11/16/04 10:53 - ID#23244

Florida: What's the big deal?

I'd like to start by saying this is NOT about the presidential election. now that we have THAT out of the way... let's continue.

So my coworker keeps swinging by my desk and saying to me, "I'm going to Florida in 10 days, I'm going to Florida in 10 days, you're going to wish you were there instead of here" -- the funny this is, i won't.

i really have never had a desire to go to Florida -- (perhaps key west, but that's practically another state). There are many reasons for this, but the first ones that come to mind are: i hate humidity, I'm not crazy about high temperatures, mosquitoes piss me off, and i don't like sitting out in the sun for prolonged periods of time. not to mention the state's shaped like a wang (may be a plus for some, not for me).

so tell me, why would i be envious? the only reason I'm even writing about it is because he's been talking about it SO MUCH, I wanted to vent without raining on his parade.

Permalink: Florida_What_s_the_big_deal_.html
Words: 179
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/12/04 12:29 - ID#23243

Okay Paul, so how's this suppose to feel

Rush Limbaugh, a long-time Mac advocate is also a Sidekick user. I already had a problem with him being on "my team" -- but now this?!! Next thing you know, he'll be drinking Fair Trade coffee and driving around in a Toyota Prius -- that still doesn't make him any less of a blow-hard.

So I don't know how this is supposed to make me feel? It's kinda like finding out that Santa Claus is a member of NAMBLA, except the other way around.

Permalink: Okay_Paul_so_how_s_this_suppose_to_feel.html
Words: 84
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/11/04 02:20 - ID#23242

thinking in black and white

[inlink]ajay,182[/inlink] yup (e:ajay),

you make a good point. it's getting more difficult to see that most things have underlying subtleties, and are not just ""one or the other" -- that being said, I fear that we could see the libraries closing down and the bureaucracy STILL bloating. Why there are so many people with so few results is beyond me.

As far as my other comment goes, I have a very pessimistic view of our area and your average Buffalonians. My feeling is that they could give a crap if the libraries close down as long as their beer is cold, chicken wings are plentiful, and Sunday games are not blacked out.

signing off.

Permalink: thinking_in_black_and_white.html
Words: 115
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/11/04 10:43 - ID#23241

The sad state of Buffalo and Erie County

I'm sure we've all now heard that there is a good possibility that Buffalo's public libraries will shut down after January 1, 2005. Just this last Wednesday, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra had mentioned in an interview that he had not heard from residents about his "red" and "green" budget proposals. The "red" budget would be the one that would call for the closing of all libraries. The "green" would keep them open, along with other public services, but would raise the sales tax by another penny.

I used to see libraries as nothing more than large collections of antiquated books; filled with card catalogs and smelling of musty encylopedia volumes.
But since I've moved back to Western New York, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has become one of my main haunts.

Our libraries are a wonderful resource. Not only do I have regular acess to books I could otherwise not afford, I also have access to a collection of movies and music that rivals a store like Media Play. And with the convenience of internet access to the library's catalog, I'm able to search for and reserve items only moments after thinking about them.

The library would not only be a pity to lose, but it would put a shame on the people of our county if we were to let them close. Are we at a point where the community cares so little about culture and education? Where are our priorities? What kind of city has NO LIBRARIES?!!

I wonder if there would be more public outcry if the city was losing its beloved Buffalo Bills instead.

If you think we're headed in the wrong direction, I urge you all to contact your representatives

and tell them how much of a mistake you think this is.

As for me, given the choice I would gladly pay the extra penny on the dollar.

Permalink: The_sad_state_of_Buffalo_and_Erie_County.html
Words: 321
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/09/04 06:15 - ID#23240

Right or Rong

I saw a comment left of IMDB from a guy who represents Protest Warrior.com

and decided to look through his site. It was fairly well laid-out and organized and it PISSED THE FUCK OUT OF ME!!

Everything on the site is very far to the right -- the more I read it, the more I had issues. Why can I not just look at material from both sides objectively? I want to be able to have an informed opinion, I want to be able have a discussion with (e:jason) without getting all flustered (not that we've had ANY conversations yet). It's too easy to just stand by your opinion and say, "I'm right in what I say and all who oppose me are wrong" -- much more difficult to listen to the other side to make sure you believe what you believe for a reason.

That being said, I STILL think the Tax Cuts are a load of BOLLOCKS and will give any money that I get to someone who REALLY needs it. "Jump start" the economy, my ass. Trickle down THIS!

ya see, I can't help but rant... i'm what you call a yellow-dog democrat (meaning: i'd vote for a yellow dog if it were to run on the democratic ticket).

perhaps i'm angry because the "Protest Warriors" went to san francisco and essentially mocked the protestors there. ugh.

Permalink: Right_or_Rong.html
Words: 236
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/04/04 12:43 - ID#23239

GOP does not spell God.

(e:kacey),

In regards to your questions about gay rights in the United States, [inlink]kacey,33[/inlink] -- all I can say is that it saddens me that homophobia (or fear of any alternative lifestyle) has become an accepted bigotry.

oh sure, it's fine for people who want to be entertained (I'm guilty of being hooked on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" myself) -- but for some reason the "moral majority" gets totally threatened when they are confronted with the fact that these are real people with real lives.

Why do these people feel that marriage needs to be defended (an overwhelming amount I might add if you look at the results of all the gay marriage bans that passed*). All that I know is that I'm your typical white-bread hetero married with one kid, one cat and a station wagon -- and gay marriage does not threaten any of who i or my family are. why the hell would it? how COULD it?

The "moral value" argument doesn't cut it -- it makes more sense that many religions originally demonized homsexuality because it wasn't conducive to procreation. this was back when people weren't living much past their 40's. At that time something needed to be done to rebuild the population and religion was the best way to spread that idea. But that just isn't the case any more. Why do people not see that?!! Enough, we have enough people. Gay people are born gay, let them live their lives that way. And yes, they do make DAMN GOOD parents (having known more than my share of gay couples).

I'm very sorry -- but things WILL eventually change and this will be seen in the same light as racial segregation. And I too am nursing the wounds that this country has left by now naming this guy the "Popular President" -- oy!

*it should be noted that many of these gay marriage bans INCLUDED civil unions. Something that isn't as widely known.

Permalink: GOP_does_not_spell_God_.html
Words: 331
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/03/04 01:11 - ID#23238

My final fall ride...

I decided to post these pictures in the midst of a crazy election that is leaving me STRESSED. Not to mention WKBW's Julie Fine's voice is as annoying as a newscaster's voice can get! Try pronouncing words out of something OTHER than your nose there Julie! Seriously, Ack!

And now, my tranquil ride:

self portrait: idiot staring at bails of hay

Blurry Leaves

Newstead/Clarence Bike path

Yeah, I don't know who was steering the bike in this pic. It wasn't me!

Permalink: My_final_fall_ride_.html
Words: 90
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/29/04 11:13 - ID#23237

It would be funny, were it not true...

It seems almost comical (and in any other situation, it might be) that there have been so many blatant attempts to misinform "undesirable voters" (read: anyone who doesn't agree with the religious right) [inlink]ajay,168[/inlink]

What's strange is that someone showed me this from "The Onion" just yesterday

Permalink: It_would_be_funny_were_it_not_true_.html
Words: 57
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/28/04 05:59 - ID#23236

Billionaires for Bush

[inlink]paul,2319[/inlink] -- well, (e:paul), I'm not entirely sure (as I haven't seen any of them around here), but I think that the Billionaires for Bush is part satirical, part performance art, part protest against the fiscally conservative right-wing.

I'd equate their tactics to what the Guerilla Girls

have done in the past -- trying to draw attention to their message by spoofing what they disagree with. Or whatever. That last part I just pulled out of my ass.

Permalink: Billionaires_for_Bush.html
Words: 83
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/27/04 12:59 - ID#23235

Transylvanian Concubine...

Anyone go to the Rasputina show this weekend? I had a chance and wasn't able to go b/c my son was sick as a dog. I've been listening to this group more and more (thanks to the wonders of iTunes network share -- i swear people don't give Apple enough credit) and I think I'm getting to a point where I want to truly immerse myself in their music.

Yeah, I may look like a total white bread on the surface... but truth be told, I identify with the goth side so much more... and nothing says ennui more than a couple cellos and a driving beat.

Permalink: Transylvanian_Concubine_.html
Words: 108
Location: Kenmore, NY

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