I picked up the new artvoice today (Jason's toliet papper, kidding of course, I thought it was a funny joke anyways). I see that on saturday and sunday downtown there is a Karibana festival. I belive it starts at noon both days. There wasn't a lot of information about it but it sounds interesting. I'm guessing there is more information about it on line somewhere or in the events section of the artvoice.

I don't know if anyone has any tattoos here or if any one likes them. I myself like them but don't have any. If you are interested by them or like reality TV there are two shows you may enjoy. I know I should be encouraging people to go out side and enjoy the great weather but you can allways tape them if you like them. One of them is Called Miami Ink it is an hour long show on TLC (The Learning Channel) Tuesdays at 10pm I belive. Then on A&E there is a half hour show (they show 2 episodes) called Inked on wendsdays at 9pm and it is repeated I belive on tuesday at 10pm but not sure if that is correct. It is about a shop that opened up in Vegas at the Palms. Both shows are verry interesting but both shops are verry differant. You might even enjoy them if you arn't into Tattoos.

Recently I have started going to the Erie County Fair. I'm not sure how many years in a row I have gone. Some times I have gone 2 or 3 times in the same year. It all depends on what events they had at the grand stand and when I was off fridays it was great to go up on a friday and Saturday. I don't remember there website but you can get all kinds of information on line or if you got a book about them in last weeks sunday paper I belive. With all the vendors if you have a car they are a great place to go and do some early christmas shoping there are so many vendors. Plus there are shows and rides and all sorts of stuff to eat. Plus recently there has been these spray paint artists who are amazing and watching them is a show in its self the art is amazing. I don't know if they will be there this year. They usaly have one big attraction like the city of cards or this year I think it is a sand castle someone will be working on that is huge. Then there are shows that you can buy tickets for Like Styx. The funny thing is I have never gone to preview night. Preview night is Wendsday. I admit I don't know much about it, since I have never been to preview night but I have heard it is nice. I would advise everyone to go it can be a lot of fun if that is your thing. I'm not a ride or games person but I like looking at all the stuff for sale and the peking acrobats and the tiger show last year where verry good.

As Horable as war is, it is part of the world today. I admit I do watch a good War show on FX called Over There and I have watched lots of good war movies. Violance is a big part of our society today. But I think that most of us wish that wars didn't need to be fought. Some people belive that most of them don't. I think the last real war was WWII. I mean no disrespect to the military or the troops only the people who decide to risk American's lives when it wasn't nesacary.

So who wins a war? Nobody both sides lose it is when one side has lost to much that they give up. Wow a real war has broken out on this site. That being said I'm going to give my thoughts on the bombing of Japan.

First of all Japan started the war with us. I will also note that there are many views of history and what we learn in school may not be entirely true. My understanding is that we almost didn't respond but in the end the vote game to declare war on Japan. I was taught that the Bomb is what endend the war. It was brutal people got evaporated and shadows got burned onto walls. The real question is was droping the bomb worth it. I belive that a war should be between the military and Not the people of the country cause they are not fighting. But if they are helping to make weapons and suppling the army then they may not be innocant. When ever possible civilians should be left out of it. But that is almost imposible to do. The real problem is nobody knows. From the US side yeah it was it endend the war and saved US lives. The question of was it right is way to complicated to answer. Is it right to fight forces that we belive are evil probalby but for some people killing is wrong and we should not kill no matter what the threat. All answers are really theoretacal because no one knows what would have happend if the bomb wasn't droped. How many more people would have died in the war? What if Japan would have developed the bomb then nuked us. Some people belive that they where working on it and would have gotton it soon and used it on us. That is why they defend the bomb. To be honest I don't know if droping the bomb was the right thing to do or not. It is to bad that we did it, but it is also to bad we lost all those lives at perl harbor, it is to bad we had to fight in WWII. I don't think that we really have enough information to know if it was better to drop it or not.

What I can say is after the war was over. There where lots of restrictions on how much money Japan could spend on there army. I belive that they took that money and fixed there destroyed factories and took money that would have gone into the Army and put it into the country and that is why they are so powerfull now. I think the war taught them how to adapt. Japan is known for taking something and making it better. For example the VCR was invented by an american but he didn't know what to use it for so he sold it to a Japanese guy and now they make all the good vcrs. Maybe if we spent less money on waring and put that money into our country we would be a lot better place to live. I know some people who are varry anti war and they said one good thing did come from droping the bomb. Everyone learned that it was a mistake and it will never be droped again. At least that is one good lesson that came out of it. Could you imagine if we would have Nuked Vietnam and Russia we would all be dead now most likely but who knows for sure.

I have really bean enjoying watching the X Games this weekend. There are more sports on tonight. There has been way to much going on to try and even really right about it. BMX Park was very good there where a lot of amazing tricks. I think my favorite sport is Freestyle Moto cross. It is also know as FMX I like watching the dirt bikes. The Best trick competion was fun to watch and tonight the finals of Moto cross is on. Each rider gets 90 mseconds on the dirt and metal ramp course as opposed to just one trick.

On Thursday I watched the first hour of the Bills Scrimage with the Packers. It was enjoyable. I think if the Bills play up to there poteitial they could be verry good this year but to early to tell. Right now The American Bowl from Japan is on. It was on live this morning around 5am. I saw a couple minutes of it. I belive Ricky Williams will be plalying on Monday night that should be interesting. I know it is only preseason but the NFL is back on allready and Summer isn't over yet. It seems like the preseason starts sooner everyyear but I know that isn't true.

Tonight I'm taping UFC. They are having live fights on SPIKE TV. They had a competion last year I guess that they would show after WWE RAW, but it was to late for me to watch it. I guess guys from that show will be fighting full time experanced UFC fighters it could be verry interesting.

I admit this entire (e:robin) thing i don't know all the details on. But uncutsaniflush brought up some interesting points and questions. [inlink]uncutsaniflush,88[/inlink] I know that there are a lot of games that go on with dating. Then there are the rules. I don't get it just be your self. I couldn't date someone I didn't like. However that being said. Once I figured out or knew I didn't like them I might not end it. If we where really just having sex and not doing much else then I would keep having sex. I think that differant people want differant things from relationships "Girls don't like guys, they like Cars and Money". Sorry I had to break out into song. But some people want not to be alone, sex, money, drugs, companionship, a good friend, someone just to talk with, make someone else jelous, arm candy to show off, or have other motivations. It comes down to what the person is really after. IF some girl (who by the way would be nuts by the way) thought I was a stud muffin and wanted me just for that reason that would be fine, as long as she was honest about it. Granted it wouldn't last to long I don't think but that is ok. I have to like someone or at least think they are fun to be with but that is me. On the "Kicked to the curb" I don't really know what that means. What is differant about that then say a normal I don't want to be with you anymore? Rejection is very scary. But I would rather be rejected then to have some rad girl who dosn't like me go to movies with me and maybe a concert or two. I had some more thoughts after I read uncut's journal but lost my train of thought a bit. Games are one of the many reasons why i'm single. I think a funny shirt would be one that says "the only thing I'm good at is being single". or "I'm single, hopefully I won't screw it up like I do everything else". I know that there are lots of goldiggers out there. I have even heard that some ladies hang out near military bases or at bars where military men go. They are motivated by Money then when the guy ships off they have the house to them seleves. I think that is so wrong. I could never do that.

I like the picture of Buki [inlink]leetee,36[/inlink] . I admit I'm more of a tiger person my self. But My sis has a "Painting" done by Buki. I have also seen a picture of Buki's at the MIA 05. A couple of Days ago There wass an article about a baby Asain Elephant born at I belive the Syracuse Zoo. It was an interesting article in the Buffalo news.

Wednesday, August 3, 2005
One Chuck WonderBy Vince Castellanos for EXPN.com

Chuck Carothers became an instant star at X Games '04 thanks to MTX Best Trick. When Carothers landed the first-ever body varial, which he dubbed the Carolla, he forever etched his name into action sports lore. But while little-known prior to the stunt, Huck-a-Chuck was hardly an overnight sensation. The 27-year-old already owned mass respect among fellow riders for stomping several 200-foot jumps—an extremely rare motorcycling feat. He's also earned props for a killer creative streak; Carothers is credited with inventing a few major tricks. And now he'll try the best trick of all: Winning back-to-back gold at X Games.

EXPN.com: Why were you so confident entering Best Trick last year?
Carothers: "I'm a confident person; I always think I can do whatever I set my mind to. And last year I had a great feeling going in to X. I felt like it was my turn—my turn at the top, my turn in the spotlight—and I was gonna take it."

How many times had you attempted the body varial before X Games?
"I tried it about seven times into the foam pit, but it hadn't gone very well. The first time was in January ['04] at Mike Metzger's house, and I broke my foot and knocked myself out of Winter X. The next time was into Travis Pastrana's foam pit, and I dislocated my shoulder. I tried it again right after that and broke my collarbone. That was bad because I was broke and couldn't afford to go home to Texas and then back to Travis' [in Maryland], so Travis let me stay at his house. I hung out for like three weeks and didn't do anything. When it healed up enough I tried it a few more times and then went to X Games."




The one-handed backflip is yesterday's news. Carothers hopes the Carolla isn't last year's trick.




How did it feel to land the Carolla?
"It was so awesome. It was completely satisfying. Not satisfying in a 'that's enough' way, but satisfying because I was so happy and relieved. It was the best day of my life. A huge thrill went through my body, and the crowd was so loud. I'd never heard a crowd at X Games get that loud for anyone before, and to look up and see all of that excitement was incredible."

How has winning at X Games changed your career?
"It's made me a recognizable athlete and a common name in freestyle motocross. That's really helped with sponsors; it's really helped a lot with money. I don't have to worry about how many shows I have to do to survive. It's not like that anymore."

But it was like that. You were so broke you had to borrow money from your mom just to get to X Games. Then you won XG gold and scored $50,000. What was your first big purchase with the cash?
"First of all, it wasn't $50,000. I lost $3,500 of it right off the top to California taxes. I got my check and wondered, 'Hey, why is this short? Where's the rest of it?' Then I paid my mom back right away. This will sound funny, but one of the only big things I bought was a new mattress. I'm a pretty cheap guy, but I had always wanted a Tempur-Pedic mattress, so I paid $2,300 for one of those. That's a lot, especially since the last mattress I bought was like $150, but it's so worth it."

Tell me about Camp Chuck?
"In December I closed on a house that has 70 acres. There's the house, a bunkhouse, cook's house pond, foam pit and enough land for an awesome freestyle course. It's so cool. I've got 10 ramp and dirt hits and I'm getting more. Every morning I wake up, see my backyard and think 'I can't believe this is my course!' Probably 15 to 20 people have ridden there, and everyone pitches in to maintain it. It's a lot of fun."



Chuck "Big Spender" Carothers won his biggest paycheck last year at summer X -- $50,000. Then, he bought a mattress.




You suffered a serious concussion at an event this February in Memphis. What happened?
"I remember being in the air, and the next thing I remembered was a day or so later in the hospital. I did a huge whip—it was more like a 180, really. It was maybe the biggest whip ever. People say I almost landed it, but I guess I went over the bars. I was unconscious for about 25 minutes and had collapsed a lung, so I didn't breathe for a while. My friends and the other riders there totally freaked out, a lot of them had to turn and walk away because it looked so bad.

"I remember almost nothing from the hospital, and the month after that is really fuzzy. It was horrible; I had constant blurriness, my coordination was way off and it was six weeks before I saw any improvement at all. It was three months before things cleared up, and even then symptoms would come and go. I couldn't start riding again until June."

How have you spent the past couple of months?
"I went to the ESPYs because I got nominated, which was cool. I competed in an ATV event at the Great Outdoor Games, and I already told them I'd do it again—it was that much fun. For the last couple of weeks I've just been working on the Carolla into my foam pit."

What are your expectations at X Games?
"Oh I'm gonna win again. There's no doubt in my mind. Of course, there never is. I didn't have any doubts before Winter X, but that didn't turn out so well [he crashed]. I've done a lot of Carollas in the past few days and I feel good about it. I'll get frustrated after a few bad ones, but I know I can do it."

You've heard the "one-trick-wonder" stuff. Do you feel any pressure?
"People keep asking me if I've got anything new for X Games, which is kinda crazy. I wish I did, but I'm no one-trick-wonder, and the people that ride with me know that. They've seen what I can do. I landed the one-handed Kiss of Death two years ago and nobody else has done that yet. People can say whatever, but it doesn't bother me at all."

Tuesday, June 21, 2005
X Games 11 Live Telecast ScheduleEXPN.com

DATE/TIME NETWORK EVENT
Thursday,
August 4
9 p.m.-11 p.m. ESPN BMX Freestyle Vert Finals; Moto X Best Trick Finals
Friday,
August 5
9 p.m.-11 p.m. ESPN Skateboard Vert Men's Finals; Moto X Step Up Finals
Saturday,
August 6
1 p.m.-3 p.m. ESPN Wakeboard Women's Finals; Wakeboard Men's Finals; BMX Freestyle Park Finals; Skateboard Street Men's Finals
3 p.m.-6 p.m. ABC BMX Freestyle Park Finals (continued from ESPN); Moto X Freestyle Finals Part 1; Surfing Finals
9 p.m.-11 p.m. ESPN BMX Freestyle Dirt Finals; Moto X Freestyle Finals Part 2
Sunday,
August 7
3 p.m.-6 p.m. ABC BMX Freestyle Dirt Finals; SuperMoto


The Summer X Games Start on Thursday. I'm a big fan and they are always fun to watch. I admit I do get Fuel wich is an all action sports station but I kinda forget that I have it or the shows I want to watch are on when I'm watching other stuff. For more information on the X Games you can go to expn.com . I copy and pasted a chart of when things are on TV. But it is also good to check local listing or to check on TV to. Sometimes the times and what is on can change with it being live or if other sports on before run late.

ESPN's SportsCenter will air LIVE, every day, from X Games 11 at 11 p.m. ET. ESPN will also feature daily late-night highlight programs from Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7 from 3-4 a.m. ET, and Monday, August 8 from 2-3 a.m. ET.

• Times and events listed are Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to change. Please consult your local listings.

At work we listen to The Lake. It is an interesting radio station that plays a good mix of rock music. During one of the commerical breaks I heard an ad for the Elmwood Collective. They also Mentioned Tru Teas as part of it and said they are across the street from the New Co-op. I don't remember everything but it sounded like they where also encouraging people to come to the Elmwood Area not just them. If that is true I'm sure it will help the area out a lot. I also read and article in the Buffalo News about the guy who owns Faherty's and Toro. The article wasn't only about him. It was about how Hertel had improved a lot over the last few years and how they kinda modeled what they did after elmwood. I'm sorry I can't remember the guys name or the new place he will have on Hertel. I'm not sure if it was her or not but I saw someone running down Elmwood today that looked like Lilho but I couldn't tell cause people kinda look differant in person then in pics so.