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Open thread
Friday, Apr 25, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * Many years ago when I was attending (yet another) college, I’d occasionally go into the library and grab its only copy of Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” album and head to the basement listening room, where I’d blast it as loud as I could get away with. That listening room was a great escape, and it was free entertainment, which is about all I could afford in those days. Anyway, here’s an awkward video of Donovan’s title track… Superman or Green Lantern ain’t got nothin’ on me Tell us what’s happening in your part of Illinois.
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- Gravitas - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 8:11 am:
I really enjoyed the performance of “Sunny Afternoon” at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Listening to the music of the Kinks was therapeutic.
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 8:28 am:
Love the oldies. Went down a rabbit hole of old music the other day and came across some real gems.
The Fenwyck - Mindrocker
really holds up over the years. The video of the song(way before MTV) is perfectly matched with the music.
Then I stumbled across a rarely played song/remake
The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft.
That one is a fun listen. It’s like if someone set the soul of Carl Sagan to music in the 70s.
- Leatherneck - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 8:28 am:
The Dirksen Parkway SOS building will officially reopen May 5 after the three-year renovation as one of those “super DMVs” or whatever it’s called. With the Klein and Mason, and Wabash locations closing, as well as Vehicle Services functions moving from the Howlett to Dirksen.
The latter is NOT good for state employees myself included, including SOS employees, who work in the Capitol Complex and appreciate the convenience of having sticker purchases done yearly within walking distance and without leaving the Complex.
Hopefully one of those DMV kiosks that exist locally at Springfield’s Meijer can be installed in the Howlett or elsewhere in the Complex after all the VS functions go out to Dirksen.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/local/2025/04/25/springfields-main-dmv-to-reopen-following-renovations/83249468007/
- TJ - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 9:26 am:
Not going to lie, I am a bit concerned over the fact that the Bears picked a tight end at 10th overall, but then Indianapolis went ahead and also picked tight end at 15th overall and the media talking heads were all praising the Colts for picking the clear cut best TE in the draft.
Not necessarily proof of a mistake, but kinda feels bad that the immediate reaction was that another team made a better pick at the position you drafted but later than you.
- Leatherneck - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 9:45 am:
The City of Springfield now has a FOIA complaint filed by a local activist. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was one of the people who regularly speak during City Council public comment at least since last summer.
Unfortunately, the SJ-R chooses to make a “FOIA exemption” of their own by paywalling the article.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/government/2025/04/24/complaint-filed-against-city-of-springfield-for-alleged-foia-violations/83128018007/
- state worker - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 9:47 am:
I’m reading an excellent book analyzing the mistakes made in our COVID policy responses and the lack of reckoning by anyone even though there is so much to learn. I would love for Illinois to analyze lessons learned from our responses.
In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us by Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee
Pesca has two-part interview if you want a speedy review of the main issues.
- JoanP - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 9:54 am:
Singing along here.
I am loving this new morning music feature, Rich.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Apr 25, 25 @ 10:43 am:
TJ,
A few points.
1. Neither has played a down in the NFL yet, and draft picks are best evaluated a few years down the road when they have records to show against the more elite talent of the NFL vs. college.
2. Many draft boards had both tight ends as “best player available” in the lower end of the top ten, so where either was selected wasn’t far off from the collective wisdom. If the draftniks are correct, both players have a reasonable chance to excel.