I would really like to become something bigger in the organization I work for. I realize I haven't been there very long but I have this feeling I could really help organize and analyze systems on a much larger scale. I don't just mean for web development. There seems to be so much reliance on software vendors but I think there isn't necessarily an understanding for what they do. I wonder if I will ever attain a larger role in making decisions on a more comprehensive level.
One guy was telling me the other day he planned on spending $90,000 on a systems that prevented insecurities in web applications. That is utterly ridiculous. First of all because such a solution could not possibly exist among the multitude of web based systems we run. I guarantee that whatever it does cannot be worth $90,000.
There are so many diverse groups that don't seem to know enough about each other.
Paul's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/03/2007 22:21 #41484
Information InfrastructureCategory: work
10/02/2007 18:33 #41460
The Big NewsCategory: elmwood
Well at least it isn't something bad.
I am sure this will really boost the city moral just like being an All America City did.
Here is the whole write up about the "Elmwood Village." Read it, it is actually nice
I am going to go ahead and say that I don't see this award as such an a big deal for the City but a recognition that when a neighborhood costs somewhere around $200,000 to live in that it becomes a "good neighborhood". Everyone knows that. It is just becoming more upper middle class suburdban style. It is reflected in the comment on buffalo Rising yesterday when someone asked if the good news was if the "Gays and Hippies" were leaving the village.
Does that count all the ones that have closed or are closing?
The thing this award certainly does not do - is solve any of the tax issues or shortage of skilled labor that really is affecting Buffalo. I saw ont he news only a couple weeks ago that Buffalo was rated the wrost city to open a business besides dDetroit and two other cities. It was 47/50. ya 47/50.
If they are talking about tourists being the saving grace, I think it would take a lot of tourists to attract business and why would anyone choose here over anywhere else t tour.
Now to live here is another matter, I would choose over just about any city I have lived in, but to tour. Come on , no one besides friends , relatives and exchange students come to tour Buffalo, do they?
I mean does anyone put the Elmwood Village on there vacation plans. What so they can go to a bunch of trendy boutique and clothing stores. There isn't even a real grocery store/ music store anymore. Name one thing the Elmwood Village offers a tourist that they just can't find somewhere else.
So yeah - just like St. James - all of the Elmwood village is a better palce to live. Good for the freakin elmwood Village.
Now it can get even more overpriced for the same old shit.
It is basically saying that a section of the city priced way beyond the reality of Buffalo city household budgets is a great place to live.
On a side note from the article:
Is that true? I could swear there was Forever Elmwood but I didn't hear any of this talk abut an Elmwood Village until only a few years back. Its not like I just don't rememebr either because I have live one block form Elmwood just about my entire life until I moved on down to Linwood. Remember, it used to be called the Elmwood Strip.
Soon we are going to have Village history books about when the foudning father created the Elmwood Village after the Indians gave it to them for Christmas their first winter in 1784. I really don't think the Elmwood Village is really a village. It is just a section of the city. I grew up in kenmore, which is a village and it is very different. the idea being that in a village everything is kind of isolated and self contained. Self governance, etc. I am not saying I am a fan of it, but seriously, is the Elmwood Strip really a village now? Are the village going to succeed from the City of Buffalo.
It is victories like the one mentioned above that enabled the Elmwood Village Association to be included in the roster of neighborhoods that made the 2007 list of Great Places in America. It's a big deal for Buffalo, and the award will act as a lure to draw more businesses and people to the district.
I am sure this will really boost the city moral just like being an All America City did.
Here is the whole write up about the "Elmwood Village." Read it, it is actually nice
I am going to go ahead and say that I don't see this award as such an a big deal for the City but a recognition that when a neighborhood costs somewhere around $200,000 to live in that it becomes a "good neighborhood". Everyone knows that. It is just becoming more upper middle class suburdban style. It is reflected in the comment on buffalo Rising yesterday when someone asked if the good news was if the "Gays and Hippies" were leaving the village.
Today, Elmwood Avenue is one of Buffalo's busiest commercial districts with some 200 boutiques, restaurants, and taverns.
Does that count all the ones that have closed or are closing?
The thing this award certainly does not do - is solve any of the tax issues or shortage of skilled labor that really is affecting Buffalo. I saw ont he news only a couple weeks ago that Buffalo was rated the wrost city to open a business besides dDetroit and two other cities. It was 47/50. ya 47/50.
If they are talking about tourists being the saving grace, I think it would take a lot of tourists to attract business and why would anyone choose here over anywhere else t tour.
Now to live here is another matter, I would choose over just about any city I have lived in, but to tour. Come on , no one besides friends , relatives and exchange students come to tour Buffalo, do they?
I mean does anyone put the Elmwood Village on there vacation plans. What so they can go to a bunch of trendy boutique and clothing stores. There isn't even a real grocery store/ music store anymore. Name one thing the Elmwood Village offers a tourist that they just can't find somewhere else.
So yeah - just like St. James - all of the Elmwood village is a better palce to live. Good for the freakin elmwood Village.
Now it can get even more overpriced for the same old shit.
It is basically saying that a section of the city priced way beyond the reality of Buffalo city household budgets is a great place to live.
On a side note from the article:
To encourage an economic and cultural renaissance, the nonprofit Elmwood Village Association was formed in 1994.
Is that true? I could swear there was Forever Elmwood but I didn't hear any of this talk abut an Elmwood Village until only a few years back. Its not like I just don't rememebr either because I have live one block form Elmwood just about my entire life until I moved on down to Linwood. Remember, it used to be called the Elmwood Strip.
Soon we are going to have Village history books about when the foudning father created the Elmwood Village after the Indians gave it to them for Christmas their first winter in 1784. I really don't think the Elmwood Village is really a village. It is just a section of the city. I grew up in kenmore, which is a village and it is very different. the idea being that in a village everything is kind of isolated and self contained. Self governance, etc. I am not saying I am a fan of it, but seriously, is the Elmwood Strip really a village now? Are the village going to succeed from the City of Buffalo.
jenks - 10/03/07 18:28
are you serious drew? I don't mean this as a negative thing, but 'downtown' buffalo is so non-urban to me... It's like the suburbs, but without the strip malls. I think "urban downtown" and I think skyscrapers and taxis- not elmwood.
Again- not saying that as a negative- I just can't imagine people being scared of elmwood! Clarence scares me a hell of a lot more!
are you serious drew? I don't mean this as a negative thing, but 'downtown' buffalo is so non-urban to me... It's like the suburbs, but without the strip malls. I think "urban downtown" and I think skyscrapers and taxis- not elmwood.
Again- not saying that as a negative- I just can't imagine people being scared of elmwood! Clarence scares me a hell of a lot more!
libertad - 10/02/07 22:35
I hate the freaking Elmwood Village people. Who the hell do they think they are with all the xmas lights they leave dangling in the trees all year long even though they don't work and look like shit? Post all of these stupid signs everywhere and think you are the shit. Fuck you. Elmwood is a street not a village and you are just an association and don't own the street. Half of what is out there right now is just going to go out of business anyways. Most of the businesses that I loved have left or closed on Elmwood.
IF this is really negative it is because they have been bugging me for a long time. I think Buffalo deserves good publicity, but the village people don't deserve any positive recognition in my opinion. Unless of course you were talking about the REAL Village People.
I hate the freaking Elmwood Village people. Who the hell do they think they are with all the xmas lights they leave dangling in the trees all year long even though they don't work and look like shit? Post all of these stupid signs everywhere and think you are the shit. Fuck you. Elmwood is a street not a village and you are just an association and don't own the street. Half of what is out there right now is just going to go out of business anyways. Most of the businesses that I loved have left or closed on Elmwood.
IF this is really negative it is because they have been bugging me for a long time. I think Buffalo deserves good publicity, but the village people don't deserve any positive recognition in my opinion. Unless of course you were talking about the REAL Village People.
drew - 10/02/07 22:27
Yeah. I don't get it. Maybe it is more expensive than it used to be, but living here is still cheap, especially compared to the rest of the world. And last time I checked, there were still plenty of gays and hippies around.
Having recently lived in the suburbs, I can honestly tell you that we aren't anywhere CLOSE to suburban. Jeanie wouldn't survive a week in the 'burbs, and the pride parade would be replaced with fourth of July marching band parades. The art festival? the bars? The walkability? Nothing like them in the suburbs. Maybe we are getting a little bit more like the suburbs, but we'll never go all the way--not if we tried, which we won't.
Of course, I've only been here a short while, but my suburban family is still afraid to be here at night (indoors or out), and people still roll their eyes at me when I suggest they join me in the city, even as I explain how awesome it is.
In my opinion, we are a long way from suburban.
Yeah. I don't get it. Maybe it is more expensive than it used to be, but living here is still cheap, especially compared to the rest of the world. And last time I checked, there were still plenty of gays and hippies around.
Having recently lived in the suburbs, I can honestly tell you that we aren't anywhere CLOSE to suburban. Jeanie wouldn't survive a week in the 'burbs, and the pride parade would be replaced with fourth of July marching band parades. The art festival? the bars? The walkability? Nothing like them in the suburbs. Maybe we are getting a little bit more like the suburbs, but we'll never go all the way--not if we tried, which we won't.
Of course, I've only been here a short while, but my suburban family is still afraid to be here at night (indoors or out), and people still roll their eyes at me when I suggest they join me in the city, even as I explain how awesome it is.
In my opinion, we are a long way from suburban.
dcoffee - 10/02/07 20:41
Paul, I think you hit on something, this award is probably not a big deal for the city, so why all the hoopla? It's a huge deal for the Elmwood Village Association/Forever Elmwood.
Also I agree with Jenks on 2 things, I'd rather live here then anywhere else, and... In your face Clarence! probably the reason we got the recognition instead of some suburb is because they all shop in Warehouses! except East Aurora, there the only place that can compare, but I still wouldn't live there... not enough gays and hippies.
Paul, I think you hit on something, this award is probably not a big deal for the city, so why all the hoopla? It's a huge deal for the Elmwood Village Association/Forever Elmwood.
Also I agree with Jenks on 2 things, I'd rather live here then anywhere else, and... In your face Clarence! probably the reason we got the recognition instead of some suburb is because they all shop in Warehouses! except East Aurora, there the only place that can compare, but I still wouldn't live there... not enough gays and hippies.
mike - 10/02/07 20:03
I don't think that is necessarily true. The Delaware Park area while much pricier has never made the list. Clarence isn't on there though home prices and lack of diversity is way higher than on elmwood. I don't think it is an award just because now it is pricey and expensive. Also, you would be srupurised how many people and tour groups come to buffalo> You might think of tourists as people on vacations but a lot of tourists come for conventions and what not and Buffalo actually does a huge deal of that for a city its size because of things like Elmwood.
I don't think that is necessarily true. The Delaware Park area while much pricier has never made the list. Clarence isn't on there though home prices and lack of diversity is way higher than on elmwood. I don't think it is an award just because now it is pricey and expensive. Also, you would be srupurised how many people and tour groups come to buffalo> You might think of tourists as people on vacations but a lot of tourists come for conventions and what not and Buffalo actually does a huge deal of that for a city its size because of things like Elmwood.
jenks - 10/02/07 20:01
You know, I have to say... I hadn't thought about the local bragging rights that go with this. next time some jackass tries to look down his nose at me for living "downtown" and goes on and on about how great williamsville is, I can say 'oh yeah? Is williamsville a top ten neighborhood? yeah, didn't think so. BOOYA!"
Regardless of whether or not this honor will make a big difference to buffalo, I certainly DO agree that I'd rather live on the strip than anywhere else in buffalo. Take THAT amherst/williamsville!
You know, I have to say... I hadn't thought about the local bragging rights that go with this. next time some jackass tries to look down his nose at me for living "downtown" and goes on and on about how great williamsville is, I can say 'oh yeah? Is williamsville a top ten neighborhood? yeah, didn't think so. BOOYA!"
Regardless of whether or not this honor will make a big difference to buffalo, I certainly DO agree that I'd rather live on the strip than anywhere else in buffalo. Take THAT amherst/williamsville!
jason - 10/02/07 19:34
Oh, and I was going to try and hold back from commenting on the "gays and hippies" comment on BRO, but I can't help myself.
That typifies the mentality of these suburbanites who come down here strictly to drink and find a hole to fuck at one of the bars. Yes, this is exactly what I want my neighborhood to become - a hotbed of racism and homophobia, just like in Williamsville and Clarence.
No thank you!
Oh, and I was going to try and hold back from commenting on the "gays and hippies" comment on BRO, but I can't help myself.
That typifies the mentality of these suburbanites who come down here strictly to drink and find a hole to fuck at one of the bars. Yes, this is exactly what I want my neighborhood to become - a hotbed of racism and homophobia, just like in Williamsville and Clarence.
No thank you!
metalpeter - 10/02/07 19:34
I myself think that Buffalo kinda copies other places. Isn't Allentown a real place in a Billy Joel song. Or did we take the name from the Town in PA. Also isn't the term village stolen from Greenwich Village also known as just "The Village". I'll go one more isn't the idea they took from "The Hait" that is short for The Hait and Asbury district. It got its name from my understanding from where those two streets meet. The part that I'm wondering is when they count the stores did they count all the ones on elmwood all the way down to Kenmore or did they count the ones that are considered in "The Village". I think one of the bad thins about "The village" is that it doesn't really spawn into downtown. Yes if you are here you know where stuff is but if you stay in Downtown you would never know about Hertel or Elmwood unless you where told and you wouldn't know how close they really where. I'm not sure if "The Strip" would really bring people into Buffalo. What might is if with the advertising they let people know about Shea's and how they have their Broadway Series, and other cultural events. hey maybe this will be the thing that helps fill those empty shops on Elmwood. I wonder are there any shops there that are aimed at people who go to children's hospital? I don't think so, and I don't think there ever has been besides places to buy Food.
I myself think that Buffalo kinda copies other places. Isn't Allentown a real place in a Billy Joel song. Or did we take the name from the Town in PA. Also isn't the term village stolen from Greenwich Village also known as just "The Village". I'll go one more isn't the idea they took from "The Hait" that is short for The Hait and Asbury district. It got its name from my understanding from where those two streets meet. The part that I'm wondering is when they count the stores did they count all the ones on elmwood all the way down to Kenmore or did they count the ones that are considered in "The Village". I think one of the bad thins about "The village" is that it doesn't really spawn into downtown. Yes if you are here you know where stuff is but if you stay in Downtown you would never know about Hertel or Elmwood unless you where told and you wouldn't know how close they really where. I'm not sure if "The Strip" would really bring people into Buffalo. What might is if with the advertising they let people know about Shea's and how they have their Broadway Series, and other cultural events. hey maybe this will be the thing that helps fill those empty shops on Elmwood. I wonder are there any shops there that are aimed at people who go to children's hospital? I don't think so, and I don't think there ever has been besides places to buy Food.
jason - 10/02/07 19:13
You're exactly right, Paul. We're being congratulated for becoming upscale suburban in nature, on the backs of students and artists. Sort of creepy.
You're exactly right, Paul. We're being congratulated for becoming upscale suburban in nature, on the backs of students and artists. Sort of creepy.
james - 10/02/07 18:59
That is a fair but brutal assessment of the situation.
That is a fair but brutal assessment of the situation.
10/02/2007 13:30 #41454
This song reminds me of terryCategory: music
I think it is because he knit me my favorite hat ever.
The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson
Okay, she is the first artist that made me purchase something from itunes. I am so sorry Kimya I feel like I cheated on you but you are still my favorite.
The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson
Okay, she is the first artist that made me purchase something from itunes. I am so sorry Kimya
I feel like I cheated on you but you are still my favorite.10/01/2007 22:05 #41443
Old Navy Sweater Commercial SongCategory: music
I am kind of obssessed with this Old Navy sweater commercial that has all thse super anorexic chics that make me feel buff.
The song from it is pretty catchy and the singer Ingrid Michaelson seems pretty good
The song from it is pretty catchy and the singer Ingrid Michaelson
seems pretty goodmetalpeter - 10/02/07 18:30
I have heard this song on the ad and is it just me or does she have a slowed down beat as that weezer song. "If you Hate me, Pull My sweeter" . Yeah I do like this song but maybe because it reminds me of that Weezer song. I think the girls in the add are hot. But I also think being that thin they need something more then that thin little sweeter.
I have heard this song on the ad and is it just me or does she have a slowed down beat as that weezer song. "If you Hate me, Pull My sweeter" . Yeah I do like this song but maybe because it reminds me of that Weezer song. I think the girls in the add are hot. But I also think being that thin they need something more then that thin little sweeter.
drew - 10/02/07 11:29
wow. what a voice. I'm hooked, and I normally don't like that mellow jazzy stuff.
wow. what a voice. I'm hooked, and I normally don't like that mellow jazzy stuff.
10/01/2007 18:14 #41439
Painting 24 Linwood one side at a timeCategory: linwood
Does anyone remember how many wires were on the back of my house? I am down to two. One power and the other time warner. I removed every form of communication that ever connected the house to anything. Direct TV, cable, phone, fax, church communication wire, ethernet, fax, and telephoen to every room, etc. It was insane. I must have taken down two miles of wires in the last couple months. It finally looks clean.
This time I decided to start saving the copper. I wish I did it before. I seriously would have about 15 lbs. Unfortunately, I didn't think of stripping the wires until yesterday.
I found this crispy dead baby bird in a nest they build in one on the decorative features of the house. You can really ee how a bird looks like a dinosaur.
You may recall that we were continuing to paint to the back of the house (e:paul,41275) and (e:paul,41298). Well, after a totally work filled weekend of painting, the back part is almost done. That was our goal, so we will see if we continue or just stop here for this year. All I can say is my body is broken a bit and so is (e:terry,41424)'s
I apinted everything, light green and white and then about 1/4 of the dark green. (e:terry) did most of the dark green. (e:matthew) painted some of the window frames and some dark green. I also painted the kitchen window and door brown. It was seriously exhausting.
This time I decided to start saving the copper. I wish I did it before. I seriously would have about 15 lbs. Unfortunately, I didn't think of stripping the wires until yesterday.
I found this crispy dead baby bird in a nest they build in one on the decorative features of the house. You can really ee how a bird looks like a dinosaur.
You may recall that we were continuing to paint to the back of the house (e:paul,41275) and (e:paul,41298). Well, after a totally work filled weekend of painting, the back part is almost done. That was our goal, so we will see if we continue or just stop here for this year. All I can say is my body is broken a bit and so is (e:terry,41424)'s
I apinted everything, light green and white and then about 1/4 of the dark green. (e:terry) did most of the dark green. (e:matthew) painted some of the window frames and some dark green. I also painted the kitchen window and door brown. It was seriously exhausting.
jbeatty - 10/02/07 11:06
Looks much better than the job my neighbors did last week. They couldn't reach the top of the gable end with the ladder they had. So there is a large perimeter of the old color still left.
Looks much better than the job my neighbors did last week. They couldn't reach the top of the gable end with the ladder they had. So there is a large perimeter of the old color still left.
jenks - 10/02/07 10:46
wow! looks like you did a great job!
wow! looks like you did a great job!
james - 10/01/07 18:40
It is starting to look nice. Hope your body heals.
It is starting to look nice. Hope your body heals.
If you ever need employee support to switch Roswell to open source software such as OpenOffice, Lyx, R, Firefox etc, I will back you up most enthusiastically.
The reliance of the Roswell library on outdated loaning software that they have no clue about, is quite appalling. I returned a book *ages* back and *on time* and the wretched system shows me as a "delinquent". Worse, it seems they can't do anything about it because the software is glitchy and unresponsive.