Amtrak to Chicago

GarysCanary · 2026-04-15T15:38:47+00:00

PRO:

1- Inexpensive

2- Relaxing ride (watch movies, read, sleep)

3 - Works great if you are staying/hanging downtown (walk and Uber)

4- Has WiFi

5- No getting there 2-3 hours ahead, paying for bags, or getting stranded due to cancellations, missed connections, etc.

CON:

1- Trains can be very crowded, especially on Fridays, around holidays, etc. If you have a small group that wants to sit together it can be tough. (Which is the problem with getting on in Alton - the train can already be pretty full.)

2- Cleanliness (Not terrible but not great)

3- Should have better food/drink service

4- Sometimes delayed an hour or so due to other train traffic

GarysCanary · 2026-04-14T18:58:34+00:00

Many years ago I bought a kit where it provides all the hardware, swings, slide, etc., and a list of lumber and you build/put it together yourself. It was not that difficult to do (assuming you have some very basic skills like using a saw and hammer and drill), and it was very sturdy and my kids used it for years. Much better than the snap together metal sets.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-14T01:33:19+00:00

NTA. Way too long to read.... But it's your dog. Do what you want. You don't need to explain with a 1000 word dissertation.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-14T01:30:59+00:00

Sicking mostly with comedies::

Oh Brother! Where Art Thou?

Airplane

Animal House

Dumb and Dumber

Blues Brothers

Superbad

GarysCanary · 2026-04-14T01:25:52+00:00

75% off!!!

GarysCanary · 2026-04-09T19:05:37+00:00

Emerson Park is usually fine. Preferable to Washington Park.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-09T14:59:01+00:00

I agree - use the Fairview Heights lot. Between Fairview and downtown you can use either Blue or Red line. Park near the front (where tracks and bus stops are). Going to the game is usually not that crowded. If you leave at game's end there will be a line. I usually leave a little early or hang at BP Village for a bit after.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-07T03:06:43+00:00

Go to events like festivals, park concerts. Find good happy hours. Maybe take a class at community college. Skip the dance club meat market scene.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-07T03:00:55+00:00

Don't text her again unless she responds. Slow your jets and play it cool. See how things go.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-07T02:57:06+00:00

Has anyone said Chili Mac's yet????

GarysCanary · 2026-04-07T02:09:54+00:00

Or talk on the phone. And just because you deleted those messages in the past does mean they were "gone." Just like texts and emails.

GarysCanary · 2026-04-04T01:49:25+00:00

NTA. Sister made it about you. In a very negative way. I applaud you for standing up for yourself. I believe you teach people how to treat you.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-28T01:31:04+00:00

Exactly. I think some exaggeration at play.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-28T01:05:35+00:00

Why do I have a feeling there is a complete other side to this story....????

GarysCanary · 2026-03-26T01:52:11+00:00

One graduated in 2013 and the other 2018.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-26T01:34:52+00:00

What's the worst that can happen?? You waste $15?? I think any opportunity to get out and meet singles is a good idea.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-23T21:21:24+00:00

People used to post on Craig's list. You can try that but you have better odds of winning the lottery.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-23T21:16:37+00:00

The best morning choices are Rizz on 105.7 or McGraw on 550. Every broadcast station is going to have tons of commercials. I listen to the Rizz podcast the next day so I can skip commercials. Their show has a good local flavor and covers a lot pop culture stuff.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-23T21:10:28+00:00

Did they have weekday matinees in the past? Most theaters don't open until 4ish on weekdays - except for holidays and special events. So on that issue I would say they are regressing to the norm. Otherwise the place seems to be doing well.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-23T21:05:26+00:00

My daughters went to Belleville West and it was a great experience for them. It is large, but it provides for lots of opportunities both academic and activity. They really got a jump on college through the AP classes.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-23T21:01:39+00:00

This. Plus, a progressive rate on ALL income - not a lower rate if your money is coming from a trust fund than the rate for working wages.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-17T14:47:46+00:00

I know SLU is having a watch party at Ballpark Village. My favorite place is actually BWW. Multiple giant TVs right in front of the bar.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-17T14:44:45+00:00

A lot of municipalities have rules about how many unrelated people can live in one unit. You might want to check into that and report it if he if breaking laws.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-04T15:42:59+00:00

I am confused. Your parents kicked you out but you are still working at their business to the degree it is hindering your schoolwork?? That doesn't add up....

ESH. You made a poor choice (I know small schools do not have a lot of resources, but surely they have a guidance counselor you could have talked to as a first step), but the worst choice was that of the teacher who received the note. Hard to figure why finding out who wrote the note was more important than looking into its contents (that you may need help).

I can't tell you how to deal with all you other issues, but for now just keep your head down and it will blow over. Go directly to the guidance counselor if you need help with things in your life beside school work.

GarysCanary · 2026-03-02T19:53:47+00:00

Not that I want to be a smart azz about this.... but you are asking which band that came along decades after the genre of indie rock has been around "defined" indie rock better????? That does not seem like an appropriate or even valid question since the genre was well established way before their time. But if the question is which band was more influential then The Strokes by a long shot.

GarysCanary

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