Some random thoughts from a strange day/weekend (aren't they all).

I belong to the Unitarian Church on Elmwood. Twice a year they host a "Music Sunday." An small orchestra teams up with the church choir. It's pretty great and turns more into a free concert instead of a church service. That's a minor gripe, but the attrtaction itself does reveal that the church does instead have its share of hypocrites and tight-asses, many of whom believe that the presence of a few violins make them think they are at a concert hall. I wasn't there because of my Bills committment, but My ex and number one son were in the front row. Preparations were under way, musicians were tuning up and my lovely boy was asking his mom a few questions about the instruments. You don't exactly see many bassoons daily on Elmwood now. Keep in mind people are still streaming in, chatting and whatnot. This old bitty sitting nearby thought she was at the Philharmonic because she was ssshing my son. "Is he going to be talking during the performance?" she actually had the nerve to ask. Much to her credit, my ex explained in a level, yet go fuck yourself tone that the performance hadn't started and since children were asking genuinely interested questions, shouldn't those questions be given respected and answered to encourage interest??

At this point, the old bitty mumbled her way into silence. The space between these two parties was broken up by a couple who sat down and TALKED through much of the service.

Made me smile.

Elsewhere, a friggin cold day of football themed activities. Through the magic of gift card, I took breakfast at Panos. The Panos I knew is gone. A chicken souvlaki breakfast and coffee used up the entire 15.00 on the card. It was great but I remember when 15 used to be enough to feed 3 people back when Panos was in the Falafel Bar space. mmmmmm.......orange milkshakes.

My long johns earned their money yesterday as it was brisk. Got to work in the lower portion of the stadium yesterday and it was fun to actually see the game. My position as a dugout usher made me stay till about 20 minutes after the games end, a new policy that ensured that the traffic jams were well established. It was a familar face day. A few old acquaintances drifted by. Had the pleasant encounter of directing (e:Enknot) to a seat. The birthday boy is a good luck charm. Shortly after that, I ran into woman I hadn't seen in sometime. She used to bellydance with my former spouse, and greeted me with something between a warm greeting and a tonscilectomy. "We should go out sometime," she yelled over her shoulder, heading back to her seat.

Pretty sure we nearly just did, our hero thought.

It started snowing on the way home. I'm not a big snow for the holidays kind of guy. It's a fairly long walk from my post at the stadium to where employees have to park. The Bills run shuttles for us, but I almost never take them. After standing in one spot for so long, it kind of feels good to stretch your legs with the walk. I cut across the main lot, snow is pelting me in the face, change direction to walk down Abbot Rd, snow shifts direction ( like barbeque smoke), I got to my car and made an old man noise when I sat down in my drivers seat. Good thing the season is almost over.

Getting a little old for this shit. Bowl of pasta at home a little later and I was out by 10.

Stay warm peeps, mondays are getting colder.

Reminded me of this story.

Two boys from Buffalo are playing street hockey when one of the boys is attacked by a rapid pit bull. Thinking quickly, the other boy takes the hockey stick, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck and freeing his friend.

A Buffalo new reporter hears about the incident and rushes over to interview the boy. "Young Sabres Fan Saves Friend from Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Sabres fan," the young hero replies.

"Sorry, " replied the reporter "since we're in Buffalo, I just assumed you were." "Bills fan rescues friend from horrific attack," the reporter continues in his notebook.

"But I'm not a Bills Fan, either," the boy responds.

"I just that everyone in Buffalo was either a Sabres or a Bills Fan," replied the reporter, "Whome do you root for?"

"I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan," the boy answers proudly.

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Canadian Bastard Kills Beloved Family Pet."

This is worth doing, go click a few cans, peeps

CAMPBELL SOUP HAS A PROMOTION FOR EACH CITY WITH A NFL FRANCHISE. GO INTO THEIR WEB SITE AND VOTE FOR THE TEAM IN YOUR CITY. FOR EACH VOTE CAMPBELL'S WILL DONATE A CAN OF SOUP TO A SOUP KITCHEN IN THAT CITY.
GOOD CAUSE, PASS IT ON. It TAKES LESS THAN 10 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME.

Never thought it would happen. I love my Ipod and the Itunes store is a lovely thing, but the store is ticking me off lately. They're getting a little more underhanded. I was scouring for a bunch of favorites and the amount of album only tracks is on the rise. To get the song you want, you got to spring for the whole album. I know they've done that a little as part of the stock in trade, but with the recent flood of new music and repackages, it seems to be policy for a large percentage of the recent stuff. I decided that I didn't need another version of "Where the Streets Have No Name" at those rates. The five I have will have to do.

In other nurseable grudge news, after 15 months of pestering, my landlord is finally taking some steps to repair a water damaged area of my wall. Each slightly more comical than the next. His regular handyman cleaned all the craptastic plaster away (sounds like a band, Craptastic Plaster!!) and said the construction guy will call. I was at work last night when he called wanting to come in. Told him about having to work for the cable man for another hour. He replies he'd call tonight. I took my kids to school this morning and was headed to Spot when the phone announced it was him. I traipsed back home to meet him, sans coffee (grrrr) and he comes up. He takes a look at the size of the hole (picture to follow) and says we need to fill that in.

I'm so glad we called in a consultant.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell. I've got 15 people to sign up for the digital cable package being advertised. Getting a commission makes me feel a little dirty. At this rate, if the cable farm doesn't jive, I can always get a polyester checked coat and head out and schill for Fucillo's.

What else is griping me? Stranger Than Fiction didn't have the good sense to play downtown. May have to treat myself to the Casino Royale tonight and a big bag of popcorn tonight for the 9:00 show. Any takers? (get your own corn).

Just had a customer who had a baby in the backpack. The baby had the best evil laugh I've heard all day. Funnier coming from a baby sack.

Get outside, while the getting is good.

Later