Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Ice Bowl Update

Remember back here when I was talking about the Ice Bowl....I mean...'Winter Classic'?

Well..we got our letter which contained not the 40 tickets we paid cash for, but 3..yes..count 'em, THREE measly tickets for the event. How's that for sucking???

Oh, well. Thats the way the puck bounces I guess. We weren't really happy, but what can you do? Since there were only the 3 tickets we decided to use them as a prize for the Buffalo News Neediest Fund party/fundraiser that Al puts on

At least we got our money back the same way we put it in....cash. That kinda surprised me. Thought they might try the old 'we'll credit your season ticket account' trick.

Great pic from Lisa


Thought I'd share, so everyone can have a great evening!


Sunday, November 11, 2007




Went to the mall today...Walden Galleria Mall to be specific.

What the hell was I thinking???

The MALL???? on a Sunday????

Don't I know about the Canadian Invasion that happens every weekend?

Don't I know that getting a parking spot is almost hopeless??? Although, I did notice that there were hardly any Ontario plates in the upper level parking deck over by JC Penney. Hmmm.. perhaps they haven't found that place yet.

It's just crazy over there, what with the new found strength of the Canadian dollar and the close proximity to our friends in the great white north, the busses full of shoppers can't get over here fast enough. More power too 'em. Lots of sales tax generated. Bed tax from the hotels over there by the mall where the bus loads of shoppers stay. That Galleria addition will be paid for in no time.

There is a little problem with these invaders. Garbage. Here's the story from Channel 2 News.....

With the value of the Canadian dollar rising against the dollar, shoppers from Canada are spending big at the Galleria Mall. But, it's what they're leaving behind that's the problem.

Carla Avery is the manager for Hurley Corporation. They manage the trash at the Galleria Mall.

"It's just the garbage. The trash is unbelievable, keeping up on trash alone," said Avery.

She says the company has added 15 people in the last month to deal with all the extra work Canadians are causing. And you might be surprised at what they're leaving behind.

"They just change here, leave their old stuff here and put their new stuff on and leave boxes and bags and it piles up," said Avery.

2 On Your Side didn't believe it, until we saw it for ourselves. Canadians taking off their old shoes and throwing them in the trash. Then, wearing their new ones right out of the mall. Some shoppers even changed outfits and threw the rest away.

Canadian Robin Kostyscyn, "I think when they get to the border they're trying not to get busted there, so they take everything off. They wear probably old shoes over here and then change them out, put on their new shoes."

So we approached several groups of Canadians to find out if they're trying to avoid duty on the way home. Most tried to avoid our cameras, but one couple admitted it.

Reporter, "We've heard some people are trying to avoid paying the duty on it, so is that what it is?"

"Yes, that's true," the woman admitted.

Others say they just want to ditch the boxes because they're too bulky. With the value of the Canadian dollar rising against the dollar, shoppers from Canada are spending big at the Galleria Mall. But, it's what they're leaving behind that's the problem.

Carla Avery is the manager for Hurley Corporation. They manage the trash at the Galleria Mall.

"It's just the garbage. The trash is unbelievable, keeping up on trash alone," said Avery.

She says the company has added 15 people in the last month to deal with all the extra work Canadians are causing. And you might be surprised at what they're leaving behind.

"They just change here, leave their old stuff here and put their new stuff on and leave boxes and bags and it piles up," said Avery.

2 On Your Side didn't believe it, until we saw it for ourselves. Canadians taking off their old shoes and throwing them in the trash. Then, wearing their new ones right out of the mall. Some shoppers even changed outfits and threw the rest away.

Canadian Robin Kostyscyn, "I think when they get to the border they're trying not to get busted there, so they take everything off. They wear probably old shoes over here and then change them out, put on their new shoes."

So we approached several groups of Canadians to find out if they're trying to avoid duty on the way home. Most tried to avoid our cameras, but one couple admitted it.

Reporter, "We've heard some people are trying to avoid paying the duty on it, so is that what it is?" Yes, that's true," the woman admitted.

Others say they just want to ditch the boxes because they're too bulky.

Yeah...thats right..the boxes are too bulky. *wink wink* Maybe the Galleria staff could put out collection bins for all those old items and they could take the stuff down to the City Mission. Or GoodWill. Or Amvets. Damn...that's a great idea.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

this kid had the best costume last night...


...looked even better in the dark as she was walking down the street

My pumpkin turned out pretty good too!