12/02/08 10:13 - 29ºF - ID#46929

Senator Higgins

Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenigan backs Brian Higgins for Senate.

Here is the money quote

After beating back a well-financed Republican effort in 2004 and winning a seat held by Republicans for 12 years, Brian Higgins has become an electoral force to be reckoned with in Western New York, even winning a resounding 75% of the vote in a three-candidate race in 2008. Higgins' victories reflect an impressive ability to win votes across the 27th District's geographic strata. Liberal urban communities in the City of Buffalo, moderate suburban Buffalo areas and conservative rural communities in Chautauqua County don't have much in common -- but they all voted to send Brian Higgins back to Congress in huge numbers. This is the appeal Higgins has, and what he can bring to a statewide ticket.

Higgins' tenure in the House of Representatives indicates a depth of knowledge of the issues of concern to Upstate residents and a willingness to fight hard for Upstate's economic interests. During his first term he waged an unprecedented campaign for Western New York when he took on the New York State Power Authority, which for decades generated vast amounts of electricity in Western New York, only to ship it to other communities. Higgins won a record financial settlement to keep Power Authority revenues in Western New York and to dedicate them to waterfront development, which had been ignored for decades by the existing power structure. This fight -- at its core -- was a fight for forgotten communities in New York State. It is a record -- and a message -- that will resonate with voters statewide.

The Governor he has many great public leaders from which to choose to make this appointment, and at the end of this process, I am confident that Governor Paterson will appoint a Senator who will serve all of New York's residents well. I simply believe that an upstate voice is critical at this point in time, and I believe that Congressman Brian Higgins is the right person at the right time.

Hell. Fucking. YA!

Permalink: Senator_Higgins.html
Words: 342
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/30/08 09:01 - 35ºF - ID#46893

Senate

A week or so ago a certain Senator resigned to take another office. He took with him another Senator from Delaware. And on Monday he plans on pulling yet another Senator from New York.

GOP, take note. This is how you unseat powerful Senators: you let them win elections.

Permalink: Senate.html
Words: 49
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/28/08 12:04 - 35ºF - ID#46866

How To Communicate

There is no ulterior motive in my mind when I do it. But I just can't help myself. The way I talk to gay men is by flirting. I don't do this intentionally, but every gay man I talk to is, after a fashion, flirted with no matter if the subject is shoes, Russian iconography, or the prostate and its many, manly functions. This week for example.

My mother is sick (but doing very well) and has been getting visitors a lot. Her parish priest, Father Dennis, stops by a few times a week. He is perhaps the gayest gay who ever gayed and he is wonderful for it. We were chatting about Baroque art when it hit me, was I talking about Bernini's sculpture because I liked it or because it was sexy? And while I am interested in everything that is sexy I do feel like I subconsciously chose an artist who could only see spirituality in sex. The ensuing conversation about Caravaggio and decapitation went much the same way.

Then today my cousin Robert and his boyfriend Nelson came by. At one point I was chatting about S&M furries. That isn't a subject one just arrives at after meandering through several topics. Guys, you are both great guys but I totally wasn't being incest/home-wrecker weird.

I can't help myself. It is just a default setting. Oh, is that an old lady? Let's talk about canasta leagues and Haddock recipes. Is that a gay man of any age, relationship status, or linguistic background. Let's chat about anything scandalous. To all the gay men out there, I apologize for my uncontrollable instinct. Except you (e:Jim). We got a lot out of that instinct together.

cheers

Permalink: How_To_Communicate.html
Words: 290
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/26/08 02:20 - 34ºF - ID#46852

Vacation

I'm breaking up concrete slabs. Of course, I'm on vacation. Why can't I be breaking up concrete slabs at a time I could be working?

Permalink: Vacation.html
Words: 25
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/23/08 01:29 - 32ºF - ID#46807

This. Is. AWESOME!

Behold, musical group The Protomen's first video in their opera based on...

wait for it...

wait for it...

MegaMan!

Permalink: This_Is_AWESOME_.html
Words: 26
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/18/08 11:58 - 28ºF - ID#46738

All the World is Rotten

There is no more pleasure left in the world. Everything is just a shadow of what used to make you happy. Turn on the faucet to slake your thirst and ash pours out. Close your eyes for sleep and you will only dream of the grave.

And why?

Because Thomas Kinkade is making a movie.

The Painter of LightTM is directing Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage. Which stars... Peter O'Toole? Seriously?

This makes me like two things much less
1)Christmas
2) Peter O'Toole

This is based on a true story in which an old, reclusive painter takes on a young painter under his wing. Making this movie a big ego masturbation session for Kinkade. Grind out a big one Tommy. Just don't shoot your load all over our holiday.

This is not the first monstrous bastard child between Kinkade and anything else. Take a look at this painting.

All that is left is to pray for a quick death.

Permalink: All_the_World_is_Rotten.html
Words: 167
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/17/08 11:44 - 27ºF - ID#46729

Princess Di Funeral ReMix

Chris Morris, as I have said before on this site and others, is a genius. I just found this clip from his show Jam in which he remixed the funeral service of Princess Diana.

Favorite line: "We pray for the royal family as they discharge their members."

Permalink: Princess_Di_Funeral_ReMix.html
Words: 57
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/16/08 09:51 - 36ºF - ID#46702

They Just Don't Get Buffalo

There was a piece in the Friday Times about Buffalo's architectural history and our future. I just don't think the authors understand a damn about our city.

1) There are some very significant large structures, yes. Darwin Martin, Richardson complex, all great. But the gems of Buffalo are in the homes where Plebes like us live in mansions. The omni-presence of beauty was missing and the author did not get it.

2) Richmond Avenue is not "one of Olmsted's grand decaying parkways". If there have been any successes in Buffalo it has been on Richmond. I can't think of a home that taints the whole avenue with the air of decay.

3) The author thinks that the Mayor's plan to knock down 5,000 is a failure of the preservationist movement. However, they do not mention Buffalo Re-Use will get to sack these homes for architectural goodies like stained glass, copper pipes, etc. Nor does the author mention that 20% of the homes in the city are vacant and will always be vacant. There are no plans in the works for a revitalized economy that will fill those homes. There are some plans to revitalize the neighborhoods in which they are situated. But we just do not have the resources to restore 18,000 homes and we do not have the people to put in them.

blah!

Permalink: They_Just_Don_t_Get_Buffalo.html
Words: 219
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/14/08 02:54 - 63ºF - ID#46689

Welcome to My Evil Twin

Deven Green does my favorite series on youtube. She just uploaded this one and it fills me with happy.

"Now will him over here with garbage-bag eyes!"

Permalink: Welcome_to_My_Evil_Twin.html
Words: 34
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/13/08 09:32 - 54ºF - ID#46682

OMG I MUST KNOW!!!