Just got back from LaSalle Park and starting feeling bleah again. It's been one of those time frames where you're not sure where you fit in the world. Funny thing about LaSalle, there was a time like it seemed like it was going to bloom a little, instead of just being all the neighborhood has. There used to be tuesday night concerts there. I remember the Dixie Chicks playing just before they started getting big, America playing long after they were and Tito Puente turning the park into a big party. The place got a repaving and now it looks like a little forlorn. Bet the hot dog stand owner is glad he chased Ted's out so he could properly board the place up and let it rot.
Sigh, could have been something, but between the misbegotten fountain by Porter and the snack bar you wouldn't want to eat off of, get the impression the City's to-do list doesn't include it.
My lovely middle child made blueberry pancakes on Sat as a father's day present which was nice. By this morning, she was back to her evil self. I think she has a Sullen Outfit for such occasions. She whined to her mom that I "forced" her to go to Becker Farms, conveniently omitting that she had a great time while she was there.
Sigh
Working the bulk of this week in Buffalo which is a little strange as you don't really fit in there either. There's a lot of remodeling getting done and some really strange practices. Can't send a fax without passing two locked doors, which need to stay locked. Bad enough my keychain is ready for statehood, but geesh. We're anal retentive about a door, but nobody's paying attention when Tops can't process a cable bill or my supervisor can't schedule enough people to close. It must be me.
Sigh
Stopped by the house where a mild water war was in play and the sudden blast from the garden hose was really nice, but again I didn't linger, mostly because I swished when I walked.
Got greeting rather warmly by a woman about my age I've known for sometime at the parade a few weeksago. Didn't too hard about that, but all the sudden I was asked to go see Richard Thompson with her after a chance encounter at Spot last night, so who knows.
One work note, the natives are restless. Pretty much everybody in my department is applying for other things. That can't be good. On the upside, I got my Time Warner digital phone and it is really cool.
So, in every cloud, is some silver shit
sigh
Mrmike's Journal
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06/18/2007 21:01 #39724
Nurseable grudges and other lamentsCategory: monday
06/15/2007 15:50 #39678
Mac OS XCategory: geek cool
Last post of the day. Any peep out there with a Mac OS X disc I can burn or borrow? I got willed a "Wallstreet Version" Powerbook, but it has no Operating System, hence my need of a cd.
Let me know if you're feeling charitable. One good turn deserves a spot beverage or something
Let me know if you're feeling charitable. One good turn deserves a spot beverage or something
06/15/2007 15:31 #39677
LeftoversGuess it is one of those opinionated days....
I was just coming down Auburn toward Elmwood. Green light so I was all set to make a swing on to Elmwood when a guy appeared by the treehouse, headphones in place, never looks to see what color light might be facing, never looks to see if a car is coming from any direction. I beep just enough to say "Hey Stupid." He looks at me. I point to the traffic signal in my favor. He adjusts his volume and keeps on schleppin.
Makes you wonder...
A satisfying day otherwise. Got my windows cleaned on my lil red gomobile, so I can actually see out. Returned a phone and got a better one in its place.
Quietly yanked the plug out from both my facebook and yahoo personals listings (despite the appearance of a peep in my search listing).
Having a decent enough hair day that a new user pic might be on the horizon. Wonders indeed never cease.
Got the kids soon so I'm loafing till then. Their father's day notion is to make pancakes here tomorrow.
Mighty fine, enjoy your friday eves my friends.
I was just coming down Auburn toward Elmwood. Green light so I was all set to make a swing on to Elmwood when a guy appeared by the treehouse, headphones in place, never looks to see what color light might be facing, never looks to see if a car is coming from any direction. I beep just enough to say "Hey Stupid." He looks at me. I point to the traffic signal in my favor. He adjusts his volume and keeps on schleppin.
Makes you wonder...
A satisfying day otherwise. Got my windows cleaned on my lil red gomobile, so I can actually see out. Returned a phone and got a better one in its place.
Quietly yanked the plug out from both my facebook and yahoo personals listings (despite the appearance of a peep in my search listing).
Having a decent enough hair day that a new user pic might be on the horizon. Wonders indeed never cease.
Got the kids soon so I'm loafing till then. Their father's day notion is to make pancakes here tomorrow.
Mighty fine, enjoy your friday eves my friends.
06/15/2007 09:49 #39669
Thank friggin gawd it's FridayCategory: 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
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
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.
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!
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.
Seemed to diffuse a potentially angry mob.
Seemed to diffuse a potentially angry mob.
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.
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!
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.
"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.
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.
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.
I have a theory about the park but it is only a Theory. I noticed that the more the condo's expandend the less the park got used. Warped Tour and Edge Fest used to go there all the time. But as the condo's got closer to the park it made the time a band could play to less late so EDGE Fest moved and once they moved so did Warped Tour. I believe Ted's closed because no one knew what was going to happen with land for the peace bridge and they sold the land instead of possibly losing it to immenant domain and all the headaches that would cause. The Friendship festival used to have some stuff there but most of it on the candian side. I think all the venders moved to Riverside park. Since you had less concerts there then the food stand wouldn't turn a profit. I know it closed and went out of business. I also think that a lot of people don't know that the bike path connects the park to the Marina. I think that if there was a road that went that way also then the park would get used a lot more often. I believe that the people in the condo's may have a lot to do with no road being built and the concerts going away and things going to riverside park. If you walk in the park you can get to those houses but they are kinda fenced off from the park. I would love to see the rise of LaSalle Park. I'm sure if someone thought they could make money in adding docks they would. I would like to see A concert series go down there although with all the ones we have it would be tough to get another one down there. The sittuation with the pool is a shame. I was hoping one of the pool stores would step up and have the name of the pool changed to there company and as a trade off fix the pool. You could maybe even have the name of there company on the liner. It would be great publicity. But I know why they don't do that. The reason being is that people who go to that pool aren't in the market for a pool because if they where they would use there own. Maybe LaSalle park will improve and get better but who knows.