Re: [inlink]ajay,126[/inlink] , [inlink]maidencateyes,148[/inlink] & [inlink]sqb,134[/inlink]

I love to ride my bike. I hate to ride on Buffalo streets. They are too small, too crowded, and no one (bikers or drivers) knows what they're supposed to do in regards to each other. In principle I agree everyone should follow the law, but get tired of following laws when the majority of the people on the roads seem hellbent on killing me. I try to ride on the street most of the time, as I am supposed to by the law, but I agree with (e:maidencateyes) that especially on Elmwood it is nearly impossible without severe risk to life and limb. Let's face it, the only reason anyone follows the traffic laws is fear of the po-po. The po-po don't give a damn about the bikers (unless they mass up). If cars could get away with it they would. And I feel it my right as a non-gas-guzzling vehicle to enjoy perks, like darting out before the light is green and not stopping at a sign if no one is there. I would feel different if there was mutual repect, if I wasn't constantly honked at, yelled and cursed at, told to get my ass on the sidewalk, if I didn't have to watch every occupied car (both on the move and at rest, watch those casually flung-open doors). I understand that it's hard to develop respect for an activity that is only possible half of the year, for most of the year bicyclists just don't exist. And our city was built before gigantic cars took up 6 feet of space each. So, at my own risk, I will continue following whatever rules I want. Sorry if I give the rest of you law-abiding cyclists a bad name.

was about a little while ago, but I just received some pics that I would like to share with you kind folks!


The bride-to-be was surprised and taken hostage. Blinfolded, she was led to her outfit.


A major part of the outfit was the condom-veil. So popular with Sparrow (the adorable puddy-tat) that a new one had to be made to lay atop the streaming remnants of the old.


Our one and only, (e:springfaerie) in the hizouse! Lookin' mighty fine too, shit!!


This is the life of the party. Notice their utter suaveness, what gems! The outfits did become somewhat rearranged as the evening wore on... We are of course, myself, (e:lilho), (e:southernyankee), (e:tina), and (e:flacidness).


Two who aren't on the site but should be flank (e:trisha), the lady of honor, let's here it for Rachel and Summer! Summer made me wonder if she had some hitmen following her around and Rachel had a garter full of semi-licit substances. Yikes!

Everybody needs an Italian grandma! Even if you have to live with a smelly Italian to get one. :)

Today was canning tomato day. Last year was my first experience and I went today to repeat the lovely experience. Nonna is just great. Just the right kind of old-world charm, grandmotherliness, and just plain sparkling joy that everyone needs in their lives. She really makes me happy. She's 86 and only moved to America in her 40's. Her primary language is still Italian but she gets around in English as well (though it helps if you have a smattering of a romance language to get the full effect, she has these great idiosycratic words that slip in, ie: always suppone instead of suppose...). And the stories... She remembers living in Italy during WWII! Her brother actually had a bomb dropped on him and had to be dug out of a crater. She blends this perfect kind of innocence with a great pragmatic common sense. Anyways here are some pics from the tomatostravaganza:


First you must prepare the bottles, some fresh basilica and a pinch of sale


Next peel the skin from those guys, make 'em shine


They're ready to be popped in the pot for a 20 minute boil. You can already smell how wonderful they'll taste!

Do you guys remember this "get your war on" comic strip thing by David Rees? It started right after 9/11 and apparently has been going on since. They're pretty gosh darn funny. Here are a couple samples from this month's strip:





sidenote: Deaf children in Nicaragua have created their own language. A special education school which opened in the 70's and never taught official sign language has documented the progress of the language from simple hand gestures to a genuine language. Very cool. The study also finds (as if there was much doubt) that children are the true inventors of language, tugging and changing existing rules until novel structures are found. Kids rock. Who invented the word dude though?

my manager be trippin' and stuff
talkin' how we gotta use water,
but i always use some milk and cream for you, cause...
i think you kinda sweet

you with your sparkling cufflinks

'n i swear on my mama 'n papa,
it feels like.......