"Ice skating at Rotary Rink" written by Joe on estrip.org

Category: winter

12/28/13 10:56 - ID#58504

Ice skating at Rotary Rink

Yesterday (e:paul), (e:terry) and (e:mike) went out to ice skate at the Rotary rink in Fountain Plaza. I don't think any of us had been ice skating in a while.
Skating was super tough with the loose skates and rough ice, but I think we figured it out by the end. Paul tied his laces around the back which made the skates way tighter.

Terry was super good at ice skating just like roller skating. He was was even doing circles by the end (no triple lutzes though sorry).

I'd definitely go again but maybe with skates from somewhere else since these were beat up and so gross (the rental place smelled awful) and smoother ice. Maybe MLK splash pad when its open for skating?

Permalink: Ice_skating_at_Rotary_Rink.html
Words: 134
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/28/13 12:28

Category: love

12/27/13 12:42 - ID#58501

Woof

They're so ridiculously cute.

Permalink: Woof.html
Words: 7
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/27/13 12:44

Category: going out

12/27/13 12:40 - ID#58500

Invites at Cathode

Last night (e:Paul), (e:xandra) and I went out to Cathode while (e:Terry) had game night with (e:Heidi), (e:Dianne), Barb and Cara. We headed out after Alex made us watch this crazy body modification show off TLC (I'll have to post about that later).
We tried to invite tons of people to new years at Cathode but everyone seemed to be just home for break. We did get invited to church though.

I didn't take too many pictures. Paul and I saw the worlds smallest butt while we there on this guy named Frankie - it was so crazy.

This guy had an insanely big beard. Paul hated his shoes.

Random but I heard this song on Terry's pandora the other day and I can't stop listening to it. It reminds me of spring, it's sounds happy. The video is awesome - almost everything in it is a literal interpretation of English idioms.

Permalink: Invites_at_Cathode.html
Words: 175
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/30/13 09:45

Category: programming

12/26/13 12:58 - ID#58496

Arduino and WS2801 LEDs

The other day, (e:paul) and I spent an hour trying to get the WS2801 LEDs working with the Arduino. They kept glowing on one LED, either full brightness or red and green. We thought it might have been library we used or the LEDs being defective, but it turns out there is an input and output side of the strand and we had it reversed. I seriously can't believe we missed that. Now they're working, fully addressable and ridiculously bright. For future reference - make sure you're always inputting into the right hole.

Side note these LEDs outgas so bad they make me sick.

Permalink: Arduino_and_WS2801_LEDs.html
Words: 112
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/26/13 10:03

Category: holiday

12/26/13 12:00 - ID#58495

Christmas

After the half-day and shopping, I scrambled to think of gifts for Mary and Daniel. I ended up giving Emily a sock monkey scarf, Daniel an Arduino so I could teach him and 3D lion painting, and Mary a super soft blanket with candy. I went to my parents for my family's Christmas party. The usual family was there for a good time and a lot of good food/cookies. The best part probably was playing Cards Against Humanity - my great aunt Shirley would say absolutely anything while Emily would make other people read cards for her.

The next day, (e:paul) and (e:terry) and I woke up and exchanged gifts. Paul got me a bunch of fancy peanut/almond/cashew butters, and Terry got me a cheese club subscription and these awesome red corduroys. I am going to die of clogged arteries looking good. I got Terry some new paddles for the canoe (that are long enough for us to use), and Paul a fox handled serving tray plus a dog bed to lay in front of the fire.

After that I went to my parents house again to do Christmas there. My mom gave us and all the siblings a really cute photo frame with these old postcards of Buffalo in them. We have the Peace Bridge, city hall and an aerial of downtown.

I also got this 90's puffy ski vest that I love. We napped and ate the rest of the day before watching Silver Linings Playbook for the 10th time. I feel ridiculously full right now. I'm back home and the living room smells so bad right now. I called Sarah and we are catching up on the phone a bit before bed.

Permalink: Christmas.html
Words: 329
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/26/13 01:08

Category: work

12/25/13 02:10 - ID#58490

Half Day

Today was a half day at work for Christmas Eve. I loved being able to ride home while it was still light out. On top of that, I started on new project today involving wastewater treatment plant upgrades that I'm actually looking forward to.

After I got home (e:paul) and (e:terry) and I headed out to iron out last second gifts. I'm such a bad gift giver, which I thinks stems from me hating shopping so much. I almost didn't have anything for my siblings but I kind of lightbulbed in the last hour on what I wanted to do for them, which I think will work out great.

The pumpkin continues to decay especially after (e:mike) deflated it by stepping on it. There's a weird trail of pumpkin juice down the porch now and it just keeps flattening further. I wish we took a timelapse of it, it would be amazing.

Permalink: Half_Day.html
Words: 175
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/25/13 02:10

Category: holidays

12/25/13 02:01 - ID#58489

Natasha's Christmas party

The party the Monday night at Natasha and John's was real fun. It was awesome meeting them. (e:terry), (e:xandra), (e:Heidi) and (e:Dianne) walked over together. I don't remember the names of all the people I met but I'm sure I'll see some again.

The food was so good, especially the mac and cheese, vegan chili and of course the cookies. (e:terry) brought this 8% beer which made the night a little crazy but that is okay. We finished the night with a walk back and a stop at Nietzsche's before Terry and I made it home.

Erin's baby/picnic basket

Permalink: Natasha_s_Christmas_party.html
Words: 122
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/25/13 02:03

Category: food

12/23/13 01:13 - ID#58483

Rachel's Mediterranean

I had lunch today with some of my coworkers at Rachel's Mediterranean on McKinley Parkway in Hamburg. The topic of today's lunch revolved mostly around sack-tapping weirdly enough. I always saw the Rachel's on Delaware near Chippewa but had never been there. This new location was a lot like a Chipotle-type restaraunt but with kebobs, wraps and rice bowls.

I got the falafel wrap which had good falafel and tahini, but almost too much of pita compared to the filling. It was around $7 bucks. I'd definitely get it again, but I'd rather go to Shish Kebob Express or somewhere cheaper for the same quality I think.

The weridest part were these three bros who came in with open Four Lokos. First of all who drinks Four Lokos on a weekday noon and second of all brings them out to lunch?
Maybe I'm just jealous (not of the four lokos).

Permalink: Rachel_s_Mediterranean.html
Words: 161
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/23/13 01:30

Category: food

12/22/13 04:47 - ID#58481

No more candy

I think it's time to give up candy. I thought I was doing well a while back in terms of giving it up but its crept back into my life, even when I'm eating healthy otherwise. Just look at all the junk food we have, it can't be good for you. Not to mention it's so expensive. Once this is gone I won't be replacing it.

Permalink: No_more_candy.html
Words: 69
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/23/13 01:30

Category: holidays

12/22/13 04:20 - ID#58480

Capitalist pig holiday weekend

A good chunk of this weekend was taken up by being a massive capitalist and going Christmas shopping at all the big spots - the galleria, Viddlers in East Aurora, the Boulevard and Hertel. I went with (e:paul) and (e:mike). (e:terry) was sick and I think he would have wanted to murder us by the end anyway.

It definitely would have been way too overwhelming if it wasnt for Paul and Mike.

The galleria was crazy, especially JC Penny's. they were clearing out all this weird Martha Stewart food for a dollar including eyeball gumballs? This woman handing out coupons came up to Mike and Paul asking if they were brothers - then said they had a picture of them in the back. There was also a fiasco with the checkout desk and a bottle of (d)rapes on the counter. Paul let them know which was probably a good idea.

Mike's dream nativity set

Fraggle Wig

Martha's Eyeballs

Drape Jar

Satuday morning we went to Viddlers - it was packed. Still full of so much cool and weird stuff but I think all the fumes and outgassing gave me a headache.

Wasn't depression food really bland and nutrient poor?

Just why?

Then we got back and ate at Saigon Bangkok on the Boulevard. I love their fried tofu and pumpkin curry.

We almost died getting up to Trader Joes and the Christmas Tree Shop. I've never been there before, it was like Joann Fabrics and Dollar General had a baby together.

Santa pooping jelly beans - the perfect gift for everyone on your list this year

We also stopped at Premier. Although I ate their amazing baked cheese last time I refuse to have anything from there again. They never needed that tax break to move from Kenmore so fuck them.

On the way back we stopped on Hertel to get a few more gifts including the House of Olivies. They had this amazing Meyer Lemon oil I tried. I can't believe we got so much done, it was exhausting for doing absolutely nothing.