This weather blows, but at least we aren't alone. It's 33 in NYC at the Moment and the Detroit Tigers cancelled their home game last night because of single digit wind chill.

Shit apparently happens, but in an increasing number of places, freezes on impact.

You'd think we'd all have better luck pairing off to stay warm when crap like this happens.

My younger sister announced that she is getting married on Sunday night. This is a good thing. Her intended is a good guy who genuinely cares for her so all should be well. No longer being kids, they aren't particularly obligated to any one tradition or another and can basically do as they please. I figure the exact details will be undergoing some transmogrification over the course of the coming weeks. Her current plan consists of a big party in Manhattan since she resides there. Ordinarily, I'd be down for an extra trip to NYC but she wants the kids to come. While I'm happy for her, all I can really hear are dollar signs racheting in my ears of feeding and sheltering my lovely children at Manhattan prices. It's not insurmountable, it's just money I don't happen to have at the moment, spent creating false smiles at the pretentious bastards that are bound to fill out the gathering.....but I'm happy for her.

Elsewhere, I'm pretty sure one of my bosses has gone round the bend. In a staff meeting in late january, she basically through a rather impressive shit fit about being overly generous approving time off, that the needs of the business come first and we can't be okaying every request. She carefully stopped short of admitting that it was her own fuck up. She basically screamed that it can't happen again. Well, would have been nice if she backed that up. Instead of scheduling with some care, she basically okayed training schedules, sent some other staff to another weeklong seminar and granted some folks time off (NOT yours truly) and basically if you have to wait inline at Time Warner next week, it is her fault. There will be skeleton crews everywhere. I wouldn't care, but the last time I spent a week waiting on trade, I got yelled at for not getting much else done. Damned if you do, damned if you don't I guess.

A few of my fellow Tw worker bees have to go to the Bisons game on Friday and glad hand in the 30 degree weather. Suddenly, my load seemed a little lighter

I was never a big boxing fan growing up, but Showtime is running "When We Were Kings" a lot. I tend to stop and watch a little when I'm channel surfing. Ali was an artist and it is riveting to see him at the height of his powers, plus he pummeled George Foreman. Worth a look when you get a chance.

Can Sanjaya, Anna Nicole (and all her periphals), disappear?

Asked a woman to Lucinda Williams and was turned down? I was shocked.

Bloodied but unbowed, I soldier on....

You know you are getting old when one of the seminal albums of your youth turns 20. I know not everybody is a U2 fan, but the Joshua Tree was a pretty impressive album and one of the last ones I bought new on vinyl. Here's the days when they just came out and started playing.

Ah, it was a little chilly for lunch outside but a coworker of mine and I cared not. I blame (e:chico) . His journal about cheap eats got me thinking and we put those thoughts into action. Really good Italian lunch can be had if you stop by Chefs (and wait for the light to change) and keep going down Seneca to Ditondos. For $7.00 I got enough Shells and Ricott to feed me and well a younger hungrier version of me a second time.

Cheaper, quicker and flat out better than Chefs (bread is a little better too). I've lived here close to forever and never understood the Chefs hullaballoo. DiTondos has a nice little porch that almost makes you forget you are on Seneca St.

Got a call from a former business colleague wanting to know if I was interested in the Roger Waters show. He is playing at Darien Lake. Somehow, "Dark Side of the Moon" doesn't seem like much of an ampitheater show with the backdrop of roller coasters and ferris wheels. But perhaps, that is what makes it entirely right. I guess I'm a little biased thinking that with it's hugeness, Darien Lake is a crappy venue for most shows. I guess I remember all too well seeing Santana out there when the theater was just a hillside with a stage at the bottom where you could actually see the show. There goes my age showing again.

Still haven't heard a thing from my interview of last week, other than support from coworkers who believe I should be a shoo-in. If only they had something to do with the process, life would be great. The powers that be say five people were interviewed. I was the first and hopefully set the bar high. It's be nice to get back to that instead of dreading working till 7:30 in West Seneca tonight. Car may have to careen into the Anchor Bar on the way home for a pint. Supposedly, those who are liked well enough from the first interview get to talk to the interviewer and her boss as well as her counterpart later this week. Since her counterpart was my boss, I think I got all I can have in my favor. I miss this one though, I'm half tempted to say fuck it and get truly serious about finding another venue to hang my hat.

Off to NYC for an extended weekend in May to site see and sponge off my elder sister. Knowing her, we'll eat good. I'm taking number one daughter along so she can get her first taste of Manhattan. Should be a hoot.

One more work note, I met my uber boss for the first time on Friday. He actually sought me out. We chatted briefly and he indicated that he liked what he'd been hearing about me. However, he has also been the primary hatchet man in the recent round of layoffs, reassignments and flat out firings. I relayed the story of the encounter to the woman who shares my title now. She said "So, you met the Angel of Death, was his hand cold when you shook it?"

Sounds like a shot I might take.

Weather was great, yesterday, or so I'm told. The one instance I had to walk outside was right at the start of the quick rainstorm. If that ain't a metaphor for having a monday, I'm not sure what is.

Keep passing the opening windows, peeps.

Second time I've vented a little about a lost soul, but we lost a cool neighbor about a week or so ago. Mrs. B was one of the true groovy old ladies. She wasn't one to stand on ceremony. Your first appearance in her door triggered the "let me set you a plate" response. Whoopi Goldberg did a good monologue a few years about "we all just folks." Mrs. B seemed to operate with that as her moral compass, a truly rare trait. She lived off Elmwood for more than 50 years. When we moved in next door back in 95, she was at the door to say hello with the moving truck. Halloween meant making sure the kids got to her house for the "special treats." She did a little thing for each of my lot and the family on the other side.

When I moved out in '04, she also appeared to let my ex and I know we both had a friend without strings attached. That value was priceless.
An admirably dirty grin with a mind to match, she took great delight in pushing her husband's buttons for our amusement. That joy is rare.

I had this journal written in my head on the ride home tonight, but a guinness got the pc moving again. Here's to you, Mrs. B.

"May the road rise to meet you......"

Missed the St. Matty's Party to escort Number one son to his awards banquet. The dinner was held at Salvatore's. We got done up in our suits and headed out. Salvatore's is an interesting eyesore. My folks live out that way. My dad jokes that he tells people to hang a right at the ugliest restaurant and people never miss the turn off.

As overblown and overrated as the place is, you do eat well. I was fascinated by the many Salad roadies doling out salads and whatnot. In a room laden with mirrors and crushed velvet, it seemed strangely appropriate to see a guy dressed like the Penquin orchestrating the runners, directing the buffet, and cueing each table.

You'd think given the fountains and the whatnot, the buffet would be a little out of the ordinary. I was a little worried for number one son as we don't feed the kids red meat, but sure enough, Rigatoni, Mashed Potatoes, and all the typical stuff that could be made in bulk were present. I'm a little cynical to the place but the food was pretty good. Given the charge of getting him to the dinner and trophy retrieval, I'm glad it worked out. Little man looked proud of the trophy too so that was doubly cool.

In other news, get (e:Jenks) ' new mix. My ipod was quite happy as I schlepped out to the Amherst TW office a little bit ago.

Big interview tomorrow, but I'm feeling good about it. Main interviewer says it will be no big deal, just come on down and we'll tawk. So, here's to no big whoop.

Watching George Carlin do his complaint department schtick last night got me in touch with my inner grumpy old man. I was in Wegman's and this close to St. Patrick's Day, they can't swing a special on the stuff. Strikes me as a cynical "It's Irish, we'll charge what we want" approach. Bastards! I buy the draught cans of the stuff semi-regularly and hate seeing a good beverage reduced to Tchotchkey status.

One of my coworkers was giving me some gentle shit about the parade. "How can you not love it, being actually irish and stuff?" Easy, the parade itself has always been a tad lame. The real fun is the people who come to see it. It's a great reason to get folks together, but as a featured attraction, it's a little wanting. Can't go anyway.

It's March madness alright, or the month my visa card loves me. Already waded through the birthdays of Number one Son, his mom and my mom, only to be greeted today by my older brother getting older. He's 48 today. I, being me, have taken great delight in reminding him that it really isn't one of those cool number ages, say like 43. I need to win a office pool to pay for these high holy days, as I still have my sister's day in a couple of weeks.

Gotta miss the St. Matty's Day party for reasons domestic. Got the youngins with me. I'm not trying to be antisocial. It's just working out that way. Reminds me that I'm 0 for 2 in 07 for parties at the 24, got to reverse that trend soon. Hope it's a great day for you (e:Matthew) . Enjoy.

I get to chat about getting my marketing post back first part of next week. Consider this an official request for good vibes.