Paul's Journal

04/14/2007 11:51 #38883

Morocco and the boom boom
Category: travel

Back in 1997 I spent October in Morocco. Recently, I was saying how I did that at just the right time before it seemed especially scary but the person I was telling said, Morocco is not the middle east. After giving me a cup of mint tea and a cigarette, I remember one of the merchants in marakesh telling me that I had nothing to worry about because they had a law that if someone messed with a tourist, they would be executed. While I thought it sounded quite extreme, I guess I felt safer in a way.

That kind of law means nothing to the kind of people that actually blow themselves up as happened this week in Casablanca.

By JOHN THORNE AP Writer. © 2007 AP. RABAT, Morocco - Two brothers strapped with explosives blew themselves up near an American cultural center in Casablanca Saturday, and police arrested another three suspects - including one wearing ... explosives.

Honestly, I still felt uncomfortable there and wore one of those traditional, hooded, one-piece outfits the whole time. It was dark brown, I was really tan and had a full beard so I blended ok. It's sad to think I would never visit there again, but I really don't think it is worth it.

04/10/2007 18:46 #38839

I still say tear down the terminal
Category: buffalo

We went to dyngus day the Central Terminal. It was kind of a stupid place to be in freezing cold weather and I can't believe it is "safe " - I had figured they had cleaned it up more until I got inside. When I saw asbestos wrapper furnace piping all shredded up in the ceiling of the room that had food I knew it was as craptastic as ever.

I still think they should just knock it down, even though I got a death threat (e:paul,31900) for saying it before (e:paul,31144) . To me it represents one of those absurdities about Buffalo. I am all about preserving history, living in the city, preserving architecture, etc but I think you have to also learn to say when its too far gone. I still cannot believe they let kids in paper masks clean that nasty shit up.

::Download Flash Video::

Okay, on to other topics.

Like snow in April

::Download Flash Video::

The day before easter, (e:lilho) tried to kill us with a heart attack. This was the second breakfast for the day that came before noon.

Easter night I tried to punch a hotel in the wall of my office closet to see how much bigger it could be. I want to put a bathroom there this summer so that we can open up the space under the foyer stairs and return it to its free standing glory. That way (e:terry) can have a piano underneith it, but we can still have a bathroom on the first floor.

(e:lilho) tried to pretend to be Dolly Parton and (e:matthew) took pictures of it, I wish we had a video instead it would have been much more entertaining.

On the way home rfom lunch today I saw this dolly in the window in one of the closed down shop fronts on main street near Allen. What is up with that building, why are all those store front vacant and why did they leave just this doll in this awkward position and is it black or tan?

metalpeter - 04/11/07 17:58
I will admit I have never been to the central terminal but I think that it would be a great location to film Movies. It looks like the type of place that when the world end would still be standing. I will admit that I'm not sure how it can be reused but I think it should be reused in some manor.

jenks - 04/11/07 16:31
Ok, must admit I don't know what or where central terminal is (was), but just from those pix it looks like a gorgeous building! Why tear it down??

joshua - 04/11/07 16:11
They just need to find a purpose for the place that would justify such an outlay of money to restore it, although I think that if people are waiting for public money to restore it for the sake of preservation... they better not hold their breath long.

imk2 - 04/11/07 10:48
wait a minute.....you guys were at the terminal too on dyngus day? wtf? we were there...how come i didnt see you? and why didnt you guys come to the other places to party like real polish people do?

uncutsaniflush - 04/10/07 20:59
And I still say that the Central Terminal is wonderful and should be restored.

I think your qualms about the project would be non-issues with better funding.

james - 04/10/07 20:29
As no one has reissued a death threat yet... wait... ya know what. Just be careful opening up your mail. Especially the large ticking boxes.

Capisce?

tina - 04/10/07 20:02
Hey paul! this is really funny, because i 'm having my senior thesis art show at Central terminal this sunday from 2-6 pm and i was just there today to install then i read your journal

but nevertheless you guys should come see me at the show! even though its old and cold there, but it'll be a cool art show!

paul - 04/10/07 19:32
I added your credit. Do you want me to erase them?

matthew - 04/10/07 19:13
You stole the "Dolly Ho" pics I took! and you didn't even credit Me for them. Bastard!

04/08/2007 20:44 #38807

Call For Action Volunteers
Category: volunteer

I saw this online tonight and thought seeing as my mother is the director of Call for Action, I should probably also advertise their call for volunteers here.

Call for Action is seeking volunteers for one day a week commitment from 10 am to 1 pm. Volunteers are especially needed on Monday. Basic computer knowledge is necessary. Call for Action is a non-profit network of consumer hotlines affiliated with local broadcast partners. Contact: Maria Visco at (716) 879-4968

On another note I have no poctures of easter food this year. I forgot to bring my camera ;( I think it is the first holiday I haven't taken pictures of the food in like 5 years. We celebrated at my cousin's inlaws and had traditional polish food, yum.

Is anyone else going out for Dyngus Day tomorrow?

imk2 - 04/08/07 22:08
I think we are going to the central terminal also.

zobar - 04/08/07 21:08
I think one way or another (e:dragonlady7) and I will end up at the Central Terminal tomorrow evening.

- Z

04/08/2007 13:21 #38803

Computers For Children
Category: business

I was just driving by Computers for Children on Delaware on the way to Easter Dinner at my cousins inlaws and saw that it had a "space for rent" sign.

I wonder if that means they closed, or moved or just have some space for rent. Does anyone know?

mrmike - 04/08/07 13:36
They have building space to rent to help pay for the new building

04/07/2007 11:47 #38783

Europa Bistro
Category: food

(e:lilho) and I went to Europa Bistro (464 Elmwood Ave) for dinner last night.

The food was pretty good and the waitress was seriously like gay guy turns straight hot - at least I thought so.

While we were there with some random girl and I played this game where I would shout out an emotion and then give her like two seconds to pose for it. Sorry the pics are dark, it was dark in there.

"Serious" Face on a Nameless Bitch

I also recorded a bit of the ambient conversation. It gave you an idea for what it was like. It had the Gemutlichkeit of a german Kneipe which I enjoyed.

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::

At the end we ordered an order of esgargot to go for (e:matthew). He loves those little bugs.

I got squid croquettes. I never had anything so squidy and good.

I was reading the review in Bill Rappaporte's restaurant

and saw this review from 01/07 and I have to agree, they should construct a little door way around the entrance like they have at Betty's.

The cons are a chilly room, because the tables are near the front door, which opens directly to the outside. Too bad the huge bar could not be put in the front so diners could sit more warmly and more relaxed in the back. We might accept the tight quarters, but a cold room has to be fixed.

metalpeter - 04/07/07 16:55
I will firstly admit that I have looked at the Menu for that place if it is the one I'm thinking of and didn't see anything I liked or would try (put I'm very picky). What I found strange is that in the first recording it sounds like the people in the background are like way louder. But in the second one it doesn't sound like that. And to answer the question I have no idea how big 4 Million words are. it kinda depends on the length of the words and how big or small the typeface is. I wonder if you could get all the words to be a readable size on a dress or some kind of clothing?

jenks - 04/07/07 14:36
Ooh I like that place. It's yummy and cheap. i think I wrote a journal a while about about the fruit/cheese/meat plate b/c it got me to eat pate, which I had thought was too gross to eat, but was super-delicious. I've only eaten at the bar, but the owner comes out and chats and is cool and down to earth. he said what he's going for is "european comfort food". And I love that by "europa" they mean more than france and italy. And my wino friends (who would know) say the wine list is awesome.

james - 04/07/07 13:31
Jim and I had dinner there about a month ago. They have a seasonal menu and at the time, winter food was much appreciated. Even though the place is cold and drafty, the food was hot hot hot and kept me that way.

Also, have you seen their beer list? So sexy.

We will have to return for squiddy goodness.