Trip down south proves there's no place like home
Some random thoughts on things that may or may not be making headlines as I ponder the meaning of life while sitting behind the steering wheel of a 2001 Ford Explorer.

A man can do some pretty serious thinking when logging a couple thousand miles of interstate driving in a single week:

• I've found that recycling and most of the rules and regulations that come with it are simply ignored in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. In fact, they aren't ignored, they simply don't exist. Got an empty beer can? Just toss it in the trash. A cardboard box? Chuck it in with the scraps from last night's dinner. Plastic milk jug? Forget the environment baby, we're on vacation.

• Just heard that the Seneca's Buffalo Creek Casino expanded its hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Nothing like promoting nickel and penny slots to those who shouldn't be gambling away their paychecks right up until last call at the local bars and taverns.

• I ran across two businesses that should be based near the Buffalo waterfront if it ever gets developed. One is a neat little gift shop that provides something for everyone who happens to be a fan of peanuts, hot sauce or rude-and-crude T-shirts and boxer shorts. The other is simply known as the "Brew Thrum." Think of the old Nice 'NW Easy store concept where you make your purchases while sitting behind the wheel. It is every beer drinker's dream for those who are too thirsty to buy their favorite adult beverage in anything smaller than a 30-pack.

• I'm among those who believe that during the summer months in Western New York, other than at the workplace, air conditioning is for wimps. But I learned last week that if you live "down there" and don't have a central air system in your home you really have no chance of survival during the months of July and August. Yes sir, it gets that stinking hot. Emphasis on the word stinking.

• I have to admit that no matter how many times

heard it while driving, I just never got sick of the song "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Drunkenly.

• I confirmed after talking to a few locals at a restaurant in Corolla, NW. DC. that most folks in the south are very passionate about their college football. Hockey? You'd be hard pressed to find a half dozen people who could name the closest NH franchise, and not one person could tell me who played in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

• Speaking of hockey, I see the much-talked-about New Year's Day outdoor Sabres game will happen. Count me among those who will be worried about the weather conditions given the fact people were playing golf last Jan. 1 as the temperature crept past 50 degrees.

• Why can't anyone outside the general vicinity of Buffalo make quality chicken wings? In this day and age of the Internet, text messaging and Blackberries, can't someone from La Nova or the Anchor Bar or one of the many local joints in Western New York who serve up delicious wings pass on the instructions on how to cook, sauce and serve them?

• Yummy equals the Texas Turkey Melt from the Waffle House restaurant in Chesapeake, Va. Yucky equals the bathroom at the same establishment. The term "bring your own roll" should say enough.

• Speaking of waffles, this week (Sept. 2 to Sept. 8) is National Waffle Week. Pass the syrup please.

• I spoke to six, count 'em, six different people who have visited a Bass Pro fishing store. Nothing but rave reviews for the place. Even the non-fisherman in the group told me she was thoroughly impressed. I'm still kicking myself for not visiting their Hampton, Va. location. Full fledged tax write-off or not, we need to get this one right.

(Daniel Meyer is a columnist for the Weekly Independent Newspapers (WIN) of Western New York. WIN is a consortium of 19 community weekly newspapers in Erie and Niagara counties with a combined paid circulation of 75,000 homes, providing collaborative advertising and editorial support for member publications. For information on WIN or to provide feedback on this column, visit our Web site at WWW. Comments can also be sent directly to Meyer by sending an e-mail to: pretermissions. Opinions expressed here are those of the author.)