Carolinian's Journal
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08/26/2008 08:40 #45456
Same as it ever wasCategory: politics
Every so often during an election year when I get tired of spin, mudslinging, and negative campaign ads, I need to remind myself that these sorts of things have been a part of American politics since the inception of the country.
08/25/2008 08:46 #45446
Crime storyCategory: crime
Today's latest murder was 0.2 miles away from our apartment.
I don't have anything to say other than "that's fucked up". Especially since the people it happened to have the same basic living situation as my family.
I don't have anything to say other than "that's fucked up". Especially since the people it happened to have the same basic living situation as my family.
tiburon1724 - 08/26/08 13:03
yeah a little too close to me for comfort too. I was looking at a house for sale right there when I was house hunting too. I decided against it because it was I think the second house next to the apartments at the corner of Colvin, rather have some distance from apartments in the city.
yeah a little too close to me for comfort too. I was looking at a house for sale right there when I was house hunting too. I decided against it because it was I think the second house next to the apartments at the corner of Colvin, rather have some distance from apartments in the city.
paul - 08/25/08 12:10
at least of wasn't a random killing :)
at least of wasn't a random killing :)
07/31/2008 22:26 #45202
Monthly PostCategory: life
Ari Met his first wikipediable person today at the Literacy Volunteers appreciation dinner.
Two weeks ago grandma and grampa took us to the Buffalo zoo.
He slept virtually the entire time.
Except when he's hungry.
They're finally cleaning up Beth Jacob Cemetery in the east side. The last several weeks I've been volunteering to help restore the cemetery (as best we can). It's good to get outside of the house and use my muscles a little. This sunday we're meeting their again, and we might just get to expose a few overturned monuments!
Of all the monuments, this one gets to me the most, especially since I now have a child of my own. The last time I saw it this winter, it was barely visible under the substantial brush and thorns. The area's been cleared enough that the Jewish custom of placing a rock on it can be observed again.
I never thought I'd see the day where there'd be real living people in the cemetery.
A slightly better shot of overturned monuments.
Two weeks ago grandma and grampa took us to the Buffalo zoo.
He slept virtually the entire time.
Except when he's hungry.
They're finally cleaning up Beth Jacob Cemetery in the east side.
The last several weeks I've been volunteering to help restore the cemetery (as best we can). It's good to get outside of the house and use my muscles a little. This sunday we're meeting their again, and we might just get to expose a few overturned monuments!
Of all the monuments, this one gets to me the most, especially since I now have a child of my own. The last time I saw it this winter, it was barely visible under the substantial brush and thorns. The area's been cleared enough that the Jewish custom of placing a rock on it can be observed again.
I never thought I'd see the day where there'd be real living people in the cemetery.
A slightly better shot of overturned monuments.
metalpeter - 08/01/08 18:24
Just have to comment on that 1st picture he looks like he is doing the DR. Evil finger thing and demanding the wrong amount of money. I don't know what the rock thing means but have seen it other places or heard of it, most recently at the Garden walk someone had a Celtic or is the Keltic cross and there where rocks on the base of it but not sure what it means.
Just have to comment on that 1st picture he looks like he is doing the DR. Evil finger thing and demanding the wrong amount of money. I don't know what the rock thing means but have seen it other places or heard of it, most recently at the Garden walk someone had a Celtic or is the Keltic cross and there where rocks on the base of it but not sure what it means.
dcoffee - 08/01/08 12:34
Awesome, The graveyard cleanup is a bit more awesome though. I don't understand what's wrong with people who molest grave sites. I applaud you for taking action.
Awesome, The graveyard cleanup is a bit more awesome though. I don't understand what's wrong with people who molest grave sites. I applaud you for taking action.
tinypliny - 08/01/08 10:16
I love cemetaries. They are so peaceful and inspiring.
I love cemetaries. They are so peaceful and inspiring.
drew - 08/01/08 08:55
Rocks for everyone? or just kids? What is the significance?
Rocks for everyone? or just kids? What is the significance?
janelle - 08/01/08 08:46
That's awesome about the cemetery!
We're going to Boston to see my family's really old graveyard and I'm really grateful that it has been preserved for (dorky) ancestors like me to go look at and wonder about the people in it.
That's awesome about the cemetery!
We're going to Boston to see my family's really old graveyard and I'm really grateful that it has been preserved for (dorky) ancestors like me to go look at and wonder about the people in it.
07/24/2008 09:08 #45117
FinallyCategory: iphone
About damned time someone said it.
06/02/2008 23:27 #44526
To move or not to moveCategory: suburbs
I've been contemplating moving out of the City of Buffalo to the suburbs of Orchard Park, which is where I work.
Pros:
- If I buy the right house, I can basically walk to work. I can basically cut at least $150 off my gasoline bill. Gas is killing me right now.
- The above would also be good for the environment.
- If I bike/drive, my commute is 5/2 minutes respectively. So I get home earlier and I have an extra hour to spend with my family.
- Ari would probably get a nice backyard to play in.
- Good school system
Cons:
- I love Kenmore. One of my less grandiose dreams is to live in a cute house in Kenmore.
- I like the city of Buffalo. I don't want to be thought of as "one of those wusses who moves to the suburbs".
- If the Suburban Collapse happens because of increased gas prices, the suburbs will be a bad place to live. Especially if I end up working in the city someday. The city will (possibly) have much better public transportation in the face of this event.
- A house in OP would probably be more expensive than one in Kenmore, and definitely more expensive than one in the city.
- OP is boring. The city has lots of stuff to do.
- A place with greater population density would have more kids for Ari to play with. I don't like the idea of moving to a neighborhood where there may not be many kids for my son to play with. I want him to have the social life I never had as a child.
Pros:
- If I buy the right house, I can basically walk to work. I can basically cut at least $150 off my gasoline bill. Gas is killing me right now.
- The above would also be good for the environment.
- If I bike/drive, my commute is 5/2 minutes respectively. So I get home earlier and I have an extra hour to spend with my family.
- Ari would probably get a nice backyard to play in.
- Good school system
Cons:
- I love Kenmore. One of my less grandiose dreams is to live in a cute house in Kenmore.
- I like the city of Buffalo. I don't want to be thought of as "one of those wusses who moves to the suburbs".
- If the Suburban Collapse happens because of increased gas prices, the suburbs will be a bad place to live. Especially if I end up working in the city someday. The city will (possibly) have much better public transportation in the face of this event.
- A house in OP would probably be more expensive than one in Kenmore, and definitely more expensive than one in the city.
- OP is boring. The city has lots of stuff to do.
- A place with greater population density would have more kids for Ari to play with. I don't like the idea of moving to a neighborhood where there may not be many kids for my son to play with. I want him to have the social life I never had as a child.
dcoffee - 07/18/08 15:57
OP is expensive. and despite having the oldest Quaker meeting in WNY, OP has never held a place in my heart. I'm a city guy (you wuss :) but I can see the charm of Tonawanda, Kenmore, East Aurora, Lockport. We are looking for houses in South Buffalo. It's kind of like a working class suburb that has history, Olmsted parks and Parkways, low crime, undervalued real estate, friendly neighbors that don't ask you for change, lots of kids, and a good community feeling. Maybe you can tell I was raised there, but I moved around a lot when I was growing up, Hamburg, West Seneca, Lackawanna, 4 different streets in SB, it was good enough to make me want to come back. I did have a ton of friends growing up in SB too, even though I wasn't 'popular'. I can't get into north Buffalo for some reason, though I'm very jealous of Hertel ave. I'd like to live somewhere between Seneca St and McKinley Pkwy close to Caz Park, but I'm keeping an open mind.
Best of Luck
OP is expensive. and despite having the oldest Quaker meeting in WNY, OP has never held a place in my heart. I'm a city guy (you wuss :) but I can see the charm of Tonawanda, Kenmore, East Aurora, Lockport. We are looking for houses in South Buffalo. It's kind of like a working class suburb that has history, Olmsted parks and Parkways, low crime, undervalued real estate, friendly neighbors that don't ask you for change, lots of kids, and a good community feeling. Maybe you can tell I was raised there, but I moved around a lot when I was growing up, Hamburg, West Seneca, Lackawanna, 4 different streets in SB, it was good enough to make me want to come back. I did have a ton of friends growing up in SB too, even though I wasn't 'popular'. I can't get into north Buffalo for some reason, though I'm very jealous of Hertel ave. I'd like to live somewhere between Seneca St and McKinley Pkwy close to Caz Park, but I'm keeping an open mind.
Best of Luck
leetee - 06/03/08 10:07
You also might want to consider the tax burden of the place you end up living. When we first moved here and were looking at houses, we were shocked to find out what the taxes would be on a house in Kenmore. What are the taxes like out in Orchard Park?
That said, i always say follow your dreams. If Kenmore is your dream (doesn't sound grandiose to me), then go for it. Who cares what anyone else thinks... celebrate being "one of those wusses who moves to the 'burbs"!! :O)
You also might want to consider the tax burden of the place you end up living. When we first moved here and were looking at houses, we were shocked to find out what the taxes would be on a house in Kenmore. What are the taxes like out in Orchard Park?
That said, i always say follow your dreams. If Kenmore is your dream (doesn't sound grandiose to me), then go for it. Who cares what anyone else thinks... celebrate being "one of those wusses who moves to the 'burbs"!! :O)
That was an insightful article. I will have to pass that around the office sometime soon.
interesting