Journaling on estrip is easy and free. sign up here

Mrmike's Journal

mrmike
My Podcast Link

06/15/2007 09:49 #39669

Thank friggin gawd it's Friday
Category: potpurri
A Day off......ain't it grand.

Was watching part of the today show while waiting for the coffee maker to finishing and pretty sure one of the signs being held up featured "HO" rather prominently. You don't suppose we've had our first nationally broadcast peeps? Couldn't see the faces of the sign holders but it did make me wonder.....briefly.

In the here's what I know department, if you want digital phone from TW, it's gonna be $39.95. It's using the cable connection, not the internet to run. If you have tv and net already, you can save some bucks. I just got mine connected (employee perk) and it isn't too shabby.

Made a black belt feel bad. Number one Son was sparring during his Tae Kwon Do class last saturday. His opponent thought he was on UFC and knocked my guy's helmet strap loose and before the instructors would/could do anything, his helmet went flying. As I'm running out to check on him, I'm thinking about all the money that his mom and I are sinking into braces. He was okay, just the dignity got bruised. Anyhoo, I spoke to the school owner and requested that if the equipment that we had to buy from him can't protect our kids, he needs to take some responsibility for that and make sure his instructors are on point. Also, that my guy needs a confidence boost and not have to face a little twerp with Chuck LIddell fantasies.

Got this in the email

With iTunes Plus, you can get our highest-quality audio with no restrictions for personal use. iTunes Plus songs are available at $1.29 per song, music videos are still $1.99, and albums are generally available at the same price as DRM-protected versions of the albums.

And best of all, you can upgrade all the eligible music you've previously purchased from iTunes to iTunes Plus for just $.30 per song, $.60 per music video, and 30% of an album price. New additions to iTunes Plus music are added to iTunes all the time, so check back often to find new music available for upgrading.



This sounds fine, but I'm not sure my IPODS will know the difference. The Itunes files are pretty dense mp3s. The new ones sound like that it is something for the burn em all to cd set.

Shenanigans, either way.

Back to the laundry
jenks - 06/15/07 12:32
i think the bigger thing about the itunes plus songs is that they're no longer "protected" files, which is a pretty huge move. (hear hear steve jobs!!) I dunno about the cost increase though... if people will go for it. But they make it sound like it might not go up if you buy the whole album... so who knows.
ladycroft - 06/15/07 10:49
being a black belt myself, i have to let you know the gear isn't meant to offer full protection. it's just to offer some cushion for both the giver and receiver of the hit. sparring is part of the sport and while it may make you momentarily feel 'bad' it's part of the process to work through it. pitting your kid up against lesser skill every time will only give him false confidence. on the flip side, as a black belt going up against someone newer, your job is to not make them look bad, allowing them to get shots on you etc. it's all about the discipline and respect that is being taught along side the physical moves. so..let your kid experience it. he's gonna get hurt, hands down guaranteed. but it's worth it!

06/11/2007 20:07 #39613

What I know (weekend edition)
Category: mental mcnuggets
The Allentown Art Festival was the same old crap, just without a soundtrack. With Music is Art bullied to Hamburg, you could almost hear crickets on Franklin on Sunday morning. The quote that continues to stick with me is the tool from the Allentown Society saying "there is no place for music at a Fine Arts fair." That being a misnomer the size of Rhode Island conveniently obscures the fact that the fine art was few and far between, too. You had to go to Nietzche's block to see the more original stuff. It's the people watching that caught my amusement.
You'd think people would be over my marital nonsense by now. My ex and I had a thing for our eldest daughter at the house yesterday. One of the recent arrivals in the family made a decided turn to avoid greeting me at all. WTF? I didn't stray, she did. It's been over 3 years and the divorce is almost a year old. Get over yerself, or at least fuckin be civil or don't show up.
Took my darling daughter driving in my go mobile yesterday. She is a little overwhelmed at the thought of standard transmission, but happily we're still talking so I considered that a good lesson. She did perform however unintentionally, one of the more impressive tire burn outs in the history of Forest Lawn. "Why all the smoke?" she cried. Calmly, I pointed out that she still had the break on.
Took the whole lot to Becker Farms on Sat. Not sure who had a better time, me or them. Lots of animals to see, running around to be had, and fresh strawberries and one kick ass blueberry pie came home as souvenirs.
Among the many places I'd never thought I'd be, I've spent about 45 minutes listening to the ex lament the break up of her current relationship -- strange thing trying to be helpful about the dissolution that caused your own dissolution.
Was working in the Time Warner store on Maple Rd today when the computers and the internet went down. Couldn't help but joke to a long line at that. "Savor the irony, folks, our internet went down and we can't get tech support."

Seemed to diffuse a potentially angry mob.
The Philharmonic rejected me via email, bastards. I guess I'm overqualified. A colleague said "Do you really want to be an Associate? Bet that pays well." Wise soul, that one.
Cool the Sopranos enchewed a big finale. People came into work and thought it was our fault.
A change in email resulted in a free medium popcorn to the Market Arcade. May be just enough of an excuse to go see Ocean's 13. Anybody game?
Saturday ride home included a diversion to Isleview Park. Sitting along the water with a well made dreamcicle milkshake renewed my faith in civility.
My digital phone gets installed Friday, the joys of beta testing. Now, I can listen to it not ring on saturday nights.
Not a big reality tv guy, but something about Hell's Kitchen gets to me. I get a kick out of seeing Gordon Ramsay browbeat people into making a better gravy. It's like watching "Stripes" take place in culinary school.
Get to actually go to my own office tomorrow, been awhile.
Hot enough for ya?
metalpeter - 06/12/07 19:17
The thing that bothered me about Allentown was that they allways said that "music wasn't fine art" or however they said it. But yet they never had any gripes or any problems with "The Unoffical Art Festival" that takes place on allen/wadesworth. I know Nietzeches used to have bands all day and you could find a listing for them and a tentative schedulle on line last year. I can understand there concern that they don't want people who come to there festival hearing music that they might not like as they are trying to buy art. I can also understand that they didn't want MIA to grow because it was from what I remember all local art. Eventully it could grow and take over that weekend and expand or maybe even change and take buisness away from them. But if they where really concerned about Music and what art is then they could have gotten that other festival shut down a long time ago and there wouldn't be anyone selling any Jewelery. I think what the real deal was is that they didn't want the Music Of MIA to compete with a festival that they thought they could control or wouldn't grow. In terms of the art there where some people that I don't remember seeing last year and there where some regulars. Now that it looks like MIA has left and won't have there festival there next year either I think Allentown needs to expand. I would like to see two things Happen. Any store that sells art gets a booth in front of there store in the street/ Any store that is open and selling stuff can have a sign between booths letting people know that. That might give those venders a little bit more competition and improve the festival. The second thing I would like to see is more local artists at the festival or maybe even a gallery. For example say CEPA sells stuff they would have a booth and sell stuff from different artists they have stuff on display from and then have advertisements so people know they can go there to either buy stuff or look at stuff that might not even be for sale.
theecarey - 06/12/07 00:03
haha (e:jenks)! "which way to Parrot bay?" decorative lawn sticks- I've been shaking my head over that one since last year.

gah!

funny that someone thinks that music has no place at a 'fine arts fair'. Yet wooden sticks telling me where to get my drink on, qualifies.

enjoyed the post, Mike. smart stuff!
paul - 06/12/07 00:02
"Was working in the Time Warner store on Maple Rd today when the computers and the internet went down."

I can't imagine being the customer going to complain that my internet was down to find out the internet was down at the store too.
drew - 06/11/07 22:42
I agree with most all of what you said. Especially about Hell's Kitchen.
jenks - 06/11/07 21:50
did every other person walking down the street at allentown have that horrific brightly-painted, parrot-laden, "margaritaville this way" "da islands that way" sign over their shoulder?

Who BUYS that thing?! Answer: every other person at allentown. i don't get it.

06/07/2007 19:17 #39574

Mama!
Mama! Tell the scary man to take off those fuckin' sunglasses!


image
ladycroft - 06/07/07 22:29
tee-hee

06/05/2007 12:14 #39532

Somebody is watching...
Category: internet
The chatter about the google bot made curious. I searched me on estrip and it yielded the following (I so need a life).


Did you mean: estrip mr mike


Mrmike's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood ...The bulk of (e:strip) seems to have some familarity. It didn't take me long to resume my almost twenty year old death stare for "don't fuck with me" walking. ...
www.estrip.org/articles/mrmike/39445.html - 26k - Cached - Similar pages

Mrmike's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood ...permalink: . comment CLICK HERE TO ADD A COMMENT! ... The bulk of (e:strip) seems to have some familarity. ...
www.estrip.org/articles/mrmike/39489.html - 24k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from www.estrip.org ]

Underwear Party Type CommunityJake's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood. mrmike 14:34 Worst part was guest didn't specify which party; mrmike 14:21 Erotic? ...
underwear-party-type-community.sudantradepoint.info/index.html - 15k - Cached - Similar pages

ESTRIP GRATIS @ SessoConRagazza.COMMrmike's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood. estrip .org is Buffalo, New York's original neighborhood blogging and social networking ...
sessoconragazza.com/text/ESTRIP_GRATIS__529e.html - 29k - Cached - Similar pages

In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the 4 already displayed.
If you like, you can repeat the search with the omitted results included.


Never dawned on me that one of those bots might be Google trolling for Traffic
imk2 - 06/05/07 21:57

Imk2's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood ...
permalink: :::link::: comment CLICK HERE TO ADD A COMMENT! fellyconnelly writes at 12:49:56 05/28/07 ...
www.estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=imk2&id= - 36k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

Imk2's journals on (e:strip) - Buffalo, NY's Original Neighborhood ...
ps. I am feeling kind of lucky today, maybe its time to play the Lotto. print addComment. permalink: :::link::: ...
www.estrip.org/elmwood/journals/index.php?u=imk2&m=12&y=2005 - 32k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
[ More results from www.estrip.org ]

Paul Visco's Web Page
where (imk2) got extensions that looked so real. image. image. I know this is so not right, ... I really want a bright orange estrip neon tube sign. ...
www.paulvisco.org/ - 15k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the 3 already displayed..

06/04/2007 18:11 #39526

Weekendz
Category: potpurri
Insanely great time at Chateau Ladycroft's on Saturday night. It was terrific to see everybody. Didn't seem complete without Jenks, Imk, or the ever fictional Larson Bros (I think they stopped coming to estrip parties right around the time I started). Anyhow, nice to get back into the swing of things as reasons domestic have kept me away since New Year's. Much fun indeed.

The Pride fesitivities were a hoot. Pride Day turns Merlin's into a entirely different kind of bar, which makes me smile. Being straight not narrow, I always partake. Ever since my ex came out, I've done the supportive thing and helped her get down to Kleinhans so she can lead the COLAGE (Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents) group entry. Dropping her and number one son off, one of the Christian Fundamentalist (the guy who was showing his allegiance to god by literally listing what he consider lewd sex acts) informed me that I was headed to hell for assisting the heathen. I told him, I'd save him a seat.

Parade is always a blast too. Spotted (e:zobar) and (e:dragonlady) skating down Elmwood. Number one Son did a terrific job tossings rings to the masses from the Colage Truck and as an added treat, he got to meet the fine men of the 24. He was happy to meet you guys, but was preoccupied with visions of snow cone hood.

Headed to the grocery store last night only to star in the "Life Aquatic of MrMike" on the way back to the car. Felt good.

Best Sopranos in ages was on last night. Still can't believe Silvio got hit. You don't shoot Little Steven, just don't.

metalpeter - 06/04/07 19:02
Not to pile on here but you where asked about at the party on friday night also. I can't remember who asked but someone did, so not sure who missed you on that day.
jenks - 06/04/07 18:50
aww shucks, I was missed? thx.
I was working. sadly. :(
metalpeter - 06/04/07 18:46
Glad you had a good time at both the parade and (e:ladycrofts). It was nice to see you and talk to you at both. Didn't think to get a picture of you at the parade though. That reminds me when I post the pictures of the parade if there are any you like or have people you know in them, they are yours. If you want download them or even print them out for your self or family members. Not that you would but if you sell them (there not good enough or big enough to be proshots really) Just don't say you shot them. My philoshpy is this. I take pictures as sort of a way of recording or documenting events or happenings. Of course I judge what to take pictures of. With a digital camera that is small there is a fun aspect of it also. But the other reason to take the pictures is to post them and to share them. If it was about trying to make money I would go take a photography class and get one of those big expensive professional cameraes. So if you see any pictures you want just take um. The Sopranos is awesome gonna watch on HBO indemand when I get home tonight.