The Tao Of Paul

It’s the Economy, Stupid

Pauldub — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:46:06 +0000

Not the lawsuit.Honest.
One day after Skretny’s ruling, one day after they claimed it would be business as usual. Construction and expansion at both the Buffalo and Salamanca sites have come to a halt.

In announcing the construction halt, Seneca Gaming cited the economy, capital market conditions, greater demand on the company’s cash, increased competition and growing construction costs.

And from the Citizens for a Better Buffalo?

Lippes said it would be speculation to say why the decision was reached, whether it was the economic conditions the Senecas pointed to in the SEC statement, or because their lenders were nervous about the lawsuit.

What do you think the delay on this one will be. Month, two months? Year? Or will it become an Issa-esque saga to be continued at a later date?

Whatever Happened to Semi-civility?

Pauldub — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:57:26 +0000

When a simple post on Pundit’s site garners over 60 comments, it’s a sure bet that it quickly devolved into a fecal flinging fun fest.
I hate to sound like the old guy on the park bench complaining that the world is going to hell in a Longaberger, but can’t anyone stay on topic anymore? Wishing families would “eat shit and die”?
Makes me long for the days of Hank & Haterade. At least they could go at it without sounding like the angry drunk at the corner of the bar that spits when he yells incoherently at you.

My Tax Cap, Not Yours

Pauldub — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:14:40 +0000

Dancing for Budget cuts. You know, the “Save the schools, slice the social programs” tango. Lots of posturing, just a tad light on substance. Of course you expect little else from our reps at this time of year.
But this I found almost funny:

Paterson and Senate Republicans wanted a cap on the growth in annual property tax levies. Assembly Democrats want relief for only lower-income and some middle income residents. The stalemate produced no agreement.

What the hell should my income have to do with a property tax cap? This is pretty much pandering, or to use the more technical term, Bullshit. I would qualify as being eligible, but a cap based on personal wealth is a stretch.

Good Things

Pauldub — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:01:43 +0000

I always try to find one positive each day.
Yesterday was the evening meal at Hardware.
Today? I am the only one in the office. Boss, coworkers have other things to do. I know when I go for a cup of coffee, there will be more than an eighth of a cup left in the pot. I can listen to my music. There will be no interruptions.
Tomorrow? I have free tickets to the Bisons.
See? Simple. One good thing every day.

The Weekend

Pauldub — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:01:38 +0000

First Game for Da Bills, so probably watching the game while grilling (charcoal of course) and consuming a beverage or two.
Which leads me to believe the grocery trip will need to include a stop at Spar’s fine sausage establishment.
I need to find an event going on where I can wander and people watch. That is always most enjoyable.
Have a good one yourselves..

The East Side Homestead

Pauldub — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:37:26 +0000

My Paternal Grandmother lived here with her Mother Wiktorja Lusiak and her sister, Vi. Her father was not in the picture. According to Gram, her mother threw him out of the house because her was “no good”
Great Grandmother supported the family as a seamstress. Every Sunday the girls would show up at church (St. Stans I believe) in nice new dresses. Models, I guess for their mother’s work. She must have been pretty frugal and done well, because when my grandparents who were living with her decided to move out to the wilds of Tonawanda and Ellicott Creek in the late 30’s, she loaned them the money to buy the property and start the house. Gram said that there was no question about the fact that this was a loan, not a gift.
So there you have the East Side beginnings of my family. There was a brief return when my grandparents owned a tavern on the corner of Stanislaus and Lathrop in the early 70’s.

When I find more pictures i will give you my South Buffalo roots (Mom) on Altruria Street.

Maybe I need to do this

Pauldub — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:03:07 +0000

Too often I wake up at two in the morning, remembering either something I neglected to do, or something I have to accomplish the following day. Perhaps this may help. I do lists for the weekend. Groceries, major chores to be done, things to get at the home improvement store, the usual. But nothing for during the week. That’s when I trip up. The movies that have to be returned. Mulching the gardens. Normally I carry one of those little 3×5 notebooks in my pocket to keep notes on things to do, but the last one bit the big one and I need another. How can I put that on a list when I have no notebook upon which to write the list?
A major project? No problem. I will have it broken down into a to do list in no time at all, right down to the last detail.
My life? Well, maybe I need to start making a list.

How I got Here

Pauldub — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:31:12 +0000

Well how my family did anyhow.
I know that my paternal grandmother’s side came over from Poland (German part) in the late 1800’s and first settled in Pennsylvania (oddly enough about 40 miles from where I was stationed while in the military). From what she said, it was shit (her words). Anyhow, they went back to Poland, and returned, this time to Buffalo.
This evening I found a remarkably well preserved document in my basement.
An excerpt:

I, Wojcik Nowicki Do Solemnly Swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State, or Sovereignty whatsoever, particularly to the Emperor of Germany, to whom I now owe allegiance.
Sworn in open Court, October 17, 1892.
Present, the Hon. Joseph V Seaver, Erie County Court Judge.

Coming up later, single Moms in the early 20th century.

Fun Times

Pauldub — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:55:59 +0000

To start off, Son of Dub is up on a school break.

That is a 1986 Plymouth Conquest (read rebranded Mitsubishi Starion). Mint condition. Even the maroon crushed velour interior.
Worked in the yard with my beloved, went to a friend’s party in Kenmore that was most enjoyable.
Did the draw for the home games with the brother in law. I only miss the Jets and the Browns (of course Miami).
Jets? Meh. As for the Browns, I don’t do Monday night games. Interferes with bowling.
So, a good weekend even if I didn’t make the Garden Walk.

McCain does the Grab and Run

Pauldub — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:12:17 +0000

He shows, he goes. I understand the efficiency of effort. Why speak to the people you want to lead if you already know you won’t carry their state? But it does seem a bit odd. Paying large amounts of cash to spend a few moments with someone whose actions show little more than disdain for you and your region. To me that would be a tad insulting.
Perhaps there were autograph sessions as well. I dunno.