Weather...Or Not April 2010 Entries - Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-

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4/19/10

One of the big reasons I love this blog is that it allows us to be honest with one another.  While I won't say that I am flat out lying when I am on TV it's not like it is a 100% honest portrayal of who I am as a person.  There are things I can put on the blog that I can't get into during the weather.  And the biggest reason for that is that it just isn't the right place during the weather for me to go off on the poor roads in Decatur or how I actually believe that marijuana should be legal in our country.  But here on the blog I can tell you that I think that keeping marijuana illegal only fuels cartels.  And here on the blog you can send me feedback to let me know you think I am a whack-a-do.  And I dig that.

It is in that spirit of honesty that I say to you now…I'm not really here today.  Sure…my body is here.  You can see me physically doing the weather through the morning today.  But I think you should know that my mind is checked out.  In my mind I am actually sitting pool side in Mexico nursing a real Mexican tequila margarita, enjoying my family, friends, and lover.  In my mind I am a country away.  And thank God there are no storms today, cause I just don't have the capacity right now to deal with it!

Later this morning I will pack my bag and head to Chicago.  Early in the morning tomorrow I will be on a plane headed South.  And I won't be back to work until the middle of next week.  It is a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH needed vacation.  And I plan to soak up every last drop of it. 

I may blog occasionally while I am away.  I may not.  We are supposed to have internet access…but you never know.  Just in case you might think about signing up for email alerts if you haven't done that yet.  Hit the form at the bottom of the page to get that done.  And while you are down there be sure to give me a 5 star rating.  My goal is 1,000 5 star ratings by the end of the Summer.

And for any criminals that might read this blog and sniff an opportunity…keep moving along.  My house has someone staying in it while I am gone.  And having been the victim of burglary in the past…my home security system is fully functioning and active.  So just keep moving on down the street looking for another sucker!  (By the way…if you are looking for a great deal on a home security system hit the link above where it says "Save Money/Make Money" and go to the "Products" link.  Good deals are there for the taking!  And the worse it gets economy-wise the more people are looking to take other people's stuff, sadly.)

Aight!  Have a great week, all.  Again…I may blog here and there while I am gone.  If not…I will chat with you again sometime next week!  (Provided I don't get forced into being a drug mule while I am down there…)

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4/16/10

I'm listening to Warren Zevon as I type this.  Great stuff.  If you want to see a fantastic interview…go to YouTube and search for Warren Zevon.  Go to his final appearance on David Letterman.  "Enjoy every sandwich."  One of my favorite quotes…

Okay.  I will make it easy for you.  Just hit this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hl9Tw2GzvA

"Feedback Friday"!

From Shannon in Decatur (4/9/10):

The WeatherBug link worked great, Greg!  Thanks!

You are very welcome, Shannon.  I believe everything from the old-look website has been transferred to the new-look website.  But things are certainly moved around a bit.  We are actually in the mood for change lately, as our new-look Local Weather Station is still being worked out.  And we also have a new tower cam…HD.  Sweet.

From Dave in Lincoln (4/9/10):

Greg:

       I agree with you on the Tiger Woods issue. I have been saying the same thing all along. Let him play his game. It's time the media backs off.

Lots of people are quick to jump on the media for stuff like this.  And the media does deserve some of the blame.  But the saddest part of the issue to me, Dave, is that the media is only giving people what they actually want.

Think of the media as one of Pavlov's dogs.  Think of ratings as the treat.  The media goes with whatever brings in the ratings.  And when Tiger stories run ratings go up.  Look at how many people watched Tiger's first press conference after his "scandal" a few weeks ago.  The numbers were ridiculous for just a stupid press conference.  That is all the reason the media needs to keep feeding us this crap.  The media covers it because…(enter Jack)…deep down in places we don't talk about at parties, we want to watch this crap…we NEED to watch this crap.

Think about it.  If people stop watching this sensationalistic "journalism" then the media will change to something else, good or bad.  So don't give all of your completely justified anger to the media.  Most of the blame actually falls to the people that keep watching this kind of coverage.

From Phil in Cissna Park (4/13/10):

Hello Greg;

I believe I would've told them kids in a friendly and determined voice that I would be going the same place THEY were if they didn't get off your property.   Oh yeah, I'd SMILE, too, while saying it!   Perhaps one of their parents is the Census Taker for your area!

It would be a fun irony if the parents…or the kids…came to my house to do the census!  I wouldn't be mean to them…and I actually wasn't mean the first time…

From Shelley in Decatur (4/13/10):

Well, Greg, give them (the census powers that be) some time.  Not only did I receive the postcard telling me the census form was coming, but I received the census form.  THEN, I received the card reminding me to fill the form out (which I filled out the day after I received it).  And if THAT wasn't good enough... a few weeks later, I received a whole NEW census form just like the one I filled out and mailed back in the day after I received it.  How's THAT for our tax dollars at work?  (a little overkill if you ask me)

And these are the people that are now in charge of our health care!  Heh.  Okay…I don't want to turn this into a health care discussion.  But I am sure that there could have been a less wasteful way to do this census.  Remember a while back when I talked about a "Common Sense" party?  I still think if it was handled properly it could work.  Lots of people are tired of the seemingly mindless way things are done in our country.  Now if only we could agree on what "mindfull" would be.

From Teri in Decatur (4/14/10):

Hi Greg:

Yes, that was sad about the houses on Shelby Ave.  My daughter's family lives close to the houses that burned.  I am thankful that everyone was okay.  It is sad about their belongings.  I have stuff I cherish also.  Hope things go fast in selling your house.

Thanks, Teri.  I hope my house sells fast, too.

As it turns out my bro lives close to the house, too.  He said he watched the crowd gather and the house burn.  But he did not know it was Gary's house until yesterday.  It is sad.  I don't know if they had renter's insurance…but everyone that rents needs to think about it.  When I was renting I had it…and actually had to use it.  A homeowner's policy just covers the house…not the renter's belongings.

There is a place for donations, if you are so inclined.  Hit this link for more information:  http://www.ask4direct.com/InfoRead.asp?id=MRDC&InfoID=617258

From My Little Sister (4/15/10):

Hello Greg :0) I want to know what you said to the high school girl that came to your door. I also wanted to tell you I miss helping you shop but I am glad you have another helper. You are good looking, so it's like playing dress-up with Weather Man Barbie. (Or is the PC term Meteorologist Barbie?) Have a great weekend!!

Lisa

I really did not say anything mean to the kids that came to my door.  The girl's problem was that she was only prepared to give me her shpeel.  She was not prepared for a discussion.  Her first line was scripted, "Do you know where you are going when you die".  My first response was "Yeah…into the fire."  She thought I meant Hell.  What I meant was the crematorium.  The conversation went downhill for her from there.

It's in my nature to question everything, as you know, Little Sister.  I was not insulting to this girl, and I was not mocking her.  But I wanted to know what she really believed in comparison to what she was trying to tell me.  I believe they were with a Lutheran Church.  I'm always fascinated by the difference between religions, and that was part of our conversation, too.  I think she was just young and unsuspecting.  While I really am not proud that I made her cry…I do hope she learned something from the experience.  I know I did.

From April in Gibson City (4/15/10):

Hi Greg, Those pictures of the Mattoon fire were heartbreaking.  Have you heard if clothing donations are being accepted for the family and if so, where can they be dropped off?  Thanks! 

Absolutely, April.  Just go up the feedback a little bit for the link.  But most donations are being accepted at Rural King in Mattoon right now.  And the link above has size info for the family, too.

From Angie in Chucktown (4/15/10);

I missed the belly dance segment and can't find it on your site! I know that there are some incredibly talented and beautiful dancers in Champaign. Belly dance is one of the most beautiful and healthy forms of dance you can do. Did they get a hip belt on you?? Now that would have been great!

The belly dancers were good…and they did NOT put the belt on me.  I got to play with the finger cymbal things, though.  The belly dancer stuff did make me think of you, Angie.  Didn't you take up belly dancing at some point?

From Shannon in Decatur (4/16/10):

Hi, Greg!  I was wondering if you could give a little shout out to the Thomas Jefferson Music Machine Show Choir?  They are having a dinner theater on April 24 at TJ.  Catered chicken dinner and a show for $10.  You can call Dawn Plowman 791-4049 for tickets!  TJMM has been in existence for 34 years, and their founding director, Kathy Brown, is retiring at the end of the school year.  This is will be a special night!

Keep up the good work on the blog -- you know you'll be missed when you are on vacation!

Thanks!

You are welcome, Shannon!  Always happy to plug a worthwhile event!

I hope you all enjoy what should be a nice weekend.  It'll be a bit cooler than we had this week…but I think we can still handle it!

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4/15/10

--Did you happen to catch the belly dancers during the news yesterday morning?  I have many thoughts on this, but I will only share a few here on the blog.  I admire anyone that is willing to dress as a belly dancer and go on TV.  The belly dancers were very cool and willing to do whatever we wanted to on the air…and that is a surprisingly rare quality.  And lastly…I think it was one of the oddest moments I've been involved with on the air…and I have been involved in some very odd moments!

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4/9/10

And he comes out yesterday and shoots 4 under par.  You have to think he will walk away with it at this point.  Yesterday is probably going to be his worst day of the weekend, because of the weather and the stress of coming back.  Now his nerves will be more settled and the weather is going to be settled.  He has two old guys in front of him on the leader board…and you have to think they are going to wear out by Sunday.  So I am calling it now…I think Tiger Woods walks away with The Masters jacket easily this year.

Time for "Feedback Friday"!

From David in Decatur (4/1/10):

Greg, I love you like a son, but I cannot imagine how anyone can get so excited over professional wrestling!  It is so phony and the acting is even bad.  What in the world is the attraction that draws so many people into this spell?

Great question, David!  I will agree with you that the acting can be horrendous.  Even the in-ring action can be unbelievable at times.  But when it is done right pro wrestling is the most complete form of entertainment that there is, in my opinion.  It's like movies in that not all movies are tremendous.  As a matter of fact I would say that most movies are mediocre at best.  But every once in a while a movie comes along that just blows you away.  Like movies…every once in a while wrestling is so good that it keeps me coming back.

During a good wrestling program you get drama.  You get action.  And you even get good comedy when it is done properly.  Sadly, lately, there is even sorrow, with so many wrestlers dying young.  To me…it is the complete package.  I get more entertainment out of a 2 hour wrestling show than I do any other show on TV.

From Kristen in Maroa (4/2/10):

I am glad you had a great time with Jimmy Hart.  You could see how much fun you were having and how great of a guy he was by watching the interaction during the show.  So I hope that good time you had has left you feeling "warm and fuzzy" (sound better???) and that carries over through the upcoming months.  As a "Gregorian" I like to know you are in a "happy place".

Thanks, Kristen.  I'm mostly in a happy place, with occasional stops in Grumpy Town.  And thanks for being the first Gregorian.

And yes…Jimmy Hart was a moment that I will always remember.

From Matt in Decatur (4/6/10):

You hit the nail on the head with your blog about D-town's roads. I can't believe how bad the roads are around here. They have been this way for quite sometime. The city thinks if they just fill the potholes the problem goes away. Hell, most of the time the potholes they fill are holes again within a couple hours. Why waste money masking the problem? I totally 100% agree with your blog today. Someone really needs to dissect the budget and see where all this money is going. Cause we all know the money is not going to REPAIR these roads. There are roads in Decatur I won't even go on because I'm scared of destroying my car again. I'm already in the hole $900 in repairs because of these horrible roads........On a better note, how bout them Cardinals?!  

Take it easy bro. Thanks for listening to me rant. Keep up the excellent work with the weather and the best blog on the net....Later

Thanks for the compliments, Matt.  And the Cards are starting off well!  I'm curious to see how Big Mac will impact Cardinal hitters this season.  If he can actually make Albert better…yikes!

There were a few bits of feedback on this roads issue.  I do want to point out that in our country we are free to question our government, federal and local.  That is all we are doing.  My hope is that someone in charge can step up and explain to us why the municipal band gets over $50,000 a year…yet as Matt said earlier, there are roads in Decatur that people avoid because they don't want to tear up their vehicles.  I say let's skip the concerts for a year or two and fix the freaking roads!

From David in Decatur (4/6/10):

Hey Greg, halfway through my journey to the feedback section, I had to stop for lunch. That's a long trip.  Concerning today's blog, I live on a street that was concrete, and had never been worked on for over 75 years. This was verified by the head of Public Works.  It was in great shape, except for a couple of minor places that could have been repaired with a minimum of work and cost.  I awoke one morning to the noise of machinery.  I checked with the city, and found that they were preparing to resurface the street with asphalt.  I contacted the engineering department and got blown off.  I then contacted Adam Brown and he took a look at it.  I believe that he was in agreement, but never commented.  Well, to get to the point, the City Manager finally sent me an email, and told me that the cost of the resurfacing was being paid by Federal funds, and had to be used for that purpose.  Isn't that a wonderful way to spend taxpayers' money?  They couldn't use the money to fix areas that really needed it, so they resurfaced a street that didn't need repair.  I'll bet the new surface won't last for over 75 years before it needs repairs.

At least for a little while the trip to the bottom of the blog won't be that long, Dave!  We have a new web guy, Cody.  Wednesday Cody archived the blog, which took out March.  Meanwhile I think we have lost the struggle to move the feedback/email alert buttons back to the top of the blog where they were for so long.

Sadly I am not astonished to read the story of your street, my friend.  While common sense would dictate that the money be used to fix roads that are actually damaged…could it be because someone else took advantage of the federal money in the past that the money had to be spent the way it was?  That would seem to indicate that there are actually good reasons to try and do what is right, in all aspects of life.  Just because you get away with something today doesn't mean it will not hurt someone else down the road.  Me thinks our banking industry needs to be reminded of that, too, but I will save that rant for another blog.

From Cleo in Decatur (4/6/10):

I think you are absolutely right about our roads.  It doesn't seem like Springfield's roads are as bad as ours and they have more traffic.  I think the people who are in top positions over Decatur are mismanaging our money.  The schools bus too many kids.  If your child lives a distance from the school, that is fine, but I have heard of ones living in the block of the school and having to be bussed to another school.  Roads take way too long to be fixed.  I'm sure there are many other ways that this city could be managed better.

Love,

Cleo

Dang, Cleo!  You're bringing it this morning!  While I won't go as far as to say Decatur's leaders are mismanaging…I do think that absolutely transparent leadership is a must in our society today.  If you ask to see a public document you should be given access to that document.  Anything our elected leaders do is open to criticism and scrutiny.  That's the way our country was founded…and those founding principles still stand today, in my opinion.  Tell us why money is given to one program and taken from another.  But it could be that no one is asking these questions.  Honestly…I don't live in Decatur, so I don't have the right.  But is anyone else asking these questions?

I will be moving at some point in the (hopefully) near future.  Decatur is a possible destination for me.  And if I choose to live in Decatur you can sure as Hell bet I will be asking these questions.  (I'll stop now before I announce my run for city office!  Heh.)

From Anonymous in a Pot Hole (4/7/10):

Hi Greg,

    I fully agree with you on the roads being the worst you will have to drive on, here in Decatur. About 7 months ago I e-mailed one of the town Superintendents about most of the Rail Road Track crossings. Asking if they were the City's, or Rail Road responsibility for fixing?

    According to the reply I got back, it's the R&R job to fix them.

    With all the large trucks that haul grain in, and products out of the town they do the worst for the roads. Salting during the winter is also hard when they freeze and crack the road surface.

    Should all trucks be mandated to unload and pick up outside of town so the roads hold up? I don't want them to lose a job or lively hood, just limit the heavy truck traffic, in town. 

    Personally I think the people who make the decisions to fix the roads are more happy with temporarily fixing them, than doing it right the first time. Replacing and making new roads is very expensive, so why not do it right, the first time.

    New cement roads are the best they make them, and the asphalt crowned in the middle so the water runs off, but often times they sag, and sink, and allow the water to lay with heavy trucks.

    I thank you for bringing up this question, and I hope someone with the answers comes forward, as to why our roads are in the shape they are in.

    More taxes??? We have enough, let's ask what they do with the money they get every year from us. Cause we aren't seeing it with the condition with the roads here in Decatur.

    Lost in a POT HOLE 

Well said.  I'm really hoping we get some answers on this road issue.  And if I am wrong I will be happy to post the reasons why here on the blog.  But as I see it…better roads make it easier to attract new business.  I said this the other day…but what company is going to move into a city whose roads will destroy their vehicle fleet?  Infrastructure is more important than the city having a band, as an example.  Someone tell us why we spend on some things, and hold back on other things. 

From Diane in Oreana (4/7/10):

Good luck with your open house, and I am so glad you have found someone you enjoy time with also!

By the way I watch you every morning.

Think about how that last sentence would sound if I weren't on TV most mornings!  Ha!  Now read it with a creepy voice in your head!  "Ehhhhh…I watch you every morning…"  Awesome!

Oh, but seriously…thanks Diane.  I appreciate the support.  Selling the house is a huge piece of getting my life back in order.  And while I don't really want to say too much about this, because there are other people involved, it is nice to find happiness in an ugly situation.  Some question the timing of events for things like this.  I won't give you the details…but just know that I don't jump into anything without exhaustively weighing the entire situation.  This is a good situation for me.

From Mary Jo in Decatur (4/7/10):

I'm glad to hear things are going better, and you've got someone special to share it with. You've had a rough year and deserve to be happy,

Awww…thanks, MJ!  While it is one of the rougher years I've had I can't say that it has been completely miserable.  There have been some very low points, don't get me wrong.  But I think my sense of humor refuses to let me get too far down.  Being able to laugh in almost any situation really helps my emotional health, if not my sanity!

From Shannon in Decatur (4/7/10):

Hey, Greg!  Glad to hear you're feeling better and that things are looking up for you!!  I have a question related to the web-site changes.  How do we get to the WeatherBug sites?  Used to be able to choose from the drop-down box on the main page, but I can't even find them hidden on the weather page.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

 Try this link, Shannon:  http://www.wandtv.com/Global/link.asp?L=268272

If that doesn't work let me know.  If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the main weather page you will see the place to get to the WeatherBug sites.  And I have no idea why all of the good stuff on our website got thrown to the bottom!  WeatherBug...feedback buttons…email alert buttons…ratings stars…etc…etc…etc…

From Justin in Warrensburg (4/8/10):

Greg:

Liking the new look to LWS.  Liking the AccuWeather system you guys have gotten on there.

Thanks, Justin.  I'm glad you noticed the Local Weather Station.  We are making some changes.  Those changes do involve AccuWeather.  While I can not honestly say that AccuWeather is my favorite weather organization…the changes we are making on the Local Weather Station (LWS) are going to enhance our weather coverage. 

Keep in mind we are still tweaking the system, and working out the bugs.  But in the next week or two the look and feel of the "L-Bar" on LWS will be pretty cool.  Some may think that the screen will be too busy…but cable news networks have been conditioning us with over-active screen shots for years now.  More information all at once is the name of the game these days.  Coming soon you will be able to see the Doppler radar simultaneously with other bits of important weather information.

Stay tuned to it…and as always you are free to share your thoughts/comments/questions/concerns here on the ole weather blog!

Have a great weekend.  We are really catching a nice stretch of weather!  Wish me luck on this open house.  I am anxious to sell that bad boy and get on with my life!  And I want to sell it so I can get my dogs and cat back in my life!  All good things to those that wait…

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4/5/10

--It would appear as though the "April Showers" have begun.  We caught a nice bit of rain over the weekend, and might get more today through Wednesday.  I don't know at this point if this is good or bad news for farmers, but I suppose it's good for those of us that are waiting on, say, flowers to bloom to help a house for sale look that much better!

--I had a good weekend.  Dinner with new friends Friday night…and then to some family's house.  Saturday was a fantasy baseball draft at a good friend's house.  Yesterday we went to my Mom's for Easter.  It was a full weekend…but a good weekend!

--Yeah…that's about all I have for now.  Thanks for the feedback over the weekend.  Some of it will wait until Friday to get posted.  But some of it I may throw in through the week.  If you have something to say you are more than welcome to hit the bottom of this page and fill out the feed, b, ack form.  You , can sign up for email al, erts down there, and of course give me 5 stars while you are down there!

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4/1/10

 

While I will not say that I shafted you on the blog this morning...I will admit that I wasn't really focused on it this morning.  As you know if you're a faithful "Gregorian" this morning was a special one for me.  So I was busy this morning preparing for the morning and did not give this blog my full attention!

 

So this morning around 5:30 "the gang" was talking about what we wanted to do with Jimmy Hart during the news.  He was expected around 6.  One of Jimmy's many "gimmicks" is the fact that he always wears sunglasses.  So it was decided that someone would use my sunglasses during the news to play on that gimmick.  I left the studio to go to my car and get my sunglasses.  When I shut my car door after getting my sunglasses I notice 2 men getting out of a car...and I knew one of them instantly.  It was Jimmy and his traveling companion, Chris.

 

Jimmy walked up to me and introduced himself..."Hi!  I'm Jimmy Hart!"  I chuckled..."I know!  I'm Greg Trumbold, the weather guy!"  We walked towards the building and chatted while we walked.  As we got to the door I stopped and turned to face Jimmy.  I said, "I just want to tell you that I've been watching you for 30 years.  It's a pleasure to meet you."  The look that Jimmy Hart gave me when I said that was priceless to me.  The guy had a genuine look of thanks on his face.   Of all the fun we had this morning with Jimmy Hart during the news...that one 5 second moment was my favorite.

 

They showed up 30 minutes early.  Many times when a guest shows up early they don't want to go on early because they just aren't ready.  But Jimmy Hart has been at this a long time.  So when Scotty England asked Jimmy if we could use him early Jimmy was all over it.  So we used him basically from the moment he got there until the minute he left.  And this dude was so nice and down to Earth.  He told us he would do whatever we wanted him to do.  And if you watched us this morning you know that we did a lot!

 

I won't bore you with the play by play.  My hope is that you saw it for yourself. , ; But I want to tell you about some of the behind the scenes stuff that you weren't able to see.  To begin, though, a moment you hopefully caught...you know how some people really don't like the way I sometimes say, "WeatherBug"??  Well I got Jimmy to say it falsetto.  Not only did he say it...but he said it three times in a row!  I haven't had the chance to watch it yet...but I've heard that it was hysterical!

 

Before we put Jimmy on the air I had a chance to chat with him while Scot and Tara were doing news.  You know I am a life long wrestling fan, and Jimmy Hart really is a legend to me.  I was actually able to sit for a couple of minutes with a Hall of Famer and talk wrestling.  Fantastic!

 

He was such a nice, down-to-Earth guy.  He ended up sticking around after the news and signing stuff for anyone that wanted.  He chatted with everyone that wanted to chat.  The guy really was a superstar.  And believe me...we have a lot of wrestling fans.  The guy had his hands full...and he was completely gracious the entire time.

 

In an interesting side note...we found out this morning that Jimmy Hart has never had a cigarette.  He has never had a drink of alcohol.  He has never had an illicit drug.  You know who else can make that claim?  Certainly not me!  But our very own Scot England.  Pretty cool.

 

You remember the Hulkamania T-shirt that I wore during the weather in the bit with Jimmy?  Well...Jimmy signed it and gave it to me.  It'll go with my growing collection of wrestling memorabilia., next to autographs from Sunny, King Kong Bundy, Ted DiBiase, and Scot England!

 

This morning I was truly a kid.  It was one of those few times that I have allowed myself to get completely lost in moment.  It felt good, and I will remember it for a long, long time.

 

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4/1/10

The benefit for HaitiDome that I mentioned in yesterday's blog has been cancelled.  You can still go to Sliderz on the 10^th of this month…but it won't be to support HaitiDome!

Today is my Friday.  I think we should do some feedback this morning!

"Feedback Thursday"!

From Phil in Cissna Park (3/29/10):

Hello Greg;

Mi Pueblito's....excellent food and service as you indicated. When I worked at StarTek I would go there nearly every night for dinner. David Fuentes, the owner, is a good friend and now that I am in Cissna Park, I miss not eating there on a regular basis. I try to always go there when I am in town, though. He also owns Gaudalajara in Champaign, now, just off of Prospect Ave....but I've not been there, yet.

I haven't been to Guadalajara yet, either.  I have heard that it is good, too.

From Angie in Charleston (3/30/10):

Ok...I think I just signed up for your email alerts...which I had already done. That's ok though...we can all do with a double dose of Greg. Much love my friend!

Thanks for signing up for email alerts…again!  And thanks for the love.  Back at you!

From Mary in Assumption (3/30/10):

hey greg hope u enjoy your vacation. everyone needs a little time away. hope u do come back though. id miss u if u decided not to come back. hope u enjoy the rest of the week and easter weekend.

Thanks, Mary.  Okay…I am 97% sure I will come back from Mexico.  Something pretty strange would have to happen for me to decide to stay down there.  But the optimist in me always leaves the door open for someone to offer me a job making ridiculous cash for very , , , ,, , little work.  And to be honest…if that happens while I am in Mexico then you will not likely see me back around this way for a while!

From Kristen in Maroa (3/31/10):

Hi Greg!!  I am so happy you will get to meet Jimmy Hart tomorrow, I know you are excited!  Then that trip to Mexico coming up too...I hope you come back with your hole all filled up!  Actually I hope it gets pretty well fixed after tomorrow!!  My uncle took me to see WWF wrestling at the Civic Center (Decatur) when I was in 4th or 5th grade, we used to watch it together all the time so I actually know who you are talking about!  He IS a legend for sure, I will definitely be watching in the morning!  Have fun and don't get hurt!!  -Kristen

I used to go to the shows around here when I was a kid, too.  And Jimmy Hart was at many of them.  He is not in the building as I type this.  But I know he will be here soon.  And while I am not yet nervous…I have been trying to think of questions for him.  But he is one of those guys that has done so much in his career that if you ask one question it will easily turn into 100 questions…and he won't have time for that this morning!  Apparently he needs to leave just before 7 this morning to get back to Springfield for some radio interviews, so we won't have time to chat after the news.  But really…I could talk to a guy like Jimmy Hart all freaking day.

I am leaving the "hole all filled" comment alone.

That's it for this week.  If something crazy happens this morning I may blog about it over the weekend, which for me this week includes tomorrow.  Otherwise I will see you again Monday morning!  Enjoy the weekend…