The Wayward Cynic

The oft-overlooked artistry inside the Bathrooms of Chippewa. I’m calling the Buffalo Tourism Board to insist they highlight these attractions in their next brochure.

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The sun sets on the Buffalo skyline. We were downtown on the roof of some friends’ apartment building to watch the astounding number of shows throughout the surrounding towns and cities on the horizon. Easily 7-10 big-time fireworks displays in the distance, not to mention the random Roman candles fired off every few minutes within the city limits.

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A fine way to celebrate America’s birth: rooftop grilling, beer, fireworks, and the greatest car alarm I’ve ever heard. Honk! Honk! Honk-honk-honk-honk! … Honk! Honk-honk! (I’ll record some audio next time.) Said car was the unfortunate victim of falling ears of corn from the rooftop (some strong wind gusts ripped the ears right out of our hands — we were powerless).

Friday night fireworks at Hamlin Park in East Aurora. Some friends and I headed up to Griggs Place to watch the show with the firefighters standing guard against errant fireworks lighting trees on fire. I’ve traditionally watched the spectacle from the roof of my mom’s house on South Street, so this is probably the closest I’ve been to the show since I was a wee lad.

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Some amazing clouds backdropping the 290.

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A souvenir from the previous night’s festivities at Bidwell Parkway. The stuff tasted like some wiseguy poured lemonade into my beer.

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The concert was great, and preceded some late night Flip Cup activities that resulted in a fantastic next morning at work. I will say no more.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this car whilst on my way to the free concert on the Bidwell Parkway. I’m not sure whether this guy’s a hilarious badass or just a massive toolbag. Either way, he courteously labeled his windshield to eliminate any confusion.

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I should probably start looking for a new apartment sooner or later. My building being converted to condominiums plus a deadbeat landlord are additional incentives.

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And I didn’t even mention my proximity to the Intersection of Death.

Took a trip to Knox Farm in East Aurora today to take a look at the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, a slightly smaller replica of the permanent structure that’s in Washington, DC. The power of the memorial, regardless of its form, lie with the 58,195 names etched on the wall.

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More pictures can be found here: Knox Farm Wall Gallery.