"Church of the Ascension - In My Driveway Again" written by Paul on estrip.org

01/05/13 01:41 - ID#57118

Church of the Ascension - In My Driveway Again

The other day (e:yesthatcasey) and I had to stop at my house to pick up some papers. As I came around the corner and tried to pull into my driveway I was stopped by a car parked in the skirt. The skirt that I shoveled the night before.

I got out and told the people that it was my driveway and that I needed to get in. I ended up just parking them in as I went to go get the stuff I needed. Same old story. In fact it seemed rather uneventful and I would have never even bothered writing about it until I got this letter. Apparently, me bring angry that I couldn't get in my own driveway came across as too rude for them.

Here is my response:
Dear Church,
0. The best neighbors possible would be ones that never park on my property.
1. I am but one secular human, free of miracle and I manage to shovel my driveway by hand. It doesn't require any special service contract being fulfilled. If anything with 20 people you should be able to shovel it infinitely faster.
2. My rudeness was minor and uneventful, I said, "Why are you parked in my driveway." To be honest I didn't even know they were church people. When the woman responded, 'because we are unloading for the church" - I said, "You could just shovel your side of the driveway, its not that crazy of a concept."
3. Normally, I just let it slide when people are parked in driveway for a few minutes unloading, it happens more than you think. However, this time I was in a rush and needed to get in my house. Why should I be inconvenienced and have to park a block away because you guys didn't have the foresight to clear your driveway. I spent the previous evening clearing mine so that I could get in and out during the day when I knew I would be in a rush.
4. I have no neighborly desire to extend any special privilege or access to my property just because you are a church with a small congregation. In fact I am less likely to do so because I am infinitely annoyed that you pay no tax on your huge property while it is barely used for spiritual activity.

Paul

matthew writes at 10:22:23 01/07/13 - Comment #69104: Hmm, they pulled this year after year. They wait until mid winter then claim the can't find a plow service. I know for a fact that the Linwood Association compiles a list of local snow removal services for all type of driveways/parking lots at the end of fall, and sends that information through email to all of its members. They really have no excuse.

hodown writes at 02:35:38 01/06/13 - Comment #69103: This is amazing! Your reply is perfect.

metalpeter writes at 11:13:51 01/05/13 - Comment #69102: The thing is blocking a drive way is illegal and a ticket.. Even if only the bumper ... But by the time you got someone there it is to late... Now In court you can use photos to fight a ticket... But I don't know if you can take a picture showing the crime and the plate and submit it somehow... It use to be a crime even if it is your drive way.... In the fighting the ticket like if you can prove where you are and when vs. The sign .....

uncutsaniflush writes at 11:10:05 01/05/13 - Comment #69101: Oh yeah, in my opinion they "intentionally didn't plow the driveway." Because it ain't rocket science, your don't need a plowing service, you just need someone with a shovel. I'm sure they could have found somebody in the neighbourhood to do it. Several of our neighbours pay other neighbours (or their kids) to shovel their sidewalks and driveways for them.

uncutsaniflush writes at 11:04:25 01/05/13 - Comment #69100: I share your frustration with the driveway situation. I think it must be a Buffalo thing because I don't remember having this problem anywhere else. We have similar problems on the Westside.

I reckon the priest seems to think that trespassing is ok but complaining about trespassing is rude. I think that denying you access to your property is rude and tantamount to thievery.

Perhaps you need to put up signs about illegal parking and have violators towed.

Didn't you have plans to put up a fence all the way to the sidewalk?

metalpeter writes at 07:13:07 01/05/13 - Comment #69097: Not that this helps anything but if you had a truck with a plow it might solve a couple of problems... Plus :) you could take pictures and just tow cars:) and charge them for a tow and then let them know where they can get said car... That will learn them....... :)

Permalink: Church_of_the_Ascension_In_My_Driveway_Again.html
Words: 390
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/05/13 01:49

Category: food

01/05/13 01:37 - ID#57117

Bacon and Mussels

This was a very tasty lunch. I sauteed some onions in white ice wine and then added them to mussels and broth. Then some crispy bacon over the top of it all. I actually ended up eating a half pound of bacon.

Permalink: Bacon_and_Mussels.html
Words: 45
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/05/13 03:31

Category: web

01/02/13 11:12 - ID#57114

My Experience With Cardpool - Never Again?

So I was excited to find cardpool

yesterday when I was purchasing some shoes (e:paul,57112) from dsw.com

I purchased 2 $25 gift cards for $44 which I thought was a good deal. I purchased them around 5PM yesterday. The system said the cards were electronic and would be delivered in 24 hours.

Toward the end of the business day today I got a call from California to confirm my purchase info but wasn't near my phone. Strangely, the number they call from can't accept calls so I had to listen to the whole message to get the number to call from. When I called that one, the system said they had not enabled their voicemail.

Finally around 5 they call me back and say in 3-4 hours the gift card should be ready. I got two of them. One works, and the other one doesn't. It was so frustrating because I bought them under the assumption this would actually work out within 24 hours. I actually thought a full 24 hours was on the ridiculous end of the scale. By the time I received the gift cards and found out the one was bunk they were closed for the day.

At this point I just had to buy the shoes because they was a limited number remaining and I was afraid they would sell out.

In the end it turned out to be a pretty poor experience. I don't think I would ever use their service again. I guess it really depends how this gets resolved but mostly having such a large delay between purchasing an electronic item with electronic delivery and its actual fully functional arrival is not really an awesome experience. I wonder if they will refund me or fix the card.

Permalink: My_Experience_With_Cardpool_Never_Again_.html
Words: 295
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/02/13 11:12

Category: shoes

01/02/13 01:57 - ID#57112

Aston Grey - Rockcastle Boots in Black

DSW has a New Years deal where you get $20.13 cents off any purchase of $99 or more if you are a rewards member and type in coupon code HAPPY2013. You also get free shipping for the code SHIPR.

Yes, I already have these shoes in brown but they are the most comfortable boots I ever owned. I decided that the New Year's outfit really needed black boots but I just don't have any.

The crazy thing is just how many coupon codes and rewards points certs I got to use. I pretty much got the boots down to half price. I originally paid like $140 for the first pair. I am becoming obsessed with coupons.

To make it even crazier, I am paying the remaining $59.82 using some DSW gift certs I bought at cardpool.com - its a site where you can buy and sell gift cards. When you buy them, you pay less than the card value so you end up saving a bunch. I ended up saving an additional 9% doing it that way. Technically, I haven't saved yet seeing as the cards come tomorrow but the shoes are in my cart. Lets just hope they don't sell out before the cards get here because I will be so mad if I lose out for 9% of $50.

Permalink: Aston_Grey_Rockcastle_Boots_in_Black.html
Words: 219
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/02/13 02:02

Category: holidays

01/01/13 06:30 - ID#57109

My New Ball - New Years 2013

This year I didn't want any green wires on the outside of the ball so I started with a styrofoam ball and hallowed it out so that I could push the lights from the inside out.

It was so much work, I really had no idea how strong a material styrofoam was. In my head it seemed like it would be easy but it was like two people scooping for 30 minutes.

The wrapped it in foil and decorated with pipe cleaners, ornaments and glitter foam paper. Its like all those years of art school finally had a purpose.

Permalink: My_New_Ball_New_Years_2013.html
Words: 107
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/01/13 10:10

Category: food

01/01/13 06:11 - ID#57108

New Year's Eve Dinner at My Mother's

I took a lot of pictures because someday I will either be poor or the earth will run out of seafood and we can fondly remember how "it used to be."

Every year my mother makes this the pinnacle seafood dinner of the year but this was by far the best ever. (e:mike) and I didn't even fight over the fried shrimp because there was so much food. In fact I think we even had three left over crab legs which I am not sure I ever remember happening in my life.

I got the collosal king crab legs and scallops at Exclusively Alaskan down in Eden.

Sadly, I forgot to take pics of a bunch of things like string beans, baked cheesey potatoes and a nice mixed salad or any of the dessert.

Permalink: New_Year_s_Eve_Dinner_at_My_Mother_s.html
Words: 144
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 01/01/13 06:11

Category: robbery

12/29/12 10:13 - ID#57103

His Pants Were Stolen

Last night at 3:45am ish the doorbell rang and there was a bunch of knocking. I assumed it was one of my friends and answered the door. Instead it was a man with one pant leg who had been robbed on my lawn. Instead of just taking his phone, wallet and keys - they just tried to rip his pocket off him and ended up ripping his pant leg off.

Needless to say he was pretty shaken up and it was pretty freakin cold out. He asked if I could call 911 so I figured it must be pretty legit. Because they stole his keys and phone I had to also call his building supervisor to get someone to let him in. Then I gave him a ride home.

Turned out he lives on Linwood just down the street. Its pretty crazy because he was just walking home from the Bend down on Allen. Could have been anyone.

Permalink: His_Pants_Were_Stolen.html
Words: 158
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/29/12 10:13

Category: bathing

12/29/12 10:07 - ID#57102

Bath Night

Since we got back from the trip I have been obsessed with baths. I don't know why I didn't take advantage of the tub before.

I almost pulled a Whitney though. Note to self, do not drink wine in the tub and decide a quick nap qould be ok.

Permalink: Bath_Night.html
Words: 50
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/29/12 10:07

Category: shoes

12/29/12 10:00 - ID#57100

Mike Konos Burnished Leather Boot

These shoes are so amazing.

The soles are made of that amazing Italian Rubber that smells exactly like Cabbage Patch Kid faces. (e:mike) you know what I am talking about.

I never buy shoes online but I tried these on at the store and they were awesome. For some reason they are $169 at the store but $129 online

at the same company.

I asked at the store but they wouldn't match their own online price. That seems so stupid to me. It basic is relegating the brick and mortar store to a try on room.

I finally got my DSW account's merged and online access. For my trouble they gave me an extra 500 points which got me another $10 Cash Reward cert.

Permalink: Mike_Konos_Burnished_Leather_Boot.html
Words: 139
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 12/29/12 10:04

12/29/12 01:18 - ID#57099

Lockitron - Smartphone powered door lock

Another thing I wanted to make is already made. I figured the price point is cheaper than I would have made it for with all the fuckups and melted circuit boards that would have occurred along the way. Although less fun.

so it monitors your door being locked an unlocked.
lets you send keys and revoke them as needed
lock and unlock the door remotely
not have to both carrying around a key when you already have a smartphone in your pocket
works with existing infrastructure

I pre-ordered now for $179 to save $20. They come out in march.

Its also arduino compatible and has an API. I can't wait.