If I’ve learned one thing working in the construction business for the past 25 years, it is to never count yourself out. The business is very similar to baseball, in that you can’t think about your last at bat, you have to go up to the plate every time thinking you can hit a home run. I am human though, and the last couple of months have been brutal. These last two weeks however, I’ve signed up more work than I did in the past six months. I guess I’m like Nelson Cruz of the Rangers….when I get hot, I get hot!
Really didn’t spend a lot of time on City Business this week, pretty much still trying to get caught up at the office. I stopped in to the Boiling Point Tea Party meeting where they were having a City Council Candidate Forum, but I showed up late and only caught the final few seconds of Bill Dodge’s presentation. There may be another opportunity or two to see Bill and Marcus around town, and I’ll let you know in advance.
A story my mom posted on her blog today was a new one to me. I knew she lived on a farm outside of Pontiac, IL and had heard plenty of stories about the big flood one year where she almost drowned, but I hadn’t heard this one before:
Across the river at the back side of our farm sat the Pontiac Prison. In fact the prison is still open today. One day, a prisoner escaped and the police were on our farm looking for him. When I overheard my Mom and Dad talking about the escaped prisoner I was so scared I hid under my bed. I don’t know how long I stayed there, but it seemed like hours. The escapee was finally found several miles from our farm.
This week my oldest brother Rich turned 50 and he is having a roast tomorrow night in Chicago. I asked to be part of the program and was initially denied, I guess he was too afraid of what I might have to say. He did eventually agree to allowing me to speak, and I must say that the speech I’ve been working on turned out pretty funny. My mom, of course, is worried to death that I might go over the line and insult my brother…..I told her that’s the point! I’ll be sharing the dais with some very polished speakers, so I hope I can live up to the task (Shiner Bock will help)
The roast will be held at Maggiano’s in Chicago. Senate President John Cullerton is the emcee. House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, Sen. Donne Trotter, Rep. Skip Saviano, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Paul Green, Carol Marin and my brother Doug are all on the program, as is Attorney General Lisa Madigan (even though she won’t tell me what she’s doing).
A little trivia for the readers, our very own Councilman John Hoffmann was a reporter at the State Capitol in Springfield back in his younger days.
Chicago in the spring is a great City to visit, too bad we will only be there a few hours.
Warning, song has some not safe for work language.
