"Inauguration Day Pictures" written by Mrmike on estrip.org

06/14/09 09:39 - 66ºF - ID#48977

Inauguration Day Pictures

I thought I posted some of these but I think I actually forgot

One of the beautiful things of having relatives smack in the middle of DC is you can select your historical moments without a whole lot of advance planning. With the inauguration of President Obama, my former spouse and I thought it would be good to take our kids and just be part of the moment. Given their racial makeup, it was a once in a lifetime thing. Given a horrifying ride down the night before, I was ready for a little lackadasical adventure. Essentially, we walked a few blocks and were in Obamastock. It was fun to just see all the hullabaloo. We didn't stuggle to get into certain places. Things just seemed to happen all Ferris Bueller like, just right into place. The feeling of hope made everybody friends. After eight years of Washington induced fear, it was a beautiful thing to see the city (both of them) so friendly.

My Eldest and Youngest having more fun in front of the Department of the Interior than is usually permitted.

Our hero, trying not freeze celebrating democracy

Permalink: Inauguration_Day_Pictures.html
Words: 220
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: random notes

06/14/09 08:01 - 55ºF - ID#48970

The Complaint Department

If you ever wonder why people are disinclined to vote, I believe those folks received validation in the form of the New York State Senate. As a moderate democrat, I like to think I see both sides, but this is ridiculous. While the democratic senators pout and act like petulant fifth-graders, the republicans are playing a glorified version of "King of the Castle." Neither is doing anything remotely resembling the people's business. Nobody's looking to lead, change the nature of a government hellbent on getting the very last drop of blood from the stone. Talk about a bunch a people who need smacked with a big bag of hammers.

Wish it was possible for a government bail-out because our state senate is run worse than GM.

In other news, I've had it up to here with the race for this, the fun run for that, the 5K for rectal itch, you name it. The race organizers seem to think the city has three streets and the course help doesn't know the route either. I was trying to take my daughter to work this morning down one street, was told to take another, when I got to the end of that, was told to turn around to go back where we started. I realize it is the only time you get folks into the city, but how about a little consideration for city lifers and spread this grab out a little, puhleeze??

Been down Elmwood at Forest three separate times today, each time there was some butthead who couldn't remember to get out of the right lane so they could keep traveling on Elmwood, and they HAD to challenge everybody who remembered?

Lest you think I'm too high and mighty gentle reader, after hitting the ATM by Bidwell, thinking I was free and clear, I pulled right in front on an SUV who thankfully was too oblivious to me.

It's Allentown weekend and once again, the stuff around the Art Festival is cooler than the items in the Art Festival. You'd think the Art Association would embrace the positive vibe and not be such hypocrites when it came to music and the merchants in the area, that way a big party could get spread out as it grew.

Buffoons.

Permalink: The_Complaint_Department.html
Words: 378
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: work

06/08/09 04:22 - 62ºF - ID#48867

Biker Gangs, fun runners & more

Still tired from it all. Well, dear reader, it is like this. Physically, (and sometimes by necessity, I have had to be a really early morning person and it isn't sitting well.

During a recent day of double promotion, I had to stare down actual bikers, take crap about a commercial that doesn't exist, run a few miles across the grounds as well as take my part in the Eugene O'Neill drama that is my parents and sister living together under one roof. The bikers were a piece of cake by comparison. Events are funny things. It is kind of like traveling. You stand around a lot alternating with periods of moving all over the property at as a high of rate of speed as was possible.

There are some oddities, watching people and their sense of entitlement to things they knew nothing about. I watched as one woman who paid nothing to come, wasn't charged a thing, was all set to go tear off the head of some restaurant employee in search of the parking token she believed she so richly deserved. People will have self-inflicted anuerisms over the littlest thing. A letter in my email box gripes over the lack of free ice cream, when we specified when the free ice cream was to be given away. Went to my folks house at the end of the day feeling like Methusalah.

Woke up the next morning with designs on the parade and my fatigue was hard to conceal as the splife offered to take the boy home early, provided I went home and napped. Don't have to tell me twice. I plopped on the couch and promptly checked out for three hours.

New man today: got the car inspected, picked up the dry cleaning, filled out the paperwork for passport card and booklet, washed the vehicle and enjoyed the coffee much more since I was at my own brewer. Good way to start the week. I may yet just thrive.

Permalink: Biker_Gangs_fun_runners_amp_more.html
Words: 332
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: fatherman

06/02/09 09:02 - 52ºF - ID#48822

Happy Stuff

It's funny how often you can read in these pages how somebody's getting old or feeling so old and invariably the writer isn't past 30. Well, I got one for you all and I don't mind. Today, I am the parent of an 18 year old. That statement is one of those that makes me worry. I can't remember much about last night's dinner, but the events of today 18 years ago are practically in high definition. She got her yearbook last week at a reception at the Pearl Street Brewery (My kid in a bar, one of my bars!!!) and the following picture was inside. I'm so proud, even at just a few months old, she could render a good evil eye.

Happy Birthday, Siobhan

Permalink: Happy_Stuff.html
Words: 125
Location: Buffalo, NY

06/01/09 03:04 - 64ºF - ID#48815

Drama, Drama, Drama

Oy!

My older sister subletted her place and came back to Buffalo with our Dad yesterday afternoon. Wow, didn't like being there at all. Everybody knew it was coming and I think ultimately it will be a good thing. She has herself convinced that it is the end of the world. Anybody with a brain knows otherwise, but the economics of the times are her off her game.

It was a tough weekend, but she was dragging it out. By the tiime Sunday morning got here, my dad's patience was gone. He wanted to get her moving out of Chelsea to at least cap one end of the odyssey.

They made it to Buffalo in a decent amount of time, a little more than 7 hours. I made it out to Clarence to help with the minivan unload and get the valuable electronics up and running. As we're unloading, he venting to me about her. She's venting to me about him. Apparently, I'm switzerland (without the secret Nazi financing).

She was upset because they left without a friend coming by to pack her tv. Dad told the friend that they were aiming to be gone by 9AM on Sunday. She wanted the friend to pack her tv (and really to say goodbye for the summer). That didn't happen. My Dad thought standing around in Chelsea would only prolong the agony. I think he was right. My younger sister and I half joked it worh risking the wrath for the greater good.

I offered to go in my Dad's stead. He is off infusion therapy finally, but the last treatment was just a week ago. He declined. I got my brother-in-law to get there to do any heavy lifting. So, it worked. He got her into the car and fortunately had clear sailing all the way back this direction. The finality of the journey was a big monkey off their collective shoulders.

I do what you can: mix highballs, pickup food and hook up all of her valued electronics, which got everybody chilled appropriately. Never wanted to leave my folks place so badly before.

Permalink: Drama_Drama_Drama.html
Words: 352
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: fatherman

05/28/09 10:32 - 63ºF - ID#48780

Representing...

Despite a couple of errors on the media's part, my former spouse and current son represented on Ch. 2 tonight about how we all just folks. She spoke well and he works a camera well.

metalpeter writes at 08:40:37 06/01/09 - Comment #48863: The other day Bill Maher said something on his show that I wish I had the " " to. It went something along the lines of why can't everyone just have civil unions and get rid of Marriage. He was talking about how does something the church do give people all these rights. I think what he was getting at is that there should be no such thing as it and that anyone should be able to have a civil union with anyone else. That isn't a bad idea really. If you think about the fact that the church and state are supposed to be separate then how can a marriage in a church give you legal rights to things. I'm not saying I completely agree but it is an interesting thought.

theecarey writes at 04:30:45 06/01/09 - Comment #48851: Awesome.

Damn you have a good looking family, btw. (no surprise there!)

Lets legalize same sex marriage already! Finding someone to share life with is challenge enough, let it not be complicated further based soley on which gender we choose. Looking forward to the day when we can look back on (recent) history and say, "remember when.."

metalpeter writes at 06:47:35 05/29/09 - Comment #48782: Yes they do represent well.

In terms of the moral beliefs the people who think that making it legal is saying it is ok, and they don't want there kids to think it ok do have a good point. The saying it will be taught in schools I don't agree with. I think one of the problems with this entire issue is that everyone has a public and private life. What you do in your private life is just that and unless people are good friends they don't want to know. What happens with this issue is that people now have to know about people being gay. I think that really gets lots of people rilled up. Personally I think Gay Marriage should be legal and everyone should be treated the same. But at the same time how does someone who thinks it is wrong deal with that at there Job? One example is what if two guys holding hands repulses you How do you take there picture at say ollan mills, what if you do weedding pictures can you legally turn down gays? See this is not a simple human rights issue. It is also an issue of what rights do the people who think gays are sinners and will burn in hell, and want nothing to do with them.

jason writes at 11:14:12 05/29/09 - Comment #48772: I don't particularly care if an advocacy group in fact advocates their position on a given issue. Obviously they're wrong on this, and it's an insult to everyone's intelligence when someone says that kids are a target. That is so goddamn wrong I don't know where to start.

What a government decides to be morally correct seems to me to be fickle and based upon the bought and paid for preferences of special interests. I would rather fall on the side of freedom and civil rights. This isn't the only decision in NYS that is based upon faulty logic assuming the government should be up your fucking ass for the good of society.

carolinian writes at 11:01:51 05/29/09 - Comment #48770: Let me guess, he's one of those conservative people who cares so much for children that he fought against the State Children's Health Insurance Program which would expand health insurance for poor children, and who tries to end school lunch programs?

tinypliny writes at 10:19:17 05/29/09 - Comment #48768: Some moron commented: "What becomes legal as far as same-sex marriage is concerned also becomes legal to teach our children. So, the children are really the target in all of this."

That comment is so bereft of logic, its hilarious. For starters, this issue is about respect, understanding and love and that always starts at home. And yeah, mr. moron, there are a contrallion things that are "legal". No doubt they were all specifically designed with the express purpose of harming your children. How do morons like this even lead a congregation? I shudder for those unfortunate souls.

twisted writes at 11:37:14 05/28/09 - Comment #48763: Right will prevail. Kudos for standing up and speeding the way.

uncutsaniflush writes at 11:10:46 05/28/09 - Comment #48761: Yes, they did represent. And you have much to be proud of. Including yourself as a father and co-parent.

Come to think of it, you represented as well. Kudos to you and yours.

Permalink: Representing_.html
Words: 46
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: random

05/26/09 10:32 - 58ºF - ID#48756

Don't Like Jon, Don't Like Kate...

And the 8 don't fill me with any glee either

The only TLC show I catch with any regularity is â€œAmerican Chopper.â€ It is essentially the same show everytime out, with different bikes, same arguments, people doing well financially but as Louis CK put it: â€œEverything is amazing, but nobody is happy.â€ The â€œJon & Kate plus 8â€³ show has been assaulting our collective senses for much the same reason as either â€œJonâ€ or â€œKateâ€ strayed and now their happy life that is underwritten by TLC is on the rocks. Iâ€m a little alarmed I know that much. The fact that it is so covered in all the tabloids, near tabloids and gossip.dot.coms probably has the marketing department at the former Learning Channel giggling with delight. They have an energy efficient house they didn't have to pay for, neither has to work thanks to funds coming in and they are winning about the attention from photographers. Wow, not sure where I left my tiny violins to better play the sad song for them. We should all have such intrusions. Sap that I am, I turned away briefly from "No Reservations" to see what all the hullaballo was about. Now that I know, I still don't care.

Preferring to learn more about food and exotic alcohol from French Polynesia, I went back to Bourdain. Now, that is education tv.

Permalink: Don_t_Like_Jon_Don_t_Like_Kate_.html
Words: 229
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: work

05/21/09 01:47 - 76ºF - ID#48713

Doughtnuts and Beer

You know itâ€™s an ominimous start. My employer is partially a union shop. Given the unionized population dwarfs the nonunion, what they say goes for everybody. Something about that doesnâ€™t seem right. My current health care provider is dropping said employer because of lack of volume. Employer responded by finding a decent solution and pitched it on Monday to the masses. Those types of presentations arenâ€™t exciting, but it did the job. The union workers just voted and just picked something else, for no foreseeable reason, because of a few intimidated everybody else. So, I lost healthcare for the second time this week and have to scramble yet again, this time without the virtue of any materials or prep or any foresight. Thatâ€™s great. Please note the dripping sarcasm from that last sentence. Largely just an unnecessary pain in the ass, but the union's need for pettiness might cost us a sponsor as well.

Knew the day was going to be an odd one. Had to run a meeting of volunteers who are so apathetic, they barely represent at the meeting, hence the donuts of the title.

Weâ€™re having an opening tonight, so we get the treat of staying at work another three hours. This is usually a grim prospect, but it was made a little better hearing my boss order extra beer.

I have a good boss.

libertad writes at 10:07:39 05/23/09 - Comment #48618: I like my fucking union. Sorry, I had to say it!

metalpeter writes at 06:35:58 05/21/09 - Comment #48572: Ok that makes no sense. You can Join or Not Join the union. So if you don't join you don't have to pay the fees but then you get no say in what goes on. The way that it should work is that the people who decide what goes on make up there mind and that effects all the non union people. Then the union people work with them and they might get a different deal. Some places the non union people get paid better and treated better. Having no union is better then having one sometimes. Some unions are bad and Power Hungry like some boses are, as an example look to the mess that happened at GM, both sides only cared about money instead of making the cars better then the Japanesse cars.

james writes at 03:46:36 05/21/09 - Comment #48567: Eh, it isn't a "fucking unions" thing. It is a "that fucking union" thing.

I am in the same situation at work as you Mike. A union I am not a member to dictates my pay rate, raises, health care, everything. But, they are not total ass hats. There is no sticking it to the man... which can't be said for a lot of other unions.

jenks writes at 03:20:03 05/21/09 - Comment #48566: all i can say to that is "fucking unions."

mrmike writes at 02:32:11 05/21/09 - Comment #48562: J-I think they wanted to stick it the hierarchy. I'm safely in middle-archy but get caught up in the foolishness. It's funny. They made a decision because the plans were rolled out hastily. That isn't the smarted decision making process. Like to think that eventually you get too old for acting like pissy 7th graders but apparently not.

Worst part is that a sponsorship I've been nursing for a few months is likely going to bye-bye.

jason writes at 02:01:55 05/21/09 - Comment #48560: Mike - the argument I've heard before goes something like this: "Our blood, sweat and tears make it possible for you to live like a King, so yes we get to make the rules."

Of course, that argument is also extended to the circumstances where non-union employees still have to pay the dues. Same argument. I find it curious.

Permalink: Doughtnuts_and_Beer.html
Words: 233
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: random

05/20/09 01:27 - ID#48704

"That's a Dealbreaker"

I'm wondering if I'll need to start paying royalties to Tina Fey as that came up inadvertingly in two distinctly different conversations.

Came up during a sponsorship discussion at work when a potential vendor wanted too much for too little money. Stifling a smirk after realizing what I said and that I watch too much tv, I got our money.

Came up again last night. I'm trying to move a stubborn force (my older sister) into action. She is clinging to the 11th hour for just "the" miracle in terms of subletting her place and catching up on expenses and whatnot in Buffalo for the summer. She has a rent controlled two bed room spot in Chelsea and found great tenants. Her original mover bailed so she's spending way too much kvetching about another, trying out ideas as wacky as U-Haul's and bringing all her worldly goods to Buffalo only to ship them all back again in September. She was curious about this one moving firm in Chinatown, but has a guy who is willing to do the job already. I'm trying to get quit worrying about the Cantonese moving crew and just a committment made. My Dad is going to fly down there at the end of next week to drive a minivan back with actual valuables. My younger sister has people organized there so he is sidewalk supervising and not dragging his recently pronounced healthy (yet 72 year old self) up and down stairs. Not used to being this voice of reason crap. I've grown up accustomed to having to struggle to be heard.

So, trying to keep her off her ass has been a fulltime chore. It's easy to wallow. Anybody can do that, but the folks can't do everything for her. I can only imagine how it is messing with my folks, so my younger sister and I took on the roles of pushing her along as there will be plenty of time to feel sorry later.

Can't let that be a dealbreaker. Stuff is happening.

Permalink: _quot_That_s_a_Dealbreaker_quot_.html
Words: 339
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: fatherman

05/13/09 11:50 - 66ºF - ID#48664

Breaking, Entering and then what

A couple of America's dumbest criminals broke into my former house on Anderson this morning. Aside from the icky feeling you get from somebody touching your stuff, I'm not sure what to make of it. I left work as soon as my ex called, to straighten, clean, batten down the hatches and prop the kids up. Number one son got cleaned out of Game Cube games, but we haven't been able to find out what else might be missing. Both of my daughters have I-Home stereos that went untouched. These geniuses ran room to room in search of well, I'm not sure what, bypassing computers, tvs, and the like.

I'm grateful everybody is safe, that nobody was home that may have had to deal with intruders of whatever variety. For my part, aside from watching my poor son's face melt when we told him about it, I along with an uncle and brother and law worked until about 9:30 tonight replacing the broken window that let them into the basement and battening down the other first floor windows so nobody can enter without a helluva lot of effort.

Building deterrants.

When my former spouse was returning from a pizza run, she saw two chuckleheads sauntering up a neighbors driveway and stopped them. A call to the gendarmes followed. A police detective showed up shortly thereafter. Given that he was followed by a uniformed gentleman in short order makes me think that this stuff is not exactly news in the neighborhood.

But again, I'm glad my merry band is safe and has pretty much everything they started the day with. So, watch out for anybody cruising through the hood folks.

They might be fixing to pull a heist.