My sisters are both long time manhattan residents and probably wouldn't be happy in any other city, each resenting that the other is on their turf. That said, whenever stuff happens they've got a story about it. The Steam eruption happened right outside my elder sister's design firm. She got shooed off her balcony by an air quality guy this am.



They saw the "Big fun" start, but nobody in her place could be cool to run a camera. Can't say I blame em. Boss got her a car service home tonight though.

I know "Paris" is old news, but this seems like one of the few appropriate takes on that whole embroglio.

Took a tour of the Italian and Canal Fests today. The Italian fest is so trapped in time I'm pretty sure they are serving cannoli from two years ago. I had to work it for Adelphia a few years ago and hadn't been back since so after finishing all my domestic responsibilities I took a stroll. And it might have been 2005. It's all in the exact same place. The only going achieved was a little badly needed sun on me and a reinstatement of my waryness of any carnival ride still attached to its delivery truck.

Canal fest is another matter. Maybe it's being down on the water, maybe it was the entire bag of sugar inside my lemonade (it was really good), maybe it was hitting two baskets and coming home with a three foot tall Homer Simpson, but I liked it. I hung out on the one bridge between the goings on, watching the boats, quietly appreciating the women in same and felt very peaceful. Proper funnel cake has that effect.



The aforementioned tasty lemonade

Seagulls in search of fried dough nuggets

An unenthused Walgreen's, at the rate the new stores have been opening, this one should have had a sidewalk sale taking place

Curb your duck ( I think that is me and my shadow taking their picture from the bridge)


The view from the river bridge (essentially neutral turf between the Tonawandas)


Oh to have a water bike. What a good thing

In spite of the fact that the band was playing Pink Floyd songs (Nothing wrong with that, just didn't seem uptempo for carnival fun). It was worth checking out.

Since it is close to where work is these days, I may make a mid week return jaunt. It's a parade of mullets to be sure, but it's a hoot to people watch.

I have new found respect for the Philadelphia Phillies. While playing at Colorado, an impressive rain storm blew in and the flying tarp made the news. The grounds crew was getting bitchslapped everywhere and all the Phillies players (the away team!) joined into help anchor the tarp and help the crew get things out of control. I thought this was insanely greatl considering they were the away team, they were winning, and the game could have stopped there. They were just folks helping other folks. It's what we need to see more of in pro sports. The home team with one exception was in the club house. Colorado fans were cool by applauding the effort. Check out the video if you haven't seen it already

In lieu of buying coupons and wandering around Niagara Square today, I opted to just spend the same amount right at Fat Bob's to get it fresh instead of from under some warming lamp/torch. It's a little antisocial I know, but the taste doesn't seem to do it for me anymore. I know it's only part of the experience, but something about it just doesn't do it for me. I'm saving myself for the canal fest funnel cake and lemonade I guess.

Had an odd experience at the zoo. The ex bought a member card. I've used it with the kids a few times without fail. Today, the rep started checking the last name and the address and refused entrance since my first name didn't appear on the card. My driver's license still has the house address so you'd figure she would do 2+2, but no. "We want you pay admission ." I already did jerkass!

Did the Canal Concert last night (well, part of it) from the other side of the Canal last nght and it was pretty cool. I remember seeing the Psychedlic Furs at a bar in South Buffalo when Pretty in Pink came out the first time. I think I've aged better, but what the hey, you couldn't beat the price.

It's a quiet night and that is okay. I've been on solo duty all weekend. The Ex was gone, her parents were in Detroit, mine are in VA for a show opening. Twas me and the youngins all weekend. Was cool, but I had the thought that if I collapsed at all, kids would have no one to call. Weird the things you think about sometimes. Made me feel like I need a trip to compensate for all the field trip facilitating I've been doing.

IF I had any money or benefit time, a toronto sojurn at the least may have to happen.