Winedown lounge

We had dinner last night at the Winedown lounge on Union Street in Schenectady. This is the most wonderful restaurant, and has become our fast favorite place to meet about once a month, for a fabulous meal.
Companion and I have been here about 4 times, and the food has been exceptional every time. The butternut squash soup is the most delicious thing ever; I have also had the artichoke soup, and it is also good, it has a kind of lemony flavor. (Is that what artichokes taste like?) I have had the filet, it's so amazingly tender, and I have also tried the grilled pork - it comes with butternut gratin, apple chutney and currant puree. Unbelievably wonderful.
I have been here on Saturday night for the jazz with dinner, and it was very crowded, but the other times we were here on Tuesday or Wednesday and have practically had the dining room to ourselves. A great place for a romantic dinner.

Movie Day at the Spectrum

Went to the Spectrum theater twice yesterday. Ok it's an old picture I found on the web for illustrative purposes, but this is absolutely the best theater anywhere. There are 8 screens, and theaters of different sizes. Roomy enough, and the snack bar is unique - carrot cake, banana bread, coffee and fresh popped corn with real butter. Tickets are 6.75 for matinee, 6.75 all shows on Tuesdays and 8.50 for regular tickets.

So first I saw "I've Loved You So Long". This is a French film with subtitles. Kristen Scott Thomas is wonderful. I won't go into the story too much, other than to say KST plays Juliette, a woman who gets out of prison after 15 years. It is about her re-entry to the world, and also reestablishment of the relationship with her sister. In the scene where Lea, the younger sister, shows her notebooks (journals? calendars?) and you see where everyday has 'juliette' written on it, and she says how she started every morning thinking about her sister. With my family, I could relate to the idea of the heartbreak of missing a sister. The movie was totally engrossing, and details emerged as it went on. I didn't really love the last scene, with its neat wrap up of the story, but overall I thought this movie was very good, definitely worth seeing. As an added bonus, I loved the French, not that I could understand it, but it was lovely to listen to. One character that I loved was the parole officer...and I truly did not expect what happened to him.

The next movie I went to was Slumdog Millionaire. Loved it. Totally loved it. It is graphic and violent, absolutely, but fitting in the context, and necessary to tell the story. The story of a man on the Indian version of 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' - He is from absolute poverty with no education at all, and as the questions are asked, the story unfolds in flashbacks - and you see how his life experience gives him the knowledge of the correct answer. It is brutal, but wonderful. Definitely see this movie.

UPDATE! This movie is winning everything! Golden Globe, DGA, and I saw an article about the children in this film - that they really were actually plucked right out of the slums to be in this movie. They have gotten education paid for, and will get a large payment when they finish their education. Art imitating life? or Life imitating art?

What a blockhead

This post will serve as a permanent reminder of how blockheaded people can be.

This sculpture is on North Pearl Street, in front of Capital Rep. If you look closely you will see it is a man without arms or a head, but is anatomically correct in another area. I did not realize it at the time, which is how this incident came to occur.

We had spent the afternoon together, played miniature golf, and I could kind of overlook him saying 'ha.ha' when he won a hole, and I could kind of overlook him saying things that he imagined made him superior to others, such as how HE never watched American Idol, or HE never litters, or how HE doesn't like anyone who locks their car with a noisy remote...

My new 'friend' says to me, 'Let me take your picture with the statue', so I stand next to it, and he snaps a picture. Then he says "You were standing next to the 'schlong' and smiling"... which really gave him a look of smug satisfaction. I made him delete the picture of course, but that in itself is not the issue.

The bottom line is that he made me feel bad, on purpose. He displayed a behavior that I do not accept of someone who wants to be my friend...I never expect a friend to try to make me look stupid, to laugh AT me instead of WITH me. That was the unforgivable thing that I couldn't overlook.

YOUR Albany Patroons

Or maybe it's MY Albany Patroons. Went to the games on Friday with a friend, and Saturday alone. I love it. I just like the event of it - I would never watch basketball on TV - It is the up close and personal aspect of it, the cheering, and just being a part of it.

Of course it brings me back to the 80s, when I used to go to the games a lot. Maybe '83 - '85, "there's no fear in McPherson"...I just remember it as a really good time.

I would not like to see them fail. Jim Coyne wouldn't want that either, so here are a few suggestions...

1. Better communication. I get emails saying you are having a promotion and GIVING TICKETS AWAY- that's great, the more bodies in there the better, BUT I am a season ticket holder- do you think you could also email me every time the schedule gets changed? There have been 4 or 5 changes already- I blocked out my calendar so I wouldn't work on any game day, but with all the changes I have to make sure the job is covered as well. A little more notice would be helpful, and regular communication would add to the 'perceived value' of these tickets.

2. The mascot, LIDO, is ok for a panda bear, but why is he walking around with a rip in his uniform? It looks terrible. I am sure I am not the only one that has noticed that...it says "if we don't care, why should you?"

3. How about a program that reflects the roster of who is actually on the team? Even if the new guy just came in that day, we want to know about him! Given the complexity of the 'program', this is certainly do-able. Also, my friend, a first-timer I invited to attend, took one look at the program and suggested we pass the hat so you can buy a toner cartridge for the copying. Again, if you don't care, why should we?

I don't want to see this franchise go under. I want to watch my beloved Patroons go on to greatness, and bring home the championship for our own Dr. D.

Hey, I can dream can't I?

Elda's on Lark Street

Elda's on Lark is a restaurant I have walked by a million times and I never had any idea of going there. I don't know why it never grabbed my attention or interest, but when my 'companion' suggested it, I looked it up online and it looked like a nice place. We went to dinner on Friday evening, 5pm - which is early, and we practically had the dining room to ourselves. It is a great place for a quiet dinner, low lighting (bring your flashlight so you can see the bill) - good food and excellent service.

It is a place you could take a date if you want to make a good impression!

junk sculpture on Pearl Street

I like junk sculpture, and so when I saw this on North Pearl Street, I had to snap its photo. I don't know who the artist was - the nameplate was covered in snow.

I have always liked junk sculpture - starting with the first one I remember...in the plaza lobby of the Corning Tower building, there is a sculpture of a man on a horse, made from what I think is old chrome auto bumpers...It always reminded me of Don Quixote. I can't find a photo of it, and don't know the sculptor, but when I visit again I will post a picture here.

Christmas

Well, Santa really came through for me this year. It is no secret I have a lifelong love affair with waffles and ice cream, and after indulging my addiction on the boardwalk over the summer, I am ecstatic that a waffle maker showed up under the tree. Now I just have to calculate how many hours in the gym it takes to neutralize the waffle effects.

I also received a nice gold chain, to replace the one I broke this year. I can finally wear my 'diamonds' again that I got 2 Christmases ago. Looks beautiful.

Next we come to the relaxing part of the gifts. Do I seem a little stressed out to you? Apparently Santa felt I needed a nice time-out in the massage chair, which feels surprisingly good, with back massage, heat, and a vibrating seat. (not THAT kind of vibrating).

The foot massager also feels wonderful - I am a very lucky woman to have recieved such nice gifts. A lot of thought went into the gifts this year. They are not homemade pictures that say 'i love you mommy', they are not more heartfelt, but they will be appreciated on a stressed out day.

On the flip side, I think everyone was appreciative of the gifts they received as well. They gave pretty good hints AND I actually managed to pick out some clothes for #3 that weren't lame! What an amazing feat that was!

Where is Margaret Sanger when we need her?

Well, actually it is too late for that.

Of course you know I am talking about the woman who is credited with starting the American Birth Control League, which later became Planned Parenthood. She was one determined lady and good for her-she made real changes for the availability of contraception for women, but also to the idea of what women's healthcare should entail.

Last night I met a young woman - married, 3 children and only 25 years old. She had just found out that she was pregnant and it obviously was not a planned thing. She was crying and crying, and at 16 weeks, knew she was past the time of an 'easy' way to terminate the pregnancy. It is a more involved procedure, and even though I think I am very liberal in regard to choice, the idea of an abortion at 16 weeks turns my stomach. Knowing how the fetus is developing at the 16 week point, it is any day that she will feel it moving around in there. What a dilemma.

I guess that's the thing about CHOICE though; this situation has nothing to do with me - it really is up to the individual woman and her doctor.

The' judger' in me wonders what it is about this story that grabbed me...is it that she wasn't one of those skanky girls? Clean, had her teeth, not all scabbed over? Married, white, ponytail? Would I have given her another thought if she was a different girl? OR was it that big reaction that was the difference- the fact that she wasn't celebrating her pregnancy like so many of the girls do, no matter how many it makes...

Wow, that really does tell a lot about how jaded and judgemental I can be...better work on that.

I won't soon forget this young woman.

The Figgs at Valentines 12/20/08

So on Saturday night I finally made it to one of the 'famous' Figgs annual christmas show at Valentines.

This band rocks. Hard.

I kind of got on board with the Figgs pretty late, I mean it wasn't till Graham Parker's Songs of No Consequence record came out, that they played on, that I really started to get it.

They are great.

Their 10th record is coming out soon.

So what made this show different from the 2 times I saw the Figgs at Valentines in October?

What made it the Holiday show?

Well, first off, there were some christmas lights set up around the drum kit, and a light up snowman hanging off the kit as well. Quite festive.

Then there was the Kink's song - Father Christmas- which the Metroland magazine lauded as the best version ever (besides the Kinks doing it themselves, of course). So it was really funny when Mike said he hates doing that song!

Then they did a holiday song written by Jedediah Parish, called (Sucking on a) Holiday Treat. You can hear a sample of the original on this site, and download it for only 15 cents:

http://amiestreet.com/music/the-gravel-pit/no-one-here-gets-in-for-free/

But I guess the one thing that pushes it over the top to definitively be THE one great holiday show is the Santa's elf attire that Hayes was wearing. Those red tights under the green felt tunic were absolutely joyful!

It was totally a great night out. Mike, Pete and Pete are the best.

Charlie Watts Riots

Next up at the Figgs show was this really great band called Charlie Watts Riots. What a great name!

First I start seeing these guys coming into valentines in suits - I was thinking 'weird' a little overdressed for this dive -

Well, its the band...all looking quite nice in suit and tie and after a few songs things really heated up and those jackets came off quick!

This was the first time I ever saw this band - they rock the house- and in honor of it being the christmas show, they did the single best version of 'Do They Know it's Christmas (Feed the World)' EVER - it was loud and hard and fast - it was great. Definitely will keep my eyes out for when they play again. They have an ep out, and a good logo on their merch T-shirts, and recently did a live on WEXT97.7 show.

http://www.myspace.com/thecharliewattsriots

Ashley Pond Band

Ashley Pond opened the Figgs annual christmas show at Valentines on Saturday night (12/20). I am not really familiar with them, but realized I had seen them open for the Aimee Mann show in Washington Park this summer.

She has a decent voice, and is young and cute. The guy I was with said he might start stalking Ashley Pond instead of the Melanie half of Sirsy - I guess that is a vote of acceptance, a compliment? I wouldn't say all that - I don't think my 6 degrees of separation (as it relates to good music) quite encompasses them yet.

Salsa Latina

Just a quick note about Salsa Latina, 315 Central Ave, Albany.

Stopped in for a casual dinner on Saturday at 7. Friend and I both ordered Chicken quesadillas, from the appetizer section of the menu, along with a soda each. It was plenty filling and fresh homemade tasting, not like from a chain.

This was the first time either of us had gone here. Service was fast and the waitress was pleasant. It was about 7 dollars each, including tax and 20% tip.

I am definitely going to be back - maybe even try something a little more daring.

Wine - ruination of a good night's sleep

Well, about 2 years ago, I started drinking red wine...it was part of the 'sophistication' of M. that drew me in - (Now of course I realize that he knew little more than me, it was all for show, but I digress)

Red Red Wine....goes to my heaaaad....

I love it. I don't really even care what kind it is - I like to try it all, and find it delicious! I can have 2 glasses if I am out to dinner and then I am feeling quite comfortable. The problem is that I wake up at 1 am and can't go back to sleep. It is rather infuriating actually! It has taken me a few times to realize what is ruining my sleep - that delicious red wine.

I researched it today and found this: A QUESTION OF HEALTH by Dr Fred Kavalier:

The first effect of alcohol is to reduce anxiety. It loosens you up, and of course this is why we like to drink it at parties. Later, alcohol has a sedative effect, making you feel sleepy. The less well-known effect of alcohol is its stimulant effect. It makes the brain more active and interferes with normal sleep patterns. The type of sleep known as REM (rapid eye-movement) sleep occurs several times during the night, and alcohol makes it more likely that you will wake up during REM sleep, and that you will find it more difficult to get back to sleep. Unfortunately, this effect lasts for many hours – the sleep pattern is disturbed even after the alcohol has been fully eliminated from the bloodstream.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/a-question-of-health-wine-keeps-me-awake-610513.html

So there's my answer. The one thing I miss most though is sharing the bottle with M., and then sharing the intimacy. I guess that's a genteel way to put it. It is painful how much I miss it.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

So kid 3 and I saw this movie the other night. I had no idea it was a remake-but then again, most ALL movies are these days, right?

I thought it was a pretty good story, it must have been updated a little from the original, making it a more timely story, centered on how humans are killing the planet - no science fiction imagination necessary to come up with that plot.

Keanu Reeves made a great alien. He is so dry and good with the flat affect. I haven't seen him in awhile- He looks pretty good (and young) for a man of 44. (am I suggesting that's old?)

Of course, Jennifer Connelly is gorgeous. I loved her in 'A Beautiful Mind', and I thought she did pretty well here up against Will Smith's son playing the bratty kid.

The special effects really were great. The spheres were pretty beautiful and I loved the little metallic bugs. When we left the theater, there was some scratchy looking frost on the windshield - it was easy to think the bugs were on our car!

The first entry and what do I have to say

This is the perfect forum to observe what is going on around me on any given moment. Sometimes I think I am on the verge of a breakthrough, but maybe I am mistaken. I guess I'll know it when I see it.