"Deutschland bound!" written by Joe on estrip.org

12/09/15 11:08 - ID#60359

Deutschland bound!

We're going to Germany! Fuck yeah! I don't think I've ever been so excited for something in my life. Especially since I started learning German two years ago down in Scrody, PA :) (e:joe,58063)

I finally got my check for Squeaky Wheel which I reserved for a trip to Germany. I have been searching constantly for the best deals. Using kayak I found a few amazing deals.

For three weeks in June, we could have gone round trip from Toronto to Hamburg for super cheap - $1800. Anyway we decided to split up the trip from north to south, and finish the trip in (e:paul)'s ancestral home near Venice. So flying out of Toronto on June 8th, and coming back from Venice on the 30th ended up being $2200 total for all three of us. Woop.

Not only that, but I managed to find very cheap passes for the Deutsche Bahn so we can make our away around for a fraction of the normal ticket prices.

We haven't decided everywhere we're going. But we're probably starting out in Flensburg, where (e:paul) went to school the first time around, for the first week. And spending the last few days in Venice.

The list of things I want to do:
1. Ride the high speed ICE bahn train
2. Go naked swimming legally
3. Speak German to people
4. Eat some Turkish food

A picture of Flensberg from the air,

Permalink: Deutschland_bound_.html
Words: 247
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/10/15 02:57

Category: cars

12/09/15 12:43 - ID#60358

The Gratwick building view

I like Gratwick Basic Science Building, the building (e:paul) and I work in. Despite the asbestos and radiators that constantly overheat me, I think the old school lab feel is practical and comfortable.

Since it's 7 floors tall you have a pretty good view of downtown and even the lake. The parking wasteland is ugly but you can get a nice view of the sun when it goes down.

From Paul's desk you can the most ridiculous traffic I've seen in Buffalo. Every day, a 15 minute long line queues up outside the valet for people waiting to valet park. It completely closes off the street, everyone honks, it's crazy. I definitely see why they have the service - if you're sick or disabled, it's probably very helpful. But that can't be everyone in this line - you definitely could park in the visitor lot and walk over by the time you got through.

Maybe if more medical campus employees biked, walked and railed to work there would be parking for disabled patients who need it - instead we drop $40 million dollars of health care money on a parking ramp. Why doesn't the medical campus spend $40 million dollars subsidizing transit, bike, or carpooling incentives?

If you don't like parking 5 blocks away into the Fruit Belt, the residents don't either, and you don't want to pay the (already subsidized) lot fees - maybe you should find another way to get to work.

Permalink: The_Gratwick_building_view.html
Words: 249
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/10/15 11:12

Category: parties

12/07/15 01:31 - ID#60357

Sunday party

I'm behind again. oops.
Last Sunday (e:terry) went to a birthday party for this girl Felicity and her friend Oliver. We didn't know many people there but I did run into my sisters old classmates. We got good and crunk and since everything started at 7pm we were safe and sound under the table by 1.

Permalink: Sunday_party.html
Words: 61
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/07/15 01:31

Category: house

11/29/15 07:54 - ID#60354

When did

When did I become a homeowner with (e:Paul) and (e:terry)?

We are mostly done with the new study. On Saturday we picked up a new desk for (e:Paul) down in Orchard Park (thanks (e:Heidi) for letting us use your truck rental). He hates it because part of the desk isn't solid wood and has a chip on it. But I think the room looks pretty complete. we took down an old rug and put out the plants and a chair. it's pretty cozy in the daylight. Paul also ordered curtains.

We might buy one more desk from my dad, its very nice and solid hardwood.

Paul also started to repaint the back hall upstairs. The wall texture is pretty shitty but I started to scrape away all the bubbled wallpaper. Unfortunately there are large diagonal cracks down the wall from the settlement of the front foundation. Personally I'd love to rip out some walls to redo electric to modern standards, insulate and add fireblocking. I think we'd have to be ready to do multiple rooms though because I know how quickly that snowballs.

Permalink: When_did.html
Words: 193
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/29/15 07:54

Category: holiday

11/28/15 01:51 - ID#60351

Thanksgiving Day

Somehow once again I managed to fit two dinners in one day, and one stomach. I wish we could somehow combine them.

it was crazy warm outside so we rode our bikes to (e:paul)'s parents. gotta burn dessert beforehand.

I stayed there for a few hours and had the amazing risotto and candied yams. Paul made a tasty cranberry sauce with grapefruit and cloves.

Then I sped over to my parents for round two. My mom managed a falafel tukey stuffed with vegetarian stuffing complete with drumsticks! Pinterest worthy, mom. Thanks.

We had the usual relatives and dogs over and 10 different pies. =7 too bad there's no gluttonous emoji.

At the end of the night, Paul and Terry stopped over to say hi to my family. Paul managed to make a few minutes before he started going full allergic. (he did have to bike home to black Friday with (e:mike).) pretty good day!

Permalink: Thanksgiving_Day.html
Words: 163
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/28/15 12:35

Category: going out

11/28/15 01:44 - ID#60350

Thanksgiving Eve

There weren't any dance events this year unfortunately. But I had a good time visiting Emily's new apartment on St. James, and the dog she was dog sitting.

I met up later with (e:Mike) and (e:libertad) for Marcella's. Mike wanted to see a drag queen named Fya. She was probably the best there.

We got home around two where (e:flacidness) was hanging with (e:terry). you can see those who promptly fell asleep below ;)

Permalink: Thanksgiving_Eve.html
Words: 84
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/28/15 01:44

Category: buffalo

11/22/15 11:31 - ID#60342

Scherer Furniture

Yesterday we went with (e:mike) and (e:libertad) to Scherer Furniture on Genesee Street since they were looking for a couch. It's this giant four floor furniture warehouse full of every type of couch, dresser or weird table thing you can imagine. It's pretty overwhelming but the old building is neat.

Everything was very expensive but hardwood. I'm not a huge fan of furniture shopping or decoration, but I have to admit it was fun to run around and try out as many of the chairs as you could (before the salesman would mention the single seat you sat on cost $1500!)

This picture was on an office set they were trying to sell. Apparently if you can afford this, you don't use the computer that often - it's off on the side of the room. (e:paul) thinks it's because it would only be your secretary using it.

Permalink: Scherer_Furniture.html
Words: 152
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/22/15 11:51

Category: buffalo

11/21/15 04:28 - ID#60340

Trip to University Heights

For lunch on Saturday, (e:paul) wanted to go to Sato. He refused to ride a bike and I refused to drive a car, so we took the metro rail to the new University Heights location. I used to take it everywhere before I had a decent bike (I would still refuse to drive with people then) but I haven't taken it regularly in over two and a half years now.

Despite most of the stations looking worse than ever, the red subway tiles are still just as awesome.

The Sato menu at this location has new stuff like rice bowls. I had one with fried tofu and spring rolls - it was really good except for the ranch on it. Still not a fan of gross condiments.

Paul and his comically oversized ramen

The restaurant was very cute. I think I like it better than the Elmwood one, less fancy and more smiling food.

Paul wanted a shopping spree so we walked down a few blocks of Main Street, with a stop at Parkside Candy.

And this tiny shop (probably 10x20ft) called MerMaid and Weasel. It was supposed to be a shop for nerds. They didn't have much in the store but the owner was in there knitting little fox faces, which I liked. Paul got (e:mike) some candy cigs.

Why is a car dealership allowed to steal the sidewalk to sell their shitty machines? Pretty sure we

On the way back we took the Lasalle station home. It looks like water must be leaking in the tunnel at the top because some areas had a shit ton of paint peeling off the metal panels. Good thing we can get $40 million dollars of federal funds to put cars on three blocks of Main Street, but can't spare any for the NFTA!

Permalink: Trip_to_University_Heights.html
Words: 322
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/22/15 11:47

Category: allenst

11/21/15 02:10 - ID#60339

Allen Street Consulting out for business

Wednesday was the gay business meeting at Bourbon and Butter. It seems impossible that the Hotel Lafayette was ever a flop house with how fancy it is now.

The event was sponsored by (e:terry) and (e:heidi) via Allen Street Consulting. I've only mixed with people I didn't know at one of these before when I went to the one sponsored by Roswell (before I worked there) and it was definitely not business related.

(e:paul) and I got there late after work but they still had some amazing bread snacks.

After the event everyone came over to eat some pizza.