Category: supersweetshirts.com

I am fatigued.

    This whole week and weekend has been non-stop and I am beat.  I could not keep up with updates but I kept taking pictures so I can catch up on here.
    On Thursday we went to the Museum Night that they were doing here in Buffalo for preservation week.  For $25.00 a ticket, you could get access to all of the Museums, plus a rare sneak peak of the first floor of the Richardson Complex.  This building used to be an old mental hospital.  Its architecturally stunning and extremely eerie.  It is also closed to the public normally because it is slowly being restored.  They promoted a free trolley that was running so that people wouldn’t have to drive to them with one of the stops right down the street from our house.  It seemed like a great idea.  The weather was pretty terrible. Cold, high winds and rain are a terrible combination.  We roughed it and walked down to the stop with some friends of ours.  The trolley was supposed to pick us up at 6:30pm.  When we arrived, the sign at the stop said 7:00pm.  Already slightly annoyed, we went for some coffee and killed some time, returning at seven.  We then stood in the rain and wind for a half hour, and there was still no trolley.  Now extremely annoyed, we walked back to our house to get the car totally soaked.  By the time we arrived, there were like two hours left to enjoy all of the museums.  I just wanted to get into a warm bed at this point.  All I really wanted to see was the Richardson Complex.  The art museum I have seen before. Like most museums, the paintings were impressive while the “modern art” was pure shit.  Modern art is ridiculous.  Even more ridiculous is people explaining modern art to other people.  I could rant for days on this topic but I won’t.  The trolley service was supposed to transfer people between museums also, but the rate at which it was coming to pick people up was awful.  We decided to walk to the Richardson Complex.

Our friends Molly and Pat came along with us to enjoy the nice weather.

Nicole and I standing in line at the Richardson Complex.  They could only allow 150 people in at a time due to the fact that it is still not completely safe to be in.
The woodwork in this building was incredible.  Everything was larger than life.

The doors where all like 12 feet tall, solid wood. 

This was inside one of the rooms in the ward.

   Getting to see the inside of this building almost made the trip worth it.  But not quite.  The trolley fiasco was obnoxious especially combined with the terrible weather.  When we got home I passed right out.

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Totally Amazing Fashion for the Holidays

   I know, I know.  Why would I promote other clothing when I have my own shirts to sell?  These things can’t be ignored.  Some of them are simply breathtaking.  I have a respect for clothing design and fashion.  I’m not talking about Marc Jacobs.  I’m talking about something that is truly cutting edge.  I’m talking about something daring.  I’m talking about these:

The Captain America Hoodie at thinkgeek.com is stunning.  I don’t believe I’ve seen something this fantastic before.  Actually no, I can think of one other thing that’s on par with being as amazing as this…

Another hoodie because its that time of year.  This Superman hoodie is more my style although not as cool of an idea as the Captain America hoodie.  I love the art on the hood, although I don’t love it as much as this…

Yellow Rat Bastard out of NYC has some great shirts, although can be a bit pricey.  I’m a fan of this old school Action Comics Superman shirt.  A lot of comic book shirts are tacky and loud but this shirt is pretty awesome. 
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Long weekend…

    This weekend was pretty exhausting.  Nicole and I went to Rochester for a show that we had never done before.  You live and learn with these things.  This show wasn’t promoted very well, and there was heavy rain with strong winds.  It was not a good turnout but it was still fun to be out with people and getting feedback.  I’m excited for the Mayday Underground show. This will be our second time doing this show, and it was fantastic last year.
    I just put in an order for new supplies.  Sitting at the show over the weekend gave me an opportunity to brainstorm.  I am going to be doing a Straightedge baby onesie.  It is such a stupid concept that I got really excited.  Hopefully I will have them in time for the November 5th show! I will keep you posted on the status of the Straightedge Baby Onesie!

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Victor PTSA Arts & Craft Show

   This weekend is the first of our two shows heading into the holiday season.  This Saturday from 9am-4pm, Super Sweet Shirts will be selling onesies and T-shirts at the Victor PTSA Arts an Craft show.  We will have a wide variety on hand including some of our more popular designs.  Get there early because we have limited stock.  If we run out of an item that you want, you will be able to order there and get free shipping.  Don’t miss it!

Victor PTSA Arts and Crafts Show
100 High Street
Victor, NY
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Lemonheads Coming to Buffalo!

    The memory for me is still clear as day.  8th grade was the year I sort of found out what I was going to be, at least from 8th grade through high school.  I sort of went from a complete awkward disaster to still being awkward but with actual friends.  Looking back on it, I was sort of taken in as an intern with our school’s group of delinquent skateboarders during a time when that sort of thing wasn’t quite as accepted as it is today.  It was a great time and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Music played a big part in growing up for me and I remember heading to the mall with my newly made friend Taylor to pick up some new release cassette tapes.  I had picked up Nirvana, “Incesticide” and The Lemonheads, “It’s a Shame About Ray”.  I was familiar with Nirvana at the time, but The Lemonheads were a band I was not familiar with.  To this day I still listen to that album, and for 18 years I have listened to everything this band has put out, and every ounce of solo work Evan Dando has released.  The one thing missing is that I had never once been able to see them live.  On January 14th. 2012 they will be playing here in Buffalo, NY for a special show to perform “It’s a Shame About Ray” and it is going to rule.  Don’t miss it!

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Vera Pizzeria is Magnificent.

    Over the summer, Nicole and I went with my family to San Francisco to visit my sister.  My favorite place that we visited while vacationing there was called The Alembic Bar.  What made this place special was that they made top notch old school cocktails, and they did them correctly.  You didn’t have some “Joe Schmoe” bartender with average skills behind the bar, you had a true professional.  One of my favorite drinks is a Sazerac, a drink that up until now was impossible to get here in the city of Buffalo.  I say “up until now” because that has finally changed.  “Vera Pizzeria” has brought old school cocktails and impressive pizza to the Elmwood Avenue area.
    We arrived to the restaurant at about 7:30.  It was a full house, but nothing so uncomfortable that we couldn’t wait.  We were given a wait time of about 20 minutes.  That was no problem for me because I was focused on getting to that bar.  The cocktail list was impressive offering a wide variety of drinks and a variety of different whiskey.  I didn’t see the Sazerac and was starting to get bummed out, but we decided to ask just for the hell of it.  The bartender (who all wear vests and sport mustaches) confidently said he made them and was almost excited to do so.  He had all of the essential ingredients including the Sazerac Rye Whiskey and the Peychaud’s Bitters.  He made a generous sized cocktail (almost doubled the size of the Sazerac I had in San Francisco) with one big ice cube in the glass.  It was perfection, and all while giving  me the history of the drink.  I couldn’t have been more happy.

Earning my trust before making the Sazerac with a few key ingredients.  P.s. I tipped more than one dollar, contrary to what that stray bill on the bar makes it seem like.
Splendid.

   We were seated a bit earlier than the estimated time and pleasantly, we had great seat by the window.  While we waited, instead of the standard bread basket being placed on our table, we were happily surprised with a bowl of Greek olives.  

The Sazerac makes another appearance.  Clearly I’m obsessed.

The selection of pizza was fantastic.  With all of the pizza competition in the area, you really have to be one step ahead and offer something truly special.  Vera Pizzeria did just that.  It was difficult to choose, so Nicole, our friend Kristina, and I each ordered a different pizza so that we could try them all.  Nicole ordered the Porchetta Pizza which was red wine braised pork shoulder, oil cured olives, fresh herbs, and Fontina cheese.  This pizza was superb.  The pork was cooked perfectly, so incredibly tender and juicy.  I was jealous of her dish.

Porchetta

Kristina ordered the House Made Sausage Pizza which was a San Marzano Tomato Sauce with house made Italian sausage, Fennel, and shaved Parmesan.  It was fresh, very tasty, and slowly grew increasingly spicy with every bite.

House Made Sausage

I ordered the Fig Jam and Prosciutto pizza which consisted of Bosc Pears, Arugula, Truffle Oil, Fig Jam and Prosciutto.  It was the perfect blend of flavors ending with the sweet, but not overly so, flavors of the Fig Jam.  It was different and exciting.

Fig Jam and Prosciutto

This was exactly was Buffalo was missing and now we have it.  Top notch pizza, classic cocktails made by professionals, and a great atmosphere – “Vera Pizzeria”  is a class act.  Bravo.

Vera Pizzeria on Urbanspoon

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Restaurant Review: Sonoma Grille

    Thursday night Nicole and I met with some friends for some dinner.  We usually pick the places to go so this time we had them pick.  They chose “Sonoma Grille” on Main St. out in Snyder, NY outside of the city.  I’ll be honest, I’m a snob when it comes to food.  I really wasn’t looking forward to eating here at all.  From their completely awful website that makes it look like their target crowd is 80+ years old, to mediocre reviews on Urbanspoon, there was nothing that really appealed to me about this place.
    Nicole and I arrived before our friends. We figured it was going to be the type of atmosphere where jeans and a t-shirt would have looked a little out of place, and it was.  This place was definitely not for younger people, or at least it didn’t seem that way.  It had an “old” feeling to it, and I don’t mean “old” as in historical, “old” like elderly.  There was a smoking area outside which was sort of gross and out of touch with society, mainly because it’s near the main entrance which I thought was illegal, but apparently not.  The inside of the place smelled like the sort of perfume that I last smelled inside of a church.  I wanted to turn and run, but I thought to myself, “This could make for a fun review.”

    We were seated and minutes after, our friends had arrived.  My friend Pat clearly had no idea what type of place it was as he strolled in wearing his green army coat, scruffy face, “Maui” t-shirt, and fedora.  It was amusing and he clearly realized that he selected the wrong outfit.  The restaurant staff was a little…bizarre.  Pat and I both made reference to the fact that our server reminded us of someone from the “Adams family.”  It bordered on uncomfortable at times, but at least he was attentive and our water glasses were never empty.
    The menu was pretty ordinary with a few “different” items that saved it from being completely drab.  Nicole and I decided to just order two smaller things and share.  We started off with the “Ahi Tuna Salad” which was a piece of tuna seared rare over micro greens with mango and avocado salsa, with a spicy soy dressing.  After everything I said about this place so far, this almost completely made it worth it.  This dish was almost top notch.  The fish was delicious, cooked to perfection on the outside, rare as can be on the inside, and accompanied with the greens and fruit, this made for a refreshing experience.  We both loved this and I was impressed.

Ahi Tuna Salad

Our second small dish arrived and it was just a simple Grilled White Pizza with roasted garlic, artichokes and sun dried tomato.  It was a simple dish that did was it was supposed to do.  It wasn’t mind blowing and it wasn’t mediocre, it was exactly what it said it was. 

Grilled White Pizza

Patrick ordered a chicken pot pie, which looked like a giant round hot pocket.  He said that he liked it.  His wife, Molly, ordered a pork dish.  I’m pretty sure it was a pork tenderloin.  She said that it was good also, but I wasn’t impressed by its appearance.

Pot Pie

Pork Tenderloin

The meal ended with our friends getting a Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee which Molly loved and Pat barely touched.  Nicole ordered just a coffee and me, a light Sambuca.
    So I admit, I was harsh in my opinions of this place in the beginning.  In reality, we will probably never eat there again, not because of the food, but mainly because it’s nowhere near where we live really and we are spoiled by the high quality, inventive restaurants located in our neighborhood.  The atmosphere is not for me and its definitely not a place to bring a date unless she is 75.  Seeing past all of these elements, the food was decent which made it a pleasant experience.

Sonoma Grille on Urbanspoon

   

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Restaurant Review: Black Rock Kitchen & Bar

    Great food is something that the city of Buffalo is known for.  We have the biggest food festival in the U.S. and an unbelievable amount of great restaurants to choose from.  It seems like every month there are new places opening up each putting their own spin on creating something different.  The bar has been set high for quality.  The slowly rebounding Black Rock area has had their first injection of something fresh and cool, that being the “Black Rock Kitchen & Bar”.  The reviews have been pretty good so we figured we would give it a try.
    The inside of the restaurant is artsy and hip as I expected.  We arrived around 6pm and the place was just about full already for dinner.  We pulled into the lot across the street where they had a sign for parking however, a man standing in the rain with an umbrella was directing people out of the lot saying that the bar next door was calling and towing cars.  It wasn’t too much of an inconvenience though, I was able to locate a spot down the street.  The crowd was insanely diverse.  Old people, young people, middle aged people-there was definitely a universal interest in this place.  It was very dark so it was difficult to get any decent pictures.  The menu was very different.  There were a lot of things that I had never seen before like “Roasted Marrow Bones” and “Fois Gras French Toast”. 
   We sat down and ordered our drinks.  I went with the Southern Tier Pumking, which is the best pumpkin beer that I have ever tasted.  Nicole ordered a glass of wine. 

For an appetizer, we went with “Fried Mushroom Goat Cheese Wonton” served with a truffle mayo.  We didn’t have to wait long for anything we ordered.  This appetizer was cooked to perfection in terms of the level of crispy from the deep dry. Unfortunately it lacked any flavor.  I could barely taste any goat cheese or mushroom (two ingredients that should have definite flavor).  Nicole didn’t mind them but to me it was like I was just eating the shell of a wonton and dipping it in mayo.  I was not impressed at all.

$9.00

For entrees, I ordered the Duck Leg BLT and Nicole ordered the Roasted Pork Enchiladas.  My sandwich looked impressive and I was pretty excited to eat it.  The fries were a little soggy and pathetic, almost looking like they came from the bottom of an Arby’s curly fries container.  The sandwich was satisfactory, but barely.  The duck was a little dry and didn’t taste like much of anything.  I honestly could have just ordered a regular BLT and would have tasted the same.  This definitely looked better than it tasted.

Nicole’s enchiladas were probably the best out of all the food we ordered.  They didn’t look like much but they were indeed the best of the bunch.  The pork was cooked nicely and the Poblano sauce it was dressed in was tasty, but again, nothing special especially for $12.00.

    The Black Rock Kitchen & Bar was sadly overrated and overpriced.  In a city full of great food, I would not recommend this based on my first visit.  The amount of good reviews the place has received will probably make me give it another chance, but I can definitely state that our visit disappointing.

Black Rock Kitchen & Bar on Urbanspoon

 

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Back on the Wagon

    I have an addiction that is harder to kick than anything.  I smoked for like 10 years and was able to kick that habit without any issues.  Smoking was easy to quit.  I didn’t need a patch, an electric cigarette, or pictures of gross organs to help me quit.  I just did.  My constant battle has been with this:

     I am a full blown addict to candy.  Its terrible.  I would have some sort of candy every day.  If I went to get gas for my car, I would get candy.  If I went to the post office, I would get candy. This is about to stop. It won’t be easy, but enough is enough.  This is day #2 off candy.  Its going to be a long road ahead.

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