Vacation to Knoxville was great.

First night, met up with friends Chris & Kim for dinner in Market Square. I love how some friendships can just pick up where they left off -- trust, love, compatibility all remains. Miss them both dearly.

Stayed with our friend, Linda. She is generous and kind -- real old school southern hospitality. She says we are good houseguests, but i think after a week, she was looking forward to having her house to herself again.

Within the first day, i missed Knoxville enough to want to move back. We even looked at houses. Man, our house would go for $300,000 in the 4th and Gill neighborhood " >(MAP TO: )

We toured all our favorite places to go and to eat... even going to El Charro twice!

On the way home, we stopped in Covington, KY and went to the Newport Aquarium, overnighted in Columbus, OH and went to the zoo.

We also made a side trip in the Cleveland area to Trader Joe's... damn, i wish there were one here. Knoxville is getting one... another reason to want to move back?

My mom came to visit this past weekend. Yes, you can blame her for the lousy weather -- she has the worst luck when she comes here. We went to Graycliff... interesting on a blustery day!!

I go back to work tomorrow. Today, i go to the dentist. It's really over. I have to go back......... Great while it lasted!

Today is my last day at my current work location. I was temp transferred there at the beginning of August and i have loved it, despite its horrific reputation. The staff is great and one of the supervisors has been supportive and has validated me beyond anything i ever expected. I almost feel like i am loosing a friend by leaving this welcoming environment.

When i return from my 3 week vacation (yay!! KnoxVegas here we come!), i return to the previous location before i was transferred. I hope the validation helps my confidence and i can go back there with a renewed sense of optimism.

Last summer when i went to the Erie County Fair, i picked up what has become one of my favorite t-shirts. It's bright yellow and says My City Smells Like Cheerios with the Born In Buffalo logo on the back.

This year while at the Erie County Fair, i got a black God Save The Queen City and (e:Uncutsaniflush) got a City Of Light in blue.

Sadly, (e:Uncutsaniflush)'s is coming apart at the collar. So i emailed them, asking if they would exchange it. Less than 2 hours later, they said they would send me a new one.

Thanks Born In Buffalo for having amazingly good customer service. Not often i can say that about any company.

So, (e:peeps), go buy a Born In Buffalo shirt. Support this local company.

Ok, so, about a year ago, my former primary care doc wanted me to see a nutritionist. I didn't think i needed to, but she did.

My insurance would not cover it. However, they would cover 100% of the cost for "Diabetic Education Classes" (FYI, biggest waste of time unless you want to purchase diabetic products).

I chose Kenmore Mercy because they were close and the classes were good for my work schedule.

I went to 3 classes. I think i could have taught 2 of them.

Flash forward 10 months. I get a bill from Kenmore Mercy. They billed the wrong insurance company.

I called them. Did not return my call. After 3 hours today, i finally got a hold of the "outpatient billing" girl, Melissa's supervisor.

"Oh. We will forward to the correct insurance. Sorry."

WTf?

This weekend, some friends are coming upstate from Queens to bring their one and only son to UB for his freshman year. We offered up one of our spare rooms for them and they accepted. They want to take us out to eat as a thank you.

I am looking to (e:peeps) for recommend somewhere. Not exactly sure about their taste and i don't want to go somewhere too expensive. It will be Friday night so i want to be able to make a reservation (they may be used to waiting, but i don't want to have to).

Any suggestions of somewhere that will impress but isn't over the top expensive and offers a variety of foodie options?