. Even though it lasts 3 hours and it’s quite stuffy in there, we’ll be better prepared by wearing summer attire. Overall, the music was excellent and flowed quite smoothly. Each person knew their job and did so with both vigor and expertise. If you haven’t been to their show – please go! Our ticket price was $24 per person and for just under $100 for a night out – our kids didn’t argue at all – PRICELESS!

Next blog - humorous events that happened at TSO concert.

I know it’s been a tough year paying $200 - $300 power bills, paying high property taxes, or getting a car fixed for a few thousand dollars but it’s time to take a look at the big picture.  What have you done for someone else lately?  We are seeing financial woes of mortgages being foreclosed, people losing jobs to overseas companies, and just a flat out crappy economy.  Does this sound negative enough?  It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee!

GIVE!   If you have a little change in your pocket, some extra clothes laying around, or cans of food – please donate them to your local area’s pantry/shelter.  There are many people less fortunate than us and as you’ve seen me write on numerous occasions, we need to take care of our communities first. 

Check out your church or city hall and see where donations need to go – give back to the community and you can make a difference.  For 12 long political years, I sponsored a reading program locally and gave away a bike to a needy child each year.  It’s amazing how little it hurt me financially but even more amazing to look at that smiling face that hasn’t had a new bike in many years (or EVER)!

LOL – this is not a paid advertisement for anyone - just Speedy being a bit sentimental today.  I hope that after you read this blog, you go out and do something positive for your community and come back here and tell your “short” story. 

The Cards will have to pay Holliday anywhere from $10 million to $13 million for one year then he becomes a free agent – this could mean MORE money.

Ludwick on the other hand will become a free agent after the 2011 season.  So, the Cards could virtually save around $9 million each year until late 2011. 

Here’s the way I look at it – if Ludwick performs like he did in 2008 then why gamble.  Yes, Holliday is a “name brand” player but the ultimate goal is production.  Ludwick played in more games and had better numbers overall and at Wal-Mart prices!

What is your opinion on this possible acquisition?

Does it really matter if we hear more bad news more often during the day?  I remember when Fox 2 first came out with The Edge at 10pm claiming it wouldn’t be the same old newscast – well, guess what…

Fox 2’s news at 9pm is probably the most watched newscast since a lot of people are trying to get to bed by 10pm.  Ok, that’s how it is at our home.  When it comes to getting the news, I could care less how the reporter/anchor looks rather I’d like to get the breaking news quicker and accurately. 

So, the item that “Two St. Louis stations combine news” means nothing to me.  I guess it’s sort of like being the first (Channel 5) to broadcast in High Definition.  You still have to get the new correct … first.

Fox 2 – just keep doing what you are doing and you’ll be fine.   JMO

Here’s the article in the Belleville News Democrat today.

 ST. LOUIS --

Two St. Louis television stations plan to combine their newsrooms and share news services.

The agreement between the Fox affiliate, KTVI-TV, and KPLR-TV, which is part of the CW network, was announced Tuesday by the parent companies. Local TV Holdings LLC owns KTVI; Tribune Co. owns KPLR.

Under the agreement, KTVI will move to KPLR's offices. The combined newsroom will produce staggered news for nine hours a day.

KTVI General Manager Spencer Koch says viewers want local news programs throughout the day, not just morning, early evening and at night.

The parent companies also announced a local marketing agreement for their TV stations in Denver, Fox affiliate KDVR and CW affiliate KWGN. Both stations will operate out of the KDVR studios.

Police are trying to find a woman who apparently drugged a Republican National Convention delegate and robbed him of about $50,000 worth of jewelry, cash and other items in his hotel room.

Gabriel Schwartz, a Denver attorney and party donor, told police he met the woman in a bar at the luxurious Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis and invited her to his room early on Sept. 4, a few hours after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepted the GOP vice presidential nomination.

Once there, police say, the woman made drinks and told Schwartz to get undressed.

The 29-year-old delegate told police that was the last thing he remembered. Police believe he was drugged but aren't sure what drug he was given, police Sgt. William Palmer said Tuesday.

When Schwartz awoke, the woman was gone and so were cash and belongings that included a watch he valued at $30,000.

"We have no doubt this happened," Palmer said. "The guy has been very forthcoming with us. He's been very helpful in the investigation."

The delegate gave police a detailed description, but investigators had no suspects, Palmer said. He stressed that investigators don't believe Schwartz did anything wrong.

"It's embarrassing to admit that I was a target of a crime," Schwartz said in a statement Tuesday. "I was drugged and had about $50,000 of personal items stolen."

"As a single man, I was flattered by the attention of a beautiful woman who introduced herself to me. I used poor judgment. If there is any good that can come from this humiliation, it is to caution others that date rape drugs can be used on men, too," he said.

Wow – a 29 year old single male was “shopping around” and got what he didn’t want.   This sounds like one of those horny Democrats!  And most bloggers know where I stand on politics!  Dude meets a female, they go to his room and then he wakes up with about $50 thousand less in cash and jewelry.

What in the heck is this young pup doing carrying (or having) that much in jewelry?  I don’t know if I am more amazed at his lack of good judgement with the gal or the fact that he had so much valuable jewelry – period.

It goes to show you that a night of sex (which apparently he didn’t have) can be quite costly.  Let this be a lesson to all you horny rich politicians out there – STICK to your business and you might stay out of trouble!