Defunct Department Stores in the Albany, NY area

Long before we got Walmart or Target, we had 2 that I still remember vividly to this day. One was Two Guys Department Store. It was located in Menands and the building is still there. This is one of their commercials!



The other was Korvettes. They were in Northway Mall which was leveled a while back and a Target Plaza stands in its place...



And who could forget the local only department store, Joy Department Store in Rensselaer?? I worked there for a few years back in the mid 80s while in college. Now there's a Rite Aid in that location.

I am going to be stuck on this thread for a while. I can tell.

The power of social networking

What did we do before things like MySpace or Facebook? I mean these applications allow you to keep in touch with people currently in your life or even find people you used to know. What did we do? I guess we had smaller circles of friends for one thing. I think both are valuable tools but they can be pretty silly too.

It took me a while to figure out the differences but Facebook caters to a more controlled crowd, alot less self-important. MySpace is really funny. It can be to keep track of friends and bands OR it can be to tell the world just how great you are. Facebook is what it is. Here I am, here are the people I know. Both are valuable but they are valuable for different reasons.

Progressive rock in 1978

As disco and punk destroyed the musical landscape in 1978, there were still prog rock bands cranking out some quality music. Some were trying to evolve and progress, others were just trying to survive. So yes, that's what I am listening to today. Here are today's featured albums in no particular order:

Happy The Man - "Crafty Hands"
Jethro Tull - "Heavy Horses"
Genesis - "...And Then There Were Three..."
Gentle Giant - "Giant For A Day"
Yes - "Tormato"
Rush - "Hemispheres"
U.K. - "U.K."

I am sure I am forgetting something but that should do me just fine!!

Broadcasting

One of my favorite images, and this goes back to my childhood, is of a small radio station somewhere in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by just open space...no trees...in the middle of the night. Nothing but darkness.

I never really understood the vision but I still get it. It's very calming for some reason. This lonely outpost broadcasting to the world. It's just really cool to me. Why though?

You are providing so much to so many and yet completely sealed off from everything. No real interaction but still very much a part of everything. And yes that's somewhat like what I am doing now but not really.

The broadcast is the key. You aren't really cut off. And that's important. No matter how far out you are, how isolated you might appear to be...there's always the world out there. You might not see it or feel it. But it's really never that far. The comfort in not only knowing you can provide so much for so many but also if you do need to interface, you can do it so easily.

Music of the Moment: January 2009

Here are the albums I've been listening to (no rhyme or reason):

Umphrey's McGee-"Mantis"
Steven Wilson-"Insurgentes"
Pendragon-"Pure"
Secret Machines-self-titled
Alan Parsons Project-"Ammonia Avenue", "Vulture Culture", "Stereotomy"
Robert Randolph and his Family Band-"Colorblind"
Jethro Tull-"Under Wraps", "Songs From The Wood", "Catfish Rising"

I'd explain each one but it's not that interesting. The music itself is interesting enough.

Blagojevich is truly insane

Embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is really nuts. It's as entertaining as it is amazing really. And by the way, you always have to put "embattled" in front of it all, it doesn't sound right otherwise. Blagojevich has now compared himself to Nelson Mandela, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart and Gandhi. And he isn't kidding.

Hearing all of this non-sense, I am sitting there and I really can't believe this guy is for real. I mean does he actually HEAR himself? Guilty or not, the comparisons he is making now are just fucking crackers. What's next?? I know what's next...

Blagojevich compares himself to Jesus Christ. "You know, I am alot like our Lord Jesus Christ. Well maybe he is more like me. He was tried without a jury and then crucified. That's alot like what I am going through. I can really identify with Jesus." Sounds crazy huh? Wait for it.

Album Review: Umphrey's McGee - "Mantis"

Chicago's premier progressive rock/jam band Umphrey's McGee has a masterpiece on their hands with their new album "Mantis". I've been a fan since "Anchor Drops" and always felt that the band was so close to making a classic but for whatever reason, just never achieved it. "Mantis" is the record.

UM is not like other jam bands, one could argue after this record that they aren't a jam band at all but a true progressive rock band. This IS a prog album. Even with all the notes, the harmonies, the extended sections, this album has no filler at all. From the calm opener "Mad To Measure" to the stopping closer "1348", the album never misses.

But a prog rock band? Yes indeed. The nearly 12 minute title track is a barnburner that has multiple sections and moves through each one with such grace. And talk about hooks! That's what keeps these longer tracks from losing you (as any decent prog rock band can tell you), even with all the great playing...there needs to be a SONG.

The hooks on "Cemetery Walk" were so good, the band fashioned a reprise of sorts with "Cemetery Walk II" which reminds me of something Steven Wilson might do. Then there's "Spires" which has some incredible Beach Boy-esque harmonies at the end. And the guitar solo on "Turn & Run" is worth the price of the album by itself. AMAZING!

I wasn't expecting this from UM. I certainly was HOPING for it. "Mantis" is a classic album. It's progressive rock in the new millennium. True progress!


1. "Made to Measure" 3:12
2. "Preamble" 0:36
3. "Mantis" 11:49
4. "Cemetery Walk" 7:30
5. "Cemetery Walk II" 2:19
6. "Turn & Run" 7:25
7. "Spires" 7:41
8. "Prophecy Now" 2:47
9. "Red Tape" 5:43
10. "1348" 4:49

Jeff Carlisi plays Hold On Loosely solo

Jeff Carlisi is one of my favorite guitarist, believe it or not. This is him playing the ending solo on "Hold On Loosely". The guy can just play.

The internet makes you self-important

The internet can make you smarter but more often than not, it just makes people self-important. Look at all the blogs (this one included) and all the myspace pages and to a lesser extent facebook. The common theme is the same, people are huge fans of themselves.

Initially, I started this blog years ago to track a medical condition I had which has been dormant for a while now. I wanted to have just a daily log of how I felt and where it was going. I suppose it was the only thing I could think of to allow me to get through things day to day.

Now, after switching blogging websites a few times and subsequently branching out my topics from my health to things like attempts at humor, politics, sports and music reviews...and even bothering to register a website address...this personal blog is anything but that. What is it now? For one, it's something self indulgent. I don't think the intent of most blogs are to serve ones own ego but rather that becomes a really niffy by-product.

Many blogs and even myspace pages get TONS of hits a day. I never kidded myself that I'd ever be in that boat. But many folks are and what an incredible ego boost. Reading the posts and pages, you wonder...were this folks already big fans of themselves or did they get that way after having the ego stroked one too many times? Which came first? The chicken or the egg? It doesn't matter.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Blogs and self-important social networking pages give people a skewed few of not only themselves but the world around them. And if that gets people through the day, I think it works. I suppose that's the beauty of it. This is NOT the news here, folks.

We've made blogs out to be some sort of truth. It isn't. At worst, it's just a person having fun and being self-important. At best, it's self-effacing and an online diary of sorts. Why did I bother here? I guess when I look at the potential of who can read a blog and where they live, I thought "wow it's amazing". But then before I get a big head over it all, I remember why I really do this. It's not for you. It never was. If you can use any of this crap that I type out, I think that's a nice by-product! If not, well guess what?

After the song is over...

I was wondering why some people are just so filled with venom and hate. This isn't even obvious at first. You might even think they are just crabby or nasty but it's really just hate. I've seen it.

These people seem like a gallstone in your life. No matter how much you try and get them out, all they do is hurt you. Where does this hate come from? Do they feel life owes them something? It seems like everyone has wronged them. Or maybe they need an adversary?

The bottom line is these gallstones are holding onto something they can't or rather they won't. There's a fundamental element of forgiveness or looking at the circumstances of their life a bit differently. I am listening to a song which puts it all in perspective...

"...remember what's been given, not taken away..." --"Never The Same" by echolyn

Life doesn't owe you a thing, so stop waiting for the check.

Chief Jumble Roberts

So President Obama had to retake the oath because the oaf, Chief Jumble Roberts thought he had memorized the short oath of office he had to give to Obama. Unfortunately, another Republican blunder happened. Let's not forget that this clown Roberts is yet ANOTHER product of the failed Bush administration. But with his usual class, Obama wanted it done RIGHT so they did it again. What a novel idea! Wanting something done right. It's the first time in eight years.

Reaffirming what you already know

It seems strange to have to keep telling yourself something, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. To often we forget the goals or true needs we have and instead sleepwalk the world like a zombie. Even taking a moment to reflect can be enough to break that spell. It's like going through some sort of mantra. Simple but necessary. Tell yourself what you know because you need to.

Obamania: Hope and a whole lotta pressure

It was amazing to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama yesterday. That was history and you could feel it being a defining moment, even sitting here alone, I still somehow felt part of it all. I did my part by voting for him on the Working Families Party ticket, thank you!

And then it started, the parties and the parades. He deserved the moment. But now all that's done, the hard work begins. Even though this country is so so fucked up, about 2 million people were at the ceremony...we all know this is the guy. You can feel it. The hope...well I think it's more than hope...I feel confident in this man. Something I haven't felt in...hmmmm at least 8 years!

Yesterday was just a beginning. What a beginning though. Chief Justice John Roberts fucked up the words. The guy had one thing to do yesterday and blew it. Obama corrected him as he repeated back the words CORRECTLY. Very nice. That shows you alot about him. Let's get started.

MLK Day

The holiday that's still not quite a true holiday. The problem for a day like Martin Luther King Jr. Day is that not everyone gets the day off. But having said that, a holiday needs to be more than just a day off...well except for Labor Day.

You can't just walk up to someone and say "Hey, Happy MLK day!" I guess you could, but I think you'll get an odd look. I so wanted to walk over to my KKK neighbors house and wish them a happy MLK day, but I value my life.

The fact that not everyone gets MLK day off is a bit of a slap to the day itself and yeah even to Dr. King. I mean, if you are going to give someone a holiday then it needs to BE a holiday. It doesn't seem right, especially given that we will have a black president as of tomorrow.

I started my "current" job way back on MLK day in 2000. It wasn't a true holiday then. It comes off as just lipservice. That's a shame.

Bizarro World? Change is good!

So it just gets more and more bizarre. The country finally elected a black president. And now, the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. I'm not sure which had the longer odds. I think it was more likely to have a black president, to be honest. And he is black, folks. I've read and heard white people trying to claim Obama's white "half". "Oh he is really mixed." What does he look like? He looks black to me. So guess what? He's black. End of story. This is truly an amazing moment, so let the "half white" bullshit go.

And then we have the Cardinals. I didn't think they were going to win any playoff games and yet they kept doing it. The Tampa Bay Rays were a long shot when they made it to the World Series but not like this. The Cardinals haven't won it all since 1947. Not only that but they never make the playoffs. They've made it a handful of times, so just making the playoffs was a big deal.

So what's next? Can it get stranger? If this is strange, I certainly hope so!

The Alan Parsons Project - Revisited

I picked up 4 (yes 4) Alan Parsons albums. Since APP was pretty much pop-prog, why not see what the deal was. Sure I know the hits but the albums were usually concept albums (very prog). I picked up Ammonia Avenue, Vulture Culture, Stereotomy and A Valid Path (2004 release). All are interesting, alot of good music. It means I'll be going back for the older releases.

"...and in the middle of winter..."

I really don't like winter. I do like that I can make a fire in my woodstove. I'd rather try out the pool but that will have to wait. Winter gives you a feeling of strange isolation. You can be in a city...but try somewhere more thinly populated. Winter changes things. Even if summer is numerically the same, winter has a feeling all its own. Barren.

This winter has had quite the hold. The temperatures are so low now and we haven't gotten to February yet. But we will. And the key to survival is the next day or even month...or it could be this very moment. The fire going. -3 outside. 75 inside. That's really not so bad.

Canada attacks the US!!

The plane that crashed into the Hudson was hit in the engines by CANADIAN geese. The population of Canadian geese is on the rise. This is an invasion coordinated by Canada. These geese are trained assassins. This was a terrorist attack in which Canada sent these geese to do their bidding.

Perspectives

It's just a point of view. But it's not JUST. We all have a perspective that's unique to each of us. We never really consider others' perspectives because we really don't have any true way of understanding it. We say we empathize or worse we think we can sympathize, but it really can't happen.

The long winter

Already this winter has been challenging. More snow than past years, ice storms, power outages, you name it. I remember as a kid how I really loved winter and the snow, school cancellations and all that. Now, I really don't like winter at all.

My dad struggled with winter. He was someone who needed to keep busy or else the demons would catch him. Winter was and is a hard time to stay busy. You are pretty much stuck inside unless you bundle up and venture out. He did that sometimes, but as the years went on, he slowly gave into it.

I think he would have benefited from relocating to a warmer climate. Ah but change is not something we are good at. Change has to be forced on us. The "us" is my father's side of things. My father never did anything...literally. So how do I survive it?

No not just the winter, although I think the winter is a test. This one has tested me. It's very obvious. Everything that has been happening is a test. It's really easy to give in or give up but I just can't do that anymore. I've taken the easy route before (avoidance, denial, anger). No thanks. I saw what those things did to my father and guess what? Eventhough I respect my father and his memory, I am not him.

When you are out of ideas...

Ever listen to a band or watch a TV show that is very obviously out of ideas?? They change to try to stir up interest. It doesn't work very often. Both instances, it's the same deal. They forget what they did before and try to re-write history. It never works.

Well...it works if you forget the past. But if you are as desperate for a "hit" as the artist or TV show, you might overlook all the inconsistencies. Don't forget it though. Why just accept the shit you are given?? A bad photocopy sucks. A pisspoor re-write also sucks.

But hey, we accept it so whatever. The creators don't care. That's the issue here. If you are passionate about something, it doesn't matter if the folks who made it don't really care about quality. They care about cash. Not you.

Music I am currently listening to

Well why not? Here are the albums I am currently getting into:

The Fireman - "Electric Arguments" (Paul McCartney and Youth are at it again)
The Fall Of Troy - "Phantom On The Horizon" (holy shit this one is amazing!)
Black Tide - "Light From Above" (wow, it's 1988 again!)
Jethro Tull - "Crest Of A Knave" (well it DID win a Grammy!)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - "Trilogy" (a classic)
It Bites - "The Tall Ships" (I can't stop listening to it)

Progressive rock in 1972

After yesterday's struggle to find enough music, I figured why not go back to one of the classic year's of progressive rock...1972. Lots of music, in fact, some bands put out more than one album in 1972! For today's listening, I am limiting to one album per artist. My rules! Here we go...

Captain Beyond-"Captain Beyond"
Emerson, Lake & Palmer-"Trilogy"
Flash-"Flash" (In The Can also came out in 1972)
Genesis-"Foxtrot"
Gentle Giant-"Octopus" (Three Friends also came out in 1972)
Nektar-"A Tab In The Ocean"
Yes-"Close To The Edge" (Fragile also came out in 1972, and hopefully this will be the first I've listened to Yes since they fucked Jon Anderson over)

Now THAT is a selection!

Progressive rock in 1982

After taking an easier approach the other day by listening to progressive rock from the year 1977, I decided on a more challenging year...1982!! Progressive rock was vastly different by the early 80s. But it was coming back in a new form which is progressive in and of itself. King Crimson was reborn as a new beast. A progrock supergroup called Asia was massive. Yes was a year away from a rebirth (I didn't listen to Yes the other day, still haven't). Genesis was evolving as well. So what is there from 1982 to listen to? Not as much as 1977! So here is what I have and will be listening to...

Kansas-"Vinyl Confessions"
Asia-"Asia"
King Crimson-"Beat"
Rush-"Signals"
Ambrosia-"Road Island"

Well, this is going to be a short day...

Giambi returns to the A's

So Jason Giambi is crawling back to Oakland after failing to win a World Series in New York. Giambi is even more of a one dimensional player than when he left. If Daric Barton had shown he was ready last season, there wouldn't have been a need for the money grubbing whore known as Giambi. But Barton wasn't ready and hit .226.

Fast forward to today. The A's are a different team once they traded for Matt Holliday. Holliday gives the offense a fighting chance. Add in that Eric Chavez swears he is healthier than he has been in 10 years. It makes having a 3-4-5 order of Chavez-Holliday-Giambi more interesting than having Cust in the #5 hole. Jack Cust is still needed. He should be at DH but so should Giambi. They might toy with the idea of Cust playing right field but Cust is more dangerous in right field than Giambi is at first. Add in that Travis Buck and Aaron Cunningham are both ready and can platoon in right.

Barton needs time at AAA to get his head together. Giambi is only signed for a year with an option on the second year. My guess is that if Barton shows he can cut it, then Giambi (like Holliday) is a stopgap.

How do I feel about the signing? I still hate Giambi. No question. He is an ass and a cheater. I won't cheer for him. I will expect him to produce though. He can be only tolerated if he produces. If he doesn't, he needs to go. I think either Garrett Anderson or Bobby Abreu would have been a better choice but Billy Beane needs a name to put fans in the seats. Giambi is a name that we A's fans will either hate or love. I am on the hate side of things at the moment.

But whatever. If he can help my team win, then do it. If he becomes a problem, dump him. Very simple. I think I would welcome any former A's player back more than I would this clown. That's life.

Progressive rock in 1977 revisted today

Today on the iPod, I am going through the progressive/classic rock releases of the year 1977. It was a very good year. Here's what I've covered and what I have yet to listen to:

Listened to:
Jethro Tull-"Songs From The Wood"
Gentle Giant-"The Missing Piece"
Genesis-"Wind & Wuthering" (note:released December 1976 in the UK and January 1977 in the US)
Pink Floyd-"Animals"

Still to come:
Rush-"A Farewell To Kings"
Kansas-"Point Of Know Return"
Gryphon-"Treason" (an overlooked classic)
Yes-"Going For The One" (I haven't listened to any Yes since Squire, White and Howe fucked Jon Anderson over...)

I am missing some for sure but I think this was a great year for prog.

From the SPAM folder...

Your big proud friend in the pants will overshadow the Empire State building.
If you think that your bulge is garbage, change it.

You will feel your manhood in the air.
Even if you are stressed and depressed you can still make it.

Your male tool can be as big as stool.
Try it - both you and your wife will love the changes.

Pleasure her the right way
Give her the best gift of all - the gift of good pumping every night

----------------------------
Of those, I think the third is the oddest one. "Big as stool?" I realized we were going for a rhyme but who wants their penis as big as a turd? Unless your shit is really long and if that's the case you might need to see a doctor about that, I don't think having shitsized erections is a big selling point.

"The gift of good pumping". Too many meanings behind the word "pumping". Why not just say the gift of quality sex? Trying too hard to be clever.

And if your dick is the size of the Empire State Building or in this case bigger than it, I think the little lady isn't going to be able to take it in.

Turning the other cheek

I have alot I could say, but what for? Part of life and part of my learning process has been not to engage those who only seek to cause unrest. So you try being nice and when that doesn't work, then what? A good question.

An old friend forgotten...Brownsville Station

I've mentioned many times how important Kiss was to my life and my love of music. I do give them a lot of credit. They weren't the reason I loved rock music though. I already was into it. Up to a point, I just listened to whatever was around me. I was just 8 or so. I didn't really listen to a ton of radio.

I do remember the first singles I owned (not including the hand-me-downs my sister left behind). I got three. Four Seasons "December 1963", Grand Funk "The Locomotion" and Brownsville Station "Smokin In The Boys' Room". It was Brownsville Station that changed everything for me. Before I got the single (which I wanted!), I saw a cutout of their first album at Kmart. "No BS" was the title. The cartoon cover appealed to me!

That was my first real piece of vinyl. I got it home and was blown away. The album was just pure good time rock and roll. Some covers and some originals. I found rock music through this album. I used to just stare at the cover and wish I was cool enough to be IN Brownsville Station. Wow!

Not long after I got the single and played both sides: "Smokin In The Boys Room" and "Barefootin". It rocked. Unfortunately, I didn't get any of their other releases. As a kid, it didn't dawn on me that they were still around. By that point, I found Kiss and things had changed even more.

I will forever be grateful to Brownsville Station. Cub Koda was the man. May he rest in peace. Looking back, I really am quite proud that I at least found them! Maybe they weren't Queen or Led Zeppelin or Sabbath but without Brownsville Station, I would not have found all those bands down the road.

Matt Millen must be blowing Bob Costas

Why on Earth would you ask Matt Millen, former Lions president...the 0-16 Lions, be on the NBC NFL program when you have BOTH Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann??? Why? First off, Bob Costas blows. He has been awful for years and somehow NBC thinks this guy still is valid.

Millen, a former analyst turned franchise killer, is an oaf. It's bad enough that Cris Collinsworth is normally there. None of this makes ANY sense to me. Dan and Keith are amazing. Always have been. They are stuck doing highlights. Granted Keith has Countdown, but why bring Dan fucking Patrick in if you aren't using him as an ANCHOR? NBC Sports...still a fucking joke.

Peyton Manning MVP?

Talk about getting it wrong. Peyton Manning wins the NFL MVP because his name is Peyton Manning. His stats were adequate (27 TDs and over 4,000 yards) and his team made the playoffs, but was he actually the most valuable. How do we determine what someone's value is?

If we say that the most valuable player is the guy who made the biggest difference for his team, then the MVP is Chad Pennington. The Dolphins were 1-15 last year. With Pennington the team won the AFC East! 11-5! Hello??

If we say that the most valuable player is the guy with the best stats, then you have to look to Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees, or Adrian Peterson. Only Brees didn't make the playoffs but all 3 teams (Chargers, Saints, and Vikings) weren't GREAT. Without these guys all three would have been worse.

So why Manning? Did we not think the Colts were going to win? The bottom line is this was not even close to Peyton's better years statically. So they should have won, Peyton should have had better stats...and he is MVP. Sorry, if his name wasn't Peyton Manning, he would not have won.