Kevin Marshall's America
BEST BLOG (Times Union)
AMANDA TALAR
As much as I love a lot of the TU blogs (including recent additions like A History of Here and Daniel Nester), there’s no denying that reader-blogger Amanda Talar is a machine that was constructed in a lab to create evocative reading material.
Amanda’s writing is consistently entertaining and, more importantly, honest in a way that few others are. She’d shrug off the suggestion that it’s brave, and maybe it’s not; for those that have her natural gift for the written word and motivation to consistently churn out intriguing pieces of self-examination, often it’s not even thought about.
Either way, it’s a Hell of a blog and hands down the most consistently intriguing one in our little circle at the TU.
NOTE: It should be noted that 2010 also brought a loss to the TU blogosphere when fellow blogger Jay Gallagher passed away. Much of his struggle – and passing – was chronicled on his blog, which I hope can bring comfort and solace to all who suffer from cancer or know the pain of seeing a loved one fall to it. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting the man, I was definitely a fan. Rest in peace, Mr. Gallagher.
—–
BEST BLOG (non-TU)
FUSSYlittleBLOG
There is definitely an audience for foodie blogs, since in the last two years they’ve broken out in an epidemic of food snapshots and amateur critiques.
That audience isn’t me.
This is largely due to the fact that I have the palette of a toddler and am less than refined in my tastes. I also find many of them to be, from a pure writing standpoint, uninspired and droll. Unless your name is AJ Liebling, I’m not interested in reading your descriptions (or lack thereof) and thoughts on food. Also, if you’re AJ Liebling, you’re not blogging at all because you sir have been dead for years.
FUSSYlittleBLOG is the lone exception. I think it’s because its author, Daniel B., inserts so much of his own personality into it. I’ve met him a couple times and he’s an engaging and fascinating individual.
What’s most most disarming to many – including myself at times – is that much of what he says seems off the cuff, but the more you read or talk to him the more you realize he’s thought long and hard about his stances. His prose is light, but still comes across as educated and reasoned.
It’s his conviction, as well as his highly underrated talents as a writer, that make him the exception to my non-foodie reading interests and the best blog in the 518.
=====
PREVIOUSLY:
518er OF THE YEAR
LYDIA KULBIDA
I spent more time thinking about this award than any other. Would I give it to someone who was a local celebrity? Perhaps the person who was most newsworthy? Maybe, I thought, I should give it to someone who it might not be known to many residents does a lot of good for the area?
In thinking of all three, though, one name came up every time – News10 anchor Lydia Kulbida.
Beyond being arguably the biggest name in local news, Lydia is a tireless philanthropist. I didn’t hear any other name associated more frequently with charity work and contributions in the area, and yet she carries herself with a rare dignity and approachability.
Beyond being a face on the TV screen, she’s someone who gives back to the area. And, after all the drama from her departure with WNYT, we’re lucky to still have her.
Lydia also blogs for the Times Union here.
—-
PREVIOUSLY:
Previously – My 2010 Year-End Awards (intro)
—–
Best Band (local):
BEWARE! THE OTHER HEAD OF SCIENCE
When people talk about the local music scene, more often than not it gravitates towards what I would categorize as bar bands. Not a lot of originality, uniqueness, or youth.
There are a lot of notable exceptions that should get the focus of the press and attention that lesser acts receive. One of them is my band of the year for 2010, Beware! The Other Head of Science.
I was first exposed to them at Lark Tavern (RIP) in February of 2009. I got stuck in bad weather that night and on the way to the show had a near-death experience that involved my car spinning around what seemed like twenty times and, after closer examination, a small mile marker on I-87 being the only thing that prevented my car from going off the road.
It shook me, but I trudged on. When I got there, my ex saw me and knew immediately that something was wrong. We sat down as I settled my nerves; or I should say she did. She was great at that sort of thing.
Then the band played, and I forgot about everything. Their energy was abundant and enthusiastic; their music was full of life and was unlike anything I’d heard locally. If memory serves, it was their last night before one of their members took off to serve our country overseas, though because of what happened earlier in the evening I could be remembering that completely wrong.
He’s since returned to that lineup and the band is better than ever. Their 2010 release “Big American Godzilla Party” has more of the same goodness, but it’s their live shows that rightfully garner the acclaim. Great music, high energy, confetti and balloons. It’s a Hell of a time.
They play January 8th in downtown Troy at the Troy Bike Rescue and have other shows coming up as well. For more info, check them out on Facebook.
Honorable mentions:
Swamp Baby, Que Caro
—-
Best Band/Album (national)
TITUS ANDRONICUS – “The Monitor”
My favorite album of 2010 came from the Jersey outfit Titus Andronicus, which is yet another band I adore that is inspired by a musical act (Springsteen) that I really never got into. I was first introduced to the lo-fi post-punk outfit (I don’t know if either term really applies but it sounds apt) with their 2008 release “Airing of Grievances.” As good as it was, “The Monitor” blows it out of the water and shows them as a fully realized musical force.
Honorable Mentions:
The National – “High Violet”
Easily the best downer album since Bon Iver’s “For Emma, For Ever Ago.”
Micah P Hinson – “…And the Pioneer Saboteurs”
I nearly went with this one. There aren’t much words for how gorgeous this album is. Hinson sounds to me like a folk rock Tom Waits, which I mean as the highest compliment.
Kanye West – “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
Yes, the guy’s a basketcase. But what’s the worst that he’s done, interrupt Taylor Swift during a meaningless award for a music video? In spite of (or perhaps fueled by) the controversy, Kanye did it again with another sprawling effort and continues to be one of the few acts in mainstream hip-hop that keeps pushing the genre forward.
(In case you missed it, please see my message to readers for New Year’s Eve earlier today)
—–
Hey everyone! It’s your favorite blogger, writing to you from Flavour Cafe on 4th Street in Troy, NY.
I’m off from work until January 3rd on a “Stay-cation,” which if you’re not familiar with the word is what happens when you’re poor and have time off from work. I’ll be using this week to sleep in, see a movie or two (“True Grit” is first on my list), catch up on fantastic shows I somehow missed the boat on (seriously, how good is “Fringe” on Fox?), put in more time at my boxing gym, and reflect on the last year.
As 2010 draws to a close, it seems only natural that I do some year-end awards, so that’s what you’ll see here tomorrow. I’ll be giving away “awards” for my favorite people, bands, blogs, and more for 2010, both locally and worldwide.
But I wanted to know: what awards would you, my readers, give out for 2010?
Post your own year-end awards in the comments. I’ll pick my favorites and collect them for a post Friday morning.
I find it both frustrating and inconceivable that anybody could drive drunk.
Obviously our judgement is impaired, but there are so many other things we don’t do drunk. Most of us wouldn’t rob a bank and dismissively blame it on having one too many to drink the night before.
Yet we still drive after drinking, an action which can have much more severe and permanent consequences for all involved.
This New Year’s Eve, you have no excuse. Bring a designated driver with you. Or, if you’re in Rensselaer County, participating bars and taverns will provide free cab fare for those who need it through the Safe Ride program. You can also get a free cab ride through Martin, Harding & Mazzotti by calling 1-800-LAW-1010.
If that’s not enough, perhaps this message from a father who lost his daughter twelve years ago will be.
Artist's rendering. In the olden days, vomiting was cured by taken the afflicted outside and snapping their neck.
(Troy, NY) A stomach virus dubbed “The Holi-Plague” by me just now has swept through the American Northeast and ruined Christmas for everybody.
The virus, which causes you to throw anything and everything up, usually strikes sometime before the sun comes up.
Upon being stricken with the virus, Kevin Marshall took to his Twitter and Facebook page and asked that Christmas be rescheduled. The response to the proposition was positive, with several others revealing that they too had been stricken with disease.
We can neither confirm nor deny that the disease is being spread by a terrorist cell participating in a War on Christmas. The group responsible for saying “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” has yet to take responsibility for the virus.
Obama could not be reached for comment, most likely because he was conspiring with the anti-Christmas contingent.
———
Just got off the phone with my sister Davelyn, who’s also sick. We decided to cancel Christmas Eve brunch at her place, and dinner at my other sister’s is up in the air right now.
Most importantly, through our weak half-asleep conversation, I got a glimpse into what it’s going to be like to talk to each other on the phone when we’re old people. It was terribly depressing.
On that note, here’s something to cheer everyone up:
Also, some tips if you get sick as well:
- Don’t fight anything that might come up. Trust me, temporary relief is better than nothing at all.
- Drink fluids ONLY until you’re no longer feeling nauseous. Billy, don’t be a hero.
- Specifically, GATORADE. The stuff is complete bunk as a sports drink, but actually rejuvenates and replaces a lot of key minerals and electrolytes lost from vomiting.
- When buying Gatorade, buy Cool Blue or Orange. Fruit Punch will just make you anxious and think you’re throwing up blood. Or maybe that’s just me? It’s probably just me.
CHRISTMAS IS RUINED YOUSE GUYS
SNL was a big part of my childhood, and I recall seeing this particular one – where Steve Martin recites his wishes for the holiday season – every year when they did their annual clip show featuring past holiday-themed skits.
Also, if you’re looking for a good gift, his memoir Born Standing Up is a fascinating and engaging read. Go pick it up.
"Ho ho ho...Merrrrrrry Christm---wait, what? Did you just say Happy Holidays? I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU!"
People make quite a stink over the fact that folks choose to say “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.” I’ve heard the conversation occurring amongst friends and co-workers numerous times this year, and some people get pretty heated about it.
The correct stance, however, is who gives a s***?
I’ve not known a person who has heard “Merry Christmas” said to them and taken it as an insult. Sure, maybe one or two people have flown off the handle about this or that. These are also the same people that get miffed because they don’t get a free meal that a restaurant’s policy explicitly states they won’t receive.
In fact, more often than not, you find people get more offended when they hear “happy holidays.” Some believe that it’s an exaggeration of religious sensitivities that is neutering their holiday and encroaching on their ability to enjoy it in full…because someone said “happy holidays” to them. Is the foundation of your holiday joy that weak where someone saying “happy holidays” ruins Christmas?
Listen, you spoiled cranks: get the dump out of your diaper, shut up, and celebrate Christmas. Go spend time with the people you love. Also, it’s Jesus’s birthday. Just imagine you had a birthday, and someone showed up to your birthday party and just kept complaining about stupid stuff like “happy holidays” and having to buy you gifts. Wouldn’t you be like “wow, what a jerk?”
Well, Jesus doesn’t, because he’s Jesus and that’s not how he rolls.
Anyway, I’m going to say Happy Holidays because I won’t see most people until after New Year’s, which is also a holiday. Not because I declare war on Christmas. So get over it and just celebrate, be safe, and share in the love regardless of what word people use to convey good tidings.
After all, everyone knows that the war I wage is against Boxing Day. Seriously, Canada, what the Hell is that? Unless I get to wear cool gloves and hit you, Boxing Day cannot and will not survive another year!
Starring Corbin Bernsen as a guy who isn't a murderer and the annoying twins Uncle Jesse and Rebecca had on Full House that went from being infants to speaking toddlers over the course of two episodes.
Know what song always bothered me as a child? “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
Obviously the song is a tongue in cheek story of a child who sees his father as Santa kissing his mother and not knowing who he really is underneath the beard and suit, assumes the worst.
Well, obvious if you’re an adult. Otherwise the song is a terrifying plea from a child whose family life has been torn asunder by Santa’s insurmountable libido and seductive prowess.
Why, Mom? Why would you leave our father and break up our happy family for this fat, wide-eyed drunk old son of a b**** who laughs at his own jokes and wears the same clothes every day? Do we really meant that little to you?!
Thankfully, now that I’m an adult, I know the truth. In the song, Santa is really the father showing his straight-laced and proper affection for his spouse. And in real life, Santa Claus isn’t with us.
He died fighting off the coast of Cuba in the Spanish-American War.
Which is why every Christmas, we remember his sacrifice and give each other gifts and sing songs about him kissing our mothers.
Here’s the Jackson 5 version, where young Michael sings the crap out of it.
This is a gentle reminder that tonight, the Times Union in conjunction with the Palace Theater presents SEASON’S SCREENINGS.
The event begins at the mezzanine of the Palace Theater at 6:00pm. Then, at 7:00pm, there will be a screening inside the historic theater of the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story.”
The evening concludes afterwards at The Brown Derby.
It’s only $6, so you have no excuse not to come out and have fun with us.
CLICK HERE to purchase a ticket/reservation before 3pm.
You can also buy tickets at the door…so long as there’s any left!
Come join us for some Merry-ment!
You pay for the whole seat…but you only need THE EDGE!
STALK ME
