I don't know if any of you are into feature animation, have young cousins, etc. or whatever. However, I have to plug this movie as a very good friend of mine that I grew up with is one of the animators! I'm super proud of him. He started out after school designing the stadiums for the Madden EA game series and at this point he is in Burbank working for Disney. He and Mickey are homeboys.
Joshua's Journal
My Podcast Link
03/27/2007 22:55 #38661
Meet The Robinsons03/26/2007 13:02 #38624
Finally!I finally found the copy of On The Road that I wanted - 25th anniversary paperback edition with the original artwork from the 1st edition hardcover.
This is so hard to find - out of nearly 1000 entries on Abebooks there was not ONE match for me. Now that I've finally found the book I am going to conspire to win the auction, at virtually any cost.
One question though - since when does it cost $6.50 for a seller to ship a 300-page paperback book USPS priority mail? Considering the book is cheap its not that big of a deal, but doesn't that seem kind of high for the postage? I wonder if the Post Office recently raised rates significantly.
Anyway, my new drink, which I wholly endorse 1000%, is this -
I've been drinking less soda and more hot and cold teas - I freaking love this one! SPoT also has a hot version that essentially tastes similar, but is less sweet and is not artifically fortified with the vitamin alphabet. Its called Orange Blossom, and at this point I rarely order bean drinks from SPoT anymore... which I'm sure will change since I like iced coffee in warm weather.
FUZE really should be paying me for this - I've been spreading the word far and wide. Even as far as the next room over - (e:jason) likes it too, and he is notorious for being... well... 'nonconformist' when it comes to the food and the drink. I've also tried the Oolong and the Green, and both are acceptable substitutes in the event that the White Tea is not in stock. Give it a try - I believe and hope that at least some of you will like it as much as I do. I'm notorious for drinking too much sugary, carbonated stuff so to have found a healthy drink that I could give up soda for, its a big deal for me.
Nothing else new to report - things are fine and I'm looking forward to the time that I can grill and chill on my porch with a beer and not be freezing cold. The porch and the location are the two best assets for our apartment, and it kind of stinks when you cannot even use one of your favorite things about your abode half of the time.
This is so hard to find - out of nearly 1000 entries on Abebooks there was not ONE match for me. Now that I've finally found the book I am going to conspire to win the auction, at virtually any cost.
One question though - since when does it cost $6.50 for a seller to ship a 300-page paperback book USPS priority mail? Considering the book is cheap its not that big of a deal, but doesn't that seem kind of high for the postage? I wonder if the Post Office recently raised rates significantly.
Anyway, my new drink, which I wholly endorse 1000%, is this -
I've been drinking less soda and more hot and cold teas - I freaking love this one! SPoT also has a hot version that essentially tastes similar, but is less sweet and is not artifically fortified with the vitamin alphabet. Its called Orange Blossom, and at this point I rarely order bean drinks from SPoT anymore... which I'm sure will change since I like iced coffee in warm weather.
FUZE really should be paying me for this - I've been spreading the word far and wide. Even as far as the next room over - (e:jason) likes it too, and he is notorious for being... well... 'nonconformist' when it comes to the food and the drink. I've also tried the Oolong and the Green, and both are acceptable substitutes in the event that the White Tea is not in stock. Give it a try - I believe and hope that at least some of you will like it as much as I do. I'm notorious for drinking too much sugary, carbonated stuff so to have found a healthy drink that I could give up soda for, its a big deal for me.
Nothing else new to report - things are fine and I'm looking forward to the time that I can grill and chill on my porch with a beer and not be freezing cold. The porch and the location are the two best assets for our apartment, and it kind of stinks when you cannot even use one of your favorite things about your abode half of the time.
03/22/2007 09:17 #38555
Check this out3 guys got caught with 400 lbs. of pot stashed in an ambulance - I'll never look at Rural Metro the same way again. 
03/14/2007 16:26 #38456
I hate the Williamsville PDToday on the way to work I stopped into Starbucks on Main St. to grab a quick cup of coffee... I even was "good" and got the decaf Breakfast Blend. Typically I never make this trip and go to the Timmy Ho Ho's on Sheridan Drive, and woe be to those who park a car in Williamsville, even if its for five minutes. This was an omen.
I happily left $tarbuck$ with my coffee, got into my car and drove down Main St., listening to Roby Radio on WGR550 while I drive. A copper sticks his lights on - I'm thinking, "did I speed? Oh god, he's going to see my expired inspection sticker!"
So I am pulled over, and before he even looks at the sticker he is talking to me about it. I slowly realize that while I was parked he had to have noticed it, and waited until I moved the car so that he could give me an moving infraction rather than a typical BPD-style ninja ticket job. What the hell is that?
He even almost let me off, but to be honest the inspection sticker is 9 months overdue so I knew my fate. His exact words were, "May is a little long for me."
This is what you get when you do not bother to get work done on your car and delay inspection. Its "our" fault, but nevertheless, I thought that this was an incredibly shady and underhanded method. If the BPD weren't as fucking stupid as they are you'd think that they would have figured this one out. The way to "raise revenue" for the city isn't to ticket parked cars - the way to go is to "mark" the car and wait until morning for the owner to drive it away! My infraction is going to cost between $105 - $155 - Buffalo, you're slipping.
Considering how fucked up, pouty, whiny, assholish, self-protecting, corrupt, "entitled," lazy and soulless the Buffalo Police Department is, you would have thought that the deviants downtown would have hatched this kind of plot a long time ago.
I even asked the cop what he thought about what is going on at BPD with the supposed "sick out"- he could have cared less, lol. He said to me, "well, they haven't called us for help yet." What, take work away from BPD while they are striking? If they actually went through with it, which I don't think they will, they would probably have a problem with that too and allege that the city, by doing so, violated their collective bargaining agreement with the city.
To his credit, the officer that pulled me over was courteous and polite - a gentleman, even! BPD's riff raff could learn a thing or two - please enforce the law, but don't make peoples lives miserable simply because you can.
I happily left $tarbuck$ with my coffee, got into my car and drove down Main St., listening to Roby Radio on WGR550 while I drive. A copper sticks his lights on - I'm thinking, "did I speed? Oh god, he's going to see my expired inspection sticker!"
So I am pulled over, and before he even looks at the sticker he is talking to me about it. I slowly realize that while I was parked he had to have noticed it, and waited until I moved the car so that he could give me an moving infraction rather than a typical BPD-style ninja ticket job. What the hell is that?
He even almost let me off, but to be honest the inspection sticker is 9 months overdue so I knew my fate. His exact words were, "May is a little long for me."
This is what you get when you do not bother to get work done on your car and delay inspection. Its "our" fault, but nevertheless, I thought that this was an incredibly shady and underhanded method. If the BPD weren't as fucking stupid as they are you'd think that they would have figured this one out. The way to "raise revenue" for the city isn't to ticket parked cars - the way to go is to "mark" the car and wait until morning for the owner to drive it away! My infraction is going to cost between $105 - $155 - Buffalo, you're slipping.
Considering how fucked up, pouty, whiny, assholish, self-protecting, corrupt, "entitled," lazy and soulless the Buffalo Police Department is, you would have thought that the deviants downtown would have hatched this kind of plot a long time ago.
I even asked the cop what he thought about what is going on at BPD with the supposed "sick out"- he could have cared less, lol. He said to me, "well, they haven't called us for help yet." What, take work away from BPD while they are striking? If they actually went through with it, which I don't think they will, they would probably have a problem with that too and allege that the city, by doing so, violated their collective bargaining agreement with the city.
To his credit, the officer that pulled me over was courteous and polite - a gentleman, even! BPD's riff raff could learn a thing or two - please enforce the law, but don't make peoples lives miserable simply because you can.
03/13/2007 13:04 #38442
Day off - at least in my head!Its sunny out - I'm tempted to get out of the office just for the sake of getting out.
I wish that our office wasn't in the middle of nowhere - it would be nice to be able to safely walk to a cafe, or at least a convenience store. Instead, we have to get in a car to head towards Transit Rd. and all the splendid suburban commercial outlets.
(e:jason) and I were having a conversation about moving - we think we found a place to go that we could both live with. Granted, both of us have a lot of self-improvement to do before we undertake such a thing, but generally speaking we agree that being couped up indoors 6 months of the year is detrimental to your mental and physical health. I don't know why, but this winter has taken its toll on me - more than ever I've had my fill of this horrible weather. Maybe thats why a 50 degree day with sunshine might as well be an 80 degree day with sunshine. Settling for less is a way of life around here.
At this point its all shit talk, and we know that making a move west completely on our own will take a lot of money and some proper planning. I know that I will be in Buffalo for another two years to save money and get things lined up properly. We all love Buffalo to a degree, but there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that better *everything* can be found somewhere else. If I had my choice I'd pack up and leave now, but there are too many loose ends and too much unfinished business here to leave yet. Its a frustrating thought.
PRC (People's Republic of California) here we come (eventually!). I will be visiting San Diego or San Fransisco within the next two or three months to have some fun and to figure some stuff out.
I wish that our office wasn't in the middle of nowhere - it would be nice to be able to safely walk to a cafe, or at least a convenience store. Instead, we have to get in a car to head towards Transit Rd. and all the splendid suburban commercial outlets.
(e:jason) and I were having a conversation about moving - we think we found a place to go that we could both live with. Granted, both of us have a lot of self-improvement to do before we undertake such a thing, but generally speaking we agree that being couped up indoors 6 months of the year is detrimental to your mental and physical health. I don't know why, but this winter has taken its toll on me - more than ever I've had my fill of this horrible weather. Maybe thats why a 50 degree day with sunshine might as well be an 80 degree day with sunshine. Settling for less is a way of life around here.
At this point its all shit talk, and we know that making a move west completely on our own will take a lot of money and some proper planning. I know that I will be in Buffalo for another two years to save money and get things lined up properly. We all love Buffalo to a degree, but there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that better *everything* can be found somewhere else. If I had my choice I'd pack up and leave now, but there are too many loose ends and too much unfinished business here to leave yet. Its a frustrating thought.
PRC (People's Republic of California) here we come (eventually!). I will be visiting San Diego or San Fransisco within the next two or three months to have some fun and to figure some stuff out.
twisted - 03/14/07 23:42
Oh yeah, and regarding cost of living. If paying double the rent gets you 6 extra months per year of your life back, would that be worth it? (I'm going by what you said. And that's the realization I came to myself. I know not everyone feels the same way about Winter, but it was worth it to me. That's half my life!)
Oh yeah, and regarding cost of living. If paying double the rent gets you 6 extra months per year of your life back, would that be worth it? (I'm going by what you said. And that's the realization I came to myself. I know not everyone feels the same way about Winter, but it was worth it to me. That's half my life!)
twisted - 03/14/07 23:31
SFGate (the Chronicle online) does a nice job with their :::link::: neighborhood guide. Obviously, you'd still want a native (or recent transplant, since there are so many more of us) to show you around in person. But it's a good way to do some leg work in the meantime.
Oh, and (e:Jason) makes a good point. Better get out here quick! haha.
SFGate (the Chronicle online) does a nice job with their :::link::: neighborhood guide. Obviously, you'd still want a native (or recent transplant, since there are so many more of us) to show you around in person. But it's a good way to do some leg work in the meantime.
Oh, and (e:Jason) makes a good point. Better get out here quick! haha.
joshua - 03/14/07 09:48
Good luck at your interview :)
I would love it if you would be willing to do that - chances are good that I will be there sometime in the next couple months. Basically I just need my tax return and I'm off! My place to stay would be the Haight/Ashbury apartment of my good friend Jonas, and essentially what I'd like to do is explore different sections of the city to see what its like. The locals point of view is important to me.
One of the things I want to see is City Lights bookstore - I'd make the trip just to go there!
As far as SD goes, my understanding is that it can be nearly as expensive as SF, but with better weather. I have an inkling of where I'd like to live if I moved to SD, but I want to see it first hand. I can't say the same about SF, but to be honest if I could find an area similar to where I live now in terms of the offbeat factor, "safety" (that is always relative) and just general vibe I'd be happy.
The thought of my rent doubling or tripling scares me, but honestly, cost of living is oppressive in all the urban areas in Cali.
Jason's take - "We might as well go there before it all goes underwater!"
Good luck at your interview :)
I would love it if you would be willing to do that - chances are good that I will be there sometime in the next couple months. Basically I just need my tax return and I'm off! My place to stay would be the Haight/Ashbury apartment of my good friend Jonas, and essentially what I'd like to do is explore different sections of the city to see what its like. The locals point of view is important to me.
One of the things I want to see is City Lights bookstore - I'd make the trip just to go there!
As far as SD goes, my understanding is that it can be nearly as expensive as SF, but with better weather. I have an inkling of where I'd like to live if I moved to SD, but I want to see it first hand. I can't say the same about SF, but to be honest if I could find an area similar to where I live now in terms of the offbeat factor, "safety" (that is always relative) and just general vibe I'd be happy.
The thought of my rent doubling or tripling scares me, but honestly, cost of living is oppressive in all the urban areas in Cali.
Jason's take - "We might as well go there before it all goes underwater!"
twisted - 03/13/07 22:52
Come West young men...
And if you do decide to research San Francisco, I'd be happy to show you a balanced view of life here. What am I saying, of course it would be skewed in SF's favor, but you already knew that, haha. In any case, I'd love to hear how San Diego stacks up in comparison. Come to think of it, I still need to sashay my fanny (although I'm woefully deficient in that department - maybe I should take the new cardio striptease class at my gym? especially since it leads into my favorite yoga instructor's class anyway) down to San Diego to check it out myself. I'm seriously considering going to Cochella with a friend, and that would be as good an excuse as any. Although considering the debt from my renovation and upcoming Italy trip, I really have no business entertaining such thoughts. Oh well, might as well go out with a bang, haha. Oh yeah, did I mention I have a job interview with Gumps of all places on Friday? Wish me luck...
Come West young men...
And if you do decide to research San Francisco, I'd be happy to show you a balanced view of life here. What am I saying, of course it would be skewed in SF's favor, but you already knew that, haha. In any case, I'd love to hear how San Diego stacks up in comparison. Come to think of it, I still need to sashay my fanny (although I'm woefully deficient in that department - maybe I should take the new cardio striptease class at my gym? especially since it leads into my favorite yoga instructor's class anyway) down to San Diego to check it out myself. I'm seriously considering going to Cochella with a friend, and that would be as good an excuse as any. Although considering the debt from my renovation and upcoming Italy trip, I really have no business entertaining such thoughts. Oh well, might as well go out with a bang, haha. Oh yeah, did I mention I have a job interview with Gumps of all places on Friday? Wish me luck...
joshua - 03/13/07 22:44
Another thing to think about is this - if you are going to move to a super expensive city, which is better - NY, Boston, etc. or a west coast city? Honestly, its hands down west coast for me. Seattle and Portland are nice as well, but I'd rather be near a beach. Don't even get me started on my opinion on NYC - I'd definitely offend those uber New Yorkers out there.
The only thing I'd have to reconcile is that the Sabres would play at 4:00 or 4:30 and I'd definitely miss half the game, every game. DVR just isn't the same. =(
Another thing to think about is this - if you are going to move to a super expensive city, which is better - NY, Boston, etc. or a west coast city? Honestly, its hands down west coast for me. Seattle and Portland are nice as well, but I'd rather be near a beach. Don't even get me started on my opinion on NYC - I'd definitely offend those uber New Yorkers out there.
The only thing I'd have to reconcile is that the Sabres would play at 4:00 or 4:30 and I'd definitely miss half the game, every game. DVR just isn't the same. =(
joshua - 03/13/07 22:32
Including you - the entire state seems to be full of transients. =P
Including you - the entire state seems to be full of transients. =P
ajay - 03/13/07 21:39
LOL ... sooner or later, everyone becomes a Californian....
LOL ... sooner or later, everyone becomes a Californian....
joshua - 03/13/07 14:20
Yeah, San Diego is our #1, followed distantly by whatever else you can find in California. We will definitely let you know when we go - a locals knowledge is better than any Zagat guide or self-exploring, bar none!
Its beautiful out here (for Buffalo, anyway) - 55 - 60 or so and sunny. We go back to "winter" tomorrow and for another week. Sometimes lately I'm wondering how on earth I am going to keep it together in this cold. In fact it nice enough that I almost feel like getting the F outta here for the day just so I can at least enjoy it for a couple hours.
Yeah, San Diego is our #1, followed distantly by whatever else you can find in California. We will definitely let you know when we go - a locals knowledge is better than any Zagat guide or self-exploring, bar none!
Its beautiful out here (for Buffalo, anyway) - 55 - 60 or so and sunny. We go back to "winter" tomorrow and for another week. Sometimes lately I'm wondering how on earth I am going to keep it together in this cold. In fact it nice enough that I almost feel like getting the F outta here for the day just so I can at least enjoy it for a couple hours.
iriesara - 03/13/07 13:26
I was at the beach the other day to play volley ball. It was absolutely gorgeous, I actually got a bit sun-burned. I'd say at the coast it was about 75 degrees, which is warm at the coast even in the summer. I was laughing telling my friends that everyone in Buffalo was excited & wearing spring jackets because it was 35 degrees! ha ha
I've been here in San Diego for almost 6 years, and I still get that innate need to hibernate a bit during the winter months, even though it's beautiful out.
Anyway, if you do come through San Diego, hit me up, I can show you around a bit!
I remember about 10 years ago walking home from work in the winter (I worked at Delaware & Hertel & lived 2 doors down from Pano's). One particular time crossing over the 33 at midnight, literally crying because I was so fucking cold, saying to myself, I can't wait to get out of this god-forsaken place! I think back to that now & just laugh....
There is a way out!
I was at the beach the other day to play volley ball. It was absolutely gorgeous, I actually got a bit sun-burned. I'd say at the coast it was about 75 degrees, which is warm at the coast even in the summer. I was laughing telling my friends that everyone in Buffalo was excited & wearing spring jackets because it was 35 degrees! ha ha
I've been here in San Diego for almost 6 years, and I still get that innate need to hibernate a bit during the winter months, even though it's beautiful out.
Anyway, if you do come through San Diego, hit me up, I can show you around a bit!
I remember about 10 years ago walking home from work in the winter (I worked at Delaware & Hertel & lived 2 doors down from Pano's). One particular time crossing over the 33 at midnight, literally crying because I was so fucking cold, saying to myself, I can't wait to get out of this god-forsaken place! I think back to that now & just laugh....
There is a way out!
jason - 03/13/07 13:22
The PRC has some rather solid bunnies. *thumbs up*
The PRC has some rather solid bunnies. *thumbs up*
Peter -
White tea is the new fad - if you go to Wegman's you'll see several brands of flavored white tea. Its very, very good for you and the flavor is subtle compared to other teas. I like the less sweet varieties, although the Fuze is about as sweet as I like tea.
Teany also has a freaking amazing hibiscus/pomegranate tea that I cannot find. They used to sell it at Globe - does anybody know where I can find Teany products?
(e:lilho) - I went to the Weg on Sheridan Dr. after work, and no honest teas!
(e:ingrid) - I'm a delinquent and I'm routinely getting reminded by (e:lilho) and (e:jenks), which I partially deserve. No slack for me next time... it would have been nice to meet you!
Fuze is pretty good. I'm not sure of the 3 kinds of tea what one I prefer. Part of the reason is that I haven't had a lot of white tea so it is still a new taste to me. I was kinda hoping to see you and Jason it has been a long time, plus you could have meet (e:ingrid) .
all of the fuze stuff is really really good..especially the white tea...you shoulda gone to the estrip party by the way!! you coulda met all the newbies! (me!)
the aquafina carbonated raspberry is awesome. No cal, no caffeine, blah blah. Water that's drinkable. ;)
Name confusion, baby! I love it when you get blamed for my behavior, haha.
I am a reformed (well ok, reforming) sugar loving drink whore. And I am going to try a different variety of honest tea - I will let you know if it tasted better than the other one I tried.
To hell with water - that is overrated. I recently tried one of those lightly sweetened carbonated water drinks the other day and it wasn't half bad though.
I know I've been bad about the (e:strip) party attendance and I have no credible defense, except for to say that I'm sorry and I'd like to make it up to you. To be completely honest I feel bad about it, but circumstances and prior engagements have made it difficult for me to get to the parties lately. I deserve a spanking.
Kill me? What did I do?
(e:jason) , i will kill you. i guess for a sugar loving drink whore, that shit is a somewhat better choice. what about water? huh? anyway, good job never showing up to any e"strip gathering ever anymore, and your brother as well.
YOU ARE FUCKING BLASPHEMING!!! It is delicious.
I tried the Honest Teas - tasted like grass. Then again, so does green tea (generally). My boss' wife shares your love of the passion tea $tarbuck$ sells... she brought packets of it in today. She hasn't used it yet and I think I might steal it.
that stuff tastes like horse shit. this is coming from and iced tea snob. you should try "honest tea", they sell it at wegmans. it is very lightly swettened, with some varieties having a bit more sweetness. it actually tastes like tea. and even though they are evil, the starbucks passion iced tea, sweetened, or non-sweetened is pretty good!