Art Smart

How idealistic to think that money would flow like the boneyard in a rainstorm into Urbana by building art galleries! I must concur with Sweet Betty.
But there's another insightful point she makes. The CU student population can't get enough alcohol. Why not make an old idea new, and invigorate downtown CU by creating a scene that is both functional and decorative?
I think we need gallery/bar hybrids that fuse the energy of Urbana's dormant art spirit with the seemingly endless alcohol economy.
Wouldn't art and booze bring artists and boozers alike to downtown Urbana? And wouldn't both of these populations fuel an economy, build a community, and create an attraction worth driving across town (if not downstate) for?
I would be the first one to sit down for a drink after work, and four hours later, feel like maybe I just can't leave without that Monet behind the bar ;)

art schmart

Hahaha! Urbana, you are soooo funny! Have you heard the news? Urbana has decided to give incentives to refurbish and rebuild old buildings and turn them into art galleries. The goal is that by having more art galleries in downtown Urbana, people will flock by the thousands to be cultured and inspired by the art, improving the economy while reviving the diminished downtown.

Yeah right! How many times have you been to an art gallery in the greater Champaign-Urbana area and been the only one there? This has happened to me on several occasions. The only people that really seem interested in art are artists themselves. Now the already empty art galleries will now have to compete with more empty galleries.

Let’s be honest, have you ever really had the urge to go an art gallery? I think the numbers are far and few, especially in the 18-24 bracket; One of largest in our area thanks to the university. Where do you suppose these kids want to spend their money? Hmmm…. Well, it rhymes with cars and they serve alcohol. I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count…

Will Urbana ever learn from Champaign's example?

Cow Pie of My Eye

Does your opinion of whether something smells good or not depend on if you know what you're smelling? Yes, that's a confusing question, but let me put it this way:
You may or may not have driven down south Lincoln Avenue in Urbana on a hot July day. Corn' s pretty high (higher than you knee of course), and you catch wind of an interesting scent. It's hard to put a finger on what it is exactly. Is that a giant mince meat pie cooling on someone's windowsill? Or is something rotting? It's hard to tell if it's sweeter than it is foul.
Then you drive past an enourmous herd of cows with their necks sticking through metal bars to reach the slop in the troughs placed just within tongue's reach.
Suddenly, you realize it's molecules of cow dung you've been inhaling with such passive concern. Now, does that smell suddenly become repugnant to you? Nauseating?
Or are you like my father, who thinks it smells "sweet". Hot cow manure wafting slowly through the thick air. Sweet.
Now, when I drive by, I try to pretend I don't know what I'm smelling.
Alas, I can't separate my senses from the knowledge I gained when I first asked my mom, driving down Lincoln in our orange vangagon, "....What's that smell?"
Funny, that question never seems to produce a good answer!

fuzzy wuzzy was a worm

Long time no blog eh? Well, maybe this will wet your blog whistle. :)

I am about to approach my 25th year on this planet. And how do I know that my birthday is soon approaching? By the tell tale Woolly Worms scattered across the roads! Yes, these lovely furry creatures litter our roads every late summer to celebrate my upcoming birthday!

This fall has seemed to be a heavier worm season than normal by my observations. It has become a hazard (for me at least) to be driving on the road. You can see me dodging and weaving to avoid smashing these guys as they bravely make their way across the highway. I feel so guilty hitting those cute fuzzy worms as they cross.

Nearing killing myself avoiding a worm (and coming very close to a semi truck) got me wondering, ‘where did all these $&#^@ worms come from!!?!!’ I decided to do a little internet research. This is what I found on Wikipedia:

The common moth Pyrrharctia isabella is known by different common names at
its two main life stages. The adult is the Isabella tiger moth and the larva
is called the banded woolly bear. The larvae of many species of Arctiid moths
are called "woolly bears" because of their long, thick, furlike setae. Some species are all black in color. This species is black at both ends with a band of coppery red in
the middle. The adult moth is dull yellow to orange with a robust, furry thorax and
small head. Its wings have sparse black spotting and the proximal segments on its first pair of legs are bright reddish-orange.

The site also goes on to say that after the winter in hibernation, they go on to become moths and eventually get eaten by house cats once they’ve found their way into your apartment. It never even mentioned that they can bite you (learned this one from experience) and that they can poop on you (also learned the hard way)! In a week or so all the birthday party celebrations will be over and the worms will be passed out until spring. If only I could do the same...

watch out chumps!

Heyheyhey! When you are driving home drunk this weekend from all your Labor Day activities be extra careful 'cause the cop on WCIA 3 News said there are tons of road stops and coppers out all weekend all over the interstates and CU area. Don't say I didn't warn ya! I'll write a real one soon.