Wow, I've seen some funky buffalo storms in my time, but this one might just take the cake. It was hard to get an idea as to how wide spread the fun was till later.

I was trapped at work until 7:30 on Thursday and got to drive home in the midst of it. All the traffic lights on Michigan were down, yet there were still people standing in the middle of the friggin street staring into traffic as if that would make the bus get there faster. IT DOESN"T!!!!

As I came up Michigan, the traffic light at Main was working, so was the Linwood, so was the Delaware, so far so good. I have off street parking and I got out of my car to have the garage lights go out. This is where I'm thinking God was fucking with me. They came back on till I got into my courtyard. Got to my door, lights off. Half way up the stairs, on, my own door, off, On long enough for dinner then gone for two days. It was light it was dark It was light it was dark -- as the old joke goes.

Two days of monastical bliss. Yes, you can be alone with your thoughts too long. I'll post the handwritten journals later, but it was a little bit of disconnect. The kids were safely enscounced with my former in-laws. I steered clear Friday to give the ex some breathing room to help her think. Swooped in Saturday to get caught up. After departing them, I drove out to my parents place in Clarence to inspect. My folks just got back into town today after a week away. It was a mind blower because you only then got a sense of how extensive all this was. Last time, I saw lines at Eastern Hills Mall like that were back in the day that you got your concert tickets there.

Nirvana was found by the fully functional Anchor Bar. A couple of pints and chicken parts later I headed back to the apartment to see the traffic light at Lexington and Delaware suddenly click on, then the adjacent apartment building turn on, then mine - Yahtzee!!

No cable, I could deal. More later and back fully online soon

Hey Estrip, I've missed you. Wrote two journal entries the old fashion way with pen. Was without power for two days and still don't have cable back (irony). Hope everybody is safe, warm, fed, showered, etc.

The Civil Service is trying my patience. I'm applying to take the test for the Deputy Director of Telecommunications. Twice now, I've received vaguely worded requests for more information for on monitoring cable systems. They don't really specify what further information they are looking for, so I'm left to my own devices as towhat they are looking for. You ever ask a question? The civil service office is a lot like social security, they really don't want to see you. I have a good vibe about it as I pulled my car behind the credit union behind City Hall and found a space with 25 minutes left on the meter, so hopefully that is an omen of something good.

Course, the slow change of lights nearly had our light rail car slam into my slow roller if it wasn't for my quick brake foot. That could be an omen as well.

Pretty sure, somebody got fired today and I think I had something to do with it. I blew her in for blowing off a customer while the boss was away. I think my blowing her in was the cherry on the top of a bitter cake. She wasn't an especially nice woman and could be harsh when talking to people, so I shouldn't miss her. I don't really, but I have a little guilt pang that I pushed her off.

Went to a staff meeting where the supervisors basically outlined these sheets that we have to fill out, accounting for all your time and then launched into a look at all the other opportunities currently available -- There are good omens and these are not among them. Something is going on.

Couple of strange conversations of late. My ex asked her partner to leave the house. Both were stressing over work and school and something had to give. They are together yet separate. My eight year old told me about it. He took it kind of hard as the partner is a good soul. I found myself in the unusual position of letting him know that she isn't gone, she's just next door, will still be around, and it will be okay. My daughters went the other way. They're strong will folks and were often shocked that I was often in agreement with the partner is terms of house rules. They were of the opinion that something was going to change. I was compelled to tell them that things keep on keepin' on. I think my son was worried that I moved up the street and the partner moved next door, nobody was staying put. We talked for a little while and he seemed to be okay with me always being as close as I am and the partner just an open window shout away.

As a divorced guy, I guess I'm lucky in one sense. The friendship I had with my wife before we were a couple has reemerged. It's good, not only for the kids, but for each other as well. Some many people I know just flat out implode when the "relationship" goes south. I'm feeling fortunate that we didn't meet that fate. While we're never going to be couple, we salvaged being friends, which is pretty good. So, I told her I'm in her corner for whatever she needs, "you know, strong back, weak mind, empty wallet..."

Strange days......

Ever wonder how/why you turn up on some people's radars and not at all on others?

Just wondering...

Stuff........

took the youngins to Voelkers Friday night and had an absolute blast. They all had a great time. The joke I'm telling is that I bowled a 300....if you add all three games together. Our "beer" frame turned into a pitcher a pepsi but what the hey, the spirit was there. Right next to our digital scorecard was a tv with the Sabres game on, so it was win win all the way around.

Dad's birthday was cool as I received his hand-me-down digital camera as well as copious chicken finger leftovers. It's an interesting coincidence that a place called Pizza Supreme makes such craptastic pizza, but produces such awesome chicken parts.

Went to church this morning and saw the woman I went out with a few times in August. She introduced me to her new beau. She told me all about how busy she was when school started. I, being gullible, tried to respect that and didn't pester her. Didn't realize I was just getting blown off.....again. What's one more punch in the gut when you've had others.

The youth group there has me on the short list for teachers and it's intriguing. I don't know if they see me as a pushover or what, but it's nice to rate well with one demographic even if the reasons are less than sincere.

Nice day outside, got invited by the ex, her partner, our kids to ride up to Becker Farms in search of pumpkins and pie.

pie, yum