I does not sound like your military training (tom-foolery), which has been so well documented here, served you in any way during this crisis.

I also lost power until Thursday afternoon, when my elated wife called to tell me the power was back on. That night came time to open the fridge and dispose of everything – not so bad considering we were about to move.

I agree the nights were the worst. How pre-electric man took so long to build electricity so he would not go mad after dark is beyond me.

During those first few days in the dark, my friend was getting married. I was in the wedding party, so I called him on his wedding day to ask if it was still on, though not for the normal reasons you ask that question in those circumstances. Fortunately, they lived on Grand Island, which was spared the “October Crush”, and was blissfully unaware of the chaos of the remainder of the Buffalo area.

I remember the run on matchers, flashlights, batteries, and personal generators during that time. We had some friends who held up in a hotel until power returned to their home. Smart.

During those dark days I would leave work at EOD, pick up my wife and dog, grab something at a drive-thru, then head back to my work so my wife could enjoy a few hours of electricity until we returned home to play the game of Life (both literally and figuratively) by candle light. I do not intend to ever play this game ever again.

Some larger pictures would be appreciated.

Using cabbage as a hip trendy term for money is also stolen, so chances are Dennis Leary would be framed for any crime I commit that somehow involves an unlikely lengthy write up.

I thought you were at that concert? I as well also have internet downloaded copies of several Transvision Vamp songs.

I maintain that I had your best interest at heart despite any residual interest I may have harbored in seeing you smote.

I called ‘Pops’ first ma.

I did tell everyone! Actually, you did come out a few times – I’m glad it was so memorable!

That’s right! His dogs did disappear after a while, though he maintained his style to some degree by tucking his jeans into his sneakers – a rare and difficult feat.

LBJ will one day hang between the Mona Lisa and one of those bullshit “my kid could do that” Jackson Pollack schmears.

“Full of cabbage”? A typical Mike phrase. You are forever in a mindset this this sort of thing makes you seem eloquent. Well, I warn you to never enter the criminal careers as any note you write I could easily identify by your style, and I know you could never resist these sorts of phrases.

I was home, working on near-plagarizing a paper on Paul’s super-cool Brother wordprocessor when you returned form the Transvision Vamp concert. I had to hear that “she was looking right at me” crap for years thereafter. When I got my first iPod I did scrounge the Internet ot find digial copies of Transvision Vamp, which I still listen to on occasion.

Gently my ass, you immediately sold us out!

Impede Paul’s furry upon us my ass! You wanted to see what was going on, like some rubber-necking yob.

No way, I am Pops.

“Shellac headed penman” is the best description you have ever written.

If you have told anyone else when you were coming home to Buffalo I would have made it out. As it was, every time I got yor military address, you had moved on to another base/assignment for some other form of grab-assery.

Paul did make an appearance at a Dan’s place, I think for the previously mentioned joint-birthday party. We were in shock not only because he appeared, but he was not wearing his omnipresent cowboy boots.

One day I expect too hear of some strange occurrence involving an unidentified man that I will know is Paul. It will ironically be a fire, within which will be found a head-charred creature, clutching an artistic photo, and whispering “Litter Box Jam.”

Matt is settled in Pittsburgh, so he ought to be within electronic reach.

I am not worried about lack of ice. That condom is long ago dried and crusted. Ice would only reinvigorate the juices.

I am extremely aggitated not knowing the 5 sacred meats and demand to be satisfied. I have been working out in my basement and will hunt down Matt for the answers.

I checked and the condom was still there. Expect a package soon, though I neglected to add ice.

Only Matt would be confounded by delicious frosty chocolate milk shakes.

Yeah, what is the deal Chet?

I always thought of Matt as more of a spleen than a liver.

I would tell you the 5 sacred meats, but I do not know what they are. Only one who is in the Meat Circle, or maybe the Freemasons can answer that. Matt?

No, Matt never cleaned up the condom. I don’t think anyone did. It is probably still there. Can you go check?

Yes, Matt was a waiter at the IHOP. It sucked because they always ran out of basics like eggs and pancake mix, hence Matt was sent across the street to buy these key items. He made the mistake of telling us a milkshake was hard to make, so it was the worst thing a customer could order. As I have make milkshakes (and malts) at Parkside Candies I know they are easy and kinda fun to make, coupled with my proclivity to give Matt a hard time, I ordered a milkshake the one time I came to IHOP while he was working.

What is the deal Chet?

Matt is a liver!