Right now I'm ... Janine awesomeness Showing 5,251-5,300 of 6,546

[Félix]

The Albany-Rennselaer station is fairly recent, yes. Well, like 15 years or so. They changed the routing of trains there in the late '60s so they could build Interstate highways. The station was moved across the river then, into a very small Amtrash building next to Price Chopper.

[ms.petra]

Sally, which Las Delicias are you thinking about?

[Jonathan]

Larry wrote: "The Albany-Rennselaer station is fairly recent, yes. Well, like 15 years or so. They changed the routing of trains there in the late '60s so they could build Interstate highways. The station was..."

Still, it's better than what happened to Schenectady. The Electric City really took a beating.

[Félix]

That's the truth. For many years, the trains bypassed Schenectady altogether, forcing the passengers to drive to a little shack half way to Albany. This went on about 25 years or so. But they never took up the track through Schenectady -- and Amtrak bought it with State funds and rebuilt it for high speed. Trains go between there and Amsterdam at 100 mph now. Too bad about the old station though. No one cared in those days -- and the city has been blighted for a long time.

[Jonathan]

I've only been to Schenectady once, and then just to change trains. There was a long delay. I wanted to get a soda, but there wasn't even a working vending machine at the station. So I went downstairs and saw a McDonald's on the other side of a big, empty parking lot. It was one of those locked-down, urban McDonald's restaurants, where the cashiers are behind inch-thick plexiglass. Anyway, there was a local sociopath who sat by the door and acted as the self-appointed greeter. You walk in. He says, "Faggot." You walk out. He says, "Faggot." Really a great environment.

[Félix]

I went to a high school reunion in 2007 up in that area. I got cheap hotels through Priceline. The first night I stayed at the deluxe Sheraton Ten Eyck in downtown Albany. The second night I was in a dumpy old Days Inn in downtown Schenectady. Such a contrast.

[Félix]

ms.petra wrote: "Sally, which Las Delicias are you thinking about?"

I've only been to the Westminster one.

[Sally, la reina]

Probably by the Children's Hospital, but the one I told Larry about once is the one I go to most myself, the Northglenn one.

[Jonathan]

Larry wrote: "I went to a high school reunion in 2007 up in that area. I got cheap hotels through Priceline. The first night I stayed at the deluxe Sheraton Ten Eyck in downtown Albany. The second night I was..."

The character of towns around there seems to vary tremendously. Albany actually has some pretty nice neighborhoods downtown these days. On that particular trip, though, I was going from Glens Falls, which is really a lovely place, to Syracuse, which is also pretty nice, although much bigger and a college town. Anyway, only way to make that trip by train was to change in Schenectady, and as you say, it's blighted; industry is all gone, no jobs, etc.

[Félix]

Subway actually started in Schenectady. Yeah, I know ....

Troy, number 3 in the so-called Tri Cities, didn't fare so well, either, industry-wise. The original Liberty Bell was cast in Troy.

[janine]

Jonathan wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Are you meeting up with Janine?"

I'd really like to, but I have to ask her what her schedule is like. She's in Groningen, which is a little bit difficult to get to, and I'm o..."

in march i'm probably not doing much. i'll be finished with my master thesis and looking for a job. or, if i'm lucky, i'll have an internship somewhere. in that case i might not have a lot of time. i could always take the train to amsterdam, or wherever you are. i love reading in the train.

[Jonathan]

That would be really, really nice, Janine. Once I get my itinerary, I'll let you know, and we can figure out a time to meet up, either in Groningen or Amsterdam. And congratulations (a little in advance) on your master's thesis! I didn't realize you were so close to finishing.

[Sally, la reina]

::jealous!::

[Sarah]

It was very nice to meet Jonathan. As it turned out, he looked exactly like his picture that was his avatar for a while, but just in case, I walked in the door and said "Jonathan?" to the first likely person, who happened to have his head turned away at the time. Luckily, it did turn out to be him. We did talk about y'all, just so you know.

[Jonathan]

I'm glad you recognized me, Sarah. You look nothing at all like your avatar.

[Sally, la reina]

***jumps up and down***

What did you say about me?

[Sally, la reina]

**squirms with glee**

[Jonathan]

That you're excitable and love attention?"

That. And I think Sarah mentioned how sweet you are, if I remember correctly. There was a lot of TC love expressed.

[Sarah]

Sally, I said you were very nice to me when I had to back out on one of the shebangs. I was having a really bad time, and you sent me everyone else's shebangs anyway and other goodies, and it was a real pick me up. Who doesn't love unexpected care packages?

I said that in general this (GR and TC) is a very unusual corner of the internet, and I enjoy it very much.

[Jonathan]

Yes, that was it: the nice shebang story. You've got total recall, Sarah.

[Sarah]

Jonathan wrote: "Yes, that was it: the nice shebang story. You've got total recall, Sarah."

That's because we were only drinking Krusovice.

[Félix]

Did you meet at Patrick's?

[Jonathan]

Patrick's??

[Félix]

Sarah's bar.

[Jonathan]

Oh, I see. No, we met at a nice place Sarah recommended near the station, which worked out well logistically. I think she mentioned she plays there occasionally with her band.

[Sarah]

Jonathan wrote: "Oh, I see. No, we met at a nice place Sarah recommended near the station, which worked out well logistically. I think she mentioned she plays there occasionally with her band."

The "there" in Jonathan's sentence is the place we met, which is a pizza bar that has live music. Patrick's is closed on Monday or I would have absolutely invited him there, though it's not near the train station. I guess I could have opened the bar just for him, but I think that would have been inconvenient for both of us.

[janine]

watching tv and knitting. i'm having an early saturday :)

[Jim]

janine wrote: "watching tv and knitting. i'm having an early saturday :)"

So are you having two saturday nights this week?

[Jonathan]

Jim wrote: "So are you having two saturday nights this week?"

Or maybe Sunday will be an early Monday, in which case, bummer.

[Jim]

Jonathan wrote: "Jim wrote: "So are you having two saturday nights this week?"

Or maybe Sunday will be an early Monday, in which case, bummer."

Don't let it happen janine.

[janine]

Jonathan wrote: "Jim wrote: "So are you having two saturday nights this week?"

Or maybe Sunday will be an early Monday, in which case, bummer."

no, no extra monday. just two saturdays and a sunday. and the laundry's already done.

[Phil]

Right now I'm finishing up packing for my weekend in Palm Springs. I won't really see much, as I'll be doing the Tour de Palm Springs on Saturday, then driving home Sunday. But it will be warmer than home, so there is that.

I'm also getting ready to attend an assembly at my son's school -- he's getting a certificate for being "Student of the Month" in his class. This month's character trait was "Imagination," and he apparently showed a lot of it.

[Sarah]

Right now I'm feeling very relieved that I found my gig bag with all of my pedals and cords. Unfortunately, I found it at my guitarist's house, which means I have to find a way to get it from him before I play tonight...but better than not finding it.

[Scout]

Not getting a job is the best thing sometimes. Larry, if you watch movies, you might like The Station Agent.

[Phil]

Right now I need a shower. My friends and I finished the bike ride (102 miles) and we need to clean up before dinner. Not sure I can eat, though. I just had kettle corn, a Kit-Kat, a diet coke, a glass of milk and three mini chocolate donuts. Gross in combination, but each was yummy.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Looking in my neighbors' windows, checking email.

[Phil]

Whose? The neighbors?

[[deleted user]]

What is kettle corn?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Phil wrote: "Whose? The neighbors?"

No, mine.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "What is kettle corn?"

Popcorn that is sweet and salty.

[Carol]

kettle corn is the best snack.

[Félix]

Tell me more about The Station Agent, Scout.

I'm taking an extra weekend this weekend. The first one has been eaten up by a drive to a funeral for my dearest uncle. Not that I'm complaining. It was good to see cousins I hadn't been around in many years.

I'm taking vacation on Mon and Tues to take the place, and to do the normal things I would do if not for the drive away.

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

What is a stand-up Belle?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

This is the first I've heard of a standup Barbie cake. So the skirt is edible, and the Barbie is just a Barbie? Which you buy from the store and saw in half at the abdomen?

[Lobstergirl, el principe]

Holy cow! Now I want a half Barbie to bake into a meatloaf.

[ms.petra]

Barb, you are a woman of many talents! Happy Birthday Caitlyn!

[Kevin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Holy cow! Now I want a half Barbie to bake into a meatloaf."

i love LG

[Kevin]

that pic reminds me of the tom petty video for last dance for mary jane (i think) where they have the alice in wonderland cake

[Sally, la reina]

No, I love LG.

[Kevin]

right now i am wishing i had a grandbaby. this is my new niece maryn. i was holding her today and this pic makes me want a baby around