"Commerce Therapy" written by Lauren on estrip.org

08/26/07 11:29 - 66ºF - ID#40736

Commerce Therapy

For lack of anything better to do, coupled with the fact that I have some extra cash that I enjoy getting rid of, I took Felly to the mall yesterday. Really what it came down to is I hate spending MY money on clothing...I can't help but brak it down like this: one pair of pants = 3+ hours of work, etc. Terrible way to live really, but anyway. Felly faired fairly well (hehe) considering she HATES shopping, and she even found a pair of pants for work at Old Navy. I hate shopping also and usually can't find a damn thing that I like, but I was lucky enough to buy 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of waterproof winter boots and a free tank top from Old Navy for buying the aforementioned jeans, which I am sure every other girl this side of the Mississippi now owns also. It's fine.

School starts tomorrow. Fabulous I think. I am sure it is going to take some getting used to not being with Felly 24/7 I am sure we will get into a nice little domestic routine within a few weeks. She starts her job on Tuesday, so it is all working out quite nicely.

Finally, thanks to everyone for truly showing us a good time on Friday night. We got to see a little bit of a bunch of different bars and we even got to dance! I love dancing. Really.

Now we are off to the Arts Festival. I am excited.

Permalink: Commerce_Therapy.html
Words: 251
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: outside!

08/24/07 04:06 - 84ºF - ID#40712

Partay

I went to "Graduate Orientation" today, and by that they aparently meant "History of Buffalo". I learned all about the Erie Canal, the first hospitals, and the fact that the electric chair was invented here. I learned about some dudes named Flint, LaFayette, and some others I don't remember. Also, that UB was once private and was later incorporated into the SUNY system by a Rock-ah-fella. Very important information indeed.
Not to be rude, but what a collosal waste of time! I got my parking permit which is probably the one and only useful thing I managed to take home with me from that little event.
Oh yes, and I discovered that it takes 30 minutes to take the Western round the water highways and only 20 minutes to take the middle of downtown using 90 highways. Very good.

So in conclusion, this is my last weekend on FREEDOM! I haven't been in a classroom on 2 years so it is time to celebrate, and by celebrate I mean leave my apartment! Who's with me?

There is life outside your apartment.
I know it's hard to conceive.
But there's life outside your apartment.
And you're only gonna see it if you leave.

Did I mention I was gay?

Permalink: Partay.html
Words: 204
Location: Buffalo, NY

08/23/07 11:58 - 77ºF - ID#40693

Are you kidding?

So, as Felly and I were sitting on this couch this morning drinking some lovely coffee, someone pulled into our parking lot. Not that this was particularly out of place, but the cats took notice, so I did as well. What I soon saw was so very puzzling indeed...a young man got out of the SUV in a hurry and ran around to the front of his vehicle and proceded to stand there...and I was like uhhh, is he peeing? And indeed he was! Standing there with nothing but his SUV hiding his junk, in the rain, in MY parking lot, peeing. I guess he really had to go cause he was there for a good minute or so, then gave a little wiggle wiggle, came around the front of his vehicle still zipping up, got in his car, and drove away.

Who does this?? Seriously, go about 20 feet on either side of this apt. and you will find gas stations. Does standing in the rain in front of your car in some random parking lot really sound like a better option? Granted, I don't have a penis and therefore could never even begin to fathom peeing outside being better than in, but... well....I dunno. What more is there to say?

Permalink: Are_you_kidding_.html
Words: 214
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: bored

08/21/07 09:01 - 66ºF - ID#40665

So Easy

If you haven't yet, check out

the website ala Geico and perhaps even a new TV show. Felly and I spent perhaps a little too much time in there screwing around...might I suggest, don't give up to easy. Go into both options at the front door, try on various outfits, answer peoples phones and enjoy being a voyeur for a while, or uh, lame.

Permalink: So_Easy.html
Words: 69
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: brrrrr

08/21/07 12:15 - 61ºF - ID#40654

Let's See

When we lived in New Paltz there were at least 2-3 other people who would feed the cats in the morning and keep the occupied until I woke up. Now, we keep the door open because otherwise they will scratch the shit out of the door until we feed them. I don't mind having them in the room really, except when one of them starts eating out new plant and Felly thinks its a good idea to launch a pillow at him from across the room causing first cat to go flying and second cat, who was peacefully sleeping at my side to also go flying.

It is cold. What gives? Last night I was in a hoodie and my slippers. Seriously folks, is this it for summer? Tell me the truth, be honest. Will I no longer be able to wear tank tops except under layers? What are the chances of wearing flip flops a couple more times before the leaves start to fall?

Also. I love fall. Halloween especially. And...I don't remember who posted about it, but when in Wal Mart (yes I went there, I don't like to talk about it ) there was halloween shit everywhere. And basic fall like decorations. consumer culture blah blah blah...whats fun to do around here in the fall? New Paltz had a super fall culture surrounding the local farms in particular with apple picking, pumpkin picking, carving contests, haunted houses and the like. I am a sucker for some good hot apple cider also. I don't like the cold, but there is something cozy and romantic about hats and scarves and runny noses when there isn't snow on the ground.

Permalink: Let_s_See.html
Words: 281
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: coffee

08/20/07 12:15 - 65ºF - ID#40635

Shopping and Stewarts

I used to work at Stewarts Shops. For those of you who don't know, it is a smallish franchise gas station slash convenient store slash ice cream shop. I worked there for two years after graduating college and falling for Felly. Stewarts wanted to be known for its small business, local community blahdee blah shit and most important, its coffee. The reason behind this of course is that if you sell one cup of coffee out of a pot, you pay for that pot of coffee. Therefore, you sell a pot of coffee, you are making something like 3X's what you paid. Similair profit margins go for ice cream as well. And yes, 20-30 minutes was the max for how long a pot should sit out on the burner (4 hours for the ones in the hot pots) before making a new one, but this never happened except between the hours of 7am-1030am. Either way, we let people make their own damn coffee and although we never made the jump to those cool little International Delight flavored coffee creamers, we did have flavored French Vanilla and diner sized sugar containers so I didn't have to waste my time opening six zillion little packets of sugar. Also, I miss Cotton Candy Ice Cream.

Yesterday Felly and I went shopping. Our progression was as follows: Pier 1, Bed Bath & Beyond, Big K Mart, Target, Wal-Mart and finally, Home Depot. She has been bothering me for weeks about getting plants for our bedroom, so we got some, along with one of those cool bamboo plants that goes around itself in spirals. The problem now is that the cats think they are toys/snacks. We shall see how that goes. Also, (e:chico), we finally got a shower curtain!

Just for the hell of it...anyone ever been to a Sonic? I am originally from the midwest, Oklahoma to be exact, and haven't had Sonic in something like 4 years and they show effin commericals for Sonic here and the closest one is like...forever away. It drives me insane.

theecarey writes at 08:37:00 08/22/07 - Comment #22856: PS peeps, Its POP hehe

lizabeth writes at 02:56:23 08/21/07 - Comment #22769: Aww, I love Sonic. I can't believe they show ads for it in Buffalo if you don't have one near there. That's almost cruel.

There were days when we lived in Syracuse (particularly during the summer) where we contemplated taking a road trip to Delaware just to get limeades. We never did it, tho'.

I'm going to be home in VA in a few days, and Sonic will be one of my first stops. :D It's sad that I now live in what should be Sonic country, but our closest one is still 4 hours away. Ah well.

lauren writes at 11:53:23 08/21/07 - Comment #22756: Wow, what have I done? I must admit, I am fascinated by all these particulars on such a simple fizzy beverage. I myself don't drink much soda, unless there is some Cpt. Morgan involved, although I am aware (as I did work at Stewarts) about how to make an ice cream soda, which by the way is gross. Also James, perhaps you missed it, but I was born in Oklahoma, the midwest, and yes there it is pop also. We won't talk about my southern democrat crazy speakin in tongues relatives and my potential relation to Trent Lott. But for those of you who like Dr. Pepper, it is always on tap there.

jenks writes at 10:41:00 08/21/07 - Comment #22738: Agreed. SODA all the way. (and COKE, not PEPSI!!!)

And I also think it's weird that sonic advertises so far from home. As far as I know there isn't one anywhere near here, is there? I never had it til I lived in new orleans, and I dated a guy from kansas who just couldn't stop raving about sonic. And I must say, the cherry lime-ade is pretty tasty.

james writes at 12:58:16 08/21/07 - Comment #22724: I hate soda. But sometimes nostalgia would pull on my heart strings and make me want to enjoy old timey Stewarts goodness. Now I know it is but a dopplganger with a poison tipped dagger.

But seriously, it is Soda. Do you really want to be associated with the Midwest over real America?

Which is it Buffalo? NYC or Detroit?

fellyconnelly writes at 12:50:00 08/21/07 - Comment #22721: I stand by Soda.

tinypliny writes at 09:40:15 08/20/07 - Comment #22704: Heh, if you asked for "Soda" in Delhi, you wouldn't get any of the things you are arguing about. You would get a nice unbranded fizzy drink with a shot of real lemon juice, black pepper and rock-salt in a crazy looking bottle sealed with a marble. You would have to push in the marble to drink the "soda". Ah, I love those "sodas". :)

janelle writes at 05:58:16 08/20/07 - Comment #22683: I too love the greatness of Sonic. I think a road trip is in order!

metalpeter writes at 05:52:34 08/20/07 - Comment #22681: Thanks for clearing that Up I would have asumed that you had the glass bottles but that is a different company, very interesting. In terms of Sonic I have never been there, I didn't even know there was one in Buffalo. In terms of the soda-pop debate here is how it works. In Buffalo Soda is short for Ice Cream soda. That is simalur to a Rootbeer float but not rootbeer. The term Soda comes from Soda Fountains. If you have syrup and water added then it should be called Soda. However if it comes in a bottle then it is can be called POP. I use both terms my self. On a side note some where I heard that Vanilla Coke isn't really a new thing that in the old days you could get vanilla, chocolate and cherry floavored Colas (from a fountain in a sweetshop or resturent), I guess there was some way of mixing things. In any event it is just a matter of local dialetic like how people in The Carolinas say ya'll instead of you all.

chico writes at 04:40:13 08/20/07 - Comment #22677: Contrary to (e:jason), I say, "fight the power". It's SODA, people. LEt's not forget the derivation of the Buffalonian/upper Midwestern term: "soda-pop". So "pop" is just an unfortunate contraction of soda to begin with.

re shower curtain: I think I'm jealous!! But then having a clear vinyl shower curtain has advantages, at least for the voyeur.

jason writes at 04:36:06 08/20/07 - Comment #22676: You're here now, Lauren. You have to conform to us! P Oh P!

lauren writes at 04:34:31 08/20/07 - Comment #22675: Common mistake about the sodas...people would come to our shop and ask us about those particular "stewarts sodas" in the glass bottles. no such luck. no affiliation whatsoever. and notice my dear buffalonians the word "SODA" written on the bottle :)

museumchick writes at 03:34:36 08/20/07 - Comment #22673: I've never been to a sonic either. I've always wondered about it...

fellyconnelly writes at 01:20:20 08/20/07 - Comment #22665: au contraire my dear James... there are stewarts old fashioned sodas...
<img src="http://www.drinkstewarts.com/images/l-02-rb.jpg">
and then there are stewarts shops soda
<img src="http://www.stewartsshops.com/Images/soda.gif">
Stewarts shops soda being the type that is only sold in Stewarts Shops. Stewarts old fashioned soda being that which is sold everywhere else.

but either way... its soda. not pop. hehe

jbeatty writes at 12:38:32 08/20/07 - Comment #22663: I mean pop.

jbeatty writes at 12:31:59 08/20/07 - Comment #22661: I love those Stewarts Shops sodas!

james writes at 12:25:41 08/20/07 - Comment #22660: I used to live in Albany and Stewart's was the life blood of that town. The only places open to get a cup of coffee and something to eat after a long night of studying, drinking, studying/drinking was blessed St.Stewart's. Their soda (or pop as the local infidels call it) is sold in grocery stores and such. It makes me nostalgic.

Permalink: Shopping_and_Stewarts.html
Words: 345
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: coffee

08/19/07 11:53 - 66ºF - ID#40619

Tim Ho's and the like

Before coming to Buffalo, I had never heard of Tim Hortons. When I got here and saw one after another after another, I realized how big they really are. And of course, eventually ended up going there for some coffee. The first time (e:fellyconnelly) and I went, we both got coffees and I think some breakfast sandwiches. All I remember was the coffee being eternally hot and lacking in sugar. I like a lot of sugar in my coffee, perhaps an unhuman amount, but when I asked Felly to get me some extra, she was shot a dirty look by an employee. The sandwiches were amazing, but I was sad because without coffee, I am nothing.
Yesterday we went again. My worst Tim Ho's experience yet. First of all, we ordered two iced coffees and a sandwich to split. I said, as usualy, cream and sugar in my coffee. I should have asked for extra, but even then it wouldn't be enough. Then, they didn't have whole wheat bread for our sandwich. And then, I went to drink my drink, and the shitty top allowed the contents to be spilled down the front of my shirt. Grrrr. So my complaint really is, why can't I make my own godam coffee? And how hard is it to create a coffee cup that works? And finally, white bread tastes like eating paper.

chico writes at 09:11:45 08/20/07 - Comment #22649: re (e:jenks)' comment: Growing up on Long Island, "regular" meant cream and sugar, but one usually ordered it as "coffee regular" (not "regular coffee"). The regular/decaf distinction was practically unnecessary at the time, since decaf=Sanka. :::link:::

fellyconnelly writes at 08:41:47 08/19/07 - Comment #22632: who knew there was so much to a timho coffee? we will have to try again i think...

jenks writes at 06:41:55 08/19/07 - Comment #22618: I'm with you- just let me do my OWN cream/sugar.
B/c what I REALLY want is splenda and milk. But b/c the lines are always so insane I feel like I have to rush and just order "small double double" which is ok... but not really what I want, and yeah, never stirred.

Here's a question though- (i got into a big debate with my dad about this)-
If someone ordered a "regular coffee"- what would that mean to you?
To me it would mean a cup of 'regular' (i.e. not decaf, not flavored etc) coffee, black.

But apparently in some places "regular coffee" means with cream and sugar.

Apparently it's a regional thing.

leetee writes at 03:33:06 08/19/07 - Comment #22609: Oh, and they are supposed to stir each coffee, but i have yet to meet a TimHo that does (yep, that was the nickname of someone who worked for Tim Hortons, at least in my circle). So, i would recommend a shake or stir of everything that gets sugar added. I used to get extra napkins, make sure the lid was on well, put the napkins over the wee hole in the lid, turn it upside down and rightside up a few times, to stir things around.

leetee writes at 03:30:35 08/19/07 - Comment #22608: Tim Horton's, the coffee place, not the man, started in my hometown, Hamilton, Ontario. If you think Buffalo has a lot of them, then don't go to Hamilton. I think i lived somewhere once, right on Main street, by Locke, that had 4 of them within walking distance...

Mostly everyone of my generation, in Hamilton has worked for Tim Hortons at one point during their teenage years. Hell, when i worked there, there were no sandwiches or soup, only drinks (coffee, tea, fountain sodas) and desserts (mostly donuts, but also some cookies, muffins and simple pastries). When they started with soups and sandwiches, i was a bit stunned. Then again, they are owned by the same company that owns Wendy's now...

They are supposed to throw away coffee that is older than 20 minutes. I don't think they do that anymore either...

(e:Theecarey) is right. There's an ordering technique. Cream is always first though (or at least it is in Canada). So, if you want a medium sized coffee with a dash of cream but a shitload of sugar, then order a "medium single triple" or even a "medium single quadruple".

theecarey writes at 03:00:28 08/19/07 - Comment #22605: yeh, there is like over 3000 in this area alone and I agree, the coffee stays hot forever. If this helps in the event you find yourself there again; The unofficial lingo for correct Timmy Ho's ordering procedure :

coffee comes in small/med/large. Depending on your desired sugar and cream ratio, you may ask for something such as:

single/single

double/double

triple/triple

or any combination thereof. However, if you wanted loads of sugar and little cream, I am not sure if that would be triple/single or single/triple. Despite how put off the worker may appear, you can ask for a side of both so you can tweak your coffee..

cant help ya on the cup malfunction as I havent yet experienced it. The whole wheat is yummy, sorry you were stuck with white.

fellyconnelly writes at 01:12:52 08/19/07 - Comment #22600: oh lady... will the world ever be enough for you?
hehe you had coffee on your shirt ALL day! lol

Permalink: Tim_Ho_s_and_the_like.html
Words: 231
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: bar

08/18/07 11:51 - 64ºF - ID#40608

Because I Have To

we went to that bar last night on allen st...niechetzzeeeessss or whatever. it was cute. i didn't realize how close allen really is, not a bad drunken walk home if i do say so myself. AND Just Pizza is right on the way and ain't nuttin better dan pizza after a few beers. although i do miss my favorite pizza place in new paltz with their super large peices with super think crust an extra liquidy fat on top. mmmmm.
today we are off to babysit. i did offer our services so i am not upset by this...and i like the kids so it won't be that bad. maybe we will go to the park...they have a dog...i can take "my" dog and "my" daughter to the park and pretend i am a....hehe. im weird. i know.

i love you (e:fellyconnelly)

Permalink: Because_I_Have_To.html
Words: 147
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: beer

08/17/07 12:28 - 72ºF - ID#40593

Blue Moon

Since (e:fellyconnelly) and I moved to Buffalo we have acquired the habit of drinking beer every night. Granted it is usually like 2 or 3 beers split between us, never enough to get drunk, but enough so that we are going through a twelve pack every 4 to 5 days. This is new for me. I don't drink. Let alone drink beer. I am a wine girl at best, rum and pepsi if I am feeling frisky and want to dance. But beer? Yuck. But you see, Blue Moon tastes light, refreshing, and doesn't have that nasty beer feeling that I find accompanies typical beers. Either way, I am putting a stop to this. Beer is for weekends. Or at least, not every night. Ha! See, there it is already. This is how habits start and I refuse to become an alcoholic because I am bored.

One more thing. My entries have not been showing up in the recent entry column. They are there for a little while and then they disappear. Does anyone else have this problem or I am secretly being shunned from this community? Juuust Kidding.

Permalink: Blue_Moon.html
Words: 186
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: gay

08/16/07 02:15 - 81ºF - ID#40577

Safe?

So, Felly and I come from a (for the most part) liberal town where we felt comfortable holding hands in public and being in public in general. Today we are going for a walk: to the bank to get quarters and to the post office for stamps. Felly says she is still not 100% comfortable holding hands/showing PDA's because we don't really know what we are dealing with here. Now, I know this is the home of Ani Difranco and all, but for all you gay folks out there, what is your opinion on the subject? I, to a certain extent, have "I look like a straight girl" priveleges that give me perhaps a false sense of security, but when my girlfriend and I are together only a small few would mistake us two straight girls out on the town.

Also, I have never lived in a city before, so I am only assuming, but I am sure it all depends on where you go, when you go, and all that jazz. And there are always the few that ruin it for the group.

Anyways, if anyone sees us on our walk, feel free to honk, wave, and yell obnoxious things from your cars.

Permalink: Safe_.html
Words: 204
Location: Buffalo, NY

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