December 2009
1 post
This Blog Has Moved
I’m in the process of transferring all content from this site to http://leighcummings.blogspot.com. New posts will no longer appear here. Thanks for reading!
-Leigh
November 2009
5 posts
New Hearth, New Homes →
ESP Darkwing Ducks →
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: What Not to Read →
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: What Not to Read
Despite all its inconveniences and quirks, the bus is my favorite place to read. At home there’s always some other medium blaring but each and every day I have two solid hours to lose myself in a story. I’ve made - and continue to make - lots of mistakes when it comes to choosing what to read, though, so here are a few examples of what makes for bad bus reading: Books that require...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Letting Off a Little...
Growing up, whenever I was bored in class (often) I’d indulge in a bizarre, recurring fantasy. (Just to be clear, I know that this is absolutely ridiculous and not especially funny, but its description is important back story.) I’d imagine myself standing up and running full speed to the front of the classroom, where I would smack into the chalkboard and fall down, pretending to knocked out. ...
October 2009
4 posts
Experiment: Lunch Box Week One (kind of)
My lunch box experiment definitely got off to a bumpy start. There were several unforeseen circumstances, like the fact that I went a little nuts trying to find the perfect, stylish insulated bag. That took a good ten days but I finally found it on etsy.com which is my go-to source for unique, personalized gifts. (As an aside, if you haven’t checked out etsy, do it. You will find some amazing...
The Other-Worldly Mall
Crossgates Mall is a major hub for CDTA and is where I change buses twice daily from the line to the shuttle in the morning and back again in the evening. This means that I spend a lot of time at Crossgates. Well, not so much at it as outside it, but that time has not helped me to understand its layout any better. The mall, to me, has always been confusingly oriented with the outside not having...
"Be careful out here, baby."
“Be careful out here, baby.” The older gentleman was sitting in a folding chair on his porch on Myrtle Ave, elbows on his knees and hands clasped together in front of him. I was walking from my bank on New Scotland to the Delaware Ave Price Chopper when he issued this startling bit of advice. Now, I have two different modes when walking alone. The first is, “home mode,” where I put my head...
Experiment: Lunch Box
Sooo…I have a personal issue that needs to be dealt with. Lunch. My addiction centers around The Plaza Deli, a great, straight-forward little place tucked into an office building near mine. For standard deli fare it’s consistently well done, probably thanks to the attention to detail of the owner, Tony, who can be a bit of a sandwich nazi. Anyway, this place gets a call or a visit from me just...
September 2009
1 post
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Pick-Up Lines
So you’re standing at the bus stop, waiting patiently, when a lovely, sane-looking young man/woman approaches and stands next to you. You’re impressed by his sense of style or the way she carries herself and you want to strike up a conversation. But how? People waiting at bus stops are usually on guard against the mixed bag of nuts they cross paths with daily. Thinking back on my years of...
August 2009
1 post
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Bus Joys
Since my last bus post was so whiny I thought I’d talk about a few little things that make me smile:
Willingness to go the distance. I loved this. A young couple prepared to get off a few blocks away but when another rider rang the bell for a closer stop they decided to debus with her and walk the extra few feet. It was so reasonable I wanted to chase them down and hug them. Unexpected...
July 2009
4 posts
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Pet Peeves
I’m in a, “Michael Moore mood” (what I call that state of mind where you feel like pointing out the world’s problems without presenting solutions for them.) The bus is, overall, a pretty pleasant experience but certain things just grind my gears. So here are my top five six bus pet peeves:
Paying $55 for a Swiper. I know, I know, it’s nothing compared to the expense of having a car but it’s...
Hi, Neighbor!
Having a dog is hands down the easiest way to meet your neighbors. I’ve been living here at Lark and Hamilton for three years and until recently hadn’t really interacted with anyone on the block. It’s shameful, I know, but now I’m making the loop multiple times every day taking Eliza on her walks and suddenly feel like a member of a new community. Folks sitting out on their stoops with glasses...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Yes, Virginia, There are...
Members of the D.A.R.E. generation were reminded ad nauseum by educators that, “there are no stupid questions.” I would like to challenge this idea, because I’m pretty sure I’ve located one of the places where stupid questions have been hiding for the past twenty years: in the heads of people riding CDTA. I hear at least one doozy every day. This morning a woman muttered a personal...
June 2009
2 posts
Great Customer Service: Justin's
If you know me personally then you know that Justin’s is pretty much my favorite place on Lark Street to eat and drink. Every trip is impressive but this weekend’s was just above and beyond. Yesterday Josh and I were both up early (like, before noon) and decided to grab brunch and a cocktail across the street. The patio called to us, as usual. We’d spaced on the whole Father’s Day thing...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Admittedly Selfish...
Have you taken advantage of the great CDTA Shuttle that runs between Crossgates, Central Ave and 20 Mall via Washington Ave Ext and Route 155? It’s an on-demand service where you request upon boarding to be delivered anywhere from Point A to Point Z. But please observe good rider etiquette: Take a look at the sign on the front of the bus, which tells you its destination. So if you’re...
May 2009
3 posts
Some say drunk. I say mature.
Back in high school I was equal parts in awe of and terrified by the kids we called, “goth.” I remember “Joanie,” as looking like Hot Topic personified: Manic Panicked hair, pierced septum, chains and Doc Martens. As far as I could tell she never smiled and used the same black makeup on her eyes, lips and nails. I imagined she either didn’t have parents or had killed them long ago and now...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Bussed on Leigh Day...
I often meet up with a short yellow school bus at the intersection of Lark and Spring on my morning walk to the Armory. Today the driver nodded in greeting and then gestured that I could cross in front of him, which I did with a wave and a smile. Then I heard a shrill voice from the window shriek, “She’s got a big butt!” and the other tiny passengers erupted in laughter. The driver...
Eliza
I’ve been silent lately for a few reasons, the biggest of which is because my boyfriend and I are fostering a 2 year-old pit mix, Eliza, and it’s been all-consuming. She was found abandoned on Delaware Ave and brought to Parkside Vet Hospital by a kind soul (thank you, whoever you are!) She arrived emaciated with a skin condition and was so stressed out that she was having seizures. ...
April 2009
4 posts
Marlon in the Mayor's Office with the....
…Candlestick? Joystick? Just enough rope to hang himself?
I’m going to nerd out for a minute here and talk about my love of this whole Marlon Anderson for Mayor debacle that’s going down on Kristi Gustafson’s blog. I’m a big fan of Clue (the movie and the game) but this is way better than any ol’ Miss Scarlet in the conservatory with the noose. It’s...
Performanceamnesia
I’m the sieve-minded gal that forgets shows pretty much as soon as they’re over. It’s terrible, I know, to the point of me denying during a conversation today that I’d ever seen Paul Simon. We were chatting about S & G and I said, “Oh, I’d love to see Paul Simon.” Turns out I did at SPAC with Brian Wilson a few years ago. That got me thinking about all those forgotten shows, some more...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Bring Around the Shuttle!...
This morning, getting off the shuttle I tripped on my pants and almost took a header down the stairs. As I righted myself with a, “Whoa!” the driver, M, barely stifled a giggle and said, “Watch your step, there, Leigh!” We both laughed and wished one another nice days free of twisted ankles. That’s indicative of how you can’t help but get into comfortable driver/passenger...
Obama: 'Her majesty is delightful' →
Funny. You can totally imagine Barack and Michelle sitting around seriously wracking their brains trying to come up with meaningful and unique gifts for the queen. While Liz and Phil were just, like, “Aw, fuck it, give ‘em a coupla signed 8x10s. Whatever.”
During their private meeting, President Obama and first lady gave the queen a personalized iPod with video footage of her...
March 2009
3 posts
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Fair Hike?
You know that debit card commercial showing a bustling food court where customer after customer slides his card and gets efficiently on with his business; everything’s going smoothly until some apparent caveman from another dimension whips out a checkbook, bringing everything screeching to a halt? Yeah, getting on the bus is a lot like that. The doors open, everyone swarms to get on and...
Kate Micucci
I’m officially obsessed with this girl and am systematically forcing everyone to be obsessed with her, too. Here’s why:
1. Garfunkel & Oates, best band name ever.
2. The ukelele is totally underused.
2. Scrubs.
3. Her ‘Songs’ EP. Dear Deer. Adorable and borderline offensive.
4. Garfunkel & Oates lyrics just can’t be improved upon. Like,
I used...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: The Urban Adventurer
The bus forces you to travel like a New Yorker, not leaving the house without a book and an umbrella. This is reasonable of course but there’s another kind of commuter out there that takes being prepared to an extreme: the Urban Adventurer. Bogged down with enough North Face equipment to scale Mt. Marcy, the Urban Adventurer fancies himself an outdoorsman capable of surviving in the frigid...
February 2009
9 posts
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: The Blunder Bus
Sometimes I just have to shake my head at the conversations I get drawn into during my commute. I have a tendency to latch on to teachable moments, but I’m seriously getting better at biting my tongue. It’s so necessary because, well, you’ll see. Two recent gems:
Commuter 1: Geez, it’s too cold to be waiting out here today. Me: Yeah, it’s brutal. But at least the sun’s...
Degrees of Wikipedia
Tim Twittered recently about Degrees of Wikipedia games so I thought I’d share the one we play at work. You can certainly play alone or with a group.
Pick a Goal: However you want to, animal, vegetable, mineral. Movies, dinosaurs, bad-ass presidents (Teddy Roosevelt is the only answer,) whatever. Think charades. Have everyone throw a suggestion into a manila folder and take turns choosing. If...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Dear Mrs. Super Commuter
If circumstances led to me becoming a superhero I’d definitely consider taking on, “bus ESP,” as my superpower-of-choice. Because it’s exhausting, really, all of the mental energy that’s spent on bus-related things (getting to the bus, catching the bus, having a quiet, efficient ride, making the next bus.) This afternoon I had to go to the bank so I decided to ride to Bank of America at Western...
On That '70s Show
Josh: I read an interview where Demi Moore's daughter said that back in the day she had a crush on Ashton Kutcher. And then, well, he became her dad.
Me: Rumer?
Josh: No, she definitely said it.
We Do Things: Party Hearty
This is a rare preemptive We Do Things post where there isn’t anything to report because we haven’t done anything yet. But it’s Valentine’s Day and I’m excited. I have to admit that I’m a sucker for any candy-centric holiday, so this is a favorite.
Since my sweetie is slated to work the bar at Matt’s fried chicken and champagne dinner benefitting the...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: It's a Mystery.
This afternoon while waiting for the line bus at Crossgates I stood chatting with another (seemingly random) commuter and one of my coworkers. We got on to the topic of my coworker’s son. He is seven and attends an all-boys school and she was upset by the fact that his class is celebrating Valentine’s Day. Her objections were fueled by her obvious homophobia, and I certainly...
"Is this going to be like a Gwar show?"
- Jackers, re: the potential for flying liquids after we were shuffled by someone official from the very last row to the reserved seats up front.
This evening Jackers and I had dinner and a few rounds at Sutter’s then hopped across the street to SUNY for Dan Savage’s veeeeery entertaining (educational) lecture, which was the keynote of the university’s Sexuality Week. There...
Graphic Designer Emy Storey Brings Art to Music →
Aw! Okay this is what I like to see: Kinderhook natives slowly taking over the world. (For the record that is NOT an invitation for John Faso to get back in our faces. Or Jason Nastke for that matter, but I really doubt we have to worry about him, what with the disgrace and all.) Emy is one of those rare people who is just too big to be contained; too smart, too talented, too funny. Her...
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Puppy People
I’ve mentioned in past bus posts that I like to spend my commute in a, “zone.” Whether that means reading, listening to music or just staring off into space I’m very protective of this personal time. Sometimes it’s all I get during the day and it’s mine. So nothing stresses me out more than feeling obligated to socialize. I see the same people day in and day out and sometimes it leads to...
January 2009
6 posts
We Do Things: Quiet (Smoky) Night In
In this case, “we,” is, “I.” And I know what you’re thinking. “Geez, Leigh must be pretty hard-up for stuff if a night in is newsworthy.” This is admittedly a throw-away topic but it’s also an easing back into having some time to write. My silence has probably spoken a thousand words over the past two weeks; there hasn’t been a planned...
Marlon for Mayor? →
That’s Marlon, as in Marlon Anderson? As in, “The Notorious Marlon Anderson?” “Marlon Anderson 2009?” The proudly misogynistic and grammatically-impaired assault poster from Kristi Gustafson’s On the Edge blog? The guy who is always yapping about how women should stay, “slim and silent?” Running for mayor of the city of Albany? Really? Alright…if you say so. Recently Marlon and I...
Heart on Lark
It’s difficult to live in Center Square without feeling very, very spoiled. There is quality and variety around ever corner. You want books? Go to Dove & Hudson. Live music? See Tess or Howard. Artwork? Edible, wearable or otherwise? Crisan, Elissa Halloran, First Friday. In the mood for Greek or Indian or Mexican or Thai or Lebanese or eggs Benedict at three in the ...
2008 Music Wrap Up
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m not a critic and I really have no business analyzing, well, anything (even though my job title is technically, “Business Analyst.”) but I can tell you what albums I listened to the most this year with no details about any of them. They are:
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part 1 (4th World War)
of Montreal – Skeletal...
The Best Place Ever
Josh called me this afternoon all excited. “I’m at the best place ever. You’re getting presents. I’ll talk to you later.” As soon as I hung up the phone I knew (just knew) what he was talking about and later on this evening I was validated: At The Warehouse. He’d gone with Matt in search of, “stuff for the restaurant,” (not sure if that means...
An Open Letter to Sushi House
This really isn’t entirely your fault, it just seems like I’m always in the mood for you on Mondays. And you’re closed on Monday. I realize that everybody needs a day off, so I’m not complaining, Sushi House (my very favorite sushi restaurant.) I’m just saying. Mondays kind of suck without you. There is nothing sadder than sitting around thinking about what I’m hungry for, realizing I haven’t...
December 2008
9 posts
(Mori)Bus Philosophorum: Would You PLEASE RELAX?!?
After many years using public transportation I’ve gotten it down to a science. Things like never leaving home without a book, always keeping your card in the same place for easy access and planning to be at the bus stop five minutes before you need to be; these are simple ways to ensure a pleasant trip. It’s also important to detach from the whole driving mindset. You aren’t behind the wheel...
We Do Things: Adult Snow Day
“I’m feeling very Norman Rockwell-y right now,” Josh looked past me out the window at the falling snow and the wreaths on the brownstone across the street. I put down the scarf I was working on to light a cigarette. “In what fucked up Norman Rockwell painting are the people watching Justice League and drinking screwdrivers?” He rolled his eyes, “You know what I mean! You’re knitting. The...
We Do Things: Movie Night
Last week Jackers expressed interest in seeing Synecdoche, New York. I enjoy Charlie Kaufman’s work because it’s heartfelt and absurd. Throw in a local reference and I’m sold so last night a bunch of us went to the Spectrum and took advantage of cheap ticket Tuesday. (In the interest of full disclosure I admit that we are not ideal movie-goers: we smuggle booze, prefer to be alone in the ...
We Do Things: Platonic Date Night
PDA and I like to have Platonic date nights since his girlfriend lives in Amsterdam (that’s Holland, not New York) and I am about as attached as a hangnail. We do this because we get a massive kick out of one another and are able to peacefully coexist in many ways (he’s also my quiet-Sunday-brunch-at-Justin’s-with-a-New-York-Times partner. It makes you feel like an old married couple,...
Ho Ho Hooooly CRAP! Is that Green Man?
This afternoon was the 3rd Annual Santa Speedo Sprint, the official best Christmas- and nudity-inspired Albany charity event of the year. There are so many things about this that scream, “SIGN. ME. UP.” It benefits the Damien Center, is organized by ASAP (I’m partial to these guys because a bunch of them are childhood friends but also because of their kinda revolutionary approach to public...
Obsession: Mad Gabs
One day a long while ago I was over at Mark’s and he told me about Mad Gabbing and how it had overtaken his life. He’d started with the board game and then moved on to looking for inspiration everywhere; it was a Price Chopper circular that first blew his mindpiece. He and Meag had Mad Gabbed their way through it from, “spy reel Sly’s dam,” to, “soup or Suave tea dawn huts.” After I stopped...
Marion et Paul spent last weekend holed up in...