I don't like dub and dubstep.
However, after seeing Dub is a weapon at Red Square on Friday, I may have to reconsider that sentiment.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
But I Like Franzen more than Obama
Winding down his remarks at George Washington University, he pulled off a neat rhetorical trick. Obama upended the idea that liberty comes from self-reliance, making the case that liberty is not constrained by community but a by-product of it. "We believe that in order to preserve our own freedoms and pursue our own happiness," he said, "we can't just think about ourselves." It's an argument that (at least to these ears) has an echo of another liberal hero: Jonathan Franzen.
The Contest - Update #2
Okay, so you have read about the contest.
The other day, JMFJT offered a suggestion and I am asking you if you think that I should choose option B.
Option B: I take my mom out to dinner, just because.
If you think that I should take my mother, just comment "Mom" either here or on AFM on Facebook.
The other day, JMFJT offered a suggestion and I am asking you if you think that I should choose option B.
Option B: I take my mom out to dinner, just because.
If you think that I should take my mother, just comment "Mom" either here or on AFM on Facebook.
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 21
Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Another easy one.
If for nothing but the "How ya doing?" at the beginning of the song.
Dinosaur Jr' Greenmind.
Apparently it is a song about choosing between "herb" and one's partner. Luckily for me, not smoking makes the choice easy.
Another easy one.
If for nothing but the "How ya doing?" at the beginning of the song.
Dinosaur Jr' Greenmind.
Apparently it is a song about choosing between "herb" and one's partner. Luckily for me, not smoking makes the choice easy.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Foursquare Users
Don't forget, tomorrow is Four Square Day!
Check in and celebrate the new holiday of social networking!
Check in and celebrate the new holiday of social networking!
And I need new sunglasses
I wear my glasses all the time, and I am uncomfortable without them, both physically (my eyes get tired really quickly without them) and mentally as my face feels naked. Eyeglasses are generally the first thing that people put on in the morning, and the last thing they take off at night. My experiment with contacts was hilarious and probably for another time.
Anyway, I needed to have my Oakley's fixed so they rested more comfortably on my face, and while I was there, I realized that if I am going to do all the things outside that I want to do this summer, I need sun glasses as I am not always going to be wearing a ball cap. So, I started looking at new prescription sunglasses.
I think I found a pair.
I have a couple of days to think about it (as I set up an appointment for next week) but should I go with these? (Can I look any more dour?)
Anyway, I needed to have my Oakley's fixed so they rested more comfortably on my face, and while I was there, I realized that if I am going to do all the things outside that I want to do this summer, I need sun glasses as I am not always going to be wearing a ball cap. So, I started looking at new prescription sunglasses.
I think I found a pair.
I have a couple of days to think about it (as I set up an appointment for next week) but should I go with these? (Can I look any more dour?)
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 20
Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry
I love this one. There is one song, and one song alone.
The Grudge by Tool.
It is nine minutes long and so full of rage that it makes it easy to process what you are angry about and let it go by the end of the song.
Luckily, I have been able to hear it live twice.
I love this one. There is one song, and one song alone.
The Grudge by Tool.
It is nine minutes long and so full of rage that it makes it easy to process what you are angry about and let it go by the end of the song.
Luckily, I have been able to hear it live twice.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Contest - Update
If you have been paying attention, you know that I am running a contest that ends next Friday.
You like AFM on Facebook, answer one of three questions with an entry on the wall, and the person who gets the most "likes" on their answer will win dinner with me (or without me) at New World on Delaware Ave in Albany.
Those are the basics and I am adding something else. In addition to the three questions, you can earn extra credit if you (per Randi's suggestion) choose your menu for the meal.
Anyone who wants can enter, and I mean anyone.
So enter early and often and tell your friends to enter too!
You like AFM on Facebook, answer one of three questions with an entry on the wall, and the person who gets the most "likes" on their answer will win dinner with me (or without me) at New World on Delaware Ave in Albany.
Those are the basics and I am adding something else. In addition to the three questions, you can earn extra credit if you (per Randi's suggestion) choose your menu for the meal.
Anyone who wants can enter, and I mean anyone.
So enter early and often and tell your friends to enter too!
Revisiting some of my favorite foods in Albany
If I were in a position to have my last meal catered, I really think that these two things would be on the menu.
First, the Tower of Onion Rings at Junior's on Madison Avenue in Albany.
How f***ing great are these? With a cold beer, and good company, they make for a perfect evening.
The second is from a place that I have blogged about more often than someone who does not have an ownership stake should but I love the Pearl Street Diner.
Their Hungry Man Breakfast is almost perfect, with rye toast, poached eggs and (sometimes) bacon, all double orders.
Doesn't that look great?
No wonder I am fat.
First, the Tower of Onion Rings at Junior's on Madison Avenue in Albany.
How f***ing great are these? With a cold beer, and good company, they make for a perfect evening.
The second is from a place that I have blogged about more often than someone who does not have an ownership stake should but I love the Pearl Street Diner.
Their Hungry Man Breakfast is almost perfect, with rye toast, poached eggs and (sometimes) bacon, all double orders.
Doesn't that look great?
No wonder I am fat.
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 19
Day 19 – A song from your favorite album
Easy.
Electioneering off of OK Computer by Radiohead
I would also make the argument that this is the best album of the best thirty years, if not all time. You can make intelligent arguments for others and I would love to hear them.
I will stop, I will stop at nothing.
Say the right things when electioneering
I trust I can rely on your vote.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
Ha ha ha
Riot shields, voodoo economics,
it's just business, cattle prods and the I.M.F.
I trust I can rely on your vote.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
Lyrics via Green Plastic Radiohead
Easy.
Electioneering off of OK Computer by Radiohead
I would also make the argument that this is the best album of the best thirty years, if not all time. You can make intelligent arguments for others and I would love to hear them.
I will stop, I will stop at nothing.
Say the right things when electioneering
I trust I can rely on your vote.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
Ha ha ha
Riot shields, voodoo economics,
it's just business, cattle prods and the I.M.F.
I trust I can rely on your vote.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
When I go forwards you go backwards
and somewhere we will meet.
Lyrics via Green Plastic Radiohead
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Contest - Here It Is
Remember when I mentioned a contest? Dinner a New World Bistro with me? Dinner on me (All Over Albany, actually)!
Well, here it is and it is open for the next week.
First, become a fan of AFM on Facebook, then, on the Wall, answer one of these three questions:
1)If you were to be wrongly accused of a crime, which crime would it be and why?
2)What was your worse date ever?
3)You are stuck on a desert island, and you are going to get a companion, but...you can choose one person in the world not to have join you. Who and why? (Hitler is a cop out.)
The person who wins the contest, and with it, dinner with me, is the person whose answer gets the most "Likes".
Tell your friends, family, and the people you know in prison who are checking Facebook on their smuggled phone.
Anyone can enter, so long as they have a Facebook account.
The rules again:
Become of fan of AFM
Answer one of the questions
Like the best answers.
The contest will end on April 22nd at midnight.
I reserve the right to change the dynamics of this contest at any point.
JMFJT had some suggestions. Take them with a grain of salt.
1. Must be shorter than 5'09"
2. Must be mildly intelligent (this can be measured with a question like what year was Kennedy killed.....and yes, a lot of people don't know that)
3. Must be willing to give it up (help the gland)
4. Must like music, not necessarily your music but an interest in music is always appreciated
5. Must like children (seeing you have a kid)
Well, here it is and it is open for the next week.
First, become a fan of AFM on Facebook, then, on the Wall, answer one of these three questions:
1)If you were to be wrongly accused of a crime, which crime would it be and why?
2)What was your worse date ever?
3)You are stuck on a desert island, and you are going to get a companion, but...you can choose one person in the world not to have join you. Who and why? (Hitler is a cop out.)
The person who wins the contest, and with it, dinner with me, is the person whose answer gets the most "Likes".
Tell your friends, family, and the people you know in prison who are checking Facebook on their smuggled phone.
Anyone can enter, so long as they have a Facebook account.
The rules again:
Become of fan of AFM
Answer one of the questions
Like the best answers.
The contest will end on April 22nd at midnight.
I reserve the right to change the dynamics of this contest at any point.
JMFJT had some suggestions. Take them with a grain of salt.
1. Must be shorter than 5'09"
2. Must be mildly intelligent (this can be measured with a question like what year was Kennedy killed.....and yes, a lot of people don't know that)
3. Must be willing to give it up (help the gland)
4. Must like music, not necessarily your music but an interest in music is always appreciated
5. Must like children (seeing you have a kid)
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 18
Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio
This is easy. Again, this presupposes that I actually listen to the radio, but it is still easy.
The Mountain Goats - See America Right
"Your love is like a cyclone in a swamp, and the weather is getting warmer."
Wouldn't this make drive time better?
This is easy. Again, this presupposes that I actually listen to the radio, but it is still easy.
The Mountain Goats - See America Right
"Your love is like a cyclone in a swamp, and the weather is getting warmer."
Wouldn't this make drive time better?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 17
Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio
What song do I hear on the radio?
I have not been a regular listener of commercial radio in more than a decade. When I listen to music, it is most often* from my collection (which is embarrassing and emarrassingly large) and when I have control of the radio, it will always go to NPR. (Yeah, that's the type of Superficial Douche** that I am.) But, on occassion, I am exposed to commercial radio, and what song do I hear most often? Interesting question. When I started thinking about this, I was going to choose something by The Who, who always seem to be on the radio, regardless of the genre that the station is programming.
But then when I was running around this morning, I heard the same song three different times, and realized that THIS song was the song that I hear most often. It is not a badness either, as it is a really great track.
The song is "Under Pressure" by Bowie and Queen.
* I am a compulsive juke box player. I will always play "Don't Stand So Close to Me" for Teacher Dave. Yes, I am that guy.
** I love the term Superficial Douche to describe me. It is awesome. Anonymous commenter from Baton Rouge, thank you for coining that. You have contributed so much to my life.
What song do I hear on the radio?
I have not been a regular listener of commercial radio in more than a decade. When I listen to music, it is most often* from my collection (which is embarrassing and emarrassingly large) and when I have control of the radio, it will always go to NPR. (Yeah, that's the type of Superficial Douche** that I am.) But, on occassion, I am exposed to commercial radio, and what song do I hear most often? Interesting question. When I started thinking about this, I was going to choose something by The Who, who always seem to be on the radio, regardless of the genre that the station is programming.
But then when I was running around this morning, I heard the same song three different times, and realized that THIS song was the song that I hear most often. It is not a badness either, as it is a really great track.
The song is "Under Pressure" by Bowie and Queen.
* I am a compulsive juke box player. I will always play "Don't Stand So Close to Me" for Teacher Dave. Yes, I am that guy.
** I love the term Superficial Douche to describe me. It is awesome. Anonymous commenter from Baton Rouge, thank you for coining that. You have contributed so much to my life.
Monday, April 11, 2011
So. Many. Jokes.
Hiram Monserrate is serving the public again -- one slice at a time.
The shamed former state senator is getting rid of his aggression these days by pounding the dough at a pizza shop in Queens.
A year after he was booted from Albany on charges he beat and slashed his girlfriend, Monserrate is working the counter at Papaya Pizza, a 2-month-old, $1.25-a-slice pizza joint located in his old Corona campaign headquarters.
The shamed former state senator is getting rid of his aggression these days by pounding the dough at a pizza shop in Queens.
A year after he was booted from Albany on charges he beat and slashed his girlfriend, Monserrate is working the counter at Papaya Pizza, a 2-month-old, $1.25-a-slice pizza joint located in his old Corona campaign headquarters.
And I needed coffee...
While I have already had a semi-productive morning, I needed coffee. I do have coffee in my house, as well as a bevy of other caffeinated beverages and supplements, but I wanted "real" coffee.
As a side bar, I had the weirdest sleeping night. I was in bed by 9:30, with the windows open (listening to the various animals that make the wetlands near my home their home) and Ira Glass playing on my iPod. It was nice. I slept well, without any dreams until 3:00 am. And then it was...fitful. The animals were no longer welcome, the air was brisk, and I was...for lack of a better word...cranky.
Anyway, I decided to head down to MochaBlend to get their Costa Rican dark roast.
A note on MochaBlend: I know that some people swear by this place but while the coffee has been good, the service has always been (at the best) indifferent. I only continue to go there because they are the closest place that has coffee and some days I need it. (Yes, for those who know my particular geography, Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, and McDonald's are closer, but that is not coffee.) My friend Lemon has agreed with me on this in the past, though I do not know what she thinks about it recently.
So, I walk down to MochaBlend and I see that the neon sign is flashing "OPEN" while the placard saying "Sorry, We're Closed" is still up. It was 9:03 at this point. They open (normally) at 7. To say that I was "freaked" would be accurate. I needed this coffee and I had made a pilgrimage to get it. This was my Monday morning Hajj and I was not to be denied. So, I tried the door. It opened. There were customers in there.
Then, I asked, "Want me to turn the sign around?"
The owner, whom I have only seen there once before, laughed and said "That would be great, it's been a tough morning."
And then I proceeded to experience my first non-indifferent customer service experience at MochaBlend.
The coffee was good too.
As a side bar, I had the weirdest sleeping night. I was in bed by 9:30, with the windows open (listening to the various animals that make the wetlands near my home their home) and Ira Glass playing on my iPod. It was nice. I slept well, without any dreams until 3:00 am. And then it was...fitful. The animals were no longer welcome, the air was brisk, and I was...for lack of a better word...cranky.
Anyway, I decided to head down to MochaBlend to get their Costa Rican dark roast.
A note on MochaBlend: I know that some people swear by this place but while the coffee has been good, the service has always been (at the best) indifferent. I only continue to go there because they are the closest place that has coffee and some days I need it. (Yes, for those who know my particular geography, Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, and McDonald's are closer, but that is not coffee.) My friend Lemon has agreed with me on this in the past, though I do not know what she thinks about it recently.
So, I walk down to MochaBlend and I see that the neon sign is flashing "OPEN" while the placard saying "Sorry, We're Closed" is still up. It was 9:03 at this point. They open (normally) at 7. To say that I was "freaked" would be accurate. I needed this coffee and I had made a pilgrimage to get it. This was my Monday morning Hajj and I was not to be denied. So, I tried the door. It opened. There were customers in there.
Then, I asked, "Want me to turn the sign around?"
The owner, whom I have only seen there once before, laughed and said "That would be great, it's been a tough morning."
And then I proceeded to experience my first non-indifferent customer service experience at MochaBlend.
The coffee was good too.
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 16
Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate
A song that I loved but now hate? Nope. I don't think there is one. Not since childhood, or at least early teen years. There is a song that I liked but now I can't stand. Maybe because of the ubiquity of it or maybe because it is just so f***ing bad.
You can guess who it is. I will give you a minute.
Want a hint.
Superbowl Halftime Show.
Got it?
Yeah, Black Eyed Peas.
Now can you guess the song?
Need another hint?
It was Number One on the Hot 100 List for 14(!) weeks!
Yep, it is "I Gotta Feeling".
I hate this song with a passion that is surprising.
Anyway, here it is.
A song that I loved but now hate? Nope. I don't think there is one. Not since childhood, or at least early teen years. There is a song that I liked but now I can't stand. Maybe because of the ubiquity of it or maybe because it is just so f***ing bad.
You can guess who it is. I will give you a minute.
Want a hint.
Superbowl Halftime Show.
Got it?
Yeah, Black Eyed Peas.
Now can you guess the song?
Need another hint?
It was Number One on the Hot 100 List for 14(!) weeks!
Yep, it is "I Gotta Feeling".
I hate this song with a passion that is surprising.
Anyway, here it is.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Bullet Points
- In terms of people watching, the Madison Grille is wonderful. I wish their beer selection was better.
- I was interviewed by WTEN on Friday night, I hope to all that
is good and decent that I did not make the air.Oh! My! G*d! See below. - Wolff's Biergarten has Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel and it is very tasty. Try it!
- I introduced a friend to Manory's and I think it was a success.
- Blue Sky Bicycles is closed on Sundays. Borders does not open until 11 on Sunday. Saratoga trip #FAIL.
- Yes, I am wearing shorts today. It is going to be 80 tomorrow. I will be wearing them then too.
Edit at 4:40: Oh, Jeebus, I made the broadcast.
The Beer App You Need Now - BeerCloud
The folks behind GreatBrewers.com have a beer app called BeerCloud (iTunes store link but there is an Android app as well).
What does it do?
You are at a bar and instead of asking the bartender what an unfamiliar beer is like, you just type in the beer into the search function and you find out everything you need to know about it. This is not to discount the importance of the bartender. I know several that are incredibly knowledgeable about beer, willing to give tasting samples, and know my tastes well enough to tell me that X beer will not be for me. An app can never replace an excellent bartender.
Here are some screenshots so you do not have to take my word for it. For the purposes of this test, I used Ommegang's Three Philosophers.
And because some people do not drink "weird beer", they even list the macrobrews!
While the Android app has more social functionality, the developers promise that will be in the next version of the iPhone app. I look forward to it.
Download it now. You will be a better beer drinker for it.
What does it do?
You are at a bar and instead of asking the bartender what an unfamiliar beer is like, you just type in the beer into the search function and you find out everything you need to know about it. This is not to discount the importance of the bartender. I know several that are incredibly knowledgeable about beer, willing to give tasting samples, and know my tastes well enough to tell me that X beer will not be for me. An app can never replace an excellent bartender.
Here are some screenshots so you do not have to take my word for it. For the purposes of this test, I used Ommegang's Three Philosophers.
And because some people do not drink "weird beer", they even list the macrobrews!
While the Android app has more social functionality, the developers promise that will be in the next version of the iPhone app. I look forward to it.
Download it now. You will be a better beer drinker for it.
30 Songs in 30 Days - Day 15
Day 15 – A song that describes you
Oh Crap!
I cannot describe myself. I suck at it. My view of myself is so skewed, sometimes inflating some attributes but often doing the opposite.
This begs the question...what song to select?
I decided to go with funny.
It's the haircut. Yeah, that's it.
Oh Crap!
I cannot describe myself. I suck at it. My view of myself is so skewed, sometimes inflating some attributes but often doing the opposite.
This begs the question...what song to select?
I decided to go with funny.
It's the haircut. Yeah, that's it.
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