* We have a lot of ground to cover today since I was off last week. While I figure out where to start, how about you tell us what you did over the holiday?
Read “From Vines to Wines” by Jeff Cox and developed a grand thirst for the idea of growing my own wine; also am reading “Hitch-22″ by Christopher Hitchens and developing a lust to embrace serious matters and scotch; and of course, watched the coverage of the Iowa caucuses and mourned civilization.
Closed my office for two weeks to hang out with the kids during their Christmas break. I had a great time (hopefully so did they) but I admit I’m glad to be back in the office. For the first time in a long time, I’m feeling really refreshed and ready to go.
Also, feeling bad for Jerry Angelo right now. It is always bad to hear about somebody losing a job. It is probably good news for Bears fans though.
Spent a lot, ate a lot, read a lot, watched football, movies, Bulls and Hawks a lot.
Spent a lot of time with extended family without any major blowups, which was a surprise.
Probably the best part was the time with my oldest son, back from his first semester at college. For a few days anyway, I went from being Lord Voldemort to the Most Interesting Man in the World.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:09 am:
One thing I did was tell relatives about this great site for coverage and commentary of Illinois news called “capitolfax.com” run by some guy who also has a column in the SunTimes every couple weeks or so, but no one knows how he really manages to pay his bills. I’m guessing they fully approved of the site & will be back if they checked it out over the holidays and saw the “gone fishing” type notice of hiatus.
Besides holiday celebrating & local site seeing with family, I watched an “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour” dvd. Very funny.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:15 am:
The usual holiday stuff with the kid’s & grand-kids.
Spent a couple of days in St Louis, including an enjoyable night eating and listening to music at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups.
Spent time with my family in the evenings. Worked during the day. Visited with my daughter who came home for a couple days over Christmas. As one of those state employees with the cushy jobs I worked Christmas evening and New Years evening and half a day on New Year Day.
Thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family and watching grand daughter open her presents. At a year and a couple months she is just getting into the whole present thing. Tried to avoid the news to keep myself in a good mood. lol
Did not miss the lack of snow for Christmas. 45 degrees is good.
This year, the holiday turned out much better than I expected. My children and I spent time reflecting on the wonderful memories of their father, my husband, recently lost to cancer.
Followed Rich’s lead, and was off the internet most of the last 10 days or so. Did miss this place, but it was a much needed rest from all things “E” - lectronic
The best laid plans also “included” a nasty flu-like bug for a week, but the holidays book-ended the worst of my sickness so I was still able to have fun with the family, inbetween bed rest and soup.
And “publicly” I want to thank Rich for the runner-up Golden Horseshoe Award. Appreciate that very much.
Watched my son’s band do a midnight show in a dive bar around Addison and Milwaukee, had good family Christmas stuff, then caught an excellent version of the same flu Oswego Willy had. Six days on the couch with Hitler, UFOs, How They Made That, Mythbusters, Walking Dead marathon, Netflix, and coughing/NyQuil. Even watched one showing of Housewives of New York/Atlanta/San Diego/whatever. exciting. not.
- Edge of the 14th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 11:57 am:
Traveled to four separate, far-flung gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas before heading home for my annual viewing of “Gremilns.” Worked between Christmas and New Year’s, as I’ve never seen the point of burning vacation days when it’s cold outside. Supervised my wife’s cousins’ kids as they jumped from a pile of couch cushions onto a pull-out sofa bed over and over again (no one got hurt). Saw and loved “The Artist,” which was done in the style of a silent movie. Wore my new Derrick Rose shirt with pride. Ate pound cake.
Thanks Irish. When the state started cheating us on travel voucher reimbursement, I decided it was time. Will find other stuff to do and hopefully make more. Definitely wanted to lock in my pension before they try to hack it up. Take care.
Caught up on the Ron Paul phenomenon and waited anxiously to find your Iowa Caucus open thread
- CicularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:15 pm:
Watched the GOPies serve up one palooka after another who will be lunch for the president next Nov. much thanks to Gags Brady and his cronies for the amusing week in a long time
===Wondered aloud which pawn will be used by Dan McLaughlin as King Maker, who will become beholden to him?===
QTS, it will only be until McCarthy’s term expires in one year. His district was chopped up so that other incumbents cover the whole old area.
- MrJM - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:32 am:
Drove eighteen hundred miles.
The rest is kind of a blur.
– MrJM
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:34 am:
Waited anxiously for CapFax to return.
- soccermom - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:36 am:
Cincy, we agree at last.
- siriusly - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:40 am:
Mega dittos cincy - never missed a fresh blog so much in my life. Today’s CF was like a drink of water. Welcome back Rich, happy new year.
Spent lots of fun quality time with my family, but really happy to be back at work.
- WazUp - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:45 am:
Grew a Rich Miller beard!
- Y2D - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:46 am:
Read “From Vines to Wines” by Jeff Cox and developed a grand thirst for the idea of growing my own wine; also am reading “Hitch-22″ by Christopher Hitchens and developing a lust to embrace serious matters and scotch; and of course, watched the coverage of the Iowa caucuses and mourned civilization.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:48 am:
Spent some time in Arizona, played with the new bigger telescope my son and I got for Christmas (yes I am a nerd).
Cracked a joke about those shoes they found in the capitol belonging to Richn
- wizard - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:49 am:
Retired from the state.
- walkinfool - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:51 am:
Wonderful time with son home from school.
Saw five movies, gained five pounds.
Admitted I was addicted to CapFax, but no intervention in sight.
- Skeeter - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:54 am:
Closed my office for two weeks to hang out with the kids during their Christmas break. I had a great time (hopefully so did they) but I admit I’m glad to be back in the office. For the first time in a long time, I’m feeling really refreshed and ready to go.
Also, feeling bad for Jerry Angelo right now. It is always bad to hear about somebody losing a job. It is probably good news for Bears fans though.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 9:59 am:
Spent a lot, ate a lot, read a lot, watched football, movies, Bulls and Hawks a lot.
Spent a lot of time with extended family without any major blowups, which was a surprise.
Probably the best part was the time with my oldest son, back from his first semester at college. For a few days anyway, I went from being Lord Voldemort to the Most Interesting Man in the World.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:09 am:
One thing I did was tell relatives about this great site for coverage and commentary of Illinois news called “capitolfax.com” run by some guy who also has a column in the SunTimes every couple weeks or so, but no one knows how he really manages to pay his bills. I’m guessing they fully approved of the site & will be back if they checked it out over the holidays and saw the “gone fishing” type notice of hiatus.
Besides holiday celebrating & local site seeing with family, I watched an “Axis of Evil Comedy Tour” dvd. Very funny.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:15 am:
The usual holiday stuff with the kid’s & grand-kids.
Spent a couple of days in St Louis, including an enjoyable night eating and listening to music at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups.
- Irish - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:23 am:
Spent time with my family in the evenings. Worked during the day. Visited with my daughter who came home for a couple days over Christmas. As one of those state employees with the cushy jobs I worked Christmas evening and New Years evening and half a day on New Year Day.
Thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family and watching grand daughter open her presents. At a year and a couple months she is just getting into the whole present thing. Tried to avoid the news to keep myself in a good mood. lol
Did not miss the lack of snow for Christmas. 45 degrees is good.
- Irish - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:24 am:
BTW - Congrats wizard. Good luck. Thos of us who are left envy you. lol
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 10:32 am:
This year, the holiday turned out much better than I expected. My children and I spent time reflecting on the wonderful memories of their father, my husband, recently lost to cancer.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 11:09 am:
Followed Rich’s lead, and was off the internet most of the last 10 days or so. Did miss this place, but it was a much needed rest from all things “E” - lectronic
The best laid plans also “included” a nasty flu-like bug for a week, but the holidays book-ended the worst of my sickness so I was still able to have fun with the family, inbetween bed rest and soup.
And “publicly” I want to thank Rich for the runner-up Golden Horseshoe Award. Appreciate that very much.
- RMWStanford - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 11:23 am:
moved
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 11:33 am:
Watched my son’s band do a midnight show in a dive bar around Addison and Milwaukee, had good family Christmas stuff, then caught an excellent version of the same flu Oswego Willy had. Six days on the couch with Hitler, UFOs, How They Made That, Mythbusters, Walking Dead marathon, Netflix, and coughing/NyQuil. Even watched one showing of Housewives of New York/Atlanta/San Diego/whatever. exciting. not.
- Edge of the 14th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 11:57 am:
Traveled to four separate, far-flung gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas before heading home for my annual viewing of “Gremilns.” Worked between Christmas and New Year’s, as I’ve never seen the point of burning vacation days when it’s cold outside. Supervised my wife’s cousins’ kids as they jumped from a pile of couch cushions onto a pull-out sofa bed over and over again (no one got hurt). Saw and loved “The Artist,” which was done in the style of a silent movie. Wore my new Derrick Rose shirt with pride. Ate pound cake.
- wizard - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 12:00 pm:
Thanks Irish. When the state started cheating us on travel voucher reimbursement, I decided it was time. Will find other stuff to do and hopefully make more. Definitely wanted to lock in my pension before they try to hack it up. Take care.
- Tom B. - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 1:17 pm:
Saw the Hawks beat the Scum at the United Center. Great game.
- Quinn T. Sential - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 1:48 pm:
Wondered aloud which pawn will be used by Dan McLaughlin as King Maker, who will become beholden to him?
- JBilla - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 2:25 pm:
Caught up on the Ron Paul phenomenon and waited anxiously to find your Iowa Caucus open thread
- CicularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:15 pm:
Watched the GOPies serve up one palooka after another who will be lunch for the president next Nov. much thanks to Gags Brady and his cronies for the amusing week in a long time
- Been There - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:16 pm:
===Wondered aloud which pawn will be used by Dan McLaughlin as King Maker, who will become beholden to him?===
QTS, it will only be until McCarthy’s term expires in one year. His district was chopped up so that other incumbents cover the whole old area.
- Knitting Fanatic - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:20 pm:
Does anyone know why the flag at the East side Batavia Fire Station is at half staff today, Jan 3, 2012?
- amalia - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:20 pm:
did what all addicts do, make up for the temporary loss of CapFax with food, liquor, sports, candy, food liquor, sports, candy, rinse, repeat.
- Cheswick - Tuesday, Jan 3, 12 @ 3:36 pm:
Savoring every minute of my days off because my next time off isn’t until Memorial Day, which is like forever.