818 Wrap-Up

On Wednesday, August 18th occurred the first (to my knowledge) Albany YouTube gathering (organized by yours truly). While it wasn't a success by local gig standards (all of the local acts backed out), I'd say it was a huge success in terms of the number of people who traveled from out of town to be there. Over the past week or so, I've seen a lot of things posted about it, and it seemed appropriate that I sort of gather them here for you.

Here's a blogpost.

And some pictures:





A few vlogs:








And, of course, performance footage:

Secret Secret Jayce

A lot of my friends make music.

I don't know why this is. Ever since High School (when I hung around with Random Fit), it seems that somewhere in my social circle there is always some sort of a musician, usually a band.

The thing with having friends in bands is that you lose your perspective of whether or not their music is any good. They're your friends, they're playing a show, you're of course going to go, and if you don't already, you will soon like their music.

But then sometimes, even when I do like their music, I can't quite keep up with everybody.

Beware the Other Head of Science, Desperately Obvious, The Boston Celtics, Secret Secret Dino Club....Can we talk about the interchangeable band members?

Every now and then I get to a local show which involves one or two of these. Once a year I get to check out most of my friends at MillFest, which is always a treat (and moreso if you don't have bronchitis).

So today, I'm subbing in this high school, and my favorite student comes in. It's not that he always does his work to the best of his ability, it is just that he is so darn friendly. Everytime I see him he shouts: "Ms. Armstrong!!!" and runs over to hug me.

The class he is in is a science class with a lab, and the second portion is reserved for finishing something that most of the students have already done. My Favorite Student has his iPod out. Many other students do too, and cellphones. I'm not asking them to put them away because there isn't really anything for them to do. I ask MFS what he's listening to. He names a band I've never heard of. He comes over to me and asks me to name who I know. He starts going through his list of artists on his iPod. I say a name aloud when I see someone I've heard. I know this is absolutely ridiculous, but it isn't as though he is distracted from the thing he is supposed to be doing.

"Antsy Pants"
"Biggie"
"Cat Power"
"I've heard of Metro Station, but only because you told me about them"
"Passion Pit"
"Secret Secret Dino Club"

WAIT. WAIT.

At the same time we begin yelling at each other and shouting "WAIT YOU KNOW JAYCE?"

I try to remember why I know Jayce outside of mutual-Albany-friends. That is probably the best summation.

MFS tells me that he started listening to Secret Secret Dino Club when he lived in New Jersey (is that why he's so nice?), and saw him perform a few times, and eventually met him.

Perhaps these sorts of interactions challenge my guise of authority.

So I come home and start googling Jayce (TWSS). Did you know Secret Secret Dino Club got signed?

Man, I've really not been keeping up with anything. It's not as if it were a secret secret.

Why do I secretly wish it was me at that Permaculture Guild Meeting?

I SAW YOU,
a dark haired beauty, at the Capital District Permaculture Guild meeting two weeks ago at the Biergarten. Over beer and peanuts, we invisioned a permanent-culture full of sweet strawberries, wood heated hot tubs and and fullfilled needs. Lets sweep the peanut shells off the floor, use them as a browns and get our compost pile really steamy. Is growing hops in our future? Come over to my chicken shack and lets find out!

...where nobody knows you and nobody gives a damn.

Today, after watching the Coasters and the Platters (the bands, not the things to set your consumables on) and crossing some train tracks, my mom and I went to get into her car. Some people, parked too close to us on the passenger side, attempted to get into their car at the same time I tried to get into my mom's. Fumbling with my cell phone (SubFinder calling, as always), I replied a confused "why?" to the apologies of these fellas.

"Because we're in your way," said one.
"You're cute!" said another.

"Thanks," I said, as if he had complimented my haircut or outfit.

Once inside the car, I recounted the conversation for my confused mother.
"..and then the one told me I was cute, and I said thanks."

"Oh," she remarked, "that's because you have hair."

I'm So Happy

The week is getting better.

I will not sub for Jan again this week, even though I heard she will be out the rest of the week. Her ninth period classes are so terrible as to make up for the rest of her sweet classes.

David Sedaris tonight at Borders!

Honestly, I hate his voice....but I love me a free event!

Tomorrow: Blues Traveler at Alive at 5!

Who said Albany sucks?

Tacaño

The College of St. Rose is the stingiest. Proof.

Here's to the memories.

The place always looked like it was going to fall down anyway.

Saratoga Winners has burned to the ground.

No more whiney pop punk concerts. No more crowd surfing and free fondling. No more moshing. Not there anyhow.

Oh well. Kinda sad. Not overwhelmingly so. I doubt I will shed a tear. Some memories need to burn.

I've said it before, I'll say it again.

You clean up nice, James Kehoe.

Did you know that snails have faces?

Comic Con: Worth $3?

I'm not sure.

Introducing.... People Math

I am constantly talking about this. Ask Luke who, according to everyone else =~ Seth. I tend to disagree. When I was in Spain, everyone had a dopple-ganger. There was even a Karene Faul x Spain (yes, the nation). Anyhow, I've just begun, but once I remember my times tables, I will enrich your lives.

Hobo Banned Breakin' Out?

Albany's Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Banned was featured on the most recent NPR podcast hilighting some bands playing SXSW. Check it out.

"These are bands we've never heard of...and wanna go see"