11/11/26 03:43 - ID#60981

Woo woo

On the Amtrak down for (e:terry)'s work event.

I don't love having to eat to the station at 7 but I prefer it so much more over flying.

Only a couple of years until the Amtrak Airos are on the Empire Service. Besides the trains being new, the big change will be that the locomotive will now be push-pull and dual mode power (diesel and third rail electric), with battery power.

This will mean the train can turn around fast at the end of the line and no more layover in Albany to swap the diesel for a different dual power locomotive. Hopefully that will mean more service and slightly shorter trips along the line.

Permalink: Woo_woo.html
Words: 118
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 11/11/26 03:43

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08/10/26 02:32 - ID#60948

Goodbye gas pipes

Our gas has been long shut off but (e:Paul) had National Fuel come finally remove the meter. From the tags left on it, it appears to have been installed in the 1950s.

To make future projects like wiring easier and the fact that at no point are we ever returning to gas, I went to cut them out. With the dedicated carbide grit metal blade it wasn't bad.

I don't think it's the original pipe, there an abandoned pipe on the other side of the wall. Regardless they were old. Won't miss you!

Permalink: Goodbye_gas_pipes.html
Words: 96
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 08/10/26 02:32

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06/27/26 03:06 - ID#60946

Lovey at Niagara Falls

(E:Terry)'s aunt has been visiting for the past month.

Today was her last day here so I left work at the end of the day to go up to the Canadian side of the falls with them.

It was crazy busy as expected. If you wanted to park in the falls it was $40 Canadian, so (e:Paul) and I found an annex lot and rode the bus back to meet the group by the falls.

Afterwards we stopped by the Kasbah, an Armenian restaurant outside the main tourist area. For $21 USD they had a buffet that was actually pretty good, including desserts. I had veggie moussaka, chicken soulvaki, hummus, baba, Greek salad, rice pudding, spanikopita, cauliflower, calamari, and even some of Terry's veggie French onion soup.

Bearin' out.

On the way back we tried to pay a visit to the welcome center but it was closed. Outside there was a woman cleaning the sidewalk with a few others. Apparently she was arrested for painting "zell-no" outside the polling place against Jeremy Zellners attempt to crown himself state senator.

Permalink: Lovey_at_Niagara_Falls.html
Words: 194
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/27/26 03:06

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06/27/26 02:56 - ID#60945

new desk setup

One of the few light spots about (e:Paul)'s retirement is I took over his work equipment. Now my desk looks like an Apple store. These screens are amazing, definitely not worth the money they cost but I'll gladly enjoy them for now.

Permalink: new_desk_setup.html
Words: 44
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/27/26 02:56

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06/27/26 02:54 - ID#60944

Paul's last day at work

I'm going to miss working with him so fucking much. At least 8.5 more years left here for me.

Permalink: Paul_s_last_day_at_work.html
Words: 21
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/27/26 02:54

Category: buffalo

06/15/26 03:54 - ID#60943

Allentown Art Festival

In the morning, Tyler made us some breakfast while I installed the bidet we bought for his birthday. He has a standard toilet so it could use a 1/2" connector while our stupid Toto needs a special adapter that only supports 3/8". The water pressure difference is substantial.

(e:terry) and Tyler serenaded us with Toni Braxton while we got ready and then ate.

We biked back home in the morning and got ready to take (e:terry)'s mom and aunt to the Allentown Art Festival.

It wasn't that crowded since Saturday was so beautiful and it was threatening to rain.

Honestly most of what is being sold doesn't really interest me, but I don't mind doing a lap unlike (e:libertad) who says it's his worst nightmare.

Turns out the rain forecast was right and it torrentially downpoured. We hid in the tunnel behind Rick's for a minute while Franklin Street turned into a babbling brook.

Once home (e:paul) and I napped before (e:terry) and I went to do karaoke at Susanna and Yames's place for her grad school graduation party. The day also ended with Terry singing Toni Braxton.

Some wet dogs.

Permalink: Allentown_Art_Festival.html
Words: 201
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/15/26 04:01

Category: family

06/15/26 03:53 - ID#60942

Family birthday

Saturday was non-stop as well. Early was my niece's 3rd birthday at the Boys and Girls Club in Tonawanda. We went to the North Tonawanda one by mistake at first, who knew there were so many locations.

Honestly it's pretty fun just running around throwing a basketball around in a gym with no goal.

The decor of these places are wild though. So many random signs of rules, and this wolf mascot costume that stank from feet away.

On the way home we stopped at the vegan grocery store in Tonawanda. (e:terry) was able to stock up on soy curls which we haven't found anywhere else, even the mega Asian mart on the boulevard.

In the evening we went over to hang out at Tyler's garage with some cheese plates and drinks leftover from pride. (e:mike) and (e:libertad) were there too, it was a good time all around.

Permalink: Family_birthday.html
Words: 156
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/15/26 04:05

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06/15/26 03:53 - ID#60941

busy

I am feeling increasingly busy and stressed out lately. There isn't enough time for everything that needs to get done.

Main Street reconstruction has began. First step was cutting down all the trees, even ones that were just planted in the past few years. I can't wait for it to be done.

For Friday evening we took Paul's mom out for Tony's birthday to OG Dumpling House on the Boulevard. It's busy and a bit messy inside but the dumplings are so good.

Across the street we stopped to look at couches from Raymour and Flannigan. Weirdly the cheaper couches they had were all full of things that would break or become a mess in our frat house. Cup holders, coolers, heated seats and lighting and then the more expensive couches had none of that.

On the way home we stopped at Lake Effect Ice Cream on Hertel. The way to do it is to order the sampler scoops so you can get 5 flavors in the size of 1 regular scoop.

Permalink: busy.html
Words: 177
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/19/26 05:40

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06/15/26 03:51 - ID#60940

Mussel dinner

This year I started eating mussels. It's may be surprising for me but some have argued mussels are the most ethicial seafood to eat, since they are low carbon, take next to no resources to grow, and have no pain receptors.

They are also only ~$4.50 for a package of frozen cooked Canadian mussels at the coop.

But regardless I have really been enjoying eating them once a week with (e:paul). We make a quick broth out of sauteed onion and garlic, veggie stock, and herbs de provence. With some vegetables and garlic bread it's such an amazing dinner.

Permalink: Mussel_dinner.html
Words: 105
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/15/26 03:51

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06/15/26 03:43 - ID#60938

Falafel House on Niagara Square

Took Monday off after pride weekend.

After some cleanup the three of us went on a relaxing bike ride with Tyler and Jai. Stopping at Canalside and then Riverfest park.

On the way home we stopped at Falafel House in Niagara Square. I love the location on Hertel, so I was excited when the windows said coming soon over a year ago.

Well, now it's open. It's definitely decorated and finished nicer than the Hertel one and the food was just as good.

They also have juices and maybe a coffee bar, open 9 weekdays and 11 on weekends. Hope it lasts, it's nice to have a new thing downtown.