Time You Enjoy Wasting Is Not Wasted Time

So carrying on my trend of buying and enjoying “ugly” shoes, I received my Crocs in the mail today. They are certainly not going to win any fashion awards, but they sure are comfortable. I ordered the Cayman in Sage from Zappos. I had read some good things about Zappos and I was not disappointed. I placed the order late Wednesday night and paid for standard 4-6 day shipping. Instead they overnighted them to me at no extra cost. Pretty sweet. It’s amazing how comfortable these shoes are! I really didn’t know how I’d feel about them, but the girls (of walking age) each have a pair and they love them so I figured I’d try a pair out. Now I just have to remember that even though they are comfortable they are not an “everywhere” shoe.

more cat pictures

The nice thing about keeping a blog is the historical reference. I was trying to remember how much gas used to cost in 2007 so I looked it up. Gas has gone up 35% in a year using $3.03 and $4.09 as the prices last year and this year respectively. Other expenses have gone up as well, although maybe not as high as 35% I haven’t sat down to figure it out. So here I sit patiently awaiting my tiny 3% increase to be authorized by the governor, who makes almost 4 times what I do and probably has his gas paid for at the taxpayers (my) expense. I think that is the biggest problem with those in power. There is a disconnect between them and the common person they supposedly work for. How can someone who makes $175,000/year and live with most expenses paid possibly understand what it is like to try to make a paycheck last two weeks until the next one comes in? I say let’s give the governor $40,000/year and make him pay the rent on that mansion and see how he does. Then next March we’ll tell him he can have a 3% raise, but we won’t actually give him the money until mid-summer or maybe later. See if he likes it.

To mark the beginning of the grilling season we got the grill out and cooked up some Italian sausages. Yum!

If you are in the Fredonia area I highly recommend going to Tuscany Fresh Meats Deli. They have a great selection and the prices are good. Plus it’s not a giant chain store so you can support a local merchant.

more cat pictures

Gas is officially over $4/gallon this weekend in Fredonia. The highest I saw was $4.05.

Dear Governor Paterson,

Rather than granting pardons to convicted felons how about doing something to help many people in New York? Like rescinding the budget freeze on SUNY and restoring the SUNY budget. And moving the pay bill off of your desk and to the legislature so UUP state employees can get their raises from July of 2007. You are personally responsible for dismantling the future of New York state and destroying the economic well-being of many many families. So stop playing with criminals and do what is right for New York.

Tell the Governor to Save SUNY Now

Fredonia’s school budget passed.

WIVB has a listing of all Western New York School Budget Vote results.

Update: The Dunkirk Observer has an article on the election here.

more song chart memes

And in case the reference is lost:

So today was my 15 year high school reunion. I wasn’t able to make it, but it got me thinking. I can’t believe that it has been 15 years since high school. Today was also graduation at the college I work at. Yesterday when I was walking across campus there were so many people hugging their goodbyes and parents packing up their kids it was a very poignant moment. I remember those feelings, leaving my high school friends behind and traveling to the opposite end of the state to attend college. It was such a big step. I hadn’t really given it much thought but I guess the whole reunion thing and 15 year thing got me thinking about it. It’s funny how much can happen in 15 years. In 15 years I got a degree, found the love of my life, got married, had children, found a good job, and so much more. I hope all of my old friends are doing well. It’s amazing how you can lose touch with people who meant so much to you…

Here are some links to news articles and op/ed pieces concerning Gov. Patterson’s misguided attempt to dismantle SUNY:

Spending freeze threatens students, state’s economy

SUNY grapples with budget

Fact Finder: SUNY Budget Deadline Extended

Proposed state aid cuts threaten to halt growth at SUNY schools

Don’t forget it’s not too late to contact the Governor!