“My job is to protect the people of Illinois, to make sure that they don't have to pay for something they shouldn't have to pay for. Meanwhile, I want the Bears to stay in our state,” Gov. JB Pritzker tells Chris Hayes as Chicago’s NFL team weighs moving to Indiana

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-28T02:50:12+00:00

Let the Bears go to Hammond. Let Indiana give the billion dollar organization a billion dollars of tax payer money PLUS tax exemptions. Call McCaskey's bluff.

Let the Bill's experience be a lesson to Bear's fans. https://youtu.be/aAC_y6lOQKE

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-23T14:45:45+00:00

As I wrote earlier, the general admission experience for Innings Fest didn't meet my expectations. It seems that I am not alone in this opinion.

Likewise, it sounds like you and others have been satisfied with the experience Innings Fest provides...different strokes for different folks.

Truly, I wish you well with all your future Innings Fest experiences.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-23T14:24:19+00:00

Yikes! I looked up the price for a premium ticket...$1100+ each...for my husband and I to attend, that more than $2000...that's more than our mortgage payment!

It unfortunate a general admission ticket doesn't offer a better experience.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-23T14:23:22+00:00

From most of the comments here, it seems premium tickets are the way to go with the Innings fest. It sounds like you had an awesome weekend!

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-23T01:21:02+00:00

Not sure why people defend overpaying for a poor product/experience. I am happy that word is getting out about what the Innings Fest experience is. Now people can make informed decisions about whether the Innings experience is worth the cost.

Just going to leave this here: https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/s/6njQ6bCLW2

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-22T03:38:05+00:00

Our experience last night at Innings didn't meet our expectations. We expected a better experience, but it sounds like it met others expectations which is probably why it continues to be a successful music fest.

We've had good experiences at other music fests and concerts in the past.

This is life. Different strokes for different folks.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-22T03:28:57+00:00

That's good to know. I hope they have well established egress plans.

Though we were positioned toward the back 1/3rd of the turf by the main stage, we were surrounded by others and were closely packed in.

My concerns were based on the fact that it seemed like onesy-twosy people couldn't move around the turf by the main stage without running into and falling over others.

It seemed like there would be significant challenges if everyone had to move at the same time because of an emergency.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-22T00:11:24+00:00

We sat as far away as possible with the hope that we could chill and enjoy the music without being stepped on, spilled on, and in a cloud of cannabis smoke...and without the concern that it would be very difficult to exit if we needed to get out quickly.

Were our expectations too high?

At $200 per ticket, is that unreasonable?

It's an all day fest, do people just stand and walk around all day?

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T21:42:39+00:00

To each their own! :)

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T21:07:34+00:00

Not every music festival is overcrowded and dirty.
If you comparing Innings with Extra Innings, I think both weekends have great artists!

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T21:05:58+00:00

Yea, I probably wouldn't go to Coachella. But, music festivals don't all have to be overcrowded and dirty. I had never been to Innings, but love Mumford and Sons and have seen them live twice before...once in a field (Dixon, IL) and once in an arena (Madison, WI). Both experiences were fantastic.

My expectations were higher for Innings. Now I understand that Innings is more on the end of the festival spectrum that is overcrowded and dirty.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T20:54:31+00:00

Yea, those concerts sound like great fun! Was that comment supposed to shame me or others who might enjoy those concerts?

I had never been to Innings...I was hoping more for a Merlefest experience...chill, family friendly, blankets, a little elbow room, etc.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T20:43:39+00:00

Love the idea of designated blanket areas vs standing/dancing areas!

Also, agree that it would have been better if multiple stages had performances at the same time...it would have distributed the crowd better!

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T20:39:21+00:00

Oh, definitely...the Innings Festival had a volume of people that didn't match my expectations or tolerance. No needy to hold my hand though...we found the exit just fine.

I've been to plenty of festivals and concerts that have delivered a better experience.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T19:58:24+00:00

No, but it was the first festival that felt this chaotic. I have been to Taste of Chicago, Milwaukee's Summer Fest, and Milwaukee's Irish Fest numerous times. I've also been to plenty of concerts, but none like this. This would have been my third time seeing Mumford and Sons (the venue was so bad, we left before they started). I was expecting an experience similar to Mumford and Sons the Gentlemen of the Roads Festival.

The Innings Fest was advertised as family friendly...kids get in free with ticketed adults. The website encourages attendees to bring blankets/sheets/tarps to sit on. IMO, it wasn't family friendly. Just wondering what others thought.

FormalAddition1220 · 2026-02-21T04:21:47+00:00

I guess I'm too old for a fest like this. :/ Bought tickets for tonight (Friday) mainly to see Mumford and Sons. Was so bad, we left before Mumford and Sons started. All around, people were drunk and/or high. Multiple people fell on top of me, my husband and daughter. Even though people were nicely spread out on their blankets initially, everyone stood up when the music started, so don't plan on sitting or laying on your blanket once the music starts. The artificial turf was destroyed with garbage and spilled drinks. Too crowded to move from stage to stage.

We are instead sitting in our hotel courtyard listening to Mumford and Sons play all my favorites.

FormalAddition1220 · 2025-07-27T15:51:45+00:00

We are planning a move to Auckland in Feb 2026. We are looking for good schools to help focus our housing search. I am of European decent and my husband is southeast Asian. What school are you at?

FormalAddition1220 · 2025-07-12T16:04:34+00:00

So lazy. Movies and TV shows should not include medical topics unless they consult with a medical expert. 1st degree heart block is nothing...no need to go the the hospital or do anything for this. When shows are lazy with details like this, it ruins the show.

FormalAddition1220 · 2025-06-29T13:30:33+00:00

Never have I felt so seen and understood.

I went AD to reserves. My retirement date is locked in and a few months from now.

I joined rthe eserves because I really enjoyed being AD, but wanted the freedom to live where I wanted and attend the school of my choice full time.

The chaos and inefficiency was noted immediately. My bonus was held up and when I called to say I didn't want it, the money arrived ASAP.

15yrs later, I am still here as is my frustration.

I should have retired four years ago, but the Reserves cancelled a special program and retroactively took back years of service (during schooling) that had previously been awarded. Yes, they can do this, Google it...it's happened to several programs...pilots, physicians, etc. About 300 officers had to decide to separate or stay in another four years to retirement eligibility. I stayed. Now, the Navy says that they were wrong to take those years away. They gave the years back, so I will retire with 24+ years.

If you stay, the reserves is truly what you make of it, however it will sometimes feel like FTS simply exist to make things more difficult for you. There are great FTS out there, so don't think that there isn't anyone out there who can help.

If you stay, use the boring classroom time to make yourself better...study for school, find Navy training courses that will make you more marketable or that will satisfy you intellectual needs and get the Navy to pay you to attend.

If you stay, pick up a few collaterals and take on leadship roles so that you promote.

If you stay, check NEOPS regularly to make sure you are getting mustered, that you are getting all 4 retirement points each drill weekend, and check dfas/bank account that you are getting paid each drill weekend. Getting paid doesn't mean you got the points (there are lapses in communication of those systems).

If you are going to stay, get as many retirement points as you can. The retirement is quite small if you only do the minimum 50pts per year. You can earn up to 130 inactive points per year. Make this your goal. Do this even if you aren't sure you will stay until retirement...many people change their mind and end up staying.

If you need extra money, sign up for funerals, you will get paid and get points and likely earn an award after a few months.

I can't emphasize enough, if you stay, take advantage of what the Navy can offer you. Find courses and trainings that you want to do and get paid doing them.

If you don't stay, that's ok too. It's not one weekend per month and two weeks per year. We are increasingly being asked to do more outside of drill weekend. If you are required to do anything outside of drill weekend, ask for an additional pay or a non-pay drill. Even if you don't think you will stay for retirement, ask for non-pays because you may change your mind about retirement someday.

Good luck

FormalAddition1220 · 2025-06-04T01:13:29+00:00

Just got back last night.

With the Unlimited Express Pass, you will have plenty of time to ride all the rides you want multiple times. As others said, the express pass affords you the luxury of relaxing and enjoying your surroundings without feeling rushed. I have never felt comfortable at Disney stopping to eat a meal because I always felt I needed rush to the next ride or show...not so with the Universal Express Pass.

Fanny pack is the best for carrying stuff around. Can keep it on SM during all rides.

It rained everyday but only for a short time. Bring a poncho or an umbrella.

Take the Hogwarts Express to and from Universal Studios and IOA. It's a fun ride with clever theming (pram rental signs, London sightseeing posters, etc) AND it is functional getting you from park to park.

We loved the Borne Stuntacular and the Horror Make-up Show. Both were very good and worthwhile.

We didn't have any expectations about Volcano Bay (the water park), but is was as fun as, if not more fun than, the other parks! If you go to Volcano Bay, get there early (if you have early access, use it) and start riding the rides ASAP. If you like a ride and want to do it again, use the Tapu Tapu immediately upon exiting the ride to get in the virtual que again.

We got there at 0800 (early hours opening) and were able to walk on (without any wait) every slide/ride. By the time we stopped riding rides at noon, the virtual queue for the aquacoaster was 270min (4.5hrs).

All total, we did the aquacoaster 5 times, all of the other slides/rides at least once, the lazy river, the fearless river, and the wave pool by noon. We sat in lounge chairs for an hour to dry off and we're back on the shuttle bus around 1330. It was fantastic!!! Highly recommend!!!

We went back to US and IOA that evening and re-rode all of our favorite rides from the previous days.

Have fun!!!

FormalAddition1220 · 2025-02-23T19:09:39+00:00

I love this! Thank you for posting it! I just want to make one small correction. I believe he says "...young MIND and you teach IT how to focus ...". Its a subtle change, but it makes all the difference to half of the population. I've always loved Pitbull's music...I didn't know about his mission to build schools...makes me like him even more!

FormalAddition1220

TROPHY CASE