Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The Low-Fidelity All-Star: he was born with the cool, and it's totally natural.  He runs the gamut from Hipster Supreme (only they can ingest as much coffee as he) to the geeky hipster%
You are the Low-Fidelity All-Star. You were born
with your cool, and it's totally natural. You
run the gamut from Hipster Supreme (only they
can ingest as much coffee as you) to the geeky
hipster (Mario Kart, anyone?).


What Kind of Hipster Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Audio on Blog

Ooooohh. I want to do what Meg did and do a trial run of AudBlog on here. It's a pretty cool concept and you don't have to worry about hosting the bites. Unfortunately, I'd probably spend more time composing what I wanted to say in my 2-minute allotment than would take me to pound out a simple post. Plus, how would I hyperlink? Time will tell if I prostrate myself before the Blogging Tools Demons and joyfully take on another kind of media to enhance my ego.

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

One Word

After having to wake up to distract myself from some ailment, I found this interesting site called One Word (courtesy of Incognita). The premise is that you are given 60 seconds to write whatever comes to mind about one word. Today's word is "Glamour". Here's what I wrote in my early morning haze:
A hair sprayed wonder walking down the street looking terribly out of place in a small town. I see Glamour trying to be all that her name implies but she simply looks overdone and fried. Move her to a different city and she's schmoozing it up with the rest of the folks.

Monday, April 28, 2003

Updates For the Willing


For the story on what we did in Wilmington, North Carolina, visit Matt's blog. The trip was awesome aside from the drive down (and back to a degree). Five hours of the drive down involved me silently cursing whoever decided to send us through Washington DC. Twenty miles in five hours is not very cool and I drove the intense part of that where people were repeatedly switching lanes in order to find the most advantageous place to be. Matt's parents were dumbfounded by how bad traffic could be in the DC area. I was slightly phased and made the comment, "We're never moving to a city larger than Cleveland."

This past weekend we went up to Rochester to hang with my dad for his birthday. My mom had gone to Toronto with two of my aunts and a family friend for some sewing convention. SARS be damned! Friday night we chilled a little with Dad before heading out to meet up with our friends Anne, Sean, Sarah and Julie. I hadn't seen Sarah and Julie since college, so that was pretty cool. Anne and I got a little trashed since we were celebrating her birthday and I was celebrating the fact that I didn't have to drive home for once. I think the highlight of the evening for me was in this hole-in-the-wall bar on Monroe Ave. when Anne turned to me and said, "That mix cd you made for me last month? I love it! I listen to it several times a week and when 'Fire On High' by ELO came on, I cried! You have no idea how long I've been looking for that song!! Years!!" Yeah. We were sauced. Good times.

Saturday Matt, my dad, and I went down the wineries on the west side of Seneca Lake. We bought almost a whole case of wine between the four wineries we visited. I find I'm leaning towards drier wines, but I still prefer reds. However, I surprised myself by falling for this Chardonney (aged in oak no less!) from Lakewood Wineries. It was very buttery and I could just imagine sipping it while throwing down some steamed clams. God knows when I'd get to do that though with Matt being allergic to all forms of seafood. Ah well. We had a late dinner at The Reunion and that was good. Service was a little slow and since we were there later, the bar crowd was getting a little rowdy, but it was all good. We topped off the evening by watching Shrek since my dad had never seen it and my mom had borrowed it from our friend's son.

Sunday was kind of funny. Matt and I went to church with my dad. I mostly wanted to go so Matt could see the church I grew up in and what the services were like there. I'm still very agnostic, if that but I think most people hold places from their childhood with some warm fondness. It was kind of bizarre to see some of the same families there and how their kids have grown up. I ran into my religion teacher from 2nd grade, whose daughter I was friends with. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the living room in front of the tv, even though I suggested going for a walk. I think we were just beat after going everywhere on Saturday. We all pitched in on dinner (hamburgers, baked beans, and salad) and then we took off. A really great weekend and it was fun to spend time with my dad. I think he feels like he's missed out on "us" time with my mom being so hyper about my wedding. So he got one weekend where I didn't have to discuss all sorts of wedding stuff.

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Play the Downtown Rochester Game


The Democrat & Chronicle have come up with a game that lets you develop a plan for downtown Rochester. After you figure out what projects you'd like to see happen in the city you submit it to the newspaper. The D&C apparently will publish the results of what people would like to see happen in the city on items ranging from infrastructure improvements, entertainment, and economic development initiatives. An interesting exercise.

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Picasso at Lapin Agile - The Movie

I nearly fell over when I saw that they're making a movie out of Picasso at Lapin Agile. What a fantastic play by Steve Martin! I was disappointed to see that Ryan Phillipe is in it, but maybe he'll pleasantly surprise me. Of course the casting of Juliette Binoche is all good.

A Time Travel Through Four Seasons


Matt and I had a most excellent time visiting his brother's family in North Carolina this weekend. It was like time traveling back and forth through the seasons as it is snowing today but just yesterday it seemed like it was July since the trees are in full foliage in N.C. There's so much to write about but I wanted to just pop in an put in a quick entry to say I'm alive and all.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Sketch Comedy at its Roots


My friend Aaron used to do a sketch comedy show called Abandoned Warehouse Theatre while at Syracuse University. The show is no more but the website still exists. I visted the Concepts page for giggles. There was a lot of giggling going on. Go look at it too if you want to laugh.

Nature and Its Cruel Tricks


I took advantage of our 81-degree weather yesterday and took a fast-paced walk around the neighborhood, listening to the first Soul Coughing album on my cd player. I had the sound just at the right level where you can still hear birds twittering and the wind blowing leaves down the street. Mix that in with "Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago" and you have a pretty cool rhythm established. It was pure goodness. I'm sure my legs and butt appreciated the workout as well.

Today is another story in Western NY weather. It's still nice outside with it being 66-degrees and sunny. I braved the cooler winds and went without a jacket when I walked to the bank. It's supposed to drop into the 30s tonight. There may even be some freezing rain tomorrow. My sinuses are in a state of flux and can't seem to decide whether to clog up for the long haul or drain. Oye. It doesn't make for sleeping well at night.

A last thought on the latest weather. When the air turned warmer in Rochester and nice breezes would sweep through the neighborhood, it smelled fresh. Being so close to Lake Ontario, fresh is a debatable term but it still seemed lighter and springy. Here in Chautauqua County, when warm breezes wash over the hills it smells faintly like manure. I miss my lake breezes.

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

What is Your Version of "Perfect"?


Reading through some of my daily blogs, I came across one woman's definition of what perfect is:
Tall, thin, fits the definition of 5'0"=100 pounds, each inch over is 5 more pounds... so a woman of 5'9" should weigh no more than 145 pounds and less preferrably. She should have long hair, of an eye catching color -- basically anything except mousy brown. Perfect skin, poreless, with great arched eyebrows and full lips. Her teeth should be straight and white with no spaces. She shouldn't wear too much makeup. She should be athletic, muscular, but not cut like a man. She should be soft and feminine, yet strong -- like one of Charlie's Angels or Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider -- curvy and womanly, yet very strong and can hold her own. She should be confident, intelligent, calm, positive, caring, compassionate, able to fill the needs of everybody at all times. She should do her best to make others happy. If she has a party, she should make sure that everyone is having a good time and adjust things if people are not enjoying themselves. She should be instantly good at everything she tries. She should have a great sense of humor, be able to take a joke. On the job she should be the right hand man. The person who takes care of everything when no one else can. The person people go to for help, reliable, confident, able to hold her own in a "man's world". She should totally love and enjoy her work. She should have nice feet and nice hands. Her clothes should be fashionable, yet not too trendy. She should have high self esteem and tons of friends. People should want to flock around her and she should get attention wherever she goes. She should be this shining light that everyone flocks to and likes and wants to be friends with. She should photograph well, be the envy of other women, be incredibly lucky and not have to work hard for happiness. Her house should always be clean and neat and ready for company. She should be a good cook, have children someday, with the big white wedding with all the trimmings. She should know how to make a proper bed, how to set a proper table, and have the answer to every problem or situation that may arise.

She stated later that she needs to rework that into something better. I agree. The horrible thing is that reading through that I found myself nodding a little and agreeing with most points. Near the end, a small voice in the back of my brain called out "Hey, but don't you think *blank* is cooler? Do you really want *blank* or *blank*?". I think I want "perfect" but I am happy with a lot of things about me. I guess I always thought if I was "perfect" that I would be living up to my parent's expectations. I put a lot of stock into what they hoped for me while I was growing up. To an extent, I suppose I was trying to be what they wanted and not what was best for me. It took a lot of "rebelling" and very tense moments from the end of high school through now even to really strike out and do my own thing. To try to be the person I want to be. It's a tough thing to do. I just hope I can continue to find the strength I need to continue where I want to go.

Coffee Drinker's Prayer


Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal (tm):
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The Starbucks (tm) [replace with Java's]:
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the House of Mocha's forever.

Monday, April 14, 2003

Cogs In Motion

This commercial by Honda (courtesy of Meg) is very cool. I used to love to watch these kinds of machines at Greece Town Mall in Rochester. I'm not sure if it was in Long Ridge or the mall next door (they connected the malls in the 1990s), but it used to fascinate me.

You can also view the commercial here. It doesn't take as long to load.

Sunday, April 13, 2003

It's Good To Take Risks


I'm feeling much better this early Sunday evening. I took some risks this weekend in terms of letting my opinions be known on a few subjects and I wasn't rejected. There's something to be said about being straightforward and stopping the dance. It's a good day.

Saturday, April 12, 2003











I amHastur!


The Unspeakable One is the master of those who seek to unveil the mysteries of death. It is through meditation upon the Yellow Sign that the devotee of Hastur seeks transcendence to the city-realm of dim Carcosa. Through a complex series of visualizations that expand the aspirants void-consciousness, the final age will arise. Ruled by the ominous King in Yellow, a new stage of reality will come to fruition. Of the Olde Ones, Hastur is considered to be one of the most difficult to work with, his teachings being reserved exclusively for the Cthonian Adepts and Lords.


Which Great Old One are you?

Thursday, April 10, 2003

A Summary of HP & The Order of the Pheonix


Bless their souls over at The Leaky Cauldron. They provided links, but did not spoil on the main page, to the summary of Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix. The summary is in Scholastic's catalog for Summer/Fall 2003. Do not click on this next link if you don't want to find out any details before the book is released on June 21st. Summary.

Wednesday, April 09, 2003

Tuesday, April 08, 2003

Aimee Mann - That's Just What You Are

(one two)

In our endeavor we are never seeing eye to eye
No guts to sever so forever may we wave goodbye
And you're always telling me that it's my turn to move
When I wonder what could make the needle jump the groove
I won't fall for the oldest trick in the book
So don't sit there and think you're off of the hook
By saying there is no use changing 'cause

That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Acting steady always ready to defend your fears
What's the matter with the truth, did I offend your ears
By suggesting that a change might be a thing to try
Like it would kill you just to try and be a nicer guy
It's not like you would lose some critical piece
If somehow you moved point A to point B
Maintaining there is no point changing 'cause

That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Now I could talk to you till I'm blue in the face
But we still would arrive at the very same place
With you running around and me out of the race

So maybe you're right, nobody can take
Something older than time and hope you could make
It better, that would be a mistake
So take it just so far

'Cause that's just what you are
That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Acting steady always ready to defend your fears
What's the matter with the truth, did I offend your ears
You're like a sleepwalking man, it's a danger to wake you
Even when it is apparent where your actions will take you

That's just what you are
And that's just what you are
That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Monday, April 07, 2003

And They Remain Without Power...


My parents still don't have power, much to my dad's aggravation. They even drove up to Buffalo yesterday to get two generators so that food doesn't go bad in their freezers. Gee, had I known I could have hooked up with them. Ah well. My dad is fuming that their street isn't listed on RG&E's storm site for work crews today. In fact, there's talk from the crews that it might not be until Thursday.

Sunday, April 06, 2003

Kickin' It Old School

Matt and I had a blast today doing a shift as part of WBNY's 20th Anniversary Alumni Weekend. We taped the show, so if you want copies email me. I think it went better than I thought just because Matt and I were able to bounce off each other a lot. We chatted quite a bit, but you know what.. we could, so we did. There were some funny technical difficulties at points like carts not playing when you pushed play, so there was this weird dead air in between songs. I also discovered that I forgot how to take readings for the engineering logs. It has been 4 years though.

Last night we hung out with Matt's friend, Kevin, and had dinner at D'Arcy McGee's and then headed over to Mr. Goodbar for a beer. It was an early night due to daylight savings time and the fact that we had to leave the hotel by 6 AM (!!!). Matt did convince me that we should go to the last Sabres game of the season. Final score 2-2 against the New Jersey Devils. Good game though. Lots of tense moments where the Sabres almost scored... but didn't. I was pretty excited to see Rory Fitzpatrick play. He had an opportunity to score at one point but his teammates just couldn't get the puck to him. I think Matt and I agree that the general mantra of Sabres fans is "Shoot the effing puck!!!". So we're a bit tuckered out, but it was a fun weekend.

Tomorrow: Def Leppard in Erie, PA. Will we conquer the impending snow storm?

Addendum: Listened the the first tape of the show. The tape recorder recorded fast.. so now we have to figure out a way to slow down the tape so I don't sound so damn chirpy.

Friday, April 04, 2003

"Irondequoit is the Baghdad of Monroe County." - RG&E Spokesman

I miss out on all the "fun". The Greater Rochester area was blasted by an ice storm last night. The storm is supposed to continue through Saturday. Irondequoit, where I grew up and where my parents still live, was especially hard hit. I spent a couple minutes freaking out while I tried to reach them earlier this afternoon. I finally got through to a neighbor who confirmed they were ok but they had no power. I assumed as much, but since we had come through the 1991 Ice Storm so well I was surprised that no one answered the phone at our house.

Jessica, Jenny, and Matt have some pictures on their blogs of the storm's aftermath. And if the D&C also had a link to pictures as well. Sure, this doesn't compare to the 1991 storm in terms of how many lost power (50,000 this time compared with 200,000 the last time), but I think my hometown was hit a lot harder than before. I just everyone the best out there who doesn't have power and for anyone traveling, be careful! Me? I'm off to Buffalo tomorrow to do an alumni thing at Buffalo State. Tune into 91.3 FM WBNY Sunday morning (7-10am) if you want to catch my show.

Thursday, April 03, 2003

My Local Connection to EMpTy-V Schlock


I was watching our local cable news broadcast last night and a story on "Kick Butts" Day caught my eye. Malik from Real World: NYC (X) was visiting along with a girl who is on the current Sorority Life on MTV. It was an ok story until I realized I knew the Sorority Pledge. I think my exact exclamation was, "Oh my god! It's the Greek dancer girl!". I was a little surprised to see that Nicole was part of the show. For the past four years I've watched her dance at the annual Yassou! Greek festival and in various Jamestown High School musical productions. I must be getting old because I think I said something to the effect, "What's a nice girl like her doing pledging for a sorority like that?". Ah well. My other local connection to the show would be Janine, my mom's best friend's daughter, who is a student at UB. She says it's kind of funny to watch the show and see people you have classes with on tv. The show is utter crap, but it draws you in.

Tuesday, April 01, 2003

Two Little Bits Before Bed


A. Saw The Hours tonight. It's a very good adaptation of the book. It's an amazing movie besides that.

B. If you thought the previous post had any truth to it.. you didn't read the comments.

What's Really Been Going On..


Ok.. now that I've had a moment to write again. Here's what I've really been up to the past couple of weeks. Matt's boss got fed up and decided not to run again for his seat, so now we're not totally sure what we're going to do (for Matt's job) after Dec. 31st. He's considering getting back into broadcasting, but that probably means moving for him. On the otherhand, he may also start ramping up his work on this computer game he's been doing for awhile. It's some sort of MUD. There's a big possibility that we're both going to start looking for jobs in either the Buffalo or Rochester area, so that we both could move if we both found something. I don't know. It's a really tight market out there now. We'll see I guess *sighs*

We also figured at this point we may as well just get married now to save on expenses since god knows when we'll have a steady dual income after the end of the year. So instead of the big formal thing, we're just going to have a small party (probably here in J-town) and probably have Matt's boss do the ceremony (so it would have to happen here since he doesn't have jurisdiction outside the city). It's what we originally thought about doing anyway. Of course, now there's the stress of figuring out who to invite and when to actually have it since we're both pretty busy. And despite the fact that his boss isn't running again, we still have a lot of election crap going on in the Fall.. so that's out as an option.

Well.. that's the short of it. I need to get to work.

Cutting to the Scene with the Pixie

Ten years ago, I decided to do one of the most drastic things I had ever done to my hair. I went from a long style (below collarbone) to a p...