📅 August 2007

Was out galavanting with my faithful traveling companion yesterday. I wasn't clear where you entered Woodlawn beach & the State Park so we went to find out. It's funny what you can pick up along the way. Coming down on the other side of the skyway, we got a great view of the massive wind turbines that are at water's edge in Lackawanna. I know they've been there for awhile, but this was the first time they caught my eye. Would have taken a picture, but I was without any place to pull over.

Something kinda eerie about them. These propellers are huge and I never noticed them in all my trips last year coming back from work at the Bills games. It's nice to get a new look at the surroundings now and again.

CHico and Chica's pictures remind me it's been too long for a good gorge hike. Fun to watch the "terrified" jetboat riders.

The pending storm yesterday did a funny thing. On the way back home, we swung by the marina for overpriced cold beverages and the blackness of the clouds created an unusual effect for a steamy August day, a near deserted Marina.









We had a good time anyway.

Off to the Fair tonight --- Preview night.

Number one Son and I repaired to the Transit Drive in the other night and it is such a throwback. The minivan crowd is forced to tie their hoods down not to obstruct vision. The staff hands you a flyer with where on your radio to pick up the movie sound. We got to see a double feature for $11.00. I brought our drinks at the Co-op, but I did snag a bucket of popcorn at the show for 4? Can you imagine the Regal only charging 4 for a bucket? Me, neither. Two lounge chairs and a boombox. That is the way to see Underdog (which wasn't bad actually).
Other blockbusters were on the other screens.

Something different, but worth the bargain price.

Gonna see the Underdog/Ratatouille selection. Not my choice, but number one son is with me for the week and he got to pick. His sibilings and their mom are en route to the Michigan Women's Festival, so we have some guy time this week. So, culture isn't quite to hibrow this week

I read the current Harry Potter book this week. It was a really good book. The thing is huge, but written in a way that you can lose yourself in the narrative. Only secret that I'll spill is that Col. Mustard did it in the conservatory with the lead pipe.

Got the week off and already life feels a little brighter. My direct supervisor changed and who she "Is" varies from day to day. It's a little surreal watching somebody else deal with being overwhelmed. The downside is the answer to a question can change depending on when you ask it. I do pretty well on commissions and was expecting a nice pile to come with the check that is arriving this week, but somebody (her) forgot something and now we have to wait another two weeks to see the $ for July. Argh.

Stole out of work early to see Lucinda Williams at Artpark and it was well worth it. Aside from having a 'thing" for her, it dawned on me that both Artpark and the Canal Concerts have better lineups then the Square does this year. Although, I do plan on showing up for Dropkick Murphys when they get here in September -- certain freedoms to staghood I guess.

It's nice out, we're going golfin'

Later peeps

I'm spending the bulk of my time at the Time Warner office in Amherst and I'm trying to find the comedy in the inherent insanity. For example, three separate incidents yesterday: a couple comes to the counter and without fail, the male steps up and shows his knowledge by "asking about our DSL." Without missing a beat, the woman gently informs him that that is the phone company, we're at the cable store." Funny, sometimes, I don't even have to be here.

I had to stop downtown to apply for another position and stepped into see my current supervisor and I wound up getting dressed down for a few errors in the billing system. Makes you wish you don't show up sometimes. I was on my own time, and quietly hpoing to sneak out, instead I wound up refreshing my mind over what happened to one customer abour 10 days ago. No problem except that I talk to over 100 people typically on a variety of issues.

Feh, two days from vacation. Boy do I need it. The folks out here are spoiled, lazy and whiny but I do what I do what I do.

94 in Amherst at the moment -- Tell me there is nothing to global warming, go ahead, go ahead.

Not going anyplace on this vacation, just going to be nice to get some time away from the work to relax and hang with number one son while his sisters and Mom head off to the Women's Music Fest in Michigan. Tis' our time for guy stuff, rainy day at Dave and Buster's, sunny day golfin or going to a Bisons game and stuff like that.

I was mesmorized at the coverage of the Bridge disaster in Minneapolis last night. Given the vicisstudes of rush hour there, I'm amazed the death tally isn't higher. We've got CNN on in the office at the moment and they are on the edge of not having much new to say. The Minneapolis paper had a headline of "Down, Down, Down." It's a Rupert Murdoch world and we're just living in it.

Did win a Weggies gift card the other day, so the beer will be quality this evening.

Stay cool, peeps