Anthony's Tree of Life

My new music blog

2010-02-14T04:17:00.003-05:00

I decided to create a new blog for my musical endeavors.

http://rigatonymusic.blogspot.com/

I'll keep the Tree of Life blog up, but the my music blog will be updated more frequently. Be sure to check it out!

:-)

What's the point?

2010-02-13T13:32:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads these things at all.

Strangest concert I've never been to

2009-11-17T07:10:00.001-05:00

I just had a strange dream, so I had to share it with you immediately while it's still fresh in my mind. My roommate and I went to this free concert headlined by Bruce Springsteen. We didn't get to see Bruce, but Bob Marley was there. Bob looked great, like he never aged (and never died). He put on a thrilling show. After the show, we went back to my mom's house and I told my brothers about the show. I told them about Bob Marley and how great he looked. I showed my brother Robert a picture of Bob online. He said that Bob must work out to look that good. We looked at the promotional flyer, which stated that Michael Jackson (also not dead), Stevie Nicks, Rush, and Asia were also performing at the show. My brother Donny said there were still 2 hours left of the show, and if we hurried, we could catch the rest of it.

So, we went back. Stevie Nicks took the stage, but she looked like an 80s pop star, like Madonna in a white dress and legwarmers. She had a band of men behind her, and she and her band did choreography to some strange disco song. The men sang with her, and some of them got to sing solos. Stevie messed up the dance moves a couple times. After the song, Stevie said a few words, but one of her band members also had a microphone and interrupted her. When the next song began, Stevie walked off the stage and drifted through the audience and walked up to where my roommate and I were sitting. Her appearance had changed. Now she was short and stout with a big, bountiful bosom, and she looked exactly like my mom. She approached me, put her hands gently on my face, and said, "Hello." I was so stunned that I was lost for words. I said, "Hello, Stevie. How are you?" I was scrambling to think of what to say next. I thought that I should tell her that I liked the Trouble in Shangri-La album, but before I could say anything, she hugged me and embedded my face in her boobs. She then turned around and looked at my roommate, pulled out the chair directly across from me, got on her knees and looked downward, like she was praying or something.

The Dating World

2009-07-30T22:18:00.003-04:00

I've become frustrated with focusing all my energy on one person unsuccessfully. I would like to find someone who enjoys my company, and will commit to it. I just want a companion. That is the problem with people nowadays is that they don't want to commit and dedicate themselves to anything. Relationships are fleeting to people of my generation. We live in a distracted world, where everyone is always focused on the latest sensation or recent piece of technology. People get bored and move onto the next thing. Relationships are bust.

And yet, for some reason, the romantic in me continues to believe that there is someone out there for me. I am the Hopeful Romantic.

I haven't much experience with dating. As a teenager, I was a misfit, very uncool, and very lonely. The few so-called relationships I had were short lived. The only person I actually dated and had a serious relationship with is still one of my best friends.

I'm just getting into the whole dating world in my 20s. It's interesting, scary, weird, and fun all at the same time. I am very selective about who I meet. Sometimes I meet other people through friends. The internet also provides new ways for people to meet and has resulted in many people finding something special with one another. I am keeping my options open. I am also cautious. I am taking my time and won't settle for any turkey who happens to land at my doorstep.

Syracuse Gay Pride 2009

2009-06-21T15:03:00.011-04:00

Yesterday was my 11th time in a row going to the Pride Parade and Festival in Syracuse. Last year was the only time I can recall that it didn't rain. Usually, it rains for a little while and then the sun comes out and we're treated to an auspicious rainbow. But this year it poured all day. It literally put a damper on the festivities. This didn't stop some people from walking around the festival shirtless.

Despite the weather, the event still had a great turnout. It is wonderful to reunite with people you don't get to see often. I usually say that it is "like a big, gay family reunion." It is also fun to people-watch. There are all kinds of interesting, colorful people having a great time. Many people dress up for the occasion, and I've seen some pretty creative get-ups.

The event began at City Hall with a speech from Syracuse Common Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Stephanie Miner, followed by the raising of the rainbow flag. The parade traveled along a lavender line painted in the road, ending at the festival at the Everson Plaza. Festivities continued throughout the day, concluding with after-parties at various bars. I didn't go out to the bars. I just wanted to get out of the rain.

Stephanie Miner speaking at City Hall

The legendary Fagbug, promoting "activism on wheels"

The Trexx float at the parade

Nikki Fenmore talking to the driver of the Budweiser van. What could she be up to?

The one and only protester at the event

The parade

St. Peter's Church and El Diablo

2009-06-05T19:45:00.007-04:00

As I was walking home last night, I walked past St. Peter's Church on James St. The church has been closed for some time, and there are For Sale signs on the property. I always thought it was such a shame that that little church closed. It was a nice Italian church (one of many churches on James St.). There has been little activity around the church since it closed, save for the birds that still sing in the pine and birch trees in front.

As I walked by, I happened to notice that a light was on. I thought that I should take a look, although I almost second guessed myself. What if people should see me? They might think I'm breaking in. My curiosity got the best of me, so I cautiously walked up the steps and looked in the front door.

No one was in sight. I could see the altar and the crucifix above, and a few rows of pews. It was so beautiful. Finding such beauty in simplicity is humbling. It touches the core of one's soul in a unique, profound way.

I then remembered that I was listening to music on my MP3 player as I was walking, and I realized what I was listening to and how ironic it was. "El Diablo" by Grace Slick. Music has a funny way of coinciding with all events of my life. In light of the fact that I was standing in front of a church and just stumbled across something special, I respectfully changed the song, even though it is an incredible song. I opted instead for "Gypsy" and "Sara" by Fleetwood Mac, back to back, and continued walking, feeling a little bit better about myself. Nothing like church to make one feel uplifted and refreshed.

I hope the lights are on again next time I walk past. I'd like to take a picture.

I was approached by a drunk hooker

2009-05-28T01:16:00.001-04:00

I was just approached by a drunk, blond hooker in her 40s.

I just left my friend's house, and I was walking up the street to catch my bus. I was listening to Bob Dylan on my MP3 player. All of a sudden, this hideous, skanky looking woman appears out of the shadows and walks up to me. She had straggly blond hair, thick, black eye liner, and tight pants. I pause my music and take out my earbud so I can hear her. She said to me, "Why the fuck are all these stores closed? I want a beer!" I commented that the store directly across the street from us was also closed. She said, "Well, they need to open the fuck back up because I want a beer!" As I slowly back away and attempt to escape, I said that one of the stores around here must be open. She muttered something about the store up the street, but I really didn't care. She asked me if I had a cigarette, and I told her I don't smoke. Then she asks me, "Well, do you have $1.50?" I told her that I just had what I had. And she turned and looked at me and said, "And what's that?" I said, "Enough to get home."

She continued to mutter something, and then proceeded to walk up the street in the same direction I was going. I walked behind her, far enough so I didn't have to associate with her. I put on my music again and continued to watch this strange woman in front of me, and Dylan's words were right on cue, almost as if this were a scene of a movie and his words were the soundtrack:

"And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?"

As she was walking up the street, a blue car stopped and she ran up and got in the vehicle. The car drove for about 15 seconds, and then pulled up to the corner. The woman got out of the car and continued to walk up the street. As the driver took off he shouted, "GET OFF THE FUCKING STREET!"

I was already at the bus stop watching all this happen, and thank goodness she continued going in the other direction instead of turning and going my way. Two minutes later, the bus arrived, and I was relieved to be off the street. As soon as I got home, I called my friend immediately and told him what happened. He laughed and said, "You sure know how to attract them! People tell me these things that happen to them all the time. Nothing like that ever happens to me."

Great. Why do I have to attract all the freaks?

Taking a tumble

2008-12-18T10:10:00.003-05:00

You often hear stories about people slipping and falling in the shower. As far as I know, it's never happened to anyone I know, and I never thought it would happen to me. Needless to say, I was surprised when I went face first this morning.

I had just finished my shower, and I was holding onto the curtain rod for no more than a few seconds when the whole thing just collapsed and fell off the wall, and down I went, to the floor with a crash. I'm glad I just relaxed my body and just let myself fall instead of resisting, because if I resisted the fall I would have hurt myself even more. As I got up, I dried myself off and checked for injuries. I felt a few bruises, but nothing major. When I looked down at my knee, I saw a nice bloody gash. It didn't hurt or anything, although now that I'm cleaning it off it does sting a little. I began to laugh because of the ridiculousness of the situation (the curtain rod coming off the wall) and the fact that it took me by surprise. I thought it was such a strange incident that I decided to mark the occasion by taking pictures of my bloody knee (I know, I'm strange).

Now I have a nice little gash on my left knee and a bathtub without a shower curtain. Now I'll have to take baths instead of showers.

Moral of story: Never hold onto the shower curtain rod, especially if you're uncertain how stable it is.

Winter in Syracuse

2008-12-17T00:30:00.005-05:00

My last blog entry was six months ago, in the summer. It is now the middle of December and Christmas is right around the corner. Winter has arrived in Syracuse. This city is know for it's cold, brutal winters. The weather here sucks. Fortunately, it is still early in the season and things aren't that bad yet. The worst is yet to come. Syracuse only has two seasons: Winter and road construction.

Right now it is clearly winter. Here's what it looks like out on my street at 12:50 AM:

Pride '08 under the blaring sun

2008-06-12T09:20:00.012-04:00

I meant to write this blog sooner, things have just been so busy around here. There have been a lot of people coming and going. Now that the bodies have finally filtered out, I actually have a chance to sit down and write.

Central New York GLBT Pride was on Saturday, June 7. This is my tenth year going to the Pride event. Donny went with me for the first time. Some of his teachers and fellow students went, as well, and he got to see them there. He knew more people there than I did! He marched in the parade with me and Jonathan, and he had a blast all day. I took lots of pictures.

The only problem was that it was so hot. Walking around in 90 degree weather all day can be tiring. We did a lot of walking, because after wandering around the Pride event for a few hours, we also went to the Youth Pride event at the Q Center. I've never seen Donny have so much fun! I'm glad he came along. Later, Jonathan and I came back to the festival to watch Sister Funk perform the last few songs of their set. Most people had gone home by then. So we went home to relax in the air conditioning. It was a fun weekend.

The beginning of this week was a scorcher. It was so damn hot. And then the storm hit us suddenly, and left just as quickly as it came. The downtown farmer's market started Tuesday, and I'm glad I went through there when I did, because if I had stayed there another 15 minutes, I would have been blown away. When I went into work, I was up on the 10th floor and there were plastic bags and things flying around. Potted plants were tossed about. People raced to save their fruits and vegetables. I feel bad for them. I hope they didn't lose too much money. What a bad way to start the farmer's market season. I hope next week is better for them.

Now the weather is nice. The sky is bright, blue, and clear, and the temperature has cooled off significantly. I guess we needed that storm to break the heat. Now all is back to normal. Not only has the weather quieted down, my apartment has quieted down, as well. I've had a lot of company lately. But at least now my apartment's clean. It looks great. I can actually have guests over now. But for now I need some peace and quiet for a few days.

And Then There Was One...

2008-05-29T21:33:00.004-04:00

After a long battle with the management, my neighbors have finally moved out. It's been a long, stressful process, and I've been a good, supportive friend to them through it all, as I always am. It is so quiet in the apartments on both sides of me now. It's almost like a ghost town. I don't hear Chris's music in the middle of the night. No more waving goodbye to Skip when I leave for work. No more hanging out with the neighbors and knocking back a 12-pack. It was fun to actually have people to hang out with that were literally right next door. As suddenly as they moved out, there are people getting ready to move in. I hope I have good new neighbors.

Skip and Chris found a 2-bedroom apartment. It's not too far from here. I'm sure I'll help them move in. I can't wait to see their new place. Most of their belongings are downstairs in the storage room here. Skip is using my storage room. They will be moving out their stuff soon enough. As soon as their stuff is gone, I will also begin the moving process. It's time to say farewell to this tiny dump.

Going co-Mando

2008-05-20T09:00:00.012-04:00

After much research online and several visits to Guitar Outlet, I finally decided to buy a mandolin. The gentlemen at the guitar shop were very helpful and informative. I also learned that it's best to try out several instruments before I decide which one I want.

That's something that I failed to do when I bought both of my electric guitars. The first one I bought at Media Play before they went out of business. Since the store was closing, everything was marked way down. So I scooped up the cheap electric guitar thinking only of saving money (which is, unfortunately, probably the last thing you should think of when buying a musical instrument). The guitar, which wasn't that great to begin with, soon broke when something became loose and a wire broke inside. And, of course, the store's closed, so I can't take it back. I could always get it repaired, but I don't want to invest more money in a hopeless guitar. The second electric guitar I bought at Guitar Outlet. My mistake was that I got the first guitar that was handed to me instead trying out others to be sure which guitar feels right, sounds right, etc. The guitar doesn't have the greatest tone, and the strings rattle. I think I'm going to trade it in for a better one, even if I pay a little more.

This time, however, I did my research. I took several trips to the store and looked at all the mandolins. Several were way out of my price range, but I looked anyway. I picked them up, made some chord shapes, strummed and plucked. I inspected the instruments to check for damage or flaws, and sure enough, there was one with a broken neck that had obviously been repaired. It was only $99. I wouldn't be getting that one. The older gentlemen showed me some mandolins and explained to me the differences in quality. The really nice ones are all hardwood and the cheaper ones are laminate. The hardwood ones are sturdier and have better tone. He also recommended a brand name.

I continued to look at the other instruments and ultimately went with the gentleman's recommendations. I bought a Kentucky KM-150 (click the link to see it on the Saga website). It is a beautiful instrument. I am very happy with it. It is a very well-crafted instrument. The quality is superb. The gentlemen told me to keep the receipt, and if there are any problems with it, bring it back and they'll fix it for free. You can't argue with that. He also gave me the number of a mandolin teacher so I can get lessons.

I've had my beautiful mandolino for 4 days now and I am in love with it. I am learning to play some songs already. It is a welcome addition to my musical arsenal. Maybe one day, I'll get a new electric guitar. And some bongos. And maybe some more things. And a place to put it all.

I'M BACK!

2008-04-02T21:22:00.005-04:00

Hello, old friends! Happy Spring! It's been a while since I've visited my blog. I know... I've been negligent. How could I keep away for so long? The truth is that I've been a busy man. I've been cleaning my apartment and getting ready to move, although I'm not sure where. Anywhere but here. Someplace on the bus line. My neighbor and I are looking into sharing a 2-bedroom apartment. It will be easier on both of us because we can split the rent and utilities. He's a good, trustworthy friend, and also the CLEANEST person I know. He's very neat and orderly, which is a good influence on me.

I've put my music project on hold in the meantime until I can get some things done and get into a better place with more room. I couldn't possibly make music here. I barely have enough room for my guitars as it is. Also, Stacy has moved yet further away, making it difficult for us to get together. I miss her, although she is doing well. I talk to her occasionally.

I've also started dating... SSH! Don't tell anyone! My friend Jon and I have started seeing each other again. We're taking things slow and casual. Rushing into things with high expectations, and going way too fast, head first, will only lead to disaster. So I want to keep things fun and lighthearted. No pressure, no stress. It will be nice to have a companion, since my *other* companion is so far away.

Music Project: Part One

2008-01-24T23:29:00.000-05:00

The idea of some sort of music project has been lurking around in my brain for years. I've never played in a band, and I really don't have the connections to join or start a band. I am not a great singer and I could never be a "solo artist." Nevertheless, I love music, and I love guitars. I've been playing for almost 10 years now, and I'm confident enough in my playing to want to share it with others in some way. I've written several songs over the years and I would like to record some of them.

When Stacy visited over the holidays, she and I discussed making some recordings for fun. This idea completely makes sense because Stacy and I have the same taste in music. She listens to everything I listen to and more. We enjoy singing our favorite songs together. Most of the musicians and singers we admire are female, and I always had the idea that if I had a band, I would have a female singer. But this is not going to be a band. It will just be a fun recording project. It will be mine and Stacy's lovechild. The whole experience will be worth more than the actual music created.

I've never done any serious recording, just some noodling around on a cheap karaoke machine when I was a kid. My brothers and I used to make tapes of us doing silly commercials for fake products and singing ridiculous jingles. We also pretended we were radio DJs and played songs in between our nonsense ramblings. Despite all that, I never really attempted to record music, except for two occasions I can remember. One time I hooked up my keyboard to the karaoke machine with an adaptor Robert gave me and recorded a song and listened to the playback. Another time I stuck the microphone inside my acoustic guitar and recorded some riffs over the song "Angel" by Fleetwood Mac (from the Tusk album).

My neighbor Chris is also a musician as well as a computer geek (I use the term affectionately). I'm discussing with him some ideas about music recording, in which he has experience. I'm also going to ask my cousin (who is also, coincidentally, named Chris) and see if he has any advice or recommendations.

I plan on getting a small home recording device of some kind, one that allows me to record multiple tracks (guitar, keyboard, vocals, etc.) and mix them. I'm also going to need some sort of music software that allows me to mix the songs on my computer. Once the recording process is finished, I plan on making some CDs. That part will be easy. I have a long way to go...

I'm currently browsing through homerecording.com and trying to soak in as much as possible. I have a feeling this idea is going to be expensive...

Happy New Year!

2008-01-06T12:28:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've done any blogging. The holiday season kept me busy. Even though I anticipate it every year, it was still quite strenuous, yet fun. Actually, it seemed like one big, continuous holiday. It started at work. I got nice gifts from a couple of the agencies at work. It was so kind of them to think of me, and I know it is an expression of their gratitude for keeping their agencies clean and for being so friendly and sociable. I appreciate their thoughtfulness and generosity. I'm grateful to have a good job with such nice people. That same evening I went to a Holigays party at a Youth Center where I used to attend a youth support group when I was a teenager. It was nice to see some people I haven't seen in a while. I took a swing at the piñata and sang gay Christmas carols (which has now become a tradition at the Youth Center). I also gave one of my paintings as a gift to the Youth Center, and the facilitator was thrilled. She said she would find a special place to hang it. At the end of the week we had a little party at work and it was a nice, relaxing day. My neighbor, Skip, also gave me a nice gift. I'm also fortunate to have such a nice neighbor.

I spent Christmas Eve with my mom, Don, and my brothers. I had dinner with my family and brought a few small presents for everyone. My parents didn't have the money for presents or a tree this year, but at least I brought them some Christmas joy. I worry about my youngest brother especially, because he's still a kid. It's unfortunate that he cannot experience the fun and magic of the holiday season as I did when I was a child. I think it's my duty to bring a little of that magic to him, to keep the spirit alive in is heart. I know he appreciated it. I overheard him talking on the phone to one of his friends who asked him what he got for Christmas, and he told them. Imagine telling your friends you got nothing at all... how horrible that would be! For me, it's not about the presents; I would still be happy if I got nothing at all, but Donny should be able to enjoy the holidays and be allowed the simple pleasures of being a kid. I'm glad I went over there and spent time with everyone, because all I really wanted for Christmas was for my family to be happy together.

The next day, my dad picked up Robert and I and we went over to Nonna's house. We had a great dinner (of course) and opened presents. My cousins had a good time playing with their toys. Tony got an animatronic parrot that moves and repeats everything you say. Nonna was teaching it to say words and phrases in Italian. I've never seen her laugh so much. We also watched the movie Ratatouille, which I missed when it was playing in theatres. After another great day at Nonna's house, I came home with a lot of food to fill my refrigerator.

That evening I got a call from Stacy. She was at her mom's house and wanted to know if she could come over that night instead of on Saturday. She came over and I got to spend Christmas with her, as well. She stayed with me for a week and a half. It was a different experience living with someone, even for a short amount of time, but it was fun. Stacy and I have a lot of fun when we're together. We stayed up late at night and listened to music, watched videos on YouTube, and sat around and talked. On New Year's Eve, I had my best friend beside me. We cruised through a 12-pack of Smirnoff, watched the ball drop, and at midnight, she was the one I kissed. I wouldn't want to ring in the New Year with anyone but Stacy. She is the love of my life. She went home yesterday, and now it's awkward not having her here. But we had a blast, and now I'm recovering and resting from my extended holiday!

And So The Season Begins...

2007-12-03T09:33:00.000-05:00

"What are you going to eat? Nothing?"
Thanksgiving was great, as it always is. My uncle Jerry only made one vegetarian joke this year! I also love to see my cousins and my aunt. It is one of my favorite holidays because it's about being thankful, family, friends, food, and fun. Thanksgiving means a lot to me because it's one of the few times when my family is altogether. It's also about getting tipsy on the wine! :-) And leftovers, of course... but those were gone in two days! Besides, I get leftovers from Nonna's house even when it isn't Thanksgiving! I don't think I've ever gone to her house without returning home with food!
What's the malfunction?
My computer was down for over a week. It stopped working properly the day after Thanksgiving. I'm glad it was still under warranty. My dad brought it back to me yesterday. He and my uncle souped it up with additional memory and virus protection. What a generous family I have! I'm glad to be back online, although I had plenty of things to do while my computer was in the shop.
'Tis the season... for spending too much money
I've also begun my Christmas shopping. I stayed away from the mall on Black Friday... those people are nuts to go out there at 4 in the morning and wait in line behind thirty or more people! I'm only buying a few things for select people because I can't afford to buy things for everybody. This is the first year where I've actually been able to afford to buy presents for anyone at all. Previous years I've only given cards, and one year I actually gave out homemade cards. I'm looking forward to this Christmas and giving presents to the ones I love. Snow has finally fallen around here, as well, and the grounds are covered with blankets of white. It's also colder than a witch's tit (as my old supervisor used to say)! People keep telling me that we're going to have a mild winter this year, but I know Syracuse weather. The worst has yet to come, and we'll have snow until March, for certain.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apples and Walnuts

2007-11-21T22:02:00.000-05:00

Here's a great recipe for Thanksgiving, or any time of the season!

Ingredients:
3 medium acorn squash
3 good baking apples, or any apples you prefer
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
6 tablespoons margarine or olive oil
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
a pinch or allspice or nutmeg
salt and pepper (optional)

Instructions:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Since acorn squash is hard to cut, partially bake or microwave the squash until the skin is soft enough to be broken easily by the pressure of your thumbnail. Allow to cool before handling.

2) Lightly oil a shallow baking dish large enough to accommodate 6 squash halves (multiple dishes or pans can be used).

3) Peel and core apples and cut into small chunks. In a mixing bowl, combine the apples, nuts, margarine or oil, brown sugar, and spices (except salt and pepper) and mix until the sugar is mostly dissolved into the margarine, and the apples are evenly coated.

4) When the squash is cool enough to handle, cut each one in half lengthwise (top to tip). Scoop out the seeds and fibers (save the seeds because they can be roasted and eaten like pumpkin seeds). Wrap each squash half in aluminum foil and arrange them on the baking dish. Spoon the apple mixture into each center, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If there is any liquid left over in the bowl, pour it over the squash and apples. Seal the aluminum foil over the squash.

5) Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until the squash is tender.

Yield: 6 servings

Tramps like us... baby we were born to run!

2007-11-16T19:57:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, November 15, I went to Albany with my neighbor Skip and his friend Joan to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Skip is a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, and he invited me to go to the show with him. He and I are both great lovers of music. That commonality is the reason we became good friends. We had an interesting road trip, and had a great time at the show. It's one of the best concerts I have ever seen. The energy was great. Bruce performed some songs from his new album, as well as some surprises. We danced, sang, had a few beers, and enjoyed ourselves. We didn't get back until after 2 AM... and I had to work the next day! But it was great. I'm glad I went. Here is the set list:

Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason To Believe
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Candy's Room
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
I'll Work For Your Love
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
The E Street Shuffle
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Encore:
Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Thunder Road
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land

Good Deed of the Day

2007-11-07T00:28:00.000-05:00

On my way to work yesterday I decided to stop at the Sound Garden to pick up a DVD I wanted. I was walking around Armory Square and I saw a woman in a wheelchair coming around the corner. As I walked by, I watched her as she opened the door to enter a building. I noticed that she was having trouble with something and I stopped to see if she needed any help. She told me her shoe had fallen off, so I helped her put it back on. She thanked me, and proceeded to open the door to enter the building. I stayed for a moment longer to make sure she got into the building safely. She seemed to struggle a little with the door, so I asked her if she needed help with it. She politely responded that she was okay, so I continued on my way to the record store.

As I walked away, I was overcome with a sense of fulfillment and contentment. I was in a pleasant mood for the rest of the day. I'm glad I encountered that lady. That experience made my day.

Wonderful Weekend

2007-11-04T22:48:00.000-05:00

My best friend Stacy came to visit me this weekend. After a crazy week at work, I was looking forward to an enjoyable weekend. Friday night after work, I went down to the Regional Transportation Center to meet her there. She rode the Greyhound Bus. When I got there, I got a call. Stacy told me that her bus was running late. It wasn't going to be in Cortland for another hour. So I waited in the station for an hour and a half for her to arrive. I sat there and drank coffee from Dunkin Donuts and ate junk food from the vending machine. She didn't get into Syracuse until 11:30 pm. Then we had to wait until 12:15 for the next bus to pick us up at the Regional and take us downtown. Unfortunately, by the time we got downtown, there were no more Centro buses running. The last James St. bus was at 12:30, and we didn't get downtown until 12:35. So we took a cab home. We didn't get back to my place until 1 am.

Despite the unexpected delay, the rest of the weekend was great. We had a great time together. We hung out, ate, watched movies (Spirited Away and Fern Gully), and listened to music (Stevie Nicks, Heart, Siouxsie, Tom Petty, Bob Marley, and a band that Stacy likes called Broken Yoke). We also went next door to visit my neighbor Skip and hung out over there for a while.

After that, Stacy had me put highlights in her hair. She brought the kit with her. I'd never done anything like that before, so it was a new experience. I told her that I'm not a beautician and that I really didn't know what I was doing, but she was happy with the results. I told her she looked like a punk rocker, not only with the additional blond highlights, but also with the pink and blue she had put in her hair beforehand. Plus she got a new haircut (the word "bob" comes to mind) and also a lip piercing, so Stacy looked like a whole new woman!

It was nice to spend time with my best friend. I hadn't seen her in months, since she moved to Cortland. I'm glad she came to visit me. She plans on visiting one more time this year, hopefully before the S-N-O-W (a bad four-letter word) hits us real bad! Although we had a wonderful time, we didn't get much sleep. We stayed up half the night anyway, and since I had to set my clock back an hour, we lost another hour of sleep. So now I'm tired, and now it's time to retire for the night, because tomorrow I go back to W-O-R-K (another bad four-letter word)! Good night!

What a Weird Week!

2007-11-04T22:22:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a week for me. Last Sunday my allergies kicked in big time. They've been kicking my ass all week! I just can't seem to shake them. I hope I'm not coming down with a cold. It doesn't feel like a cold, as I can tell the difference between allergies and a cold, but I'm going to be cautious. The weather has been strange, as well, and the constant change between warm and cold, humid and dry isn't helping me any.

Wednesday was the last day I had to come in early to cover for someone at work. It was also Halloween. The majority of the day was pretty much the same as always... up until 5:30 when I go downstairs to clean childcare at the end of the day.

Let me tell you about childcare. Anyone who has worked in the cleaning/housekeeping industry will attest to the fact that anywhere where there is children, there is a disaster. I've cleaned in a lot of different places in the past few years, and let me tell you, childcares and daycares are the WORST. But during my time with this company, I have NEVER seen anything like this!

As it was Halloween, the teachers had a party for the kids. They had candy, cupcakes, and the usual. They also had a sensory activity where they put various items in containers and had the kids feel inside. It was supposed to be gross stuff, like wet spaghetti for brains, grapes for eyeballs, etc. When I went in there Wednesday afternoon, there was spaghetti in every corner of the room. There was spaghetti in places where spaghetti has never gone before! There was a glow-in-the-dark bouncy ball lodged in the sink. There was candy besprent from one end of the room to the other, even in the bathroom! There was orange and black paint everywhere. That childcare was so filthy, it was scary. It was almost horrific!

I was so tired. The week was already dragging on as it was, and that was just the tip of the iceberg! By the time I got home, I was exhausted. I didn't do anything to celebrate Halloween, which is one of my favorite holidays.

After Wednesday, things calmed down, but the energies were still weird around me. Something was just "off." I can't explain it, but nothing seemed to go my way. I was pretty irritable for the next two days. I must have been accident prone, too, because I kept tearing trash bags, dropping things, and just fumbling with everything. I even knocked my entire cleaning cart over... all my stuff fell on the floor, and the cart even fell apart! At least I didn't spill my mop bucket...

Sexuality and attraction

2007-10-28T22:55:00.000-04:00

Life is a journey of self-discovery. Over the years I've looked to the corners of the earth to find out more about myself. I've found that it's difficult to place a definitive label on one's self. We often get caught up in types: we're either "this type" or "that type," but I've found that not everything is so clear-cut. Our world is neither black nor white, but rather a myriad of colors, shades, and hues.

I've found that this truth applies to many aspects of my own life. I've often tried to define myself in terms of my sexuality, attraction, and romantic ideas, but I've found that I'm not just one "thing" or one "way." Any psychologist will tell you that sexuality and attraction are complicated matters. The Kinsey scale attempts to measure one's sexuality in a number system: 0 is exclusively heterosexual, and 6 is exclusively homosexual, with room in between for variation. I am definitely somewhere "in between," but I don't consider myself bisexual. Bisexual refers to sexual attraction to both sexes, but for me that is not entirely the case.

Sexual orientation refers to the direction of one's sexual attraction. The term is often misleading to some, as "sex" is used as the basis for attraction according to this defintion. An alternative term is "affectional orientation," which is, according to the Wikipedia defintion, "based on the perspective that one's orientation is not limited to sexuality but also to one's affectionality. To holders of this view, one's orientation is defined by whom one is predisposed to fall in love with, sexual attraction being only a part of a larger dynamic." In other words, attraction is more than sexual. I find myself attracted to a variety of people for a variety of reasons, regardless of their sex or gender. I am indeed attracted to both men and women, but I am attracted to them for different reasons.

It is hard to define, but I think that my attraction to men is mostly sexual and romantic, while my attraction to women is more of a reverence, respect, and a more aesthetic attraction. Probably the best way to describe it would be to say that my attraction to men is mostly physical, while my attraction to women is mostly spiritual, although the reverse is also true. I am emotionally and romantically attractioned to both men and women, and even to people whose sex or gender is not clearly defined as "male" or "female" in the biological or social senses.

I usually use the term "gay" to describe myself, as it is the most simple, but it is not totally accurate. Gay, or homosexual, in the most generic definition of the word, refers to sexual attraction to members of the same sex. Homophile is a term that is uncommon, but is sometimes preferred by certain individuals because it emphasizes love over sex. An androphile is someone, regardless of sex or gender, who is attracted to adult males. Attraction to adult females is known as gynephilia.

According to Wikipedia, pansexuality (sometimes referred to as omnisexuality) is defined as "a sexual orientation characterized by the potential for aesthetic attraction, romantic love and/or sexual desire for people, regardless of their gender identity or biological sex. This includes potential attraction to people who do not fit into the gender binary of male/female implied by bisexual attraction. Pansexuality is sometimes described as the capacity to love a person romantically irrespective of gender. Some pansexuals also assert that gender and sex are meaningless to them." I like the term pansexual for myself, but as it literally implies "sexual attraction to all," a more appropriate term for myself would be "omniphile," meaning "loving all."

My sex and gender have never been questioned. I have always identified as male. I have never had any desire to become a woman. Physically and psychologically I have always been male. Gender, sex, attraction, and orientation are not the same things.

We are often told that men have a "feminine side" and women have a "masculine side," and this is true. In the spiritual sense, I believe that all people are a composition of male and female energies, regardless of their biological or physical sex. As we are a product of the union of a male and female, we contain aspects of both our father and our mother. The Native American term "Two-Spirit" describes a masculine spirit and a feminine spirit living in the same body. It is known by different terms in different cultures. However, it is not to be confused with the terms transsexual or transgender. A Two-Spirit can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, male, female, intersexed, transsexual, transgender, etc. It is simply a person who is a combination of masculine and feminine energies, regardless of definitions of gender, sexuality, or attraction.

A more scientific approach might be to explain it on a hormonal level. My grandmother once said to me, "It is my opinion that we are all born with both male and female hormones. Females have more of the female hormones. Males have more of the male hormones. Homosexuals are born with a balanced mix... somewhere in the middle. This is just a unique thing and is not a disease or a mental problem. It just is. People are people and bring their own uniqueness to the world. We should appreciate every one we meet. They add to the interest of life." Truer words were never spoken.

It is great to be familiar with all of this terminology, as it allows me some sense of identity. Although there are many labels I could place on myself, I find that labels are too sticky. Labels are made for envelopes and documents, not people. I think the best thing to call myself is "Anthony," because that is who I am, period.

Other references:
http://www.androphile.org/
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2553.html

Mount Etna

2007-10-21T11:32:00.000-04:00

Mount Etna is located near the province of Catania in Sicily. It is the largest active volcano in Europe. Reaching a hefty 10,910 feet high, it is nearly three times the height of Mount Vesuvius (which is only 4,200 feet). It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is also abundant with life. Trees and flowers grow where lava once flowed. Vineyards and orchards grow on its fertile volcanic soils. It’s also a popular place for skiers and hikers, and people also live on its slopes.

Of the towns nestled in the mountainside is Piedimonte Etneo, which, when translated, means “the foot of Mount Etna”, which is exactly where the town is located. It is also where my family is from. Imagine living on the side of an active volcano! According to the Sicilian Surnames Search Engine, there are about 28 people with the same last name as me currently living in Piedimonte Etneo. There are about 216 in Catania and 210 in Palermo.

Mount Etna was also a popular subject in Greek and Roman mythology. Andranus (a fire god in Sicilian mythology) was said to have lived beneath the mountain before being driven out by Vulcan, the god of fire and the forge. Vulcan then kept his smithy under Etna. The word "volcano" is also derived from his name. The Cyclops were said to have forged weapons there, including Zeus' lightning bolts. Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, was said to have resided in Etna, where he kept the winds in caves below the mountain. The giant Typhon was imprisoned under Etna, and was said to be the cause of its eruptions. Another giant, Enceladus, was defeated by Athena and buried under Etna. It is said that the volcano’s tremors are his movements in pain from the wound of Athena’s spear, and its eruptions are his breath.

Despite the fact that Mount Etna is regularly active, those who reside on or near it are seldom in danger. The probability of having one’s home destroyed by the lava flow is slim. Most damage that occurs comes from fallen ash. When an eruption occurs, activities generally continue as normal, but precautions are always taken to ensure safety. Only seven eruptions have had reported deaths. Out of these, there have only been two notable major disasters that have taken place on Mount Etna: one in 1169, reportedly responsible for up to 15,000 deaths, and the most famous disaster of 1669 which killed up to 20,000 people.

One of the largest series of eruptions in years occurred in October 2002. A huge explosion of ash, which landed as far away as Libya, could be seen from space. Lucasfilm recorded footage of the eruptions and used it in the movie Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The most recent eruption happened on September 4, 2007 around 8:00 pm, lasting until the following morning between 5 and 7 am (local time). The Catania-Fontanarossa Airport had to shut down operations. According to National Geographic, Mount Etna has grown increasingly active over the last fifty years.

To see videos of Mount Etna’s eruptions, visit the following links:
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Etna
http://www.vulcanoetna.com/it_video.php
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/movies/etna_mov.html

To see a live webcam of Mount Etna, visit the following link:
http://www.ct.ingv.it/Ufso/Default.asp?Pagina=vulcano.asp&Vulcano=Ecv&Refresh=180

References:
http://boris.vulcanoetna.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Etna
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_etna.html

Working overtime

2007-10-18T19:51:00.000-04:00

Work has been a little different lately. Several of my co-workers have been out (on vacation, another job, etc.) so I've picked up a lot of extra hours lately, covering for other people. All during the month of October, as long as I'm needed, I've had an extra hour in the morning to clean a judge's chambers and courtroom. For a few days this week and last week I had another hour added to that, to clean the 9th floor, which is huge! I took so much garbage out of there, it was crazy.

But I don't mind working overtime. My supervisors know that they can rely on me to be there. The work isn't so strenuous that it's overwhelming. Plus, my paycheck will be a little bit nicer to look at when it comes in the mail!

Songs about work:
Donna Summer - She Works Hard for the Money
Rush - Working Man
Dolly Parton - 9 to 5
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary (also Ike and Tina Turner)
Huey Lewis and the News - Working for a Living

The last farmer's market

2007-10-18T09:54:00.000-04:00

Tuesday was the last downtown farmer's market of the year. Now that lot becomes a parking lot (which it usually is, anyway). I am going to try to go to the farmer's market at the Regional Market, which is close to my mother's house. I would like to continue to buy fresh, local, affordable produce. So that means I have to get my ass up on Saturday morning and take a bus ride! It's a little bit of a longer ride because I have to transfer onto a different bus, but I'm going to see if I can do it. It was nice to have the convenience of stopping at the market and looking around before work. Now I have to take a trip. Oh well.

Here is a summary of all the things I've bought at the farmer's market this year: Plums, pears, figs, tomatoes, onions, garlic, corn, yellow summer squash, zucchini, acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, cabbage, and sweet potatoes. I still have so much food in my house! I'd better get to cooking, because we've had a bountiful harvest this year. Halloween's coming up... I should make pumpkin pie! Autumn is the most inspirational time for food and cooking. Pretty soon Thanksgiving will be here and we'll be stuffed to the brim!

Weekend with Nonna

2007-10-09T20:47:00.000-04:00

Friday night I went over to my Nonna's house to spend the weekend with her. I had Columbus Day off, so I had a three-day weekend, and she always tells me with her shaky Italian accent, "Maybe when you have a long weekend you can come over and stay with me." So I did. It was nice to spend time with my Nonna. It really took my mind off of things, and I had a great time.

On the first night we stayed up and watched the Italian channel, RAI International. We watched Ballando con le Stelle, which is Dancing with the Stars in Italy. American actor Ronn Moss, who plays Ridge on the Bold and the Beautiful, was a special guest dancer that night. He didn't speak a word of Italian. But Ballando con le Stelle is just like its American equivalent, the main difference being that there are five judges instead of three. But the judges themselves are quite odd characters. One resembles an Italian version of Joan Rivers, and one was this prissy, snobbish, Paris Hilton-type character, complete with her little runt of a dog. I've always thought that Italian people were among the most beautiful people in the world, but some of these people were just caricatures of American stereotypes. Many of the dancers were beautiful, although some of the women dressed like buttane (whores), as my Nonna repeatedly pointed out. The American women are the same way.

The main thing I can expect when I go to Nonna's house is lots of food. She just can't stop cooking for me! She made me beans, pasta, broccoli, potatoes, squash, and lots of other things. Much of the things that she makes for me comes from her garden. The squash that she made for me was a light green maraca-shaped squash, which I later found out is called calabash or bottle gourd. In Italian it is known as cucuzza, which is also the Sicilian word for squash in general. It is also an an affectionate term, as well as a slang term for a stupid or hard-headed person (hard like the squash itself). She gave me a cucuzza to take home, as well as a small pumpkin from her garden. Another oddity from her garden was a miniature watermelon, which was juicy and sweet. This watermelon was so small, it fit in the palm of my hand! I've never seen a watermelon so small in my life!

I helped her bring some of her plants into the basement before winter comes. I told her that I was thinking about getting some plants for my apartment, so she gave me one. She asked me, "Why go out and buy plants when I have so many here?" She's right: her house is surrounded by a variety of plants, including a forest of flowers, a few fruit trees, half a dozen basil plants, and, of course, her vegetable garden.

On Sunday, I went to church with her. Going to church is a nice respite. It is a refreshing escape from the mundane. Everytime I go with her, I feel a sense of relief, as if all burden was lifted from my shoulders. It is a strange experience that is very uplifting. It seems to gradually wash over me. I always feel awkward going to church, as I am not truly a Catholic, but I never feel shunned or unwelcome. I eventually become quite comfortable with the experience. Roman Catholicism is an important part of my family, and a piece of it lies within me. It fulfills something within me in the same way I find fulfillment in Paganism and other religions. It is a beautiful, indescribable experience. I find truth within its beauty.

One of the other activities that I enjoy is listening to her stories. She has a great memory, and is full of stories about Italy, her childhood, her family, my grandfather, my father, and my uncle. I try to absorb as much of this information as I can. I love learning about the history of my family. It makes me appreciate my heritage even more.

I had a great weekend. We did a lot of activites together. I'm glad I got to see my Nonna! Thanksgiving is just right around the corner, so I'll see her again soon!

Rascal

2007-10-08T15:51:00.001-04:00

I received some sad news Friday evening. The day I feared would come arrived too soon and sudden.

My mother called me around 6:20 pm. I was still in work, so I didn't answer the phone. I knew it must have been something important, because my mother wouldn't call me at work unless it was urgent. As soon as 7:00 came around, I was right out the door, and I called her back right away. I could tell by the tone of her voice that something was wrong. She told me that my dog, Rascal, had died this morning. She told me that Grandma Elle took her to get an MRI and surgery, but before she made it to the MRI, her heart stopped. The doctors tried to revive her, but it was no use. Grandma Elle told them to let her go. Rascal died at about 11:15 Friday morning. She wasn't even 8 years old.

I knew that Rascal wasn't doing well, but I didn't expect her to go so soon. When my mother told me, I was speechless. I couldn't translate what I was feeling. The only thing that I remember saying was "There's nothing I can do." When mom asked me how I was, I told her I was fine, which was true at the moment. I handled it well for the first few minutes. It wasn't until I got onto the bus that the tears started to well up in my eyes. I summoned all the strength I could to hold back the tears, but they kept running down my face. Whenever I wiped away the tears, more followed. When I got home, I had an e-mail from Grandma Elle confirming what I feared was true.

The initial injury occurred a while back when Rascal was jumping into the truck and her leash got caught on the door and pulled her back. She landed on her hip, and soon after, she developed a limp. I never thought that her injury would eventually be fatal. I don't know if it was just my optimism or if I was in denial (or both), but I never thought that she would get as bad as she did. Even when I went to Connecticut for my vacation and saw for the first (and last) time how ill she had become, I still thought there was a chance that she would get better. I'm glad I got to see her one last time.

I knew there was a possibility that she might not recover. Just two days prior to her death, Grandma Elle e-mailed me and warned me that she might have to put Rascal to sleep. While I am not a fan of euthanasia, I understood that it might have been necessary if her condition worsened. Rascal did not deserve to suffer, so I accepted the fact and agreed to the decision.

I know that Grandma Elle did everything in her power to help Rascal recover her health. She endured much frustration and spent a lot of money to try to save our beautiful little dog. She took Rascal to get an x-ray, ultrasound, biopsy, and blood work. The doctor put her on prednisone, which is a synthetic steroid. The drug made her gain weight, which only made her condition worse, as it just caused more strain on her leg. Because she was in such pain, Rascal became inactive, which added to her weight gain. Her leg atrophied. She could barely stand or squat. She had difficulty going to the bathroom. As time went by, her condition became more serious. Her injury had snowballed into a great illness. After consulting three different doctors with three different opinions, there wasn't much left that could be done. I thank Grandma Elle for holding on as long as she did and not giving up, and I know that she loves Rascal as much I do.

I have wonderful memories of Rascal that I will cherish forever. She was my baby. I named her, and when she lived with me, I was the one who took care of her. She was famous for her doggy kisses, which were plentiful and unending. She was extremely loyal and protective, and she fancied herself a little guard dog. I've had many animals in my life, but Rascal was the only one with whom I had a strong connection. I love her so much and I miss her.

I leave the last word to Grandma Elle:
"She was a wonderful dog... full of intelligence, love and courage. She was beautiful and only seven years old. She deserved to live a full lifespan... about 13 years. I miss her so much." We all miss her. Rest in peace, baby girl.

Rascal
1999-2007

Farmer's Market

2007-09-26T22:37:00.000-04:00

I went to the downtown farmer's market yesterday morning before work. I enjoy going because there's a certain simple, back-to-nature feeling to it. It's reminiscent of a time when merchants would set up shop in the village square to sell their wares. It's also more personal to do business with the person who actually grew the food I'm going to eat, rather than buy it at some overpriced grocery store from some guy in a uniform and a nametag. It's also great because the produce is fresh, and I'm supporting local farms. It also costs a lot less than the grocery store. Yesterday I bought 2 green bell peppers, 6 large tomatoes, 8 onions, 1 acorn squash, and 1 butternut squash. I spent less than $10, which is hard to do nowadays with the price of food going up. That's why the farmers market is better.

I've been going to the farmer's market all summer long. Previous weeks I bought things like sugar plums, red plums, figs, and pears (a lot of fruit for some reason). It was also the Summer of the Squash because I bought a lot of zucchini and yellow summer squash, too. Now I see the selection of fruits, vegetables, and squash changing as the summer waves goodbye and winter sneaks up on us. The strawberries and blueberries are all gone. My favorite summer squashes have been replaced with their strange-looking and almost deformed winter cousins. There's still a lot of corn. There are apples by the bucketful. Enough with the damn apples! I'm going to have to make some apple crisp one of these days. Pretty soon we'll be seeing piles of pumpkins and I'm going to have make pumpkin pie!

If you're going to the farmer's market, there are some things you need to know to make your trip more enjoyable for both you and the farmers you're going to buy from. I decided to give some tips to the farmers market newbie:

1. BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag (or Basket) - If you provide your own bag (tote bag, backpack, etc.) or basket it will save a lot of trouble and cost for the farmers. For the bargains you get on the food, it's the least you can do for them. Once I overheard one woman say to one of her customers, "Thank you! You're one of the first people I've seen who actually brought there own bag." I understood, and since then I've brought my own (a nice blue tote that my grandma Elle gave me... thanks grandma Elle!)

2. Bring change - Not everyone has proper change, so there's lots of large bills being passed around. Many of those farmstands don't see anything smaller than a $10 bill. It's hard to make change for customers when they're exchanging it all for large bills. To make it a little easier on them, try to bring a lot of ones, quarters, and a couple fives.

3. Browse around - Don't just buy the first cucumber from the first person you see. Look around for a few minutes and see what everyone has to offer. Ask questions about their produce. You might find someone else selling the exact same thing for 25 cents less. You also might see fresher or better-looking produce, or something different that you haven't seen before. You also may not want to buy from certain shady-looking characters. I won't buy my produce from anyone who looks unhygienic or is smoking (that is disgusting!). I usually end up buying one or two things at several different stands.

4. Get touchy-feely - Don't be afraid to pick things up and inspect them. Feel them to ensure that the produce isn't mushy or too soft. Some produce may be bruised or overripe, and some may even be rotten. Many of the farmers prefer if you pick out specifically what you want anyway. Ask for assistance if you're not sure.

5. Try new things - You should come to the farmers market with little expectation because the flavors are always changing. Produce changes with the seasons, so stop moaning because the cherry-picking season is over! Weather and other factors also affect growing conditions and crop yield. There is also the factor of supply and demand; if a particular crop is not that popular, farmers will sometimes stop growing it. So you'd better come to the farmers market with an open mind and be prepared to challenge your pallet.

6. Be kind and courteous - Say hello and good morning to everyone you meet. Comment on the weather. If you have any questions, don't feel afraid to ask. Engage in conversation. Not everyone will want to chat, but they'll appreciate your acknowledgment. Always say thank you. They work hard all day to bring food to you, and some of them have to drive several miles to do so, therefore the least you can do is thank them for their time. Conclude by wishing them a great day in parting.

I enjoy my trips to the farmer's market on Tuesday mornings. Unfortunately, the last one of the season is October 16. I'll be sad when it's over, because then I'll have to go back to getting my California-grown produce from Juan or Betty or whomever at Wegmans' check-out line ("line" is not the word!). I'd better start packing away the fruits and vegetables over the next 3 weeks while I still have the chance.

~HAPPY HARVEST!~

Apple picking... sort of

2007-09-24T09:18:00.000-04:00

My dad picked me up yesterday and he and his wife and I drove outside of Syracuse to get some apples. We went to this farm where they're famous for their apple cider donuts. We didn't get to pick the apples straight from the tree, which is the whole point of apple picking, but at least we bought them fresh and locally. Sylvia got some donuts, but dad and I got the miniature apple pies. The pies were okay, just a little dry; we would have been better off with the donuts.

Afterwards, we drove around the area in Auburn, Skaneateles, and Elbridge. Just cruisin' 'round with no particular destination. It was a beautiful, sunny day for a little road trip. We stopped at the Bass Pro Shop at the Fingerlakes Mall and walked around for a while. When we returned to the city, we stopped to eat at my dad's favorite Chinese restaurant (so far... there have been several). What a way to spend the first day of fall! Now I have a ton of apples to eat!

Autumnal equinox

2007-09-23T08:10:00.000-04:00

Since today is the autumnal equinox (or the first day of fall in layman's terms), I've decided to "turn over a new leaf." I started this blog so I could keep track of my entries and have regular access to my blog. I have a blog on MySpace, but sometimes I have difficulty logging into my account. It just made blogging more of a hassle. Therefore, a resolution was in order. This new blog will allow me to make regular entries available for my friends and family to read. I can now proceed with my "bloggings" with ease.

Have a Happy Autumn!