Posts from December 2009

That's it for the Sarasota trip during Thanksgiving. It really makes me appreciate the whole experience on days like this when we have a storm like today.

More Sarasota FL Pics. The lat 11 were taken in with the intention of stitching them together.

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.