I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend, and I hope that you all gave thought to why we had that day off, the "Memorial Day" that commemorates the thousands of lives lost to give us the lives we lead today.
I spent the weekend in Crystal Beach, Ontario. It's a lovely community near Ft. Erie in Canada where many Americans spend weekends and summers but where Canadians still live, too. It wasn't exactly beach weather, but it was nice enough, and it's a great place to relax.
This is a topic that has been discussed extensively among both lifetime Buffalonians and visitors, but this is an appropriate forum for further discussion. WNY has so much to offer as far as outdoor recreation! We can ski in the winter and beach it in the summer. We have state parks, the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, vineyards and wineries, Delaware Park, the Finger lakes, and plenty of wooded areas for ATV's and hiking.
So..... There are a lot of ways to attract more visitors, and a lot of activities for people who are "bored in Buffalo." So why aren't we spreading the word?
In my opinion, the H.H. Richardson Complex on Forest and Elmwood, or "the old insane asylum" as many people refer to it, is the most beautiful and intriguing piece of architecture in Buffalo.
I love how its towers can be seen from many points in Buffalo, and its history as a "hospital" for the mentally ill is far more than interesting to most people. (Now it's barricaded and impossible to breach, but when I was younger the thing to do was break in.)
It is in a prime location and we know it should be put to good use. But what should be done, exactly? The front page of the City & Region section of The Buffalo News carried an article Wednesday documenting the meeting that recently took place to come up with ideas and perhaps answers to that very question.
I wish I had the perfect solution as to what should be done, but I really have no clue. So, I'm wondering what our generation feels should happen to the infamous H.H. Richardson Complex.
Do share your opinions...
"If you can't make it here then you can't make it anywhere" posted a commentor.
At first I agreed, but then realized what a generalization that is. It's not true. It's not easy to "make it" in Buffalo because of the lack of opportunity.
I'm all for making something happen if you want it to (it is survival of the fittest after all), but it's tough in this area. I come from the mindset of "Things only get done if I do them myself" and I know you can't expect help. But, it would be easier to "make it" in a place that actually follows through with plans.
I'm thinking of 3 other cities that I could go to and be much better off jobwise than I am here. And that's because there are more job oportunities and people in other cities. The people aren't here because there aren't jobs, and the jobs aren't here because there aren't people.
Buffalo seems like an easy place to "make it" because there won't be much competition and the cost of living is inexpensive, but it needs existing business to attract people. I guess we're running in circles. We've got to break this cycle.
The Sabres are losing, this we know. But the City of Buffalo still stands.
People will get excited come fall, when the Bills start up again, but how about getting behind something else in the meantime? Like, perhaps, Buffalo? It's great to support our sports teams, but obviously they are not our city's saviors. Let's keep the morale and band together to be excited about Buffalo and some other things it has to offer.
We can't count on our sports, but we can count on ourselves. Want sports? Attend school and club events or go play in Delaware Park. Want something to do every other night now that the games aren't on? Join something or volunteer somewhere. "Let's Go Buffalo" doesn't have to just apply to our national sports teams!
I know it's so easy to say, and even easier to suggest to others, but we really should take an active part in our community, not just in its sports. So let's research opportunities and get involved! (Don't worry. I will take my own advice!)
(Sorry it's been a few days)
So my best friend from college sent me an email stating "We cannot move forward until you get MySpace." I was really annoyed. OK, sorry I don't have a MySpace account...but aren't the constant text messages, email and FaceBook enough? We CANNOT move forward until I get MySpace?! That's a bit harsh
I actually like not being a part of the MySpace world. I know my position is like how non-comformists are actually conforming to the "non", and I like being a part of this new alter world. "Ew, you're not on MySpace?" people say to me with disgust. No, I'm not.
But I do belong to this thing called LIFE and HUMAN INTERACTION, and that includes technologies that connect us. It just doesn't include MySpace. So write me a letter, send me an email or even comment on my blog! It's not that I think I'm too cool for MySpace.
To be honest I'd probably become addicted to it. Just don't tell me "we cannot move forward until [I] get MySpace." It's a lame excuse to not keep in touch.
The older people in the area complain about the “Brain Drain” while the younger people say they have no choice but to leave due to the lack of jobs. Companies and businesses say they’d love to hire fresh young faces that are willing to stay in the Buffalo area.
A dear friend of mine just received his MBA from a very good school on the East Coast. Throughout his undergrad years he came back to Buffalo to intern at a certain large, well-known company. The education and experience he gained while earning his MBA are perfectly suited for a position at that same company. He is passionate about and more than willing to move back to Buffalo to work. I should also add that representatives from the company are often quoted as saying that Buffalo-area businesses should try to lure people to stay here and should take advantage of the multitude of local college and university students.
He interviewed for the position and was told he needed more experience. He didn’t get the job. Does anyone see how frustrating this is?!
Now, I’m not saying that just because he is willing to move back to Buffalo he should automatically get the job, but he is extremely well educated and his prior experience is with THAT company! He knows what’s up! He is eager and willing…like many others in WNY. This story is the perfect anecdote for what’s going in this area. I’m just wondering what young people are supposed to do here…do you want us or not?
