More Pics from Sarasota, FL

Here are the first batch of pics that I took when I was away last week.


The beach pics are from Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.

I was shock to see that Buffalo is #16 on this list of fastest recovering cities and where I currently hanging out is currently #93.



I guess it was a blessing that we didn't base our economy on building condos to provide jobs to non union unskilled labor, real estate whores aka "Flippers" and douchebag loan officers. :-D

I was walking back from the establishment on the corner after watching the Bills Game and it occured to me and my Dad.
I don't think I have been passed by so many Mercedes in 5-7 minutes. That's something you don't experience everday even in Williamsville I suppose.

Anyway I'm having a great time hearing my parent's friend conversation with my parents wondering if her ex beach bum boyfriend who blew through a cool milllion literally [ he had some speciality business] and skiped town to Fort Myers [ to persue a dream of being a stand up comedian] $500 check is going to clear the bank. I guess boys don't ever grow up even when they approach 60.

Hialeah Park for the first time since May 2001.

Usually when a racetrack shutters it usually is followed by it being torn down and condos or a shopping center being put in its place.

I'm just glad that it had a pretty descent first day back in that time warp way. Yea, outside of Derby day and other special events at places like Saratoga where women like to doll up in those hats, it's mostly a dying game at the track itself. With online betting and speciality channels that bring simulcasting to your living room there is little need to to go the track or OTB unless you want to hang with a few buddies.

The thing is that that place is just too special to let it rot. With the formula that they are going to implement with poker and slots it will be a winner. Last night I went to a dog track and was shocked to see the little action that was at the track. Then I went upstairs to the new poker room and saw 20 tables going which is pretty much on par with what the Seneca Niagara Casino does on a Saturday night. So with a house "drop" or revenue of about 25k that would be more than any "takeout" or revenue from running a dog track alone.

So what I'm saying is Hialeah could not come back on its own as a horse track, but with poker and slots they're going to keep the old time game alive and do quite well. I just have to get myself down to Miami one of these days to see it for myself. It's not often that you can go somewhere and experience the 1970's all over again at some level.

I Pretty much watch only about 2-3 shows all on cable, so me missing the fact that my parents town is now the Rome for Cougars is not surprising.

I only had one cougar experience when I was in my 20's. She was kind of hot for someone in her 40's but it was kind of creepy for her in my mind to say that I could have been her son.

In my estimation the dudes down here just look at the women down here as debit cards. As I just met one of my parents friends who just had her boyfriend bolt towards Jimmy Buffet Land further south down the coast. I guess he couldn't deal her her wanting to know what his intentions were.

First of this couple just reek entitled a-holes. If you don't want to pay the Gratuity, don't go out with 6 or more people in your party. It's implied that you will pay it once you sit down and it's right on the freakin menu. If you don't like the experience, Yelp about it or something. Wow, I love people that think that they can whine people over to get their way in life.

Now this is a prime example of two things. First there is a saying in the Casino Gambling world called, "Blowing Your Brains Out!" This guy is the perfect shining example of that concept. Just because you have $X amount of money doesn't mean your above blowing it all away. What gets me is the total haze of consciousness. That's why you don't make money decisions when your not feeling well physically or emotionally.

So I guess this is the second part to

This morning I was puttering around the house this morning running a bit late to get some stuff done today when i decided to then change my plans. I figured, "Hey, Why not stop by Lewiston to grab some Orange Cat Roastmaster Select?" Then as I was attempting to find a parking spot when generally the only people you are competing against are Senior Citizens, PTA Moms and the occasional excentric I realized that the streets were full. At this time I realized, "Oh, S**t it's that Kid's funeral today over at St. Peters!"

I ran into the Cat to grab a large coffee, started to chit chat with a refreshingly edgy barista (I had been a bit disappointed with the latest employees that were just talking about boys and playing Dave Matthew behaving like the east coast version of valley girls) but that's beside the point. She told me that she lost her father recently and his funeral was the same day [Sunday] when JM crashed his car. So other than that I did have a quick group therapy session with her as I shared the fact that my 17 sister lost her life in a car accident 12 years ago.

With my coffee in hand I just decided to mediate on all that was going on around me and I just walked a few blocks in the village. I don't know how it happened but the next thing I realize I was in the back of the church listening to the Eulogy. It did bring back quite a bit of emotions. What I felt was like a spiritual steam when I was in the church as if gravity was much stronger and the air was heavier. At moment I can totally see how mediums can pick up on things. Yes, it felt weird going in there but I was just happy to remember all of my Catholic upbringing in going through the sign of the cross, genuflecting and the like as the big Italian guys that worked for the funeral home manning the back of the church seemed to initially give a surprised look as to think, "Who the F is this Dude dressed up in his hoodie?" I guess after I pulled out half of this semi obscure prayer as they were reciting it at the end, they were like, "OK he's alright" and were nice to me as I made my quick exit.

Maybe my logic was the following; I knew I was going to drive past the spot where he died as there is almost no way to avoid it. I guess I wanted to pay my respects and get a feel for his spirit before I saw it for the first time.

In the end I kind of wish I was more into the whole bereavement thing like my parents are involved. I just don't have to energy to give anyone as I have my own issues and am still recovering and will always be in some respect. The one bit of wisdom that I wish I could tell everyone that goes through losing someone just starting their adult life is don't put your own life on hold. In some respect I wish I didn't put myself second to my parents going through their tough time as through that process I do feel as if I missed out on mining some good years of my life in which I may have missed some good opportunities. That may seem selfish, but you do have to live life in the present moment, not in the past.

The title was the marketing slogan from the launch of ESPNU which for the most part features primarily college sports.



This story does touch the sports fan in me especially the college sports fan in me. You have to feel a connection with an institution to be that passionate about the team for decades. What really got me is the methodical planning of his rounds for every game. Then again the bond of going to a school that takes their sports half seriously is a pretty strong one.

The thing that gets me is pretty obvious, he never got married or had any kids. A part of me kind of thinks that he is akin to "the old guy in the club." No one wants to be the old guy on Chippewa.

Although it is a great story about the love of your school and the passionate dedication, it kind of make me want just find a halfway descent non psycho woman and put a ring on her finger.