Monday, February 28, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|It can't be just me. The Academy Awards show was so boring this year. To some people, like my friend Alex, who probably saw every movie nominated in any category, including best animated short, probably not so much. Even trying to play the M&M Oscar Night Bingo Game didn't help things.
Rob and I did high five (how lame is that?) when Jorge Drexler won Best Song in a Motion Picture. We knew Alex would be screaming and running around and posting it on his blog immediately. (was I right?)
I know they were going for the "American Idol" vibe, according to E! Entertainment's all day, crack of dawn, everyone's wearing formal gowns and tuxedos, coverage. Did Beyonce really need to sing three songs? Did Chris Rock really have to make a Jay-Z comment after each performance? Did anyone else feel embarrassed for the poor nominees that were either deemed so unimportant they weren't allowed on stage or the nominees that had to stand with all the competitors on stage so that the entire world could see their disappointment? That seemed pretty crappy to me. We know you costume designers make everyone look good-but you're a nobody, so you sure won't be taking 2 minutes to walk onto the stage. Seems a tad condescending to me.
What about Martin Scorsese being shut-out again? That's some crap. Keep making the movies though buddy because most people that aren't *insert snobby Grey Poupon voice* "voting members of the academy" love your movies.|W|P|110961127034232187|W|P|The Gold Guys|W|P|3/01/2005 09:43:00 AM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|Yes indeed, I was jumping and yelling when Drexler and Amenabar won their Oscars.
I love Scorsese, but I think neither "Gangs of New York" nor "The Aviator" are really his style.
Hopefully he will make one of his more tightly enclosed movies and finally win.Friday, February 25, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|Bill over at Peoria Pundit has an interesting thread. http://www.peoriapundit.com/mt/archives/2005/02/alert_the_media.html#comments
Peoria has umpteen Steak n' Shake restaurants but not a single White Castle, Sonic, Boston Market, In & Out Burger, Fudruckers or Jack in the Box restaurant. I realize Steak n' Shake is a valuable commodity to all those that have moved from Peoria. Heck, it's a valuable commodity to anyone after a night of cocktails. We also have a Baker's Square now, which is essentially Perkins, though not up to par in my opinion. I can't believe The Outback closed. When it opened, it had the best team of servers, cooks and managers. Many were coming from O'Leary's and they went through all the corporate training and learned all the ins and outs of the chain. Over the years, things started going downhill-but the place was always packed. As recently as three months ago, I had dinner there with my family and the wait was about 45 minutes. If The Outback can't stay open, how is Lone Star Steakhouse staying open?
People tend to eat at chain restaurants because they know what they're getting. Consistency is the key. Three times a year, when Rob goes to Knob Creek, KY-they eat at The Outback one or two nights a week. Damon's on the Riverfront was another chain that had problems with their consistency. The Damon's in Bloomington has always done well. The one here-closed within three or four years. Buffalo Wild Wings seems to be doing an outstanding job. They seem to always be busy and people love going there.
I wish Peoria had a Fudruckers. Whenever we go to Virginia to visit my brother, we stop at Fudruckers and make the best burgers. I guess you can't miss what you've never tried.
I also wish Peoria still had O'Leary's, Rosie's, Brown's Chicken, Mister Donut, Mellow Cream and Sigrids.
But, I am thankful that Peoria has Schooner's, Leonardo's, The Patio Inn, Firehouse Pizza and the Hoffbrau House-among many others.|W|P|110935587202734177|W|P|I Wish Peoria Had (insert blank)!|W|P|2/25/2005 05:00:00 PM|W|P| Stephen|W|P|Sonic. That's all. And maybe a Whataburger.2/25/2005 08:57:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|A Hard Rock Café!2/25/2005 09:19:00 PM|W|P| pigsdo2fly|W|P|What Peoria has and I don't find in AZ are real taverns--neighborhood places that are bars and usually serve food-like the now-defunct Walt's did.2/28/2005 08:19:00 AM|W|P| H.U.T.S.|W|P|Sonic, my wife and I have been jonesing for one since we moved here 8 years ago. We get commercials for them, but no restaurant. Also a TGIF, Bloomington isn't close enough.
Hastings or MediaPlay.2/28/2005 06:33:00 PM|W|P| mapgirl|W|P|Consistency is one factor; I think location is another. And people always want to flock to the new place, at least for the first few months. But you're right, it's always surprising what doesn't make it. And I completely agree: thank goodness for the Hofbrau.
I'm amazed (and delighted) that we have a FlatTop Grill here.
I would love a Boston Market and a Sonic in the area (although it could cause me to weigh 400 pounds).
Things I REALLY would love to see in Peoria: a single-screen moviehouse like the Normal Theater.
A restored and vibrant and well-programmed Madison Theater.
A Peoria-history-themed watering hole.
There are a lot of good things here already ... but there's always room for more.2/28/2005 07:52:00 PM|W|P| Edgar|W|P|Not that they'll ever come this far east, but living in California gto me hooked on "Fatburger" and "In and Out"... great stuff when you're talking fast food.5/17/2005 05:52:00 AM|W|P| Leaann|W|P|A drive-in theatre!5/17/2005 05:53:00 AM|W|P| Leaann|W|P|Thursday, February 24, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|This afternoon, I took my dad to the drive-thru at KFC. He got to leave the nursing home so the therapists could do a home inspection. Just to make sure my Dad will be able to be on his own, starting tomorrow. He asked to go to KFC before I took him back. We placed the order and pulled to the window. It seemed like an extremely long amount of time passed before our money was even taken. Finally, with now 7 cars behind us, the woman handed our food out to us. I asked if she could put the order in two bags. That was the wrong thing to ask. She said, "Look, I have all these cars behind you and I'm the only one here. Can you bag it yourself?" Alrighty. Now, I'm aware that anyone who has ever been a server, or in the food industry, has wanted at some point to say that. Usually, it's about the time the Psycho theme music is going through your head and visions of that knife repeatedly going through the shower. (At least, that's my usual freak out- mode scenario.) But, to actually ask a customer to do that is unbelievable. How many times have you had to: box up three entrees, ring up 7 separate checks, take 2 drink orders, deliver entrees to a 5-top, bus a table and sit a 3-top, all at once? Hell, I'm not even waiting tables anymore, but the multi-tasking I learned, enables me to not freak out when I have 7 different things to get done in 20 minutes. And, I can bag my own lunch, no matter where I am.|W|P|110928237916815034|W|P|Multi-Tasking|W|P|2/24/2005 09:45:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|Oh the joys of having to deal with complete idiots.Tuesday, February 22, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|I asked the people at my polling place how voter turnout was so far. She said pretty slow and they're hoping for a bigger turnout after work. I was startled to see I was only voting for two races: Mayor and 2nd District. I have no idea what I was expecting but it did seem like an awfully blank ballot. I've talked to more than one person today that told me they've never voted in a primary. That just shocks me. As soon as I turned 18, I was questioned each and every election day if I had voted. It certaintly made me get off the couch, walk across the street and vote. I hope turnout increases this evening. This is going to be a pretty exciting election!
P.S.
JIM ARDIS FOR MAYOR
ROCK ON!|W|P|110911200673819085|W|P|The Polls|W|P|2/24/2005 09:46:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|Jim Ardis! Jim Ardis!Tuesday, February 22, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|It's so easy to get wrapped up in sadness when you see so much of it. The two teenagers from Dunlap that died in the auto accident, returning from a ski trip. The death of George Shadid, Jr-a terrific human being with so much kindness in his heart, the death of a friend's grandmother-who meant the world to their family-and the death of a friend's brother-who had been battling a life threatening disease his entire life-all in the same two days.
I did hear a great story.
Sunday evening, at Northwoods Community Church, several teens were gathered to share their thoughts, grief and experiences they shared with Alison Heth and Mary Clark. Someone called up to Firehouse Pizza on Pioneer Pkwy, to order pizzas for the group. Upon hearing what was going on, the folks at Firehouse (Shane) gave the group 10 XL pizzas on the house. That evening, three separate people stopped in to say thank you, for their generosity.
That's pretty cool.|W|P|110909994738994344|W|P|Act of Kindness|W|P|2/24/2005 09:47:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|It was so sad to learn about George Shadid Jr., he was such a nice person, he was so on top of his game.
This is not fair.7/11/2005 11:39:00 PM|W|P| Wolfie|W|P|.... yeah... i had no idea about that.... but i sure miss ali and mary now that i read this againMonday, February 21, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|Every morning, I drive down Knoxville to get to Downtown Peoria. While there are many steadfast businesses in the area, there are also too many empty buildings. First, there is the old Sullivan Food/Thompson Food Basket building. It was so nice to be able to run in and out if you forgot something. Unlike Cub Foods, which requires a minimum 10 minute wait in the line. If you happen to be in the 6 Items of Less Lane, heaven help you if someone is buying lottery tickets. That bumps your wait in line to at least 15-20 minutes. It seems as if the old Sullivan Food/Thompson Food Basket may becoming a used car lot. There are several junked out cars, and an old Butternut Bread truck. Second, there is the old Hardees building on McClure. Though technically not on Knoxville, the boarded up building can be seen. Third is the old Burger King building which closed this past year. Fouth is the old Lums building. After the Garden Restaurant closed, they didn't even bother taking down the special of the day from the sign. Lastly, there is the former Arby's building. That was just a weird Arby's anyway. They never carried exactly what all the other restaurants had on their menu. So, while all these businesses have failed and closed, there is no lack of Title Loans or Payday Loans on Knoxville. Apparently, in order to succeed in the line of business, your storefront must be the most awful color combinations imaginable. Red and yellow look like condiments-sorry. Pink and aqua were great when Miami Vice ruled the world. Why are the psychics always open? Don't they need to sleep?|W|P|110901412585212467|W|P|Knoxville|W|P|2/21/2005 09:24:00 PM|W|P| mapgirl|W|P|I recently moved back to town and take every possible route to avoid driving on Knoxville between Forrest Hill and downtown. It just depresses me too much. I'm still mourning the Beverly Theatre and Fogler's Variety. I'm hopeless.
Love your blog.
m.2/21/2005 09:49:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|I agree, sometimes driving down Knoxville can be a bit depressing.
But hey, we have the Prairee Shopes!3/13/2005 07:00:00 PM|W|P| howard|W|P|I used to live in Peoria. In the 70's there were 5 Lums Restaurants owned by two people -- Dave and Ernie. I cannot remember their last names. I worked at the Lums on University Ave and the one in Sheridan Village. Are you able to find out the last names of Dave and Ernie? Thanks.Thursday, February 17, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|I've been taking in all these accounts of the shooting at Woodruff and the handgun incident at Greeley school. There has been something bothering me since I heard Dion Alexander's mother in an interview. She claims that her son was arrested after several witnesses ID'd him as the shooter at Woodruff. She also said that those witesses were in fact friends with the boy who had been bullying her son. I'm very concerned about that. The boy he is accused of shooting at, was the same boy who trespassed at Greeley school and was in possession of a gun. Isn't this a little too coincidental? Maybe Dion is telling the truth. It should at least be looked at with a new set of eyes.|W|P|110868182778521006|W|P|My Opinion|W|P|Thursday, February 17, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|Am I the only one that doesn't get it? Not only do I not get it, I have no desire to travel to New York's Central Park and walk around under 23 miles of gates with saffron fabric. The media is treating this as the biggest art exhibit of the century. They're 3-sided frames! And don't get me started on the kooky arteests. Christo and Jeanne-Claude are the eccentric, over-the-top, brilliant artists that came up with the plan. Adding to the kookiness is that they were born on the exact same day of the same year. Alrighty, I get the whole, we may be long lost twins cosmically balanced with the Earth thing but these people are nuts. Their publicists freaked out on Letterman's staff for having the audacity to invite them on the show with little more than a day's notice. They were offended. Guess what? Take your freaky, frame building, eccentic European selves home. I have no problem going to the Art Institute in Chicago to see beautiful art without the drama.|W|P|110867657275703152|W|P|"The Gates"|W|P|2/21/2005 09:50:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|You tell them Angie!
Those snotty ass Frenchies.Thursday, February 17, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|It seems that everyone I know has been bitten by the cold or flu bug lately. I woke up this morning feeling drained and achy. Worse though is the extreme puffiness around my eyes. I look like I've been rolling around the floor with ten cats. This is a busy weekend too. The MS Society's Carnivale is on Friday and Saturday evening is a fundraiser for the Haitian Hearts Program at the Recovery Room. Mama Walker is coming home tomorrow for a brief stay until she's back at the hospital Monday morning. Rob and I are cooking everyone dinner Saturday night. If I have a cold, I won't be able to see her, and I haven't seen her for a month! Let's hope I don't overdose on the vitamin C.|W|P|110867469722942752|W|P|Here's to Vitamin C|W|P|Tuesday, February 15, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|I think every Valentine's Day since Rob and I have been together (almost 7 years....yikes), one of us has had to work at a restaurant or bar. This year was no different. The one good thing about being a server on Valentine's Day is that you're super busy. (note: I did not say you get super tips) The sheer volume of tables you have-makes up for those diners that eat out twice a year: New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day, and feel that leaving a 10% tip is a genuine sign of appreciativeness. My favorite story of a Valentine's Day date: Rizzi's on Sheridan, Valentine's night, 40-50 people waiting at the bar, in the hallway, at the front door, in the vestibule and outside. During this time, the mentality was to get them in and out before anyone spontaneously combusted from hunger or anger. Ahhh...The Good Old Days. I get the one couple that decides they'll have a 14 inch cheese pizza and water-a pitcher if you have it. Little Ceasar's anyone? Their bill came to $9.20 and I got the good old, "Here's a $10, keep the change!" And a Happy Valentine's Day to you.|W|P|110850441047950902|W|P|Valentine's Day|W|P|2/15/2005 09:48:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|And I certainly do remember the ones that made the transition to anger.Friday, February 11, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|Corey Feldman was interviewed by 20/20 in a segment to air tonight, regarding his relationship with Michael Jackson. http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,15908,00.html?eol.tkr
Feldman was the "other" Corey to Corey Haim, the brilliant acting duo of the 80's and early 90's. Besides Stand By Me and maybe The Goonies, it's clear that Feldman overacted in every movie he's been in. Examples include, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, Gremlins, Blown Away and Dream a Little Dream (both 1 and 2). In Dream a Little Dream, Corey debuted his "I wanna be MJ ie. BAD" look which included the long jeri curl locks, the "I'm a member of the royal guard" tops with buckles and tassels and the ever popular, tight as possible, black pants which were required for the crotch grabbing dancing that MJ was famous for. I thought he had long overdosed on heroin, crack or Mad Dog 20/20 when lo and behold, he popped up in the first season of The Surreal Life. Any show that has a 90210 alum and Vince Neil, you know I'm watching. On various occasions Corey would break into tears. Once because the group went camping and then fishing. According to the animal lover, this was absolutely wrong. He was crying for the fish. Another time he was crying because the group just didn't get him. Who would, you little freak? Solely because he loved his fiance so much, they got married on the show. Not because he's about the drama. It was the love. After the show aired, they had a Behind the Scenes-Things We Couldn't Show You-episode. The producers were cracking up because Corey would often say, "Can I have another take? I can do it better." No you can't have another take idiot, there's no rehearsal. The show is about how they all interact together and tackle different jobs. I'm sure in his interview for 20/20 Corey will be just as dramatic as his starring role in License to Drive. Oh, and he no longer speaks with MJ. Apparently, after the 9-11 attacks in New York, MJ helped various stars get out of town, but not Corey. I sense a little bitterness.
|W|P|110814937816448128|W|P|Talk about the Drama|W|P|2/11/2005 09:45:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|MJ helped out stars with sons between the ages of 9 and 12, no clue why.Friday, February 11, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|We were one of the households to recently be re-zoned. We were in the 3rd District and now we're in the 2nd District. When I think of the 2nd District, I think of Main Street. We live right off Forrest Hill, behind Grace Presbyterian Church. I'm used to the 3rd District-I've always lived in it. I know change is good, but I'm finding it hard to believe that my neighborhood has the same worries and concerns as say the Uplands. Now I have to do all this research on the key issues of this district as well as learn about two totally new candidates for me to select as Council Woman.
I miss the good old days.|W|P|110814107080103106|W|P|2nd District???|W|P|Thursday, February 03, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|From time to time, something sticks out that really bothers me. Nothing personal, just something that grates on my nerves. I detest when someone overuses the word colleague. Let's be real here. I have co-workers, not colleagues. Now, I obviously didn't graduate with a degree in journalism, however, I did take at least 6 journalism classes in college. Those classes didn't teach me to use the word colleague over and over.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/020305/DIN_B5E8FOFH.027.shtml
I have absolutely nothing against Ms. Howard. For at least the past three years, whenever she's written a restaurant review, she and a colleague have gone to the restaurant. C'mon, at least Brad Burke goes to lunch with friends and Phil Luciano has dinner with his wife and daughter. I just want to read her restaurant review once and not see that she had lunch with a colleague.
|W|P|110745679899908612|W|P|A little something that bothers me|W|P|2/03/2005 05:59:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|Hell yeah, next time she should take her sugar daddy to lunch.Wednesday, February 02, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|After being around tourists, exhibitors and senior citizens this past weekend, I have one question. Why do 99% of senior citizens forget that there are people behind them? Walking behind them becomes way too dangerous. Walking through the Las Vegas Convention Center was fine, until an older couple, cut in front of me and stopped. As I nearly fell on top of them, I wondered, where did your peripheral vision go? How do you not know that you cut someone off and stopped in front of them. Of course, as I stepped on the back of the woman's heel, I got the dirty look and the ever popular with the seniors grunt of HMMPHH!!!!! I'm sure the words dagnabbit hooligan were going thru their minds. Actually, I'm more positive that they were checking their pockets, purses, and every cent they had taped to their bodies to make sure I wasn't a pickpocket. Since I'm about as sly as a bull in a china shop, that's a pretty funny observation.
|W|P|110737575784447624|W|P|The Woes of Traveling|W|P|2/03/2005 06:01:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|Peripheral vision?
Their vision is gone, period.
Isn't that funny how rude they can be but then you hear the "young people have no manners" again and again?Wednesday, February 02, 2005|W|P|Angie|W|P|We just got back from Sin City. A weekend of Rob working, meant a weekend for Angie to play. Imagine my suprise, when I saw in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a long article on the Larry Bright case. We were sitting at the Stardust Sunday evening, chatting up the bartenders at Happy Hour. I mentioned the case and they said that two serial killers were caught in that hotel. Hmmmm. Peoria has a Boyd Gaming facility and Las Vegas has a Boyd Gaming facility. I know there's absolutely no connection at all, but I find it interesting. Speaking of which, many cabbies told us that the Stardust was rumored to be demolished. Upon talking to the bartenders, there's mixed feelings. May be happening, May not be happening.
|W|P|110737515499043851|W|P|Viva Las Vegas|W|P|2/03/2005 06:02:00 PM|W|P| Aleksu|W|P|OMG, I met my third ex-wife at the Stardust!
Aleksu|W|P|Yes indeed, I was jumping and yelling when Drexler and Amenabar won their Oscars.