knightfan26917

Ohhhhhh....NICE!!!! Some very cool pics and awesome autos! Glad you shared 'em with us. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic * PRE-SURGERY PARTY = ~5:30p-10:30p, Saturday, 10/29/2011 at Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "I love to hear the steel belts hummin' on the asphalt" __ Steve Earle __ 'Guitar Town'

Yikes...not sure I can get it to you by the end of the month, but I'll try. I'll contact ya via FB for your address. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic * PRE-SURGERY PARTY = ~5:30p-10:30p, Saturday, 10/29/2011 at Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "I ain't ready for the junkyard yet" __ George Jones __ 'I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair'

I kinda like it. My parents had an '82 Chevette.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic * PRE-SURGERY PARTY = ~5:30p-10:30p, Saturday, 10/29/2011 at Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "It seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal" __ Incubus __ 'Drive'

* I haven't had time to write anything new for Motor Gnomes recently, but something that my friend, Don, wrote on his 10/10/2011 post, caught my attention...because I agree: His post here: http://www.motorgnomes.com/2011/10/miata-car-clubs/ I see so many clubs having well-attended events, including DRIVING events; yet, it seems so hard to simply get people together from various groups/boards in Chicagoland. Maybe someday that will change. For a year, I thought it had, with 65 people attending the 2008 MidSummer Chitown Gathering. But then, every year after that, interest waned, including very low attendance at 3 Meet'n'Greets, 04/16/2011, 05/21/2011 and 07/30/2011; the 4th, 10/15/2011, was canceled. So, I'm done setting up gatherings/meet'n'greets. But, perhaps I should try to organize a drive in 2012...or not. I HAVE had time to add to my ROUTE 66 STORY. #20 (The Picture), 10/16/2011: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/10/17/_thats-the-highway_-11/ ...& the entire STORY is here: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/ Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic * PRE-SURGERY PARTY = ~5:30p-10:30p, Saturday, 10/29/2011 at Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL * "There's just a song in all the trouble and the strife" __ Dire Straits __ 'Walk Of Life'

* I don't have any good pics of my hometown. It's tough to be a "tourist" in one's own area, but I need to take time to do that. In the meantime, a friend sent me this video, which is a good "snapshot" of Elgin IL: I've shared plenty of pics I've taken of area roads west of Elgin, but here is one I took this year during cruise nights. It is Rookie's in Elgin, along Randall Rd ... a "new" area of town: Then, on Sunday, 10/02/2011, I "toured" a bit more, and took these 8 shots as I drove my cars: ...Plato Center IL, an old truck advertising a business on Dittman Rd: ...Campton Hills IL, Burlington Rd at IL RT 47, which connects Route 66, the Lincoln Highway and US RT 20: ...E of Sycamore IL, IL RT 64: ...Sycamore IL, Speedway: ...Sycamore IL, IL RT 23: ...N of Sycamore IL, farmhouse along IL RT 23: ...N of Burlington IL, pond along Baseline Rd: ...Burlington IL, old schoolhouse (1872) along Ramm Rd: Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Don't you remember?" __ Starship __ 'We Built This City'

Careful what you wish for.... You want to join me in enduring open heart surgery in a month? *sighs* if it was JUST the surgery, I'd be OK ... but a lot of other things going on ... or not happening, as the case may be. Ugh. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I don't need to be" __ Stone Sour __ 'Bother'

character Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "A friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song" __ David Allen Coe __ 'You Never Called Me By My Name'

Hmmm.... Perhaps: " Wait ... what? How much for that? " Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "They'd always just been there" __ Crash Test Dummies __ 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm'

We've had an absolutely stunningly gorgeous week in the Chicago area. Really wish it could be this way ALL YEAR LONG....... And, no, I'm not ready for winter. But, I will be sooner than I usually am . Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Is it stormy where you are?" __ Billie Myers __ 'Kiss The Rain'

Thanks, ocn! Definitely was cool to see it at the cruise night! Haven't seen it since, tho . Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Some things just glitter and shine" __ Confederate Railroad __ 'Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind'

Sweet pics of some awesome cars ... well, mostly awesome cars . Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "All it needs is just a little time" __ Jeff Carson __ 'The Car'

Eeegads. I STILL WANT this, but trying to hold off on purchases right now, with the surgery coming up. I'm going to be out of work for at least 2 months; short-term disability pays a little over half of my salary. How soon do you need the $, and can I just send a check to someone? Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Now & then what might have been interferes with what might be" __ Mark Chestnut __ 'I Just Wanted You To Know'

* My "big heart" has FINALLY won me a DATE... ...with a knife! 11/07/2011 = catheterization 11/08/2011 = my 4th Open Heart Surgery; Recovery time, ~2-3 months. More information in a bit, but first... DETAILING: Anyone able to or know someone who will clean my 6 cars for me yet this October? Since my "car season" will be over sooner than usual, I will not have time to detail them, let alone get to 1,000 miles on each of them for what would've been the 3rd year in a row. PRE-OP FUN: Who is IN for a "PRE-SURGERY PARTY"? Stop in for 5 minutes or all 5 hours... ~5:30p-10:30p Saturday, 10/29/2011 @ Beef Villa 1225 W SPRING ST S Elgin IL http://www.beefvilla.com/ FB event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103976313046427 NEPHEW TIME: Hard to believe he will be THREE just a few days after my upcoming OHS: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2430260958146&set=a.2430259678114.2146020.1300282613&type=1&l=f202ae6938 ...& now, BACK TO OHS NEWS.... I've been quiet because it took me time to process the news from my 09/29/2011 appointment with the surgeon, make some decisions & prep info to share. I'm NOT scared, but I dread enduring another OHS so soon after my 3rd one ... and I'm VERY frustrated/angry at the irony of how this will affect my finances/plans/cars/vacation/road trips. I'm starting to "hate" my "big heart", literally and figuratively. Remaining upbeat is tough with so much happening and on my mind (other than the surgery). I HATE medical bills and wasting time. Life is too short! My surgeon appointment was originally scheduled for 09/15/2011, but that never happened. If a friend of mine at the hospital hadn't sent me a message that morning asking what time I'd be there, I wouldn't have known. She noticed I wasn't on the schedule. So, I called and was told the surgeon was out of town at a conference. They CLAIMED to have called me, but the number they told me they called wasn't mine. UGH. So, LONG story short, the appointment was moved to 09/29/2011. The trouble my "big heart" has me in now: My ascending aorta is 5.6 at the middle; 5.3 at the root. The aorta (to the arch) & the aortic valve will be replaced with a tissue (cow) valve; I will have a small farm inside of me! The Tuesday, 11/08/2011, surgery will be performed by Dr Russell at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This is different than my prior 3 OHSs, done at Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital... ...November 1977 ... 1st pig's valve installed to replace the pulmonary artery I was born without ...March 1987 ... 2nd pig's valve installed (outgrew 1st one) ...January 6, 2003 ... 3rd pig's valve installed (2nd one too calcified) & 1st pacemaker installed My CHD Quilt Block: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html I appreciate ALL of the continuing support. Good thing about the surgery is that I'll have plenty of time to read, WRITE more of my Route 66 story, plan road trips, listen to music, etc. Though, I wish I was on a ROAD TRIP or back on the RADIO ... or both. My Route 66 story: http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/ My road trip (& other) pics: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/roadtrips/roadtrips.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/roadtrips/roadtrips.html http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917 My radio show playlists: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/radioshows.html'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/radioshows.html All of the above linked from: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ With so much happening, it's going to be a rough and fast few weeks. I have LOTS to do [pre-op appointments, move stuff out of my room, drive my cars, work, etc.], so I'll be online sporadically.... IRONY ROCKS! Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Wonderin' what's real and wonderin' why" __ Andy & Terry Murray __ 'Treasures For The Road'

* Heh ... to further illustrate how "weird" my summer is: I haven't detailed my cars yet this year, let alone simply washed them! With the pending surgery, I probably will not have time to clean them...UGH. Ssssooo...anyone want to or know of someone who would clean them for me?????? ...at least I've had lots of "nephew time" this year; hard to believe he will be THREE in less than 2 months. Pics I took when I had the cars out Saturday, 09/17/2011: ...1979 Caprice Classic ...1987 MC ...1981 MC ...1979 MC ...1976 MC ...1972 MC Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I'm in a state of confusion, I hope things aren't what they seem" __ Travis Tritt __ 'Tell Me I Was Dreaming'

* Time sure flies. It's now been 3 months since my 2011 road trip STARTED ... and I'm wishing I could be back on the road ... NOW. 10 more highlights: Friday evening, 06/24/2011, W of Fort Wayne IN, along US 30 E: Saturday late evening, 06/25/2011, along PA Turnpike, I-76 W: Wednesday morning, 06/29/2011, Red Fork OK, 1 of a few MCs I saw along the way that I wondered if it was owned by someone I know: Sunday morning, 07/03/2011, Rock/Rail/River along I-70 W, Colorado: Monday morning, 07/04/2011, Nevada, along I-80 W: Wednesday morning, 07/06/2011, Lebanon OR, US 20 W: Thursday afternoon, 07/07/2011, Idaho, along US 95 S: Friday afternoon, 07/08/2011, Idaho, along I-15 N: Saturday evening, 07/09/2011, South Dakota, along I-90 E: Sunday afternoon, 07/10/2011, Minnesota, along I-94 E: Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I could never get enough" __ Eddy Raven __ 'I Could Use Another You'

not touching that with a 10-foot pole. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "If you'll hand me my crayons, I'll be glad to take your name" __ John Conlee __ 'I Don't Remember Loving You'

Awe....thank you! I feel old (in more ways than one), but apparently look young.... Is that a good thing? Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "The journey's been etched on your skin" __ James Blunt __ '1973' [=Sept 19]

Wish I could've been there for that ... I'd LOVE it! Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I don't care if everybody knows the way I feel" __ Vern Gosdin __ 'I Can Tell By The Way You Dance'

Ahhh....nice. I think I need to go shopping with you...lol. Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I've got this feeling that won't subside" __ Eric Carmen __ 'Hungry Eyes'

Aye, Roger ... so very sorry. Thoughts/prayers continuing.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I must be lonely" __ Matchbox 20 __ '3 am'

Aye.......I sssssoooo WANT THAT!!!!! *sighs* Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" __ Eagles __ 'Take It Easy'

*grins* Me, too. I wish I could've found a coupe, instead of the sedan I have for my winter beater..... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I think I finally know just what it means" __ Mac Davis __ 'Texas In My Rearview Mirror'

Heh ... me, too. Ch#$r%*et claims to have made and sold them, 1995-2007.... Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "Something's wrong in the world today" __ Aerosmith __ 'Living On The Edge'

* The waiting is the hardest part. So they say. My 09/15/2011 appointment never happened. If a friend of mine at the hospital hadn't sent me a message that morning asking what time I'd be there, I wouldn't have known. She noticed I wasn't on the schedule. So, I called and was told the surgeon was out of town at a conference. They CLAIMED to have called me, but the number they told me they called wasn't mine. UGH. So, LONG story short, the appointment is Thursday, September 29, 2011.... AYE ... TOO much on my mind and NOT enough happening (in certain ways), if that makes sense. I HATE medical bills and wasting time. Sure wish I was on a ROAD TRIP right now or back on the RADIO ... or both. One good thing about surgery? I'll have time to read, WRITE more of my Route 66 story, plan road trips, listen to music, etc. "This ferris wheel just keeps on spinning 'round, playin' mind games with the ground. Can we stop this time, or must we go again?" "Hopelessly, I feel like there might be something that I'll miss ... I feel like the window closes oh so quick." "Tell me what you think about your situation. Complication, aggravation is getting to you." "Just don't let me lose my mind. All I need is a real friend to pick me up again." Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I'm fading away" __ Simple Plan __ 'Untitled'

If you haven't explored your area ... driving roads or being a "tourist" to see what you find ... I highly suggest you take time to DO IT. And, yes, that includes myself. I've mentioned before how I explore the back roads west of my home town when I'm driving my Monte Carlos. I've discovered some neat, secluded areas (particularly long stretches of back roads!), as well as some interesting short cuts. This time, a day before my birthday, my Aunt Chris and I went for a drive to explore some areas in central/western/northern IL. Our trip (Sunday, 09/18/2011) was preceded by a conversation we had this past spring. We were talking about the drive out to Mt Morris IL, particularly when IL RT 64 was partially closed for road construction, ~8 years ago. At the time, part of the detour around the construction area took us on a long stretch of back road where we watched a farm house turn into a "castle". We wondered if the house had ever been completed ... and, if so, what it looked like today. So ... we decided to go check it out. I was quite disappointed to see it unfinished and abandoned. We also went to Byron IL, Durand IL, Freeport IL and Lena IL, taking mostly back roads between towns. We only hit I-39 coming back home. Some pics from our adventure... ...Lindenwood IL, looking at the farmhouse with the "castle" addition to the back and both sides: ...Lindenwood IL, the house and barn: ...Lindenwood IL, part of the "castle" addition: ...NE of Byron IL, haunted house: ...Durand IL: ...Lena IL, museum: ...Lena IL, Stagecoach Trail: ...Freeport IL, Little Cubs Field, marque: ...Freeport IL, Little Cubs Field, Harry: ...Freeport IL, LIttle Cubs Field, scoreboard: If you want to see all of the pics, I have 'em on FB: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2457510359364.2146820.1300282613&l=145446f357&type=1 Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "You never know all the riches you own 'till someone takes them away" __ John Schneider __ 'Take The Long Way Home'