|
|
|
|
Monday, September 10th It's the first day of Fall! Well, maybe not Autumn, officially, but while walking the dog, I noticed a lot of leaves on the ground. Now if only we could not need the air conditioning any more this year. Whew! Tuesday, September 11th Like the rest of us, I was amazed and disturbed by the news reports of the quadruple hijacking kamikazes on the East Coast. However, the most disturbing thing happened at the gym. On one of the TVs, there was a continuous list of college closings and cancelled school districts' PM activities. Are the bad guys out to get Public School #11 or Daemen College? Was this symbolic, or just stupid cowardice? I don't care if it's your little girl at school. You've got to be a lower species to not use your brain and keep your head. But alas, humanity is not often more than a lower species these days, so let's all declare the terrorists the winner and crawl under our beds, shall we? If we had a real war, I'd hate to see how pathetic the home front campaign would go. Friday, September 14th Yesterday we brought all the flags out -- for our windows, cars, etc.. One of my best friends heard that his cousins went to a military recruitment office. Maybe it's the being caught up in all the emotion, and the
never-ending list of personal stories on TV related tot he tragedy, but I actually
not afraid of the federal government infringing on our rights. It seems the administration and Congress have refused to give into fear. There is no invocation of martial law ANYWHERE. Laws have not been proposed (to my knowledge) that would limit our rights in the name of "protecting" the country. Maybe we have changed as a people, rising just above the mass-hysteria, ignorant-sheep
mentality, at least in the majority of citizens. Maybe it was always like this, and my perspective was skewed by ultra-liberal press and education when I was younger. Tuesday, September 19th I was on the radio today. I couldn't help it. Someone called in WBEN talk radio and asked if the "only real
Americans" (Native Americans) ever fought for our country. It seemed more accusatory than inquisitive. I stumbled out of bed to get my cordless headset, and wandered about on hold, naked
(thank goodness it wasn't talk TELEVISION!), and finally got on the air with "Tom" the show-host. Thursday, September 20th The President gave his big address today. Even though I was hoping for a more specific conclusion, such as a request to Congress for a declaration of war, I am amazed at the balance between intimidating resolve and controlled reaction. I no longer felt the word "vengeance" on his lips when he spoke of justice. Maybe we will not stoop to fight evil
after all, and America has come of age. Tuesday, 25 September At my daughter's open house this evening, we were informed that a new and graded requirement for all students is 20 service hours toward the parish. Slave labor in the name of religious education. How cute. There were many speaking points that evening people had to be reminded to applaud. Free snacks almost made it worthwhile. I do enjoy talking to her teachers, though, and I ran into Pete Clancy, the father of some of Christina's friends. Saturday, 29 September Yesterday and today was Homecoming, where I went for my theoretical 10 year reunion at D'Youville. I was the only one there from the class of '91. At least I got to tour the new academic building (with it's automatic, motion-sensing lighting system) and sing the Alma Mater at the end of mass in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Sunday, 30 September I saw Shrek at the Regal Cinemas by Eastern Hills Mall, with Christina, her best friend
Lizzy, John (a friend of theirs from Camp Turner), his father, and his football teammate. Loved it, probably more than they did. I can't wait to see it with MerMer. Saturday, October 6 I had my first Tai Chi (Chi Kung) class at the Pathways to Wellness center in North Collins, but hardly anyone showed. We're expecting more next week. I'm glad I left ESPECIALLY early, as I mysteriously got off Route 62 and had to read the sun and a general map to find my way there. It seems no matter how early I leave to go there, the time is taken up by travel. Sunday, October 7 We went to the Ellicottville Fall Festival. It seemed smaller than previous years, in part because we didn't take our time as much with the below-freezing wind chill. It was still great to go do it with
Mer, as we had missed it last year. Thursday, October 11th Christina started cheerleading practice today. Unfortunately, it coincides with "my time" (visitation) and after a half hour, I was a bit restless. I was also the only parent there (for now). She'll hear next week who makes the team. She seems right on with the cheers, much better than some of the others. Wednesday, October 10th I met with Sid (the landlord) to go over the possibility of me becoming manager of our apartment complex (30 units). He called me the other night out of the blue, and was surprised when I told him we had thought of such an arrangement for some time. Friday, October 12th I met with a physical therapist this morning to discuss having Tai Chi classes at his facility in Orchard Park. It sounds like a great idea, but the real clincher is the possibility of lecturing the PT students at Daemen College. I would feel right at home, more than anyone could imagine. Sunday, October 14th I've Been Fired! Gold's gym decided there wasn't enough interest for my Tai Chi class Monday nights. There was little advertising, and half the students were from my other classes anyway. I WILL miss the free use of the machines though. My favourite was the "elliptical" machine, but I also used the treadmill to cool down, and
occasional 20 minutes on a cycling machine, which gave me time to catch up on my tech-business magazines. Recently, I even started trying out the various weight equipment. Sunday, October 20th We didn't have an anniversary this year -- we had an Anniversary SEASON. We started with all-you-can-eat crab legs at Dynasty II in the Southgate plaza on Wednesday. Then we had some quiet time Thursday, but Merry had to go to a vet class at UB in the evening. Thursday, October 25th I faxed Dr. Laura today about David Horowitz being on her show. She's horrible to listen to now that she's gone political activist. This was sort of the last straw. Wasn't this the "Fight Back with David Horowitz" consumer advocate when I was growing up? What a flake. Saturday, October 27th Christina went to a writer's workshop this morning at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, paid for by her step-father. I am really glad Jim is her step-dad. He has her best interest at heart, and that's all I can ask for. Sunday, October 28th Got our pumpkins today (at the last minute) and even carved them before I had to take Christina back to her Mom's. Hallowe'en Mer left for Houston early today. Without her or Christina, I spent the evening at the
Dembskis, which we usually do every year. Di (Merry's Dad) won the pumpkin contest by a landslide, as usual. I think he only lost ONCE, to Christina's "cat face" pumpkin last year. Friday, November 2nd I'm "Livin' on Lunchmeat". Actually, I LIKE lunchmeat, so it's not so bad. I just miss Merry. I even had the radio on at night a few times, as I think I'm finally getting used to it. Merry "can't fall asleep without it", but I just end up having dreams about whatever the news stories or night talk shows are about. Sunday, November 11th Before JAM / Phantom Plastics closed, I bought a plant. I made it symbolic of our business survival. I felt as if I could take care of it and it did well, business would survive as well. Tuesday, November 13th Another JAM Dream last night. Many times I dream that a bunch of the old crew get together in a new office for a little while to stir up some business again. I think it has something to do with my having an office again. Sunday, November 18th The Leonids were out. Christina stayed up the wrong night, but then had Jim wake her up for them this morning. Merry and I stayed up as late as we could, painting Chrissy's room, but we crashed around 3am (about 2 hours from peak). We did see one streak though, and it was cool, with a long tail. Friday, November 23rd The Moment of Truth -- Christina was dumbstruck after opening her bedroom door. She said the first thing she saw was her "disco" light ball, and then noticed the office divider was "transparent". Once she realized it was gone, she saw her hew furniture, freshly painted walls, and anything else we snuck work on between her last few visits. Monday, November 26th First Day at Work -- finally settled into the office, but nothing exciting otherwise. I keep joking about having a reception area with no receptionist. Saturday, December 8th Christina has her yearly Christmas sleepover this weekend. I never did the "Cloud Nine" experience as a child, and between that and "Seventh Heaven" (levitation?) really wanted to be initiated into the pre-pubescent Shamanistic rituals. Merry advised against it, and so it remains in the realm of mythos. Sunday, December 9th We had Fr. Matt Nycz from our parish over tonight for the Office Blessing. He even blessed Tiger. My wife cooked pierogi and golombki, and then we spent the evening "talking business" about WNYPolonia.Com. Monday, December 10th Michelle did the voice mail recording today, now that I have two lines. My cordless headset wire is going though, and it can't be replaced. It cost about $90, but it lasted a long time under heavy abuse. I'll squeeze a little more life out and then get another. Friday, December 14th My first business meeting was at the office tonight. It was for the parish's website (OLSHOP.Org) and only two people showed up. Fr. Matt was late back from NYC and other people either forgot or couldn't find the place in the rain and dark. I got soaked swinging a lantern at the edge of the parking lot. Tuesday, December 18th Back to a "normal" schedule with Christina, I had her here today, at least until just before her Christmas play at school. She played a wood percussion instrument for a Chanukah song. Monday, December 24th It's hard to believe Christmas is tomorrow. Saturday, I finished Christmas shopping with Christina at the Galleria Mall. It wasn't that crowded. The "plaza" is being renovated, namely painting the hallways and basements. The lighter colors in the halls took getting used to, but I'm starting to like them and other people have given a positive reaction as well. I only hope they go through and spackle and touch up all the places they should have earlier. I'm just glad they didn't do B Building yet, where people would have had to take down lots of decorations right BEFORE the holidays. Christmas Day Yesterday, we had Vigilia for the whole family (in-laws). Nowinski's Pierogi and Golomki (like Mer's Mom makes it, with rice) made for a nice dinner. Went to Merry's parent's house today after singing at 9AM Mass. We received praise for the "Choirlette" of Merry, a cantor, and myself. Kate, (the cantor), who usually hates Haugen's Mass of Creation, really likes the harmonies Merry and I used as taught by Tony Kunz, our choirmaster at SS. Peter & Paul. After an hour of opening gifts, there was so much still under the tree, it looked like we hadn't even started! I got model airplanes, excessive chocolate, a couple of CD-ROM games (Roller Coaster Tycoon & Star Trek Away Team), and really nice dress shirts, including a couple of silk ones! Snow was getting bad in Cheektowaga, only a light dusting here. We left early, as a growing cold finally won out, spending a quiet evening at home. Boxing Day Lake Effect. Those two dreaded words, where an unfrozen lake means business in vertical inches of snow. MANY inches. At five in the morning, Merry got up and called the plowing contractor, Ed Christy. He was called yesterday after church about having just enough snow to make a run, but he never returned the call. By 9am, it was a mess. The town plows were on their third run, but getting to the street was not in the cards for a while. <Fisher Park Parking Lot Images> I left an answering machine message for "maintenance", and Everyone came together, and Merry served Hot Chocolate. We had beaten it. Or, at least the first round was over. Friday, December 27th Round Two. The lot looks just like it did early yesterday, but surrounded by tall snowbanks. It would have been a flat plane of snow with an invisible lot of cars underneath if we hadn't done what we did yesterday. And we were expecting MORE snow. <Fisher Park Parking Lot Images> We busted out a few cars, but it didn't make any sense. There was a driving ban. The county declared a State of Emergency. The National guard was called in. The guy who plowed yesterday busted his universal joint when he hit his own driveway, and can't find a mechanic open to get HIM towed and on the road. I called an Disaster Control meeting at 2:30 and half the tenants showed up. We took stock of needs and supplies. People shared groceries. We sent out "three brave young men" on a two hour journey to TOPS and back to get toilet paper, milk, and a much needed prescription. Best of all, people who didn't know they were neighbors met for the first time and found strength in unity. The evening ended with a nearly-full gibbous moon shining down on some tenants (Ernie from A Building, Rich from B Building, and Dawn from C Building) and myself making the paths clear down to the cement. A shovel I bought at the flea market for farming came in REAL handy for cracking the thicker snow and ice. I "day-dreamt" of digging potatoes or loosening a small plot by hand on my someday farmland. Sunday, December 30th Yesterday, we flagged down a 4x4 with a 2x6 blade ("Bob and Dave" from Gowanda searching for plow work) to do another few hundred dollars of plowing. Everyone pitched in again, but there were a few spaces that still couldn't be worked on because of both volume of snow and incline of the end of the lot, by C Building. It looks really well considering. The icicles are getting big though, and I'm knocking them off every chance I get so the gutters don't get torn down like last year. Mike came over with his computer, which is now set up in the reception area. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it to file share, so we had to swap a half-dozen ZIP disks to burn a CD for Larry. For the life of me, I haven't been able to burn a CD with any software since I upgraded to ME. I can use the CD-ROM drive, but the system won't recognize it as a writable device. |
|
