Whoa...

THAT flew by.

Buffalo Soldiers

Here's a few tips and suggestions for those of you making your first trip to Buffalo next week.

Getting around the city is fairly easy. The only time you should encounter any traffic issues is due to road construction. Or when the "Hot and Fresh" light at Krispy Kreme comes on.

If you want to actually blend in with the locals, you should have started growing your moustache by now.

The seasons can be easily separated into "hockey season", "football season" and "football pre-season". However, there was no hockey season this year, so the locals may still seem a bit disoriented and restless.

Resist the temptation to laugh and point at house prices in the region. This urge will be strong, but you don't want to offend the locals.

Milk is also relatively cheap in Western New York. Be sure to stock up while you're out there.

Most of the locals speak English. You won't need to change your money to the local currency, but beer can be used instead of cash for goods and services with most merchants.

You will not need a passport or birth certificate unless you plan to cross the border into the mysterious "Canada". But you will need to pay a toll to go just about anywhere.

Finally, to make up for the lower cost of living, there's a tax on pretty much everything.

Have a safe trip and thanks for coming!

Bumper sticker round-up.

I'm always fascinated by what people put on their cars. Here's a few I spotted last week.


"I'm pro-lifejacket and I boat"

I like this one. I've always been big fan of comical takes on serious issues. This made me laugh.


"Republicans for Voldemort"

I really like this one, but I'm not exactly sure what they're trying to say. Are they a republican and they're in on the joke that republicans are evil? Or are they a democrat being cheeky? Or is someone named "Voldemort" actually running for office in their district?

Visualization.

I'm trying to lose a little weight before the wedding. One of the recommended techniques for weight loss (or trying to achieve any goal, for that matter) is visualization: try picturing what you'll look like at your goal weight.

It suddenly occurred to me the other day that, even when I'm much thinner, my torso will still be pretty pale. I know it sounds obvious, but I honestly never realized that until just the other day. I just assumed I'd somehow be tanner in my earlier mental pictures of myself.

Or as my buddy Lisa used to say: "Brown fat looks better than white fat."

The Acura is having some MAJOR work done.

I brought it in to get the transmission checked out. I haven't had any problems, but I've gotten three recall notices in the mail about getting the transmission (possible lock up at high speeds... THAT would suck...(Granted, there's been "only one confirmed instance of a transmission failure related to this defect", but still...)).

But this is big. I've got a whole bunch of other maintenance going on while it's in the shop (but they couldn't fix that damn dent in the hood...)

I really shouldn't complain. I haven't had to put much money into it. I've only had to pay for regular maintenance and a new set of tires done over the last 5 years (Well, that and car payments).

I don't have to pay for the transmission. It's covered under the recall. But there's still a good chunk of change going into it. And it's not like I had anything else expensive going on this month.

Another $55 to replace the air filter? No thanks. I can do that myself for $6.

I'm definitely keeping it until 200,000 miles now.

Pod People

I got an iPod as a gift recently. (Pretty kick-ass, huh?)

Now that I've had it for a week, I get the appeal. It's not about the technology... or the music... or even the fashion statement.

The iPod is for people with control issues. There are so many different ways it lets you hear exactly what you want to hear. It lets you feel like there is some kind of order to the universe. And that you have a say in it. You can spend hours organizing your music and actually feel like you're "getting something done."

All those people you see walking around with the white earbuds? They've got mental health issues.

I see the beauty...

less time for writing.
the blog has been neglected.
wedding is coming...

Pat's song of the week:

Palomar - "Albacore"

Project: Coffee Acquisition

Purpose: To obtain a delicious cup of coffee. Coffee may be hot or iced.

Budget: $2.

Due Date: May 5, 2005

Sponsor: Patrick Canole

How the deliverable was met: Dunkin' Donuts hazelnut iced coffee. Customer was satisfied. Project came in under budget.

Dear Yankees,

So sorry about your current troubles. I was really hoping you guys would get it together this year.

Sincerely,

Nobody.