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Question of the Day

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Posted by Barton Lorimor

As subscribers already know, (Oh man, it feels good to say that again.) the master of the house is taking some time off over the next couple of weeks and has left the blog in the hands of his intern emeritus.

Blogging will be lighter than usual, but by no means non-existent. I hope you will keep checking in with us to get the latest information and read Oswego Willy’s most recent zinger. Rich is still receiving emails, though I doubt he will be replying as quickly as he would on a normal day. If the subject is more urgent, about the blog, or a potential news item, you can send an email to my personal account: barton.lorimor@gmail.com.

As many of you know, I am at the service of the state these days, which means I am limited to checking in and blogging during the lunch hour and before and after work. That said, I do remember how to make use of the comment section’s banishment hammer of death. Please don’t give me a reason to use it.

Question: What is Miller REALLY doing with his time off? I mean, seriously folks. Many of you have known him longer than me, so your predictions have more background than mine. Snark strongly encouraged. The best answers will be used later on.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 12:52 pm

Comments

@FakeJasonPlummer - Oswego Willy likes Zingers? I like Zingers, especially the Rasberry and Coconut ones! Maybe we could be Buds someday? #ItsTheLittleThings

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 12:57 pm
He may be looking for a new “intern emeritus.” LOL

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 12:58 pm
Teaching Oscar to water ski and getting ready to appear on Animal Planet.

Comment by A Citizen Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 12:59 pm
I could care less what Rich is doing, but I worry about Oscar. Is he getting the attention he deserves? Who is giving him his belly rubs and ear scratches?

Comment by Just Me Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Welcome back!!! You’ve given us a LOT to work with here.

(a). 10-day Mediterranean cruise on his pontoon boat.
(b). Touring Americana in the Obamalac with lots of smoking breaks planned in Michigan and Colorado.
(c). Visiting Blago in Colorado to fact-check Rich’s upcoming tell-all novel, “The Guv and the (oh look, a) Kitty”.
(d). Lying naked somewhere. Anywhere.
(e). All of the above.

Comment by Gator Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:03 pm
I wasn’t suppose to say, but …

Rich, Tom Cross and I are on a Golf Weekend.

Whew! Keeping secrets is hard!

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:03 pm
Odds are whatever it is, it involves Oscar.

Comment by Anyone Remember? Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:03 pm
Training Oscar in one of two ways: (a) to be a ninja so that Oscar can secretly spy on legislators and lobbyists; or (b) how to go from “lightweight” to “super heavyweight” before veto session begins.

Comment by unclesam Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Oswego, better confirm Cross’ attendance.

I highly doubt Tom Cross will join you for golf this weekend……election day isn’t for a few more months.

Comment by Gator Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:07 pm
Preparing the Oscar/Nieukirk 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:07 pm
Following the Sox’s race to stay out of the AL Central cellar–while at the same time smiling as the Cubs solidify their hold on the NL Central basement with a worse record than the South Siders.

Also making plans for the commemorative celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Steve Bartman fiasco on October 14.

Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:08 pm
Also taking time out to ponder if he should become one of those “one team in each league” MLB fans: Sox in the AL, Cardinals in the NL.

Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:09 pm
So Rich sold himself to Bruce Rauner for the weekend, eh?

Just throw up a funny picture every day and we’re good. Pretty low maintenance.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Oscar is bringing Rich to Obedience School, where his owner has dropped out on multiple occasions and has a series of “Incompletes”. Word is that Oscar doesn’t have to complete his training until Rich completes his. Neither guy appears ready to be all that obedient. Thank heavens.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:13 pm
BTW Willie, rumor has it that Oscar knows how to covertly dig a golf ball out of the rough and provide a better lie. Better keep those bets on the conservative side if you’re golfing with Two Putt and Rich. And let Oscar drive the cart.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:15 pm
Remedial obedience school with Oscar. Oscar felt Rich wasn’t sufficiently obedient.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:19 pm
Oscar and Rich play it clean, so no worry there, but your advice on the golf cart driving is noted!

Sorry Barton, to the Question…

I see Rich and Oscar doing the Road Trip we all talk about doing here, but haven’t done. Rich showing Oscar the state, giving a little history lesson, Oscar sitting in the truck, enjoying the scenes out the window, with a little musical tutiledge for Oscar as they travel from place to place.

I see Rich eating at great diners, out the way place restaurants, gems of the regions, and bringing enough back for Oscar to partake, but not enough for Oscar to get sick.

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:24 pm
Rich is on an undisclosed island with Judy Topinka working out the details of the Topinka/Miller ticket for Governor.

a.k.a-the accordion gal and the bearded man for IL.

Comment by the Patriot Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:26 pm
Letting Oscar the dog drive him around in his pontoon boat.

Comment by Stones Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:40 pm
He’s either on a top secret mission deep inside Syria or he’s poolside somewhere wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt with a cocktail in his hand.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:41 pm
Rich is doing what many old hippies do during time off: fight against “the man”. But, wait, Rich is kind of “the man.” Woaah….

Comment by Nick from downstate Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:43 pm
Oscar and Rich plan to start their own rock band “Shaggy Pals”.
They’ll be on tour shortly, stay tuned.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:44 pm
Preparing to open his new massive Put Put Golf center in Springfield, everyone know Rich loves him some Put Put.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 1:54 pm
He is following the state fair food vendors home.

Comment by Calhoun Native Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:00 pm
Who’s kiddin’ who? This weekend is the Chicago Jazz Festival. That’s where they’ll be.
Willie, you spoke to the integrity of Oscar and Rich on the golf course, but not the other guy besides you in the foursome.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:03 pm
Oscar is taking Rich to human obedience school.

Comment by Bill Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:04 pm
Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s snacking on tasty morsels of food from the end of session party that are stuck in his beard!!!

Comment by 4 percent Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:07 pm
You didn’t hear?

Rich got the part of Captain Caveman in the new upcoming MGM blockbuster!

Comment by Spliff Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:08 pm
- A guy …-

“Two-Putt” plays by the rules, just addressing your immediate concerns for Oscar and Rich.

To the Question,

“Unconfirmed” reports place Rich at the negotiations for the Surrender of Wisconsin to Illinois, and the name change to follow of “North Illinois”…
Now…I can’t confirm any of this, but I have seen on that World Wide Web thing ( a fad, just wait!) the mock-up of the new “North Illinois” plate, and the annexation of 8 or so counties becoming Illinois counties, amking our total rise to 110.

I hear things sometimes, and Rich, he can cover this as well as anyone…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:11 pm
First get Oscar The Puppy fitted for hos service dog vest by Armani
Then off to Grafton Gondola
Finally make sure CousinBrucey and the Rebooters have shorted all his investment in front of the attack on Syria

Comment by circular firing squad Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Running a 5k, doing a high-fiber detox diet and probably some yoga.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Calhoun Native beat me to it, but odds are he is on the State Fair trail, sampling oddball deep- fried foods.

Comment by Motambe Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:16 pm
shots with Scott Lee Cohen

Comment by John A Logan Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:33 pm
The Godfather series and Machiavelli’s The Prince are both extremely relatable to Illinois politics.

Buona fortuna.

Comment by Jimmy 87 Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:40 pm
rich has become either a contract lobster or campaign consultant, neither will work because rich does not like a boss who can’t be banned for life or doesn’t think bite me is an appropriate response.

Comment by hired gun Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:40 pm
Rich will be checking the Voter Registration rolls to confirm once and for ALL - Counties Can’t Vote…

—–

And Barton, I haven’t forgotten that Jameson Keg Stand bit …lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:41 pm
Pretty sure he is at Oscar’s groomer getting an estimate on what they would charge to give Miller a makeover. I mean come on, my grandma had better beard then that collection of stuff Miller seems to think qualifies as his beard.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:50 pm
Heard on the radio that there’s a new restaurant in Chicago and the menu items ALL include bacon. Rich is working through the menu. ummm, bacon…..

Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 2:51 pm
He’s out at Navy Pier stalking Pat Quinn, who is live on WBEZ right now.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:12 pm
Cuisses de grenouilles Marsala?

Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:19 pm
Some guy named Miller from Illinois, just won the giant Powerball prize.

Just sayin.

Comment by walkinfool Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:24 pm
Among OTHER things, one, for sure, is trusting comPLETEly in Barton Lorimor the entire time he’s not tuning in! (Must be nice how much he can rely on you–Welcome Back Aboard to serving as the Officer of the Deck, as the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard might refer to your position–and Best of Luck)!

For, Rich, for HIS sake, I hope he enjoys MANY hours at peace in his mind and person not anywhere NEAR the ongoings of Illinois Government and Politics, but I’ll not playfully speculate…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:35 pm
Rich is getting a makeover.

He quickly tired of being told how much cuter Oscar was than he.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:56 pm
Headed to West Monroe, Louisiana for a beard growing contest with the Robertson clan.

Comment by Jaded Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Getting the cable TV franchises for those extra 8 counties?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 3:59 pm
Hair removal camp!

Comment by Sangamon GOP Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 4:25 pm
Before shop is closed, I wish Barton the best of luck, Rich is leaving the Blog in good hands.

Thanks for the kind words as well …

Rich is going to be checking in, about every 20 minutes or so at a time with Pat Quinn, asking … “You still working?”

Rich will do this … day and night.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 4:27 pm
Hopefully he is not going on another bus ride with Blagojevich.
Much more likely he is actively recruiting Lynyrd Skynyrd to play the 2014 Illinois State Fair.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 4:30 pm
Just The Way and Willy - Thanks for the kind words. Rest assured that we will make him think twice the next time he takes time off.

Up until a few days ago, I thought it possible he was in need of time to circulate petitions with his running mate, Dan Proft.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 4:31 pm
Working on a Non-Fiction, Fictional novel with co-writer John Kass, called “Tin Foil Hats and Beer Can Chicken - Political Myths and Other Stuff Just Made Up”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 4:38 pm
Rich is taking two weeks off to see if he can somehow talk Kwame Raoul back into the governor’s race.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Aug 30, 13 @ 5:56 pm
He’s opening for “Oscar-palooza”, on a triple bill with “Perfunctory Session” and “Feral Cat Lobby”

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Aug 31, 13 @ 5:20 pm
Rich is out…..any word yet on whether he took the gun or the cannoli?

Comment by TCB Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:19 am