Mrmike's Journal

08/14/2007 22:28 #40549

Son and the Beach
Category: holiday

Wrapped my only significant vacation on Sunday with a bang. Number One Son and I took off for Woodlawn Beach and I was very surprised in a good way. Bennett Beach is beautiful and the county is wrecking it so along with the lack of the pool, I was remembering (e:terry) 's journal about swimming. My boy went to a day camp earlier this summer that spent a day at Woodlawn and he was pining to go back. Got to tell you, it was awesome to get out and wave hop the afternoon away.

I'll post photos soon. But you pay seven bucks to park and for use of the park. The beach was spacious so it never felt crowded on either water or sand. There are reasonably clean locker & changing rooms. It felt great. When I got something out of my truck today and a little remaining sand came out, you couldn't help but laugh a little.

Would head back this weekend if it wasn't threatening to be September weatherwise.

In other news, I'm going to moonlight for the Buffalo Bills again this season and it was nice to get a raise to do it and a special little pack of parking passes. Did my morale good and made me wish the fulltime employer would take note.

Other morale booster, was doing some cable related business with a very attractive woman bout my age and when we shook hands, my colleagues swear she was checking my ring finger. Methinks they are yanking my chain, but hell I'll take being checked out if that is the case. Put a spring in my step for the rest of the shift. Omen of things to come I hope.

Here's the view from my beach chair

Perhaps (e:strip) should collectively jump in the lake before the end of the season.

Last one in blogs for Buffalo Rising

mrdeadlier - 08/17/07 14:53
So you working tonight then?

leetee - 08/15/07 09:16
Woodlawn Beach is pretty cool. I like the boardwalk there. Small, but nice. :O)

Since i love the water and swimming, i would be up for an (e:strip) go jump in the lake party. Excellent idea.

Oh, and congrats on the flirting...

And making it to journal #3000!

tinypliny - 08/15/07 04:40
Is the water warm? If so, how warm would you say?

08/09/2007 22:52 #40464

Some questions w/o answers
Category: idle musing

How sad is Music is Art going to be at the fair?

Why did MIA feel the need to try and cozy up to the Elmwood Festival when they would have been fine to put on their own thing?

If Ch 2 has two dollar day at the Fair Wednesday night and Ch 4 has four dollar day Thursday, Can I skip Ch 29 day?

Why do some drivers do 30 mph when going from the 198 onto the Niagara Section of the thruway where the sprint is even faster?

Why did my Mom feel the need to tell me my car sounded different when I pulled up when I didn't notice a thing?

How come the Buffalo Airport takes a decidely more serious and thorough approach to security than JFK?

Why is it going to rain on the only day we had set aside this week for the beach?

Am I not meant to swim this summer?

Is that God's way of saying "Keep your shirt on, fat boy?"

Should I be flattered when my son says the bald spot looks smaller?

Why do people get so excited over Chef's or LaNova's when there is also DiTondo's and Bocce's?

Can I count one for me when my younger sister told me that she is cribbing copy for her wedding announcement from the one I wrote back in 90?

Is Antoinette's Ice Cream sundaes the true cure for ails ya?

When did the prizes at Dave and Buster's turn to such crap?

Why did it take three trips at the IHOP this morning to get the correct check for breakfast?

Jus Wonderin

metalpeter - 08/10/07 18:57
Not that I work for the festival nor did I say I would work for free but I will be there as early as I can get there Saturday. But I think I can answer those two questions? First of all I think that it is sad that MIA only got 1 day and had to leave the city and compared to other years I know it won't be as good. But I don't think it will be sad there I'm going to go and try to have a good time. I think the people at MIA know that all day music and art is way to intense for the People of Buffalo. Most people here won't go to something for an entire day. I also think that they know that a lot of the bands people don't know. They also know that people won't come in to the city 2 days in a row just for their festival. But if you are near another festival or event then people at that event can visit yours and people can go back and forth. The reason I know in my mind that this is true is that MIA could have had their festival any weekend during the summer but they pick the weekend of "The Art Fest". So they where piggy backing off "The art Fest". I know they would say that isn't true but I don't believe them. If Robie wanted to he could have a two day fest this weekend and people would show up for it. But when I couldn't take the heat anymore I would go home for a few hours and come back. But see I live in the Niehboorhood most people once they leave won't come back unless they live near by. also when you are at the same time as another festival and close by people find you without looking and that means you need less advertising. That is my theory at least. I also wonder if he thought that the city might not give him the permits they needed at another time during the summer. I think for this year the Fair is the right way to go and hope that something in Buffalo for 2 days can be worked out for next year and I also hope they raise lots of money. I don't have answers for any of your other questions.

tinypliny - 08/09/07 23:04
Some of those questions fit the profile of Murphy's Law. :/

and do you mean to say that I should add DiTondo's and Bocce's in your recommendations for best pizza?

08/08/2007 10:50 #40439

Perspective is a funny thing
Category: wanderin'

Was out galavanting with my faithful traveling companion yesterday. I wasn't clear where you entered Woodlawn beach & the State Park so we went to find out. It's funny what you can pick up along the way. Coming down on the other side of the skyway, we got a great view of the massive wind turbines that are at water's edge in Lackawanna. I know they've been there for awhile, but this was the first time they caught my eye. Would have taken a picture, but I was without any place to pull over.

Something kinda eerie about them. These propellers are huge and I never noticed them in all my trips last year coming back from work at the Bills games. It's nice to get a new look at the surroundings now and again.

CHico and Chica's pictures remind me it's been too long for a good gorge hike. Fun to watch the "terrified" jetboat riders.

The pending storm yesterday did a funny thing. On the way back home, we swung by the marina for overpriced cold beverages and the blackness of the clouds created an unusual effect for a steamy August day, a near deserted Marina.

We had a good time anyway.

Off to the Fair tonight --- Preview night.

chico - 08/08/07 14:31
Re the wind turbines: don't you mean there's something Erie about them? hardeharhar

Have fun at the Fair preview!!

08/07/2007 11:56 #40422

The Drive In
Category: outdoor movie

Number one Son and I repaired to the Transit Drive in the other night and it is such a throwback. The minivan crowd is forced to tie their hoods down not to obstruct vision. The staff hands you a flyer with where on your radio to pick up the movie sound. We got to see a double feature for $11.00. I brought our drinks at the Co-op, but I did snag a bucket of popcorn at the show for 4? Can you imagine the Regal only charging 4 for a bucket? Me, neither. Two lounge chairs and a boombox. That is the way to see Underdog (which wasn't bad actually).
Other blockbusters were on the other screens.

Something different, but worth the bargain price.

theecarey - 08/07/07 12:32
I love the Drive-In! I want to go once more before the season is over.

I sat in my car last time as minvans/SUVs dominated the space and obstructed any chair sitting-radio movie watching. The little rick hills for the cars to angle up really help. Suppose it might be fun to cozy up on the hood. Now thats a throw back..

Are all the snackage their cheap like that?

08/05/2007 12:34 #40390

Goin' to the Drive In Tonight

Gonna see the Underdog/Ratatouille selection. Not my choice, but number one son is with me for the week and he got to pick. His sibilings and their mom are en route to the Michigan Women's Festival, so we have some guy time this week. So, culture isn't quite to hibrow this week

I read the current Harry Potter book this week. It was a really good book. The thing is huge, but written in a way that you can lose yourself in the narrative. Only secret that I'll spill is that Col. Mustard did it in the conservatory with the lead pipe.

Got the week off and already life feels a little brighter. My direct supervisor changed and who she "Is" varies from day to day. It's a little surreal watching somebody else deal with being overwhelmed. The downside is the answer to a question can change depending on when you ask it. I do pretty well on commissions and was expecting a nice pile to come with the check that is arriving this week, but somebody (her) forgot something and now we have to wait another two weeks to see the $ for July. Argh.

Stole out of work early to see Lucinda Williams at Artpark and it was well worth it. Aside from having a 'thing" for her, it dawned on me that both Artpark and the Canal Concerts have better lineups then the Square does this year. Although, I do plan on showing up for Dropkick Murphys when they get here in September -- certain freedoms to staghood I guess.

It's nice out, we're going golfin'

Later peeps

drew - 08/05/07 16:05
I was at Lucinda concert. It WAS awesome.

fellyconnelly - 08/05/07 15:16
i didn't even know about canal concerts and artpark! wow! i love buffalo!