Completed my TW term yesterday. My lovely associated produced a really good rum soaked pound cake for the occasion that we snacked on all afternoon. The leftovers and a bottle of locally produced Merlot came home with me. The leftovers disappeared last night and I'm working on the wine right now and it is quite good (www.springlakewinery.com). The trials of the week left me whipped. The kids are all farmed out on various overnights. Tried to gather myself to see "Across the Universe" at the Amherst but it ain't gonna happen. Spent the better part of the afternoon with number one son at my new and improved employer meandering around in the gale force winds. I did snag a couple of tiger wristbands so you're all set (e:Ladycroft). I'll get one in the mail in the next few days.

Did my final TW credits on Friday. Got the unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable visit from (e:uncutsaniflush) and (e:lettuce) . Next guy I waited on mentioned that he thought we all might be drinking buddies. Little did he know. Cleaned out my desk and packed an box for my next work stop. Got to love the monday commute 5 minutes! The toughest part will be making a left onto Delaware at 8AM. Gonna be fun. My office hasn't had DVRs for awhile and I like how I solved that problem, don't need no steenking DVRs anymore. Reboot your modems kids, cuz I can't anymore.

A brief bid of tribute. My Dad turns a very youthful 71 tomorrow. Since he had a prime role in last weekend's wedding, the folks are taking the weekend off. We're gonna party at some point. For a present, I wrangled suite seats for a Bills game in November. I know, a Bills Game, but to see it from the heated, fully stocked suite is a nice treat. He's a Notre Dame Grad so I had to taunt him a little with the backpage from ESPN the magazine. For the unitiated, just outside the one end of the Notre Dame stadium is the campus library. On the side facing the stadium is a mural of Jesus in one of his usual poses. With outstetched arms, the picture has been dubbed "Touchdown Jesus." Given that Notre Dame is really bad this season, a wag at ESPN altered it to be "Fourth Down Jesus." It seemed to a be a nice, smartypants card for the original nice smarty pants.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Okay, work was really dull yesterday. Went a little nuts with photoshop and the paramount tv web site. Enjoy

I've been whored out whoring for cable. Last year's photo, this year's propaganda. The uniform does nothing for me. It's on the company web site, you can imagine my shock - especially since I've got one foot out the door

Whenever I do the Bills game thing, I'll tend to drift to someplace to get a decent breakfast out, because game day lunches are pretty hypothetical. That said, I didn't sleep real well last night thanks to some epic back spasms. They went away thanks to Aleve with a side, actually a pint or two of Guinness. I found myself at the Towne this morning sleepily looking through the Sunday paper and scarfing down eggs, coffee and sundries. I was morning reading and thought for all the world somebody was calling me. I wasn't sure so I kept reading, eating, coffee slurping, etc.

Happened again ( I think), and I looked over and saw nothing. So if you were in the Towne, saw me from afar and I snubbed you, please accept my apologies. I wasn't trying to be aloof, it just worked out this way. If this was not case, please instruct the voices in my head to cool it.

Today was kinda of sucky out there. People were piling into seats not their own, which put some folks out which had me doing a lot of shuttle diplomacy up and down my aisle during the first quarter. Got that settled with some verbal jousting, only to see one guy relive the 8 beers he had in the parking lot all over the people in front of him. It was one of the days where despite the great weather, you wonder why you do this -- and then I remember the extra cash and keep on keeping on. I'm not a big fan of little kids at the Bills games due to the high amount of drunken assholes, but one little thing did crack me. A little girl of 4 was on her dad's shoulders screaming "Let's go Buffalo" with some impressive conviction. Being the jerk that I am, gave her a high five on her way out. That aside, I'm not really looking forward to Monday Night Footbal next week -- I'm too busy thinking of the Zoo the week after! Funny what a win will do. People are leaving the stadium thinking the Bills aren't all that bad. Keep dreaming folks, I'm happy about getting asked to work the Sabres outdoor game on New Year's. That could fool around and be fun.

I'm thinking of the Halloween E strip party when my son presented me with one of those fake hatchets that fit on your head so it looks like you got bludgeoned. I believe my costume will be that of a deceased peep.

Time for a pint, I've earned it.

Being a tiny part of a big event can be exciting and even though Monday Night Football is on cable now, it hasn't lost any of its circus like nature. I was sort of dreading working it since a lot of visiting fans get stuck in the end zones and you know what that usually means.

Even the drive to the stadium took on a different feel. I got in early and was glad I did. Coming up Abbott Rd, ESPN had set up the ESPN experience so there were people spilling out of that tent onto the street. Crossing Southwestern Blvd to the actual stadium area, vendors doubled their usual number. The lots were full. The Bills have a big "thing" in their fieldhouse, but moved it outside for ESPN's benefit.

It was kind of fun to watch the preparations inside. ESPN's pregame crew was at the end zone opposite me for which I was grateful. THE espn talent was going to draw a crowd. The show Pardon the Interruption was done closer to where I usually hang. I've seen a number of live tv shows so that wasn't a big deal, although it was fun to watch all the buffalo sports reporters all staighten up a little bit as the ESPN guys walked past. Guess the Buffalo dudes were thinking they might get discovered if they look good.



The game itself, you all know about. Fans can be such assholes to each other. A woman in Dallas gear ran headlong into a guy getting directions from me, splashing us both with overpriced Bud Light. Instead of any apologies, all she could mutter was "Where the fuck is this seat?" Without missing a beat, I replied with "Right fucking down there." Last I saw of here. Now, Cowboy fans in this area, are like NY Yankee fans. They just appear. Last Night, that seemed to bring out the worst in some residents of Bills Nation. I turned my back for a second and a Dallas rooter got a beer tossed on him by a cowardly Bills goof. I had to kwell two different testosterone injected arguments, including one between two guys dressed up like Hulk Hogan.

It meant a lot of extra trips up and down my 39 steps so my knees aren't speaking to me today. I knew it was going to be a little weird as I checked in for work. There is an employee gate where anybody working the game shows up to. On one wall, there is a poster of MYP's from last week's game. They take the pictures from the ID badges and my badge pic stinks, but there I was on display. A photo worthy of the most fashionable mugshot.



So, from the fireworks to the GOfast guy landing his jetpack on the field to the hoopla with ESPN and that floating field camera of theirs, quite a night and a surreal way to end a weekend.

I spent Friday through Sunday in Fishkill and Cold Spring, NY. My younger sister got married at a spa/club/Resort called the Garrison. My guys and I logged a lot of Route 17 miles. The New Paltz signs made me think of (e:fellyconnelly) and (e:lauren). Forgot my laptop, it was refreshing and a little disorienting to have that sense of disconnect. The ceremony and reception were nice. My folks threw a party at the Cold Spring Depot restaurant that night to cap off festivities.

Good Suit picture of me to follow. Have a good Tuesday everybody. I'm taking today off.