Posted on Sunday 17 December 2006
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Some of the things I’ll miss most about Champaign (other than friends, of course): the Central time zone (man, that extra hour is nice for sporting events), Curtis Orchard (pretty much the idyllic midwest experience), four way stops on four lane roads (never seen them elsewhere), my window-office at work (even though it’s shared, it’ll probably be at least a decade before I have a chance at one of these again), our ultimate frisbee group (just the right skill and competition level for us), the MTD (has to be one of the best public transit systems in a city of 100K), free network channels from a satellite feed (since there’s no way I’m paying for cable unless it’s available ala mode…we’re stuck with the joys of antenna reception from here on out), Papa Del’s and Za’s (the best thick-crust pizza and cheap Italian around), the University’s “hole-y” cows (some experiment where they cut holes in the side of living cows so they have a window to their stomach), the library (just a great system and inventory…because of them, I’ve probably only made two trips to Blockbuster in the past year), Chief Illiniwek (the only halftime show I actually stayed to watch…virtually always better than the actual game), Illini basketball (they’re just adored within the community…being here at the same time as Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams was just a wonderful experience), and regional Big Ten college football coverage (it was pretty much like having a season pass for Ohio State football).
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Some of the things I won’t miss about Champaign: the wind and cold (with the wind, it’s like Old Man Winter kicking you while you’re down), Illini football (after teasing me with a BCS bowl my first year here, they pretty much went off the deep end), the Chief debate (if only people were as passionate about, say, reducing the child illegitimacy rate), the political choices (other than Barack Obama and his successor, Peter Fitzgerald, Illinois seems turn out its politicians from The Factory of Craptacularity and Corruption), the potholes (it can be like maneuvering a landmine field in the winter), the smell from the South Farms (when the wind blows, it stinks), and the campus rec center (inconvenient parking and hours when school isn’t in session…some unnecessary and frivolous renovations).
- Why in the heck does Adobe Reader require like three system reboots to upgrade itself? It’s for viewing freakin’ documents! Truly a software engineering marvel.
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“My hope is that people that have screened it have enjoyed it and say, ‘You know what? It’s not as bad as you think.’ “ That’s Sylvester Stallone on the new Rocky Balboa movie. What other job can you get paid millions and for your performance review say, “I hope my work wasn’t as bad as you expected.”
- Interesting story on how Bear Bryant’s son effectively vetoed a coaching hire that could have made UAB a potential in-state competitor to the Crimson Tide. In retrospect, I can’t help but think the Tide and their incompetent hiring system deserved the treatment they got from Mike Price and Coach Fran.
- I’ll bet the new pickup line for China’s white dolphins is, “You know you’d better come back to my place tonight so we can try to the species to that we’re functionally extinct and all”.
- Some great Office clips: (1) If Prison Mike doesn’t scare you straight, then there’s no hope for keeping you ou of prison. (2) If only we all had a Future Dwight for protection.
Tags: Entertainment, Movies, Our Life, Sports
I have to admit that there are some things on that list that would be nice to have. I’d add to that “the ability to pretty much walk where you need to go (from campus)”.
The good news is that many areas now allow you to plug in your TV to the cable outlet and get local channels for free. I assume this will only spread over time.
Nice reflections on C-U. There are some pretty great things here. What about UAG? Andy and I realize how hard it is to find a good church and so good luck with that in NC.
That’s awesome if we can get network channels from the cable outlet. I did not know they do that these days. I’ll do a little jig if that works in our new place.
We’ll definitely miss UAG and the wonderful people there. Though, I do look forward to trying to find new teaching that offers new challenges to me. I feel that I’ve stagnated a bit in what I’m learning from the sermons at UAG.
I can see that point about the sermons. I think they’ve been focusing a lot on newer Christians. Maybe that is the biggest population at the church. I don’t know…
G
Another thing that I’m going to miss: Boardman’s Art Theatre. Generally, I’m all free-market and don’t think it’s a bad thing for mom and pop operations to go to the wayside. But, this is one of times where the local operations beats the corporate multiplexes hands down. Good sound/video quality, decent prices, on-time starts, reserved seats, great selection of movies…definitely first rate.
I’ll second UAG. I’m already worried about finding a decent church, and I’ve only been able to go two Sundays since moving away from Champaign.
I might have to copy your ode to Champaign. Trust me, that extra hour DOES make a difference! I’m adding something I wish I’d missed:
REFLECTORS IN THE ROAD!! After 3+ years, I still don’t know where the lanes are, especially on a dark/rainy night? ARGH!
Oh, and I pay $8 a month for cable here, so check that out in Raleigh. I get better channels than I did at Country Fair and better reception, which makes me wonder how much of a deal we were really getting with the “included” utilities. Those crooks…they’re still taking my money.