Sommz

By the time i get to Arizona

Well today is MLK day...no work for me, and no classes.  Whenever i think of MLK, i think of the Public Enemy video for "By the time i get to Arizona".  I'd post it on the blog, but you can search for it yourself.

I've reinstated my Twitter and Facebook sites.  I don't know why, i just did.

Loved last night's 24.  I can't wait for tonight.  I also watched last week's Biggest Loser, which motivated me to get on the treadmill and do 70 minutes, speed 3, incline 2.  I started watching Chuck, but fell asleep...and i still have 4 movies to watch from Netflix.  I didn't watch any of them this weekend.

My back is out again.  I wonder if the chiro and the massage had something to do with it...or perhaps the amount of time i spent sleeping or watching tv this weekend.  I'm sure it was a combination of the two.

Had a couple Lagunitas over the weekend.  The Pils is amazing, one of my favorites, and the 2009 was a double IPA which I'm not a fan of.  At least it was only 6.8%, and not a 10+.

Another coaching retread headed to the Jills to coach.  Chan Gailey.  Yawn.  I"m sure he'll be fine, and have the boys ready for another 7-9 season next year.  I'm so close to becoming a Browns fan right now.  I hate what the Bills are doing.  Not that the Clowns are much better with Mangina, but at least they have Holmgren, and he should steer the ship in the right direction.

Sabres in Phoenix tonight...sort of fitting given the title of this post.

Shepherd's Pie yesterday was amazing.  I've never had it before, and it was so fun and easy to make, to go along with tasty.  I'll definitely make it again, and share with others.  I made mine with some minor additions and deletions from the original recipe. I  used Morningstar crumbles instead of ground beef...peas instead of zucchini, and i actually used my mixer and grater for the first time in years.  In addition, i didn't make the mushroom-onion gravy because i didn't have any red wine.  Next time!  There will be booze in the gravy :)

Sleeping a lot lately...it's time to wake up.  It's my birthday in two weeks.  Next to get off the shelf...been there for too long.

the rat in your brain...rules the world

Saw Matthew Good at Club Infinity last night on his solo acoustic tour.  It was pretty good.  I like the new album...and he played one of my top 20 songs of all time yet again, "Apparitions".  Not a huge fan of solo acoustic shows.  Springsteen has done the only one i really like (HSBC 2005)....and that was amazing.  However, i really like Mr. Good...he's funny, has an amazing voice...and is one of my favorite writers.  The show had an acoustic Pink Floyd vibe.

Hey, no homework to do this weekend, and it's gonna be a sunny warmish day.  What to do, what to do...i should probably spend a few hours studying for my GRE's.

Went to the Pizza Plant before the show.  The one on Transit.  I won't bitch about the traffic cuz it was so late at night and there wasn't as much.  Had the Veggie Chili, which hands down is the world's BEST veggie chill.  Go try it, i dare you to disagree!  I had the Ommegang Stout, which was eh....okay.  Edmund Fitz. is still the best.  They were out of the Wavy Gravy and Victory Pilsner...so i got a Dead Guy Ale....Mmmmmm one of my fave beers.  For lunch today I'm going to eat one of their "Violent Vegetarian" Pods...i gave it a quick taste when i got home last night....it's not very good!  Vegetarians would become violent if they had to eat that all the time!

Picked up my cap and gown at the UB bookstore.  First time I've stepped inside that place in 10 years!  I hope the damn thing fits, ha.

"I'm just a boy with a new haircut"...got my haircut.  It's been a couple months.  The person who called Supercuts for me called the wrong store!  I was not happy!  I had some kind of single curl thing going on in the front when she was done cutting it.  And as luck has it...i went to Walgreen's and got my passport picture taken, that shows said "curl".  Once i scan it, i'll post it.

Which brings up my Passport story.  Grrrr....i went to the Post Office on Cayuga...and my gawd....there was a huge line!  I finally got the front, and the wench behind the counter without batting an eye told me my birth certificate wasn't valid.  I apparently have a "vanity" birth certificate.  Grrr...  So I'm sending my mother to City Hall to pick one up for me.  This passport thing has become quite the ordeal.  I better get out of the country and see some cool stuff with it :)

Opening Day tomorrow!!!  Tribe vs. White Sox at 3:30'ish.  I have the Gameday Audio on the internets, and on XM.  But i bet the game will be blacked out on TV again.  Boo!

No movies to report on today.  I will watch some experimental cinema flicks from the 1920's and 1930's, and Beowulf.

TV this week was pretty weak.  Pierce won Celebrity Apprentice.  Survivor wasn't on and Lost was a repeat.  The Office does start up this Thursday!  I think 30 Rock starts soon to.  And I'm going to start watching Battlestar Galactica on DVR.  It's on Friday's at 10pm.

School is done in 5 weeks.  May 5, Cinco De Mayo at 5pm...all classwork will be turned in, and a first draft of my masters project will be handed in as well.  If possible I'm playing the lottery that day, ha.

Song of the Day:  "Oh Be Joyful" - Matthew Good

"Oh, Be Joyful...'Cuz That Shit Spreads".  Feel free to post your favorite Matthew Good lyrics in the Comments.

Spring Break

I write those words as i look outside my window and see 20" of snow staring back at me.  I wish i had gone South and seen the family in Florida for a week.  But i have other obligations like a regular job, a thesis to finish, GRE's to study for, a townhouse that needs cleaning, and oh yes...homework to do.

Hey, it's Daylight Savings Time!  I'm not a big fan of losing an hour today, but in a few days i'll enjoy the fact it's still light at 7pm.  Oh wait, now i have to get used to waking up and driving to work in the dark at 7am again.  Eh, i'll take the extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day!

Let's see, what's been going on in the last month since i've posted.  Well work and school are the big chunks of my time.  I have decided on finishing up what i've started, and getting the PhD.  That's why i'm studying for the GRE's.  With the two Masters, i've always had the GRE's waived, but i can't do it for the PhD...boo.  I talked to a few students, professionals, and professors...it's a go.  I bought a new Dell  XPS laptop just for the PhD.  I pimped it out, and got an amazing deal.  I had to to justify spending that much money!

I just saw Springsteen in Rochester.  Amazing show.  I had tickets to the Buffalo show the next day, and i was just exhausted and didn't go.  I crashed at 8:30pm on Friday...so my body was telling me to rest!  I have tickets to Tom Petty and the Police, and i think Matt Good, so concert opportunities are still there.  I really wanted to see Robert Plant and Alison Krause in the Finger Lakes, but nobody else wanted to go, and i'm not dropping money on tickets for phantom people anymore.

Oh yeah, i bought a washer and dryer.  My first ones!  Every apartment i've had since i left home never had washer and dryer hookups.  This one sort of does, so dammit i got them.  I bought a used dryer, and got a great deal.  It's currently sitting in the garage not hooked up as i need gas fittings, and vent hose, and about 2 hours to hook it up.  Maybe i'll goto Home Depot this afternoon to pick those things up.  My washer rocks.  It's the number one rated front loading washer in consumer reports.  I bought it at Sears, and got a great deal, then got Garry to pick it up and deliver it to my place for some Sabres bucks, and Great Lakes beers! 

One thing i learned about the washer, it requires a special type of detergent.  Tide PE is the recommended one...and since i buy Tide normally, this was what i need.  Of course last week i bought a 100oz thing of regular Tide, so i'll have to give that away to someone.  Then...i had to know that PE would be more expensive...and it was.  $16 bucks for whatever the large size was...ug.  Next time i'll goto Sam's Club or buy it online to save a few bucks.

As i was driving around the snowy streets this morning, i heard John Fogerty's "Centerfield" on Jack.  What a great song to play while driving in the snow.  My head was thinking about warm weather and baseball, and my car was sliding towards a snowbank.  I'll probably watch some of the NASCAR race this afternoon just to remind myself what warm weather and green grass looks like.

Haven't had any new beers lately, well i did have a Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale a few weeks ago.  Speaking of Great Lakes, if you're a tree hugger like myself, and in the Cleveland area.  Check out the Film The Planet at the Cleveland Film Festival.  I wish i was there to see it!

And speaking of Cleveland, i got tickets to the Stankees series in April, the Rangers in May, and the Angels in August.  I can't wait to go back!  Go Tribe! 

As for the other sports teams in my life...the Sabres aggrevate me.  I hope they lose the rest of the games, and get a better draft pick.  Too bad Campbell had to go, but eh, i understand the business side of it.  The Bills for the first time in a long time, made some good pickups.  I like the LB from the Giants, and Stroud on the Defensive Line.  The only thing about the Bills...i keep seeing them jumping ship to Toronto, and THEN they will win the Super Bowl.  I might just jump ship and become a Browns fan.  Sacriligious yes...but we'll see how long the Bills stay here.

More ramblings...where are the plows in North Buffalo?  The streets barely look touched.  I went to Kenmore to my bank, and the post office, and i could actually see the pavement.

Hmmmm...i've seen a bunch of movies, but nothing really special to mention.  Ditto for music, nothing out there is catching my attention.  I still listen to the Starbucks channel on XM at work.

I finally hooked up, and cleaned up the wires on my home theater.  I now have a blu-ray player and hd dvd player.  The HD DVD player is also my upconverting DVD player.  It's a pretty good one.  Better than my PS3 blu-ray.  As for the blu-ray, i just watched Terminator 2...and that was the first movie i noticed a better picture.

As for video games....i just need more hours in my day to play these things!  I picked up on sale NBA 08 on PS3...my first game, i got schooled by like 70 points.  I also picked up a Baseball game cheap, and lost to the Royals by 12 runs.  And don't get me started on Hockey...i can't score.  I need to find some 12 year old to give me pointers!

As for restaurants...i haven't been out much.  Went to a Thai place in North Buffalo based on a recommendation, and the food was good, but the room and decor was really bad.  I'll go there for take out, ha.  I also went to i think it was called Bravo at the Galleria.  Eh, i'm not a fan of chain Italian.  It was okay...but so are 100's of other chain restaurants.  Head to Hertel for better Italian!

I read Valerie Bertonelli's new book.  Eh, the beginning was really good, the middle dragged and the ending sucked.  I don't want to read about Wolfie and Jennie Craig!  ha.

As for TV shows...i'm sad to see the Sarah Conner Chronicles end...it was really good.  I'm still watching Survivor.  Well when the DVR actually records it.  It seems to be recording that pop up version of Lost instead.

Weekend Update

Saturday morning...i've stopped making my own coffee since there is a Dunkin' Donuts just up the street.  Mmmm...Dunkin' makes the best coffee of all the "franchise" coffee places i've been.  However, i still like the smaller stores that roast their own coffee best.

Going to pick Granny up at the airport, and drive her to Jamestown in an hour...

I need to pick up Tragically Hip tickets for the show in Rochester on Friday November 2.  Since tickets go on sale the same time Granny's plane lands, i'll have to use my Treo, and pay a forture in data transfer, or use the airport's WiFi, if i can access it from the short term parking lot!  Should be interesting.

I'm not sure what i'm going to do this weekend.  I am thinking about picking out a washer and dryer.  It's also the start of football season!  I'll be parked in front of my TV starting at 11am on Sunday.  My Bills prediction, 5-11.

I like the twitter stuff over on the upper right.  Instead of posting, i can send a short blurb to this page.  I can also txt msg blurbs into the page. 

I'll be giving a lecture October 30 at UB on all this new online technology.

Oh yeah, i got $6 lawn tickets through LiveNation for the Heaven & Hell tour at Darien Lake.  It's Dio and Black Sabbath, with Alice Cooper and Queensryche.  For $6 bucks, i'll go.

Springsteen tixs are on sale next Saturday for Cleveland.

I think this will be the weekend the weather breaks...enjoy the humidity.

Colts Win

1.8

I was rooting for the Bears, as they play a style of football i like, but i'm happy Peyton and Marvin got a SB ring.  Congrats.

It was my birthday on Thursday!  I didn't do much...just worked on homework, ha.

For presents i got a new Ipod Shuffle, and Garry got me a bottle of Blanton's Bourbon.  I'm in the mood for a few Great Lakes brews...this is the season for Porters...but with all the school work going on, i can't do it!  I can't wait to take spring break off, and do....nothing!

Watched Idiocracy, the new Mike Judge flick...eh....i liked it.  I'm not sure a lot of people would though, haha.

My gawd it's cold out.  My computer says it's +1 right now.  And it's super windy out there...i am actually going to keep my furnace on this evening...I also got a humidifier for my bday...i'm going to sleep with that on tonight...hopefully that makes a difference as i'm still dealing with sinus headaches from hell!

I'm really enjoying Spooky in the City, it's a Podcast about a guy living in nyc who is finally living on his own after being with a chick for 10 years.  I like it.  I still like 144oz, and keith and the girl!

I got the student version of Erdas Imagine...i can't wait to start using it!

More latah...

Back in the Saddle (again)

1.25 miles

Hello!

Hope everyone had a great new year.  I know i've been slacking with my posts.  I know i have to get to my Podcast, i will...School has started up, and it's going to be an exhausting run till May 1.

Got tickets to both Tragically Hip shows!  Woooo!

I will probably get one ticket to Billy Joel, when he comes April 10...tickets aren't on sale yet.

I saw An Inconvenient Truth, The Devil Wears Prada and Beerfest this weekend.  I just don't have time to comment on all 3, ha.  I'll give them 3.5, 2.5, and 3 stars (out of 5) respectively.  Beerfest goes to 4 stars if you've had at least 8 beers.

Started watching 24...wow, i LOVE that show.  I also watched the beginnings of the Apprentice and American Idol.  I can only take so much of both.

Gave a presentation to a group of about 40 on Friday.

More latah...

Random Notes...

Well school is over for this semester.  What an interesting experience to go back.  The pressure of deadlines, midterms, finals, papers, presentations.  It was so much fun, I'm gonna do it again next semester, and take on an extra class.

Let's see, I'm going to be making a Podcast of this blog.  I have all the equipment, and even did a quick run through of the first show.  There's some issues to iron out, but I'll deal with them later.  So today, there will be a podcast somewhere within this blog, ha.

Which reminds me, i need a name for the blog, and the podcast.  I can't think of one.

Watched Ice Age 2 last night.  Just as cute as the first one.  I also watched How to Eat Fried Worms.  and tonight/today I'll watch World Trade Center.

I'm listening to the Beatles Love CD as i type...it's quite interesting.  Bought the Robert Plant Nine Lives box set.  Very very good.

Had my first beers in 7 weeks on Friday.  I had such a bad headache, i had to go home and sleep, ha.

Scooby got an oil change yesterday.  He'll get his catalytic converter replaced in a few weeks.  He also needs a tire rotation.

I saw Jeff Martin, and Sam Roberts at the Town Ballroom.  Both were interesting and unique shows.  Both are great, and i hope you got a chance to see them.  But judging by the crowd at Jeff Martin, i doubt many of you were there.

Matt Mays didn't play Buffalo on Friday, but did a stint on the Conan show.  That's too bad, i wanted to see him.

The Sabres are still playing awesome, even though they lost last night to Ottawa (1-3 vs. them this year).  The Bills are respectable, yet nobody cares, ha.

Survivor finale tonight.  My money is on Yul, but i have Becky in the office Survivor pool, so i'm rooting for her.

I'm sure there's more to babble about, but i'll save it for the Podcast, and for future posts.

Happy Holidays!

Slacker Deluxe

I have been such a slacker not updating this thing.

Let's see...school is kicking my butt.  I worked OT during the storm.  I keep getting sinus colds.  The last one, and it's still with me, hurts!

Those homeopathic drops to put in your ear don't work.  Eating spicy foods when you have pressure in your ear, just makes it worse.

I saw the Tragically Hip in Toronto last week.  The new album is awesome.  I also really like the new Sloan.

Robert Plant is coming out with a box set...i preordered it on Amazon.

It is the weirdest combination, but i'm on an Iron Maiden and Bob Dylan kick lately, haha.

I'm thinking of buying something that attaches to my Yahoo Music.  It's the subscription service.  It's got flaws, but i'm paying for it, might as well take advantage.

Shooter is playing Jamestown next week, i'm there.

Alice in Chains is in Niagara Falls today...if my ears feel better, i'm there.

I'm not going to the Goo's in Niagara Falls.  Tickets are $100, and it just ain't worth it.

I am going to Jeff Martin and Sam Roberts at the Town Ballroom. 

The Bills suck.  The Sabres rock.

The Check Engine light keeps coming on.  And of course, i paid my car off totally yesterday.

I need to sell my Sabres tickets to the Leaf's game.  Don't bother asking, i'm going to ebay and selling them to the highest bidder.

I need a new name for the blog.

I'm debating whether to buy a plasma TV or not.

I've watched a bunch of movies, but you don't really care to hear what i have to say about them, ha.

Had a bunch of different beers as well.

I wonder if diet pops drank late at night will raise your blood sugar.

The Pasta Santanesca at Santesario's rocks!

I need more garlic in my food!

I"m sure there's more.  I'm so ready to move south this time of year!  I want it warm again!