Blockhead, Water Style

During my morning shower, I got an accidental jet of water in my right near, and now, the right side of my head feels like a block as if it was congested, and things sound like they are underwater.
In addition, I am getting the weird sounds of water moving inside my ear that are a bit distracting but of course not too dull, and the Q-tip I used only helped things marginally, despite soaking up some water. No doubt, the water in my ear will clear during a telephone conversation some time today.

Nope, Not Yet

So, on business day 12 after it was ordered and alleged to be delivered in 5-9 business days, my Amazon.com order, including the new Sonic Youth CD, The Eternal, as well as now late anniversary gifts for Val, is still not here.
The last Amazon.com shipment notice said that the items would not get here until probably Thursday, July 2, or 14 business days after they were ordered, and of course, nothing was sent separately and nothing will get here early. Oh well.

Arms, Legs, Eyelids Heavy This Morning

Due to an unexpected Laundry from Hell session last night and this morning, I am way more tired that any person need be entering Monday, having had only 2-3 hours of sleep.
I wanted to write about the great day Val and I had taking my niece Colleen Tucker and her husband Mike around Buffalo Sunday, but that will have to wait until my mental and physical functions are doing better than they are right now.
Hearing the clothes dryer run and folding clothing at 2:30-3 a.m. is no fun, and instead of asking when any normalcy will return to my sleep patterns, I am beginning to think that the real question is if. My schedule may not allow any of this to happen during the early part of this week.

Quote of the Day, June 27, 2009

"Careful, Mike, you'll lose your cherry." - Colleen Hosey Tucker, to her husband, Mike, while we ate sundaes at Friendly Ice Cream in Cheektowaga.
Val and I had a great time seeing my niece Colleen and meeting her fine new husband, Mike, first at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Depew for a memorial Mass for my father Edward and brother (her dad) Brian, and then for dinner and ice cream at Friendly's.

Back and Blogging

Actually, I didn't go anywhere, but due to the thunder and lightning storm last night, Val smartly shut things down/off here computer wise at the Dunne-Hosey Estates, and I couldn't figure out how to get totally back online before I went to work this morning.
Val and I will be off to the Sam Hoyt annual clambake in about three minutes, but I may have an update or two before then; I know, I know, you readers must feel all warm and lucky inside.

Late Deliveries: Not Good

Amazon.com has me pissed off right now.
I ordered the new Sonic Youth CD, Right Now, and some anniversary gifts for Val, on June 14, and opted for the free delivery, which said it would take 5-9 business days for delivery. I knew that I was taking a chance and that it might miss our anniversary, June 23, which was 7 business days, but I went ahead with that route. As you now know, the items did not get here by June 23; I may not be happy, but it fit into the time line I was given.
I received an e-mail from Amazon.com at 3:11 a.m. today, June 25, notifying me that the order had been shipped, as if I was supposed to be dancing in the aisles. Sorry, but today is 9 f$%&ing business days from when I ordered the items, my payment was promptly accepted and nothing is or will be here on day 9. In fact, I was given an expected delivery date, via the United States Postal Service, of Wednesday, July 2, or 13 business days. No e-mail message stating that some items were out of stock or hard to get and that the shipment may be late were received.
Yes, I am furious, livid and so on, and when I get a chance sometime today or tomorrow, I will be complaining by telephone and e-mail to Amazon.com.

Thanks, Everyone

Val and I had a wonderful time yesterday, June 23, as we celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary, and we thank everyone who sent along their wishes, etc.
We had a great dinner at the Left Bank on Rhode Island; it is really nice to have a restaurant of that high quality just a few blocks from home and operated by a friend, Michael Christiano. He and his staff did an excellent job from start to finish; I had angel hair pasta and chicken with plum tomato sauce, and Val had shrimp, chunks of mozzarella and vegetables with linguini.
We also thank Tony Christiano, Mike's cousin and someone I've been through heaven and hell with, for calling in and getting us dessert at Left Bank. I had the chocolate chip bourbon walnut tart, and Val had the caramel cheesecake. A great way to end the dinner.
The only bad part? The gifts I ordered for Val were not delivered in time for yesterday. I got free shipping, which is said to take 5-9 business days, and yesterday was either day 7 or 8, so it fits into that time line, but I am still disappointed.

Seven Wonderful, Official Years With Val

June 23, 2009, makes it seven years that Val and I have been married. Yes, it was seven years ago today that Valerie Tracey Dunne and Kevin James Hosey walked, er, danced down the aisle at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, got married, and became ... Valerie Tracey Dunne and Kevin James Hosey.
It is 100 percent true to say that Val has made me better, made my life better, every day that we have been together (while we met in 1985, we didn't start dating until 2000), whether or not it sounds trite. She has allowed me to realize that wonderful, elusive feeling of finding the one person who you care about as much or more than yourself and who cares about you the same way, the one person you can say you madly, passionately love and are best friends with, and it all naturally occurs.
She is the one person I worry about for no reason and every good reason, the one person I want to help in any way at any time but also want to make sure that I am not burying her and taking her efforts and choices away, and the one person who I can smile ear to ear about with pride when she accomplishes something, especially in Val's case her still amazing photography.
Val also impresses me with her fight and spirit, never letting things that would stop most people from stopping her from her art as well as everyday life. I have mentioned the reasons before, but regardless the reasons, to watch her fight and win over these obstacles just adds to my love for her.
Val inspires me, nourishes me, encourages me, corrects me when needed, makes me smile on a bad day when I really need it and on a good day for no reason, turns me on physically, intellectually, artistically and emotionally, and makes me whole.
Happy anniversary, Val; I love you.

Here, Gone and Coming Again

The short visit by former Western New Yorker, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member and musician extraordinaire Gurf Morlix and his wife Brende Fuller is over; they left for their cottage in Ontario Saturday morning.
As well as getting to say hello and talk a bit (never enough), we got to hear Gurf perform unscheduled. The Possums, led by guitarist/singer Jim Whitford, our next door neighbor with who Gurf and Brende stay while in town (along with guitarist/bassist/singer Joe Rozler and drummer/singer Rob Lynch), played a show at the Sportsmen's Tavern.
After Pine Dogs bassist Tom Fischer and drummer Jim Celeste joined Whitford for "Good Luck, Money and Gasoline," Whitford convinced Morlix to come up and play a few songs, mostly old blues, early rock and roll and rockabilly. Since the last few times Morlix has played Buffalo he has done so in acoustic solo or duet formats, this is the first time Val and I have heard him play live electric guitar in a while, and it was great.
Hopefully, Gurf will have a regular show to play when he returns to town temporarily in a few months.

Father's Day Numbness

It's another Father's Day, and Val and I haven't found too much to celebrate; Val's father, Edward Patrick Dunne, died, in 2003, and my father, Edward William Hosey, died in 2004. Our grandfathers have been dead for longer, and the closest father to me otherwise, my brother, Brian, father of Kim, Colleen and Daniel, died in 1995.
We so hope that all fathers, and those who have had to take over father roles, are having great days and are being appreciated by their children, biological, step, adopted, foster and otherwise. Father's Day falls between my mother Sheila's birthday and Val and my anniversary, so I can frame it, if not really remember it, until it comes up. Make sure you tell them you love them.
So, besides trying to write something more than just stream of pseudo conscious remarks on a situation I have not made 100 percent sense out of yet, what am I doing right now? Listening to Michael Oliver music on my computer; yep, a son who was fortunate to have a father for more than 43 years of his life and is complaining about his dad's early death is listening to some great music by an orphan. Coincidence or am I that self-referential?
As usual, if you want to read some very realistic, heartfelt and upbeat thoughts about Father's Day, my niece, Kimberly Hosey, has some poignant words at her blog, Arizona Writer.

Why Must You Betray Me, Oh, Mighty Taco?

For years and years, I did not eat anything from Mighty Taco, having thought its food to be barely above dog food quality.
What made it difficult was that Val really liked Mighty Taco when she needed really fast food, and basically had to get it on the days that we would not be able to eat dinner together. So, a few months ago, when we were out getting our income taxes done, I suggested that we stop there on the way home to get dinner; I knew it would improve her late-winter mood and I figured I could at least see if the food had improved.
Fortunately, they had a Buffito and a similar burrito with chicken, blue cheese and hot sauce on the menu, and it actually is pretty good, especially to me for Mighty Taco. So, I have eaten there a couple of times in the last three months or so, to Val's shock and delight.
On the way home from political volunteering last night, I stopped at Mighty Taco to pick up a couple Buffitos, and ate them with no real problem for a while. When I went to bed, I could feel the start of some stomach rumblings and stomach ache, so I took some Pepto Bismol.
This morning, I still feel rumblings, stomach achy and a little unsettledness, and am starting to realize that my body is still a bit undecided and uncertain about these Mighty Taco ventures and meals. So, be warned if you encounter me today.

Some Coffee Equipment Advice Needed

Plainly put, I will soon be in need of a new coffee maker, and I am looking to you kind readers for advice and recommendations.
While I do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new one (and am a bit of a cheap bastard at times), I do care about the quality of coffee I drink and want the best bang for my buck, obviously. If there are any styles, brands or models you would recommend I check out, please let me know here, and thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Rain + Political Volunteering = Dampness

There are lots of things that I can enjoy while it rains; political volunteering isn't exactly at the top of the list.
In particular, last night, while petitioning, the rain caused me to place a department store bag over my petition clip board, wear a hat and rain coat all night, and still get things wet climbing in and out of a car.
I got my assignment done, but ended up moist, and with soggy petitions, walk sheets and maps, despite my best attempts at dryness. I realize that there is little sadness among you readers over this, but that is why I may seem snarky today.

A Good Sign of Summer Coming

One of the serious indicators that summer will soon be here greeted me when I got home from political activities last night.
As I went to park (and tried to figure out if I could park on the street on in our fenced-in driveway), I saw a pickup truck that I recognized parking on the street a house or two ahead. It was the truck of singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Gurf Morlix and his wife, artist/photographer Brende Fuller.
I had my dinner, a jacket, hat and bottle of water in my hands as I got out of the car and didn't see that Brende had gotten out; she came up and said hello with a hug, and we talked a minute until a parking space opened up for her. They had just driven here from Nashville.
Gurf and Brende have been very good and very long-time friends of our neighbors, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim Whitford and his wife, Lynne O'Meara, so we hope to see them over the next few days before they apparently go up to their cottages in Ontario for the summer. I doubt they'll be Homeland Security risks, and hopefully, we'll get to hear Gurf and Jim play together.

Iran: Fascinating, Scary

I don't profess to have any real insights into the current unsettled events in Iran. The ruling government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is getting heat for suspicious election results that showed the incumbent win about two-thirds of the vote over conservative reform candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi.
In some ways, it appears to be a scary repeat of events from 30 years ago, where thousands, if not millions, of protesters of the existing government took to the streets and were opposed by the military and police; last time, it led to the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Like many other people, I am frequently checking the BBC, CNN, the major networks and other sources to see what is really going on in Iran; any recommendations for other sources are welcome.

Bryant Street Activity

There is renewed activity and apparent new ownership or operators at the business site formerly slated to be the Bryant Street Cake Company on Bryant Street near Elmwood Avenue.
Over the last several weeks, the old signs and decals for the Bryant Street Cake Company have been removed; painting, floor work, lighting and ceiling renovation has been performed and now there are covers on the windows, so I can no longer see inside to report back what else is happening, but there remains a steady flow of people going in and out to perform some kind of work.
I will try to find out more about this and report back with anything new, and I really hope that this effort is successful in opening a new business in our always busy Elmwood Village neighborhood.

Lakers Champs Again

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship last night, knocking off the Orlando Magic, 99-86, and winning the championship series, 4 games to 1. The Lakers, along with the New York Knicks, are my favorite NBA team.
But what this really means is my sports viewing time will really drop now, because in the space of a few days, the NHL and NBA seasons have ended; the Pittsburgh Penguins captured the Stanley Cup by beating the Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3, Friday. I am not a big baseball fan (playing softball and baseball does not translate into fandom), and I will probably wait until playoff time to really watch any baseball. Val and I are more likely to watch Premiere League or World Cup soccer qualifiers this summer, and there is no guarantee we will do much of either.
So, I really have no excuse in getting back to somewhat normal sleeping patterns and not screwing up things via DVRed games. Right?

Still Stewing

I am still gathering my thoughts to write about the Allen West Festival and Val's lack of fun in particular this weekend (all very deserved), as well as our almost violent trip to the Lasalle Dog Park thanks to a major douche nozzle Sunday, but I think I'll wait until tonight to really describe things.
But neither Val nor I have been this annoyed and pissed off at the festival experience or the dog park as we were yesterday.

Lord Stanley's Cup

I have to say/write that I am sticking with the same feelings I had at the start of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. I am rooting for Pittsburgh, but predicting Detroit will win, tonight's game and the Stanley Cup.
Believe you me, I will have no problem being wrong with my prediction.

Still Here, I Guess

I remain exhausted and virtually using construction equipment to keep my eyes open, but I have made it to the start of Friday and I hope that I will make it through the weekend.
I am fighting to return to a semi-normal sleep state and schedule, but I haven't been 100 percent great in that respect. This weekend also includes several art exhibit openings, the Allentown West Festival, where Val will have some of her photography on display and for sale at the College Street Gallery on Allen Street, two doors down from Nietzsche's, where some great music will be going on all weekend, as well as my mother Sheila's 79th birthday and normal life activities.
And yes, you did notice that I did not mention that we will be attending the Allentown Arts and Crafts, er, Allentown Commercialization, um, I mean Allentown Arts Festival, because we won't be there.
So, if you see us there, say hello and bring coffee or Cherry Coke. Chocolate would be nice, too.

Keep Moving On

Things are still way too busy this week, with lots at work plus lots of political stuff, so I am really tired and apologize to readers for not getting into anything overly different or interesting in the blog this week.
At least I won't have to complain about two sports going on at the same time tonight; the NBA Finals are the only real action, with the Los Angeles Lakers playing the Orlando Magic in Orlando at 9 p.m. in Game 4 of the series. Los Angeles leads the series, 2 games to 1.
The NHL Stanley Cup Finals are off until 8 p.m. Saturday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Detroit to play the Red Wings in Game 7 at 8 p.m. Fortunately, there is no conflict for this broadcast, something the NHL and NBA have not always cooperated on to avoid.
Happily, tonight's 9 p.m. start at least means that I won't have to move too quick otherwise, since I question my ability in that area at the moment.

Stanley Cup Finals: Game 7 Coming

I am both glad and not too surprised that the Detroit Red Wings-Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Finals are coming down to a Game 7 Thursday after the Penguins beat the Red Wings Tuesday, 2-1.
I wrote a couple of days ago elsewhere that this would come down to being a home series, and each team has won their three home games so far. As I also previously wrote, I was and am still rooting for Pittsburgh, and also was and am still predicting Detroit to win the series and the Stanley Cup in Game 7.
I hope that Game 7 is as exciting and close as Game 6 was, and there is no repeat of Game 5, regardless of who ends up winning everything. I do want to thank Val, who DVRed the game for me while I was doing some political stuff Tuesday; I got home in time to start the DVR viewing while the first preiod was still going on and I caught up with the live action during the second intermission.
Of course, I am also unhappy that the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals to the Orlando Magic, 108-104, which Val also DVRed for me. That series now stands at 2 games to 1 in favor of the Lakers. And, due to several things, I am absolutely exhausted, and will probably fall asleep too soon after more poltical stuff tonight.

You Love the Thunder ... Not Any More

Last night/early this morning's thunder, lightning and rain did its usual artistry and its usual demolition of sleep for me.
As you may know, Walker Evans remains scared of thunder and lightning, racing around the house, panting, barking, growling and drooling until it completely stops. Knowing that the thunder and lightning was coming, and not having any sports to watch last night, I went upstairs early to try to calm him down even before it happened and to salvage Val's sleep, if possible.
It worked in some ways, because Walker started to bark at things just before midnight, and because I was already upstairs, I sat with him at the top of the stairs and calmed him down after a while.
Of course, the thunder and lightning were almost all-night affairs, so I pulled Walker into the media room with me instead of being in the bedroom with Val or roaming the hallway, to calm him and to allow Val to sleep. This was obviously ruining my previous plan of going to bed a lot earlier than normal, so I ended up napping in my chair in the media room from about midnight to 1:45-2 a.m., woken occasionally by barking.
After a 2 a.m. bark or two, I was awake and noticed that the thunder, etc., was becoming less frequent and hoped that it would stop. For more than an hour, it would become calm enough that I would start the process of going to bed, and then the rumble of thunder and some growling and a woof or two emanated from Walker.
Finally, at close to 3:30 a.m., I got to bed and slept through until the alarm went off at 6 a.m. Let's see how perky I am today.

Great Gay Pride Parade

Val and I had a wonderful time once again at the annual Buffalo Gay Pride Parade; Val took position on Elmwood Avenue near Bryant Street (the Casa di Pizza side) and photograhed much of the parade. You can check her Facebook page for many of these photos.
The parade was a success on all fronts; it certainly looked like it was easily the largest turnout of marchers for the Pride parade, as well as viewers, the vast majority supporters; the fun was outstanding (I wish I had time this morning to go more in-depth) and the message of equal rights, including on gay marriage, was loud and clear.
One of the funniest comments came from a member of one of the many adolescent/youth GLBT groups; one person noticed that the KFC at Elmwood and Bryant was closed. One male put his arm to his forehead and replied, "oh, imagine how many people are buried there."
But all of us should remember that supporting and working for GLBT equal rights is a 24-7 fight.

Grammar Police on Overtime

I admit that I am one of those persons who has been accused of being a member of the Grammar Police, but I try to not do it too often. Still, I get annoyed when the English language is under assault.
The latest case came last night, as Val and I watched the Pittsburgh Penguins-Detroit Red Wings hockey game, which Pittsburgh won, 4-2. A local Honda dealer commercial came on, and listed on the screen some of the cars it was offering at great prices, etc. These cars include, in alphabetical order, "Accord's" and "Civic's."
Are you freaking kidding me? Do you mean to tell me that no one at this dealer, at Honda or the company that made the commercial know how to make a word plural? For the utter vast majority of the time, all you do is add the letter "l." And at NO time, as in never, is a word made plural by adding an apostrophe before the "s," as in the examples above.
I bet a proof reader or copy editor would have offered five minutes to look over this commercial, unless people are proud of the lack of ability to use their native language.

Val Will Show in Another Exhibit

My lovely wife, photographer Val Dunne, will have four of her photographs in the next group show at the College Street Gallery starting this weekend, with the opening shindig from 8-10 p.m. Friday, June 5, at the gallery, 244 Allen Street at the corner of College Street in Buffalo.
The gallery is two doors down from Nietzsche's and next door to the fine traditional Louisiana restaurant Lagniappes. Val will be showing some of her newest color photography work along with a host of other Buffalo visual artists, so I urge you to join us there and enjoy some very good art.

Nice Sports Scheduling

With Wednesday and Friday totally open from major sports playoff conflict, somehow, Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, in which the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Detroit Red Wings while trailing 2 games to 1, is on opposite the first game of the NBA Finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Orlando Magic at 9 p.m.
While the games start one hour apart, do you think that someone, anyone, could have worked hard enough not to have the games going on at the same time? I can't imagine what it would be like if teams from the same city made it to the finals, even if the games weren't in the same city at the same time. Actually, it is hard to imagine what it is like for one team from Buffalo to make it to a sports finals.
Greed, stupidity and a lack of concern for sports fans seem to be the main deciding factors for the schedule conflict here. Val and I will be watching the Penguins-Red Wings game live, and I will be watching as much of the Lakers-Magic game as I can on DVR.

More Good Hockey Music

While most people are focusing on the Pittsburgh Penguins getting back into the NHL Stanley Cup Finals series by beating the Detroit Red Wings last night, 4-2 (and I am glad about that), once again, the music being played at the game stands out in a good way.
Sometime in the second period, right before a face off, someone cued up and started playing ... "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead (pardon my lackof umlauts). Of course, this was almost canceled out when with about 2 minutes to go in the third period, the same people played "Blue Collar Man" by Styx.

18 Years? Wow and Congratulations

I am a bit late, but I want to wish my sister, Heather, and her husband, Mike Keenan, of Walworth, a happy 18th wedding anniversary. It still seems unreal to write that, especially about my "little" sister.
Besides being great friends to Val and me, Heather and Mike are also the parents of two fine children, Kristina and Tom, who I get to write and brag about here on occasion. Val and I even look past (for the most part) Mike's New York Islander fandom.

Taking My Time for a Song

On my way home from work yesterday, I had to run an errand; while doing so, I noted that I had to get some air in my front driver's side tire.
My plan was to drive down Elmwood Avenue and stop at the Mxxxx station at Elmwood and Lexington, because it has an air machine that has pretty good access and is always working (for a 75-cent fee). Several blocks away, 107.7 FM The Lake decides to play one of my all-time favorite Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Songs, "She's the One," from "Born to Run."
After turning up the volume close to 11, I realized that I was too close to my destination to hear the entire song; fortunately, I hit two traffic lights and the song was coming to a close when I pulled into the Mxxxx station. To my dismay, despite there being several empty parking spaces, there was a vehicle parked across the area where the air machine was, with no one in it or putting air in their tires.
I sat there for a moment and someone came out of the convenience store there, looked at the vehicle and then me, shrugged and went to the vehicle and finally left the spot. "She's the One" was coming down to its dramatic conclusion. Happily, all I had to do was open my window and listen to the end of the song while I pumped air into my tire.

Still Coming to Grips with Murder

Despite more than 24 hours, I am still coming to grips with the murder of Dr. George Tiller OB-GYN, a women's health care provider who was murdered while acting as an usher at his church in Kansas.
The murder of Dr. Tiller, who provided LEGAL AND SAFE late-term abortion services among his medical services, is another vile act by the radical right and their bloodthirsty followers. These are words I never wanted to write and hoped that this country had matured to get past, but obviously I was wrong.
But if you want to see what radical anti-abortion forces look like, just take a gander at the murder suspect, Scott Roeder, Randall Terry and the current membership of Operation Rescue and other groups. These are the real faces of hatred and intolerance, and it is time to stop treating them like lovable old conservative thinking people.

Could Be Another Short Stanley Cup Finals

I am not really too surprised that Detroit is leading Pittsburgh in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, 2 games to zero, after successive 3-1 wins by the Red Wings over the Pengiuns this weekend.
The series is holding true to my thoughts; I was and am still rooting for Pittsburgh, and I was and am still predicting Detroit to win, in 5 or 6 games. The next two games in Pittsburgh are obvious must-win situations for the Penguins, and Detroit is showing very few faults so far.
Oh, by the way, are any of the former Sabres playing in the finals, Miroslav Satan, Phillip Boucher and Ty Conklin, doing anything positive on the ice so far?

No Fun, But Not Too Bad

While the temperature dropping to 45 degrees on the night of May 31/morning of June 1 is bad enough, and the frequent running of the furnace even worse, last night's cold weather did not get too bad here in the City of Buffalo itself.
While most of Western New York appeared to be in a frost advisory, Buffalo was not, so this slight improvement was expected. I hope that not too many of our readers had to scrape ice off their car windshields and windows this morning.
The expected warming up (to about 66 with a decent amount of wind) had better occur today; Val and I have some salmon steaks we plan to cook out tonight.