running diaries chapbook- part I

Note: I've been writing some stuff which feels more creative than purely autobiographical.  What a relief, huh?  I'll probably post them in a series (running diaries chapbook) as they come to me, and I'll clearly identify them so you can easily skip them. 

This running thing is taking on a life of its own, in a mostly positive, slightly obsessive fashion. As soon as I finish a run and start to cool down, I want to go again.  Just a quick mile, which for me, means 8 minutes, I think.  I don't really time myself unless I'm on the treadmill in the bad weather.  Anyway - I'm loving it.  It is great thinking and feeling and reflecting time.  Hey - maybe that's why I'm loving it so much.  It truly is me time.  Hmmm. 

I was thinking about a blog post I had read recently about the enviable abs runners developed.  In the blogger's example it was female runners participating in a local event that attracts elite runners, the Freihoffer's Race for Women.  So I was thinking about how for the first time in my life, at the age of nearly 45, I would actually consider running without a shirt on.  I think I have abs.  Actually, I know I have abs because my 12 y/o son just told me I was "beast."  That's good, right?

I was less than gracious recently, in a tweet about the blogger who wrote the post that inspired me to consider the condition of my abs.  I've been thinking about how I have 10 years, 3 kids and 2 cancers under my belt, perhaps held in by strong abdominal muscles, and that maybe I might have been perceived as self-absorbed at certain points in my life.  Like now, when I am willing to work harder than ever to have a life which not only looks full, but feels full.

The Van Dyck

Last night, I met a couple of friends in Schenectady at The Van Dyck for beers and a bite to eat.  I've been to the Van Dyck, in its various incarnations, a couple of times over the years and have always thought of it as a cool space not living up to its potential.  After last evening's meal, I'd have to say I still feel the same way.  

A couple of positive things should be noted.  The place was busy which is really nice to see.  There is a lovely looking patio in the back which had a significant wait for a table - good for them.  The service was very pleasant and the beer was damn good.  I completely enjoyed the two hefeweizens I ordered, although oddly enough the first was garnished with lemon, the 2nd was not.  There was the distinctive clove-y taste present that I will always associate with spending time in Munich with my brother in the summer of '92, a very good memory.  I didn't see the check last night so I can't tell you how much the beers cost or how large they were other than "tall."   And, unfortunately for a place trying to build a name as a brew pub, there is no information on their website about the beers - at all. After a little more digging around (or research as we librarians call it), I did come up with this webpage describing their beer selections.  The brewery is new so I guess I can cut them some slack, but don't you think the Van Dyck homepage should have some mention of the brewery's activities and offerings?

I ordered the Van Dyck signature burger asking for it to be cooked no more than medium rare.  As you can see, the plate was prettily presented with fries and a pickle and big burger.  I immediately went for the fries which were...not hot.  I'm sorry, but I don't eat fries all that often and when I have potatoes which have been completely submerged in nearly boiling oil on my plate, I want them HOT.  So, I flagged over the server and asked for some hot fries, a request which seemed to puzzle her a little, but one which she was more than willing to accommodate.  It was only after she left the table that I cut into my too-big-to-manage-without-cutting-in-half burger and realized that it was cooked way more than medium rare.  In fact, it was well done.  I just didn't have the heart to send it back and since it did still manage to be flavorful, I ate it. The balsamic onions added some moistness to the meat and it was a pretty good burger - actually it was as good as a well done burger could be, I bet. The pancetta was a nice salty addition and went well with the char on the burger.  I couldn't eat the entire burger/roll, so I did my best with the beef and sadly left most of the lightly toasted roll on the plate, opting instead to indulge in the hot fries.

So - would I go back?  Sure.  I realized, as I was racing to meet my friends after a delightful Friday afternoon spent at home, that Schenectady really isn't that far and I should make more of an effort to explore the scene there.  The beer was really good, the space was comfortable and I think I could probably get my burger and fries cooked to my liking with really explicit directions, an effort I don't mind making.  I'd definitely be happy to give The Van Dyck another opportunity to achieve their potential - and give myself a chance to try more of the beer offerings.

Mountain Jammin'



me and my Laker guys

A few weeks ago, I got my Groupon and picked up a ticket to the annual Mountain Jam music fest down in Hunter, N.Y.  I've heard tales about the good times to be had - music until all hours, camping, rain as soon as Franti hit the stage...it sounded epic and I wanted in, especially since some of my best friends were also going to attend.  After a morning playing Soccer Mom and my first recreational bike ride of the year (so lame, I know), I jumped into my wagon and headed south, taking the scenic route, of course.



so that's where Santa hangs in the off season

Scenic, actually, could sum up the event.  The setting was beautiful, the weather comfortable and there were lots of interesting people all over the place.  I parked in a satellite lot, for free, and took a comfortable shuttle bus right to the gate where I hooked up with my guys.  I had downloaded a cool Groupon app to my phone and merely had to display a barcode to get my ticket, which, naturally I had to take to yet another window to trade for a wristband.  Whatever - it was still a definite improvement to the days of printing, don't you think?  Especially since I couldn't seem to find the power cord to my printer and was stressing about what to do...  An aside - how much longer until we simply have chips implanted and scan-able? 

a beautiful June evening

this looked fun until the person lost a shoe...bummer

barefoot as usual, Franti

I don't know how many shows, much less "Festivals" you all attend in a year, but I find that there are less and less compelling reasons to go concerts.  I mean, I've seen almost everyone I'm interested in seeing, at this point in time.  I would like to see Adele and I will always see U2 when the opportunity presents, but these days, it's all about the chance to hang out with my friends.  In all honesty, the music is secondary to the laughter we share when we get together.  And, to be able to say that after 30+ years of friendship, is a genuine privilege. 

Government Mule

So, the was music great - Michael Franti put on his trademark upbeat, yet politically aware, show - and it didn't even rain.  He had the hillside audience on their feet the entire set and he created a positive vibe that, for me, contrasted strongly with the next performers, Government Mule.  I've seen Govt Mule before and enjoyed them, but on Saturday I was feeling pretty buoyant and they kind of dragged me down a bit with their weightiness.  I just wasn't feeling it and I had an hour drive to contend with, solo.  I bid farewell to my friends (see you at Treetops to Rooftops!) and headed north.  Satiated by the music, the excellent chicken pita wrap, and a few hours with my besties. 

First Friday

I have a confession - I almost always forget to attend First Friday.  It isn't that I'm uninterested or lacking in a calendar, it's just that by Friday evening I usually feel a little brain dead and, if I go directly home after work, often, I don't leave again.  I had, however, received an email last week from The Albany Art Room promoting the opening of a show called "Hackett Blooms" and I was intrigued.  60 works, created by Hackett students under the instruction of two art teachers, Sandy Smith and Dan O'Brien, would be on display and I was determined to get there.  And just look at the beauty below...

 

I wish there had been more time (always, more time!) to explore more of the offerings, but I am so happy that I got to see the gorgeous work produced by Albany's very own middle schoolers.  The show is up until 6/12, so get there. 

I'd love to think that this First Friday is a mere precursor to many more First Fridays in my future.  If I could  replicate the sunny weather and the company I enjoyed last Friday, each month, I would be a very happy girl. 

Sausage Fest 2011!!

A few weeks ago, I got to thinking that I should host my first solo event at Chez Silvia.  The Memorial Day holiday provided the perfect opportunity to gather friends together to celebrate the arrival of summer while also memorializing the events of the past - perfect. As I considered the invite list and the menu, some latent irreverence kicked in and I decided that all women, all sausage, was the way to go and thus, Sausage Fest 2011 was born.  Honestly, it was my easiest birth ever and completely lacked the post-partum ickiness that no one ever tells a woman about anyway.

Troy Farmer's Market bounty



While the star of the grill may have been the medley of sausages, veggies were well represented also.  These beautiful examples came from the farmer's market and were brushed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper and then lightly grilled. 



Sausagepalooza!

The sausage were a mix of Italian hot and sweet (hot Italians are, truth be told, a personal weakness), chorizo, andouille and two varieties of chicken.  I think the chorizo may have been my favorite, but all were enjoyable.

cold wine for a hot day



Pretty table, right?  The bucket of flowers came from Lisa's garden downstate and they were magnificent.  I baked a couple of loaves of bread in the morning and, thanks to thoughtful guests and another indulgent expedition to Empire, there was plenty of wine.  I made a salad  of Asian greens with a mustard vinaigrette and fresh corn, a potato salad garnished with chive flowers and tossed together a big bowl of arugula with lemon, olive oil and shaved Asiago.  Mary Lynn contributed a delicious orzo and feta salad which rounded things out perfectly.

salad three ways: Asian greens, potato , orzo and feta

Despite popular belief and false assumptions, this was not a male bashing event.  It was just some women getting together to enjoy good food, conversation and a gorgeous evening on my deck.  Don't take it personally, guys, none of you were  grilled in effigy, after all. I'd be lying if I said we didn't take a cheap shot or two, but the day was much more about having a good time and looking ahead to the future than it was about denigrating males.  Trust me, I'll always be a guys' girl, but it's nice to have a group of interesting, eclectic female friends to share sausage, memories and wisdom with.    Minced meat in a casing has got nothing on that.

Lori and Kerry

Mary Lynn and Lisa

Becky and Kaaren

me and Donna

Falvo's Meats

If neither time nor money were obstacles, there are a few things I would do differently in terms of indulgence.  I would insist upon having fresh flowers in my home - always.  Nothing fancy, not necessarily a fresh bouquet every day, but I would like there to be flowers in my dining room, bedroom and bathroom.  I also have a thing for clean sheets and would love for my bedding to be laundered daily - heck, I'd settle for just having a clothesline to hang the stuff out on to freshen it up. 

As summer approaches, and my schedule gets a little lighter, I have the luxury of time, which allows me the opportunity to visit smaller specialty purveyors and markets.  Memorial Day weekend provided the perfect excuse for me to go to both the Troy Farmer's Market and to Falvo's Meats out in Slingerlands - two very satisfying shopping expeditions which I hope to include in my regular summer shopping circuit.  Who says women don't like to hunt and gather? 

yep, 5 lbs o'bacon.

Have you been to Falvo's?  It's a lovely drive out New Scotland Avenue to 85A and you're there.  Not too far, yet beautifully rural at the same time.  They advertise in the Times Union and I think their sales pricing is pretty competitive.  I was on a mission to accumulate sausage and they make their own chorizo, andouille and Italian varieties, in house.  They also have really good bacon and often sell it for less than $4 a lb, if you are willing to buy a minimum of 3 lbs.  A three pound minimum on bacon - uh, yeah, sign me up!  And the best part (aside from the deliciousness that is bacon) is the fact that I was able to get my 5 lbs of bacon wrapped in a way that suited my household's eating habits - four 3/4 lb packages for me and 2 1 lb packages for the boys to eat at their Dad's house.  An argument could be made that Falvo's helps to facilitate shared custody arrangements...

lots of meat

All told, I walked with a hefty bag of bacon, numerous pounds of various sausage and about 3.5 lbs of sirloin steak for grilling for less than $60.  The beef had a lovely color, full flavor and a thick edge of fat that grilled up beautifully.  I found the Italian sausage to be a little dry after grilling, but that may have been more a function of the gwui (grilling while under the influence) than the fault of the sausage.  I tossed some in the freezer and I'll try to remember to cook those with a little more care and perhaps a little less wine. And the bacon?  As always, it broiled up nicely in the oven and there wasn't a speck left. 

Giving it away...

image from fly92.com

My friend, Will, made a couple of tickets to this Saturday's Summer Jam available to me and I'd like to give the pair of tickets to you.  Gates open at noon, June 4th and the show is expected to wrap up at about 7 pm.  Performers include Big Time Rush, Jason Derulo, Vanilla Ice (!), The Ready Set, and Runner Runner.  I imagine that Fly 92.3 listeners are familiar with most of these performers and the weather forecast looks perfect for a day in the sun at the beautiful Saratoga Performing Arts Center.  I'll be at Mountain Jam down at Hunter, otherwise I might have ventured to Saratoga myself - my loss is your gain.

If you're interested in having these free tickets, leave me your best (made up)word beginning with DelSo. 

Example:  DelSolo, DelSoiree, DelSooverit...

Be creative.  Make me laugh and the tickets are yours - this is completely subjective! Contest open until Thursday, 6/2 at 8 pm.