Commentary: Back Home

It's a strange feeling returning home after being gone for almost 7 years. Besides my brief return to establish residency for my college, this is the first time I have returned for an extremely extended time. It feels like a new toothbrush. You know it's good for you, but stiff bristles attack you at every turn.

Having to reestablish old friendships and try to gain new ones is the hardest part. I have met with a few of my old friends, but a 7 year divide stands between us. I have changed in my time away, I can tell you that. I wouldn't say I am worldly by any extent of the word, but I have moved on while they have remained stagnant. I guess that is the way of the world.

The drive from White Plains to Buffalo was one long drive with nothing but my father in the car and no radio signal driving through the Catskills. Wow, you wouldn't believe the lack of any type of radio outside of country music. Passing some of those small towns, I was almost expecting dueling banjos to start playing on repeat. When you pass by towns you can't find on any maps, with signs made of wood that looks like it was old enough to have been torn off of the Santa Maria... I was frightened and in no mood to squeal like a pig.

I saw a town that looks like it was trapped in the 50's as well. So stuck in the 50's, I saw a malt shop, a full service gas station conveniently named "Gas", a Drug Shoppe, and no modern conveniences. No ATM's, no fast food beyond a burger joint where you get served in your car, no Starbucks...or any coffee shop to be exact. That right there is what actually stopped me from envying this type of life. Coffee is my life-blood. If I had no place to go for my addiction, I believe I could depopulate the place with a waspish attitude and massive headaches. As we all know, us coffee addicts drink coffee to suppress our latent mutations. Who knows what abilities we possess, but they are destructful and you never want to see them.

Arriving back at Buffalo, I found my haven. Tim Horton Coffee. If you never had the pleasure of stopping at a Tim Horton's while in Western New York, do yourself a favor and stop in for a Large Hazelnut Double-Double (Large coffee, hazelnut shot, 2 cream, 2 sugar). You will not be disappointed. If you are here for an extended period of time, I will list a few things you cannot pass on:

Tim Horton's - One of the best, cheapest cups of coffee you can find in the area. Using addictive Canadian creamer, you will desire it for the rest of your life.

Mighty Taco - Yes, you have most likely had Taco Bell, but Taco Hell has nothing on Mighty Taco. Have yourself a value meal and enjoy high quality ingredients along with a large Loganberry soda.

Buffalo Waterfront - A work in progress, the Waterfront is still one of the best places to go for many different attractions:

Shea's Buffalo Performing Arts Center - One of the best places I have ever been to when seeing a play or musical. One of the historical cornerstones of the Waterfront area.

Buffalo Naval Park - To appreciate the Waterfront, you have to tour the 3 retired naval vessels that are always on display. The USS Little Rock, USS Croaker, and USS The Sullivans is a constant reminder of the past and will always hold a special place in your heart as you walk through the passages and cabins that people who defended the United States with their lives once walked and lived.

Nietzsche's - For the night owls, head down to Nietzsche's, near the Waterfront, for live music and a brew with other night owls. Tons of local artists sing and play music with a sprinkle of stand-up comedy days. Good prices and good people, can you ask for more?

Anchor Bar - For those that like history and food in equal amounts, head to the Anchor Bar. The home of the ORIGINAL buffalo wing. Not an imitation, nor an impostor, Anchor Bar is where the wing was born and raised to what it is today. Don't settle for soggy wings ever again, get your grub on with the best wings in the country!

Club Diablo - For those that want to explore the darker side of the dark side of the night, head to Club Diablo. If I could imagine a place to meet Miss Destructo if she ever graced this city with her presence, it would be here. Classy, cozy, one of the best alternative clubs/bars I have ever been to, you get treated to live music, fine brews, and if you are in the area June 12th, you can catch the Purgatory 2 Road Show, the #1 touring fetish show in the nation!

These are just a few of the attractions you can check out, but there is so much more. If you ever want to know of some family, individual, adult, etc, attractions of the great city of Buffalo, feel free to contact me! I am also always down for meeting my readers and would be happy to buy you a drink if you ever see me out and about town! Enjoy your trip here if you ever come, you wont be disappointed!

Poetry: Between the Rain

Falling in slow motion,
reality reflects in each drop.
Warping what the eye beholds,
do we see reality between the rain?

I could sit for an eternity,
watching the rain splash off your laughing eyes.
Lost in the moment,
you become my rain-soaked reality.

Falling in slow motion,
I fall deeper in love with you.
Your rain-soaked face glowing in defused light,
like an angel that descended through the dark clouds.

I want to take your hand but I cant,
because you're a million miles away.
Between the rain and reality my mind warped,
feeling you ever so close but so very far away.

Poetry: Lessons Learned Through Heartbreak

Classes are over;
the final has arrived.
I have taken many notes,
but I am still unprepared.

Lesson one is where it all began,
the Do's and Dont's of relationships.
Mistakes are okay,
because this lesson was a primer.

In this lesson,
you open your pocketbook more than your heart.
Together you should lay your cards on the table;
don't move to the next lesson with skeletons in your closet.

If you learned what is needed,
proceed to lesson two.
Though be wary of this step,
it is where many have failed before.

Lesson two is where things heat up,
and the honeymoon has begun.
Passionate kisses and rough foreplay mark this step,
but as always you must stay vigilant.

The single utterance of a single word,
and you fail and go back to the beginning.
Always be mindful of the song,
what's love got to do with it?

If you survive lesson two,
I owe you a hearty congratulations.
Lesson three is less difficult,
but pitfalls lurk in security.

Lesson three is where you chance saying the word,
though through your mate do you pass or fail.
Given the green light you may advance;
given the red light and it's back to the start.

If love exists as you hope it will,
you are ready for advanced lessons.
If love falters and fails,
consider these lessons learned.

I wish I could take you further,
but the rest is up to you.
I hope you pass the course,
but if not I will be waiting for you at lesson one.