Buzz Magazine

I might just be saying this because I want Lebron in Chicago so I have a reason to care about the Bulls again, but that "All-Star" team that assembled in New York to recruit James is ridiculous. Apparently Donald Trump, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Boomer Esiason, Spike Lee, and Alec Baldwin have joined forces to recruit James, as well as other prospects, to the Knicks.

I know what you're thinking and you're right.  Donald Trump isn't a celebrity.  He is a cartoon version of his former self, and he is worse with money than he is with finding women who actually love him.  Many people don't know that his company has a history of having financial difficulties and people keep him around for his name... for some reason.  One man's trash is a real estate company's and NBC's treasure.

And don't these celebrities have anything better to do?  Kevin Costner is trying to help solve the Oil Spill fiasco.  It's the least he could do after "For the Love of the Game."  He should come to my apartment and fix my running toilet after that unnatural disaster.  I gave Blockbuster six bucks to take a nap at my parents' house... lost on that business transaction!

Why is it that celebrities feel the need to change the world instead of just entertaining us?  If you're an actor act, if you're a comic tell your fart jokes.  Nobody wants to hear your political opinions.  Trees need to be hugged more, and Bush could have been smarter.  I got it.  Let's move on.  

Believe it or not Tim Robbins, there are people who go to school to be scientists and politicians, and they will change the world. You just pray that they make a Shawshank 2 so you're relevant again.  While you're talking to God, ask him why your ex-lady Susan Sarandon not only got hotter after she left you, but seems to exponentially get hotter as she gets older.  I call it justice.  

I'm not entertained. 

I can’t drive anywhere anymore. I’m getting rid of my car and opting for public transportation. I’ve had it. Everywhere I go there is heavy traffic and I’m just sick of it. It used to be construction only affected traffic during certain times, but now you can find yourself sitting bumper-to-bumper on the Kennedy at 2AM because of lane closures. It also seemed, and I could be wrong, that there wasn’t so much construction going on at once. In other words, my alternate routes are even slowed with construction.

Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this is forcing people to do something they should have done years ago. Maybe more people should abandon their cars and get acquainted with the CTA. For one, there would be less traffic for those that choose – or have to – remain a victim to the expressway. And two, we’d be doing a service for Mother Earth.

But on the more selfish side, think of the benefits for you. A monthly CTA pass is only $86. Not bad for a month’s worth of transportation. Driving a car certainly comes with a much higher monthly cost than that. Let’s see…a car payment, car insurance, gas, parking, and let’s not forget all the other associated expenses like maintenance (brakes, oil changes, etc), repairs, a city sticker and state registration. Depending on your car, you could be saving hundreds of dollars each month, not to mention getting to your destinations right on schedule rather than dealing with unexpected logjams and bottlenecks. Oh, and NO tickets – EVER! (Those damn photo enforced stoplights!) And for those 30-year-old-plus men wearing jean shorts riding around on their ten speeds with a cigarette hanging from their mouths and a 12-pack in bag secured under their arms – no chance of a DUI! Maybe a public intoxication arrest – but at least that’s much less dangerous for others.

Sure, public transportation has its limitations when it comes to late night hours and leaving the city, but in most cases, these things can be worked out. If not, there’s always taxis, Zip Cars or I Go’s – oh, Peapod helps, too, unless you don’t have many groceries to carry home. 

Reacquaint yourself with your bicycle if you need to.

Just some food for thought, and no, I do not work for the CTA, Zip Car, I Go or Peapod.