08/16/15 07:13 - 78.ºF - ID#60163

Weekend at Brushwood

We went down to Brushwood for one more time this summer to hang with (e:Heidi), (e:dianne), (e:libertad), (e:xandra), Tanya and Jonathan, and to celebrate (e:flacidness)'s birthday. Unfortunately I still have a non charging phone so there are few pictures.

It didn't rain at all like it was supposed to. The first night we hung out and played with some fiery devices. Sparklers look cool but are difficult to get pictures of.

The second night was also fun but leaned more towards being a shitshow. I spent a lot of time with (e:Paul) and (e:Terry) walking around watching the meteor shower, and the rest chilling by our camp's fire.

For the record, the didgeridome sounds freaking cool. Paul and I just stood in the field listening to them talk and riff in time with the digieridoo. I want to go visit them next year.

Permalink: Weekend_at_Brushwood.html
Words: 155
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/17/15 12:09

Category: space

08/13/15 01:15 - 61.ºF - ID#60161

Perseids meteor shower

I'm down by myself at Wilkenson Point watching the Perseid meteor shower. Earlier (e:terry) and I were searching for shooting stars in the back yard but onlu saw faint ones. Every once in a while I see an awesome bright streak make its way above the lake.
Click to load live map

I wish I could capture them somehow but I don't think it's possible without some DSLR long exposures.

Too bad there's so much light here, including the parks themself which are supposed to be closed. Luckily I rode by the security guard and he was just sleeping in his car ;)

All of the lights from space, in a low res pic

We saw so many stars in West Valley this weekend. I can't wait to be out even further on Jabe Pond where you see forever. Sometimes I wonder how bright the sky could be in a super really dark isolated place out west - like in Flagstaff where they have an observatory on a mountain ((e:Terry) and (e:Paul) went to school there). Or the middle of the ocean.

Permalink: Perseids_meteor_shower.html
Words: 188
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/13/15 02:29

Category: environment

08/13/15 12:53 - 60.ºF - ID#60160

Paper hoarding

The Red Jacket building is having asbestos abatement which include's the Allentown Association offices. I think I'm more concerned for them about the banker boxes of old paper they moved to the window today. Paper stresses me out.

Permalink: Paper_hoarding.html
Words: 42
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/13/15 01:29

Category: music

08/11/15 01:07 - 69.ºF - ID#60159

Years and Years

I have fallen in with this band called Years and Years after hearing (e:terry) play their album for the millionth time. I think I listed to their album three times today and all the songs are pretty bumping. I can imagine Terry singing most of them in my head.

The lead singer is also one of the gays, and a few of their songs reflect that. Pretty neat.

Take a listen. Just playing then now makes me want to dance in the living room.

Coincedently enough they are coming to Toronto this September 14th for only $20 CAD. Tickets are all sold out though ;(.

Permalink: Years_and_Years.html
Words: 130
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/11/15 01:25

Category: tech

08/10/15 11:53 - 68.ºF - ID#60158

Bitcoin ATM

I went to Ashker's (yum!) today with (e:paul) and Patrick in his truck (blech!) I can't wait to see if the one at Ferry and Main actually opens.

While I was there, I noticed they had a Bitcoin vending machine. I've never seen one in real life, and this one looks kind of shady. I wonder if anyone has ever used it and if so, what the fee is.

Also, the value of a bitcoin is down to $290/BTC, from the crazy peak of $1230/BTC.

Permalink: Bitcoin_ATM.html
Words: 97
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/11/15 01:09

Category: dancing

08/10/15 12:43 - 65.ºF - ID#60157

Bass Mountain

I did the best I could documenting it given the conditions ;O

We rolled into West Valley to this backwoods hippy compound. We immediately put the car into a ditch on arrival, until a dude bei helped is push it out. Then we settled in with (e:uchina) and Liz in our camping spot.
Later or Rochester friend Tom and his friends Tony meet up with us.

The tilted car.

(e:uchina) and (e:terry) doing some redneck engineering to get us out

The place was super hilly and forested. Which was fun for hiking, but dancing was a little tilted. Here's the main stage which was built out of branches. The first day of music was not much to talk about so I'll mostly skip that.

In between dancey time was a constant craft circle and days old car chicken. I think that's how the original pioneers of Western New York handled themselves.

Day 2 had much better music. A lot of it was very bass heavy. Here's a shadowy video of Paul in the sweaty masses.

Our new screaming-friend Lillie. Her spirit animal is a bee and she's a serious hooper.

(e:terry) and his glowing face paint

Twist was an awesome DJ - I'm not one for house but this was really good. He apparently played at the 24 at some point.

Permalink: Bass_Mountain.html
Words: 245
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/11/15 01:29

Category: birthday

08/10/15 12:40 - 65.ºF - ID#60156

Birthday party

Thanks to all the lurvely peeps who made it to my birthday last Thursday and made it freaking amazing (!! (e:terry) who got it all ready). I had an awesome sticky beery smores evening rolling out in the back yard with you all. I can't wait to try and make your birthdays this good! It makes me think I'll try and be less of an old man while I still can ;).

I was especially pumped to see the Black Rock Roller crew wheel themselves in. Plus, look at the beautiful cards I received (including this fuzzy drawing from Mickey, (e:robert) and Nick!

Permalink: Birthday_party.html
Words: 107
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/11/15 01:19

Category: birthday

08/06/15 01:04 - 62.ºF - ID#60153

Birthday times

24, I can't believe I'm getting so old. I had an amazing birthday today, especially thanks to (e:terry) and (e:paul).

When I got home from work they gave me two presents - a new bike light with laser projected lanes, and a swiss army bike tool kit. Watch out for me cause I make my own lane. Too bad the lasers can't shoot at encroaching cars.

We then went with my family to Mezza for some Latvian goodness. I got a birthday falafel, my lieblingsessen, and Paul and I split a pomegranate salad. The waitress even brought me a rice pudding with a candle in it when she found out it was my birthday.

To ratchet up the blood sugar levels further my mom made me a chocolate peanut butter cake we had at home.

At the end of the night the three of us finished up with a laser fenced bike ride around the Delaware park and up main.

Can't wait to get turnt tomorrow night with all the peeps. 7:30pm, be there!

Here's to another year with the most amazing guys ever. I can't wait to get even crazier on every single level :D

Permalink: Birthday_times.html
Words: 202
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/06/15 01:32

Category: german

08/06/15 01:03 - 62.ºF - ID#60152

Robert's phone

Last night I helped (e:robert) finish replacing his HTC Desire 816 G LCD screen.

He had partially disassembled it but couldn't finish it because the video he found was in Hindi(?).

Weirdly enough there were almost no English videos or tutorials on what to do.

There was a German one - so I got to kill two birds with one stone and practice some technical language too.

Permalink: Robert_s_phone.html
Words: 75
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/06/15 01:31