So Listen...

Remember how I told you to like, write Governor Blagojevich about the State Parks and Historical Sites? I told you that he really needed to change his mind on closing these fine facilities...

I'm thinking he might have be preoccupied for a while...

I wonder if after all of this dust settles, we can get our facilities back? Cuz there is corruption laden throughout that budget. I'm sure of it...

Finally, this situation totally reminds me of this...

A Troll's Perspective

A Troll's Perspective, originally uploaded by Orthogonal Photography.

This shot is from my framing and vantage point assignment in my photography class here at the U. I really like it. That's about it. Taken underneath the bridge at Crystal Lake Park with a film camera and printed on black and white. Man, I really do like the magic of film.

Alan and Ryan's Day

Watching Sports

Saturday, I feel like I entered a new era in my Illinois sports watching.

1)  I went to the Illinois vs. Louisiana-Lafayette football game (which we looked awful in).  This was the first time I'd been in the fully renovated Memorial Stadium.  It seems as if the old Illini watching is long gone.  The students are now completely content 

to be placed in the end zone, the boosters have their seats in the boxes, and the Chief no longer graces the field.  It is a definitely different climate than 5 years ago when I sat in the second row on the forty yard line chanting "Fire Turner!"  Overall, I think the new look and feel is a plus.  I just hope that we don't forget the things of old, like where students used to sit, the fact that die-hard fans deserve a seat too, and the Chief.  Now, I'd say, regardless of your opinion of him, you should not want to forget, just as you don't want to forget any other tradition or monumental change.

2)  As I ramble on, I also will say I went to the Illinois Legends Alumni basketball game.  That was truly a treat.  It was a lot of fun to see so much talent gathered on one floor at the same time.  There are many fine memories in that group of people.  The thing that has truly changed though, is once again, my Freshman year, I saw those 'legends' playing their way to a 37-2 season and a 2nd place finish in the nation.  Now they were back for the new freshman who might not even know their name, yet sit in the Orange Krush ready to cheer them on.

I guess the point of this whole exercise is to say that I feel older, and I hadn't written in a while

Other Notes...

• Green Bay looked pretty good/bad in a victory over Detroit, and Aaron Rodgers looked quite solid.
  
• Brett Favre looked good against New England, considering the lack of pass protection he had.
  
• Carlos Zambrano pitched a No-Hitter against the Houston Astros.  Seems like a good momentum builder as we hope to look towards October baseball.
  

The Parks

Another news story for you today. Buzz Magazine today had an article in it addressing an issue that I had just heard about this past weekend. The Governor of our fine state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has passed down a ruling closing 11 state parks and 13 state historical sites. These sites are primarily in the heart of our great state. Some are in our very capital, and are old stomping grounds of the inspiration for the state motto, Abraham Lincoln.

Now, I am all for small government, but one of the things I really do enjoy about taxes is the resources they give us and help protect. There are plenty of other ways to cut our bloated government without taking away valuable resources to the heartland as well as historical sites to help us remember how we got here. Obviously, I am definitely affected by this myself by the closing of Weldon Springs State Park, a favorite place to go for day camp and in evenings with my family.

Now, I definitely believe a couple of courses of action are required. While I definitely am disappointed at the ruling of Rod, I believe that we need to pursue all avenues. The first is to petition to him. To show to him that the heart of this state matters. The fact is, as Governor of Illinois, he doesn't even spend his time in the capital of Springfield, but rather in his Chicago home. This is intensely disagreeable and disregards a standard asked of a public servant. A public servant who is to serve the ENTIRE state. If he will not budge, and allow for a funding solution, then I believe it is the call of those that want a park, to push for a park in their own means. Perhaps this means charging user fees, but it will allow us to preserve the nature we so dearly love, and the outdoor recreation we need. As Barack Obama is encouraging parents to tell kids to turn off the tv and go outside, we are, in Illinois, taking away the outside...

Please consider writing to the Governor with me as this person has. Take the initiative to help preserve the entire state of Illinois, from the Northeast, which gets most attention, all the way to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

Email Governor Blagojevich here.