Trump Wing Sauce?

There's a bit of excitement buzzing around my homestead of Buffalo thanks to this HUGE yacht docked at Erie Basin Marina called "Gran Finale."

Now, Buffalo is a rather shy town, and certainly not accustomed to the pomp and circumstance the comes with a 147' pimped-out yacht, complete with a hot tub and elevator. People here are caring far less about the boat (and it's 14,800 gallon gas tank-- that will cost almost $70,000 for the owner to fill 'er up) and much more about who owns it.

There are no definitive answers on any of the Internets about the dinghy's owner, but it is rumored to be Ivana Trump's. And since her ex-husband twice removed has an affinity for naming everything from Zambonis to bottled water after his moniker, the locals are wondering if we will soon have a Trump wing sauce-- the best-est and most expensive wing sauce in the entire world packaged in a gold bottle. A spicy Trump wing sauce could certainly give new meaning to the phrase, "You're fired!"

For more photos see my Gran Finale Flickr set.

Wild Commentary

Today I went to the Buffalo Zoo. While I was there, I noticed that many of the animals seemed deep in thought. I think I know what they were thinking. Take a look below.

Buffalo's Beautiful Botanicals

With a goal to do nothing but enjoy my time off this weekend, I spent part of today at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens. I enjoyed it tremendously! But, of course, rather than bettering myself by learning about the beautiful flora surrounding me, I saw pop culture everywhere. Case in point, the Bonsai Garden. Karate Kid fans should see where this is going. Here's a picture I took today of a beautiful bonsai tree, with some comments from Danielson added for your enjoyment.

Then I saw a huge Chia Pet-looking plant, and the only thing going through my mind was:
.

All in all, I had a GREAT time! More pictures are on my new Flickr page (if you're interested).

Presidential Trivia

Last night I had dinner at a fun place in Buffalo called the Founding Fathers Pub. Great place for a Republican to grab a meal (I recommend the London Broil). Anyway, one of the great things about Founding Fathers is that the owner quizzes patrons on presidential trivia. That's right up my alley! Well I had a great time, and it prompted me to brush up on my presidential trivia.

Here's a great question I came across today, and I'll give the answer tomorrow.

Who was the first left-handed president?

Added 12/18/06

Click here for the answer

"Home Crap Home"

One of my favorite sayings from one of my favorite movies, 1986's The Money Pit. Also, it sums up how I feel after taking a much needed vacation. I always feel that way when returning from a trip. It doesn't matter where I've been, whom I've seen, or how badly I've needed to get away; I'm just always so damn glad to be back home. I guess it's because I really like my life in Buffalo. I love the city, my friends, my job, my life. My family is close enough in Cleveland that I can see them whenever I want. And I truly do need vacations to rest and appreciate all I have. But when I return, I can't help but say each time "Home Crap Home."

The Storm that will live in Infamy

Just a nature shot of my street on October 13, 2006 after a freak snowstorm hit Buffalo while all the leaves were still on the trees.

My life wasn't affected that much. I just had no power, or heat, or security system, or Internet, or cable, or food, or sleep, or sanity for 111 1/2 hours. Other than that I was fine.

How to spot a native Buffalonian

I have lived in Buffalo for five years now. It is my home and I love it! I cheer for the Sabres and Bills, dine at Pano's, shop at Premier and walk my dog at Delaware Park. I fit in. Yet, I am not a native Buffalonian, and I can never be. I have discovered the secret to identifying the true natives of Buffalo. (And, no, it doesn't have anything to do with snow.) It has to do with a little place called Mighty Taco, a local chain that appears to be like Taco Bell, yet it is so NOT.

At lunch time, dinner time and midnight snack time people in Buffalo flock to Mighty Taco in mass exodus like it is a place of worship. And to the natives it is a sacred space. They wonder as they order "How much of this goodness can I fit in my stomach?"

But to everyone else in the world, Mighty Taco is a fast food restaurant with the most disgusting food on the entire planet. Please, my fellow citizens, don't hate me; you know I speak the truth. Only those born and raised here can ever like Mighty Taco. After all, where else in the world do restaurants serve bland chicken fajitas with WHITE AMERICAN CHEESE? Don't you realize that American cheese has no place in a taco joint?!

So tourists, beware. Don't take advice from the locals to eat at Mighty Taco. It will tarnish your image of Buffalo evermore. And Buffalo really is a great place to live (and to visit for that matter). So let's just leave Mighty Taco for the natives who we know aren't going anywhere.