In lieu of buying coupons and wandering around Niagara Square today, I opted to just spend the same amount right at Fat Bob's to get it fresh instead of from under some warming lamp/torch. It's a little antisocial I know, but the taste doesn't seem to do it for me anymore. I know it's only part of the experience, but something about it just doesn't do it for me. I'm saving myself for the canal fest funnel cake and lemonade I guess.

Had an odd experience at the zoo. The ex bought a member card. I've used it with the kids a few times without fail. Today, the rep started checking the last name and the address and refused entrance since my first name didn't appear on the card. My driver's license still has the house address so you'd figure she would do 2+2, but no. "We want you pay admission ." I already did jerkass!

Did the Canal Concert last night (well, part of it) from the other side of the Canal last nght and it was pretty cool. I remember seeing the Psychedlic Furs at a bar in South Buffalo when Pretty in Pink came out the first time. I think I've aged better, but what the hey, you couldn't beat the price.

It's a quiet night and that is okay. I've been on solo duty all weekend. The Ex was gone, her parents were in Detroit, mine are in VA for a show opening. Twas me and the youngins all weekend. Was cool, but I had the thought that if I collapsed at all, kids would have no one to call. Weird the things you think about sometimes. Made me feel like I need a trip to compensate for all the field trip facilitating I've been doing.

IF I had any money or benefit time, a toronto sojurn at the least may have to happen.

My daughter tanked her Chemistry final, not intentionally. Part of me did want to give a 1000 lashes but she did pretty well in reversing a trend only to get sniped by the Regents final. Any Tutors out there? The fun part is dealing with the City Honors bureaucracy. They reminded me three times that registration for classes in summer is over now. I responded as only a parent could. I lied and said I was away (in reality, her mom couldn't bear to open the envelope). They asked that I come over Monday and meet with Guidance and the deed will get done.

One test can change entire dysfunctional family's summer. We were talking to her about it and I swear I could my lovely middle child checking to see if a beating was gonna happen. Much to her disappointment, her sister was all too aware so we didn't pile on, just made a plan to "Git her done" and pass the bastard.

Never thought Chemistry would be dogging me so long after having taken it.

Wet day yesterday, but I didn't really mind. Fireworks in Niagara Falls are going to go off on Friday and I might drag my guys up for that. Nice not to have cope with work yesterday.Got my other bike working and made repairs to the youngins as well.

Amazing how we all needed to do laundry yesterday. My building had a waiting line so I ventured to the Auburn/Elmwood mat and got it done in no time.

I enchewed fireworks and watched Die Hard with a Vengence on cable. (e:theecarey) was right. Excellent dumb fun.

I've liked my schedule of late. I worked last monday, took 3 days off, worked friday, two days off, worked two day, got tomorrow off. You'd think with all those breathers you;d be refreshed and at your best, but here I am trying to find some rhythym[. Good thing my tuckus has been booted to our Amherst office, fresh start on Thursday.

Had an encounter that makes me think I am overestimating possibilities. I had been out a few times last summer with a woman and we seemed to hit it off. She had a plausibly impossible schedule during school. We kept in some touch and made tenative plans to make the trek up to Artpark for a free concert. She emailed me back saying she needs to drive with somebody so we should meet there and there will be some folks she wants to see and am I cool with her being a social butterfly?

It's hard to know where you stand in situations like that. Are we on a date or am I just another in a unknown circle of friends? It is probably the latter, but I was charmed in how she saw the world that I was a litle too encorcelled with the idea of seeing a little bit of it with her, but that shall not pass.

Single beat will keep on thumpin....

In other news, I'm a little bugged about President Bush commuting the sentence of Scooter Libby. I'm actually more bugged that there exists a man in his fifties who willingly calls himself Scooter. On one hand, Bush is the President and that office can do that. On the other hand, some criminalities did occur. Is this the first White House to cover up unsavory legalities? Hell, no. The whole thing will keep all the pundits off the street I guess.

Guessin the Sabres won't be quite such a big deal next season with their two big names playing elsewhere. If you were sick of them in May this year, I suspect you won't have the same problem next year. The free agents that are left won't have the impact on the team. Upshot is the gossip is that the Sabres aren't a fun group to work for. I'd like to try it sometime, however.

Speaking once again of work, I got a "resume update" for a communications opening I applied for. About 30 seconds on receipt, I got a digital rejection letter. Guess no more updates are forthcoming.

Got out for my first bike ride of the season the other day and did a few nerve hardening laps on Elmwood between Forest and Allen. About the time I found my comfort zone, my thighs gently pointed out how old they are. Before they screamed, I stopped.

I miss (e:joshua) 's beer reviews, but allow me to pass along this tip. Next time are coming back across the border, stop by the duty free in Ft Erie and pick up a twelve pack of Sleeman's Original Draught, it is toe-curling good.

Before the voices in my head form a choir, I'll let that be the last word.

Have a good 4th, everybody

I think my tortoise like boss is going to be the death of me. My immediate sup needed me for something yesterday but got overruled by her turtleship. She wanted me to head to another office for a day of putting out fires. Which would have been fine had she bothered to pick up a damned phone. Wound up spending a lengthy time in the car because neither of these two balloonheads can pick up a phone.

Speaking of phones, a customer had an iphone. I want one, but not bad enough to justify the price tag or moving to AT&T.

Had orientation night for my gig with the Bills. You sit and watch a bunch of videos and you're pronounced ready for the year. Got to love a session where they pay you and feed you. Who would have thought the Buffalo Bills could crank out cookies worth pocketing?

Dealing with poison ivy for the first time ever. Almost gone but I'm having a good time working a little guilt from my parents. I got it there chasing down a few well swatted baseballs at dusk and didn't see a plant that they didn't see.

Glad Thursday in the Square was cool according to (e:theecarey). I like Joan Osborne, but had to pass as I was juggling domestic responsibilities. But another sign of my years is that my daughter and some of her cheerleading buddies went instead. I had three coupons left from the Violent Femmes so I was able to hook her up. Who's the cool Dad? That's right!

Spent the middle of the week just hanging with my guys and avoiding work, both of which are always rewarding times.

Giggled watching Michael Chertoff try to explain himself at the Peace Bridge and how further bureaucracy will keep us safe. Immigration and safety are two separate issues and the borders with Canada and Mexico should be treated as two separate issues. The potential policy would stop the easily stopped smuggler attempts and I'm pretty confident that Ft. Erie is not going to attack. It's like that line that George Carlin offered about airport security: "It isn't any safer, it's the illusion of safety for the benefit of nervous white people." Not gonna accomplish a thing as borders can still be flown over. Only thing passports at the Peace Bridge will accomplish will be long lines and the end of the casual beer and Aero Bar run....

Speaking of which, gotta go.

Saturday in the park. Tough part of climbing the rocks down by the marina is eventually you have to work your way back up



Just like me to get in the way of a good sunset, windy down there.

Here it is sans me getting in the way



Raised our overpriced dairy products in salutation

Just got back from LaSalle Park and starting feeling bleah again. It's been one of those time frames where you're not sure where you fit in the world. Funny thing about LaSalle, there was a time like it seemed like it was going to bloom a little, instead of just being all the neighborhood has. There used to be tuesday night concerts there. I remember the Dixie Chicks playing just before they started getting big, America playing long after they were and Tito Puente turning the park into a big party. The place got a repaving and now it looks like a little forlorn. Bet the hot dog stand owner is glad he chased Ted's out so he could properly board the place up and let it rot.

Sigh, could have been something, but between the misbegotten fountain by Porter and the snack bar you wouldn't want to eat off of, get the impression the City's to-do list doesn't include it.

My lovely middle child made blueberry pancakes on Sat as a father's day present which was nice. By this morning, she was back to her evil self. I think she has a Sullen Outfit for such occasions. She whined to her mom that I "forced" her to go to Becker Farms, conveniently omitting that she had a great time while she was there.

Sigh

Working the bulk of this week in Buffalo which is a little strange as you don't really fit in there either. There's a lot of remodeling getting done and some really strange practices. Can't send a fax without passing two locked doors, which need to stay locked. Bad enough my keychain is ready for statehood, but geesh. We're anal retentive about a door, but nobody's paying attention when Tops can't process a cable bill or my supervisor can't schedule enough people to close. It must be me.

Sigh

Stopped by the house where a mild water war was in play and the sudden blast from the garden hose was really nice, but again I didn't linger, mostly because I swished when I walked.

Got greeting rather warmly by a woman about my age I've known for sometime at the parade a few weeksago. Didn't too hard about that, but all the sudden I was asked to go see Richard Thompson with her after a chance encounter at Spot last night, so who knows.

One work note, the natives are restless. Pretty much everybody in my department is applying for other things. That can't be good. On the upside, I got my Time Warner digital phone and it is really cool.

So, in every cloud, is some silver shit

sigh

Last post of the day. Any peep out there with a Mac OS X disc I can burn or borrow? I got willed a "Wallstreet Version" Powerbook, but it has no Operating System, hence my need of a cd.

Let me know if you're feeling charitable. One good turn deserves a spot beverage or something

Guess it is one of those opinionated days....

I was just coming down Auburn toward Elmwood. Green light so I was all set to make a swing on to Elmwood when a guy appeared by the treehouse, headphones in place, never looks to see what color light might be facing, never looks to see if a car is coming from any direction. I beep just enough to say "Hey Stupid." He looks at me. I point to the traffic signal in my favor. He adjusts his volume and keeps on schleppin.

Makes you wonder...

A satisfying day otherwise. Got my windows cleaned on my lil red gomobile, so I can actually see out. Returned a phone and got a better one in its place.

Quietly yanked the plug out from both my facebook and yahoo personals listings (despite the appearance of a peep in my search listing).

Having a decent enough hair day that a new user pic might be on the horizon. Wonders indeed never cease.

Got the kids soon so I'm loafing till then. Their father's day notion is to make pancakes here tomorrow.

Mighty fine, enjoy your friday eves my friends.

A Day off......ain't it grand.

Was watching part of the today show while waiting for the coffee maker to finishing and pretty sure one of the signs being held up featured "HO" rather prominently. You don't suppose we've had our first nationally broadcast peeps? Couldn't see the faces of the sign holders but it did make me wonder.....briefly.

In the here's what I know department, if you want digital phone from TW, it's gonna be $39.95. It's using the cable connection, not the internet to run. If you have tv and net already, you can save some bucks. I just got mine connected (employee perk) and it isn't too shabby.

Made a black belt feel bad. Number one Son was sparring during his Tae Kwon Do class last saturday. His opponent thought he was on UFC and knocked my guy's helmet strap loose and before the instructors would/could do anything, his helmet went flying. As I'm running out to check on him, I'm thinking about all the money that his mom and I are sinking into braces. He was okay, just the dignity got bruised. Anyhoo, I spoke to the school owner and requested that if the equipment that we had to buy from him can't protect our kids, he needs to take some responsibility for that and make sure his instructors are on point. Also, that my guy needs a confidence boost and not have to face a little twerp with Chuck LIddell fantasies.

Got this in the email

With iTunes Plus, you can get our highest-quality audio with no restrictions for personal use. iTunes Plus songs are available at $1.29 per song, music videos are still $1.99, and albums are generally available at the same price as DRM-protected versions of the albums.

And best of all, you can upgrade all the eligible music you've previously purchased from iTunes to iTunes Plus for just $.30 per song, $.60 per music video, and 30% of an album price. New additions to iTunes Plus music are added to iTunes all the time, so check back often to find new music available for upgrading.

This sounds fine, but I'm not sure my IPODS will know the difference. The Itunes files are pretty dense mp3s. The new ones sound like that it is something for the burn em all to cd set.

Shenanigans, either way.

Back to the laundry