Opinion

Last week's conversation surrounding the Spalding Pool got us interested and talking about the price of entry to community pools.

Elevators continue to remain fascinating, but unfortunately it looks like we're all plummeting down a big shaft. Luckily, thanks to some quick thinkers, we still have fire.

Coulter talks about a wonderful tool that will one day kill him, and also about TV and how he will one day be able to watch it again. Oh, and also something about Gold Bond.

Champaign may overturn an ordinance barring backyard chicken coops. We want to hear your thoughts on the topic.

Living like a rockstar has really dumbed Decker down. Here's a brief look inside the messed up head of this local woman.

Coulter covers five (count ‘em!) five whole topics this week, plus a couple of extras. Pretend you’re in some way impressed.

Home on the Free Range?

Champaign may overturn an ordinance barring backyard barnyards. The cocka-doodle-dos and don'ts of animal husbandry via memoir.

Sadly, today is the last day Wonderdogs is in business, which leads us to our Ask Politely question this week for our readers.

Earlier this week, we delved into The News-Gazette paywall situation, which inspires this week's question.

This week, the city of Madison offers multiple opportunities for Kathy to challenge today's social norms.

Coulter tells us about a little bachelor party trip to Southern Illinois. Everyone came back alive. Surprising and disappointing.

Wendy takes a look at the recent Jim Allen/Erika Harold saga.

Old John Foreman and his brood have finally made the decision to start charging folks straight cash to read the work they produce online. We bid thee farewell, old friends. Enjoy the ride, and be sure to write home.

This week, we take a look at the expansion of Common Ground Food Co-op to Champaign. It's going to happen, but where? We're asking you what you think.

Leaving behind youth's follies and focusing on her new ability to get whatever the hell she wants, Kathy successfully copes with being yet another year older.

Coulter and the wife celebrate five years of wonderful marriage. They even take a little trip.

Tom reflects and responds to the June 9th opinion piece by John Foreman in The News-Gazette.

Well, what else could today's question be?

Throwing down with the girls after a family vacation helps keep the universe balanced. Unfortunately, sometimes bean burritoes and chronic coughs interfere with the big plan.

Coulter talks about how he stopped reading and then started again. It's weird, since most people probably assume he couldn't read to begin with.

In 2008, our first full year of publishing Smile Politely, we had a tradition of asking our readers a question to answer as the weekend began. In 2013, we're bringing it back, and starting with the same question we initially asked: What can we do to improve?

The family vacation to Hilton Head was a smashing success, thanks to Disney's lively staff and a steady stream of booze.

Why are people so scared of bats anyway? Oh yeah, because it's basically a fucking rat with wings.

Kathy's ambitious exercise routine comes to an abrupt hault this week, but her extensive search for a stripper continues.

Coulter talks about having a bunch of old friends in town for the Play or Pose celebration. It made him very tired and he may never drink again … fine, but he is very tired.

Staying in shape doesn't get any easier with age, but finding new and creative ways to look stupid in public does.

Coulter finally did his little Tough Mudder adventure. The good news is that he's alive. The bad news is he still won't quit talking about it.

Family vacations tend to be quite adventurous. Based on Kathy's summer plans, it looks like she's in for one helluva season, Mate.

In which we gaze lovingly at our own navels.

Coulter's little ToughMudder race is finally coming up this weekend. As you might imagine, he's thrilled.

Kathy celebrates the week like a queen — an old queen who stumbles through life trying not to break her crown.

Kathy struggles with staying on her feet this week as she prepares for spring, garage sales, and life's small aggravations.

This week, Mr. Coulter talks about spring things like birds … and big statues. Apparently, he doesn't like either very much.

Determination, flexibility, organization, and downright silliness are key for surviving what T.S. Elliot calls the cruelest month.  

Mr. Coulter gets his first tattoo. He was sort of a baby about it, but he's just fine now … and super cool.

April proves to be an archaic month — reveries of yesteryear and plans for National Record Store Day help Kathy cope with life's chaos.

Mr. Coulter has a birthday and considers some fun new options for the garage. Neither of these appear to be constructive.

Smoked meat, tattoos, and scare tactics — Kathy continues to paint a delicate picture of femininity.

Mr. Coulter starts his week off by going to a rap show. He really enjoyed it and may possibly want to become a pirate now.

Will Leitch, founder of Deadspin and an alumnus of UIUC, remembers a relationship with Roger Ebert that was both elating and humbling.

Roger Ebert must have been one of the least full-of-shit human beings ever to wear the crown of “critic.”

“Roger embodied the American dream.”

Roger may have left us, but the internet is forever.

Lisa Cerezo shares the influence that Ebert had on her own film criticism.

Today’s issue is devoted to the memory of Roger Ebert (1942–2013).

Kathy lets nothing (her children included) compromise her style, as she exudes grace under pressure all over North Prospect.  

Baseball is back and Coulter couldn't be more excited … or stupid.

This week, Kathy continues to make improvements to her basement, and she takes a close look at the cost-benefit relationship the resurrection brings.