New York Cowboy.org: New Individual

Good Evening.

2008-05-13T20:53:00-06:00

I just got back from a bike ride to Walmart to pick up a few items. I really don't mind riding on the Delmar Bypass / Route 32 that much with the wide breakdown lane. Plus Walmart has good prices.

I also got some of the fodder uploaded for the next few days and weeks for the blog. Tommorow's fodder hasn't been written yet though, as I want to talk about Friday's bike to work day.

Beautiful evening out here at the library, sitting out on the bench in front of the library. Too bad the library is closing pretty soon, so I probably should head home and get ready for my evening walk.

The mountains are such a beautiful lush green color I note as I look out the window from work today. I wish I could be out in the mountains right now. I'm looking forward to my trip to Oneonta to see my sister graduate and move on Saturday. It should be a lot of fun—I probably will take Route 7 all the way down, and explore some more of those little towns.

I hate work, I hate being indoors. But I shouldn't complain when I'm making $110 or so dollars a day for what I do. It's great working for the state and having benefits, even if your stuck in front of a computer, and not outside where I'd much rather be.

Monday Once Again.

2008-05-12T09:47:00-06:00

So it would appear once again. There are 21 session days remaining in this year, and next Saturday is my sister's graduation from SUNY Oneonta. She is getting her B.A. in Psychology, and I look forward to going down to Oneonta. Road trips are fun.

I need to get some new photographs for my blog starting next week or maybe the week after. I'm running of photos that I've taken recently that are of high enough quality to be worthwhile to upload. I also got a lot of new fodder finished for the blog so hopefully I won't have to be rushing to put things up at the last possible minute.

Went to the Tulipfest on Saturday for a few hours, helping the Save the Pine Bush booth get set up. It was hot. I left and went home, taking my bike on the bus rather then riding. I worked on trying to figure out how to fix my bike's deraileur chain guard without spending a lot of money. Thinking about using a frisbee (!)

Went out to Five Rivers on my bike. Met my parents there for dinner and ice creame in New Scotland. Got stuck waiting for the train at the railroad yard. Rode back home over New Scotland South Road and Route 85.

Sunday got up early, went to Partridge Run and Renselearville. Attended a political organizing session for a local candidate. It again was hot and I was feeling lazy. Seeing all that green after being in the city for so long was nice. Stopped at my parent's house, gave my mom a great big flower basket and funny card, had some burgers.

Got home, went for a walk. Spent some time writing. Went to bed, got up, and went to work. And here I am now, back on a Monday once again. Monday, Monday.

So Rarely Wear My Cowboy Hats Anymore.

2008-05-10T16:22:00-06:00

The problem I guess is that I take my bike nearly everywheres these days, so it's difficult to wear on my hats when I have to balance it on my hand and ride around.

Sometimes I even think about renaming my blog or changing to something new. I feel as though I've somehow grown or changed, or am not the same person that I was even a few years ago in college. Certainly I do like how my cowboy hats keep me from getting a bad sunburn on the back of my kneck.

I don't know. I really don't. I've been out of college for over a year now, working full time at a variety of jobs. I like working at the Assembly and I certainly need the money, but I miss those bad days up in Plattsburgh. I miss being cowboy.

Maybe I'll just head home and put on one of those dumb hats.

Which Do I Like More?

2008-05-10T16:22:00-06:00

I used to have a roommate in college that said I liked cows better then people. After going to the Albany Tulipfestival today, with it's millions of people I have to agree.

it was hot. I was miserable. God bless Rezin for taking over the duties of running the display. I really hate festivals, especially ones with lots of people running around, and the sheer craziness.

Did I mention, I'm looking forward to the Clearwater Festival in the end of June?

Amy Goodman in Troy.

2008-05-05T12:19:00-06:00

I went to her speech on her book tour across the country. Honestly, I haven't been listening to her show, Democracy Now, much in recent years, but her speech (and particular her brother's speech) was amazing.

I really should listen to Amy Goodman more, and keep up better on the national news front. Yet, it so often seems that what happens in Washington is so far away.

What A Bummer Of A Weekend.

2008-05-05T12:19:00-06:00

It rained too much this weekend and was terrible weather. Of course the nice sunny May weather is back for this Monday.

Honestly, I slept late most of the weekend, and watched to the rain. I went to the library. I was bummed out about leaving my cellphone at work—and was sure the cleaning people would steal it. I really should have come in and got during the weekend.

I also rode my bike out to Five Rivers on Saturday evening. It didn't rain when I was out there, but nobody was out there. It was kind of neat being there and totally alone. There almost always is at least somebody at Five Rivers. But not this time.

Sunday I went to Amy Goodman. See the other post.

Tonight I'm going to the BNP Discussion Group and have to run a few errands on my bike around town. All that depends on when I get out of work—of course. I don't think I'll be here late tonight though.

And next weekend—I hope—to be going camping. It looks like nice weather in the very long range forecast, but things can change. The following weekend I'm going out to Oneonta for my sister's graduation.

Happy Friday.

2008-05-02T20:46:00-06:00

It looks like the weekend is finally here. It's going to be pretty rainy and with showers all weekend, but the upside is at least there won't be such drought conditions that made everything such a big fire risk.

I don't have much in the way of plans yet for the weekend. I'm still deciding what I will do—and that might be decided based on how the weather turns out.

Weekend Plans Change.

2008-04-24T11:01:00-06:00

I was orginally planning to go to Burnt-Rossman for a camping trip this weekend. With the red flag warning and the burn ban, plus promises of rain, I have decided to do something different.

Instead on Friday, I plan to go on a day trip to Storm King Mountain and explore the Hudson Valley. I want to leave early tomorrow, and make it a full day trip. Gasoline will cost more, but I've wanted to make this trip for some time now.

This weekend I hope to stay at my parents place on Saturday, camping out in the backfield on Saturday night, and spend some time up at Partridge Run on the canoe and hiking around. I also want to more spring photographs, some reading, and enjoying the nice weather.

I will postpone going to Burnt-Rossman State Forest until sometime in early May or maybe until Memorial Day Weekend, depending on the weather and my schedule. Regardless, it should be fun.

Preparing for Camping.

2008-04-23T19:44:00-06:00

I am at the laundrymat doing a little bit of blogging and washing my clothes prior to heading off to my extended weekend camping. It's quite nice sitting out here at the little four corners park, working on my laptop.

I have to do some packing of things when I get home, but other then that I am set to go. I picked up the extra supplies I will need for the camping trip, and it should be a lot of fun.

Spring as you can see is very much on it's way, although I've been told with this dry weather, things are still not as green as we would like them in the mountains. This is too bad, as I want to have a campfire, but I'm not going to do it if there is a burn ban. That's fine I guess.

Farm-Sitting and Camping.

2008-04-17T12:29:00-06:00

I am farm-sitting at my parents house over the weekend, starting today. So I have to go home after work and take care of the animals and stay over night.

The list of chores is long as it's spring, from watering the many plants in the greenhouse, to checking on the chicks, to milking the goats, to feeding and watering half a dozen animals like the chickens, cats, goats, and rabbits. But it should be fun.

I don't have tomorrow off, but that's okay, because next weekend from a half day on Thursday through Sunday, so I can go camping in Schoharie County. This should be fun, doing a little yehawing and having a good time under the waining planter's moon.

I look forward to sleeping out tonight in the back of my pickup truck, and waking up out back listening to the creek in the morning with the dog on my in the truck. I don't get to do that as much living in Delmar. It will be great having a campfire, and sitting back there with a beer in one hand. But first I got to the sand (weight) unloaded from the back of my truck along with about a month and half of trash.

More stuff to burn (the trash). That's how I look at it. I should go to the transfer station more often, but it's a pain being ten miles away, and they can be picky about "having too many recyclables and not enough trash" (I'm not making this up). I still recycle as much as possible—but I do plan at least to burn some of the paper (and probably some of the rest of trash too) just to make room in my truck, and make it so I don't have to find time to drive to the transfer station.

Bonus Weekend.

2008-04-14T12:04:00-06:00

The weekend weather turned out to be much nicer then I certainly expected. I spent most of Saturday outdoors hiking, reading, and doing some photography.

I spent a lot of time reading this weekend. I am actually reading three books at once, which can be a bit confusing. I'm kind of into all of these books and have yet to pick one to focus on.

Better off: Flipping the Switch on Technology - About a couple who decide to live the amish life, farm, and live without electricity or modern conveniences.
Bitter Harvest - About modern agriculture and it's alternatives
Lost Child in the Woods - About how kids aren't getting out in nature much anymore
The Death and Life of Great American Cities

I recently finished Tom Friedman's The World is Flat. Right now, I am mostly focused on reading Jane Jacob's ever so wonderful The Death and Life of Great American Cities and learning much to boot. I hope to post reviews of the new few weeks.

Taking a Long Weekend.

2008-04-10T20:36:00-06:00

So don't be surprised if there is not an update until Monday. All of the Assembly Central Staff got Friday off. So have fun this weekend, and stay out of trouble.

Looks rainy out, so I guess I will be spending a lot of time reading.

Those Lazy-Hazy Crazy Days of Summer (Almost !)

2008-04-10T11:23:00-06:00

I honestly do not have much in the way of spring music, but with warm temperatures out there today, I know it certainly almost feels summer out there.

So it's time to dig out that 1963 record, Nat King Cole's Those Lazy Day of Summer, and get out the pretzels and beer.

While it's only 11:30 now, I could use some beer about now. I'd much rather be outside enjoying the nice weather, preferably somewhere back in the woods, maybe going for a dip in the creek. Only time will bring that though I guess.

I rode my bike to work today—in a t-shirt. It was so nice to do this, and I haven't had a chance in about two weeks. Even better was I got permission to park my bike right behind the building I work in, until they get a bike rack installed behind there.

It's a six mile ride from my apartment to work and it takes about 25 minutes. Not bad when you figure it would take longer to drive in and find a parking spot. No parking worries for me though, and it was great to have some fresh air this morning.

I look forward to getting out walking around the plaza at lunch time, and enjoying more fresh air. It was much more difficult to otherwise get out when the budget was going on.

Nice Weather Out There.

2008-04-07T09:59:06-06:00

A Happy Monday to all you out there. Continuing the nearly beautiful weather this weekend, the mercury continues to go up and the signs of spring are nye.

Parking was fun as usual, although I finally found a spot in my favorite street to park on a few blocks up by SUNY. I don't even know why I spent so much time trying to find a spot in Center Square when the weather was so nice today.

The past weekend was fun. I went to Five Rivers, Bethlehem Town Park and the Phil Steck house party on Saturday, totaling 25 miles on my bike between various errands. Sunday I was out at Partridge Run and Thatcher Park. It was beautiful out.

Good Morning.

2008-04-03T11:28:47-06:00

Beautiful day out there. I hope you all are lucky enough not be like myself locked up in a state office somewhere.

The weather tomorrow looks not quite a nice.

Locked Out of Computer.

2008-04-03T11:28:47-06:00

I got locked out of the IBM Access system to do my time sheet because I forgot my password. I feel so stupid. But I got it reset, and now I am happy about that little inconvenience.

Worship the god of security! And the Help Desk! Thank you.

Parking & Carpool.

2008-04-03T11:28:47-06:00

The good news, is I got a relatively decent spot on Hamilton Street. Not close, but legal, and not so far away from wear I work. With the new carpool program, I would have been able to drive in and park in the garage, as my carpool buddy is out for a death in his family. I will sign up Monday.

Essentially, here is what is happening. It only takes two people to make a carpool, and you can twice a month bring in two cars as necessary. In emergency—the state will pay to get you a ride home using a taxi. 75% discount over two seperate passes (essentially half price for each member). It's a really nice deal. Everybody should get a carpool pass if they work for the state.

Between normally taking the bus and carpooling, I almost never drive to work. But once I get this, no more worry about parking on the street ever. I am happy, as it gives everybody a little break, and makes carpooling cheaper.

I love Governor David Paterson !

It's 9PM and No News On When Session Will Start.

2008-04-02T21:01:08-06:00

In other words, no way of knowing when I will get out of work tonight.

I'm starting to think I may see the dawn before I get to go home. At any rate, I have to move my truck before 7 AM, because I'm parked in a loading zone, and I don't want to get a ticket.

Hot in the Office.

2008-04-01T11:56:37-06:00

That shouldn't be too surpsiing with it being so warm our today, abit so cloudy. It's the first real burst of warm weather as we enter the spring time.

I suspect by tommorow, most of the winters' snow will be a memory. Not that it will mean it's gone neccessarly for good, nor does that mean the cold weather is done for. It seems with the windchill tommorow it will feel like 29 °F and the real temperature will be only 44 °F.

Think mud season. Big time. Be careful with the snow pack right now, it's very easy to sink in and stuck, and be fucked, with your truck. Now that rhythms. But that also means nicer weather for the weekend, for all of us who badly want to go and play in the woods, and get a little mud on our pickups.

Sunday looks like the best of the two days in the weekend. I like Sunday in particular, because that's usually when I go and visit my parents after spending most of the day doing outdoors stuff. It appears spring has sprung.

Don't Get Fooled!

2008-04-01T11:56:37-06:00

Today is:

April Fools Day

Remember that. We (myself in plural) of course to be celebrating that holiday will be posting fake news stories throughout the day to keep you thinking.