Happy 4th everybody!

I always worry about a little about the various fireworks shows that are visible from the thruways because the last thing you need around here are Western New York drivers ooh-ing and aahing at 70 mph, especially when they are taking calls etc.

I had an expected blast last night. A work colleague invited me down to the Holland Speedway for some auto racing. I've never been a big Nascar fan or anything but it seemed like a hoot. We've done some promo work for the track owner so he replied with a couple of passes. We saw him immediately upon coming through the gates. So, he hooked us up. "Follow me" were the instructions. We went up a steep flight of stairs behind the grandstand into the building at the top, passed a few Suites, behind the officials booth, up a steep flight of stairs behind the closed circuit broadcast team, through a door and out onto a patio that gave a view of the whole park. I could see my house from there (not really), but it truly was the best seat in the house.

It's mostly local guys who like to race, with a bunch of different types of cars thorough out the night. They know just enough to be dangerous. The midget 8 track race on the infield looked like it was going to yield a bunch of carnage, as it was pretty obvious the drivers weren't "family." The late model race had the most money at stake in terms of what the drivers put into their cars. We're not talking Nascar talent so a 40 lap race took forever to complete. They couldn't get a complete lap in without something happening, wrecks, parts falling what have ya.

I took away from this that watching the leader was always dull. It's watching the goings on back in the pack, because somebody was inevitably starting something.

The track had a nice lil fireworks show to close the night. Not bad for the price of a few drinks.

Enjoy the holiday, ya'all

You can sure tell who is low on the totem pole by who is in the office today. I have a wicked bad case of "Don't want to be here today." About half of the people who should be in on a Monday aren't (bastards!). Gets me out of the usual staff meeting b.s.
The four folks I work with and I have to sit through two hours of nonsense each Monday so other groups can feel like they have their say. They are in for such a rude awakening when Time Warner comes in, whenever that happens.

I haven't heard yet about the interview that I had last week or been given all the paperwork I need to go to my next posting if that job doesn't happen. I'm told that will happen later this week, but I'd like the 2nd interview more so. Guess the holiday slows down paperwork flow and decision makings at the same time. In either case, best be prepared, got the go meet the system vice president interview suit all set to go.

Was forced to go out into the community last night. The laundry in my building was down and holy crap did I need to do some. I spent a little more at the Elmwood/Auburn laundramat, but the machines did a little better, I saw a few folks cruising the street and a mocha spot shake between cycles always brightens a fluff and fold ya'know.

I'm thinking my 11 year old is messing with my head. She was pontificating about all the protesting that her big sister was doing when it came to spending this past weekend at my place. I'm slowly getting smarter, let her talk out, asking the occasionally question, but letting her have her say. Seemed to work as she enjoyed the art gallery and swimming Friday, more swimming, dinner and Superman on Saturday and more pool yesterday.

Both of them occasionally get on me about the small apartment and whatnot and I'm rolling with the punches fairly well. It is sometimes tough to know where you stand when you're in my shoes. I guess I'm getting a little better at guessing. My son's a little easier to figure. But the Father daughter thing is complex enough when everybody is under one roof, but when the "family" is unique it can be a tough dance, especially when my feet were all thumbs. I tell them I'm working on the apartment thing. Space, as you all know, is a pricey thing in this neighborhood.

But I think all three of them had a overall good time. Most mornings, I'm fairly sluggish waking up, but my son provided a moment of instant clarity Sunday morning. A Bad dream had him up at 4 in the morning and had me moving quick. Not knowing what was up initially, I woke right up.

It's catching up to me now.

zzzzzzzzz

I had to be a barely tolerable dad this weekend else I would have made it to the "Three's Company" party for sure. Instead of jello shooters, it was Applebee's and an evening swim and Spiderman 2 on HBO. Tame to be sure, but it was a good time nonetheless.

Friday, I took the youngins over to Free Friday at the Art Gallery. If you haven't done it yet, that is worthwhile. The Albright folks take some of the hot air out of their shirts and everything seems a little more accessible. Was fun watching my two detail what they thought of a particular sculpting.

We continued the discussion at Cold Stone Creamery, where it's not that the ice cream is all that, it's the stuff they dump in it for you.

Off to do laundry. Happy Sunday kids

Just another manic monday...

I think I prepped for my interview as best I can. I have the list of questions as set as they can be. I have the long list of stock responses properly clear in my mind. Writing them out long hand seems to help my aging mind and thanks to three free Heinkens at Edgefest I'm good and relaxed.

Speaking of Edgefest, I met up with a younger colleague from work and caught a few bands. He bailed on me right before 30 Seconds to Mars. I hung out to see what the fuss was about. I wound up thinking they were pretty good. Lots of folks flying through the air. I never thought of the convention center capable of mosh pit hosting til tonight. It was a nice sight to see. The whole crowd reminded me of why I originally liked going to the Pink. The age span was vast. It went from teenagers to folks in their 50s. I was pleasantly surprised by the nice vibe and got to enjoy the company of (e:Ladycroft) and (e:imk2) (as well as daughter of same). I had a good time hanging out with you guys. Hope I didn't cramp your style too much. I did get the benefit of someone else's loss. An autographed 30 Seconds CD was laying on the ground having fell out of someone's grasp. I stood and looked at it and inspected directions. Nobdy was coming for it, so I gave it a home.

My boss sent me an email saying I won a $250 gift card in the finality of a promotion we've been running to mark the end of Adelphia so there are toys and at least some decent beer in my future. I'm hoping these are positive omens for tomorrow at 5. Only down side is that my son is getting belt tested at the same time. I was anxious to see Mr. Happy Go Lucky show his stuff with the Nunchucks before the judges, but I'm promised lots of pictured as his mom and I liked the sound of the raise I'd get if I get this job.

I must be on somebody's radar. I asked a woman to the movies -- An Inconvient Truth -- earlier -- she said yes.

Maybe that discomfort I felt earlier was a horseshoe in the right place instead of gas.

Must be a sign....

It's a little peculiar but I'm taking comfort in that Grey's Anatomy repeats are back on. I could use a little mind candy.

Had to laugh a little. I took my son to the pool right before the really hard rain started to fall. As it did, the lifeguard started shooing us all out. It was kind of funny to see upwards of twenty people running for cover from the rain when they were all already in swimsuits. Got to get out of the pool so you don't get wet.

Can't believe it is almost monday again, weekend rolled quick. Aside from interview news, my kids all flew into their next grades which is good. Nobody has to attend school this summer except me. I'm resuming my masters work at St. Bonaventure at Hilbert in August. Not sure my aging brain is ready for that.

I was getting caught up with the rents and was bemoaning the drainings on my recent paychecks and trying to be a big boy about it. When we were leaving, my mom slipped me $40.00. While that doesn't accomplished much, it made me feel good.

Ordered heelys for my darling middle child's birthday in two weeks and am promptly broke again. Good thing the Edgefest beer is free.

Speaking of which, my job entails drowning in the occasional piles of swag and whatnot. The bulk is crap for promotions or just crap. I did offer to beta test the HD TV set and xbox 360. My boss just gave the look that said stop being an idiot.

Have a good week, everybody.

Well, not really, but I'm not dead yet professionally. I just got a call to interview for running a division of the next cable company here. The digital pow-wow is set for Tuesday. So, who knows maybe there are second acts in things other than politics. I tend to think it's more like Michael Myers of Broadband, just when you think I'm dead, I'm up again.........

More to come, think happy thoughts

I love the band but this takes Bono down a deserved peg. Too damn funny. Enjoy

On my to do list is check out Al Gore's movie. I picked up the book and if he spoke with this much passion during the 2000 election, it might have made Florida a non-issue. Thanks to (e:AJAY), I've gotten hooked on Throw Away Your TV.com. One of the more entertaining archives was Keith Olbermann's (one of my favorite tv guys) interview with the former V.P. Together, they get you thinking without talking down to you. Neat trick that. Check them out.

At least for the moment anyway. I got my bike out for the first time this season. I decided it would be best after getting the bike ready and myself stretched that I might as well get fully back into biking in EV. That meant taking on Elmwood like a bicyclist should, in the street.

I do have a helmet and wear it, but on my fat head, I look like an irish version of the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones. With some sunglasses on, I looked liked Gazoo's handicapped older brother. Flintstone!!

Anyhoo, after providing the Spot/Brodo crowd with reason to doubletake, I got from Lexington to Forest without one single motorist flipping me off (must be doing something right) and did a quick 180 and worked my way back. Not wanting to push it, I headed back downn Bryant, past the old Buffalo Rome and Just Pasta when my thigh muscles wanted a word with me. In short, they insinuated that if I didn't start taking it back home, my back was going to have a difficult thursday and I was going to make a noise everytime I got out of a chair. Not being one to argue, I headed back for the apartment.

Tomorrow night, I'll try and distract them and go a little further, gullible bastards, they fell for the same trick last year. I'm not out for anything crazy, just trying to maintain and feel a little better, a little more often.

By next week, I'll get brave and hit the cemetary and park where the really crazy drivers are.

1. How did you find out about/why did you become of estrip?

By accident, I was meandering around the internet and literally stumbled on to it. A journaling site within my own neighborhood, it merited further exploration.

2. How "out" are you about having a publicly accessible online journal. Do your friends know? Does your family know? Do your co-workers know? Does your boss know? Do you use your real name? Do you use your real photo?

I'm pretty out. It's my real picture, Mike is my real first name. My boss asked me about the bumpersticker. I'm hiding, but in plain site

3. How many epeeps have you met real life? Haven't counted totally, but I've had the good fortune to meet Vincent, Paul, Matthew, Terry, Enknot, Jenks, imk, Ladycroft, Dragonlady, Zobar, Mike, Uncutsaniflush, TheCarey, LeeTee, Metalpeter, and a number of folks I'm forgetting, but I do apologize. It's a great group of folks

4. How has estrip changed the way that you meet people, on and/or off line? Not really, you do learn about people from how they write and being a little more open to new people and ideas will get you more in the return. I suppose I'm reaping the benefit of other peeps web experiences and learning from them in terms of everything from the web to new music to not being so tunnel vision like when I enter spot.


5. How has estrip affected you love life? Not yet but hope springs eternal

6. How many of your friends have joined estrip because of your influence? No, I kind of like keeping you guys to myself

7. Are you from Buffalo/do you live in Buffalo?
Yes/Yes

Equipment:
1. What type of hardware or software purchases have you made as a result of using estrip?
None yet, I have both kids and a divorce attorney that have eaten into my gadget budget

2. Have you used the mobile version of estrip? Why or why not? Not yet as my cell phone is on the lame mostly just a phone side

Lifestyle:
1. In what way has estrip changed your Internet surfings habits? Describe the amount of time you spend on estrip, when you use it and about how long? Estrip is a fixture of my surfing habits. If I'm killing some time or just want to see what thinkin is going on, I stop in

1a. How many journals do you usually read per day?
Hard to say, a dozen roughly.

2. In what ways has estrip changed the way you perceive your local community? No, it reinforces all the nothings that brought to this neighborhood initially.

3. How has journaling about your life affected the way you spend your free time? Nah, it gives me a place to expand my thoughts after all the people have left

4. Has estrip changed your living situation in any way?
nope

5. Do you find that you mediate/document more of your experiences now that you share them with others? Not really

6. Has publishing on estrip affected the way that write? I've always fancied myself a decent writer and this venue hasn't dictated how I do that.

7. Do you have other online journals? If so, with what service and has estrip affected your usage of that journal? Not anymore.

8. Have you ever gotten in trouble for using estrip at work?
One of the benefits of working for an ISP. Those who've seen it think it's pretty cool
9. If you have stopped using estrip, why? N/A