http://estrip.org The estrip.org Site Last 20 Journals en-us Copyright estrip.org Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:10:13 EST Elmwoodstrip paulsidekick@gmail.com http://estrip.org/elmwood/images/rss.gif http://estrip.org 88 31 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=metalpeter&id=49180
With out giving to much away I liked the movie. I guess I'll do a list
1) Old Classic Cars
2) Violence
3) A good story line
4) Johny Depp (dosn't look right) and other good actors
5) Good Music
6) A love Story
7) Dialouge
8) Over 2hrs

Overall I kinda think it is a love story with good drama and a lot of action, I don't mean blowing things up, it is a gangster movie. I also really like a few lines in the movie. There are some other things I liked but to say what would give stuff away.

Hope everyone has a great holiday. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:59:44 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=metalpeter&id=49180 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=paul&id=49179 This picture was from the back of the beer Delivery truck near kunis.
(enknot) mentioned it looked like a Warcraft ad for beer which I
though would be perfect for (Terry)
]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:51:47 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=paul&id=49179 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=jason&id=49178
]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:54:12 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=jason&id=49178 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=uncutsaniflush&id=49177 http://estrip.org/articles/leetee/49087.html and not seeing the nicer side of them. Well today, I did.

The previous administrations of our house left us with evergreen shrubs and landscape timber in our front yard. I got rid of the shrubs a couple of weeks ago. And today's project was getting the landscape timber into the backyard so I could decide what to do with them.

The previous admin's used round telephone pole like timbers. As I was struggling with a timber pretty much as tall as me, our neighbor (the male part of the couple Lettuce wrote about) came out and asked me if I needed help. This was a very pleasant surprise.

By that time, I was covered in dirt so I asked him "Are you sure you want to? You'll get dirty" He said that he didn't mind if he did.

So he helped me carry one from the front to the back. And in the middle of carrying the second large timber, my bad shoulder popped. We got it to the backyard. And I told him I would deal with it some other day. I didn't want him to do all my heavy lifting.

I thanked him for helping. He said it was just a small thing. I said to me it was more than just a small thing and that I really appreciated it.

Given everything that has happened, it was a very pleasant surprise that he would take the time and effort to help me.]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:11:59 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=uncutsaniflush&id=49177 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lilho&id=49176
I have also learned to enjoy being alone which is something I used to fear.

Its a good feeling peeps!

Plus I snagged the cutest navy heels last night from my favorite French boutique Target for only 8 dolla!

Amazing.]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:16:43 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lilho&id=49176 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=heidi&id=49175


]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:52:59 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=heidi&id=49175 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lukamagnotta&id=49174 I have alot of great ideas for movies.. I have been speaking with some producers and they agree. Its fun being infront of the camers but id like to try directing. Maybe Western New York lol





]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:28:40 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lukamagnotta&id=49174 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=theecarey&id=49172
Speaking of down.. I'm down for some sushi.

almost anywhere..

but have any of you been to Ichiban?

It is on Sheridan, I believe.

I rarely remember the name as it is supposed to be said as I usually call it, "itchy bum" whenever I hear it.

I was there once, sort of recently. (pyrcedgrrl) took me there at the conclusion of a long thought out decision. 'Sushi Therapy'' is always a welcome gesture. Of course, I would like to go back under more relaxed conditions.

I used to go to Kunis (of course) and some others whose names allude me. Oh, and Koi, at the Casino (good friends, good times, damn, so much time has passed). Havent been there in a few years though.

Last several months had left me grabbing food when and where I could. Not a whole lot of dining out at interesting and yummy places. Overall, I prefer to cook or cook with someone, or have someone have me over for dinner.. but finding somewhere to eat is always welcome too.

ok, enough about food!

So summer stuff planned so far:

* I've got a camp out that I am attending at the end of the month at a friends country property. I need to double check my camping supplies!

* There are some TAT concerts I'd like to go to, along with ones at Art Park and Molsen Canal Series (is that the name?), that is now in Lockport. I think Our Lady Peace is this Friday. I need to write this stuff down.

* There are a few movies.. not a fan of going to the theater, but heading to the drive-in once or twice will be fun, along with a couple if IMAX flicks (Harry Potter- finally!) (NOT Transformers!) I have an Ice Age movie ticket that I hope to use soon.

* swimming, hiking, biking, long walks, the usual active fare- preferably a few planned outings with friends, but I often head out solo due to my spontaneous & adventurous nature.

*photography jaunts

* chilled out good times with friends, old and new.

* camping again.. but somewhere such as Green Lake out in Syracuse (and maybe Allegany, Letchworth, or Stoney Brook come late summer, early fall- love camping in the fall, but lets not think that far ahead!).

* visit my families country home in Esopus then head to the city home for a couple of days. Need some H&H bagels!

* maybe a spontaneous jaunt for bagels (or whatever-i'm not bagel obsessed, just fun to go some distance for something kind of random- doesnt have to be food, either. mmm) before then. I enjoy destination-less drives more than a pre determined one, but I am open to anything.

* might have a garage sale.. but only one day, two at the most. I keep saying this, but it is not something I am enthusiastic to organize.

What else should be on my list?

der.. (ladycroft) and (rory) shindig! WOOOO cant wait!

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:26:15 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=theecarey&id=49172 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=joshua&id=49158
In my last entry (carey) mentioned the thought about not realizing or understanding those things that might make someone feel like the lil' ol' hypothetical me is hard to approach. I can't get my head around that, I've never really considered these things before. I'm painfully shy with ladies and I'm usually prone to scurrying off.

OH SHIT. Sly & Family Stone - Thank You just came on Sirius - fuck my blog. Nite guys!



]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:46:34 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=joshua&id=49158 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=kookcity2000&id=49146 I am drunk and sorry abot that and I miss the whole stinking lot of you.

I am in washington dc tonight but I am expecting to find myself in wonderful buffalo ny tomoeeow night for some TAT actiones.

I will be happier than a goat eating cans if I run into anyone tommorow. otherwise I will just post more often then every 4 months ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:21:12 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=kookcity2000&id=49146 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=vincent&id=49145 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:10:01 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=vincent&id=49145 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=oda&id=49144
So many updates. The nursing school thing sucked. So I ended up quitting school, even though I had good grades and was more than halfway through. The life in the city, not for me. I found a good man, got married last October and we started an organic farm in Holland, NY this year.

I really, really like this lifestyle. I like working outside. I love watching my vegetables grow. I love Mark and I love being married. It wasn't something I dreamed about or really planned on, but it's way better than I would have thought.

We live in the barn on Mark's family's land. I like almost everything about living in a barn, except that we don't have a bathroom. I hate getting splashed when I use the outhouse, and I miss taking showers so much more than I ever thought I would; sponge baths just do not compare.

We just started to sell our produce at the Holland farmer's market, two weeks ago. So far we have sold radishes (they sell like crazy!), escarole, kale, collards, swiss chard, and arugula. This week, we've got tons of peas, so it's going to be our first big week.

I hope all my friends out there are doing great! I haven't looked at the sight for years I think. I was just inspired because Mark ordered a digital camera last night. And I thought, hey, I should get back in to blogging because then I'll at least have a use for the camera!]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:49:55 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=oda&id=49144 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=mrmike&id=49141
]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:33:59 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=mrmike&id=49141 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=dimartiste&id=49140
I do apologize for such a late notice. I am hoping the picture of the invitation will post.]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:37:00 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=dimartiste&id=49140 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lauren&id=49139
To begin, what I think I mean when I say "beyond" is that beyond Michael Jackson as an individual, a human being (which I will get to) he, unluckily for him, represents only the beginning of the generation of tabloids, paparazzi, sick and sickening interests and obsessions with mega-celebrities and pop cultural icons. I think he was an easy target. A target, I mean that. Why we as culture, and I mean this both globally and the U.S. specifically, need to find outlets for our hatred, our disgusts, our sick fascination with people we believe to be different from us, I do not understand. I see Michael's body, his face, his heart as a dumping ground for our own self-loathing. How cowardly are we when our target is someone we cannot touch, yet secretly wish to so badly. We yearn for a taste of Michael's fame, his gigantic person even as we despite and chastise him for it. But there are many mega-stars these days who this can be said about, but none come close. None come close. Why Michael?

We all know the allegations. We all know the stories that start from him being so young. So young. A human being, center stage for all the world to see. A human being who everyone thinks they know, they know it all. Children in his bed. Bleach on his skin. Hundreds of plastic surgery operations and now, now, drugs. Overdose? He was just tired. Just so tired. But what can any of us know of the pressure, the all see-ing eye that watches every move, but can never see it all. How does one maintain any for of sanity through such a hailstorm of criticism, of hatred, of allegations and fingers pointing, pointing, screaming at you. If it sounds dramatic, it's because it is.

And then I think. Why now? Why this out pouring of love now? Millions of people expected at his funeral. Where were the fans last week, last year? Would it have mattered to him? I don't think so, because that is not the type of love that makes a human being feel loved. We wonder why he loved children so much. I don't. I doubt that there were many adults who could be around Michael truthfully, honestly and free from misconceptions, assumptions and expectations. Children, I think, gave him that. Gave him his humanity through their innocence, their honesty, their ability to be outside of it all. This discussion of course merits another...and although I am hesitant to participate in it, I will. Do I think Michael Jackson was a child molester? No. I don't. Do I think Michael did somethings with children that could be considered child molestation? Yes, I do. I will not speculate as to what happened, but I will say this. I do not think that Michael ever, ever intended on hurting, physically or mentally, the children he had in his care. I think that he was mentally ill and that his actions were the result of his own upbringing, and his inability to understand and respect cultural norms of behavior. That we would expect him to do so, I feel, is unrealistic, because we as a culture have been expecting him, always, to not be normal, wanting him, demanding him, to be otherwise. This does not make what may have happened ok. What it does is, I hope, make us realize that Michael was simultaneously victim and victimizer.

This brings me to a point that has been in the forefront of my thoughts, one that makes me nervous. Makes me question everything. I think that Michael Jackson was, or would have been, a gay man. I am scared to say this because first, so often homosexuality, particularly in men, is equated with child molestation, and I DO NOT wish to imply that this is the basis for my assumption. What I do think is that Michael grew up not only in a family where homophobia was rampant, but also in a culture where, no matter how many leaps and bounds we make, faggot, cock-sucker, and pussy are the worst insults one can throw at a man. I also think that Michael's youth, where one begins to understand and explore sexuality, was filled with mixed signals and hazing sessions into heterosexuality. From early on I believe that Michael showed signs of femininity, gentleness and the like, all of which pointed to his father that Michael may not be the heterosexual man he was supposed to be. Chances are, Michael began hiding his sexuality before he even understood what it meant.
Related to this, I believe Michael suffered from body dysmorphia and, as a result, anorexia. These types of mental illness are, I think, much more common in gay men. I can't help but wonder why, while everyone was so focused on Michael's nose, his skin, they never, or rarely commented on his ever thinning body. They called him frail occasionally, but I have heard only once or twice over the last few days the mention of an eating disorder. Would people be so quick to chastise him if they considered this? I don't know.

So I return to my question. Why Michael? I will not hesitate to say this. Michael was a genius and unfortunately, so often what comes with genius is torment. You cannot hold that kind of genius in your hand. The music, the videos, the dancing, the performer, the clothes, the everything, all combined and never stopping. You simply can't touch it, but we all tried. We are all still trying and will be, I think, for a long time. What I hope people will begin to realize is that his genius was genuine, human genius. Fragile and powerful and alive. I am so torn between what I hope is true, honest respect for Michael in his death and the ever increasing media storm that is surrounding his family at this time. What I can say is that you can see now that even in his death, Michael is bringing people together, dancing and singing in the streets. Dancing and singing in the streets.
]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:05:29 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=lauren&id=49139 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=deeglam&id=49138
Anyway, in other news. I leave for Arizona tomorrow night to see (lilho). I am so freakin excited! We are doing spa time, staying in a sweet resort with a lazy river, going to do some shopping and just rest and relax with one of the coolest chicks I know. I am quite excited. A few days away from Buffalo will be great too...

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:31:20 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=deeglam&id=49138 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=rory&id=49132
7307 cigarettes not smoked.

QAR2,190.00 and 1 month, 25 days, 19 hours of your life saved.

I think I deserve to be proud of that achievement.]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:25:17 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=rory&id=49132 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=drew&id=49131 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:10:59 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=drew&id=49131 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=businesscheese&id=49130 (hodown) stopped blogging, I haven't felt like it much either. Also, I've been busy writing my stupid thesis.

Anyway, last week after hearing the news that MJ died, I headed home from lab, had dinner, and then Eamonn and I got sucked into the excessive media coverage on TV and the interwebs. Around 10pm he said, "Is this what we want to remember doing the night Michael Jackson died?". No. I suggested we hop on the A train and head down to the Apollo, where an impromptu block party had been building since the news broke.

Here are a few of my pictures from the celebration. There was a dance off between the little kid and the old man, plenty of good people watching, and a huge group sing-along in front of the theater where hundreds of people sang Billy Jean, Black or White, and Beat It in unison. Magical.















]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:31:32 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=businesscheese&id=49130 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=mike&id=49126 (libertad), (paul), (terry), (matthew) adn (james) and had a good time all in all despite i have a general hatred of nature adn walmart and I had to be around both. But rafting was super fuN! Anywho so I realized how bad i eat when here is what i had for the day

Breakfast: skipped it
Lunch: cheese sandwich with mustard
Hiking Snacks: lots and lots of cheetos and some mike's hard lemonade

Here's where it gets worse
Dinner: chicken club and french fries from wendys
Kenmore Days Fireworks Snack: french fries with nacho cheese and bacon
After Going out to Frizzys 4 am snack: french fries with blue cheese

Yup the majority of my food on saturday was french fries and the various accompnaying cheeses! I LOVED IT!]]> Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:59:20 -0400 http://estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=mike&id=49126