"Steuben County Fair - Summer 2005" written by Scott on estrip.org

Category: photos

04/19/06 11:46 - 42ºF - ID#33916

Steuben County Fair - Summer 2005

bored at work today. summer's coming. here's some shots I took at the "Stueben County Fair" last August.

the Stueben County Fair is one of the oldest in the nation (possibly the oldest) and one of the creepiest (possibly the creepiest)...

It's a photographer's dream. An old time carnival/fair right out of the 1920's, complete with creepy carni artwork, old rides, freak shows, and a smash-up derby.

These were taken with my little crappy Cannon Powershot. I plan to bring a better camera back this year. I hadn't planned on going and really wish I'd brought a decent camera.

Permalink: Steuben_County_Fair_Summer_2005.html
Words: 109
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: music

04/14/06 04:27 - 61ºF - ID#33915

Soundtrack #4 - The track strikes back

I've pretty much stuck to posting suggestions with a joyous theme, but as we all know, not every moment is one of exuberant joy. There are dull, drab days in our lives... and we need songs to fill them. So, here's goes...

scene/mood: Rainy, damp and dreary. Perfect song for driving down elmwood with the rain beading on the windows. Stair at the curb as it blurs in and out of focus and cue up this song...
Song: Tied to a Million Things
Artist: the Pale Pacific
Album: Urgencey
Description: Maybe it's where they're from, but the Pale Pacific have put together a track that's smooth yet driving with a somber, yet energetic feel. This indie pop track fits well into any Cd collection. The band sounds like an indie version of Toad the Wet Sprocket.... enjoy.

Permalink: Soundtrack_4_The_track_strikes_back.html
Words: 138
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: wild life?

04/14/06 01:51 - 61ºF - ID#33914

See what's incubating at the incubator

I work in a "technology incubator" facility at UB. I know at least a few of you (e:people) know where that is.

According to UB, this is where new business is born. According to me, this is where money comes to die.

Here's the only thing incubating at this facility:

This pair of Canada geese have settled in in our entrance way. The male has since grown territorial and protective of the nest, so visitors to our building get gander-assaulted.

It's brilliant. All we need now is some jackass to video tape this and send it to Animal Planet. (I would, but I don't own a video camera.)

The only downside to this is going to be when a car finally rails these geese and we have a gooey, feathery mess in the parking lot. That will suck, but until then, it's a damned circus out there.

So, if you want to see moronic office workers in biz-cas friday attire getting chased by a pooping goose, visit the needlessly imposing building sorta-on UB's North Campus... if you dare!

Permalink: See_what_s_incubating_at_the_incubator.html
Words: 185
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: music

04/13/06 04:03 - 63ºF - ID#33913

Soundtrack entry #3

As the weather continues to improve, it's an easy pick... nothing says springtime, fresh air and all that like...

Scene: The lyrics can set the scene for you. Roll down the windows and get some fresh air. This track makes a perfect background for a sunset drive in the spingtime.
Song: Rodeo Clowns
Artist: G. Love and the Special Sauce
Album: Philadelphonic
Description: It's G. Love. You need some G. Love in your life. When spring approaches, we all need a little G Love in our lives. As always, this track provides the G Love smoothness, and the Philidelphonic sounds...

Permalink: Soundtrack_entry_3.html
Words: 100
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: not news

04/12/06 10:34 - ID#33912

Turkeys... you heard it here first...

OK, I saw that Channel 2 ran a story last night about the increased presence of turkeys in WNY this spring. That's all well and good, but I published an expose on this situation weeks ago...

(Check the link, yo... )

If you ask me, Channel 2 and their "scientist" got all the facts wrong. Man, I really hate it when they use scientists on news broadcasts. So smug and "facty".

Sure, we've had a ideal turkey weather. I guess we're short on wolves and predators... but they missed the real facts behind the turkey explosion. They totally missed the whole conspiracy involving MTV and Ashton Kutcher.

Man, Channel 2 totally dropped the ball. But never fear, you heard the real news from me. I don't weight the story down with trivial details, like facts, either.

Permalink: Turkeys_you_heard_it_here_first_.html
Words: 132
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: signs

04/08/06 02:50 - 36ºF - ID#33911

Communicating with the Masses...

And they said "There's nothing to see in Amherst". Bah! Fooey! Look what I saw today on our beloved strip of commercial class also known as "Niagara Falls Boulevard"...

FISH MEAL

I'm not claiming to be a master of the English language, media, advertising, or marketing. Still, I feel there is absolutely nothing about this sign that would attract me to purchase "fish meal" for $299. Two hundred and ninety nine dollars is an awful lot of money for "Fish Meal". In fact, I'm pretty sure anyone who's seen "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel knows that this is also know as chum[dict]chum[/dict]. Burger King is really stretching when they try to up their bottom line with high priced fish guts. Who buys this sh*t? Those soccer moms in Clarence. That's who.

I sure am glad they take Visa. Sign me up!

The $299 "fish meal" is worth a picture, but then, right next to it, I saw this gem...

The Worst Job In Information Technology

I used to think that "Printer repair technician" must be the worst job in the IT biz... even worse than "Customer Support Representative". That was until I saw that there was a position known as "HIGH SPEED INTERNET HOUSEKEEPER".

What the... uh... I don't even want to know what they scrub, or why.

I'd rather be a prostitute who specializes in the oral stimulation of goat genitalia than work at a business with a sign like this.

It would appear that the Days Inn couldn't afford a ".", much less a sign that made sense.

Permalink: Communicating_with_the_Masses_.html
Words: 272
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: music

04/06/06 09:29 - 35ºF - ID#33910

Soundtrack entry #2

Ok, it seems that my last post struck some form of chord with at least a few people, so my research wasn't just a light fluttering among my neurotransmitters. There must be something to this, and so I continue...

This little blog is about improving te soundtrack of my fellow man (or woman... or people... ah whatever... "other people")

Therefore, I'm going with a "feel good" theme right now... I am personally sick of gloomy weather and feel that spring is coming soon. In preparation, I'm prepping my soundtrack (and hopefully someone else's) with some feel good hits. So, after much delay, here's today's 'feel good' two-fer...

Mood/scene: Feeling down on oneself, left out of the mix, but ready to get back into it...
Song: you are invited
Artist: the Dismemberment Plan
Album: Emergency & I
Description: Mathy indie rock with a lot of heart. This track mixes a little bit of cheesy casio and vocals, but explodes with a nice twist. The lyrics are touching and uplifting, like the title. definitely inspires confidence and would make a great "comeback" montage.

and our "bonus track"...

Mood/Scene: Heading out with a bunch of friends. Could fit a "comeback" for anyone who's had a breakup, or run into an old flame...
Song: Outtasite (Outta mind)
Artist: Wilco
Album: Being there
Description: Well, Wilco is a class act and has a lot of great songs, but this country-fried rock ditty combines all of the heart, soul, melody, and guts anyone could want. The line " Look out, here I come again, and I'm bringin' my friends" fits well with today's feelgood comeback theme.

Permalink: Soundtrack_entry_2.html
Words: 271
Location: Amherst, NY

Category: music

04/05/06 11:52 - 33ºF - ID#33909

Soundtrack for the moment

If you're at all like me, then there is a constant, revolving soundtrack playing in your head. I've been researching this over the past 10 years of my life. Now, my research isn't the least bit scientific. Most of it was done while getting hammered at bars. However, for sociological data, drunks at bars tend to be honest.

Now, add in that I'm a music nerd, and that influences the circles I run in, and my data might be entirely shite.

Still, this is my weblog, so I don't have to prove anything to anyone.... read on if you like subjective ramblings by elitist music nerds...

My non-scientific finding show that most people have some form of "mental soundtrack" that chronicles their current mode. Songs get stuck in our heads, or we gravitate toward certain artists at certain times in our lives.

This might be a universal human trait, or it might be the byproduct of having seen too many John Hughs films at an early age. Regardless of howit happened, it's here to stay.

Now, the next issue I have is the fact that I am a bit of a music nerd. thus, I feel you and your soundtrack shoul not suck. Far too many people end up with crappy life-soundtracks. I'm going to change that with this blog. I intend to post some fine, less-likely choices for your soundtrack.

Listen to my suggestions and your soundtrack will become better and better...

Thankfully, the RIAA hasn't found a way to collect royalties on my mental state, so I can freely choose whatever artist and song I want to play in the constant tape loop of my mind.

So, here's the first song to improve your soundtrack:

Mood/scene = Upbeat, cool, walkin down the street in the springtime...
Song: Emma Blowgun's Last Stand
Artist: Beulah
Album: When your Heartstrings Break
description: Very hip, low-fi sound. Got a nice horn line to make you feel all confident...

I will continue to add soundtrack suggestions to this page as they come to me... Please feel free to post your own. My greatest fear in life is anyone honestly believing that an Aviril Lavine song could be part of their life's soundtrack. That's like saying McDonald's is your "home cookin'".