Buffalo Boy's Blog
Giving You More Than Just My Two Cents
December 2007 Archives
Happy New Year! And First Anniversery!
Today just ain't any NYE, its our first wedding anniversery. To say the least it won't be the same this year as last years bash. This year we will be doing something we haven't done since the wedding..Slow down for dinner and a movie..we are going to the Bone Fish Grill for dinner and then to Regal for a movie and home in time to see the ball drop and for a few glasses of champagne and taste the wedding cake we never got to have at the wedding.
Here are a few pictures from last years event. Im still working on more Don Pictures that I would have posted today but I wanted to end the year on a positive note. Hopefully I will have the me in a Yankee hat picture and more of the other Don Pictures to share.
In the mean time here is more of our memories from NYE 2006/07:
From the left, cousin Jeremy, cousin Brian and my brother in law Dan
Me and my wife cuttin a rug...I didn't step on her toes once! Yeah for me!
My friend Rich and I drunk and dancing at the end.
The cake we never tasted. MMMMMMM CAKE!
Happy New Year everyone and thanks for reading Buffalo Boy in 2007!Category: happy new year
Meet The Press
Buffalo's own Tim Russert to me is the best person interviewing candidates out there. He doesn't ask fluffy questions that avoid issues, he attacks the issues surrounding candidates. One issue he got especially tough about today with Mike Huckabee was separation of church and state. This is the full interview from the show this morning in three parts. Tim Russert has this incredible ability to challenge candidates to answer the tough questions that other debates either avoid or reword so not to make them think too much.
The American public for the most part isn't that stupid. Most of us want these candidates to be asked challenging questions, on the environment, healthcare, the economy, energy policies and other issues that will be greatly changing the way we live in the coming years. I think its the media that dumbs us down as to what we get to know about the candidates, thats what makes Meet the Press so refreshing. Id love to see Tim Russert grill asshole media people like Rush Limbaugh and Tim Wallace two of the most annoying people on the Right.
I actually like Huckabee, more than any of the other Republican candidates besides Ron Paul. He actually supports doing things to protect not destroy the environment and he is not totally against a not for profit healthcare system. I just wish he'd stick to politics and not so much religious bantering in his recent ads. We are not electing a president based on their religion, if so Mitt Romney would be have been out for not being a Christian and Gulliani would have been out a long time ago for being an asshole.
Category: Politics
Kinks Reunion for '08?
A Kinks reunion would be music to the ears. Ray Davies, lead vocalist of the group, has been beating the reunion drums and brother Dave unfortunately has not been as accepting to the idea. Dave Davies had a stroke in 2004 and has been recovering and has recovered to where he could possibly perform.
I would love to see it. They influenced so many bands including The Jam, Blur, Oasis, The Strokes, Sloan, The Pretenders and so many more.
They are one of the big brit bands to come out of the British Invasion that could realistically still put out the original lineup which hasn't been together on stage in nearly 40 years. The original lineup included:
Ray Davies: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica and Keyboards
Dave Davies: Vocals, Lead Guitar
Mick Avory: Drum/Percussion
Pete Quaife: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Here is a sampling of one of the great Kinks songs:
Category: Music
Penguins 2 Sabres 0
I watched the last period and a half last night from the Lobby Bar at the Seneca Niagara Casino and here is what I saw: I saw a team skating their asses off and working their tails off without results. They just had no finish. Some of their 26 shots were just blind throws at the net and maybe that is a product of being tired.
I saw a team that was diving, scrapping, and clawing for every loose puck and a team that was willing to sacrifice, they just didn't score. If Im wrong on this correct me. There was no volume so I couldn't hear Harry Neale or Rick provide their input or between period comments from Razor or Mike Robitaille.
Thomas Vanek I thought played well and if he keeps working he will break out of his season long slump. I did not understand why Ryan Miller was in goal as I thought Thibault was getting the start so Miller would be fresh for Tuesdays big game and I think it is time to bench Max and Roy. Both took stupid penalties and Roy continues to flap his gums at the referee on the way to the penalty box instead of just sitting his ass down.
I have liked the effort the last two but not the results. We shall see what happens in the ice bowl Tuesday which by the way got some national media attention in Friday's USA Today.
Category: Sports
My Top Three's of 2007
Im not doing top tens, not enough time with everything that has happened and top five is half ass so I figure top 3 is perfect because I pretty much know what my top three are....You, my readers can fill in the final 7 with your choices to round out my top 10.
Top 3 Movies of 2007
1. The Simpsons Movie- was the highlight of the year for me and waited eagerly in anticipationand the anticipation was met head on! Can't wait for the sequel
2. Sicko- Brought some interesting things to light in our American healthcare system. Why do we run a for profit system in the US?
3. Live Free or Die Hard- The fourth installment of the Bruce Willis series was just like the rest, exciting as hell. I liked it a lot.
Top Three Songs:
1. 1234- Fiest- Didn't really think too much of Feist until she performed opening for Elvis Costello and once I saw her live, wow what a show!
2. Young Folks- Peter Bjorn and John- 2007 was a good year for quality new rock and this song and CD proved the point.
3. Rush- Far Cry- Rush isn't old, they are like wine, they get better with age. These guys still rock and their CD Snakes and Arrows to me is their best since Presto. They will show up again in my next list.
Top Three Concerts of 2007
1. Rush- Snakes and Arrows Tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center July 4th, 2007- Like I said before, these guys are still hands down the best three musicians playing bar none. They are getting better not older. How Neil Peart can still play drums like he does still we will never know. They are touring again in 2008. They do 3 1/2 hour shows what more can you ask for? It may have rained all day that day but the show was worth the wet and the wait.
2. The Tragically Hip in Rocherster for the World Container Tour March 2007- Its always a great show when the Hip play whenever I see them, they will be in the top three for that particular year.
3. Elvis Costello, Feist and Paolo Nutini Rock the Knox- Seeing Elvis Costello alone would have been enough but Feist nearly stole the show. Had anyone else besides the legendary Costello headlined, she may very well have stolen the show. Instead, Elvis came on and we forgot about all else that had happened that evening. What a stage presence he has. No this video isn't the best, but the song was the highlight of the evening.
*There are lot of honorable mentions: Jon Stewart at Fallsview Casino, Bill Maher at Sheas, 5440 twice for free, Spirit of the West and Great Big Sea at the Grey Cup party, The Psychedelic Furs with the Alarm and The Fixx, the Lemonheads all were great and could have been top three but Ill make them tied for fourth....
Category:
Just To Let You All Know Im Still Here
I thought the holidays were supposed to be restful. This year has been anything but. You are supposed to get a few days off, relax, not do anything but eat and get a few presents, maybe even sleep in. Not this year. Its been death, busy busy busy and depression. Im friggin exhausted, depressed and stressed from all that has transpired and I miss our friend Don.Tomorrow is the funeral for our close friend Don who I posted about the other day and I will put up some more pics after the dust settles, including a picture of me in a Yankee hat (more on that later too).
In the mean time, here is one of those lazy kinda songs played on guitar hero. The Hip's Ahead By A Century. We have PS2 and Guitar Hero so I thought this would be kinda cool to see what it looks like on GH. Enjoy.
Category: Miscellaneous | Music
2007 Christmas Presents
With the last few days being a bit depressing around here I wanted to focus on the positive side of Christmas...The presents were cool! Here are my favorite presents of 2007:
1. 250 GB external hard drive - I needed more space to back up my music files and this is perfect.
2. A new 5 disc CD changer- old one broke had it for 10 years and the motor in it failed that ejects the loading tray.
3. The complete Rush Tour books- wanted them when we saw them over the summer and my lovely wife got them for me.
4. Hockey '08 for PS2
5. The Simpsons Movie on DVD
Category: Christmas
Bummer on Christmas
First a little history, in the picture from last New Year Eve at our wedding from the left is Don, me, my wife Sandie and Don.
Both Don's have been really close to our family over the years and have been basically like uncles to me. They have been around for every major holiday or event and we do just about everything with them over the years so they truly are our extended family. He may not have been a blood relative but he was just as close as any family could be. He was there for my grandmothers 90th birthday and there to speak when she passed. He went to New York City with my parents last summer to Yankee stadium.
He took my and my dad out to eat the Friday before our wedding last year as a last night out for me. He was someone you could kid around with and just be yourself around. Always looking to laugh and have fun.
On Christmas eve right after arriving at my wifes aunts for our Christmas Eve get together, my wife got a call on her cell from my parents, my phone was off and I knew that my parents wouldnt be calling my wife if it was something minor.
It wasn't minor. Don on the left passed away for all we know it was between Sunday and Monday that he left us. He was in his chair in his apartment. Just days after officially retiring. To say the least we were devastated.
He was so much fun to be around and I know I am going to miss him more than I know. Ive been a wreck since the news got to me and I know for everyone in our family its not an easy few days coming up. I considered him like an uncle or a third grandfather. Always looking to enjoy life and be with the people he loved.
He was a huge Yankee fan, loved to have a beer and a cigar at the casino and loved his hot foods, he told great jokes and rarely took life seriously. It was always a good time when we were together. I will miss how he would give the bash brothers fist to me with a big "hey Moose (my nickame amongst family)" when he saw me.
Stay tuned later in the week as I will post some more pictures as I get them loaded. In the mean time, bloggage may be light as things as you can imagine are a little on the down low around here. Have to find a way to get some energy and make it through a day of work tomorrow as much as its hurting to do anything other than to be around family and think about Don.
Category: Christmas
Okay One More Before I Shut Before I Shut Up For The Holiday
Todd Stottlemyre was a good pitcher and all but not one worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. He was a .500 pitcher who's best season was 15 wins and he was 3-5 in the post-season. Not exactly hall numbers so how does he get on the 25 man ballot?
If you put him on then Jimmy Key, Dave Steib and Tom Henke should all still be on the ballot. Todd isn't the only mediorcre player on there. Chuck Knobloch is as well. He had a few decent hitting seasons but defensively he was awful for the most part.
If you but Knobs on there you have to put Tony Fernandez on way ahead of him. You figure it out.
Category: Sports
Christmas Vacation
I will leave you all with what is probably the best Christmas movie of all time. This is the lights scene from Christmas Vacation....Enjoy and Merry Christmas. Probably limited bloggage the next few days Wednesday and Thursday I work 12 hour days fun fun fun! Enjoy the day tomorrow and enjoy a little clip from Christmas Vacation:
Fantasy Hockey Update
Last week was a down turn for the Road Apples. Firefox had a little beginners luck and throttled me. I finished the week 3-9 which dropped me down to 9th place overall. 61-64-19 under .500 for the second time this season.
My most productive players: Jason Pominville with a goal and four assists for five points. Joe Thorton decided to hibernate last week or something he had just one point and was a minus one.
In goal Vesa Toskala had one win and .967 save percentage. Henrik Lundqvist had a win and a shutout but his goals against was 3.36 with a .867 save percentage.
Guys who I need to step it up: Joe Thorton, Thomas Vanek and Henrik Lundqvist. Markus Naslund would be nice to see throw a few in as well.
Injuries: Anton Volchenkov is on IR and Thomas Holstrom is day to day which hurts offensively.
Category: Fantasy Sports
Trade Rumors
For 
Maybe Im a little late in hearing this one but I heard today the Jays are interested in Jason Bay. A Burnett for Bay trade is in the works. I heard a possible trade involving the following:
AJ Burnett and Jays top catching prospect Robinson Diaz for Jason Bay and Matt Morris. The Jays would get a portion of Morris's contract covered by the Pirates.
This would bring a high profile Canadian in Jason Bay to the Jays and a reliable pitcher in Matt Morris to take Burnett's place. If this deal were to go through it could potentially be the Joe Carter/Alomar type of trade the Jays need.
It would give them the best outfield in baseball bar none with Rios/Wells/Bay. All three have 30 homer power with 20-30 steal potential. It hasn't happened yet but to me it makes sense.
In addition to providing the offence the trade would free up either Stairs or Johnson for a deal down the road at the trade deadline. Stay tuned as it could be a busier offseason than the Jays were willing to admit.
Category: Sports
Merry Christmas!
Category: Christmas
Sabres 6 Flyers 5
Friday night the Sabres ruined Daniel Briere's homecoming, last night they went to Daniel Briere's new home, and trashed the place.
The Sabres are officially on a role right now and unlike earlier in the year they are finding ways to win. Last night was a great example. They were a team that should have been tired and looking for excuses but they shrugged it off, kept playing, kept skating, kept fighting through adversity and eventually won.
The Flyers couldn't beat Miller when it counted with 4 on 3 power play through most of the overtime the Flyers couldn't penetrate Miller and it cost them in the shootout.
The shootout was Buffalo's first and with the way they were playing last night, my three shooters would have been Max, Kotalik and Hecht. They didn't need Hecht but the first two were right on the money. Its about time Max started contributing,
The weekend leaves them with 39 points, just one point out of a tie for fourth place with Boston and Montreal and two points out of having the second most points in the conference. What a long way they came from their mediocre selves just 4 weeks ago. They have officially won 6 in a row and 13 out of their last 17 leaving them and their fans with some hope for after the Christmas holiday that they are on the right track.
Now, all I want for Christmas is for Thomas Vanek to start showing up on the score sheet.
Category: Sports
Joe Strummer 1952-2002
I was looking for something to post here today. Joe Strummer passed away 5 years ago today and to be honest, of all the musicians I have loved and had influence my musical taste, none spoke to me more than Joe Strummer and the Clash. Joe was the voice of that punk generation. I thought that the image above says it all. He was the future of the punk generation and influenced so many. He also had a political side to him at a time when it was okay for musicians to have a voice no matter how controversial.
Yes there was Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols, but they lasted all of one album and musically the Clash evolved. They evolved lyrically and ideologically as well. They played rock and roll but it was a fusion of punk and reggae. Add their energy and attitude and you had a magical combination. London Calling to this day for me is the best CD I have in my collection and everyone who knows me how big of a Hip fan I am.
Maybe it was the political undertones to their songs or maybe it was the energy they brought to their shows (which I never got to see live). Joe carried that with him even after the Clash broke up. He played with the Pogues and toward the end of his life, he was in the midst of a second coming with Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros whose music can be heard in the HBO series John From Cinncinati and as well as in several movies most recently Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Strummer basically reinvented himself with the Mescaleros and with his passing in 2002 it added to a long list of those who left us way too early. He had a lot left to give us had he lived on. Instead, he left us a legacy of great music that was continuing well beyond his last breath. If you ever want to get into something new if you haven't heard any of the Mescaleros CDs I highly recommend them.
The bands he influenced go beyond the punk of the late 70's. U2, The Pogues, Manic Street Preachers, Arcade Fire, Rancid, Elvis Costello, Bowie, The Beastie Boys, Bruce Springsteen and countless others both past and present. A great site to check out some of the comments and praise after his death is:
http://www.joestrummer.org/index.htm
The Clash will always be remembered as a group, but to everyone who has heard their music and followed them over the years, the message wouldn't have been the same without Joe Strummer.
This first video is a tribute to the man that was Joe Strummer.
The closest we ever got to a full Clash reunion. This was in London on November 15th, 2002, Had Joe lived, the following year the Clash would have reunited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their induction. He died a little over a month after this show. The two frontmen of the Clash, Mick Jones and Strummer
Strummer and the Mescaleros doing a Clash fan favorite.
A Mescaleros gem, Johnny Appleseed, also the opening music for John in Cinncinati on HBO.
Possibly the one we all remember him for the Clash's greatest song London Calling, doing it with the Mescaleros.
Category: Music
Clash Tribute
Tomorrow night at Mohawk Place in Buffalo a bunch of bands are getting together for a Clash Tribute show. They do this every year and I have never been to it.
Tomorrow night Im going to go because my good friend Rich is playing in it and after talking to him, all the bands put on a great show and do a great job covering all the best Clash tunes. To me the Clash really are the greatest band of all time, if not the most influential. Ill have more on Joe Strummer tomorrow. In the meantime, if you get a chance to come out to Mohawk Place and you are a fan of the Clash, do so.
Category: Music
We Made It
Winter is here and so is the shortest day of the year. What a friggin relief. I hate this time of year. Its too dark, you never see the sun and its so damn cold.
From here on in, slowly but surely, days start getting longer and before you know it, spring will do its thing and warmth/sun will return and melt away all the white shit.
Category: Miscellaneous
Sabres 2 Islanders 1
A few weeks ago the Sabres were losing with 40+ shots on goal, last night they win with a lackluster performance and only 15 shots. What gives here?
Max is starting to heat up a bit which is a nice sign, my fantasy team and me as a Sabre fan is still waiting for the $50 million man to start putting some pucks in.
Anyway the win gives them 35 poitns and 7th in the conference. 4 points out of 4th place behind Boston.
Category: Sports
Separation of Church and State
Toronto Mike found this and its something Ive been harping on since I started this blog. The separation of religion from politics.
This You Tube message while with good intent is a little over the top in terms of religious overtones coming from a guy seeking votes. Im not saying he shouldn't do a nice little thing for the holidays but shouldn't he acknowledge other religious beliefs? There are other holidays this time of year.
Christians are not the only ones who will vote in the upcoming elections and the feeling I get from him is that Christmas and Christianity trumps all anyway. If Im Muslim, Jewish or any other faith, Im scratching him off my list to vote for now.
And for the hundreth time, if religion is going to play that big a role where they are wasting time asking questions in debates about peoples faith rather than focus on the real issues then we need to start taxing churches for their influence because they are not innocent either. They lobby for their causes and have a tremendous influence over these candidates. Until churches stay out of politics they should be taxed.
Best Sitcoms of All Time
1. Cheers
2. The Simpsons
3. Taxi
4. Seinfeld
5. Friends
6. Welcome Back Kotter
7. Barney Miller
8. Frasier
9. MASH
10. Mork and Mindy
Category: Television
Normism's
This is a video of all the Normism's of the first year of Cheers. I used to watch this show religiously with my dad. This always will be my favorite sitcom of all time even more so than the Simpsons which rank a close second.
Nobody entered a bar like Mr. Norm Peterson.
.
Category: Television
I Love This Commercial
Cute polar bears, Christmas, winter and the Beach Boys all rolled into one. How can you go wrong? I love this commercial not because I like Coke, I like the Beach Boys and during a cold time of year, the Beach Boys Christmas CD can almost make you think it is actually Christmas in July. The polar bears are cool too.
Category: Music | Television
Sleep Study
This Friday night I am going in for a sleep study. Im nervous, yet looking forward to it because by all accounts, if they discover the roots of my sleeping problems, I will come out of this feeling so much better and being able to actually sleep at night.
I started thinking that I wasn't sleeping last year, I was tossing and turning and couldn't get comfortable and I thought it was the mattress and it was probably part that. But blankets still end up on the floor and pillows get tossed around and I still wake up not feeling like I got a deep sleep.
So, my last doctors appointment I explained everything and he agreed and Friday night I go to Millard Fillmore at 8:30 pm and sleep there. I get woken up at 5 am and I am out the door by 5:30, hopefully with an understanding of why Im not sleeping. Im nervous because I don;t want to have to wear a sleep apnea mask at night. However, if I have to I will because I hate going to bed at night at 9 or 9:30 and waking up with 8-9 hours of sleep and not feeling like I slept at all.
Ill keep you all posted and just keep in mind, the bloggage may be low on Friday.
Category: Miscellaneous
Browns Blizzard Bowl
Sunday was the first time all year I didn't root for the Bills. I like the Bills but I love the Browns and no matter who won I wasn't going to be entirely disappointed. I didn't see the game but I have seen bits and pieces via highlights since and all I can say is WOW!
That is the way football is meant to be played. In the elements. Freddie P posted lots of video as him and neighbor John went to the game and yes I was jealous. It was obviously one of those games that people will be talking about 10, 15, 20 years from now and how they were there and how great it was....if you were a Cleveland fan. If you were a Bills fan at the game, it was just another fucking snow storm.
Buffalo and Cleveland should do that every year! As I found out today, as long as they both finish second there is some quirky scheduling thing that says that they will play each other again next year! How much fun would that be!
In the mean time though, the Dogpound is in the playoffs baby! Enjoy!
Category: Sports
Beer Me
Its been awhile since I posted this one, over the weekend in Pittsburgh I had quite a few of these on Saturday night. Its been awhile since I even drank.
I haven't had Blue in a while, honestly I got sick of it and haven't had any for a long while, to the point where I would go out of my way not to drink it, but Saturday night they were going down quite nicely. Must have been the watered down version down there. I like Labatt's but I like Canadian better. Saturday though they didn't have Canadian so I had to make it work.
I think Labatt's and Canadian are even again. I actually enjoyed the Blue if only for Saturday night.
Category: Beer
Protect The Loon
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_on_sc/loon_listing
Groups in Alaska are suing to have the yellow billed loon protected. They are stating that industrialization is threatening the loon's habitat.
Its amazing that a symbol of a countries heritage can be allowed to be forced to the brink of endangerment. Loon's regardless of the specific species of Loons are a symbol of Canadian heritage. Its on the one dollar coin thus the term "loonie".
Its not the first time a national symbol has been endangered. The symbol of the United States, the Bald Eagle has been endangered in the past until its recent comeback. Its endangered status was due to man-made pollutants and chemicals such as the pesticide DDT back in the 1970's that caused the thining of the eagles egg shells.
Point is, there are so many who doubt the impact that we have on our environment and our impact on nature, but the fact is that our actions and the way we pollute by our choice of fuels or the way we litter our environment with toxic chemicals and use of land, affects other species and their habitat.
Its ashame that our actions have caused two of North Americas most treasured birds to be endangered at one point or another.
More Money For A Needless War
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_on_go_co/budget_battle
Unbelievable!. Are these elected officials not listening to the American public. $70 Billion more for the war in Iraq. A war we should have never started. The war in Afganistan, I can understand, but the war in Iraq is and always will be a waste of time and money.
How much of that $70 billion is going to private contractors vs. US miliary soldiers? That is a whole other issue but one worth asking.
How much more do we really have to do there? I want names of the 78 house democrats that voted for this spending and I want them all asked why they voted for this money to be sent. We are told that we can't afford childrens health care, yet they come up with $70 billion extra on the waste of an Iraq war.
Its a waste because there never were weapons of mass destruction and Iraq was not the nation that attacked us on 9/11. All this money spent and we still don't have the one we had to get in Osama Bin Laden. Way to go Capital Hill!
Category: Politics
Welcome Back
TV was so good. What happened? I think it got watered down. Too many channels and so the talent has gotten spread thin. Welcome Back Kotter was one of the best shows of its time. John Travolta and the rest of the cast was simply hilarious. after Im done collecting all the Cheers seasons, Im going to start collecting the Kotter seasons on DVD.
Category: Television
Do They Know Its Christmas Time?
The lineup for this song is by even today's standards is unbelievable and yes its probably over played this time of year but I still love it. Its not Christmas until you hear and see certain things. This song is one of them. The allstar cast includes Paul Young (formerly of Streetband-see earlier posts), Sting and Simon Lebon of Duran Duran sharing a mic, Bono, Bananarama, Lionel Richie, George Michael and a host of others.
Category: Music
Groundhog Day
Being stuck here in Pennslyvania overnight made me think of this scene in Groundhog Day. I've seen it a hundred times if I've seen it once but its still one of the funniest movies of all time.
Category: Movies
Just 12 With Over .500 records
Take away the pity point and the OTL column and there are only 5 teams in the Eastern Conference with true over .500 records. They are: Ottawa, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston and Buffalo.
In the West there are 7 teams: Detroit, St, Louis, Minnesota, Vancouver, Colorado, Dallas and San Jose.
Its ashame. The pity point makes mediocre teams look so much better than they really are. Atlanta and Buffalo are two examples in the East where if you take it away, they gain at least a point on everyone and makes their records look all the more impressive.
Phoenix's 15-16 record looks all the more impressive as they are sitting with no overtime losses. They would gain at least a point over everyone in their conference. I can't get over what a silly concept this thing is. I know I've posted on it before but realistically a teams that are technically better in terms of winning percentage actually lose out on the playoffs because another team lost in overtime more often than they did. Go figure.
Category: Sports
Faith and Politics
Why does this continue to be an issue? Why does religion matter? The Constitution clearly states that we are not to be tested based on our faith, so why is it that it matters what Barack Obama's or Hiliary Clinton's or Mike Huckabee's faith is or how they choose to practice it? Religion has no place in politics yet it keeps popping up in these debates.
Its irrelevant to the issues that need to be addressed. Regardless of the candidates faith Im going to vote for the person who I feel is best suited to run this country based on the issues that need to be addressed: The economy, healthcare, social security, ending the war in Iraq, the environment, energy and countless other needs that this country has.
Im really starting to take a liking to two guys who don't stand a chance in this thing but have impressed me a great deal, Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. The other guy I really like is Bill Richardson and he doesn't stand a chance either. What all three represent to me is honesty and this uncanny ability to be up front with people they are speaking to. They don't try to put a spin on what they are saying.
Most importantly these three gentlemen don't put up with being asked ridiculous questions that mean squat to the overall race, like religious questions.
I am a democrat, however, if it came down to Ron Paul somehow getting the nomination and he was running against Hilary, I would have to think long and hard about voting for Ron Paul. That said, I would love to see Kucinich somehow work his way in or branch out as an independent and continue to run if he loses the democratic nomination because I think he really is the best candidate amongst the democratic choices.
Category: Politics
Pittsburgh Christmas Invitational
80 teams from the eastern US and 1000 swimmers make for the biggest meet in the country. Team Pittsburgh Aquatics has been running their annual Christmas Invitational at the University of Pittsburgh for 46 years now.
This year my swim club, the Stingrays, took just one swimmer. She is from the group I coach so I got to go down with her this weekend. I was curious to see her stacked up against other swimmers outside of the Niagara Swim District and to say the least she came through big time.
She is just 8 years old and did 6 events this weekend. Two each day of the three day meet. On Friday she won the 100 yd Freestyle and came in second in the 50 butterfly. On Saturday, 2nd in the 100 IM and 3rd in the 50 Breaststroke. On Sunday (today) 1st in the 50 backstroke and 2nd in the 50 freestyle. Time drops in everything and a very successful weekend. By far and away the biggest meet I have had the chance to be at.
One thing to look forward to is that when she ages up next year in September, she has already qualified for Eastern Zones for 9/10 age group in most events despite only being 8, which is the next step up the ladder of big meets. Long course Zones next year I believe are held in Long Island, Short Course Zones are held right here in Buffalo at the Burt Flickenger Center.
The success made the snowy trip down and back all the more worth it.
Category: Swimming
Stuck in Pa.
I am stuck in Pa. tonight. I decided to stop after going about 20 miles over the last hour or so of driving. I left Pittsburgh this afternoon at around 2:30 and the further I went, the worse it got. So I decided to stop here instead of chance it. Im about half way back and it took 4 hours of treacherous conditions.
Here in Erie, its doing exactly what you see in this video of Steve Tasker for the pregame today for the Bills/Browns game. Suffice it to say I didn't see the game but my Brownies squeaked it out and a slop fest. Im sitting in the hotel watching the highlights now.
Category: Sports
One Last Entry Before Im Off To Pittsburgh
Hip for the hell of it! You can bet I will have plenty of Hip on the IPOD on my way down! Ill be driving in my Silver Toyota Corolla, so a fitting song I thought...Silver Jet...
Category: Music
Sabres 5 Islanders 3
Monday nights game against the Bruins was just a little hiccup. The Sabres should have won that game with 45 shots on goal you should score at least 4. But with any team that struggles the Sabres failed to capitalize on key chances against the Bruins.
That was the biggest difference between the Bruins game and last night. Last night, those chances went in. In another 41 shot performance, the Sabres simply buried their chances. Ryan Miller also showed up. Which realistically has been their biggest downfall this year. Nevermind Thomas Vanek and Max, if Miller plays well he steals games. Period. End of story.
Another bone I have to pick with this league on top of the pity point is this thing that you can not score if you kick the puck into the net. Lets be realistic, if you are good enough to kick the puck into the net, the goal should count. You really want to increase scoring, allow those goals like the one Drew Stafford should have had last night.
Category: Sports
Go Browns!!
Sorry Bills fans but Im a Browns fan this weekend. I have rooted for the Bills and I like it when they win but my Brownies got em right where they want them this weekend.
I can honestly say that I won't be disappointed either way, I like the Bills, I love the Browns. I feel the Browns are the better team this Sunday. Weather doesn't matter, both teams play on Lake Erie and get the full brunt of the the effects of the weather in the respective fields.
Home field though will play a factor and I also think that the Bills secondary, despite how well they have played, will be no match for Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.
Of course, I won't be able to hear or see the game as I will be in Pittsburgh probably getting snowed in at a big swim meet. On my way home though, Ill be frantically searching for a radio station with the Browns/Bills game.
Category: Sports
Global Warming Update
The stats are in and the US has experienced the 8th warmest January-November on record. Globally, it was the 5th warmest such period on record. All the skeptics out there keep doubting, yet the science clearly states otherwise.
The areas that saw the warmest temperatures this year was the higher latitudes up in the Arctic exactly where the ice has been melting at record rates. This isn't a scam, humans are capable of destroying this planet and the time has come and gone to get ourselves righted as a civilization.
There are examples throughout recorded history where humans have caused widespread destruction to our environment. We almost killed off a national symbol in the Bald Eagle by using DDT and other poisonous pesticides. Extinctions are up all over the planet and many of those extinctions are caused by humans.
We act before we think. Look at the invasive species that have taken over our Great Lakes like Zebra Mussels and Flying Carp in the Mississippi River that are on their way into the Great Lakes. Those are just two examples, there are hundreds of others.
All the toxic landfills that make it unsafe for us to live there and if we can't live there whos to say that animals are going to thrive in those environments? Love Canal is an example of a local area that we destroyed. We dump and pollute without thinking of the consequences.
My point is that the skeptics say we can't cause our climate to change this earth is too big...Its not. We have changed it, we have changed numerous things on this planet, some good, some not so good. The fact is there are 6+ billion humans on this earth, Id say we have the potential to do great damage to a lot of things by how we use our resources. Global warming is a big consequence whether we can see it or not.
Category: Global Warming | Science
David Eckstein is a Jay
Amongst all the steroid talk today and the Mitchell report I hope it hasn't been lost that there was some good news today for the Jays. David Eckstein was signed to a one year deal worth $4.5 million dollars.
In Eckstein the Jays have a lead off hitter and a full time shortstop that will provide veteran leadership and on top of that no drop off in defensive play at short.
I was getting a little scared that John McDonald would be the full time shortstop and now that is simply not the case. The Jays have their leadoff guy and he is a guy who can really ignite the offense as well as be dynamite in the field.
Unfortunately, he was probably the most untalked about free agent signing ever considering the news of the day. If you aren't on the 'roids, you simply weren't in the news today, not fair for the good guys of the sport.
Category: Sports
Pittsburgh Meet
After today I may not be blogging much until Sunday night. I am on my way to Pittsburgh Friday after work. I decided to leave a day early to get ahead of the ugliness that is headed our way weather wise this weekend.
The meet in Pittsburgh is the biggest USA Swimming sanctioned meet in the country, This includes Eastern Zones, Speedo Championships Jr. Nationals. One of my swimmers made it, She is ranked either 3rd or 2nd going into the meet out of all the kids her age so it should be fun.
Escort Service at the Group Home
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/226221.html
Jennifer Schultz was caught running an escort service out of a Buffalo group home for disabled youths. She was found to have made nearly 1,148 phone calls over a two month period and close to 14,000 calls for the year. Most of those calls were to hotels and clients setting up the meetings with her escorts.
What amazes me is not that it happened and not even that she got caught, how couldn't she get caught. What amazes me is how organized this girl was. 14,000 calls in a year? seriously? I haven't made 14,000 phone calls in my life much less in a year.
How does a 22 year old girl get that busy? It makes me wonder the following A) How long has she been running this business of hers B) Why did no one catch her sooner. She must have been on the phone non stop with out breaks or time to care for the individuals in her group home she was caring for.
Category: News
Global Warming Update
Global warming continues to take center stage recently and its a topic that is going to stay in the new for the rest of our lives and our childrens lives. This article only presents more statistics on what is happening right here and now.
Greenland is melting faster as of the latest satilite data. 10% faster than in 2005. This isn't the arctic ice folks. This is the stuff that when it melts, it raises sea levels. If and when the Greenland ice goes, we have problems, Florida underwater problems, Manhattan being under water problems. Pay attention to this one over the coming months and years.
Category: Global Warming
Fantasy Hockey Update
This week saw my team the Road Apples leap frog two teams and vault myself into 6th place and a playoff spot. I finished the week 7-3-2 and now stand with 124 points, one point ahead of 7th and 5 points back of 5th place. First place is only 13 points away and I face the first place team this week.
My leading scorers for this week included: Joe Thorton with 1 goal and 5 assists and Nik Antropov with 4 goals and plus 3. No surprises there.
Goaltending: All three of my goalies Vesa Toskala, Henrik Lunqvist and my recent addition of Carey Price had a win a piece. Lunqvist had a shutout.
At this point, Im content without making any major moves as Im moving up in the standings and everyone except one defencemen is healthy. Im waiting for Thomas Vanek to start finding the back of the net and it would be nice for Jason Pominville to start getting back on a 30-40 goal pace again. Otherwise my worst stat for the year has been +/-. I was counting on so much more from Vanek who led the league last year in that category.
Category: Fantasy Sports
Religion and Science
A biologist with Christian beliefs was fired from his job because he says he did not believe in evolution. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071210/od_nm/evolution_lawsuit_dc
Nathaniel Abraham, a biologist for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute before being dismissed from his job. He is therefore, suing his former employer. All I can say for this guy is he probably should have considered where his career choice would take him. Did he honestly think he would never have to research evolutionary based concepts? How do you make it through a biology program, let alone any science program without some sort of belief or understanding that the theory of evolution has tremendous evidence to back it up?
If he was a doctor would he then prescribe prayer instead of medicine because God would heal his patients? The Christian view of evolution is that it can't be true because it says so in the Bible. Earth was made in 6 days blah blah blah blah blah. Im not going to get into all that but you get the picture.
I think his employer has every right to dismiss him. If you choose not to practice what is preached by 99.9% of the scientific community then I think you belong on the outside of your profession looking in. Which is exactly where he is at this time. He is currently at Liberty University, a school founded by Jerry Falwell. There is a school that preaches the truth about science, NOT!
How scary is that school. They don't believe in anything that has to do with science as we know it to be true. I can see that school now:
What makes gravity work?
Answer: God does
Why?
Answer: Because the Bible says so...
You would have one book for every class, the Bible. There would be no Chemistry or Physics books. Just the Bible and your belief that God does everything. The exams would be a breeze too....if you believe in that sort of thing.
Carbon/Silicon
From time to time I check in on this band. Carbon/Silicon. It is the most recent project of Mick Jones from the Clash and Big Audio Dynamite. I was a huge fan of the BAD years and of course the Clash and everytime I check in on his new project I find something I like. This is The News. Enjoy!
Category: Music
Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron
This song is by far and away my favorite Christmas song. Its not over played, hard to find and has a nice beat too. The music is by the Royal Guardsmen and it is part of Snoopy's Christmas. Enjoy!
Category: Music
Loser Points Must Go
After checking out the standings in the NHL lately, I have come to a final conclusion. The loser point must go. The NHL has to stop awarding teams that lose.
Either give 3 points for an overtime win and 1 for an overtime loss, or do away with the pity point altogether and award just the two points for winning, thats it. Records in the league are way too decieving.
There are two scenarios that prove my point. Take Edmonton and Calgary for instance. Calgary is 11-13-5 two fewer wins than Edmonton, yet Edmonton sits tied with them with a 13-16-1 record. Both teams have 27 points. Take away the pity points from both teams and make those straight losses and you have Edmonton with 26 points with a 13-16 record and sitting with 26 points and Calgary in last place in their division with 22 points and a 11-18 record. Not so decieving anymore is it?
Toronto and Buffalo is my other example. Toronto currently has a 12-11-6 record and 30 points. Decieving to the uneducated fan. Buffalo is sitting in last behind Toronto by 5 points with a 12-13-1 record and 25 points. Take away those pity points and Buffalo and Toronto are tied with Toronto sitting five games under .500 and Buffalo just two under .500 and three games in hand, both teams with 24 points.
Columbus is another example in the Western Conference. They have five pity points. Take those away and their impressive for Columbus record goes from 13-10-5 to 13-15, two games under .500. Not so good any more and closer to where they should be, the bottom.
I don't know why the NHL has to give that pity point. These guys are professionals, they can handle losing and coming up with nothing. It makes the standings honest and you will really see teams work for the two points especially if you keep the current format that there are no ties. Its two or nothing. Now a team can figure on the one and know they are not coming up empty handed. To me the threat of nothing is more motivating than the promise of at least one.
Category: Sports
Crossing A Canyon
I love this song. Crossing A Canyon is probably the one song I look forward to seeing most live when I see 5440...I love the guitar hooks and Neil's vocals are at their best.Category: Music
Started Shopping
I started my Christmas shopping today and to be honest, I hated every minute of it. I went shopping for my lovely wife and was excited to get her stuff done. It was the experience that ruined it. From the overly crowded parking lots, to the asshole in the parking lot going the wrong way down an aisle and expecting to get my parking spot and proceeding to get out of his car and threaten me.
That was just the parking lot. The inside of the store, which I will not name because if my wife does read this, she will easily figure out what her Christmas gifts will consist of, was a mob scene at 11:00 AM. It was ridiculous. Lines, people rushing and bumping into one another and not enough help in the store to get you what you need.
Im done, from here on in I send my wife to do the rest of my shopping for me. She is a shopper and I give her full marks for being able to tolerate the craziness that is Christmas shopping because after today, I remembered why I hate going to malls so much throughout the year, never mind at Christmas time.
Category: Miscellaneous
Saturday's At Frizb's
I didn't plan on going to Frizb's today, with Christmas coming I was actually going to go easy, it just happened. I won a few bucks last night at the casino and decided I'd stop in. I discovered some new things about Frizb's today. The owner does not let the help stock the shelves....thank goodness!
See Jessica who works there is a big fan of what I like to call cheesy pop...you know Backstreet's Back, Mandy Moore, Ashlee Simpson, 98 Degrees, Broccoli Spears (Ooops I meant Brittany). If you see her working feel free to tease her! Shes a nice gal....Hopefully we won't find out later she's a country fan too...We poked fun of Jessica as I was checking out and she was a good sport....
Like all good music stores though and all kidding aside, Frizb's has a great and at times eclectic mix of stuff in the store and they even carry a lot of top Canadian artists as well which is why I like going there. I went there today actually looking for Simple Minds and Fine Young Cannibals and walked out with:
5440- Show Me- I have a ton of 5440 to begin with but neither of these two CDs are in my collection and both have some great songs Show me features some early hits such as One Gun and One Day in Your Life
5440- Trusted By Millions- Possibly my favorite 5440 disc to date besides Smilin Budda Cabaret, this one includes Cheer Up Peru, Love You All, Crossing A Canyon, and Lies to Me.
and on DVD What About Bob?- Bill Murray, what more needs to be said.
Total Cost: ~$14
Thanks to Jessica for being the brunt of our jokes and poking fun at her cheesy musical taste, though as she hangs out more over there Im sure she will pick up the fact that Ashlee Simpson and all those toy bands just lip sync anyway and are not worthy of stocking on shelves of real music stores...........
Category: Music
Imagine
Imagine if all those taken from us too early, were left with us to thrive at what they do best. Imagine if Lennon, Hendrix, Cobain, Strummer, Ian Curtis and more had been spared and stayed to provide us with more musical moments how different would the music scene have been....or maybe they wouldn't be the legends they are today...All we can do is Imagine....27 years ago today, the memory of John Lennon lives on...
Category: Music
Too Much Time On Their Religious Hands
I saw a clip of the new childrens fantasy movie the Golden Compass. Its based on the first of a trilogy of books by Philip Pullman. Many Christian and Religious freaks, and thats exactly what they are, freaks...are calling the movie and the books anti-Christian.
They really need to get something else to do with their time. They have issues with the books because A. Philip Pullman is openly agnostic, meaning he believes or admits to having no real knowledge of whether or not a God exists. To me in regards to the movie thats besides the point.
In the book and movie itself there is an organization that represents what all are supposed to follow and it is also the organization that is eventually defeated. Well not to ruin it of name anything in the movie or the books if you haven't read or seen them, that organization is defeated.
The Church and Religious freaks out there seem to think that this represents the defeat of religion/God. What an incredible stretch and incredible waste of time on their part.
This is not the first, nor will it be the last time religious nut jobs speak out about a movie or get their panties in a knot over some innocent children's movie. It happened with the Harry Potter books, which in some places are actually banned down in the bible belt of the US. They think that Harry Potter being all about witch craft is essentially evil and anti-christian as well.
I say to all them, get a life and stop ruining good things. You are really reaching on both of these and if anything Religion should be more under attack for promoting its agenda....An invisible being who is all knowing and needs money from us when we go to worship it.....These religious nut jobs speak out about these things like they are going to bring an end to religion as we know it, well I have news for them, they need to be a little more confident and less defensive when something like this comes out. Their beliefs have been around for thousands of years, nothing has changed them yet, why do they think a simple childrens story is going to defeat Christianity, I highly doubt that Jesus would be this defensive and attack oriented.
Personally, Ill stick to Harry Potter and The Golden Compass...Stay home on Sunday and worship my IPOD.
Category: Entertainment | Movies | religion
Woe's Out West
The Sabres had a chance to really put it in high gear and show what they have out west this week. So far, they have fallen flat on their collective faces. Anaheim was the probably the toughest of the first two games and the lost that one in embarassing fashion 4-1.
Last night, they doubled the embarassment by falling to the Kings 8-2 against a Kings team that is very beatable. Yes the Kings have good players but they were starting a rookie goalie making his first start. Is this how far the Sabres have fallen that teams are playing their back up rookie goalies on home ice against them?
The effort continues to be inconsistent and whether he likes it or not, the blame should fall squarely on the shoulders of Thomas Vanek. I don't care that hes only 23-24 years old. He got the big money, I didn't see him offer to turn it aside. He and his agent gladly accepted it and now hes showing that under the pressure of this contract and this teams lackluster efforts that he is clearly not worth the contract he got.
The other guy Im seriously starting to question is Darcy Reiger for not making the right moves to keep this team in working order. He knew that by losing Drury he was going to lose that spark that this team is desparately seeking right now and he failed to get a deal done.
I will admit, I was one of the ones saying, "lets wait and see they have talent", but like Herb Brooks said in Miracle On Ice, "You don't have enough talent to get by on talent alone....". That is starting to show with this team. They are missing the grit players to go with that talent that the skill players have. The flashy, playmakers are nice but they need some haymakers in there as well. Maybe they need Herb Brooks to fire them up a little.
Category: Sports
Swimming Comeback
Im finding the comeback is harder than I thought. I have been getting in but sparingly. The shoulders have been achy. I guess when you are carrying upwards of 100 pounds more than you competition weight your shoulders will carry a much bigger burden.
That said, Wednesday night was our swim clubs Swim-A-Thon fund raiser. I swam, and did 51 lenghts or roughly 1275 yards in one hour. It was one length or 25 yards more than I did in the last Swim-A-Thon last June 6th.
For our next one, my goal is 100 lengths or 2500 yards. That would be an accomplishment for one hour of swimming especially for where I am shape wise. Im going to get in again tonight and swim a 1000 or so just to keep me honest and then tomorrow Ill hit the bike and weight room a little to get the cardio/muscle strength built up a little.
Its going, but its going slow at the moment.
Category: Sports
A Mistake of Gargantuan Proportions!
I read today on the Blue Jays web site that they have proposed a deal that would send Alex Rios to the Giants for Tim Lincecum. What a incredible mistake that would be. You would go from Rios in right field, Wells in center and Reed Johnson/Matt Stairs in Left to Reed Johnson/Matt Stairs in Right, Vernon Wells in center and Adam Lind in Left.
I know the Jays like Lind, but hes no Rios and you are taking a not just a bat, but really your only speed out of your lineup. I know you can't have enough pitching, but the Jays do have enough pitching. They are wading in a pool knee deep in pitching. They should be trading a pitching prospect for a better shortstop or packaging Glaus for someone who can hit and move at third.
Dealing Rios for Lincecum is horrible at this stage of Rios career. The guy is a top notch hitter and Lincecum is barely proven. IF this move goes through, Im going to be very critical of this team when the offence tanks it again this year. Rios is primed to be the center of attention of this offence. So go ahead Riccardi, make the move, but be prepared to take all the heat that comes with it.
Category: Sports
Global Warming Conference
The United States representatives are doing as much as they can to piss off the rest of the world at the Global Warming Conferences in Bali, Indonesia. The Chief Climate negotiator isn't even a meteorologist, a climatologist or and environmentalist.
He is Harlan Watson, he has a BA in Physics, a PHD in Solid State Physics and a MA in Economics from Georgetown. None of those degrees provides him with any knowledge of climate. But that is the Bush Whitehouse for you. They appoint their cronies to do the work. He is carrying the Bush Administration line saying that technology, private investment and economic growth will save the environment.
So, far is gotten us no where Mr. President. The Bush administration and its delegates at this meeting believe that imposing mandatory cuts in global warming gases will only harm economic growth. I say thats a big sack of shit.
Putting mandatory cuts will spur economic development, companies will have to research new ways of doing things and new ways to conserve rather than waste fuels and energy. It will create jobs in research and technology as scientists have to research for new and alternative fuels that will take the place of our current fossil fuels.
This administration better wake up in a hurry as Australia signed the Kyoto protocol recently making the US the only country left not to sign it. The US is isolated on this issue no matter what Bush and his clowns want you to believe. Its disgusting that they won't get on board with the interests of the rest of the world and scientific community.
The Senate and Congress signed a bill today that mandates lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2050 for all electric power plants. The President wants to veto it. Why? because most electric plants run on...you guessed it ..OIL! And once again the administration proves that their loyalty lies with big oil.
Well their lies are wearing thin on many Americans and the rest of the world.
Category: Global Warming
Long Live Humble and Fred
Mike Boon wrote about how this year will not provide us with a Humble and Fred gift of Christmas, to say the least, a tear came to my eye. They were literally the soundtrack to my mornings. I still to this day have the Humble and Fred Mojo Radio stock certificate hanging in my office. It is one of my prized possessions. I like Mike listened to Humble and Fred through the 90's on CFNY 102.1 the Edge in Toronto and followed them right through their dying days on that bastard of a station Mix 99.9 who will forever to me be known as the station that destroyed the tradition of Humble and Fred. I swear I have'nt so much as tuned into that station once since Howard was let go.
For the better part of 15 years I woke up every morning hearing two guys who when on a microphone could make even a dead guy laugh. You don't believe me, they have a whole compilation on their best of Humble and Fred in 1997 CD devoted to dead people and let me tell ya, some of those dead people they joked about were laughing right along with them and us.
Im not going to sit here and repeat what Mike said about it being over. I still as a devoted Humble and Fred fan don't think of it as over, Im glad it happened (stole that line from Freddie, but it sure does work). I have tons of Cassettes I recorded over the years filled with Humble and Fred stuff. Someday when I get some of it converted to MP3 Ill be able to rehash some of their old memories.
It is not like they are gone, I get home from work every day and my first stop is Mike Boon's site, my second stop is Freddies and my third stop is Howards site (not in any specific order or to say any one is better, they are all great guys, Mike for reuniting them last year, Fred for doing what he does so well, and Howard for being his quirky witty self. Its like getting them in a whole new way. They are just as funny online as they are on radio.
I would still rather have them on radio though. The little things I miss like when they did the Hockey Night in Canada Jingle for couples getting married, the Humble Report, Freddie's Sports Comment, The Song Prize Thingy, and all those characters they created over the years including Danger Boy, Bingo Bob, Chicken Schwarma and Uncle Vince.
So they may not be doing it this year but Im not giving up hope, Its just a year without Humble and Fred doing a Christmas show. Maybe next year, they will get something. They will find something that will reunite the best radio duo to be heard in North America. Come on radio station management peoples, hire these two bastards will ya? Get these two back on the radio somewhere where they do what they do best. Make us all laugh our asses off and happy we woke up in the morning.
Category: Humble and Fred
Simply Put
I want to see Simple Minds live. Next to U2, the band I have never seen who I want to see most is Simple Minds. XTC would be a close third. I can't think of another band that truly captured my imagination with their musical soundscapes like Simple Minds did. and still does. Not a lot of people realize that their post 80's material is just as good in its own right as their 80's stuff. That said, here is some 80's Simple Minds, Waterfront.
Category: Music
Hip For the Hell Of It
The sound quality isn't the greatest but its an old clip of Flamenco. When Trouble at The Henhouse came out, I rushed to New World Records which at the time was on the corner of Elmwood and W. Utica in Buffalo. They were having a midnight madness to celebrate the release of Henhouse. Flamenco, easily one of my top three songs off it. This rendition features Kate Fenner and Gord doing quite nicely together in a little duet. It was at HSBC Arena, December 20th 2000. A show I was in the 10th row for.
Category: Music
Beer Me
I haven't consumed much lately, been too busy with school and work. However, I did have two shots the other night when myself and two of my co-workers went out after work last Friday. I won't bore you with the typical beer talk because I drank what I already introduced as my favorite beer as Molson Canadian.
I had two shots of Peach and Crown. A shot of Crown topped off with a bit of Peach Schnapps. The Peach takes the sting out of the Crown. A perfect shot because Im not a big shot guy. Im 99.9% beer. So the next time you are out, try a peach and Crown it really hits the spot!
Category: Beer
Global Warming Conference
There was an article on Yahoo News talking about those who feel that the global warming conference in Bali, Indonesia is increasing emissions that are detrimental to the cause under discussion....No kidding?
How about instead of bitching about having the conference, what would be wrong with actually trying to help find solutions. Last I checked there is no other alternative to traveling long distances than using a plane, which to the best of my knowledge, they all use fossil fuels.
There are 190 countries attending this thing with over 10,000 people in attendance to try to come up with solutions. So yes, there probably is going to be some emissions. I don't think you can avoid it at this point. Our societies are hooked on fossil fuels. The ones bickering about the whole conference are probably the ones doing the least on an individual basis to contribute to the solution.
At this point the only solution is to conserve on the individual level. You are not in a room in your house that has a light on, shut it off. You are not using your computer turn it off instead of leaving it running. If you don't have to drive on the weekend, walk or ride a bike or just stay home. Anything you can do to conserve. Use lower wattage light bulbs or use the new style bulb that actually cuts down on the wattage but produces more light. Yes they are more expensive at first but after switching all our bulbs, we saved $10 a month on our $55 dollar a month electric bill. If you don't need the gas guzzling SUV which I would guess that most of us really don't need it, get something smaller and more fuel efficient.
Until the global politicians and industry leaders come up with true alternatives to fossil fuels we have to do it on a small scale. We have to buy energy saving appliances, install solar panels, insulate our homes better and do everything we can to conserve energy. We have been spoiled and the sooner we get that through our heads, the sooner we will find a solution to global warming. It doesn't start with bickering, it starts by doing your part to contribute to the problem.
Category: Global Warming
Saturday's At Frizb's
I made it to Frizb's yesterday, kinda conserving however on the expenditure but that didn't stop me from picking up a few treasures:
1. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones- More Noise and Other Disturbances- This was defining CD from them and the first one that I heard by them.
2. Led Zeppelin- In Through The Outdoor
3. The Tragically Hip- Live Between Us- I have owned it on two other occasions and actually still have one of the copies, however, It has been played so much, Its scratched beyond the ability to play it.
4. Star Wars- Attack of the Clones- Yep a DVD and why not get the Star Wars one.
Once again, Saturdays is $5 all CD and DVD items...This week came to about $20.
Make sure you stop by and check them out if you are on Elmwood Ave in Kenmore!
Category: Saturdays At Frizb's
Figuring It All Out
Just when you thought they were down and out, the Bills figure out a way to win in the last seconds of the game. How many times has the show been on the other foot this season only to have the Bills lose like that.
The icing the kicker timeout has got to be outlawed. Its horrible for the fans rooting for the team about to kick it and its a desparate, no skill involved attempt to hold on for dear life.
The Bills have a long way to go but they took a huge step reversing the last second trend in games this year, Trent Edwards despite the inability to put it in the endzone is miles above JP Losman. Bills 17-16 winners.
Category: Sports
Sabres 8 Hurricanes 1
7 different goals scorers, 11 different players picked up points, and all but two were at least a +1. Not a bad night if I may say so myself. They skated, they shot and they scored. They scored shorthanded and on the powerplay. Last night was the performance these guys have been looking for all year long.
Guys like Max, Vanek, and Kotalik can get some confidence back after a game like this. Miller was Miller, he didn't have to do much because the team played well in front of him.
One game over .500 again, lets see if they can stay above now.
Category: Sports
Video Games.....
My wife wants Play Station....so that we can play guitar hero. Im luke warm to the idea. I haven't felt the urge to purchase a gaming system because quite frankly I feel that they are evil. Don't get me wrong, I have my vices like going to the casinos and I do have a few games on my computer that I use, but the fact is, I can put them down.
I had an old sega system back in the day and we had Madden and Hockey and it nearly failed us out of school. We had a ball playing it, but sometimes, we played instead of doing other things that needed doing. Some of you will say self control is key, and I agree, but the current systems get you so addicted to it that you can't stop. I see it in kids all over the place and Im a firm believer that the introduction of these fancy gaming systems such as Xbox, Wii, and Playstations have contributed to the growing obesity epidemic amongst our youth.
Instead of outside playing and being active, they sit and stare at a TV which is clinically proven to lower your overall metabolism and thereby you burn fewer calories.
So for those reasons Im not big on it. That and its another thing to spend money on. In a few years there will be a playstation 4 and 5 and 6 and sooner or later we'll have kids who will want the new $500 dollar system with all the $40 and up games. I think its time and money better spent doing other things than playing video games. I suggested actually taking real guitar lessons, that got shot down.
So, Im going to get it because I love my wife, but I swear, Im not going to play it for one minute, because I know that as soon as I do, Ill be addicted, and I don't want to monopolize my time with mind wasting video games.
Category: Miscellaneous
César Izturis
One signing yesterday left me wondering why the Jays didn't take a chance on it. Cesar Izturis signed with the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday for $2.85 million. Hes very sound defensively and he can hit. In 2004 he had 193 hits, a .289 batting average, and 32 doubles. He also has some speed, in 2004 he stole 25 bases. Whats more is, hes still young. He is only going to be 28 years old. The price the Cardinals paid was a bargain for Izturis.
So, why not go out and sign him to be your full time shortstop. I know the Jays are married to the idea of John Mcdonald but, lets be realistic. John Mcdonald is going to be 34, has never had more than 82 hits in a season despite a more full time role last year which saw him get his career high and only hit .251. Add that to the fact that he provides little or no speed on the base paths and I scratch my head as to why they would give him the contract they did when Cesar Izturis was out there.
Combine that with the other guy that to the best of my knowledge is still out there in Scott Posednik who has 50+ stolen base potential and could challenge Reed Johnson for the left field job for a reasonable price and I wonder just how savy JP really is at acquiring talent that can help this team. Neither guy I mentioned is a huge signing, but playing at their best could pay off huge later and provide significant upgrades.
John Mcdonald is a fabulous bench player don't get me wrong, and he played out of his mind last year, but I really think that last year was as good as you are going to get out of him. Id rather have Izturis starting and Mcdonald off the bench than Mcdonald starting and Ray Olmedo who can't hit at all. I won't even mention that Izturis is a former Blue Jay, he spent his rookie year as a Jay, so add the fact that he would have been familiar with playing in Toronto.
Category: Sports
