"brushed nickels" written by Fellyconnelly on estrip.org

Category: moving

07/11/07 12:04 - 77ºF - ID#40049

brushed nickels

god this computer is slow.
i was going to upload a photo of the kitchen that lauren and i just spent crazy back breaking heat stroke inducing hours painting, but the photo is huge, and this computer is slower than snails racing in the mojave. also this shitty computer chair almost unceremoniously dumped me directly into the shaky computer desk that i'm sitting at. which would have resulted in horrible horrible things.

Missing Image ;(

that should bring up a big fat red X.

i would go ahead and upload it elsewhere and resize it, but that would take most of the morning/afternoon.

the interview went okay - though i was given a phone call as i was pulling into buffalo monday afternoon that it had to be rescheduled for that evening. thus i was unable to do much of the last minute research that i had intentions of doing. it went okay, though he repeatedly asked me about my graphic design and video production background. wasn't i at an interview for cell phone sales?

anyway - hopefully it went well, though i'm really concerned about having an apartment/bills/etc and no job as of yet. i have to keep telling myself it will be okay.

the painting was HELL. hot. i have a hugeeee bruise on my leg from straddling the refridgerator (don't ask). our kitchen now has a new floor, a lovely set of cabinets in the color of 'chocolate sparkle' and the walls are a delightful color that we have deemed to be magical as it shows up grey, blue and green depending on which wall/light/angle you have. we are currently debating on whether or not we should have a brushed nickel color for the hardware on the cabinets or a black. i personally like silver, though after looking at the cabinets i'm unsure.

I have been asked by lauren to inquire as to what everyone thinks is the fastest way from elmwood ave to UB north campus. hmm?

we were leaving last night, passing the bidwell park (is this right?) and saw a gathering. it made me wish i wasn't going back to new paltz. i suddenly realized that it was the first time i'd rather be somewhere else than new paltz and it made me an odd mix of reminiscent/sad/happy/eager/etc.

anyway - thanks for all the well wishing! i need to get some laundry done!

fellyconnelly writes at 04:26:02 07/12/07 - Comment #20711: first of all, you all made me smile with these responses. i'm still getting used to using 'the' before road names, and it makes my insides all warm and fluttery to see all of you say it. and no i'm not picking on you, i really mean it!

i'll be sitting at home with my 48 page map of buffalo tonight and this page of delightful travel tips!

and no james, it wasn't quite gulag labor to paint the kitchen in that heat, though lauren did get a bit testy, what with the whippings and all...

and i can't wait to check out the concert series, if nothing else than for the opportunity to sit in the park and people watch...

and paul - my friend's computer is really just an old dell. not sure what type... just old and slow... and i'm so used to using all the fun and exciting programs on my dell xps that do everything in a heartbeat that i've never bothered figuring out the other, easier resizing methods... what say you?? (thanks!)

paul writes at 09:19:44 07/12/07 - Comment #20693: What kind of computer are you using? I can probably write up a tutorial for this. There are plenty of ways to resize images in about 2 seconds. Uploading somewhere else is a huge time waster if you are just trying to resize a huge image.

tinypliny writes at 09:18:51 07/11/07 - Comment #20677: Hey! I was in that gathering! It was a concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the concert series by the Elmwood Village Association. I think one of them clicked my totally un-phOtOgenic monstrosity of a face and I am living in terror about when its going to spring up on one of their websites and give visitors nightmares.

jason writes at 12:56:48 07/11/07 - Comment #20655: I used to take the 198 to the 190 to the 290 when I drove out that way. It's the highway, it's easy, there are almost never any cops on certain stretches of the 190, and I'm too impatient/groggy in the morning to deal with stop lights.

You can also take the 198 to the 33 to the 90 to the 290. I don't like having to wait what sometimes is FOR FREAKING EVER in the morning at that light on Parkside. Merging into the lane to get you onto the 33 is also sometimes a pain. Plus you can't speed as easily as you can taking the 190.

I've never tried James' Delaware to 290 method, although I'm interested to know exactly what time it takes using that route. My beer store of choice has changed from Premier to Consumers so I don't really have much of a reason to drive down Delaware anymore, except to go to Gordon's once a week to have a beer or three with some friends.

Now, I work on Grand Island so the choices are limited. 15 minutes drive to work! Not too shabby.

mrmike writes at 12:41:32 07/11/07 - Comment #20652: Tuesdays at Bidwell....good times. Wait till outdoor movies by the unitarian church. I work near ub and no matter how I get to work, it takes 20 min from Elmwood to these parts.

james writes at 12:27:40 07/11/07 - Comment #20650: the heat was horrid yesterday. It was impossible to do strenuous tasks like walk or breath. But painting in this heat must be akin of gulag labor.

UB north campus is a fun drive. My tenure at UB gave me about three dozen ways of going. If you dig highways and merging I recommend turning left on West Ferry to the end, make a right and go to the highway next to the river. Follow that to the 290 and get off at UB.

But I hate that way.

Going up Delaware to the 290 is my favorite. You pass banks, groceries, and our giant liquor/gourmet food store Premier. So you can get there in about as much time as the highways take and get chores done.

mk writes at 12:21:15 07/11/07 - Comment #20649: unfortunately there really is no quick way to get to UB north campus. though (e:anne) would know better, i would guess it will probably take about 15 mins to get there.

i would say the 198 east (which is right off elmwood if you go north) to the 33 east to the 290 west and then either getting off at Millersport or the 990. it may be longer than other ways but it's probably the most direct.

that's my two cents.

Permalink: brushed_nickels.html
Words: 407
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: randomo

07/08/07 10:00 - 76ºF - ID#40016

it was the spring chicken salad...

note to self:

you are within months of being 28. drinking large amounts of alcohol of any type for twelve hours while playing in the hot sun may make you feel like ponce de leon discovering the proverbial fountian, but does not make you feel youthful the next day.

although maybe my next post about the party will have a slightly more enthusiastic review. i'm going to lay down some more now for now.

ps im driving to buffalo tomorrow morning. tuesday morning i have job interview. i return to new paltz tuesday night/weds mornin. how much painting you think we are going to get done?

Permalink: it_was_the_spring_chicken_salad_.html
Words: 106
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: drinking

07/05/07 09:01 - 74ºF - ID#39931

jello factory

i've been running around like crazy trying to get everything together for my going away party this weekend. its very exciting. i'm making jello shots tonight....

i have lemon drops (lemon jello and vodka and a splash of extra lemon)

strawberry/vodka with little pieces of cut up strawberries in them

blue berry/vodka

pina colada (pinaplle jello with rum and topped with cream of coconut)

rum and coke (black cherry coke with rum and coke and a maraschino cherry inside)

and i think that is it so far... i am officially bringing jello shots to the next level. i thought of halfing oranges and making jello shots inside the halves and then slicing it like an orange... that would be fun too..

anyway... i need to get started on this... times a wasting!

lilho writes at 07:27:41 07/11/07 - Comment #20671: that all sounds so seriously good! hot damn!

metalpeter writes at 07:17:00 07/06/07 - Comment #20481: Hope the party was awesome. See I the thing with Jello shots is if you make them with all alcohol and no water they can really kick your ass quickly. Sometimes all you can taste is the jello. One thing I have heard is that you use the same flavor jello as the vodka and then they taste more like that flavor. Also since they are small people tend to think there isn't much alcohol in them but often that isn't the case.

fellyconnelly writes at 11:24:19 07/06/07 - Comment #20460: ooo...i bet there would be all kinds of neato jello flavors there!

james: i heard the astral dogs name was sirius. but i guess that would have been too easy.

i know that jello shots have been given a bad name by frats and younguns. i'm just trying to kick it up a notch and add some class to the whole thing.

that and i think its funny when people are stupid enough to think they are harmless and then we find them laying under the porch in piles of their own vomit and blood. :)

hodown writes at 10:27:14 07/06/07 - Comment #20459: I am totally impressed by your jello shot making technique!

jenks writes at 10:39:18 07/05/07 - Comment #20453: wow... that's, like, gourmet jello.

You are SO invited to my next party.

james writes at 10:34:54 07/05/07 - Comment #20452: Did you know that it was invented by a pan-dimensional astral dog named Rufus?

See, I can make up facts too uncut!

oh... I clicked the link and what do you know? My bad, sorry.

uncutsaniflush writes at 10:16:09 07/05/07 - Comment #20451: Did you know that Jello was invented in Western New York and that there is a Jello Museum in Leroy not far from Rochester? :::link:::

Permalink: jello_factory.html
Words: 134
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: moving

07/03/07 11:44 - 71ºF - ID#39907

just can't wait to get on the road again

well we made it there!

somehow we managed to move the entire truck into the apartment in the matter of about 20 minutes. chalk it up to excellant packing, but wow... it all came together great! my 14 year old nephew carried all the heavy stuff.

(e:chico) - thanks for stopping by and bringing us beer! it was delicious and well needed by the time we got back and sat staring at the mounds and mounds of our belongings in the middle of the living room! it made us feel great!

(e:james) - sorry we didn't call you for the jello wrestling. it was over in an instant. who knew that a forty pound monkey could overpower a full grown goat that quickly?

and then we drove another 6 hours back to new paltz. gone already, i know...

and now it is late and my spinal cord has fused into one large question mark. i finally wrenched my fingers from the steering wheel and i don't think they will ever straighten again. 20 hours of driving in 5 days. my car and my body hates me.

happy fourth of july everyone! i'll be at work tomorrow, resting....

thanks again!

Permalink: just_can_t_wait_to_get_on_the_road_again.html
Words: 196
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: moving

07/02/07 12:32 - 59ºF - ID#39885

praise jersey~

well.....

i'm officially a couch pet. staying with kathi unil i'm fully moved into buffalo. there is something extremely discomforting about it all.

more importantly

jersey was amazing. delightful. swell sweet. delicious. oh my god did i just say that about JERSEY? i have problems.
no really we went to the beach and had excellant drunken times.

i'll mention just a couple highlites.

1. found out what happens if you do not put sunblock on evenly. i look like i have red camouflage (sp?) skin on my chest. very hot let me tell you.

2. it was interesting to walk behind my group of big dykes on the boardwalk so i could fully appreciate the gawking of all the meatheads. also drinking beer in the bathroom on the boardwalk when i clearl y didn't need any more.

3. kathi fell asleep on the beach and we have a lovely photo of her sleeping on her chair, all alone except for the random dude-bro that offered to take his photo with her. when we finally showed her later she was thoroughly amused.

4. in my drunkeness, lynda and i had a good ten minutes of interpretive dance which i may or may not post the video of when i get my camera cables back. it was moving.

5. waking up and driving home exhausted with a hangover and sore muscles from fighting with ocean waves yesterday.

i'm sure there is more but i'm half dead. but here is the real news. the uhaul (budget truck) is loaded. sitting back at my former residence waiting for me to come pick it and steven up so that we can head out. 8 am which means maybe 2 ish we will be there? did i mention that i'm in pain?
and hung over? i just took a 3.5 hour nap.

buffalo? i'll see you soon!

Permalink: praise_jersey_.html
Words: 303
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: moving

06/28/07 01:38 - 80ºF - ID#39835

tick tock tick tock tick

times a tick tockin away!
tonight after work begins crunch time.

everything we own is getting moved to the garage. or to kathis. tomorrow morning lauren and i will be wrestling with the hoardes of ny city folk who are all on a mission of mass exodus of the hot and steamy city in favor of the ever so pristine jersey shore (sarcasm? noooo)
spending the weekend at the beach with a ridiculous amount of assholes i'm sure. but hey, sun and ocean and a free house a block away from the shore? sure.

i intend on mild inebriation throughout the weekend.

ending sunday morning, when we again will be facing the hoardes of (holyshiti'vegottagobacktowork)
in time to get lauren to work
and me to the budget rental truck
and then pack all night

monday afternoon, you will see me, there in buffalo
i'll be the one swearing under my breath at the 47 boxes of books(bricks) that have lauren's name all over them.

here we go!

chico writes at 03:16:34 06/28/07 - Comment #20220: oops, posted that last item to the wrong journal entry, my bad.

maybe you should take Lauren's books down the shore with you?

hmm. it seems some posts are best kept separate.

chico writes at 03:14:26 06/28/07 - Comment #20219: I have a book problem, and it's worse than Lauren's. My old friend Joe was in town for a visit recently and he reminded me that we moved over 75 boxes of books into my office last August, and I have to admit that I just moved another 15 (different) boxes from my old place to the new digs. Having to move multiple dozens of boxes of books is a good way to test friendships, haha.

Of course, the problem with selling/giving away books is that, unlike weeding a garden, you might end up missing the "weeds". My buddy Tom in Albany once weeded his library of books he felt he "never used" and subsequently spent the next year or two going to the shelf to look for a title that -- sure enough -- he'd sold or given away in that weeding frenzy. His advice: NEVER weed your library.

So I guess I'd say, 47 boxes of books -- a pain, yes, but what is life without pain, after all? And better the pain now than later. :-)

fellyconnelly writes at 03:08:16 06/28/07 - Comment #20218: (E:hodown) just the thought of NYC in this heat makes my skin crawl... i don't envy you....

(e:james) - lauren will NEVER sell her books. even if she never reads a single one of them again. and being that she will soon be attending grad school for a degree in that which requires enough books to put encyclopedia britannica to shame.... oh i might have just gotten a little depressed just now...

and dammit why isn't that pic of steven coming up?

james writes at 02:47:09 06/28/07 - Comment #20217: Before moving I decided to sell 1/3 of my books. Amazon payed for my moving expenses and our security deposit. So, with that volume in mind I have an idea what you are in store for. God speed.

hodown writes at 02:07:13 06/28/07 - Comment #20216: Im totally jealous. Its so hot an miserable in NYC right now. Even if the shore is gross, its better than nothing :)

fellyconnelly writes at 01:52:02 06/28/07 - Comment #20215: oh and by the by....
stephen
[img]0607/StevenAndLauren0603.jpg[/img]
will be accompanying us!
i'm trying to imagine what 6 hours in the car with stephen is going to be like... probably just crazy...

Permalink: tick_tock_tick_tock_tick.html
Words: 167
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: fwuffy

06/26/07 04:23 - 91ºF - ID#39815

cuuuute with chris

Permalink: cuuuute_with_chris.html
Words: 7
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: pain

06/24/07 05:41 - 82ºF - ID#39795

grumble grumble

my throat hurts.

which sucks. i don't enjoy that very much. i thought that was supposed to end when i quit smoking. that was 9 months ago.

i think we have made a decision to move on the 2nd. so if anyone wants to stop by, we will be there. moving. and then we have to get back in the car and head back to NP on the morning of the 3rd so that we could go back to work. lovely, eh?

anyway, i need to go close my store. i think i'm going to go home, get ice cream and then nap.

ice cream + sore throat = mildly complacent.

Permalink: grumble_grumble.html
Words: 108
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: randomo

06/23/07 12:08 - 65ºF - ID#39783

my grandpap made dandelion wine

i drank a little too much blue moon last night...
but luckily i started out the day snuggling with a purring kitten... unless you are (e:paul), there is no way a bad day could start out with a purring kitten!

lauren just went out to lunch with her ex boyfriend... i wish she would hurry back with some food...

so my question is this...

what is everyones favorite hot spots around elmwood? (and i don't mean for wireless internet access)

coffee spots?
cafes?
bars?

there is a place in NPZ that has the greatest food ever....

and I need to find a similar place..

also... i have a menu for 'just pizza' and noticed dandelions on several menu items... what is up with that? buffalo doesn't seem like the type of place to go all hippie tofu on me... whats the deal people?

ummmm yeah thats all for now.

oh wait....
one other question: is amy winehouse is really a white chick?

leetee writes at 07:58:16 06/23/07 - Comment #20064: Holy mother of... how could i forget Saigon?!? It was the first restaurant (e:Uncutsaniflush) and i ate a meal in after moving to Buffalo 2 1/2 years ago! (e:jenks), thanks for the reminder. They have some good eats there... yummm...

Buffalo has a plethora of very good places to eat, not just on the strip. We have been known.. *gasp* to drive out to the 'burbs to eat food.

Our latest discovery is Zhang's Buffet, on Union near the Walden Galleria Mall. They have pretty good sushi and made to order stir fry.

theecarey writes at 05:15:32 06/23/07 - Comment #20060: purring kittens rock. Stopped at a landscape nursery yesterday, and two older kittens demanded attention and a lap to nap on. I sat down an obliged-- what else was I to do?

You wont be hurting to find food places around WNY--all kinds all over the place. On elmwood, among all the other places peeps mentioned, I dig Louis Hotdog joint--Yummy turkey burgers, sweet potato fries. Jims Steak Out is always good at 4am..

Coles- good food and micro brews! (on Elmwood)

venture a bit further out to Pearl Street Brewery- great bar and grill.

hungry now..

fellyconnelly writes at 05:02:20 06/23/07 - Comment #20057: FOOD APLENTY! yay.

and hi baby!

james writes at 04:15:27 06/23/07 - Comment #20053: When I go back down state to visit my folks (they are just north of Westchester) what amazes me is that a mom and pop restaurant serving alright food costs about the same as some of the most wonderful restaurants in Buffalo.

So, don't be afraid to go to places like Left Bank (amazing French/American) or Toro (a tapas bar) or Betty's (brunch never had it so good). You wont find much off beat or new cuisine here, but good food is aplenty.

scarlette writes at 02:55:46 06/23/07 - Comment #20051: Hi baby!

fellyconnelly writes at 02:41:57 06/23/07 - Comment #20049: wow! you guys all rock, in case i haven't told you that before.... so much info... Crazy!

there are hookas @ sahara grill??

i really did know that amy winehouse was a crazy drunken white chick from britain, i just was incredulous. but 'drunk london white version of lauryn hill' is probably the best description i've heard yet...

i remember seeing 'spot' in my drives - i can't wait to hang out in the coolest place until they realize that i'm not really cool and they kick me out!

i love the bistro in new paltz. i will be so sorry to see it go.

and i guess i'm going to have to take the plunge and try these crazy dandelions...

thanks again for all the info!

paul writes at 01:48:20 06/23/07 - Comment #20043: Ya, as (e:leetee) said dandelions are traditional italian food, you can find them made into many different types of dishes in Buffalo and the Dandelion greens are available at almost every grocery store.

jenks writes at 01:36:54 06/23/07 - Comment #20038: yep, amy winehouse is white. my BOL called her "a drunk london white version of lauryn hill", hehe.

I agree with everyone on the recs...
falafel bar is great. Sahara grill not as much so. Panos is 'eh', but I'll go. India gate- cheap buffet on wed night, and daily for lunch. Saigon cafe (thai), right next door, one of my faves. Solid grounds great breakfast. Bistro europa is good too, great wine list. Toro [neo-tapas], faherty's- good too. (no food at faherty's.) Globe is good for takeout lunch.
Spot is the 'social' coffee place, aroma a little quieter.

elmwood bars... there's coles and goodbar up towards 'my' end (north)- goodbar has a good beer list. as does coles. but i rarely go to either. then the faherty's/toro scene. I like allen st, too. Then there's a bunch of stuff on delaware, not too far away- colter bay, stillwater, and now the snooty fox [anyone been there yet? i haven't, but i've heard good things.]

joshua writes at 01:18:20 06/23/07 - Comment #20034: Globe Market - I like the food and they have Teany teas, which I love and haven't found anywhere else around here. They also have a gourmet shop in there as well which is interesting to look at, but I've never found myself interested in buying any of it.

BTW what a neat spot you have there in New Paltz! The menu looks cool.

Pano's I love - but then again I love mimosas and a little brunch on a sunny Sunday morning. Pano's is legendary, the food is good and the owner is a great guy. If you like Indian food, a local favorite is the India Gate near Forest on Elmwood - they do a lunch buffet and I like their samosas. You'll find a ton of things to check out and decent variety right on the street. I can't really say anything bad about any of whats available. There is a new European-style bistro called Bistro Europa which I hear is good, and also Mode (used to be Le Metro) on Utica and Elmwood is alright - I just checked it out last week and had a decent sandwich. Falafel bar - no frills and fabulous - near Bidwell on Elmwood. In the summer you may be interested in the Farmer's Market - local produce and products like fresh honey, dairy, loose leaf teas and other things. Lots of good looking berries if thats your thing for $4-6 a quart.

Spot or Caffe Aroma for your coffee - IMO the mochas at Caffe Aroma are better. Spot does have decent sandwiches, wraps, cold salads, etc. - if I'm up early enough on the weekends I head over and get a "Mike" which is ham, cheese and egg on a bagel with some aioli. If you like cookies with your coffee or tea I think Spot has some decent selections and all of them are good. Caffe Aroma serves alcohol and Spot doesn't.

I hear Solid Grounds is good but I've never been there. Its close to where you are going to live, so check it out and let me know =D

Pizza - you are sandwiched in between two good ones - Casa Di Pizza and Just Pizza. I love Just Pizza but it can be pricey. La Nova is another favorite and they have some frickin' great BBQ wings.

Bars - tough to say. For some offbeat fun (and if you don't mind chain smoking locals, which is illegal here and goes unenforced) then I would check out The Pink and Hardware, which are on Allen. Further down Allen towards Main St. you'll find Gabriel's Gate, which I love, and even still further down the street you'll see a selection of gay bars. I've never been in them so I can't attest to their quality so you may want to ask Paul or someone else which ones are better. On Elmwood the bars aren't bad but tend to attract suburban idiots who can't find any culture in Clarence or Williamsville. If I just want a drink and am trying to fly below the radar I go to Cole's (great beer on tap and in bottles!), McGharrets (hippiesh college age to twenty somethings bar, absolutely no frills and isn't for everybody), Faherty's (I know the bartenders but this bar does attract said suburbanites), Colter Bay and in general the Allen St. bars.

mike writes at 12:55:09 06/23/07 - Comment #20032: sahara grill has terrible service. I like the food, so take out is a better option but I have never had a good experience in the restaurant itself!

leetee writes at 12:45:52 06/23/07 - Comment #20031: :::link::: that should be the link to Globe Market. I forgot a space and the link didn't work.

leetee writes at 12:44:14 06/23/07 - Comment #20030: Yeah, Amy Winehouse is not only white.. but British!! Go figure, huh?

Lots of folks 'round here like Globe :::link::: as a place to lunch. Personally, i think the staff there are morons and the food is overpriced pap. But who's to argue with popularity?

Spot :::link::: seems to be the place the cool people hang (hence why i'm very rarely there) for coffee. Their tea selection is not too bad, the desserts i've had there are decent. I hear the food is good, too, but i haven't had any.

I hear Solid Grounds has great breakfast and lunch...

My fav food place on Elmwood is further north, between Potomac and Bird, Falafel Bar. Small place, but good mediterranean and great falafel. Some people like Sahara Grill better(might be the hookas, not the food though?), but the service there is the world's worst. Only go if you have a day to wait for your salad and think that misogynist assholes make good restaurant owners.

Hmm... this is getting wordy... well, what can i say? I'm a fat chick foodie...

As for dandelions -- in these here parts, that's more of an old school Italian thing than a hippie vegetarian thing. So no worries about Buffalo beomig a hippie town.. whew, eh?

mike writes at 12:25:23 06/23/07 - Comment #20029: haha dandelions are not hippie tofu here, they are a very italian thing and one thing buffalo has an abundance of is Italians and their eateries. Though i actually tihnk you could prolly eat pretty well hippie tofu style here if you wanted too.

Permalink: my_grandpap_made_dandelion_wine.html
Words: 166
Location: New Paltz, NY

Category: randomo

06/22/07 01:10 - 67ºF - ID#39763

stick your beef between two buns....

yesterday i spent about a half an hour filling out an online resume / questionairre for cingular. they called this morning and wanted me to come in for an interview.

umm... sorry i don't live there yet...

but the fella said to call him when i made it to buffalo and he would set me up with an interview.

SCORE!

anyway, i managed to deposit approximately 16 envelopes filled with resumes and sparkly clean delicious cover letters with addresses of many different sprint/nextel/cingular/cricket/etc addresses on them. I sent none to verizon as i have beef with the verizon store here in the mall.

did i really just say that i have 'beef' ?

anyway, in hopes of attracting all kinds of star wars lovers that may open up said envelopes, i was sure to affix a lovely star wars stamp on each of the envelopes. I saved Darth Vader for the Sprint store.

its going to be tough juggling all the interviews i'm going to have, and even tougher deciding which company deserves me the most...

sigh*

I just invited my boss and his wife to my going away party, and lured him in with the seduction of 'drunken slip and slide' he was panting with excitement.... at least that is what he said.

tonight i;m going to kick back with a 6 pack of blue moon and enjoy me friday night... just wish i could get out of here now.