Bipolar Winter

A weather forecaster actually said that Buffalo isn’t used to this snow the other night. I nearly did a spit take on this. Yes, snow in January is pretty flipping unique and certainly noteworthy in Western New York (please tell me that sarcasm was evident as you read it).

Sure, it hasn’t been a traditional Buffalo winter and I’m okay with that. Change is good. We got no break at all last year, which made the season stretch to the point where Spring might have been offended had we had one.

It cracks me up to read things like “Now it looks like January” or “Where’s ours?” when a storm does come through but picks on other portions of the region, like it’s a threat to our collective manhood that we don’t have driveways full of the stuff.

Now, I don’t have a particular interest one way or the other. I like all the seasons just fine, but I’m not feeling gyped by how often I have to clean off my car. In fact, it was nice to know that the sounds of windows being scraped on Monday didn’t include me (as my car was nestled in the garage).

When we do get walloped, it seems like the Buffalo mojo is a little askew in recent winters. I don’t the snow over the weekend seemed to confound people like the forecaster. I don’t know if the Thanksgiving storm in2000 permanently warped us, but to open my facebook list and see people bitching about temperatures in the 50s does make your head shake.

My winter coat got the day off. That is a good thing.

Happy Now?

There was an awful lot of whining going on about when are we going to get ours in terms of snowfall? I really wanted these people to shaddup because if in Buffalo you ask for snow, chances are it will still be in here in APRIL! It’s less charming then, in fact, after the holidays, I’m sort of whatever. But some things are certain, death, taxes, the Mets sucking, Snow in Buffalo? Settle, it came.

So, it never ceases to amaze that there is somebody driving down Elmwood, with a few inches of snow covering their car, windshield barely defrosted, no lights on.

I don’t mind the snow, just what can happen mind sets. Having four wheel drive is the key to NOTHING and there are few folks in the city who think having a four drive car has given them the powers found usually with residents of Krypton.

It’s the little things that make it even more interesting.

The traffic light on my street took on disco light flashing, which brings an even busier intersection that much more of a mess as we all forgot the four way stop rule they teach you in driver’s ed.

There isn’t that much snow as I write this but somehow folks are already in the streets.

It is what makes the “Where is our snow” facebook status updates and tweets sort of laughable.

“It’s here!”

 

Six Degrees

Alright, I need a word with you, yeah, you, the yahoo who posted on his Facebook or Twitter feed to “Bring it On!” with the forecasts of cold and snow.  You, dear sir, are a schmuck! You complacent, commuter cup swilling, jug head. I thought of you while waiting for AAA this morning. I enjoy the seasons to be sure, but those who somehow measure their manhood by snow piles I think need to be smacked back to consciousness, preferably with something frosty. Yes, we have handled snow just fine, but 6 degrees is cold, too cold to enjoy the snow for very long.

It’s cold, especially if you develop a car issue, as mine did, on the way to work, for the first time in almost a week, on a busy street, during rush hour, with a grumpy teen in the car.

While waiting the admirably fast AAA folks, (helpful dude showed in 30 minutes) all I can think about were the yahoos who filled social media spots with “Finally” “Bring it On” “Bout Time.” There will be time for all the fun stuff as we enjoy Winter until May, then have near winter, not winter, then near winter again. So, settle down as the tire that might need changed tomorrow morning might be yours. Don’t go tempting Karma like that, she’s burn out a headlight in temps like this and make you drop the most important screw into a dark corner that you can’t see into and your fingers will be too big too reach.

It snowed in real numbers in the southtowns. Go there, but settle down, we’ll get ours.

Snowjob

So, we have some snow in December in Buffalo. That certainly is a stop the presses kind of headline ain’t it? I think the first feature reporter to use the phrase “Winter Wonderland” on their broadcast needs to pay me a $1 penalty for trite cliche use.

All the folks who are doey eyed today probably won’t feel that way when it lingers in the spring. Despite the hyperventilating of the tv weatherfolk, it was meh.

As the picture from the Buffalo News shows, no big whoop. It’s not the snow that bothers me, it’s the folks on the road who are all “SNOW!” like it’s never happened, instead of every flippin year, we were just a couple weeks late this year.

So, yeah, it’s winter, in Buffalo, all seasonal, all Courier and Ives and all things wonderous, but it happens every year so keep your eyes on the road.

One more “Excursion around the Bay”

Now, that I’ve put that Great Big Sea song in your head, (You’re welcome) the matter at hand. I was in a bit of a state of lament about this summer’s ending and holding an unfair grudge against the onset of fall. Fall took a little mercy on me with this weekend, I mean how can you not love this. All the home teams are doing well and I was able to attend my Dad’s birthday celebration without bundling up. To milk this Sunshine Daydream a little further, I took one more sojourn to the waterfront to catch a few more rays.

You know it is fall when the boats are going away.

The ice cream and clam shack have “Clammed up”

When the awning is down, it is time to think of other things, I suppose

I can’t look at this art installation without thinking of Morty, the owner of the camp in “Meatballs.” Remember how Bill Murray and the counselors had him waking up in different places throughout the movie?

Yeah, one last play in the sand. Felt good. I mean who’da thunk we’d be able to still be in shorts. I mean I know the end is near and I probably should get the air conditioner out of the window now, but it was another nice day. I just hope it is reward for no breather last winter as opposed to softening us up for the one to come.

Got to find a porch to have a drink on, quickly.

Bad buffalonian

When it was as disgusting humid as it was yesterday, this seemed like the only sensible place to be.

“Oh Me, Oh My”

So, summer is winding down. I hate that. I guess all seasons have to, but for whatever reason, Winter seems like to loiter like a bad party guest, rummaging for more dip in the fridge when you just want to go up to bed. My informal exercise program this summer has included laps of the Erie Basin Marina and the Central Wharf. It was interesting to note the stage for the concerts was away for a time before returning for the last stand this weekend. I’ve partaken in the local outdoor shows with greater abandon this year and I’ve had a lot of fun doing it. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. Some arrive for the music, some arrive to just be there, and some just arrive.

While there are already a couple of nice indoor shows coming up for this music buff, the Great Big Sea show is something I’ve been looking forward to since June and somewhat of a curtain closer as well.

I like a good fun band outside, but the idea that one last trip to Artpark for the Machine’s Pink Floyd tribute show might need a jacket is an idea that I’m not quite adjusted to yet.

I know, anticipation of fall is a beautiful thing, but I just want one more beach trip or two in, before we call it a season.

The End of the Day

Just need a drink, nice moment of zen

Here Comes the Rain

 

Left just as quickly as it got here, but it felt good

The Dream Police

Dear Blog,

Don’t take it personally, but it has just been too damned hot to wax poetic on the home pc of late. I’m not complaining as I would like to box up a little of the weather so we dive into it face first in December.

So, a few random asides.

The Artpark free concert lineup has been a lovely thing this summer. The roster of acts reminds me a lot of the faces you’d see staring out over the record racks at Twin Fair from 1979, but considering how well they’ve been sounding, that isn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed Cheap Trick most recently, even though they didn’t have Bun E. Carlos behind the drums and most of their equipment under a crushed stage in Ottawa. Good times, although it does crack me up a bit to people watch as you can see the people there for the band, versus the people who are there to either say they were there, or just to be out on a summer eve.

Yeah, so no signature bridge, okay. Man all the customs windows and I bet traffic improves.

Canalside has the Donovan building moving in the right direction with actual private investment. That is awesome in an unironic kind of way. Just need to work on getting folks more water access. I don’t know the engineering, but there has to be away to get more of a city beach going, one that actually connects to the water.

Yeah, it’s hot out, but it isn’t your hair’s fault

Patrick Lalime is retiring from the Sabres. I know most folks think his day was passed, but I think he was left on the shelf for repeated awfully long stretches during his time in Buffalo. That said, all signs point to Mr. Enroth continuing his stellar play. He’s beyond ready and here’s hoping Lindy turns him loose for 20 to 25 games at least to preserve Ryan Miller.

Made it to the Sterling Renaissance Festival for the first time this past Saturday and while I readily admit that alone that sounds kind of dorky, but I loved it. It’s a little toned down from previous years, but still a good time. The succulent turkey legs were a little much for the weather as the “breakfast bread” (a pretzel) seemed a safer bet.

Given my Celtic background, one where I get sunburn from opening the refrigerator too quickly, I’m dealing with a bit of lobsterdom at the moment courtesy a stint at Woodlawn Beach. It smarts, but I’d do it again quickly. Just $7 to park and then go dunk yourself, that cannot be beat.

In fact, may have to do it again this weekend.

Hot enough for you?