I think the title song is my current favorite Beatles tune. If you haven’t watched the Peter Jackson documentary, Get Back, I highly recommend it. Especially if you’re of the same vintage, give or take 15 years, as me. It’s a pretty incredible experience to watch the writing of songs and lyrics which are etched upon you after growing up listening to them. Mind blown.
Inspired by Dig a Pony, I offer a number of things, experiences and events from the past few days (and nights), that I’d like to take a moment to celebrate…
Delaware Avenue’s New World Bistro Bar has rebranded, refreshed and reopened as The Kitchen Table. I dropped in Thursday night for one of Nick’s flawless manhattans, and a quick peek at the changes. The space looks terrific – warm and somehow more casual in an inviting way. With Ian in the kitchen and Nick behind the bar, this new incarnation retains the important components that’ll keep me coming back.
Friday night I attended a show at Lark Hall. It was Jim Morrison’s birthday party and there was a live inspired-by-the-Doors-band playing. The venue is so awesome – and wonderfully flexible, that I’m looking forward to getting to more events there in the future. My friend and I had a blast dancing and generally enjoying the vibe. Covid protocols are responsible and there’s a nicely curated selection of drinks and cocktails. See you there.
How do you feel about breakfast dates? I think I kind of like them – be it with a love interest or a friend. But, I digress…
Saturday morning came with a plan to meet a friend at the Troy Farmer’s Market for breakfast. The indoor market experience is a different one than outdoors, but it felt really organized and easy to navigate. If you haven’t been to the atrium before, it’s sort of a choppy space, not an open rectangle by any means. Somehow, the organizers have managed to arrange the vendors in a way that seemed particularly logical. It was great.
Upon arrival, I immediately looked for DeFazio’s and, more specifically, their breakfast pizza options. Happily, I saw my favorite – greens, an egg and hot sauce on the lightest, crunchiest rectangular crust. Despite my jones for that pizza, I did my due diligence and browsed all the other choices, noting that next time, perhaps, I’ll come for lunch instead of breakfast. I could probably even entice my kids to come if those tacos, which smelled divine, are an option.
My pizza, though, was perfect.
In the afternoon, it was time to take advantage of the fact that, Albany Muni Capital Hills is open for the season, offering its usual recreational activities of dog walking, running, and, when it snows, cross country skiing. It’s Jeter’s favorite winter place and, since there was a reprieve in the rain, we headed there mid afternoon and enjoyed a great walk with blue jays, bittersweet vines and social dogs. Grab your dog and some poop bags and go!
Saturday night was Albany’s 25th annual Last Run 5k through the garish lights of Washington Park’s holiday display. I guess next year will be different, huh?
Anyway, I’ve done this race many times and it is a favorite. This year’s edition was a little lonely, since neither of my steady runner girl friends could participate this time around, and a lot windy. Even in those conditions, it also was really fun- from fireworks to finish.
It’s not the kind of race that many people run for a PR, but I impressed myself last night with my performance, achieving a pace I hadn’t seen since 2018. You’ll have to take my word for it since I removed my vest, (which had my race bib pinned to the back) and handed it off to a friend at the corner of State and Lark, because I was hot and wanted a big finish.
You know it’s all downhill from there, right?*
I believe that officially gives me a DNF, but it doesn’t matter. I had a wonderful run.
My final stop was later that evening when I got together with a friend at dp’s for a cocktail. I’m never sure what I’m going to order when I go there because there are so many damn fine options, but often I order wine, usually with bubbles. Last night, however, our attention was directed to the evening’s special cocktail, a winter version of a cosmopolitan. Dubbed the “Papa Noel,” the drink was a delightful combination of Albany Distilling Co.’s vodka, cranberry, fresh lime juice, orange bitters and all-spice dram. It was dangerously delicious and the perfect cosmo-esque drink – (and) Just Like That.
As the speed of December’s holidays continues to accelerate, be certain to take a little time for activities that you personally enjoy. You can celebrate anything you want.
*Not even talking about politics here, people. Geographically speaking!
