So, summer is winding down. I hate that. I guess all seasons have to, but for whatever reason, Winter seems like to loiter like a bad party guest, rummaging for more dip in the fridge when you just want to go up to bed. My informal exercise program this summer has included laps of the Erie Basin Marina and the Central Wharf. It was interesting to note the stage for the concerts was away for a time before returning for the last stand this weekend. I've partaken in the local outdoor shows with greater abandon this year and I've had a lot of fun doing it. It's a bit of a double-edged sword. Some arrive for the music, some arrive to just be there, and some just arrive.

While there are already a couple of nice indoor shows coming up for this music buff, the Great Big Sea show is something I've been looking forward to since June and somewhat of a curtain closer as well.

I like a good fun band outside, but the idea that one last trip to Artpark for the Machine's Pink Floyd tribute show might need a jacket is an idea that I'm not quite adjusted to yet.



I know, anticipation of fall is a beautiful thing, but I just want one more beach trip or to in, before we call it a season.

Nice, late September feel to today. Took some time to go play in some usual haunts

I took my new Nikon camera with for some wandering around on the marina and broderick park. I think I might have spied (e:matthew) by the Miss Buffalo.







Summer must be winding down for the stage to be put away until the final concerts come in two weeks. and winding down is a sucky thing for a season to do unless it is Winter.

I'm not exactly in love with my Iphone these days, thinking of running to Sprint and getting an EVO on the comparative cheap, but occasionally, you get a keeper.

While waiting for the B52s to join us in Lockport, my main musical partner in crime and I took a wander in the nearby locks.







And there was lots worthy of further exploration, but the Iphone is only so smart. Point being, go play tourist and wander.

You find cool stuff that way.

Happily, and as per usual, made a bit of a fool of myself at the B-52s show in Lockport. They are still a lot of fun after all these years. I read a little of some band grumbling about the perfomance space and really couldn’t care less. They played a nice set of music and the majority seems to have a blast. I know I did.



I couldn’t help but laugh as there were a few folks watched the show, with an either a stonedfaced expression or a little peeved. What you see is what you get with the B52s and seeing those folks with such zombified expressions, made me laugh even more.

So, spanning the world…..

Really disappointed in the President and pretty much Congress in general. All the theater, the stupidity, yes, Tea-Party led foolishness around the debt ceiling produced a crappy bill, defunded the FAA and 70-80,000 construction workers on FAA projects as well as infrastructure projects are out of work. Who are these people all these guys are claiming to represent? Bet all of the legislators made their vacation connections on time as the Speaker does need that tanning time.

Over 100 teachers got laid off in Buffalo this week, but we are shopping for an administrator? um, wha? If there are underperforming schools, you’d think the superintendent might take a direct interest in that. That shouldn’t be the kind of thing you farm out.

So, WNED bought WBFO this week as UB sort of lost interest in the radio station. Jeff Simon repeated in the Buffalo News his old laments about the death of jazz radio in Buffalo. As my Dad and I discussed, that story is so dead, it has a tombstone. I’m a little more interested in keeping the great blues shows they have on now. Sure, it would be great for jazz, big band, oldies all to find a place on the airwaves, but WBFO’s audience share bounced up when they turned into a NPR repeater. Since it is public, perhaps a little thought would go into what is next. And, while I’m at it, perhaps WNED might attract a greater listen share if the on-air staff wasn’t so reserved. I’m not saying morning show antics for a classical music station, but perhaps if the announcers weren’t seemingly talking down to people, teaching them, more people might tune in.

I think we ought to have an NFL lockout until this time every year. It was a little more exciting seeing all the compressed movement and actual news, maybe just a ban on reporting next spring. The splurge of news made the Bills seem interesting. Let’s not kid ourselves folks. It ain’t a playoff team in St. John Fisher this year either, but it could be fun. At least the uniforms have improved.

Took in the “Outer Harbor Fest” over the weekend and it was a noble effort I suppose. I found myself lamenting all this great space, all this potential for water access (A Beach in the City, For the the LOVE OF GOD, that is the big project!! make that happen and stores will trip over themselves.), and that made the lame band, food and lousy rides seem even that more pitiful. A well-intentioned sound guy tried to pep us all up with tales of the thousands who were there Saturday evening, but the 30 or so of us there Sunday afternoon were a little skeptical. My son did give the fried dough high marks, so I guess that is something to build on. It bugs me as that space has sat for years now and something could happen. Witness the wharf, mimic that and good times can happen.

Here’s the view from adjacent the temporary Tilt-A-Whirl. Maybe Gallagher Beach ain’t the space, I’m sure there are engineering issues, but could you imagine if there was more water access for those of us who don’t own boats? Could fix a lot.

As this week has shown, there is plenty in need of fixing.

From last Wednesday's night moe show.

My friend and I are in the lower right of the picture

Caught my best side....lol