The Beauty Shop's "Yard Sale" On iTunes

The headline says it all. The latest release for one of CU's finest, The Beauty Shop, is finally available across the land via legal download on Apple's iTunes Music Store. It's been relatively difficult to come across their releases on this side of the Atlantic, save for possibly picking up a copy of "Yard Sale" at one of their shows. If you so desire, their albums are available for import from Amazon.co.uk.

The Great C-Uian Smoke-out!

Looks like the end is nigh for smoking in bars and restaurants in C-U, and I have mixed feelings on the issue. As an occasional smoker, it's nice to light one up while drinking with a few buddies and get my nic fix. I sort of think of the two going hand in hand, even if I'm not smoking. *shrugs* I don't know. I'm far from taking responsibilities for someone else's health, but I'm guessing if you don't wanna be around smoke, then you don't go to a bar. Make that choice for yourself, but don't take it away from me. Restaurants are one thing, because there are underaged individuals (ie children) who can't always make the choice about where they are eating. They don't deserve the ramifications of second-hand smoke laid upon them. However, at a bar, I think the owners need to be given the choice to decide whether or not they want their place smoke-free or to have smoke-free nights at their establishments.

Rumor is that once this smoking ban is in place, that there will be no smoking allowed within twenty feet of a restaurant. If that's true, it essentially puts downtown Champaign and campustown at U of I out of commission for smokers. What concerns me is that there will not only be smoking citations given out, but that all of a sudden a smoking ticket will be an excuse to be hassled for any other number of reasons. I think I see the start of our civil liberties going up in smoke.

I'm Back! And I've been to Allerton Park...

Yes, last evening saw the return of my mean machine, and how thankful I am for that. Thanks to my cousin, who is a Computer Science major at the University of Illinois, I'm back at full capacity.

While my computer was taking a break, I decided to head out with the signif to the U of I's Robert G. Allerton Park for the first time. It was a reasonably warm Monday, and we both had the day off, so after packing a picnic, we headed out. One of my best friends who is a DJ at WPXN in Paxton soundtracked our journey to the outskirts of Monticello. Some choice tracks by our favorite British Invasion era acts put smiles on our faces as we headed out of CU.

I decided that I would take some pictures, even though I was uncertain of when I would be able to upload them to my computer. I'm glad I did!

Top to Bottom: Path to the Brick Wall Garden, Avenue of the Chinese Musicians, Girl With a Scarf statue, the Sunken Garden, Fu Dog statue, Death of the Last Centaur statue, Buddah Pavillion, The Sun Singer statue

Please, always observe my CCL for use of text or pictures.