Updated Last 11/21/09 01:30:08
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The Strong Museum in Rochester has some seriously cool exhibits. The bulk of the stuff there is geared toward little kids, which thankfully is slowing down for my guys. Occasionally, something catches0 . . .
Cheers to the popular ABC show for coming the oft forgotten about west side of Buffalo. The turn out is tremendous and I'm sure the "Move that bus!" moment will be well documented. The 0 . . .
After the state senate did nothing for two days other than pick up taxpayer supplied pier diems, One senator actually posted on facebook how much he was appreciating that nights dinner at Tavern on th0 . . .
HELL EXPLAINED BY CHEMISTRY STUDENT The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid term. The answer by one student was so 'profound' that0 . . .
A hearty screw you to September and October 1109/6129959847245896416745891864321209118N1104.jpg Going to battle with a penny anty operator any second and it has me in a crabby mood, but I have t0 . . .
If you couldn't find fun at e:Ladycroft and e:Rory's nuptials yesterday, you need a checkup! A truly original couple threw a truly original day. Well done, folks. Hope next weeks conclusion 0 . . .
t12qml7up-o& The 1986 New York Mets were so full of themselves, they could have franchised. They were a bunch of arrogant jerks and great ballplayers. They talked smack, battled personal demons0 . . .
Six day work weeks are guaranteed to bring out extra punchiness. This one has left me wishing for a "Sort-of easy button." Notes from the week that shouldn't have been. Had a mis0 . . .
H4iY6ML82HE0 . . .
I was taking down some banners from a recent promotion outside the tiger yard. Two adults were sheparding a group of obnoxious four and five year olds (they were!). The kids were hollering stuff like 0 . . .
Picking up our story from the Meltdown post, I tell my lovely children that we'll do dinner together once I get out of my Thursday meeting, which of course is running long. My phone rings with0 . . .
where I sound like a real, genuine,...tool http://www.museumsandmore.com/enewsletters/2009-02-andmore.html0 . . .
It's surprising what can make you raw, or then again maybe not. Whenever the ex's job takes her out of town or vice versa, the other steps up and runs the child show solo for the duration. B0 . . .
Didn't have to be anywhere yesterday, so I wasn't. The weather was so god awful, I didn't feel real guilty about it. Told the former Mrs. Mike that if the laundry facilities in the base0 . . .
It felt a little weird to be off from work today. It was a previous scheduled day off and my being in the office wouldn't have changed a thing from what occured, but it isn't often that you 0 . . .
0909/AdobePhotoshop0923.jpg0 . . .
Actually, walking the bounds of the marina last night, when it was cold and whatnot -- when better to go? No lines. Caught some interesting images 0909/DSCF16810917.jpg I can't decide if0 . . .
Joe Wilson revealed himself to be a real twit. Yelling "You Lie" during the President's speech the other night was the second most childish thing to happen in the news this week. The fi0 . . .
to be back homeward" It's been a odd week. The Beatles "Golden Slumbers" medley has nestled itself in my head recently. I think that is largely a byproduct of the Rock Band rele0 . . .
I've been thinking about Asa Hill a lot over the weekend. He and my son played together a few times. And living on Anderson for many a moon, his great family was often visible given the proximity0 . . .
Nice escape yesterday. Some of my family took up residence in Ridgeway, Ontario (right near Sherkston) for the past week and I took the day to come play yesterday. Aside from a nasty mosquito issue ne0 . . .
Just got back from exotic Verona, NY where I manned a booth for the Zoo at a regional travel trade show. Whoever said getting there is half the fun is a butthole. I got some affirmation that I am not 0 . . .
Because I'm never too far from my inner twelve year old.... 0809/WXOgg0821.jpg I went down to the marina to watch this come in. I had a meeting after work and stopped by Wegman's on th0 . . .
Took to the fair yesterday with my main man, number one son. Things may occasionally rearrange, but overall the place is pretty timeless. I took a few pictures at the grounds, including that sad tiger0 . . .
For the past six years or so, my former spouse takes our daughters to Michigan Women's Music Festival. The girls bemoan it, but I think secretly that is part of their act. They like the freedom a0 . . .
--Disgusted by the deal breaking between MSNBC and Fox in regards to Olbermann and O'Reilly. It's been a sore point with me how spineless the media has been in recent years. Now, to find out0 . . .
Just watched the "Two Cathedrals" episode of the West Wing. It was one of the best episodes ever. The Emmys should be embarrassed for not recognizing Martin Sheen for that one. "Feckles0 . . .
Spent some time in the Tiger House at the Zoo yesterday while a local artist did some line drawings for a future promotion. It's funny what the animals fixate on. One of my colleagues had a water0 . . .
But they're funny 0709/Untitled2Copy0721.jpg 0709/Untitled7Copy0721.jpg 0709/Untitled8Copy0721.jpg 0709/Untitled3Copy0721.jpg 0709/Untitled4Copy0721.jpg 0709/Untitled10Copy0721.0 . . .
I made the trek to Thursday in the Square for the first and probably only time this year last week for George Clinton and Parliment/Funkadelic. This had been one of the more stressful work weeks in re0 . . .
0709/Up882AF7EN7LDGNF2D0716.jpg "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile..."0 . . .
Got out on the bike tonight and it felt great and humbling at the same time. I do wonder what it does to the thought processes after awhile. Me on a bike through Gates Circle is a sight me in my car w0 . . .
My ceaselessly amazing middle daughter and pet sitter to the stars, turned 15 yesterday. The celebration continues tonight at Chefs. Seems just like yesterday, I held her for the first time and her bi0 . . .
I got on my bike for the first time this summer yesterday. I didn't want to get too carried away since it had indeed been awhile. I wasn't out to set any land speed records, just wanted to 0 . . .
Thanks to e:Vincent for organzing the Bisons/BPO game this evening, I was looking forward to it thinking number one son and I could go, see the game, hear the music and enjoy some fireworks. I know co0 . . .
The loft apartment over a great party gets older today and she doesn't look a day over 141 0709/Can80701.jpg0 . . .
Not from last weekend when the weather blew, the one before where we got a summer preview. Number one son and I went to the marina, got the now obligatory Aud deconstruction pic, and ate overpriced ic0 . . .
It's been a busy run of events at work. Yesterday was our Earth Day celebration. This gets celebrated in June to avoid the questionable April weather, you know, back when it was sunny. I found it0 . . .
I thought I posted some of these but I think I actually forgot One of the beautiful things of having relatives smack in the middle of DC is you can select your historical moments without a whole lo0 . . .
If you ever wonder why people are disinclined to vote, I believe those folks received validation in the form of the New York State Senate. As a moderate democrat, I like to think I see both sides,0 . . .
Still tired from it all. Well, dear reader, it is like this. Physically, (and sometimes by necessity, I have had to be a really early morning person and it isn't sitting well. During a recen0 . . .
It's funny how often you can read in these pages how somebody's getting old or feeling so old and invariably the writer isn't past 30. Well, I got one for you all and I don't mind.0 . . .
Oy! My older sister subletted her place and came back to Buffalo with our Dad yesterday afternoon. Wow, didn't like being there at all. Everybody knew it was coming and I think ultimately it w0 . . .
Despite a couple of errors on the media's part, my former spouse and current son represented on Ch. 2 tonight about how we all just folks. She spoke well and he works a camera well. http://www0 . . .
And the 8 don't fill me with any glee either The only TLC show I catch with any regularity is “American Chopper.” It is essentially the same show everytime out, with different bikes, same 0 . . .
You know it’s an ominimous start. My employer is partially a union shop. Given the unionized population dwarfs the nonunion, what they say goes for everybody. Something about that doesn’t seem ri0 . . .
I'm wondering if I'll need to start paying royalties to Tina Fey as that came up inadvertingly in two distinctly different conversations. Came up during a sponsorship discussion at work w0 . . .
A couple of America's dumbest criminals broke into my former house on Anderson this morning. Aside from the icky feeling you get from somebody touching your stuff, I'm not sure what to make 0 . . .
Oy! Because I'm a good sort, I've been springing for the internet and cable at the house formerly known as mine. Makes me feel like I'm doing something for my fellow co-residents, pa0 . . .
Rounded up the youngins and we broke bread at Amy's place last night. It was the first time I had been there in ages and omigod it was so worth it. I don't what kept me away for so long, but0 . . .
sUGUg22qYEo Not sure why this fascinates me so, but it does0 . . .
0509/PoohCopy0501.jpg0 . . .
The caller-id on tv from Time Warner can be a mixed blessing. I do most of my calling with my cell phone, but when the TW phone rang and displayed my older sister's number on Tuesday night, I cou0 . . .
I LOVE MY JOB Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers in Louisiana. He performs underwater repairs on offshore drilling rigs. Below is an E-mail he sent to his sister. She then sent 0 . . .
I get the feeling the Bisons just don't care. It used to be that you didn't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy a game at SodaBeverage Field. They used to sell the place out. I went to a game0 . . .
Thought I broke my connection before. I was downloading some music and things just stopped. Reset everything only to find out it was Time Warner's fault. As a former reboot monkey, I am glad I wa0 . . .
I went to one of the insufferable networking events last night. It's my fourth one and it's like being party scenes in the Ice Storm without the nookie afterwards. The same dull gathering pl0 . . .
Can we all just agree that Lindy is a good coach and that if given the right reign, Darcy is a good GM? C'mon, Larry, remove the handcuffs, give em a budget and let'em alone. Darcy didnƆ . . .
Largely for the sake of setting down some roots, my exsuggested we start going to a nearby church. This is somewhere around 1999. We dove in, thinking it would give the kids a foothold on exposure to 0 . . .
There was an article in this past Sunday’s Buffalo News outlining Erie County Executive Chris Collins’ desire for greater representation from the executive branch on the boards of the eight larges0 . . .
Having taken care of my easter duties, I was a free agent today. If cleanliness is next to godliness, the doing of laundry was as spiritually fulfilling as any experience was going to be this morning.0 . . .
Wow, if you believe we get the leadership we deserve, we must really stink. There is an old political axiom about how decisions are made by those who show up. There is no disclaimer about how that is 0 . . .
Gentle readers, this is testament to folks who have too much time on their hands to make films like this and dorks like myself who have too much time to look for them. yjacqcTFYFw0 . . .
I'm sitting here trying in inject myself with a little enthusiasm for a press release another litter of capybara babies, but I'm thinking about my older sister. She has been in the printi0 . . .
Sad reflection on the way of the world 0409/ANDRE0408.jpg0 . . .
Nobody seems to want to give anything a chance to develop anymore. From romances to rebuilds, there is an ugly false sense of urgency that ultimately going to leave us all permanently messed up. I . . .
"hey michael, i enjoyed your company as well, you are very easy to be around. i am sorry but i just don't feel the connection i'm looking for to pursue a relationship. i wish i did, goo0 . . .
Still rising to the tasks of being awake... I took an slightly expanded version of a post from here and fleshed it out a little more on facebook, only to see the Buffalo News do two articles on the0 . . .
It's funny how something can be lionized even after falling dormat. You could mount a pretty easy argument how the city screwed up Memorial Auditorium after the Arena was built. It and the surrou0 . . .
Indulged in a little localized pointless travel on Saturday. The famous number one son and I schlepped up to Niagara Falls to play tourist before the tourists come back. Great day for a wander. There 0 . . .
This is floating around facebook, and it dates me a little, like I need help in that department. Well, dear reader, there used to be a thing called record stores, not just the music department at Targ0 . . .
A large part of my job is taking meetings, more often or not, you take them for the sake of taking them, little consequence during the meeting. It's having the meeting that is actually worthwhile0 . . .
I'm beginning to think that Human Resources people and Insurance customer service people are in cahoots, to make actual healthcare providers look bad and drive policy holders out of their gourds 0 . . .
Sunday, sunday, in the office -- Yee ha! We've got a big cat themed day going on here at the house of fun so I had to be here to oversee some grad students who working on that but also I proje0 . . .
It's been one of those discombobulated weeks. I've actually escaped all the winter colds and maladies, despite the shrinkage inducing weather of late until last week. until last week. Wor0 . . .
Sometimes it's hard not to bring your work home with you. This is one of newest residents of the Rainforest and is disturbingly cute. Say hi to Mochiba. He's a baby Howler Monkey. 0209/0 . . .
For lent, this lapsed catholic is giving up mortal combat, being nice to stupid people and any pretense of saving the Mets bullpen. I don't take the lenten season like gospel (pun intended), but 0 . . .
Getting too old for this shit. We had one of our big fundraising events last night at the Convention Center. Staging those things is an exhausting process. After all the cajoling, bemoaning, planni0 . . .
There was a short lived British pop/ska group in the early 80s called The Specials. They had a couple songs on MTV and went the way most of those bands did shortly thereafter. One of the songs was &qu0 . . .
For once that doesn't refer to anything economic. It's a strange feeling that I don't know if I can adequately articulate right. Aside from the shock of the plane crash and the sadne0 . . .
If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get going without pep pills, If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and boring people w0 . . .
I've never been a fan of automatic deduction from your bank account, despite all the many groups that love it. You never exactly when something is going to drop. You have religiously watch when t0 . . .
From an email marked "Fail?" came these jocularity laden images 0209/1Copy0206.jpg 0209/2Copy0206.jpg 0209/3Copy0206.jpg 0209/5Copy0206.jpg 0209/4Copy0206.jpg 0209/6Copy0200 . . .
What can I say? I work in a decent place for cute pictures. I found this one still in my camera from last week and thought I'd share. My offering estrip a nice warm fuzzy. This is a cool gig t0 . . .
Trying to inject some fun into my day, here's a couple of cute giraffe shots of the new baby from this morning. Somewhere somebody has their knickers in a knot over the naming of this first born 0 . . .
Had a great conversation the other day with a woman close to my own age and for a second or so, I had room for optimism. She's a nurse and told me to check back with her Monday when she got her s0 . . .
I don't know why this stuff can permeate you so, except for the fact I'm a sucker for a pretty face and e:imk2 tagged me and well, you know. So, just what you weren't waiting for: 0 . . .
Baby photos of cute animals. Works like a charm. 0109/120BabyGiraffeLOCALBABYGIRAFFEGEEStandaloneProdAffiliate500129.jpg A nineteen day old baby giraffe named Melia charmed the socks of all thre0 . . .
0109/ChimpCopy0128.jpg A little girl asked her mother: 'How did the human race appear?'The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve;they had children; and so was all mankind made. . . .
So, went with the ex-wife and kids to the inauguration. We had talked, given the kids racial makeup that it would be a good thing for them to see it all upclose. It should be noted that the ex has an 0 . . .
I've been on the dreaded yahoo personals for sometime now with mixed results. I made a connection about a week ago and we are still in the phase of phone calling and made plans to get together in0 . . .
I really like Anthony Bourdain's tv show a lot. It's more than just food, but the culture surrounding the food. I also have a warm spot in my heart for those grilled atrocities at the Pink, 0 . . .
A few questions have been rattling around my cerebral cortex. What is it about the Thirsty Buffalo that has young morons parking expensive cars across driveways? I chuckled as Verizon had a beemer 0 . . .
I'm thinkin' and my head hurts... Had a day off from well, everything, on sunday and I think it was just odd enough that I'm just out of whack in general. The surreality culminated i0 . . .
Let's see. Lesson one, kids, is to pay attention to your firefox tabs. I just accidentally deep sixed about 800 words by not watching what I was doing. Grumble, grumble. Lesson two? Breathe r0 . . .
Here's the video I wanted to highlight in the post I just screwed up. Check out this take on 97 Rock staple during the Kennedy Center Honors. I don't know why the Kennedy Center folk felt co0 . . .
Just spent 30 minutes working on a post and clicked on the wrong tab for a Youtube clip. Sonofabitch!0 . . .
I'm tired. While the holidays are great, they also exhaust me. There is the mad prep, the juggling of egos, the balancing of which out of town visitors need to see the kids next, the guilt (im0 . . .
When you go to Bikram Yoga, they recommend that you do not eat 2 hours before the start of class as the class is pretty demanding on all your systems. When I go, I sneak a little snack in the afternoo0 . . .
Four wheel drive makes no difference. It's the driver that gets the car in and out of snow banks. I saw many a jeep marooned over the past day or so and plenty of Minis getting around just fine. 0 . . .
The season makes people do some strange shit, all in the name of unabashed consumerism. I made my first foray to the Boulevard Mall since the beginning of the madness. I tend to take a laid back appro0 . . .
Annual office christmas lunch was just a little bit ago. It feels a little forced. One of my staffers bought me stuff which was very nice. Our Business Adminstration chief was liked a hopped up four y0 . . .
Ready for the weekend. It's been a spate of meandering gatherings, financial foolishness, and struggling to keep my wits about me, but I think slowly but surely I'm winning. Went to a Sun0 . . .
I noticed that the rat bastards who now own Ben and Jerry's decided to quite making Nutty Waffle Cone and Rule Britannia. Awesome flavors. Bastards! A Pox on their blandly flavored houses. Whi0 . . .
Pretty sure I got stuff accomplished this week. I would just be hard pressed to tell you what. I don't know if it was the holiday, the change of season, what have you, but it seems like work fill0 . . .
Organizational meetings can be pretty dull. I went to one this morning and they typically give out a crappy little door prize. As a result, I pay little attention till today when I won! This time, it 0 . . .
Too much potential drama. I journaled about losing a cousin last week. Her service was today. She was very involved with a small episcopal church near ECMC so the church elders wanted to put on a show0 . . .
1108/TurkeyPooCopy1126.jpg0 . . .
A unique constellation of circumstances..... Thought I was reasonably footloose and fancyfree yesterday, so I took Number One Son to go see "Bolt" yesterday at the Market Arcade. I would 0 . . .
Been reading a little about all the shenanigans involving the football game on Monday night. Having worked two night games last year on the Bills staff, it was decidely nicer to spend this game on my 0 . . .
Part of my job is taking meetings, even when there really isn't much point. You know, the dreaded networking meeting to scope out potential business partners and sponsors. The conversation is usu0 . . .
Perhaps out of spite since I still have my hair, my Dad sends the occasional photograph to keep me on my toes. The one that arrived in today's email wasn't so bad. I worked for St. Bonaventu0 . . .
A man and a woman started to have sex in the middle of a dark forest. After about 15 minutes of it, the man finally gets up and says, "Damn, I wish I had a flashlight!". The woman says, 0 . . .
I guess at my core, I'm a bit of a romantic. The great book (and okay movie) Fever Pitch had a line about how immersing yourself in something bigger than you is good for the soul. That's not0 . . .
I actually heard voting described as that this morning while waiting to vote. That made it sound like it didn't matter who you voted, provided you were polite about it. I vote at the Senior Citiz0 . . .
Been a bit of a downer with another memorial mass today. It was a beautiful service for a good guy at the UU Church on Elmwood. He had a broad enough reach that the place was literally full to overflo0 . . .
Kind of puts this electoral nightmare in perspective a little bit 1008/Oz1031.jpg0 . . .
As I am sure, the Roswell peeps probably know, Roswell Park does a memorial service for patients who die during a six month period. With my father-in-law's passing back in February, his turn was 0 . . .
More of that socialist propaganda, eh http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid988092926/bctid18428564100 . . .
5GZei4p53j00 . . .
With some video being the order of the day, I thought I'd toss a little more gas on the 25,000 journal climb with this little number. It's a compilation of the couch gags from the beginning 0 . . .
It's some trying times. I've been of the opinion for sometime that I am sort of without a demographic to call my own at my workplace. There exists a lot of vigilant Neo-cons republicans at m0 . . .
m5dGltQxOow One of my favorite holiday traditions. It may have lost a step from its early years, but is still miles ahead of most sitcoms. I know where I'll be on Nov 2.0 . . .
Most you guys probably didn't get much use out of Memorial Auditorium in its heyday. It was quite the dump, but it was our dump. This blog came though the email and looking at the pictures was a 0 . . .
I'm sitting here on a lovely sunny afternoon (cue the Kinks record) doing homework. Actually, I'm helping number one son learn to juggle his workload and finish off some of my own. And that 0 . . .
I'm getting too old for this shit... Been doing Bikram Yoga for two weeks and while I'm not all amped to go (not exactly oozing confidence in my abilities yet), I've been keeping mys0 . . .
This electoral cycle is seeming ceaseless. It's funny, because in 2000, I might have voted for John McCain. He made sense, he ran his own world and maverick wasn't a word that Sarah Palin0 . . .
Poor Old Man An old man is sitting on a park bench crying. A young man is walking by and asks him why he's crying. The old man says, "I'm retired and I have lots of money, a huge 0 . . .
My Dad turns a youthful 72 on the 14th, but my Mom is throwing a little thing on Sunday afternoon. He's tough to buy for because he isn't wanting for much. A semi-retired computer systems co0 . . .
Every once in awhile, I miss my compadres at Adelphia, but this weekend was not one of them. The slapfight between Lin Broadcasting (Ch. 4's owner) and Time Warner assured that the people who do 0 . . .
Just in case you haven't seen it yet... sj0dqCB6pcI0 . . .
1aBaX9GPSaQ "Maybe in Ohio, but not in America" Hee!0 . . .
I WILL NOT complain about my job, EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! 1008/PoopThereItIsCopy1002.jpg0 . . .
I don't often get a hand in naming something, so I brag, not only for the sake of the great 25k push, but also because you can't help but take a good picture while inside. Just close your mo0 . . .
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got a0 . . .
Every once in awhile, plans can go awry...or even pumpernickel. I had a meeting to go to in Niagara Falls yesterday afternoon. I was sort of looking forward to the meeting, not for it and of itself, b0 . . .
I was looking at these and wondering what you "wash'em" down with, a shake made of lard? Notice nobody is picking them up 0908/Burger90930.jpg 0908/Burger20930.jpg 0908/Burger1090 . . .
outside my apartment late on a Sunday night. I was basically spent yesterday. I had an event at the Zoo that I was the big cheese Saturday afternoon and evening. It was basically 7 hours of running0 . . .
John McCain cancelled on Letterman in yet another series of brilliant decision making. Apparently you don't phone it in to Dave. So much do even Keith Olbermann was quiet. aR5FGkpfsbM 0 . . .
This is so cool. This is a ride on the Crystal Beach Comet. The Comet was king back in the proverbial day around here. Crystal Beach's Amusement Park was king around here before Darien Lake got s0 . . .
I went out to BJ's tonight to pick up a few things. No big deal, went to the self check out and took care of business. I was expecting four singles and some change. Pocketed both four bills and c0 . . .
I haven't done a whole lot of traveling for my employers in recent years, but had the occasion to do so this week. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (doesn't that just say "Order en0 . . .
Greetings for the land of cheese, e-strippers. I come to you live from the most unexotic of destinations....wait for it......Milwaukee. The occasion, the annual gathering of the Association of Zoos0 . . .
I don't know if it is omen for the week or not, but given that I have a five minute commute with the lights to work. It was a little odd to see accidents at Gates Circle, Delaware & Rumsey a0 . . .
Okay, I know that's not her first name, but that might be more than John McCain knows. According to one report, he met his running mate once before calling her to ask her to be his Veep. Two week0 . . .
I actually watched a little of the convention coverage from Denver last night. After running around, I arrived at the tv just in time to see Ted Kennedy. Given how sick he is, he can still work a room0 . . .
Looks more like Jacob Dylan 0808/MspowersRoadrunnerComD35a0b040820.jpg0 . . .
Watch yourselves on the ride home, them train rides can get rather testy RlaTvjpfVvs The Buffalo News' story: http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/417489.html 0 . . .
Now that it is on its decline, this summer is worthy of a prominent place in my complaint department. It sucked on a number of levels. After dumped, sick, and finally starting to get better, it's0 . . .
Something similar to what I'm about to describe happened in an earlier journal but tonight's incident was so perfect I had to relate the updated version. It was a little before 8 and I'0 . . .
Random notes: I would really like to get excited about the Olympics beyond the opening ceremonies, but I just can't. While it was/is interesting to see what a show the Chinese will put on, the0 . . .
You might have seen some news coverage of Wines in the Wild at the Zoo. It was a pretty cool gathering, not often you can drink on the job, even pouring for the elite. I got the job of shoveling champ0 . . .
The thrill of live TV is always numbed when you are doing it at 5:30 in the morning. I did two segments on Daybreak today. You can see me whoring myself for the elephants behalf here. http://www.wgrz.0 . . .
A rare two post day... It was staggeringly warm on Thursday so I peeled off the work clothes and headed down to Bird Island to just be down on the water. One of those days where breathing made you 0 . . .
There is something about Canal Fest in the Tonawandas that I can't quite put my finger on. I never went until I had to work it when I was still at Adelphia. Now I make a pilgrimage out to spend a0 . . .
Packed number one son off to camp this morning. It's his first time away from home, but after a week of talking him up it will be tougher on his mom and me than it is on him. He's a sensitiv0 . . .
Was sitting with the ex and her partner at Spot after work yesterday (I know, an odd picture) when our lovely daughter and one of her friends came cruising by. Young daughter looked upset at something0 . . .
This hasn't been fun. You know you're getting older when your ailments get more complex. After 7 to 8 days of Prednizone and an Antiviral prescription with barely pronouncable name, I muddle0 . . .
This came over one of the Zoo email lists I have to subscribe to, beware overly cute pictures to follow. This is for those that haven't seen the 16 baby pandas. SICHUAN , China -- One zoo in s0 . . .
I took the plunge and bought a car yesterday. Gone is my little red old Mitsibishi that was chronicled ina few journals. I'm now the owner of a Silver 02 Grand Am that came complete with a Hyunda0 . . .
Finally feeling like me after a week in a half of big fun. What a difference the right drugs make. I was still a little out of it during the Pearl Street dinner, which I am sure retarded my social gra0 . . .
A guy was being tried in Town of Islip Town Court for a motor vehicle accident that deteriorated into a fist fight at the scene that police had to break up. Apparently, his testimony was as follows: 0 . . .
I am always suspicious of any gathering that puts the words "Fun" and "Run" together. Combined with an early morning start time on Saturday, that is how my weekend got rolling. The0 . . .
This really sucks. A dozen dates in, I thought I was on to something. We clicked on a number of levels. Things were great, looking for more windows to see each other. Caught a breather in a full sa0 . . .
I've lived in this area half past forever and the Corporate Challenge race is a deep mystery to me. I don't get the appeal. Companies run like fools on an uncomfortable day then drink heavil0 . . .
I was limping down West Ferry yesterday morning to go to church. As I got through whatever Lacrosse themed event that dominates the Ferry Delaware corner, I was just strolling as best I could when the0 . . .
Not sure what precipatated it, but I've been getting spammed of late with Cialis and Viagara emails. No content just a blank email about "your order." This internet has a strange sense 0 . . .
It's been a tough week and this might be what's left of my mind. Blew up at an account executive. This woman from a local magazine fishing for business came to my office with her rep, who0 . . .
I'm not much of an American Idol fan but this was one of the better acts. bYFs83TjHcU&NR0 . . .
Two passes for tonight's preview of the new Indiana Jones movie were tossed on my desk a few days ago and after watching a large portion of the Sci Fi showings, I made plans to go, easily done si0 . . .
And you might remember me from such crappy Zoo commercials like "The Lemurs ate my Ice Cream" and "No, monkeys really aren't coming out of your butt." My job sometimes has me 0 . . .
0508/Attachment0516.jpg0 . . .
My allergies ramped up this week and for the past two days, I feel like I've been underwater and not in a good way. I tried walking the ring road at Delaware Park at lunchtime and with all the be0 . . .
Good times, watch, chuckle knowingly bhcA4Ry65FU0 . . .
Another Zoo baby pic (posted by indirect request of e:hodown) Before the rains came Saturday, we had a little fun. When the rains did come, I learned an important fact. Wet purple is not a good loo0 . . .
Went wandering around Hoyt Lake and Glens Falls, came back with a few interesting images. 0508/DSCF07820505.jpg 0508/DSCF07810505.jpg 0508/DSCF07840505.jpg 0508/DSCF07850505.jpg 0508/0 . . .
Never been a party to this kind of party before. My employment has sometimes taken me to strange lengths, but I'm uselessly hoping the rain holds off long enough for the baby shower for this. 0 . . .
0408/JL4862670429.jpg 0408/Eaq862670429.jpg 0408/MhU862670429.jpg 0408/P45862670429.jpg 0408/PKj862670429.jpg0 . . .
I got into a discussion with one of my staffers about the racial state of Buffalo and how divisive this city can be. What got us on the topic was the latest production to come to the Zoo. For a few we0 . . .
After dealing with a video production crew who was so prepared for their music video shoot, they ran their audio off a cell phone, this was a nice diversion. 0408/TypeRacer0425.jpg0 . . .
The winds can blow pretty fast around here. The Doghouse might just have a doggy door in back. With all the suburban kids on break last week, all hands were on deck. For parts of four days, I spent a 0 . . .
0408/ObamaHillary0417.jpg Crazy german mardi gras floats....0 . . .
After yesterday's experience, the key grip is the rest of the production company's bee-yotch. In addition to everything else going on at the Zoo these days, one of the national talk shows wa0 . . .
3rd dates are good. That is all0 . . .
Damn, what a day, spiritually renewing, sunlight on your face for a lengthy period of time. Practically wanted to smoke when the sun went down, settled for a trip to Dairy Queen with number one son. T0 . . .
0408/CalvinAndHobbes0407.jpg I miss Calvin and Hobbes for just such observations.0 . . .
Lacking in cleverness, that is the best I got for today. Had a pointless 7:30 meeting this morning, so I had to cut out on the hoopla at Mr. Goodbar last night practically old man early (which I k0 . . .
I think we've turned a corner. I didn't think I parked by too many trees yesterday, but I left work to a symphony of bird poop on my car. It must truly be spring if a bunch of diuretic anima0 . . .
Somebody didn't get the memo that there should be no more snow after the St. Patrick's Day parade, especially when my kids are at the ocean and I'm here. That said, some of it does make0 . . .
a part time one that is. I'm apparently hiring. http://www.buffalozoo.org/employment.html0 . . .
I'm a little worried about my level of shallowness, but this impending arrival has me a little childishly excited. 0308/ECPHL32PFL5332D0324.jpg The long overdue tax return showed up on satu0 . . .
One of my staff is satan. She has equated not being a meat eater to being healthier in a holier than thou sort of way. While I certainly respect that dietary choice and have cut down siginificantly in0 . . .
Lil devil turns 10 today (Crap I'm old)0 . . .
I went out on a semi-blind date in November and it went okay. About a day and half later, I got a note from the other party explaining that she had a nice time, "but...wanted to concentrate on an0 . . .
My Ipod is a very schizophrenic place. I listen to a little bit of everything. Everything from Sonic Youth to Billie Holliday to the National (thanks Jenks) to Eric Clapton and back again. But there a0 . . .
0308/PeepShow0305.jpg This is pretty dumb, but it made me laugh. Explains why it might be sticky in those places.0 . . .
It was actually a pretty decent weekend. Had Friday night to myself unexpectedly so no drastic plans were hatched. Chinese takeout and my new Across the Universe DVD had to suffice, and did just fine 0 . . .
In need of a trim, I was thrilled to see Chick, formerly of Elmwood, has his barber shop open for business on Hertel now. He always did a nice haircut and was fairly cheap. He offered to trim the bear0 . . .
Fun night last night. My Dad has been doing some volunteer consulting for one of the labs at Roswell. So the physician in charge left him hockey tickets for last night's Sabres game. Dad calls me0 . . .
After being apart for nine frickin days, my car and I are back together. I didn't think it was possibile to miss the bugger, but I did. Given the invasive surgery it went under, I'm skeered 0 . . .
Wow, work can be interesting somedays. All the news coverage about the tigers at the Zoo was my evil doing. I'm getting a kick out of the news blogs, most of which are filled with the socratic wi0 . . .
Sometimes it really is a hard knock life. My car decided it needed to act up. I was taking day off and leaning toward taking yesterday when I was driving around for work on Wednesday morning. I mad0 . . .
Here you go, the last in my unintentional series of the immediacy of death. Thanks for the notes of encouragement. It means a lot as I have to make my debut as one of the eulogizers on Thursday. A whi0 . . .
He passed away about 20 minutes ago0 . . .
Thanks for the good wishes all, but I wish I was off to a better start. Roswell is out of options for Dad-in-law. It's pretty much killed my celebratory urges as his only meaningful phone call is0 . . .
I found this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you. It was to me, and it's very well written. "WINTER" a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre... 0 . . .
Eddie Izzard just rocks. This is too fucking funnyhp69rg6Hdlo0 . . .
The drama never friggen ends. I began Wednesday dealing with a failing starter on my car. A brief spark show later, my oft-mentioned little buggy has a new starter and I'm shopping at Aldi's0 . . .
Got to love the Onion http://www.theonion.com/content/node/72883 Funny because it could be true if it wasn't for those tricky amendments0 . . .
I just completed spending a god awful amount of money for billboards for the zoo beginning in June. What follows seemed appropriate. 0108/210122.jpg 0108/200122.jpg 0108/230122.jpg 0108/2201220 . . .
So, I have this nagging feeling of helplessness that won't go away. My Father-in-Law (I guess former since the divorce, but we don't really think in those terms) has been battling cancer mos0 . . .
Next stop, Broadway. http://www.niagara-gazette.com/nightandday/local_story_016161319.html?keyword=secondarystory I'm such a company whore0 . . .
Got to tell you, this beats selling remotes 0108/FemaleTiger0116.jpg Got my first exposure to tiger training somewhat. After getting to take this photo, I got to watch as the tiger staff took th0 . . .
I had to take number one son to a birthday party yesterday out at Lasertron. After getting him checked in, the mom of the main party celebrant asked me if I'd go in the Lasertron game so our grou0 . . .
Got to love the entertainment value if Bloomberg gets in... Might start paying attention to the election http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=543200 . . .
Some mental leftovers from an uneventful weekend. Watched the Canadian broadcast (well parts of it) on Sunday of the Winter Classic. I was curious to see what the shenanigans looked like on tv. The0 . . .
Hey folks, slowly thawing out from the hockey Game. Driving back, I couldn't help but laugh a little. What kind of idiot would leave a nice gathering at the 24 chock full of good convo, surprise 0 . . .
Where were you when 2007 began? At PMT's Who were you with? The divine populace that is e:strip Where will you be when 2007 ends? A little unclear Whom will you be with when 2007 ends0 . . .
Talk about your critical reentries. My poor ex was trying to enjoy a quiet cup of tea yesterday when the old folks drove their explorer into the river. 10 feet away, I'm appreciating that she 0 . . .
Got to tell you. I have a new definition of a tough day at the office. I worked my final football game yesterday. It was blowing pretty good by the time I got to Orchard Park. Once the game got starte0 . . .
Due to my increasing age, and decreasing ability to send cards on time, here is my card to cover every Holiday .. 1207/Pic200781221.jpg0 . . .
would a guy do a 180 in his Prius trying to get into the Zoo Today. It was an impressive move worthy of the chase scene in The French Connection, but I'm not quite sure taking the chillens to the0 . . .
Me, neither till yesterday when the python decided the live segment we were working on bored her. 1207/Snake1213.jpg Pretty sure I just saw a Tiger catching snow flakes too. There are some serio0 . . .
Ooh, Baby it was cold outside at the Bills game yesterday. I was good and multilayered but it felt good to get back to the sanctity of the lil red gomobile. The game was nicely uneventful for me. One 0 . . .
Well, been a week for the books. Patience and self-esteem have been working overtime. I've been getting reminded about various "Feifdoms" at work. It became clear that applies to everyo0 . . .
1207/3231205.jpg0 . . .
for the people who have their Christmas cards out already. I'm lucky if I mail any with any more frequency than one out of every three years. ********** for people who think the family newslet0 . . .
Hope you all had nice holiday weekends. I spent this fun filled Monday helping manage damage control at work, which peaked with two hours sitting in the Channel 7 live truck making sure their reporter0 . . .
I believe our globetrotter e:Ladycroft initially fired this around last year. It was sent to me a little bit ago and made me chuckle. 1107/Thanksgiving11123.jpg0 . . .
Pre-game scenes that is. It is a little interesting being in a football stadium as it starts to come to life, kinda like being a roadie before the concert starts. When the prime-time circus starts,0 . . .
I was dreading the whole idea of the Buffalo Bills reappearing on national tv from the moment I got the letter saying from the team saying I had to work (ain't doing it next year). For the unitia0 . . .
No Shit!!! just blowing off a minor gripe briefly. Just got back from Wegmans and three different sets of people in the parking lot were all agog over it's snowing. I could see the wonder if 0 . . .
Got to remember the right kind of shoes. Never thought that would be part of my things that need to be done. But I got a graphic reminder that I'm getting farther away from my youth. One of th0 . . .
Coming from the smoke detector in my office. It sounds like water dripping, beep, beep, beep. Like the torture scenes from those old war movies, evil and smooth the Nazi Colonel speaks...."You vi0 . . .
I think I saw this same thing once about Vin Diesel, but it's fucking funny. Some new facts you may not have known about the baddest man on the planet. Some kids piss their name in the0 . . .
Dollars to donuts, I'm not spelling that right, but it's dogging my mom at the moment. She battled Bells Palsy a few years ago and the thought was that it had returned for round two. During 0 . . .
so it would cut itself." Saw that on a t shirt this morning at the Towne. It is possible to laugh at 8 am on a Sunday. Rarely does an omelet reveal great secrets but whilest consuming my pre-g0 . . .
In light of the gender card being played at the other wise pointless democratic debate, I give you this. The old boys club in their finest frockery. 1107/ATT000951102.jpg 1107/ATT000711102.jpg 110 . . .
Almost wrapped up the first significant chunk of time on the new gig, I can find everything and am starting to remember names and I don't think I've pissed anybody off that I'm aware of0 . . .
Randomly speaking of course, I got in trouble on the new job the other day, but skillful devil that I am, I weaseled my way out it, by being right. Score one for the "new guy." I'0 . . .
Apparently, we're not cranking them out quick enough here http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/10/22/daily32.html?f=et55&ana=e_du0 . . .
Distracted drivers are one of my biggest pet peeves. If you are on the road, pay attention dammit. Hell, if you are in a car at all pay attention. Coming out of my apartment building, there is a long 0 . . .
One of the tremendous upsides of my new location is literally having Delaware Park out the back door. A handful of colleagues and I went out to do a lap around the ring road at lunchtime. About a thir0 . . .
A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed: "Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 80 . . .
Okay, it's another work related post, but it's my first week so deal. We were setting up for this kid friendly Halloween event last night and I was laughing about the whole thing. We were se0 . . .
My new job does have some interesting side effects. I was reminded of an incident from college. I was taking a History final in a small class of about 15. Only noise was pens scribbling in blue books 0 . . .
Still settling into my new professional digs, I think it's going to work okay. I like the fact that an issue came up and my boss made the effort to include me in the consensus being taken. Her bo0 . . .
Completed my TW term yesterday. My lovely associated produced a really good rum soaked pound cake for the occasion that we snacked on all afternoon. The leftovers and a bottle of locally produced Merl0 . . .
Okay, work was really dull yesterday. Went a little nuts with photoshop and the paramount tv web site. Enjoy 1007/Tyra1011.jpg 1007/ChuckTrek1011.jpg 1007/Cbgtrek1011.jpg 1007/Enterpriseohbaby0 . . .
Being a tiny part of a big event can be exciting and even though Monday Night Football is on cable now, it hasn't lost any of its circus like nature. I was sort of dreading working it since a lot0 . . .
I've been whored out whoring for cable. Last year's photo, this year's propaganda. The uniform does nothing for me. It's on the company web site, you can imagine my shock - especia0 . . .
Whenever I do the Bills game thing, I'll tend to drift to someplace to get a decent breakfast out, because game day lunches are pretty hypothetical. That said, I didn't sleep real well last 0 . . .
a geek gets his wings.... In spring 2005, I was slaving away at the Adelphia call center. Didn't have to talk to anybody so I had my IPOD keeping me company. One night from hell, I was putting0 . . .
0907/Pixchal379va30926.jpg 0907/Katiecouricxk70926.jpg 0907/Yattawaffles0926.jpg0 . . .
Wegman's had pumpkins out. Who the hell is carving a pumpkin now except these folks 0907/Pumpkin150925.jpg 0907/Pumpkin20925.jpg 0907/Pumpkin30925.jpg 0907/Pumpkin10925.jpg 0907/Pumpkin409250 . . .
Check it out, peaches!!!!! Take your cable problems and give em to somebody else. Animal issues, I'm all over.0 . . .
Hope it isn't an omen, but on the way to work, I made a stop and got back in the car and my Ipod greeted me with the sad mac face. I got applecare on it, but that can color the rest of the journe0 . . .
I don't wax on politics too much, because it is almost too troublesome these days. The will of the people demanded change in Congress and we got folks too spineless to change anything. Nobody has0 . . .
Happy day, ya lil devil 0907/25077esem10917.jpg0 . . .
Why do many drivers feel the need to get just enough of a head start on the left turns, ostensibly blocking traffic? The two to three seconds they save is absorbed in the inevitable bird exchange. 0 . . .
Zoo just called. I've made it to the next round. Might have to bust out the Paisley Mickey Mouse tie. Gonna go home and listen to "Animals" by Pink Floyd and maybe watch the real Dr.0 . . .
Cars can truly fuck with you. I'd been tending to mine to keep up with its various ailments, but it fooled me. I was driving home last night on the 290 and noticed a smell. No big deal really bec0 . . .
There is something bizarre about the atmosphere at Bills games akin to Lord of the Flies. There is a strange willingness among people to part with $6.50 for a papercup full of semi-cold Labatt's.0 . . .
Interviewed (as some of you know) for a gig with the Buffalo Zoo doing marketing & p.r. and Web design and other stuff (Basically all the cool things I used to get do for Adelphia). I like to thin0 . . .
First day of school and my younger kids bus was only 20 minutes late, which isn't bad all things being equaled. Darling middle child wanted me to drive them in, as "the morning bus is when a0 . . .
and I believe the J is silent. I've never seen anybody have a good time on the 5K's, 3K's, the Por que's that seem to be prevalent around here. Bullfeathers had their ode to spi0 . . .
Mike & Terry Stock! 3 Days of Peace, Love and Alcohol. Happy Birthday, Guys! Unintentionally, I'm commemorating the occasion by not working today, which given how the previous four days have 0 . . .
Every year, English teachers from across the country submit their collections of actual similes and metaphors found in high school essays. These were the Washington Post over the weekend. Cracked me 0 . . .
Seeing a "Street performer" rummage through the light post trash cans on Elmwood near Anderson for bottles is nothing new. Seeing one tonight looking for bottles on HIS FREAKING SEGWAY did m0 . . .
Part two of my ten part association with the Bills took place Friday night. I like Football okay, but the games at this time of the year are pretty awful. It's the overall spectacle that moves me0 . . .
I'm liking that fact that live cds/albums are getting a little demythologized. It used to be that you'd see some dude at the Super Flea on Walden peddling live recordings at stupidly high pr0 . . .
Got to order this... 0807/WriststrongPostcard0822.jpg0 . . .
Some observations whilst stumbling through another meandering workweek. My younger sister is getting married in October and that's fine. She made a big pronouncement about an unconventional se0 . . .
I resumed my moonlighting with the Buffalo Bills on Friday night. While it was fun, it was a reminder that summer is almost done for all intensive purposes. Ran into a few acquaintances and enjoyed bo0 . . .
Wrapped my only significant vacation on Sunday with a bang. Number One Son and I took off for Woodlawn Beach and I was very surprised in a good way. Bennett Beach is beautiful and the county is wrecki0 . . .
How sad is Music is Art going to be at the fair? Why did MIA feel the need to try and cozy up to the Elmwood Festival when they would have been fine to put on their own thing? If Ch 2 has two do0 . . .
Was out galavanting with my faithful traveling companion yesterday. I wasn't clear where you entered Woodlawn beach & the State Park so we went to find out. It's funny what you can pick 0 . . .
Number one Son and I repaired to the Transit Drive in the other night and it is such a throwback. The minivan crowd is forced to tie their hoods down not to obstruct vision. The staff hands you a flye0 . . .
Gonna see the Underdog/Ratatouille selection. Not my choice, but number one son is with me for the week and he got to pick. His sibilings and their mom are en route to the Michigan Women's Festiv0 . . .
I'm spending the bulk of my time at the Time Warner office in Amherst and I'm trying to find the comedy in the inherent insanity. For example, three separate incidents yesterday: a couple co0 . . .
Knew Monday was going to live up to its name as I was leaving for work. I entered Gates Circle to catch the 33 by Elmwood.. Apparently, coming from the other direction on Delaware the notion of stoppi0 . . .
Didn't sleep very well last night, which there is nothing unusual about that, but I had a big interview this morning. Trotted out a nice light grey suit. Ipod cooperated and played some nice upb0 . . .
For the past six years or so, the ex and I have been splitting the cost of a membership at the Holiday Inn on Delaware. They have a pool club that for a flat rate you get unlimited swimming pool acces0 . . .
My sisters are both long time manhattan residents and probably wouldn't be happy in any other city, each resenting that the other is on their turf. That said, whenever stuff happens they've 0 . . .
I know "Paris" is old news, but this seems like one of the few appropriate takes on that whole embroglio. 0707/Nelsonparisek90719.jpg0 . . .
Took a tour of the Italian and Canal Fests today. The Italian fest is so trapped in time I'm pretty sure they are serving cannoli from two years ago. I had to work it for Adelphia a few years ago0 . . .
I have new found respect for the Philadelphia Phillies. While playing at Colorado, an impressive rain storm blew in and the flying tarp made the news. The grounds crew was getting bitchslapped everywh0 . . .
In lieu of buying coupons and wandering around Niagara Square today, I opted to just spend the same amount right at Fat Bob's to get it fresh instead of from under some warming lamp/torch. It . . .
My daughter tanked her Chemistry final, not intentionally. Part of me did want to give a 1000 lashes but she did pretty well in reversing a trend only to get sniped by the Regents final. Any Tutors ou0 . . .
Wet day yesterday, but I didn't really mind. Fireworks in Niagara Falls are going to go off on Friday and I might drag my guys up for that. Nice not to have cope with work yesterday.Got my other 0 . . .
I've liked my schedule of late. I worked last monday, took 3 days off, worked friday, two days off, worked two day, got tomorrow off. You'd think with all those breathers you;d be refreshed 0 . . .
I think my tortoise like boss is going to be the death of me. My immediate sup needed me for something yesterday but got overruled by her turtleship. She wanted me to head to another office for a day 0 . . .
Saturday in the park. Tough part of climbing the rocks down by the marina is eventually you have to work your way back up 0607/DSCF02580624.jpg Just like me to get in the way of a good sunset, w0 . . .
Just got back from LaSalle Park and starting feeling bleah again. It's been one of those time frames where you're not sure where you fit in the world. Funny thing about LaSalle, there was a 0 . . .
Last post of the day. Any peep out there with a Mac OS X disc I can burn or borrow? I got willed a "Wallstreet Version" Powerbook, but it has no Operating System, hence my need of a cd. L0 . . .
Guess it is one of those opinionated days.... I was just coming down Auburn toward Elmwood. Green light so I was all set to make a swing on to Elmwood when a guy appeared by the treehouse, headphon0 . . .
A Day off......ain't it grand. Was watching part of the today show while waiting for the coffee maker to finishing and pretty sure one of the signs being held up featured "HO" rather0 . . .
The Allentown Art Festival was the same old crap, just without a soundtrack. With Music is Art bullied to Hamburg, you could almost hear crickets on Franklin on Sunday morning. The quote that continue0 . . .
Mama! Tell the scary man to take off those fuckin' sunglasses! 0607/AfricaBonoNene0607.jpg0 . . .
The chatter about the google bot made curious. I searched me on estrip and it yielded the following (I so need a life). Did you mean: estrip mr mike Mrmike's journals on e:strip - Buf0 . . .
Insanely great time at Chateau Ladycroft's on Saturday night. It was terrific to see everybody. Didn't seem complete without Jenks, Imk, or the ever fictional Larson Bros (I think they stopp0 . . .
I've read in a number of journals about getting old or I'm so old at 23 or whatever the case maybe. Old, my friends, is when your eldest child turns 16 as mine did this morning. The previous0 . . .
out of me. There is a danger in ringtones my friends. Among my current ring tones is Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35." You know the song ...."Everybody Must Get Stoned.0 . . .
I had my crappy lil camera with me last weekend in NYC and promptly forgot all about it. No great loss, since we all know what it looks like there. The bulk of e:strip seems to have some familarity. I0 . . .
This is a little old, but after the past day or two at work, it made me laugh....enjoy The Value of a Good Drink "Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I0 . . .
Travel is good. Nothing a long weekend doing all the fun stuff in Manhattan and Brooklyn to guarantee a little renewal. Getting to see it again was a lot of fun. My daughter and I Jet Blue'ed it 0 . . .
My remote post, live from not so colonial Williamsburg. I've been playing tour guide/fellow tourist with my eldest daughter in New York, We've been bunking with my younger sister in the Will0 . . .
Wee-HooOO!! A breather in the nonsense. By this time tomorrow, I'll be safely in Chelsea watching the talented wait staff pour me too much Pinot Grigio with dinner. Been too fucking long since0 . . .
Seeing White House Press Secretary Tony Snow play the flute may have scarred me more than I know. Jumped the gun on Happy Hump Day wishes as many of the complaint letters at TW have been dumped in my 0 . . .
My home base is changing. That would be a wholly unremarkable thing except for the first time in 11 years I won't be based in the city. My whole department is getting bumped all to the offices in0 . . .
Because the Versus network is run by Dewey, Cheatum and Howe, I thought for the benefit of tonight's Sabres game I'd offer up the following info. Tonight's Sabres game is on Versus and 0 . . .
I'm having a hard time letting go of the urge to beat the shit out a music teacher. I'd never thought one would deserve it, but I now know of one who merits such treatment. My kids school0 . . .
Well, that was a fun work week. The Big Kahunas decided to institute a entire new billing system first thing last monday. I got to spend last sunday helping prep the damn thing. It is a decent piece o0 . . .
My kids' school did a neat thing to celebrate the springtime weather. Some parents and kids got together and built a maypole, creating a nice day outside as well as a excuse for a picnic in the s0 . . .
Yo Time Warner/adelphia.net subscribing peeps, It's not an outtage. It's the formal untangling of Adelphia and the restitching of Roadrunner. Sit tight, engineering types should be throu0 . . .
Alright, I know I have a few more miles on me than some of you all, but damn, who knew. Four straight twelve hour days have feeling like the loser in a bar fight. We've been short staffed and 0 . . .
Well, his cup anyway. Occasionally work yields some cool things. The network "Versus" (the cable channel broadcasting the Hockey playoffs in the US for you non-fans) threw a private shindig 0 . . .
In lieu of dinner tonight, and not really wanting to go home too soon, I grabbed my camera and headed out to the marina for a hike. Got to see a few interesting sites 0407/DSCF01710422.jpg Iceburg0 . . .
Like most of us here, I like gizmos, but the bluetooth headset wearing fools are grating on me. I used to not really care that our fellow citizens like to walk around looking like Lt. Uhura with metal0 . . .
I have to work in Lancaster today and the journey did wonders for my morale. I was cruising down the 90 doing 55ish. A doofus in a Toyota didn't think I was properly showing my manhood. He was ri0 . . .
Can't say you weren't warned Lot of death lately. A couple of peripheral people in my life are gone or feeling the effects of losing somebody close to them. That combined with my recent p0 . . .
Interesting take on the whole soap opera, written by an African American Columnist http://www.kansascity.com/182/v-print/story/66339.html0 . . .
Saw the Elmwood "White Lady" twice yesterday and once today on my way to work. Pretty sure I saw the "Buffalo Shall be Judged" Holy Roller outside the Allentown Trading Company thi0 . . .
Having stumbled through journalism school and almost home on the Masters, and generally being a bit of a media junkie, I've had a lot of food for thought lately. Last week's reporting of 0 . . .
Had one this week, a biopsy that is. It turns out to be no big deal, but such a little word can send your imagination out for an impressive walk. My dad-in-law is in week two of chemo at Roswell so I 0 . . .
0407/BunnyDoingChicken0406.jpg0 . . .
This weather blows, but at least we aren't alone. It's 33 in NYC at the Moment and the Detroit Tigers cancelled their home game last night because of single digit wind chill. Shit apparen0 . . .
My younger sister announced that she is getting married on Sunday night. This is a good thing. Her intended is a good guy who genuinely cares for her so all should be well. No longer being kids, they 0 . . .
You know you are getting old when one of the seminal albums of your youth turns 20. I know not everybody is a U2 fan, but the Joshua Tree was a pretty impressive album and one of the last ones I bough0 . . .
Ah, it was a little chilly for lunch outside but a coworker of mine and I cared not. I blame e:chico . His journal about cheap eats got me thinking and we put those thoughts into action. Really good I0 . . .
Got a call from a former business colleague wanting to know if I was interested in the Roger Waters show. He is playing at Darien Lake. Somehow, "Dark Side of the Moon" doesn't seem lik0 . . .
e-ia__1d_rM0 . . .
Second time I've vented a little about a lost soul, but we lost a cool neighbor about a week or so ago. Mrs. B was one of the true groovy old ladies. She wasn't one to stand on ceremony. You0 . . .
Missed the St. Matty's Party to escort Number one son to his awards banquet. The dinner was held at Salvatore's. We got done up in our suits and headed out. Salvatore's is an interestin0 . . .
Watching George Carlin do his complaint department schtick last night got me in touch with my inner grumpy old man. I was in Wegman's and this close to St. Patrick's Day, they can't swi0 . . .
I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days. I took my kids to work and number one son slipped and landed on a buttcheek to start the day. After solving that crisis, I went into work where in0 . . .
0307/Sexybacksnoopyoz1if90310.jpg0 . . .
for some folks in my office. It's been a little manic of late. The poohbahs are training some staff on a new billing system, while others are doing clean up on the overall database, which has lef0 . . .
My little dysfunctional family got together yesterday for brunch to celebrate my ex's turning 44. It was really great. I got to bond a little with my nephew and a good time was had by all. All ha0 . . .
My apartment isn't bad, but the landlord took almost a year to repair water damage in my living room and the sun porch was unuseable during the entirety of last summer. I get a renewal notice tha0 . . .
So, Saturday the ex headed to Toronto for a show she wanted to see. Number one Son was going to crash with my ailing self once more, but the girls were going to hold the fort at the house. I gave the 0 . . .
I think the Larkin Building or Wegman's Chicken Parmegian tried to do me in. I ate the Wegman thursday night for dinner and prepped it just like you should. Felt like not wanting to go to work on0 . . .
There was that report on the news about the doofus who nearly fell into Niagara Falls trying to retrieve his cell phone. I wandered up to see the level of stupidity for myself today. If you go out to 0 . . .
I've been in a "train the trainer" kind of session all week at work. We've been learning a new operational system for Time Warner's computers. Basically, it will hold all cust0 . . .
My car was so grey with road salt that I took it for a bath last night. The Delta Sonic on Delaware didn't have much of a line, so I slid right in. Didn't pay much attention but the "Su0 . . .
As soon as I finish reading the directions, I can mobile post from my new camera. I'm 30 for the 13th time, getting good at it. Fuck, I'm getting up there. Good thing I still got the look0 . . .
For awhile now, I've been lusting after Samsung's version of the Razor phone. I've had Samsung phones for awhile and have been pretty happy with them as phones. Being a little crumudgeo0 . . .
69 confession questions 1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? Someone calling me for work. 2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? all of the time. I used to do0 . . .
Another work related rant, dear reader, bear with me.... I thought my previous position here in the land of cable fun was coming back. Turns out that was not the case. I won a sales contest which w0 . . .
Being a native and having a few miles on me, I wish I could get excited about the 30th birthday of the Blizzard of 77. It was impressive. I made $80.00 moving snow, which was pretty great in 70's0 . . .
I am growing weary of panicky weatherforecasters. At sometime every winter, we go through a stretch of weather like we've got now. Yet, the local weather dweebs broadcast like the apocalypse is c0 . . .
Nothing official, but it was strongly hinted to me that me and my old posting in cable land are about to be reunited. Hafta wake up that section of my brain again. whoo-hoo!0 . . .
So, Hillary's in. Obama's in, Richardson's in, Edwards is in and a really obscure Republican. If the respective fields can have debate for the future instead of arguing the past, that w0 . . .
The deal with Sinclair broadcasting is done. Time Warner and Sinclair got their respective shit together so Homer, Jack Bauer, et al. are all staying put. This was a nationwide thing. Los Angeles was 0 . . .
Bastards! sniff And then my phone rang....warm fuzzy0 . . .
In news that matters to well.....me, I can't get to the latest PMT fest which is a bit of a downer. I seem to be in an every other party mode which I suppose is better than nothing. The monkƆ . . .
Tim Robbins picks out the wrong record. Make me chuckle and wish I was better with audio software. Z47VLFz9NAo0 . . .
Third straight Sunday, I made it back to church. Couldn't tell you if anything happened. Work is so preoccupying little vignettes started playing out in my head about what is to come in the next 0 . . .
No doubt you have noticed the unimaginative, repetitive use of four-letter words in modern insults. In an effort to stimulate cells in the Wit Area of the brain, I am sending some examples from pr0 . . .
Something is on the horizon..... I had to deal with a promotion we ran with the Tennis Channel late last year. One of the prizes that was to be given away was a trip to the Australian open to some 0 . . .
Working for a communications collassus like I do, I can't help but marvel at my state of the art 1998 computer. Ever since I've been there, there has been a web filter to keep you from going0 . . .
It was truly weird. Usually packed with domestic and professional obligations, I had an afternoon off from everything. With camera in hand, I headed down West Ferry until you run out of West Ferry and0 . . .
Made you look. Santa both secret and otherwise smiled upon me this past holiday season and the final straggler came in over the weekend from my younger sister. In the past week, I've come into0 . . .
While we were reveling on Linwood, bad stuff still happens. I called my folks this morning to say Happy New Year. They live in the Harris Hill section of Clarence. After extending me an invite for din0 . . .
T'was a good time at the Estrip house last night/this morning. Thanks again, e:Paul , e:Terry , & e:Matthew . I have high regard for you guys for risking home and hearth for the enjoyment of 0 . . .
1206/1073205442988932261Rs1231.jpg I wonder if the nonsense the other night at the Regal will send more people to the market arcade. Probably not, but it would be nice to see the movie theater su0 . . .
1206/Cookie39041231.jpg0 . . .
Wow, a genuine three day weekend. I needed it. Christmas seems like we still aren't finished with it and years ago at the same time. My kids made out like bandits (spoiled ones, that is). I worke0 . . .
1206/Santa1225.jpg0 . . .
I've developed my own connection to Roswell now. My Dad has been volunteering with one of the labs doing computer help which is cool. On the not so cool side, my ex's Dad who's still a father in law t0 . . .
KGnYw-OuCnI Wanted to make my first link to youtube a worthy one. This has some miles on it now, but it made me smile anyway. Everybody, snoopy dance!0 . . .
Periodically, since my wife and I split, it's felt like I get turned into a human punching bag. Nobody did anything wrong yet the vicissitudes of life come down like bad plumbing. I have daughters 0 . . .
Some different spins of Charlie Brown and a Christmas Story. http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2006/12/11/christmas-specials-youtube-dubbed And a reprise of what if Outkast scored "A Charlie Brow0 . . .
A moment of parental pride to start with, dear reader, my lovely 8 year old had a "Belt Test" in his Tae Kwon Do class tonight. I raced out of work to see it and got there just in time to se0 . . .
As I write this, the ENknot-a-thon is in full swing. Thanks to a confluence of events, my young son called and asked to come over because his sister is having an overnight. Can't say no to that, so0 . . .
I'm not happy 1206/pervert0746.jpg I got a heap of more trivialities dumped on me at work, where a large scale layoff got announced. I have to move my desk set up again and I don't even have 0 . . .
1206/JesusPower2307.jpg 0 . . .
Some random thoughts from a strange day/weekend (aren't they all). I belong to the Unitarian Church on Elmwood. Twice a year they host a "Music Sunday." An small orchestra teams up with t0 . . .
Reminded me of this story. Two boys from Buffalo are playing street hockey when one of the boys is attacked by a rapid pit bull. Thinking quickly, the other boy takes the hockey stick, wedges it do0 . . .
This is worth doing, go click a few cans, peeps CAMPBELL SOUP HAS A PROMOTION FOR EACH CITY WITH A NFL FRANCHISE. GO INTO THEIR WEB SITE AND VOTE FOR THE TEAM IN YOUR CITY. FOR EACH VOTE CAMPBELL'S0 . . .
Never thought it would happen. I love my Ipod and the Itunes store is a lovely thing, but the store is ticking me off lately. They're getting a little more underhanded. I was scouring for a bunch0 . . .
Strange doings. I came out of Starbucks last night to see a little weasel trying to place a parking ticket on my car. It wasn't a city ticket. I guess the lot makes bucks off the bar crowd. I explaned0 . . .
I feel like Dante in the original Clerks. "I'm not supposed to be here today." And there is really no reason except somebody felt like denying. It's been a week full of snubs. My manager 0 . . .
So, let's see. I was headed to the Underground Garage show at the Town Ballroom Tonight but people right and left bailed so I'm alone on that now after two cancellations, so I think I'm cowarding to a0 . . .
All work related -- New pricing structure is in its 3rd day and causing much confusion, befuddlement, and general bumfuzzlement. The upshot is that if you make any changes on your Time Warner Service 0 . . .
Almost monday already. Anybody want to go to the Underground Garage show on Saturday night at the Towne Ballroom? Just thought I'd ask. The NY Dolls are playing. C'Mon, it will be fun. I'll even dr0 . . .
The Buffalo Sabres are a big deal around their league. They are moving the most trinkets in the league at the moment. You know you made it when the new logos are getting photoshopped into stuff. Bein 0 . . .
I'm working in the burbs today, but I spent my lunch hour driving with the windows rolled down and the Ipod turned up. Get out before it's gone ya'all0 . . .
I believe in these difficult and mean-spirited times in which we live there needs to be a message of hope. Just a single image that speaks to us of love, harmony, peace and joy. An image that sugges0 . . .
I just drove past Roswell returning home from dropping my son off at school and it seemed a little weird for a bunch of folks to be outside on a smoke break. Watch out, Roswell peeps -- contradicti0 . . .
My master plan for getting some extra cash is having a bit of a down side. For the uninitiated, I usher at the Bills games down by some of the players suites where things are fairly tame. The colde0 . . .
Jack Davis is so crazy and he'll never accomplish anything if he happens to win. Tom Reynolds is an immoral pig who has incredible clout. You know there is much to worry about when both national parti0 . . .
Hope ya'all enjoyed Halloween 1106/homercandywo21643.jpg 0 . . .
I just returned from a Halloween gathering that may have been a little beyond me. It was centered in and around my age bracket but I had a hard time finding a niche. The ex was there and that was good0 . . .
Just dropped the kids off after a full weekend and thankfully uneventful. I missed the party at Timika's but it was worth it, hearing number one son sing "Kill the Wabbit" after a night of L0 . . .
There was a meeting today were people got to toss out ideas about how we are doing with the outtages and what not. I suggest to the boss that he might want to be on camera more since it would give mor0 . . .
Sounds like a bad South Park joke except it's true. One of the metro woodchippers had been in front of my place most of the afternoon, just the thing to mess with traffic flow on Delaware. It sounds l0 . . .
Only thing worse than being sick is being sick alone. It was a tough weekend. Took the kids out on friday night only to have my son complain about his stomach hurting. Sure enough he erupted saturd0 . . .
Baseball season is finally over. I'm sure the World Series will be good, but I'll take a pass. The most remarkable thing I've seen lately was the catch made by the Mets' left fielder. Young Mr. Chavez0 . . .
I was bored in the darkness alone on Friday..... Drink in hand, I'm sitting in my home office amongst piles of absolutely useless technology having a major geek withdrawl. If you didn't lose power 0 . . .
Wow, I've seen some funky buffalo storms in my time, but this one might just take the cake. It was hard to get an idea as to how wide spread the fun was till later. I was trapped at work until 7:300 . . .
Hey Estrip, I've missed you. Wrote two journal entries the old fashion way with pen. Was without power for two days and still don't have cable back (irony). Hope everybody is safe, warm, fed, showered0 . . .
The Civil Service is trying my patience. I'm applying to take the test for the Deputy Director of Telecommunications. Twice now, I've received vaguely worded requests for more information for on moni0 . . .
Ever wonder how/why you turn up on some people's radars and not at all on others? Just wondering...0 . . .
Stuff........ took the youngins to Voelkers Friday night and had an absolute blast. They all had a great time. The joke I'm telling is that I bowled a 300....if you add all three games together. Ou0 . . .
Sigh.... It was one of those days. I put in extra time working saturday night, thinking the comp time would let me go early every day this week. My boss approved this plan as it would have sprung m0 . . .
Made a dental hygentist nearly cry today. Took my kids in for cleanings. My youngest needed a records appt. They had to do impressions and what not. There are two staff members. One is great, she talk0 . . .
Just got back from Latina's and heard a nervous white woman greet a friend of hers by saying "Shopping in the hood?" christ on a bike!!0 . . .
of an 11 day work week..... I got a call Friday from my old department to help on the Ultimate Tailgate Party on Saturday afternoon. I, at least pretending to be a class guy, reported and stood aro0 . . .
I love dogs. It's the owners that sometimes have a knack for pissing me off, as the pets are sometimes more intelligent than their two legged owners. Not a day goes by that I don't see some moron hold0 . . .
Okay, so Saturday night wasn't exciting, but I have a new found sense of accomplishment! Good night and good luck0 . . .
I know, I know, another one. Well, dear reader, deal. Lord knows I've had to. I did a little mental cataloging. The latest agrese error was forgetting my holiday pay. I've joined the chat at times fro0 . . .
0906/homerbadday3ok3241.gif The sons of bitches didn't pay me for Labor Day. I'm registering for a civil service exam and interviewing for another gig. 0906/moefriendson43241.jpg Beautiful 0 . . .
With a nod toward e:Jenks and her photos, and at e:leetee 's request, here you go, a little piece of that time before most of you were born. 0906/MrMike0919.jpg That's me circa late 1966. Carefu0 . . .
Took a stroll with the youngins to a largely unspoiled spot in the middle of spoiled yesterday. Went to 3 sisters island in the falls. We drove up and parked in the northern Goat Island parking lot wh0 . . .
0906/994599908_s4020.jpg 0 . . .
I know not everybody is a Keith Olbermann fan, but I like the way the guy writes and he delivered the following on his show on this year's 9/11. This hole in the ground Half a lifetime ago, I 0 . . .
I'm a big Sabres fan and for the unitiated the team colors were blue and gold for roughly the first 26 years of their existence. Quinn made the right noises about "returning to tradition" et0 . . .
It's on my mind a little bit, thanks to the regurgitation of the tv coverage. One of those seminal moments that seems like 2 minutes ago and twenty years ago at the same time. Both my sisters are Man0 . . .
but I watched "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" instead. HDNet movies is still promoting an airing of "The Crocodile Hunter." In between work bullshit, I was watching one news broadcast th0 . . .
and I'm spent 0906/homerfunnyfe93609.jpg 0906/homer-simpson-jump3609.gif Here's to hump day ya'all0 . . .
Dropped some stuff off at Amvets today. Before donating, I went in where a 50% off everything sale turned the whole place into a discount lord of the flies, stuff everywhere. Had to laugh at the du0 . . .
Alright, who flipped the November switch?? Friggin Ernesto remnants all over the place. I swear the rain had a sense of humor. I was at my parents during the afternoon and early evening yesterday and 0 . . .
0906/image0012433.jpg 0 . . .
0806/BUSHSPY5223.jpg 0 . . .
What seemed like a very claustraphobic friday & saturday mellowed quite nicely. I think the PMTbirthday/graduation party was the high/slash turning point. I have to work for the cable overlord0 . . .
No, not me (but go ahead if it feels right). I've been nursing a summer cold (pain in the....), and feeling kind of well rode hard and put away wet. I decided to get my crap together and treat myself 0 . . .
It is so worth it. I just watched part one and was riveted and heartsick all over again. I haven't always gotten Spike Lee. but I've always admired him. This is a powerful peace of work and I'll be wa0 . . .
To the citizens of the United States of America: In the light of your failure to elect a competent president and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independe0 . . .
0806/beer_store0014907.jpg "why o why can't I"0 . . .
It's been a hoot, so much so I'm calling in sick. I suppose only four day after a vaca, but I have an excuse. I'm starting a part time thing with the Bills on Game Days. Gonna usher (No security, no s0 . . .
I need to brush up on my photoshop skills to keep up with this guy. This looks even more impressive on the digital press I had access to on Friday for awhile. Dopey, but good for a giggle. 0806/c480 . . .
I received this in an email this morning after exchanging emails with somebody from yahoo personals 3 days ago. I'VE MET A MAN WHO IS PERFECT FOR ME RIGHT NOW........HE LIVES A FEW MILES AWAY......0 . . .
Mister Trouble come walkin' this way Year gone by feels like one long day But I'm alive and I'm feelin' all right Well I run that hard road outta heartbreak city Built a roadside carnival out of h0 . . .
I was cruising along doing errands this morning. Young son was in the back seat drawing merrily away on a magna doodle. IPOD was cranking out hits and I lost myself in Paul Young's "Whereever I l0 . . .
This is dumb, but it made me laugh 0806/Pete3752.jpg 0 . . .
I don't wanna work..... Off until the 14th!! Great day in the morning people. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in the land....0 . . .
When he was leaving tonight, my 8 yr old was scrambling for something at the bottom of my ex's minivan. "here, Dad" followed an outstetched hand. In said hand was a still in the wrappe0 . . .
I hate HR I hate HR I hate HR I hate HR. Papers they should have processed have left me screwed, cheated, frustrated and more than a little angry. I check on them daily to get my new information proce0 . . .
I was secretly hoping Mel Gibson's arresting officer was named Lipshitz. I think the real reason Condi hasn't called for an Cease fire in the Middle East is that the Bush Adminstration is letting t0 . . .
Tis' a strange day. I got to leave work early and promptly went to the pool and sank. Water was about 80 degrees. It was good and refreshing and I'm seriously considering going back. Any takers? 0 . . .
Thursday, my boss said see ya Monday like she does each time she takes off for the weekend. I guess it's good that this is just a job instead of who I am. No more one day contract possibilities (e:jas0 . . .
Made it to the Square first time all summer today -- Openers were awful, but Robert Randolph cooked. Rain kept the food and drinks lines short and to the point. Started cleaning out my desk today f0 . . .
"it's getting better all the time. (Can't get much worse)." I may just be shaking the e:strip funk The winds might be shifting, gentle readers. I finally got my official job offer from th0 . . .
Been checking where I can use a Free Jet Blue ticket to. I'm juggling through a number of factors. The one criteria is I'm looking for something new. Done New York and Chicago so I'm trying to broaden0 . . .
There used to be a commercial from IBM that showed some poor slob riding a tidal wave of paper. I'm starting to relate. I signed a letter to keep me on the payroll back in June and the upshot was 0 . . .
Grabbed my youngins' last night and did the parental thing. Dropped the eldest off at a play at McKinley and took the other two for a quick bite at Subway. We scooted back to the apartment so my daugh0 . . .
Here's the new cable toys coming to your cable box for free in August A&E Adult Swim Anime AOL Music BBC America Cartoon Network CNN Comedy Central Court TV Driver TV Exercise TV0 . . .
I've been logging a lot of travel time on our roadways this week so far for work. Yesterday was a couple of laps to Niagara Falls Offices for stuff. It was largely uneventful, but I'm know a fan of Bo0 . . .
0706/attachment0106.gif 0 . . .
Milk was a bad choice.... Nah, not another self-pitying post. I come to you, dear reader, in praise of pool side pizza and beverage on a Friday night. The look on the lifegard's face was worth it. 0 . . .
I apologize, estrippers. My past few posts have been of the whining variety about the state of work, when it is just a damn job. It's been a tough week and the places I can count on for sympathetic ea0 . . .
Organizational meeting today in front of about 20 people. We each had to introduce ourselves to the new vp. After the round table completed, he made some introductory remarks. He gestured to his new m0 . . .
Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher doing "That's Entertainment" It was the first thing to go right today. I didn't get my mail Tuesday, instead grabbed it on my way to work. Something about read0 . . .
In between death, taxes, and spreading news about death to the family with a side of working in the middle of a silly ass merger, forcing my sisters to grow the fuck up and place, monday found me in s0 . . .
My aunt Lizzie passed away this afternoon. She was 82, quite fond of smoke and fonder still of drink, and had a full ride. We knew it was coming and so did she. She was diagnosed with cancer of everyw0 . . .
If you receive an e-mail with a subject line of "Badtimes," delete it immediately WITHOUT reading it.This is the most dangerous e-mail virus yet. It will re-write your harddrive. Not only0 . . .
I understand life is unfair. Hell, that's the world for you and in the middle of the TW-Adelphia takeover, I'm doing my best to roll with the punches but I'm feeling worked and it has a trickle down e0 . . .
Gotta love people with too much time on their hand. The President never sounded better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdn_AAKusl8 0 . . .
I can see my house from here, well not really, but this was pretty cool. This was the view from the birdseye seats at Holland Speedway last night where the caution flags appeared on a average of every0 . . .
Happy 4th everybody! I always worry about a little about the various fireworks shows that are visible from the thruways because the last thing you need around here are Western New York drivers ooh-0 . . .
You can sure tell who is low on the totem pole by who is in the office today. I have a wicked bad case of "Don't want to be here today." About half of the people who should be in on a Monday0 . . .
I had to be a barely tolerable dad this weekend else I would have made it to the "Three's Company" party for sure. Instead of jello shooters, it was Applebee's and an evening swim and Spider0 . . .
Just another manic monday... I think I prepped for my interview as best I can. I have the list of questions as set as they can be. I have the long list of stock responses properly clear in my mind.0 . . .
It's a little peculiar but I'm taking comfort in that Grey's Anatomy repeats are back on. I could use a little mind candy. Had to laugh a little. I took my son to the pool right before the really 0 . . .
Well, not really, but I'm not dead yet professionally. I just got a call to interview for running a division of the next cable company here. The digital pow-wow is set for Tuesday. So, who knows maybe0 . . .
I love the band but this takes Bono down a deserved peg. Too damn funny. Enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdSUrtFdXUQ0 . . .
On my to do list is check out Al Gore's movie. I picked up the book and if he spoke with this much passion during the 2000 election, it might have made Florida a non-issue. Thanks to e:AJAY, I've gott0 . . .
At least for the moment anyway. I got my bike out for the first time this season. I decided it would be best after getting the bike ready and myself stretched that I might as well get fully back into 0 . . .
1. How did you find out about/why did you become of estrip? By accident, I was meandering around the internet and literally stumbled on to it. A journaling site within my own neighborhood, it merit0 . . .
gave me a Spot card for father's day. Nothing like walking into a meeting this morning with a Mucho Grande House Blend permeating the institutional java everybody else was sporting. A week of doing th0 . . .
This is what happens when your Parent is a Graphic Designer (a parent with a wide range of political and entertaining views) 0606/015339.jpg 0606/025521.jpg 0606/035521.jpg 0606/00 . . .
While trying to coax the Dreamingtree.org website into letting me have the Dave Matthews show from Wednesday night, this arrived in my email: If a dog were your teacher These are some of the les0 . . .
got his Father's Day present early. I've written about my son before, but the daughters sometimes get shortshift and I apologize to them about that. Don't want to be accused of playing favorites. A0 . . .
My dignity was taking a beating today. It was Father Son Day at my son's Tae Kwan Do studio. When your eight year old extends a personal invite, you can't say no. I acquitted myself fairly well. I got0 . . .
I wasn't ready to settle in earlier. I had a bite to eat and hopped in my rust bucket over to the water. I went over to Bird Island Pier and took an post dinner stroll. There's a little incline that s0 . . .
On a recent foray to Becker Farms, I found that there is actually a draw bridge up near Gasport. Here's how to take the picture from your driver seat 0606/000_11123705.jpg And this is what happens0 . . .
A few leftovers tidbits.... My daughter came up to me last night and decided that she and her sister have come to the conclusion that I've been alone too long and they think I need to get a girlfri0 . . .
It just seems that way. I caught a few eyefuls at Music is Art today. These are canvas works that are getting prepped by the North Street Stage. 0606/000_11223409.jpg 0606/000_11233409.jpg 060 . . .
Weekend has been pleasant. All you soccer fans have gotten me paying attention to the World Cup. I had to work a few hours at Music is Art this afternoon, then spent sometime wandering about. I like i0 . . .
Thank you for calling the White House switchboard. Our new voice activated system will help direct you to the proper office." "If you are calling to complain about the mishandlin0 . . .
0606/Untitled2308.jpg 0 . . .
My brother is a source of fascinating adventures. He is autistic, schizophrenic and has a few other ics that have keep life rather interesting. He functions very well and to look at him, you just see 0 . . .
The Davinci Code - the video game????? What the Fuck??? The book was a lot of pretentious badly written drivel. I associated it as one of those books people bought because other people bought. Now 0 . . .
Got the final dinner meeting for awhile -- It might be raining edgefest tickets by the time it's over. If it happens, I'll make proper noise here for the 30 Seconds to Mars fans.0 . . .
My older sister turns 46 today -- It wasn't until I saw the previews for the new Omen movie that all those years of teasing her as Satan's spawn can really take flight (We are that immature). All the 0 . . .
The parade was nice. Pride Sunday and all being a nice thing. I go the parade and to support the ex and her endeavors with a children's group of Lesbian and Gay Parents at the Unitarian Church. It is 0 . . .
Gleanings from a Week that had colleagues serenading me with the Batman theme song: My department was at Chefs yesterday for a lunch with representatives from Playboy television. They were trying t0 . . .
After a full day, I climbed into bed and tried sleeping. About 3 in the morning, I woke up (sorta of) and heard a rustling sound that sounded like somebody was walking on the roof. I knew that couldn'0 . . .
0506/302-fukitol1956.jpg 0 . . .
Glad I got a chance to meet a gaggle of peeps on saturday night. I had a fine time in spite of showing up way too early, and a healthy round of social anxiety (saying something stupid too soon, etc) a0 . . .
While I was waiting for the hordes to come into the arena last night for the hockey game, I happened across these. Metalpeter put the thought in my head with his excellent post on the Guitars for Hop0 . . .
It helps to have things shooken up a little. I've lived here forever and when you do that all your extended family uses the Buffalo residence as a cheap excuse for a Niagara Falls sojourn. I've been a0 . . .
This is a bit of a footnote to my note about business dinners. I was supposed to meet a few people from Turner and my bosses at EB Greens. If you've never been there, and I could never afford it, usua0 . . .
One of the strange extra curricular benefits/activities of my job is the schmooze dinner. This is where the cable network traipses into town and throws a thing for the marketing department (of which I0 . . .
A weekend may have restored my sanity...... I had a thing at Pearl Street tonight that ESPN was sponsoring. It was a lot of fun to go out and laugh, especially under the auspices of work. A few dri0 . . .
My brother and his wife have been going through the newborn adoption process for sometime and their tenacity bore fruit. The birth mom did her part and a new baby is headed home with two nervous new p0 . . .
I did have something nice and unexpected happen this morning. My daughter called me between classes today. "Dad, you have to be at the Sabres games next week?" Yeah, I cleverly reply. 0 . . .
I thought the patronizing insulting events of being undervalued and the crappy dinner at the Chophouse (courtesy Music Choice) could be soothed by an stroll through Elmwoo by night. The answer was no.0 . . .
My current bosses hauled me into an office today, wishing to know where my head was at. I'm still not sure. I suppose I should be grateful for their trying, but they want me to think about being a rov0 . . .
Well, not really, but it's a maybe. My lovely firm is partnering with ESPN for a party Sunday night at Pearl Street. So, I have to work, but at least drink is involved. It's for Sunday night baseball.0 . . .
0506/y_z_BeamMeUp0042.jpg Always thought it ended this way0 . . .
It's been one of those weeks. I've had 3 12+ hour days. Tuesday was no big deal, a business dinner that ended early enough I could still enjoy the night. Wednesday I found myself on Arena duty for the0 . . .
is such a study in Disingenuousness. I'm starting to associate the big ticket restaurants around town by the cable network that takes us there. I believe the thinking is that the if the network schmoo0 . . .
It's true, you can too cool for your kids. My eldest is 14 and in the youth group at the Unitarian Church on Elmwood. My ex serves as one of the group's advisors. Each year the youth take over the Sun0 . . .
Just lost my post Nothing to see here Show's over Move along0 . . .
The recent wave of folks making the leap to 30 got me thinking. I wonder sometimes if we think too hard about the number of our ages in correlation to how we ought to behave. I work with a woman wh0 . . .
(An unintentional present for Jenks's birthday) A man goes to see the doctor and tells the doc that his penis has turned orange. The doctor looks at it and says, "I haven't ever seen any0 . . .
besides something jailable (credit to Bull on the Edge - He sent this to me, it's an interesting take) A man eats two eggs each morning for breakfast. When he goes to the grocery store he pays .600 . . .
I launder. The need for quarters renders a dryer that much less efficient. I wanted the Sabres to play the Senators so I could get a few more days off from double duty. I had to sit in on a t0 . . .
My 8 year old son competed in a very stuffy and packed Tae Kwan Do tourney on Saturday. He took second place in forms. I won't trouble you with the details, but he had to do a routine and it wound up 0 . . .
can sometimes cure what ails you, at least temporarily. Pay day permitted to indulge in new ones from The Flaming Lips, the Goo Goo Dolls, Neil Young and the folkie album from Springsteen. All are sup0 . . .
0406/image0010001.jpg Spot the Monkey! 0 . . .
In the spirit of all those peeps who haven't been getting any, I actually asked somebody out. Actually, I asked her answering machine out for drinks and am still sitting here waiting for some indicati0 . . .
0406/umbergerpow4312.gif 0406/buffalo14654.gif This is fun0 . . .
or it was raining slush out near West Seneca earlier today. The Sabres game was fun last night. They won big and at the rate goals were being scored, joviality was the order of the day. Hug and Hig0 . . .
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I don't have Matthew's photgraphic gifts, but here are a few looks from the Sabres game last night. From the empty arena before it gets started to the sea of people who got to sit, wish I was one of t0 . . .
at the Sabres game. The build up was exciting. The arena had an electicity to it. You could feel the antipation. I've been sort of crushing (How pathetic is that??) on one of the women who works the g0 . . .
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The News is fact challenged.... and they are driving me to drink. Good thing I have a parking space already. With the Sabres in the playoffs, I've had to be king fact checker for how American TV is co0 . . .
FILE NAME: Town Called Malice.mp3.mp3 DESCRIPTION: Paul Weller Acoustically Remakes his own "A Town Called Malice" TRACKING NUMBER: 0444750001145330509 This is on the same cd I got the 0 . . .
I have two of them. They in their own ways are good people, very generous with others, etc, very talented and so on. They just don't seem to like each other much. I suppose siblings driving each other0 . . .
Something about last night's rain (before the winds and whatnot) was soothing. It's like my apartment building got hosed off. The fresh air was a welcome change from the artificial fresh air. It was p0 . . .
George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are flying on Air Force One. The President looks at the Vice President, chuckles, and says, "You know, I could throw a $1,000 bill out the window 0 . . .
Got home last night and it was too nice to just collapse, which is what I mostly feel like doing after work these days. Changed out of my boring work clothes and put on some boring play clothes, stra0 . . .
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While downloading Batman's whupping (Thanks Jenks), I made a contribution to Gather that caught my fancy. It's an acoustic version of "That's Entertainment" by Paul Weller with a little help0 . . .
As I read other folks journals, I find I'm also checking out links that other peeps are posting and I'm finding a goalmine ofcool stuff. You guys are broadening my horizons. That's a cool thing. Estr0 . . .
the world in which I live...... I'm struggling to hang on the job, as the door isn't closed all the way. I'm a hot topic at Adelphia Media Services. The news that I am probably available is grist f0 . . .
It needed to be said, better now. More later0 . . .
0406/matson0507.gif New on HBO0 . . .
Picture of a horrible highway accident in Germany. The picture may be kind of hard to take for some of you. If you look closely you can see what appear to be some survivors of the accident still0 . . .
I'm sort of a jerk of all trades at this gig, but there are somethings that pop out that can be pretty friggin cool. All the adelphia commericals pop up because of some shuckin and jivin I do. It's mo0 . . .
You know the day is wrong when your journal hiccups.... Anybody need a 40 yr old soon to be former publicist/marketer/former techie/lost dj who probably should just go tend bar? Being a grown u0 . . .
Holy cripers! When it rains it pours. I've been slaving away in various capacities for Adelphia, most recently in the marketing department. I've endured the Rigas nonsense, decision-making on an epica0 . . .
Holy cripers! When it rains it pours. I've been slaving away in various capacities for Adelphia, most recently in the marketing department. I've endured the Rigas nonsense, decision-making on an epica0 . . .
I'm a part time parent and it feels weird. My kids are reasonably well adjusted, helps that we limit their exposure to the grandparents (I'm kiddin). I've been separated for almost two years now as am0 . . .
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I was tending to my sick son last night at my place last night so his mom could get to a meeting. While puttering around the apartment, I noticed the dearth of breakfast stuffs, so I figure no problem0 . . .
Sorry, needed to get the St. Patrick's crap off the top of my journal It's been a tough month this week if you know what I mean, and I think you do. I got this in the mail and it made me laugh (I'm i0 . . .
I'm getting old. A really long day on Thursday wrecked me for anything yesterday beyond a couple quiet pints at my humble abode. A few advil later, I'm feeling reasonably back to my old self. My arena0 . . .
I got taken to dinner last night at Fanny's in Amherst by a representative from Playboy. The irony of Playboy liking Fanny's took a little to hit me, until I started smirking for no reason over my cho0 . . .
Irish on Vacation Q: Where does an Irish person go on a vacation? A: A new bar 0 . . .
Back when the band Chicago didn't annoy the crap out of me, I kind of liked the song "Saturday in the Park." Yesterday on Elmwood might have been the setting. I had lunch at the bagel place 0 . . .
0306/abunandponcake5911.jpg 0 . . .
woman My divorce papers came last night. I'd been separated for a little more than two years, pretty amicably, but still the finality of it all still smacks you a little. Most of the wounds of all 0 . . .
It's beautiful outside and I have to spend the bulk of it indoors. I must have pissed somebody off. Here's what's on what's left of my mind....... Not sure about the whole hotel on Elmwood thing0 . . .
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I friggin hate them. Ours are intended to be the one time of the week were the six of us who actually do the work in the department can get together brainstorm and whatnot. That actually appears to me0 . . .
Dinnertime....and my lovely seven year old son asked to hang out for awhile longer before going home to his mom's. Dinner with the boy -- perfect end to a nice day. Slept late, enjoyed a mid day (okay0 . . .
A beautiful Sunday morning. One of the virtues of a eastward facing bed room is that the day is there tapping you on the shoulder, tipping its hand as to what kind of day it will be. Today's sun put m0 . . .
I'm done. It's been a long month this week. I got involved in my first post marriage series of dating and neither one of us felt there was much there there, especially with work clamping onto my ankle0 . . .
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The following is an exchange of correspondence between a customer and Irish Rail: Gentlemen, I have been riding trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be gettin0 . . .
I said "Royale with Cheese" 0206/pulp_fiction32424.jpg 0 . . .
0905/image0012423.jpg Where does George Bush stand on Roe v. Wade? He doesn't care how you leave New Orleans0 . . .
You know you're living in 2005 when... 1 You accidentally enter your password on the microwave. 2 You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years. 3 You have a list of 16 phone numbers 0 . . .
The email these came in said that they are "actual Federal government employee evaluations". I kind of doubt it. But they are funny as hell! Enjoy! 1. "Since my last report, this 0 . . .
You will never play professional basketball You swear very well At least one of your cousins holds political office You think you sing very well You have no idea how to make a long story sho0 . . .
George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening? Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China. George: Great. Lay it on me. Condi: Hu is the new leader of0 . . .
Q: How many West Siders does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: I dunno exactly, but my brother's girlfriend's father's boss' secretary's sister's next door neighbor's priest's cousin's union 0 . . .
does it take to change a light bulb ?????? * Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a burned-out bulb? * 0 . . .
1. Two peanuts walk into a bar. One was a salted. 2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything." 3. A sandwich walks into a bar.0 . . .
A cop was on his horse waiting to cross the street when a little girl on a shiny new bike stopped beside him. "Nice bike," the cop said. "Did Santa bring it to you?" "Yes,0 . . .
Being Irish means... You will never play professional basketball You swear very well At least one of your cousins holds political office You think you sing very well You have no idea h0 . . .
If you can read this whole story without tears of laughter running down your cheeks then there's no hope for you! *Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first t0 . . .
while I was flying" down the road yesterday (i.e., 10 mph over the limit), I passed over a bridge only to find a cop with a radar gun on the other side laying in wait. The cop pulled me over,0 . . .
I'm willing to be that after his "State of the County" address that Mr. Giambra now knows of the sound of one hand clapping. 0 . . .
I'm willing to be that after his "State of the County" address that Mr. Giambra now knows of the sound of one hand clapping. 0 . . .
I do tech support for a local yet national internet provider and there are a few things about that never cease to amaze me. I'm here at work on Sunday morning, little before 10:00 and it is going to b0 . . .
You got to pay attention. I'm learning that the hard way. I'm in the middle of an amiable separation and it never dawned on me to keep on eye on what that means according to the IRS. I set my forms up0 . . .
there will be a blog tonight..... Good evening and welcome to my rantings.0 . . .