This was one of the favorite posts from our other site…so we moved it with us!!!

This is your chance to tell us WHY YOU LOVE BUFFALO!!!

There are so many reasons that I love Buffalo, especially times like last night when I was sitting on a friend’s porch, having a beer (Flying Bison Aviator Red) and talking about all the amazing stuff happening in this city, and I called another friend, and he came over to hang out with us. Before we knew it, it was almost 1 AM and time to head home and go to bed…

I love Buffalo because of the people I get to work with since starting Revitalize Buffalo…people like Harvey, Newell, George, Alan, Zack, and Lynn. These are people that inspire me to keep working until Buffalo has become the city that we want it to be…there are so many more things I could say, but I want to know Why You Love Buffalo…

So, please share your thoughts!!!

Here is Molly’s letter which started it all:

Dear Revitalize Buffalo,

You asked me why I liked Buffalo so much. On the spot I wasn’t able to give it nearly as much justice as I could with a little thought, and time to put it in the right words. This is my attempt to explain better with a little more coherent trail than my jumbled up mind.

This is my home, what I know and what I love. I grew up in Kenmore, after my third grade year my family moved to Elma. Since my parents moved to Texas, I lived in Cheekta-vegas and South Buffalo. I went to two different grade schools(St. Paul’s and Iroquois), two different high schools (Iroquois and Sacred Heart), and two different colleges (ECC and UB) in this city. You know that game, three degrees of Kevin Bacon? Welcome to the Molly McGuire Buffalo version.

I hung out in East Aurora and the Elmwood Strip as a teenager. I hung out in Allentown, Main Street and Downtown as a young adult. If I start at Buffalo State and walk down towards Spot on a normal day I run into at least four people I know.

I know ninety percent of the employees at Spot Elmwood. Have hung out at Merlin’s with them after Spot closes. Most of the time all I have to do is walk in to spot say which drink it is that I want that day without specifying my modifications and it pops up on the counter just the way I like it. Not to mention knowing the names of other regulars.

I used to know half the employees of Jim’s Steakout in Allentown. I also used to regularly end up at Frizzy’s. The Bartender there, Trevor, I used to work with him at Chili’s too. It’s funny when your friends tell you they started hanging out with someone new and you show up to meet them only to find out you’ve known them for the last ten years of your life.

This is the city I can’t get lost in. Believe me I’ve tried. Whether I’m in South Wales, Niagara Falls, Downtown, or even Clarence, I know my way around. I’ve had people call me asking where they are and with a simple store I can get them to where they want to go. When I worked for NYPIRG the one manager and I used to race to our destination because I knew the fastest way and he had to prove me wrong, even though he cheated going 75-80mph on the thruway at times.

If you’re bored it’s hard to stay that way. From Shakespeare in the Park, Thursday in the Square, to every single play or musical going on. Whatever happened to “Shuffle off to Buffalo”? It’s still true though, if an act doesn’t make it here, it’s really not going to make it anywhere. We have enough theaters with a combined seating count to fill Ralph Wilson Stadium approximately three times.

I know everyone complains about the weather. Honestly though? We have four seasons, the winter that skiers and snowboarders love, a spring gardeners are in their glory, summers of sunshine and beaches, and beautiful colorful falls. There was the blizzard of 1977 and this summer of 2005 to set new weather records and get us onto the national weather channel. We know how to survive all of it though.

If for any reason you feel like a weekend get away Toronto is an hour, Rochester is an hour, Cleveland is three hours, Pittsburg is three hours, and NYC is seven hours. Not including the secluded little towns only New Yorkers really know about like Skaneateles. Buffalo is still the heart of everything.

In a more clear and concise way that’s why I love Buffalo. It’s simple to me in my mind but explaining it to someone else makes it a little more complex question.

-Molly

10 Comments:

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At 7:49 AM, Mike Miller said…

I love Buffalo because it is my past, my present and my future. It is so much a part of me, and of everyone who has lived here, that we cannot ever forget it. It has made us who we are. No other city I’ve lived in or have visited has made as much of an impression on me as Buffalo has.

I love Buffalo because it is rich with natural resources: bountiful fresh water, wonderful summers, incredible scenery. We are in one of the most ideal locations in the entire country for industry, recreation and tourism.

I love Buffalo because it is the most humble, unpretentious city in the United States. So much so that it is almost to a fault. We just don’t know how great we are and how rich the quality of living can be here.

I love Buffalo because thankfully, we are now starting to realize that we deserve recognition, as evidenced by Amy, Newell and countless others who work very hard and altruistically for their cause. I am moved and inspired by their efforts.

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At 7:08 PM, Jen(nifer) said…

Ah, I share my thoughts everyday over at my blog
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At 8:01 PM, Anonymous said…

I love Buffalo more than ever because I live out of town and I miss home a lot. I am only 65 miles away in Rochester and the people here just aren’t as friendly as the folks back home. As soon as I return home I feel at ease and I try to soak in all the good sights during my short stays. Problem is that my list of “things to do” is too much for a weekend, but that just means more trips.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is because there is always something to do! Skiing at Holiday Valley and Sabres games (finally) in the winter, the strolls through Delaware park and the zoo in the spring, the Taste of Buffalo, watching great Bisons baseball, and the trips to Crystal Beach in the summer, and Mayer Bros. and the Bills in the fall.

I love that we’re a hard working town and we can admit that we’ve made some mistakes along the way. I just hope that we can realize that despite our county’s financial crisis, Buffalo has no where to go than up. We’ve hit rock bottom and things can only get better from here. The Revitalize Buffalo initiative is awesome, I wish I could attend the meetings! In fact, this is another reason why I love home so much because there is a coalition trying to rally the troops and focus on the positives to show everyone what a great city we are.

I had the best of everything growing up in Buffalo and I’m so proud to call myself a Buffalonian!

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At 5:24 AM, ViewFromTheBottom said…

Anon…thanks for your post…and we’re glad that you make it home often…if you ever want to talk more about how you could move back here or about what RB is doing, let me know!!!

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At 7:07 PM, estarz said…

Star 102.5 is asking similar questions these days. Its nice to see people starting to take pride in the CITY and WNY in general.

Y do I love Buffalo? Hmmm….I think its a peaceful place…no BIG city problems…great place for the kids to grow up. I would not have said this a few years back but its been growing on me.

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At 5:28 PM, barkloud said…

I love Buffalo because….
I work at the waterfront. Today I was eating lunch outside, looking at the harbor, and I watched a lake freighter gracefully, slowly move into the canal. I took almost all of my lunch break to float in.
This is only today’s reason…….
val

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At 8:12 AM, BuffaloRox said…

I love Buffalo because…

you can strike up a conversation with a complete stranger without getting a suspicious look or worse

of the wonderful smell of toasting oats from the General Mills plant

I live close enough to the Zoo to hear the hyenas calling at night

a gentle snowfall blanketing the ground during the evening creates a magical atmosphere that we often take for granted and others elsewhere can’t understand

that same snowfall creates killer sledding

the Buffalo Bisons

people can, and do, make a difference by getting involved with their community

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At 4:58 PM, The Professor said…

The reason that has always kept me here has been friends and family of course–that undying tendency to feel that my “story” (ah, a fiction writer’s favourite tool, the character’s “story”) inevitably has its backdrop in this city.

Specifically though, it’s always the little things: The four in the morning last call, proving our nightlife’s (or more accurately our livers’)mettle. Our ability to say “So that’s it?” when three inches of snow happened to fall overnight. 75 year olds who still use shovels to make it go away. The fact that cars stuck in the piles of said snow almost invariably find their way pushed out of it–usually by total strangers. The no-holds barred tenacity to put on an incredible live set by the local musicians (and then drink you under the table afterwards). The fact that you can stroll into a twenty four hour restaurant at five in the morning, showing no signs of having slept at all, and no member of the staff will blink twice.

It’s a city of no illusions, and I think that’s what I love best about the city. A glamourous job isn’t apt to impress unless the job is one that you can rightly keep. Flashy money doesn’t mean much unless you still know how to get your hands dirty. “Wide Right” and “No Goal” simply meant a more tragic version of “Business as Usual” and while our perennial under-dog status is something that everyone here is trying to triumph over, we still love an under-dog.

Even our culture comes with grit and grime, even at its most high-brow. With the Pan-Am Exposition came labor riots and a presidential assassination. Our poets and musicians (the few that rose to national prominence) lived rough and tumble lives. So did a lot of our artists. Our pre-eminent art gallery has been one that specilizes in abstract expressionism–and while most would consider that form the most obscure and high-falootin’, it was really the one practiced by the scruffiest, most outcast underdogs imaginable. The ones that often painted hard, because they lived hard, drank hard, fought hard, talked hard.

This is a town borne out of dock workers, grain shovelers, freight loaders and tavern keepers, where the bar per capita was (and still is) higher than just about any city in the U.S. Where steel-working was once considered a “luxury” gig because you actually died on the job less often than a lot of the others around.

I love the city for the Thanksgiving Eves, the St. Patrick’s Days and the Memorial Days. For the fact that twelve of your friends think nothing of piling into your tiny-ass living room to watch the season opening Sabres game, or for the fact that all your pals will randomly heckle the guy too stupid to bring an extra sweatshirt for the one blistering cold Bills game in December (he was also probably the guy who forgot to bring the rolls for the sausage at the season opening tailgate party too).

Street hockey isn’t something to pass the time, but a near-daily ritual for many youngsters, even if someone doesn’t actually have a set of nets. Brawls are frowned upon but not necessarily disallowed.

It’s a city whose immigrants have remembered the even harder places from whence they came, so no matter how hard this town has been, they’ve known this was a step better. Where churches were wrought with the same tenacity as the daily work, but with a greater desire to make the world even less everyday, more ethereal, a step above the grit and grime.

And maybe that’s what those of us who stay would like to see happen with the rest of the city.

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At 11:29 AM, TonawandaGuy said…

Well, in the 60s, my love affair with my birthplace had everythinbg to do with our underdog champions, the Buffalo Bills. But as I grew older and adopted the gritty Buffalo mindset (Ha, you call this a snowstorm?), I came to appreciate our sense of identity — and that was cool. We have a name that’s recognized worldwide. Not bad for a mid-sized city. But what really keeps me in love with the lady is her history. I urge everyone who hasn’t grasped the significance and global marvel that was the Erie Canal to study up on it. And THEN you’ll know how Buffalo came to be. It all started there. I also urge everybody to visit www.eriecanalway.org and get a taste of what’s to come for the entire canal corridor. Buffalo is sitting on a great story!

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At 5:54 PM, faux tee said…

Wow….all these great posts. Something the Professor said really hit home. The comment about a city of no illusions. After living in Boston for 7 years (Mass, where you get large 2 pound lobster, not the one in New York where you get lobster dainties) and returning back to WNY - I never realized just how honest and open people are here. There’re no games, you’re not judged by the color of your mastercard, or by the car you valet. Boston has lots of money to be sure, but it comes with a grave price.

You can’t just decide to go see a band - the place’ll be packed and sold out. You don’t just pop out for dinner without reservations. Nothing is spontaneous. Street races are big races whent there’re 300 people, and there’s always plenty of beer and comraderie at post-race parties. And you certainly can’t go to the waterfront to get away.

I took my daughter to the Niawanda park today for a run in her stroller. A beautiful morning, sunny, mid-70’s, perfect….and the place was empty. Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch courtesy of Mississippi Mudd’s, and grabbed a patch of grass….but it was ALL open grass. No crowds of people, or long lines.

People stop to say hi, or nice day, or what a beautiful daughter (*gloat*). I remember my first weekend back from Boston, I was at a gas station. Just me and one other car on the far corner. Both of us filling up. The driver said “How’s it goin’ today?” I was almost floored not only that someone said “hi” but that it was an effort to yell across the station. I realize I’m rambling, and not saying too much. But I resented moving back here at first - I really loved Boston - but it’s been 16 months now, and I wouldn’t want my daughter to grow up anywhere else.

Buffalo Rising…
…is one of my favorite things about Buffalo! Buffalo Rising is many things to many people. It’s a print publication that comes out 4x/year. It’s a website…which informs us of all the cool stuff going on here in Buffalo. It’s people and places and my recommendation would be to check out the website as often as humanly possible…people are constantly posting on it. It most recently became a recruiting tool to bring people to Buffalo (awesome job, Newell - those 4 AM posts are sometimes worth it!)…

Everyone who posts for BRJ, Newell, George, Jennifer, Bronwen, Cynnie, et. al. each bring their own unique flavor to the site. They’re all reporting on the positive things going on in Buffalo, not dwelling on the negative stuff. We need more of that in this area.

So kudos to all the people at BRJ for their continued hard work…you guys ROCK!!!

http://www.buffalorising.com
posted by ViewFromTheBottom @ 1:11 PM 37 comment
BuffaloBeacon said…
My favorite thing is how the two groups work together. Keep up the great work, VFB!
11:58 AM
Anonymous said…
Whatever. They’re just the latest Artvoice wannabe. In 3 month’s Buffalo Rising (what a gay name) will be in a plot right next to The Buffalo Examiner.
2:57 PM
Ben McD said…
How come the people who post the most caustic remarks always post anonymously.
3:17 PM
Arete said…
and the funny thing is - I see more publications beginning, inspired by the exquisite flavor of BR - and better yet, I’m seeing each one work with the rest - the way BR & RB get to
4:24 PM

The Why (Not!) Guy said…
Oh no you di’int!
7:55 PM
Anonymous said…
The way you people buy into the Buffalo Rising bullshit is amazing to me. Did you ever stop and think how those guys can sit around and take pictures and blog all day? It’s because their a bunch of rich priveleged white boys and their experience of Buffalo is about as grounded in our reality as well any other rich white boy. Listen, Buffalo is okay because it has to be okay because most of us are stuck here. But let’s not pretend it’s great and let’s stop pretending it doesn’t got problems that these guys are in a real position to do something about if they just took off their rose-color glasses and dealt with issues instead of shoveling hype.
9:05 AM
Anonymous said…
These people buy into that hype because that’s all they’re about as well.

Buffalo sucks. It’s been in decline since the 70’s and has a long way to go before it gets any better. The talented young people in the city run away like rats on a sinking ship so all that’s left are the people too stupid to get jobs someplace else. I mean, look at your fucking mayor and he’s probably the smartest of the retarded mouth-breathing lot. And you don’t even learn. You’re about to elect Urkel who can’t wait to take it in the butt from every union in the city.

Those of you trying to make Buffalo what it will never be, just leave. Bless your good intentions, but just leave. Or at least stop trying to con the people who can leave into staying. The hype may make you feel batter but it’s really a disservice to the few people left in Buffalo who are bright enough to leave.
11:46 AM

ViewFromTheBottom said…
Ben…good point…as you can see, the 3 negative comments come from people afraid to take responsibility for them…
11:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Why leave a name, Amy? Just so you can attack the person and not have to deal with their points?

Buffalo sucks and you know it. If you don’t, then your too dumb to live anyplace else.
12:06 PM

ViewFromTheBottom said…
I want to address the comments that are being made…

Nobody is denying that there are problems in Buffalo and this region…nobody, not Revitalize Buffalo, not Buffalo Rising, not any of the local blogs…

…but one of the things that holds Buffalo back is our inability to see past the problems…we’re so busy being negative about the situation that we aren’t doing what we should be…looking for a solution!

…and that’s fine…everyone is entitled to their own opinion…and that’s the beauty of the comment sections on these blogs…

…all Buffalo Rising (and Revitalize Buffalo) is trying to do is remind people that not everything happening in Buffalo is bad…there are tons of good things happening…sometimes you just need to open your eyes to see clearly the beauty around you…
12:15 PM

The Why (Not!) Guy said…
If you don’t, then your too dumb to live anyplace else.

I don’t get all that upset when someone who can’t spell “you’re” correctly calls me dumb.

You’re certainly entitled to your view about Buffalo and Western New York. I respect it and even understand it. But I don’t see the point in logging on and bashing those of us who have a different perspective.
12:19 PM

ViewFromTheBottom said…
Thanks WNG…I wasn’t even going to go there with the grammar and spelling thing…
12:21 PM

The Why (Not!) Guy said…
I’m being a hot-head. Sorry.
12:25 PM
Anonymous said…
The point stands that Newell and George (and that’s really who Buffalo Rising online is) have no idea what the problems of this city are because they get to float above them all. Newell is old money Buffalo like his buddy Kevin Gaughan and for all George’s, I’m sorry FIGMO’S, talk about his East Side roots, he’s a dot-com trustafarian who works just when he feels like it.

Just because the two of them are able to pretend everything is roses, doesn’t make it true. Those clowns are clueless and the whole city seems to be buying their bullshit.
12:51 PM
BuffaloBeacon said…
Funny about all the negative comments being anonymous. Maybe they’re all the same one or two bitter people. Whatever.

I’m involved in both Buffalo Rising and Revitalize Buffalo and I’m definitely not a spoiled rich kid. I’m a business owner, wife, and mom who loves this city and is committed to its future. I’m also a college graduate with a master’s degree who could have gone anywhere but has chosen to live here because I’ve experienced other communities and I know what a wonderful city Buffalo really is.

The Why (Not!) Guy made a good point recently when he said that people are entitled to their feelings, but if they don’t want to be part of the solution, they should stay out of the way of those who are committed to being a positive part of Buffalo’s future. (Sorry, WNG, I paraphrased.)
1:00 PM

The Why (Not!) Guy said…
I don’t presume to speak for George or Newell - they speak very well for themselves - but I don’t think anyone who lives in Buffalo is oblivious to the many problems we face.

But there are already plenty of places both online and in the “real world” for people to discuss the negatives of living in Western New York. It’s covered.

Newell and George and the Buffalo Rising people, along with the people here at Revitalize Buffalo are showcasing the positives. Don’t think for a minute that this means we’re unaware of the challenges this areas continues to face.

Think of the blog world as a giant radio. If a city already has 14 country music stations, why would I start a 15th?
1:04 PM
Anonymous said…
They haven’t bothered defending themselves because they can’t. Maybe we’ll see them out tonight (if George is even here) drowning their sorrows with enough sushi to pay my rent talking about how nobody understands how great Buffalo is like they’ve been doing for the last 10 years. Clueless losers.
2:15 PM
Ben McD said…
Anonymous,

I do agree with you on some points. The people in this region elect politicians that do hinder the viability of not only the city, or the county, but also the state as a whole. I truly believe that it really isn’t Giambra’s, Gorski’s, Masiello’s, or any other politician’s fault. They were doing exactly the things that they were elected to do, therefore the blame lies with the people.

I also don’t believe in standing in the way of people who want to leave. Speaking from the standpoint of a budding free market economist, you shouldn’t stand in the way of market forces at work, even if it doesn’t seem beneficial at the time.

All of that being said, there is no reason to not advertise the positive signs of growth. You see, the huge government that we’ve created in this region is being crushed under its own weight. Because of this we see signs of private investment increasing. There has been more development in the past 4 years than there has been in probably the last 20. Couple this with the efforts you see by some of the different neighborhoods and volunteer organizations to help clean up the place and there are very clear signs that Buffalo is once again becoming a good (private) investment.

Now is the time to strike. Hopefully our efforts at Revitalize Buffalo, and those of Buffalo Rising, can help feed the flames and get people who may want to stay to reconsider their options. The city will never get back on its feet unless the people make an honest commitment to changing the way things are. No one has said that Buffalo’s rise will be quick, but it’s gotta start sometime.
2:15 PM

figmo said…
Hi, Anonymous. It’s kinda hard to separate the taunts and ad hominum attacks from anything in your comments even vaguely resembling a point. So here I am. Would you mind clearly and without personal attack telling me what I’m guilty of?

And to those in this thread who have defended BRJ and the efforts of its contributors, thank you so much. I’m a fan of RB and a supporter of your efforts as well as a frequent visitor to your blog. Your comments made my day.

Now, Anonymous, forget the insults and simply let me know how I pissed in your Cheerios. What lies did I tell about Buffalo? Specifically how have I misrepresented the city? Where’s the hype?
4:05 PM
Anonymous said…
It seems that the people leaving the pissed off comments on this post are the ones that are stuck here. Maybe they are too dumb to get out. I mean if you are too pathetic to get a job in another city, then maybe you have the right to be pissed off. That’s just my observation.
4:22 PM
Anonymous said…
mr. anonymous buffalo basher. i live in the city and come from a blue-collar background. i love everything buffalo has to offer and have done my share of traveling. i am serious when i say that any friend who visits shares the same sentiments. you r not really worth the energy it is taking me to post this- but i have a few minutes while my clothes are in the dryer. i am really not sure what possesses you to say the things you do (why even pay attention to revitalize buffalo or buffalo rising if you could care less about buffalo?—is that how you spend your time? no other hobbies?) do you really get off being negative (do you type your comments in the nude with your 2″ crank in hand- laughing like a demented coward?)….i love what br, rb et al are doing for the city. these are people who care a lot about buffalo and want to see the city succeed- optimism leads to success. i actually had to chuckle after your comment…a few years ago i would have wanted to beat your fucking pussy ass…now i actually feel sorry for people like you who constantly have a sour puss on their face…best of luck poor soul…i hope you have a screen-saver (so you don’t mess up your computer monitor with an erratic shot)
4:34 PM
BuffaloPundit said…
Dear anonymous fuckwad:

There’s a nice 1/4 of an acre lot with a new house near Atlanta Georgia with your name on it. I’m sure you’ll instantly find a wondertastic job down there paying $80k or more.

Too bad that 1/4 acre lot house is going to cost you over $450,000.

So please, leave. If Buffalo sucks so bad, then get the fuck out of here. Take your mommy and your daddy and your sister and your doggie, too. Just leave.

There are good things about Buffalo, as there are bad.

The same can be said about every single place in the country.

So get used to the fact, asshole, that there is no perfect place in the country to live.

As for your ad hominem attacks on the BRJ crew, why the fucking hell would you care so much? Easy for you to throw stones at Newell & George yet remain anonymous yourself.

So go ahead and hate Buffalo and hate people who don’t hate Buffalo. That and four bucks’ll get you a cup of lukewarm watered-down coffee at the bodega that’ll be down the block from the $3k/month apartment you’ll have in whatever piece of shit southern humidity tank in which you decide to shack up.

Nobody here owes you a goddamn thing. Nevetherless, give me your paypal address and I’ll send you the cash that’ll get your pathetic sorry ass to the Pennsylvania line.
4:56 PM
BuffaloPundit said…
Apologies for the language. Not violent, IMHO. Although most certainly profane.
6:42 PM
Arete said…
here’s the thing - the basic contention here is whether or not Buffalo and the people here are as great as we say they are…maybe there are other greater places, other better people, but by what standard do you evaluate that?

Personally, I think it’s fantastic that the movers and shakers here are so accessible - while building a tightly knit, thoughtful committed community of great spirits - even admist criticism and scorn

did you know that Orville and Wilbur Wright were run out of their hometown for attempting to build a contraption that could fly?

oh - and Socrates was forced by his countrymen to drink hemlock because he wouldn’t stop saying what he had to say - but first, he taught Plato, who taught Aristotle, who taught Alexander the Great, and, well, you know where that goes…

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

blessed be human wit, intelligence and perseverance that they all kept it up. maybe this time we’ll evolve above the brutality, yes?
7:12 PM
Anonymous said…
Figmo, unlike you I have a real job and don’t have time to restate all of my problems with Buffalo Rising. Maybe if you actually lived here, instead of just visited when you need a break from real cities like New York and San Francisco, we could get together and have a cup of coffee and talk this thing out.

Read what I wrote. You know my arguments. You know what poser phoney bitches you and Newell are. You know the bullshit and hype you’re shoveling all over this city.

I give you this much, you sure seem to have a lot of people believing your crap. You guys are like PT Barnum and the city keeps throwing up suckers.
3:27 AM
Arete said…
yeah, I’m still not sure as to what exactly it is that you want, or expect, or feel entitled to, through, notably, the efforts of others. I also don’t understand why it would be valuable for Figmo to meet you for coffee when you so obviously don’t appreciate his posts. what would be the rational behind that? would it be that you want to know him better? hmm, that seems odd. why?

well anyway, I’ve got to get to work, no more time at the moment
5:01 AM
BuffaloPundit said…
Yes. New York City and San Francisco are “real cities.” And you have “real” job. Because you are the gatekeeper for the definition of “reality”.

What do you care what Newell or George do or don’t do, or where they live or don’t live.

You hate Buffalo. Bully for you. Go wallow in your hatred with all the rest of the Sandy Beach-listening lumpenprols, who dream of Beth Steel reopening or some other fat factory paycheck because history ended in 1986.

The city won’t just go away. It’s here. And people live here. And they’re making a go of it. And they have enough people making it difficult for them and pissing on their parade.

It’s pretty rare in this city for people to tout what’s great about it.

People like you, who shit on the city, are a dime a dozen.

Happily, all of you are moving to the shangri-la-like Charlotte, NC.

Good riddance.

And you haven’t made one cogent argument, BTW. All you’ve done is hate on BRJ for being positive about the city, against all odds.

And you attack Newell & George personally. If you’d grow a pair of bollocks, you’d let them know who you are. Nobody lives in Buffalo against their will. Anyone who wants to leave is welcome to.

And you’re the sucker because you either live in or give a shit about a place that you hate. What a waste of time that is.

It’s $2.60 to get to the tolls in Ripley. Will that be cash or paypal?
5:40 AM

ViewFromTheBottom said…
To the negative anonymous commenters: I’ll post on here what I posted on BRJ a couple days ago when a similar rant was left by one Buffalonian…

You are the one reading BRJ. You came to them (and us), not the other way around! If you’re so disgusted with the fact that BRJ is posting positive stuff about Buffalo…DON’T READ IT!!!

We all make choices every single day. And those choices are sometimes small (what to wear to work) and sometimes they’re huge! Choices like continuing to post amazing, positive stuff about Buffalo (when there are bad things happening around us) is a choice that all the BRJ folks make on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. It’s your choice to continue to read their posts…and it’s your choice to stay in Buffalo.

If there are legitimate things holding you back from leaving the area, what will it take to get you to go? Have you ever lived in another city besides Buffalo? One of the things we’ve found is that the people who say negative stuff about Buffalo - and again, nobody is denying that Buffalo has its share of problems - are the ones who have never left the area or weren’t away long enough to realize that Buffalo is an amazing city!

I’m grateful to have people like Newell & George who continually remind us that even though our economic and political situation may be bad and changing, there are fantastic, positive things happening in the city…

Newell could live anywhere in the country, but he chooses to stay here. It’s a choice he’s made…so why would you attack him for it? And even though George might not spend 100% of his time in Buffalo (although you’d never know it by his amazing posts!), his loyalty remains here…and that is a beautiful thing because he could have ditched Buffalo completely, but he didn’t.

So, you make personal attacks against BRJ, more specifically Newell & George, seems to be a cowardly way of going about things. You’re willing to attack them, but you hide behind the mask of “anonymous”…

Newell, George & all the BRJ and RB people - YOU GUYS ROCK!!! Continue the amazing posts…and thank you for all your beautiful efforts - Buffalo is the best place in the world to live - even when it’s not obvious to everyone!!!
6:12 AM
Jacques Shellac said…
Crossposted from BuffaloPundit:

Every Buffalo-centric Internet space I’ve participated in had visitors who couldn’t wait to empty their wormy bowels over anyone saying anything mildly nice about Buffalo and environs.

To a person, they turned out to be down South, trading an air conditioning bill for a heating bill and condo fees for property taxes. There was something they missed about Buffalo, or they wouldn’t have been spending their time trolling Buffalo boards.

But if they admitted they missed it, they’d have to question the decision to leave. So, the fecal spew.

Seriously, think about it: What is this cat doing here? It’s like a hard-right Republican spending time on tranny sites, just to tell members they’re “going to hell.”

Oh and folks, please: Don’t feed the trolls.
6:35 AM
Arete said…
does not feeding the trolls include no helping them to leave…? 6:59 AM
Anonymous said…
if i were newell or george i would not give this person the time of day…maybe a quick, half-hearted apology for stealing his lunch money in the 3rd grade and let the chap wallow in his own anger until he eventually chokes and dies…life is much too short to expend energy on jealousy. newell, george- please, for the sake of the exponentially growing number of kindred viewers, don’t let this 1 clown dissuade you in any way whatsoever from doing what you are doing. in all honesty, keep up the great work.
7:52 AM
Natalie said…
You know, this is hilarious.

George and Newell have been contributing to Buffalo for years, and isn’t it funny how they are still here? Still positive and still trying?

The thing about cities is it takes an awful lot to wipe them out. They shrink and grow, decay and rebuild. There are always crazy people yelling about the sky falling and the end of the world.
There are people who give up easily, and those who keep plugging along. Guess which ones tend to succeed?

The newspaper and media landscape is changing rapidly and there will be a lot of experimentation… Buffalo Rising has an excellent shot at carving out their own appropriate niche.
5:50 PM
Anonymous said…
“contributing to Buffalo for years”?

Please. Can you say vanity project? They’re both dicks in person. George like his puppie dog. It’s embarassing to watch.
7:52 PM
BuffaloBeacon said…
Anonymous: I know both of them and they’re great people. I don’t need to know you to know that you’re not a great person. It comes through loud and clear in your comment.

They’ve done a lot for our city — the fact that you apparently disagree doesn’t make that any less true.
10:16 PM
Natalie said…
Lots of things are vanity projects. I’d say “blog” was short for “like to see oneself speak” and so is a thread like this, fueled by personal attacks. “They’re dicks” is really not a terribly cogent point. (Nu-uhn…YOU are!!)

And pardon me, but haven’t dicks more or less founded our country, created most most revolution, and abound in “real” jobs in “real cities”?

Frankly, one could argue that Buffalo could use a lot MORE dicks (having lost ol’ Dick Kern to Minneapolis) so we could have better businesses, more overall success and dammit, a couple more winning sports teams. I want dicks who like to make cold, hard decisions in government, stand-up to those “weak” and “spineless” unions, can intelligently market the city on a national scale, and stop wasting our time.

Actually anonymous, you’ve said a lot of personal things about George and Newell, and all it sounds like to me is a bad case of penis envy. Did you just have so little success in Buffalo that you feel the need to pull down those guys, who have always been unflaggingly positive, polite people?

Now as to whether or not they have people “believing their hype,” it’s more like this: they put out their version of life in Buffalo, and some people recognize it. You are probably pissed because you don’t. I do… my life in Buffalo is pretty amazing - and I’ve lived all over.

Ten years ago, Elmwood Avenue didn’t look a quarter as good as it does now. I hope the same thing happens to Grant St., to Ontario, to Jefferson. Our city will NOT change by enormous projects, public or private, but sidewalk by sidewalk, building by building, block by block. To take a so-so building at the edge of the “good” areas and polish it, thereby extending the healthy part of the city, takes money and time, but more importantly, some hope and faith.

Everyone elected Joel Giambra because he touted “vision.” I don’t give a damn if the county executive has vision… I want him to have managerial and financial skills, (come to think of it, Gorski was a “dick” in all the right ways) but we need more and more small business people with vision, hope and faith. That’s why I appreciate Buffalo Rising. George may not always be here, but he’s obviously able to import the “success is probable” sensibility that’s easy to feel in other cities, and we need that.

Negative people are a nickel a dozen in Buffalo, and it’s gotten us nowhere. Positive people are the more necessary, unusual commodity.

But, yeah, rant on if it makes you feel, what?, bigger….
12:00 AM

figmo said…
Many thanks to everyone who has written in defense of BRJ and especially to Natalie for taking Anonymous’ tautological rant to its end and then flipping it.

That’s right, Anonymous. I’m not just a shameless dick, but I’m knocking at the door of something bigger. If I play my cards right, I may just be inducted into the Dick canon.

I love the internet.
3:47 AM

fix buffalo said…
Just stopped by to say hello.

Natalie, DK was in town this past week…did you seen him?
9:13 PM

Originally posted by Sadie:

Hello Hometown
Hello everyone! When Amy invited me to contribute to the blog after the RB meeting Tuesday night, I was a little tentative at first. After all, I’ve always been the “blog-reader, not blog-writer” type. But here goes!

Firstly, I’m really excited to see so much enthusiasm about my hometown from people who actually live here. It’s a refreshing change. And really good energy (like the type floating around the Lafayette Tap Room last night) is highly contagious. So keep on spreading the disease.

For this first post, I was asked to share my thoughts as someone who recently moved back to the area. I guess that requires a little back-story about why I left in the first place, where I’ve been and why I’m back. So here’s the abridged version:

I grew up in Western New York, and went to Buff State for my first 3 years of college life. While there, I studied graphic design and the interior of Mulligan’s Brick Bar. At some point (as most early twenty-somethings) I decided that that I was unhappy with my current existence and needed to “find myself” and have “new experiences”. So I packed up my “lost” self, transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design and moved to the Peach State. In Georgia, I “found” not only myself, but a very healthy tan line and my future husband. Savannah is an enchanted, eccentric place and I was happy there. But, if you’re not a student, employed by the US Army, drive a tourist trolley or a professional lifeguard—good luck with making a decent living for yourself there. (Unless you’re retired or independently wealthy).

From Georgia, I moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for employment & to be closer to my (future) husband’s family in the same state. I figured Cincinnati to be similar to Buffalo. I was dead wrong. Buffalo is not the mid-west, and I soon realized Cincinnati to be a) in the middle of nowhere with no waterfront… a big muddy river doesn’t count in my book b) culturally limited c) traffic-ridden with REALLY bad drivers d) KKK Friendly e) uber-conservative and f) not the place for me! (Apologies to any Cinci-lovers! That’s just my experience & it was a miserable 3 years for me).

Eventually, Greg & I married and moved to NYC to further our careers in the creative industry and to expose ourselves to a more culturally stimulating way of life. While there, I landed a “dream job” as an Art Buyer at TBWA\Chiat\Day Advertising (you know– the guys who came up with the Energizer Bunny, The Taco Bell Chihuahua and the entire Absolut Vodka print campaign as we know it). It was my responsibility to find & book young hip photographers, designers, illustrators, fashion stylists, make-up artists and models for international print campaigns. I produced all of the photography shoots for my clients and got to spend my days hanging out on sets all over the country with the rich and fabulous telling them what to do and when to do it. It was fun and a very happy 5.5 years. Until I decided to give it all up and move to a more quiet but equally stimulating life here in Buffalo.

When Greg and I decided to leave our cushy creative careers on Madison Avenue to start our own design firm and base it in Buffalo, a lot of eyebrows were raised by both friends and colleagues. And I have to say that it mostly was “why would you ever leave your great job for the unknown” NOT “why the hell are you moving to Buffalo.” But for those who asked “why Buffalo” in combination with “are they going to re-fill your position after you leave?” I responded with this:

Greg and I suddenly realized that a) we were working so much (either he at his office until 3am weekdays and 9-5 on weekends, or me on the road producing photo shoots) that we didn’t know each other anymore. b) we’d been commuting and working our young lives away. (45 mins to go 8 miles one way on public transportation. And no, that’s not a typo). c) We could never afford to buy a home of our own in the NYC Metro area without going into major debt. Even on our generous salaries. (Which by the way- are generous for anywhere BUT New York City). d) I’d gained 2 stomach ulcers from 6 years of chronic stress. e) We needed to leave our cushy jobs and get the hell out of there to save our sanity!

But where to go from someplace as intense as New York? Well, for us- it had to be somewhere that has a ton of cultural resources so that we could remain creatively stimulated. Somewhere with a true sense of place with architectural character. Somewhere where we could really be involved in our community so that we felt connected to the universe again (New York is a very lonely place for being home to millions). Somewhere that is travel-friendly so that we could hop a plane to NYC to meet with our clients, or to the Caribbean for a little R&R very easily. But it had to be somewhere quiet. With little traffic and lots of green space and a large body of water that was both accessible and enjoyable. Somewhere where our dog would be happier and somewhere that would be physically close to both my family and his in Ohio. Really, it was a no-brainer. Buffalo was perfect for us. It has all of those things plus more! So, we racked our brains for almost a year devising ways to relocate. (Because what would we do if we gave up our jobs on Madison Avenue? We couldn’t really work for smaller local ad agencies without feeling it). And then it hit us. Why not go out on our own and start our own graphic design firm? We would be able to use our skill set, do what we love, work together out of our home, and make our own schedule and control our own client list. We already have several groups of married friends that did the very same thing and were very successful as husband/wife teams self-employeed in the arts (photographers in NYC and graphic designers in Chicago) so we picked their brains. We asked questions. We did a lot of research. We saved a TON of money and then went for it. We contacted a real estate agent in East Aurora (a place we really wanted to live in) gave him a very specific list of our wants and desires for our new home and had him keep an eye out for us. And then, this past Christmas, we fell in love with current our home and purchased it for the cost of a one room shanty on Long Island. By April, we’d finished our obligations in NYC and were here.

And we’re happy. Very happy. We’ve kept our contacts in NYC and have gotten steady business from a group of clients from NYC, Washington DC, and California. (But we look forward to working for some local clients too!). We still get to do high-end design work for Fortune 500 companies but get to live in a really livable place. We’re relaxed, have time to do things that we enjoy and finally have a home to call our own. We’re creatively stimulated and feel supported by the community. I look forward to going to all of the festivals this summer and fall, enjoying the waterfront, and skiing in the winter. And– breathing in clean, fresh air is a huge bonus. I feel strong, sane and healthy because Buffalo is such a great place to be. So for all of those people who asked “why Buffalo?”… those are just some of the reasons. And I look forward to adding a lot more.
posted by Sadie @ 4:06 PM 6 comments

The Why (Not!) Guy said…
Hi Sadie - welcome to the blog and welcome back to Buffalo!
1:48 PM
BuffaloBeacon said…
Welcome home! I hope you have a great summer and enjoy all that Buffalo has to offer.
1:50 PM
Comment Deleted
This post has been removed by the author.
8:49 PM
Me said…
Welcome to the blog world!

me, AKA All Things Jen(nifer)
8:50 PM
star0074 said…
HI there,

I am currently living in Savananh and have been trying to come home to Buffalo for the past year or so. Starting my own business was an idea I had because I have not been able to land a job in the area. Thanks for sharing.
1:18 PM
Nicole said…
I had several friends go to Savannah out of UB for grad school - I think about them a lot. But I digress…

Anyhow, I’m copying and sending this to my husband this minute. His calling is marketing (the creative side) and he is very afraid of moving to Buffalo from Chicago (advertising city) to, well, as he sees it, no opportunity. Well, resignation be darned! What a great story and how resourceful! There is opportunity everywhere if you make it (and work really hard, of course). This *could* be the way I finally twist his arm…errr…convince him.

Anyhow, welcome back to Buffalo - and thank you for your story, from someone who is longing to return.
3:52 PM

Tuesday, May 24, 2005
lest we forget…
Just wanted to also take a minute and remind everyone that even though the city/region is facing problems, we owe our freedoms to the men and women in the armed services, current and veterans.

I was flipping back and forth between stations last night and caught a few minutes of “Jessica and Nick’s Tour of Duty” (yes, I know how cheesy they both are). One of the most beautiful parts of the show was reunions that they did for soldiers and their families.

War sucks. No matter how you frame it, it’s pointless and people die in vain. This is just a note to say that we should all be grateful for people who are willing and able to fight for our freedom. There are thousands of servicepeople stationed all over the world. They are the reason we live in the greatest country in the world.

So the next time you see someone in uniform (and it’s not Halloween), take a moment to thank them for everything that they’re doing for all of us. If it wasn’t for them, none of what we have would be possible. We owe them more than we could ever repay them…

posted by ViewFromTheBottom @ 10:14 AM
6 Comments:

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At 7:18 PM, Sal said…

I have to second that sentiment. I served in the first Gulf War and am there now as a civilian working in support of the US Army and the Department of State. No one in uniform does the job for thanks…we don’t expect it and we don’t ask for it…BUT we do appreciate when we get it. It is a humbling experience to have someone you do not know thank you for serving them and standing up and representing them. People say thank you matter of factly for so many things every day. When someone looks at you and thanks you for serving them, protecting them, helping them, etc…it is sometimes (at least for me) the only thing I need to validate what I do. I am not serving in uniform anymore, and my work is infinitely more safe than any of my brothers and sisters in arms…I am proud every chance I get to be on the giving end of the thanks…to give back to these kids something I was blessed to receive in my life and career. I get it today and am embarrassed by it because I am no longer worthy of that kind of appreciateion and thanks. It is for those fighting for our way of life.

Not everyone agrees with the politics of this war…but I have not encountered anyone (my war or this one) that did not support the American fighting men and women regardless of their feelings on the operation. I encourage you to always appreciate our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines…they will be one of the greatest generations when their time comes.

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At 7:22 PM, The Why (Not!) Guy said…

I’m going to start by thanking Sal for all he’s done and continues to do.

Are you from the Buffalo area originally?

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At 7:39 PM, Ben McD said…

This just happened to me last week. I had just gotten off shift at the base in the falls and had to run downtown to take care of some business, so I didn’t go home and change out of my uniform. I was standing there talking to one of the building guards where I was at and this guy turns to me after signing out, shakes my hand and says “thank you.” It isn’t the first time it has happened, but it is always a little awkward (in a good way). You never feel like you deserve it, but others think you do, and that makes it all the more special.

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At 8:06 PM, The Why (Not!) Guy said…

if you feel as though you don’t deserve it (which you shouldn’t by the way) pass the story along to someone you think does deserve it.

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At 5:10 AM, ViewFromTheBottom said…

Why (Not?) Guy - I concur. My brother served 5 years in the army and did 6 mos. in both Bosnia and Kosovo and I’m grateful to him everyday that he was willing to risk his life for me and every other person in this country.

Ben - it’s so rare that people truly appreciate what you’re doing, so you should not be embarrassed by it at all! You should be proud! We’re proud of you!

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At 6:00 AM, ViewFromTheBottom said…

Sal-thank you for your service to the country and for whatever role you are playing now.

You’re right…even though most people don’t agree with the war, we all agree that it’s crucial to support the servicepeople!!!

I’m humbled by your words…

perpetuating our self-fulfilled prophecy
WhyNot Guy: For fear of the Belinda v. Susanna blog, I decided I’d better post something…

A friend and I went out last night for coffee and a meeting. We ran into someone who had attended the RB April forum at the Casino. After a brief re-introduction, we realized that we’d been looking for this person after something he’d posted on another blog…now was our chance to ask him what he really meant about these comments:

“As one of a number of entrepeneurs to attend the meeting last night, I saw some good things and some not so good things. I think the inflated turnout due to the UB student population will ultimately prove to be little boon. Maybe a handful will get involved, maybe not. In the end the numbers don’t matter. What really impressed me more were the number of small business men who attended. While artists and teachers always seem to take center stage, these are people who build the city day by day, and who took time out to see what more they can do. Creating business, generating growth, investing capital into the city is vital to revitalizing the area. In my own struggles, I’m trying to bring 22 new jobs and $2-5 million in investment to the area in the next few years. But I did not get the feeling that RB in its very grass roots impatience and constant call to action has a place for me. I don’t feel RB will be able to successfully capitalize upon the business involvement if the focus remains exclusively on a-political immediate activities, without taking a more long term view. I’ve contributed heavily to the development of Linux and the Free Software Movement, I know that individuals taking charge of their own destinies and scratching their own itch results in the most successful projects. But there are a range of levels of involvement that can be sustained, and must be catered to, for a community to grow and succeed as an organism. I left with the sense that a great opportunity to get some real work done and dialogue started was actually lost, when the doers who kept silent all evening left”

We had a rather lengthy conversation with him about Buffalo and his feelings about what would work and what wouldn’t work. Much of his comments last night were the same as above. He really believes that no matter what we try to do, nothing is going to change, things are going to get worse and what’s the point, you won’t be successful no matter how hard you try.

What’s interesting to me as a lifelong WNYer (grew up in the northtowns and have lived in Buffalo for 3 years), is that this is the typical Buffalo attitude. It’s a stereotype we’ve given ourselves. And that seems to be okay with so many people who live here.

But what about those of us that don’t feel this way? What about those of us that love this area? What about those of us that know a change is possible and are willing to work to make that change? The way I see it, Why Not Guy is right. It’s all about perception. If you don’t like the way things are done, change them. And if you get knocked down once or twice trying to change things, get back up again and keep fighting. And if you aren’t willing to work to change things, don’t belittle those of us that are!

If you didn’t feel completely welcome at our RB forum, I apologize. The question is, what are you going to do about it? We’re all busy. We all have to work and make a living. All too often, we use our jobs and other things as excuses for why we can’t do this or get involved with that. But the reality of it all is that there is a part of each of us that’s scared to make that leap. The excuses we use are a safety net because if we were really to ever step out on that ledge, we might fall…but then again, we might not, we might keep climbing up the mountain, making leaps and bounds! What if you made the time to really be part of our group? What if you were the one who leads the entrepreneur/small business group? And what if you succeeded and helped other people succeed? What if you’re able to stay in Buffalo and bring people here to work for your company?

Life is about taking chances. It’s about taking advantage of every opportunity we’re given and if the opportunity doesn’t immediately present itself, make your own. Don’t sit around and wait for other people to change things. Actions speak louder than words…so I won’t say anymore…

posted by ViewFromTheBottom @ 6:55 AM
6 Comments:

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At 7:29 AM, Craig K said…

Amen!

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At 7:33 AM, Craig K said…

I’d also like to say that there are two types of people in this world- optimists and pessimist. Guess which one you spoke with?

The road is going to be rocky in keeping, sustaining, and nurturing the group. There will be people who have their own agendas as to what the group can or can’t do.

All I can say is, keep on keeping on. Yes, businesspeople’s perspectives are important. Ultimately, I feel they should be part of the solution for fixing the city’s problems. However, the common citizen needs to be a part of our city’s recovery/growth. That’s what I like about this group.

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At 9:49 AM, The Why (Not!) Guy said…

A-Max is IN! THE! HOUSE!

I think you touched on an important point about the Revitalize Buffalo group. We’re a diverse group of people with diverse interests and backgrounds and goals united by a desire to see Buffalo turn a corner. If you (and when I say “you” I’m speaking generally here) don’t think Revitalize Buffalo addresses your particular concern or area of interest, you’re welcome and encouraged to take the initiative and make it happen rather than waiting passively for the group to address it for you. I don’t mean this in a critical way; I mean it in an encouraging and welcoming and [oprah]empowering[/oprah] way. People might need a push in this area because it’s not how most groups work.

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At 3:21 PM, David Goehrig said…

Just for those of you who might be wondering who the Why Not Guy they are talking about is it is David J. Goehrig. And I guess perspective is a funhouse mirror, because I do not really believe that no matter what you do, that nothing will change. I believe that while your hearts are in the right place, RB’s resources will always be insufficient to solve the very real problems facing the community. I believe things will get worse before they get better, because of population decline and a dwindling manufacturing capacity and capital availablity in the region. This is not to say that you won’t have a positive impact, but you need to realize your limitations. Wishing does not make things so. And to fulfill your wish, I guess I’ll answer your questions:

But what about those of us that doen’t feel this way?

Well like me you try to build your business, look to fix-up a delapidated house in a run-down part of town, and coach high school rowing to give something back to the community that spawned you.

What about those of us that love this area?

If you’re me, you spend your limited free time documenting neglect of city owned property, exploring the city block by block by bicycle. Maybe you can both live and work in the city.

What are you going to do about it?

Well being publically attacked on a blog certainly makes me feel more welcome. I guess I shall continue to walk alone.

What if you made the time to really be part of our group?

Membership in your group does not mean that I will be any more likely to contribute to the growth of Buffalo. My company will hopefully hire and relocate talent in the Buffalo area in the next few months. Growing a local business that brings millions of dollars in revenue and new employment opportunities is more important to me than membership in a Buffalo booster club. Similarly, coaching at WSRC allows me to both give something back to the community, and encourage kids to develop the self-discipline they need to be successful. And even if I don’t join your group, I will continue helping with documenting property neglect in Buffalo. So if I joined your club, I would spend more time at meetings and less time getting actual work done I guess, obviously this set of exchanges has been extremely productive :).

What if you were the one who leads the entrepreneur/small business group?

Well I would probably be wasting my time, as I could just as well get involved in The Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and be immediately involved in an existing network, rather than leading my own little fiefdom. It seems to me to be a more prudent move to get involved with existing business organizations, and social clubs.

And what if you succeeded and helped other people succeed?

That would be nice wouldn’t it? Truly splendid form all around, a jolly good show. That would be marvelous wouldn’t it? As I tried to point out last night, you need to know your limitations, and then work within them. Limitations are not excuses. I can no more turn lead into gold than you can, a lack of capital is not an excuse, it is a limitation. I would love for things to turn out well, but I don’t expect them to. For my part I will do what I can. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Buffalo will not be revitalized in a decade either.

What if you’re able to stay in Buffalo and bring people here to work for your company?

Well I would be helping to revitalize Buffalo, wouldn’t I? Funny how RB isn’t the only way to do that.

Ultimately I agree, actions speak louder than words. I no longer drive a car (as I said last night) because I believe car culture is destroying the fabric of American society and values. I live and work in the city, and I don’t commute to the burbs. I do most of my shopping in locally owned shops and avoid multi-nationals as they drain the local economy. I’m in Buffalo trying to start a business rather than taking a six-figure job in a major city, because I’m willing to live below the poverty line for a while to take a risk on making something better. I’m involved in urb-ex to document demolition through neglect. I coach crew for a local highschool to give more back to the community. Also I am planning on buying a house in the lower West Side either off the City or through HUD, and rebuilding it. I was hoping to bike across America this summer, but it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to take the 6 weeks off. Anyways back to work.

David J. Goehrig

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At 11:26 PM, The Why (Not!) Guy said…

Hi David - welcome to the Blog and thank you for your excellent post. I appreciate it, and while I shouldn’t presume to speak for others, I’m sure they appreciate it too. I just want to clarify that I was not attacking you… my posts and comments are all meant in a general sense, and in fact I’ve never met you. Thanks, and please continue to post.

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At 8:53 AM, Craig K said…

Re: David Goering’s post

I think it’s great that your trying to build a business in the city of Buffalo.

Just curious, what were you expecting to get out of the meeting and what type of group are you looking to be a part of?

Regardless of how you feel about her music, you have to admit that a certain Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Penn Richie has done pretty well for herself over the last twenty years or so. Her achievements are all the more remarkable when you consider that she’s made it to the top of a very competitive field with not a whole lot of talent. Sure, she’s a decent singer, but so am I. Yes, she can dance, but so can a lot of people. Despite conventional wisdom, she really can act, but her range is so limited as to be almost nonexistant. Yet Madonna has become one of the world’s most famous and successful entertainers. How?

By making the most out of what life has given her.

Madonna was blessed with two very important gifts that more than made up for what she lacks in actual talent. One is the ability to look at herself with a crystal clear eye, to assess her strengths and weaknesses honestly, accurately and without flinching. The other is the intelligence necessary to take that information and actually use it to live up to her potential.

Buffalo is not Madonna.

And it’s a shame, as wasted potential usually is. I walk around our beautiful neighborhoods and imagine what it was like to live here 100 years ago, during those glory days when Buffalo was one of the nation’s brightest jewels. How I wish we could restore Buffalo to her former place among America’s cities! But 100 years is a long time, and we live in a different world now. Buffalo is no longer the mecca it once was.

Ok, fine. I can live with that. What I can’t live with, however, is the way we squander our city’s amazing potential. I can’t live with our inability to recognize, cherish, and cultivate all the wonderful things Buffalo has to offer. I can’t live with the way we’re letting something beautiful and rare and precious slip away from us, because we insist on focusing on the negative. Buffalo may never be the sixth largest city in the United States again, but it is an amazing place to live, and it can become even better if we can just find a way to take what we already have and make the most of it. So let’s become more like Madonna. Let’s look at ourselves with a crystal clear eye and assess our strengths and weaknesses honestly, accurately and without flinching, just like Madonna does. Then let’s take that information and actually use it to live up to our potential, just like Madonna does.

But let’s not kiss Britney Spears, mmm-kay?

posted by The Why (Not!) Guy @ 3:22 AM

Originally posted by the Why (Not!) Guy:

If Buffalo was a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
There’ll Be Some Changes Made by Ann-Margret
All Shall Be Well by Virginia Astley
It’s Getting Better by Cass Elliott
They Don’t Know About Us by Kirsty MacColl
Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.
But You’re So Beautiful by Future Bible Heroes
Take a Chance on Me by Abba
You’d Be So Nice to Come Home to by Julie London
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower West Side by Magnetic Fields

Bonus Track Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot (ok, it has nothing to do with Buffalo but come on, it’s the best song ever)

So what are your choices?

posted by The Why (Not!) Guy @ 11:29 PM
3 Comments:

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At 6:39 AM, david s said…

How ’bout the entire “Best of Wierd Al Yankvitch”

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At 8:21 AM, KT said…

Wasted On The Way~ CSN

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At 12:11 AM, The Why (Not!) Guy said…

Oh, and just to save you the trouble of looking… there’s no such song as “The Mayor Is a Stinky Doo-doo Head.” Maybe there should be.