Recently I received this email that made my day:

Amy Liu wrote:

Dear Coffee and Grilled Cheese,

Our editors recently reviewed your blog and have given it an 8.2 score out of (10) in the Entertainment/Humor category of Blogged.com.

This is quite an achievement!

http://www.blogged.com/directory/entertainment/humor

We evaluated your blog based on the following criteria: Frequency of Updates, Relevance of Content, Site Design, and Writing Style. After carefully reviewing each of these criteria, your site was given its 8.2 score.

We’ve also created Blogged.com score badges with your score prominently displayed. Simply visit your website’s summary page on Blogged.com:

http://www.blogged.com/blogs/coffee-and-grilled-cheese.html

Click on the “Show this rating on your blog!” link underneath the score and follow the instructions provided.

Please accept my congratulations on a blog well-done!!

Sincerely,
Amy Liu
Marketing Department
amy[@]blogged.com
www.blogged.com

Thanks Amy!!!

I just needed to show at least ONE picture I took of Ms. Summer. More to come later.

It was an awesome show and even more awesome since it was free.

I recommend picking up her new CD Crayons. Excellent dance music. She was promoting that and also doing some of her hits.

JASON & GRANT: GHOST HUNTERS

Presented by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson

Saturday, July 26, 2008
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lily Dale Auditorium

SOLD OUT

SECOND SHOW NOW SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, JULY 27. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Plumbers by day - ghost hunters by night. Fans of the Sci-fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters simply can’t get enough of Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, the real-life paranormal researchers who investigate haunted houses throughout the country, encountering every type of imaginable haunting.

It has been more than a decade since Jason and Grant were brought together by their own highly personal paranormal experiences. Today they head TAPS - The Atlantic Paranormal Society - a group of everyday people who try to get to the bottom of people’s otherworldly disturbances. TAPS has become one of the most respected paranormal-investigation groups in America. It now has branches across the United States and affiliates in 12 other countries. Through the years, Jason, Grant and their colleagues have not forgotten why they do this - to find answers for themselves, and to help others who have experienced paranormal activity but don’t know what to do about it.

JASON HAWES, TAPS founder, is in his middle 30’s, a plumber and the father of three girls and twin sons. He enjoys spending quality time with his children, deep-sea fishing and writing screenplays.

GRANT WILSON, the father of three young boys, is also a plumber. When he’s not hunting ghosts or holding down a day job, Grant enjoys whipping up a mean Italian dish (he spent two years in Italy and speaks the language fluently), writing songs on the piano and guitar and penning a series of high-fantasy novels.

Jason and Grant will have TAPS merchandise for sale at the workshop.

Meet and Greet will follow this presentation in the Auditorium.

For more information on Jason & Grant, visit their website at www.scifi.com/ghosthunters.

JASON & GRANT: THE GHOST HUNTERS - SECOND SHOW

Presented by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson

Sunday, July 27, 2008
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lily Dale Auditorium

Fee: $39.00

Due to an overwhelming demand, Jason & Grant have agreed to schedule a second show! Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, they will be unable to hold a Meet & Greet after this show.

Plumbers by day - ghost hunters by night. Fans of the Sci-fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters simply can’t get enough of Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, the real-life paranormal researchers who investigate haunted houses throughout the country, encountering every type of imaginable haunting.

It has been more than a decade since Jason and Grant were brought together by their own highly personal paranormal experiences. Today they head TAPS - The Atlantic Paranormal Society - a group of everyday people who try to get to the bottom of people’s otherworldly disturbances. TAPS has become one of the most respected paranormal-investigation groups in America. It now has branches across the United States and affiliates in 12 other countries. Through the years, Jason, Grant and their colleagues have not forgotten why they do this - to find answers for themselves, and to help others who have experienced paranormal activity but don’t know what to do about it.

JASON HAWES, TAPS founder, is in his middle 30’s, a plumber and the father of three girls and twin sons. He enjoys spending quality time with his children, deep-sea fishing and writing screenplays.

GRANT WILSON, the father of three young boys, is also a plumber. When he’s not hunting ghosts or holding down a day job, Grant enjoys whipping up a mean Italian dish (he spent two years in Italy and speaks the language fluently), writing songs on the piano and guitar and penning a series of high-fantasy novels.

Jason and Grant will have TAPS merchandise for sale at the workshop.

For more information on Jason & Grant, visit their website at www.scifi.com/ghosthunters.

Every week, I check the line up to see if it would be something interesting. At least for this shift, I have Thursdays and Fridays off which is convenient to Thursday in the Square at events at the Albright-Knox Gallery.

Today, while paging through the Gusto I saw the ad for today’s book fair mentioning Allison DuBois. It stated this:

5:30-6:30pm

Allison DuBois author of the bestselling books “Don’t Kiss Them Good-bye” “We are Their Heaven” and “Secrets of the Monarch.”

The funny thing is, they never mentioned the TV show Medium or that she is a medium.

I had to go and see her. I’ve watched Medium since it started on NBC and bought her first book. Don’t tell her I bought it from bookcloseouts.com

My mom and I were a little late in starting off because we spent the afternoon at the Angola SPCA. We’re looking locally now for a dog since the applications for the private agencies outside of the area want to know a lot of information and want application fees even before you meet the dogs you want to adopt. How do you know if your personalities will mesh?

There are so many dogs that need homes (especially older ones) we decided to start with both locations of the SPCA and then the Buffalo City Animal Shelter.

Today I found one older dog who was about 3 (a hound mix) who was so lovable. All he wanted was pet-pets, have his ears scritched, and kissies. Good thing there was a huge hole in his gate so I could put my hand in there and give him pets.

Then there were the puppy rooms. I forgot about how it was to have a puppy. O.o

Lucy-Goosy fell into the bowl of water and then wanted me to pick her up and cuddle while all wet. I complied. I got a pinch on my arm (Ouch! Puppy teething!) and she was chewing and pulling my hair. I guess that was good pulling for her. Her hair color and my hair color were the same.
Her brother, Maxwell, had this forlorn look on his face like “Holy crap. Hold Me. Can you get me out?” I believe that litter came from West Virginia where it’s a high kill area.

Needless to say, I had Eu De Puppy Perfume on the entire upper part of my body, water and little tinkles of pee pee all over my shirt.

Sorry, no pictures of the pups. I’m sure we will be back there. The decision for another dog is getting closer. The pups, although cute, are probably out since I’m working the crappiest shift and my parents would have to take care of the high strung ball of fur.

Then there is the baby gate problem. We would have to gate off the other portion of the house until they learn not to pee and chew everything in sight.

It wasn’t like when we had Indy. At least at that time, I was in college and could take off whenever I felt like it to train the puppy. Boo-Yah! Skipping Classes!

We got home at 4:30pm and her lecture started at 5:30pm. QUICK! Grab two slices of pizza and jump into the car. My mom drove my car for the first time on the Thruway to get up to the gallery. We were there on time, but the lack o’parking held us up. We found a spot on Lincoln Parkway but we had to walk back to the gallery, down hallways, up stairs, up an elevator, making us 15 minutes late for her lecture. My gut told me to park at Buff State. Grrrr.

Here are some pictures of Allison during the lecture. She did answer some questions during it that the audience members put on index cards. My mom had a question, but we think it was handed in too late so she couldn’t get to it. She was there exactly until 6:30pm and had a car waiting for her after the lecture.

The one thing that shocked me was that hardly anyone was there for her lecture. I expected the hall to be filled. Was it that NO ONE knew she was going to be there? The only time I heard about her appearance was that morning in the SMALL AD in the Gusto.

One of the members stated that this used to be sponsored by the Buffalo Public Library but that wasn’t the case this year.

After the lecture, my mom and I decided to walk around the gallery. The thing is, we’ve been spoiled visiting The Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Looking at the stuff they considered art here (d00d I saw a brightly lit blue sign that had the word PUSSY in it! WOW! That’s art!) some of it’s just insulting.

Look at what we saw in Boston MA a few years ago - and we didn’t even see the whole Museum:

Paul Revere:

Silver made by Paul Revere:

Part of an Exclusive Picasso Exhibit Called Degas to Picasso:

My favorite: Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer by Degas:

Iranian Tombstone:

And my favorite painting “Watson and the Shark” by John Singleton Copley:

I hate to say, I’m just not a fan of our local art gallery after seeing the one in Boston.

Oh! Please note. If you are sitting on the bench outside of the Restrooms, don’t lean against the wall.

There is no art on the wall and the bench is next to the wall, but you are NOT ALLOWED to even TOUCH the wall. I almost went to jail for that one. I’m assuming the white paint on the walls is considered art as well.

Back to some news on Allison for the next week.

If you have children between the ages of 6-17, you and them can attend a lecture in Lily Dale on July 22 2008. Allison’s children will also be in attendance.

http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/childrens-week/

10:00 am - Playing Games with your Intuitive Gifts–Lyceum Building. Enjoy a morning of fun playing with the gifts within and enjoying each others abilities to share. Allison DuBois

Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Allison will be working with children to help them understand and develop their abilities. No additional fees required, only the regular gate fees apply. This event is open to children 6-17 years old with an adult.

Also she will be conducting a lecture on July 23 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Buffalo:

Ticket Information

2008-7-23 Buffalo, NY VIP Seminar
Price per Unit (piece): $150.00

VIP Seminar with Allison DuBois
Buffalo, NY Wednesday 7/23/08
Registration Begins: 5:30 PM
Meet and Greet Begins: 6:00 PM
Seminar Begins: 7:00 PM
Running Time: 2 hrs +

Hyatt Regency Buffalo
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A NEW DATE. THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR A DIFFERENT DAY.

This is an intimate, VIP only event. The group is limited to 100 people in a ballroom setting. The seminar begins with a meet and greet where everyone will have the opportunity to say hello to Allison. Pictures are permitted during the meet and greet. The formal portion of the seminar begins with Allison discussing topics and answering questions about her books. Allison will then bring select people up and read for them. Allison will relate the specific reading to the general audience so that everyone will be in a better place at the end of this event.

This is an e-ticket. Your name is your ticket. Please bring ID for registration.

No one attending the event is guaranteed a reading.

Tickets are not sold at the door.

Availability
In Stock: 61

Yeah, the above lecture, I thought about going for two seconds until I saw the price of the tickets.

Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent. [/George Bush]

Canada.com Story

Barenaked Ladies singer arrested in New York
Canwest News Service
Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

NEW YORK - Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page has been arrested in New York and charged with possession of cocaine.

Police in Syracuse, N.Y. said Page was arrested Friday along with two American women after police noticed something suspicious in an apartment in the village of Fayetteville.

“As (the officers) approached the apartment they saw people in the window sitting at a table and it looked like they were engaged in something. There was a white capsule and a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.” said Capt. Bill Bleyle with the Manlius Police Department in New York State.

Page, 38, is charged with possession of a controlled substance. Police said Page was released on $10,000 bail.

Bleyle said a further search of the apartment turned up more cocaine and some marijuana. However, he said the charges in connection with Page only related to the cocaine.

Page’s manager, Terry McBride, said he cannot comment while the matter is before the courts, but added he’s confident his client will be cleared of all charges.

Until then, said McBride, it’s “business as usual for the Barenaked Ladies.”

The band has just released a new children’s album, Snacktime. Page is scheduled to appear in court July 17.

So yeah, I work in a place that is starting to be overly obsessed with dress code to the point where higher ups will walk around and point out the issues to you, at you whatever. We have never had a dress code before or if we did it was never enforced.

The public doesn’t see us during our shifts. Only when we walk from our car to the building and back again.

The only one they don’t seem to be pointing out verbally is if you have B.O. I guess it’s better to send an email to the whole company stating “Please watch your personal hygiene” instead of going up to the person and stating:

Dood. You fucking stink! Go home and wash your ass and don’t come back until you smell like soap and water.

I would think by this age range (which is 20-60+) one should know how to bathe on a daily basis.

However the bigger problem here is footwear. There seems to be a problem that the higher ups have telling the difference between FLIP FLOPS (see below):

and Sandals (see below):

Now, my fellow readers, I know you can see the difference.

The flip flops have that thong thing going on between the first and second toes and are usually purchased at K-Mart, Wal-Mart or the old Woolworth’s stores. The price range is usually around $2.00 to $7.00. It could be more if you decide to get a designer pair instead of the old rubber, cheapy kind.

Please beware, if you purchase the cheapy kind from Wal-Mart, your feet could look like this:

The above picture and story is found here:
http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart2.htm

However one of my co-workers was told something different. She had a pair of shoes on that were sandals like the ones above. Now before you get your knickers in a knot, I must note that no, she doesn’t have Vera Wang shoes. I doubt any of us peons could afford those shoes on our salary. Gas probably would cost as much as those designer shoes.

Anyway, said supervisor came back (in HER FLIP FLOPS and yes, they had a thong between her toes) stating that her sandals were flip flops and she could no longer wear them to work.

Wha-huh? When did sandals turn into flip flops and if you are wearing a dress to work, wouldn’t it look better to wear said sandals instead of, let’s say, Mario Sneakers?

Oh shit! Those are so cool. I need to add those to my Christmas list.

::cough:: sorry. I got off track.

Anyway, she wasn’t sent home but given a warning.

My co-worker stated “These are sandals and you better check your policies.”

So now there needs to be a clarification from management on what is a flip flop and what is a sandal.

Would it just be easier to use Wikipedia?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip_flop

In footwear and fashion, flip-flops (also known as thongs, jandals or pluggers) are a flat, backless, usually rubber sandal consisting of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap, like a thin thong, that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around either side of the foot. They appear to have been developed based on traditional Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandal_(footwear)

Sandals are an open type of footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer’s foot by straps or thongs passing over the instep and around the ankle. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be blurry (as in the case of huaraches—the woven leather footwear seen in Mexico), the common understanding is that a sandal reveals most or all of the foot (especially the toes) to view. People may choose to wear sandals for several reasons, among them economy (sandals tend to require less material than shoes), comfort in warm weather, and for reasons of fashion and attractiveness.

Hmmmm I guess it is a blurry definition because under that article, flip flops are considered sandals.

Wow, this might be a board room meeting at its finest!

I don’t care what my co-worker wears, as long as she doesn’t have B.O. or B.B.O (beyond B.O. from Seinfeld).

So what are Crocs considered?

This is my preferred choice of footwear.

People make me sick. I wish the punishment for this, when the person(s) is caught is that they are dragged behind a car just as this poor cat was.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/14018/ON/CA/RSS/

Cat dragged to death behind vehicle
Niagara Falls, ON (CA)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 2, 2008

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Niagara humane society investigators are looking into a third gruesome case of animal abuse in a little over a week.

A young cat was killed Wednesday after being dragged for several kilometres behind a car in Niagara-on-the-Lake by an unsuspecting driver, says the Lincoln County Humane Society.

Investigators believe the driver had no idea of the animal’s predicament and someone else tied the black male cat to the rear of the car.

“It’s another horrific incident involving animal cruelty,” Inspector Todd Menard said Friday.

The cat, believed to be about two years old, was dragged from a residence on Lakeshore Road, along Four Mile Creek Road and then along Regional Road 55 to a Meridian Credit Union.

“That’s a long distance. We’re looking at a distance of about three miles,” Menard said.

Employees in the credit union noticed the mangled, dead animal attached by a rope to the back of the car and alerted the driver, he said.

Based on injuries to the cat’s paws, a veterinarian determined the animal must have been alive at the beginning of the journey and trying to stay on its feet, Menard said.

The cat suffered friction burns and abrasions to about half of its body.

“I don’t even know how to say in words how much this animal would’ve suffered,” Menard said.

Investigators want to hear from witnesses to the cat’s dragging death or anyone who may have details about the incident.

It’s not known who the cat belonged to, Menard said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lincoln County Humane Society at 905-682-0767, ext. 227.

The incident follows two other recent cases of animal cruelty in Niagara.

Humane society officers in Niagara Falls are investigating the case of a dog that was thrown from the Victoria Avenue overpass on Canada Day. The dog survived with remarkably few injuries.

The previous week, a three-month-old kitten was thrown off a fifth-storey balcony of an apartment at 483 Linwell Rd. in St. Catharines and then deliberately run over with a car.

A 31-year-old St. Catharines man faces several charges in the cat’s death.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
905-682-0767
905-682-0767 xt. 227

References:
Niagara Falls Review - July 5, 2008

Who: Animal Control Officer Fred Grasso (accused of shooting a mother cat & 2 kittens)
What: Protest; hold up signs outside courthouse
When: Tuesday July 8th, 8am or 9am. (his hearing is at 11am)
Where: Lackawanna City Court, 714 Ridge Road Lackawanna, NY 14218

Story:
http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=8532852

Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Lackwanna-animal-cop-kills-kittens-and-their-mother

Fred Grasso’s hearing is on Tuesday July 8 at 11am. Please let kpadsa378 @ aol.com know if you or anyone else is interested in standing outside the courthouse holding up signs. Mr. Grasso needs to be permanently relieved of his duties as an animal control officer as well as face animal cruelty charges. Also, she would like to get 1,000 signatures within the next two days so that she can mail it to Judge Frederic Marrano prior to the case on July 8.

If interested in protesting please contact kpadsa378 @aol.com

News Story:

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/383969.html

New claims surface against Lackawanna’s animal-control officer
Woman alleges Grasso shot her dog
By Gene Warner
Updated: 07/03/08 7:45 AM

As the criminal case continues against Lackawanna’s animal-control officer for supposedly shooting three cats to death, the Erie County SPCA has received other complaints about Frederick S. Grasso— including one about the shooting death of a dog five years ago.

“Since this has broken in the news, we’ve received numerous phone calls from residents of Lackawanna who have told us of their bad experiences with the animal-control officer, Fred Grasso,” Barbara S. Carr, executive director of the SPCA, said Wednesday.

But there’s no way to prove or disprove such allegations, Carr said.

One such claim involves the killing of a Lackawanna woman’s 2-year-old black Labrador retriever after it broke its line attached to her home five years ago.

Melanie Wojcinski said that after Grasso shot Shadow in July 2003, the dog’s body was left in the creek not far from her home.

Her upstairs neighbor witnessed the shooting and told her what happened, Wojcinski said.

“[Shadow] ran toward the creek, and the dog warden shot her at least twice as she ran toward the creek,” Wojcinski said.

But that’s one side of the Grasso story.

Supporters, including many Lackawanna residents and officials who have worked with his office, describe Grasso as a kind and gentle man who would do anything for others.

“He is the nicest guy you will ever meet,” said one resident, who has worked with Grasso’s office. “He will do anything for you, at any time of the day or night. He is a true gentleman.”

That’s the same portrait painted by two men who dressed up as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger outside Lackawanna City Hall on Tuesday to express their support for Grasso. The animal-control officer is charged with aggravated animal cruelty in the killing of the three cats.

Supporters, including the two animal impersonators, believe that if Grasso shot the three cats, he must have done it in self-defense, because the cats were rabid.

An SPCA investigation determined that Grasso shot a mother cat and her two kittens while responding to a call about strays living in the basement of an Eagan Drive apartment complex June 10.

Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski Jr. has called the charges against Grasso a “publicity stunt” by the SPCA. “I don’t believe Freddy did anything wrong,” Polanski has said.

And Police Capt. Ronald Miller, Lackawanna’s chief of detectives, said that, to the best of his knowledge, he can’t recall any other criminal complaints against Grasso.

Wojcinski, the owner of the black Lab, has a different view of Grasso, the city’s part-time dog warden and animal-security officer.

Shadow was shot at least twice, including once in the back of the hip and once in the neck, Wojcinski said. An autopsy later determined that the shot to the neck killed her.

The police report on Shadow’s death stated that the animal- control officer had disposed properly of the body, Wojcinski said. Some children playing near Smokes Creek found the body in the creek.

She added that Grasso had signed the citation for letting her dog run free.

Wojcinski also suggested that she is hardly shocked by the new charges against Grasso.

“I’m not surprised at all, because when this happened to me, I had people call me and say Freddy shot their dog,” she said. “He needs to lose his job. He shouldn’t be a dog warden.”

This is a must view movie for 4th of July weekend.

Trailer: