30.11.13



                                                               That’s Bull%$7&

Though many places have strange laws that seem to make absolutely no sense, the city of Chicago seems to have several that are ridiculous.  For example, there is an old law that states that kites may not be flown within the Chicago city limits.  There is also another law that requires every Chicago resident to display a Residential Vehicle Sticker in the front and back windshields of his or her car; the sticker expires on June 30th every year and if not replaced within 30 days of the expiration date, the resident (driver) will be fined in tickets costing as much as 200 dollars!  However, as absurd as the above laws are, this one is a real stunner: Chicago (and the state of Illinois in general) has very strict regulations on the use of fireworks and where and how they are sold. (425 ILCS 30/) Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois basically states that the general public is only allowed access to fireworks that contain little to no explosive material, such as party poppers, smoke bombs, and sparklers; anything other than the likeness of such items, is considered illegal.  Firework plants and manufacturers that sell explosive products are virtually “illegal” within the city limits as well.  So those bright, colorful, beautiful fireworks that are used on momentous events, such as the start and end of summer and the 4th of July, which almost everyone has grown to love and expect?  The citizens of Illinois have not been able to experience such fireworks legally in quite a while.  Emphasis on the legally part.  Probably on account of the absurdity of the law, many citizens ignore it.  In fact, many use fireworks throughout the year, regardless of whether it is a nationally recognized holiday: the pop them around Christmas; they use them on New Year’s Eve and throughout the day on New Year’s Day; they pop them on the first day of summer; they use them when they’re happy, when they’re sad, when they’re cooking, etc. etc. – I think you get the point.  Also, because the firework plants are not really allowed within the city limits, many people go as far as Indiana to buy the illegal items. Though the law is probably in place to protect people from blowing their faces off, I think the law should be appealed and replaced with another – one a little less ridiculous; a law that would require those who want to use explosive products, to take and pass a test administered by the city previous to the use of said products, in order to legally use them.  The test would come after a one-time class that would instruct one on how to properly use fireworks that contain explosive material.  Also, the use of fireworks would be restricted to certain holidays; personal events would require special permission from local police departments.  Though people do it anyway and the new law may sound extensive, at least citizens would no longer have to run in the house after hearing police sirens shortly after they’ve used their fireworks; it would certainly be something for the city of Chicago to consider.


525 words

22.11.13




                                                                        A Cool Cat

He was a tabby cat, the color of a golden sunset.  He pranced here and there, aware that all eyes were on him.  Prancing, each hop filled with a sense of entitlement as he surveyed the land: his land.  An alley cat.  But a cool one at that. He was a cool cat.  A jazzy, in-your-face, happening cat and he knew there was no other like him. He could go anywhere he pleased, eat what pleased him, he was very much in the know. Thomas O’Malley.  Abraham de Lacy Giuseppe Casey Thomas O'Malley, the alley cat.  The one everyone wanted to know.  The one with the magic carpet.  He could do pretty much everything – except swim, which he found out the hard way. What he wanted: he got. He always did what pleased him and if, in the process he made someone else’s day a little better, that too pleased him.  And then came Duchess. He knew she was special and he needed someone special like himself.  And then there was Toulouse, Marie, and Berlioz: the little ones.  He was now a father figure but he still jammed out with Scat Cat and the others on occasion cause after all, he was still a cool cat.  He was that cat.  And he knew what others come to know in their lives as well: Everybody wants to be a cat.

15.11.13



                                                                  Jordan: Flu Game

June 11, 1997.  It’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals.  It comes down to this game; gotta make it count.  I feel awful.  Night shivers and terrors, excessive sweating, hot and cold all the time: the flu?  Pippen said I look horrible.  Personnel said food poisoning or stomach virus?  Whatever it is, I gotta fight it……

First Quarter
My speeds down.  I’m slugging down the court.  I can’t go out like this, can’t let the team down like this.  I’m all over the place.  Fight it Michael….
Second Quarter
I got this.  Utah with a 16-point lead?  Nah.  My speed’s back, fellas.  Give me the ball (*shoots*).  See? I’m fine. I. Am. Fine.  I’m strong.  I can do this, 17 shots just like that, I got this!  LET’S GO!
Halftime
Blindsided by the nausea again.  Where the hell is this coming from?  Fluids, cold towels, whatever, as long as it gets me back on that court where I belong.
Third Quarter
Michael what the hell are you doing?!  Drained of energy.  I feel like I can’t breathe.  I gotta keep it together though, I will keep it together…….  My speed’s back down.  I feel useless right now.  Useless.  Michael get it together……….
Fourth Quarter
Make it count. Make. It. Count.  This is it.  Jazz is up, score is 77-69.  That’s nothing. 12-foot shot.   I’m back, y’all!  YES, Kukoc, nice 3-pointer!  That’s what I like to see!  That’s what I’m talking about, baby!......Russell you should duck, don’t want to graze your shiny dome-head with this 18-footer…………GODDAMNIT!  Who let Stockton hit that 3? 84-81, Jazz in the lead……Hit that runner, 84-83 now, come on Bulls, we got this!......Damn Stockton, should’ve thought twice about that foul, now I get free-throws.
Yes, Michael, 85-83 now; hit this next one, hit this next one…damnit! But Kukoc with that tip, ball’s mine again, 46.5 seconds on the clock, come on Bulls, LET’S GO!......
Catch this one Pippen, YES! Oooh shouldn’t have left me open, Stockton, now you can watch me hit this shot…..88-85, Bulls up. 26.5 seconds on the clock.
……90-87, yes Bulls! Let’s work! Don’t get comfortable.  Still 6.2 seconds left, anything can happen!...........
Nice try, Hornacek, next time bud. 90-87, Bulls win game 5 – on to game 6.
Victory…..nausea. Victory….exhaustion.
                                   
                                                                        Victory.