and the picture of their student always reminds me of the “aw, not this shit again” meme.

Seen in Troy, NY.

In a private conversation… on a public train = a public conversation.

Seen in Albany NY. I never noticed this statue before.

Seen on lapp rd in Clifton Park,  NY.

Smart marketing move on the part of the Valley Cats. I didn’t realize that I would miss rowdy until I saw him at the Joe.

Meanwhile the Albany Devils web site has not changed a single bit since they got into Albany and the other 2 new AHL teams in their respective markets, The Charlotte Checkers and the Oklahoma City Barons seem to be updating their sites as often and as fast as they can. Then again, I think those two other teams did a little more then slap a website and a couple of signs that said “we’re back!” when they landed in their new markets.

So in summation. Kudos to the Valley Cats and Rowdy. Cluck of the tongue & wag of the finger to the Albany Devils.

But what got me to writing this blog post is an article in the local paper, the Times Union, Devils can’t damn Albany. Read it, it has all the same hopes of a battered wife that thinks time it will be different. This time the Devils will be different and they will be different to Albany. The author states – “Albany can’t be treated like an afterthought. Not again.”

To which i say ….Think again and get used to it. The Devils are going to use Albany for 4 years (or however long the contract with the Time Union Center is) and then be on their way. Look at how good they treated Lowell – http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_15267410 I really liked these classy parts;

“A mover asked by a Sun reporter where the items were headed simply replied, “Albany.” The team’s executive director, Chris Ciceri, was on site but refused to comment on what was going on.”

or

“UMass Lowell spokeswoman Patti McCafferty said yesterday the Devils rejected three contract proposals from the university to stay in Lowell and recently told university officials that they will likely accept a better offer elsewhere.”

Expect that to be Albany in 4 years getting the same treatment. Perhaps they will be headed to a new home in Atlantic City? Seems like they are already playing 4 games down there for next season. http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/why-are-there-only-albany-devils-36-homes-dates/5647/

The Devils treated Albany and Lowell like chewed bubble gum each time they left and while they were in town, but I know, but this time it will be different. That’s as promising as “they only treat us like this cause they love us so damned much.” (and cause we are secretly asking for it)

About the part;

“There’s a lot of difference,” the architect of three Stanley Cup winners said. “We will be in there with our complete staff. We’ll be marketing and promoting and doing everything we possibly can, as well as the hockey. So we will be in total control as to the whole operation.”

And they didn’t have that in Lowell? (I honestly don’t know, but I’m taking a guess they did) Oh I know, I heard that people in Lowell didn’t care about the Devils, they cared more about the NCAA D1 UMass River Hawks. Well that and they threw out the name of the team that the community seemed to really like as they moved in, the Lowell Lock Monsters….. that or people hate the trap and dump / chase play and given the option would rather watch another team play or paint dry.

Well good thing then they are moving to Albany and not throwing out the name river rats…oh wait they are? oh…well then at least they are the only hockey in town and people will have no choice to watch em…oh wait, we have two NCAA D1 hockey programs, RPI and Union, and another AHL team up the road…

“There’s a lot of difference,” …. yup, I feel it already, the way they slinked out of Lowell in silence and crept right back into Albany with just a press release and a couple of blog posts about it in the Time Union speaks to that whole “lot of difference” going on already.

I know, by now I sound like a rabid Devil hater and nothing could change my mind. I also hate the Flyers but I love the Adirondack Phantoms. In fact this blue bleeding Rangers fan went to well over a dozen Adirondack Phantoms games last season and even 3 viewing parties for the Philadelphia Flyers while they were in the NHL Playoffs held by the Adirondack Phantoms front office in a bunch of different locations in Glens Falls. Why? Just to support the Adirondack team.

Oh by the way, did i mention their new logo?

It looks like a stick figure of Satan with erectile dysfunction leaning over trying to catch his breath.

I know, I meandered a bit in this blog post. Did I mention I hate the Devils?

Moose removed from racetrack for trip to Adirondacks = Times Union

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The state Department of Environmental Conservation tranquilized a moose at the Saratoga Race Course today.

The female moose will be released at an undisclosed location in the Adirondacks.

DEC officers used two tranquilizer darts to immobilize the moose, then watered her down with a hose to keep her cool before moving her to a pickup trailer. They said the moose was in good health.

City police officer Ed Lewis said the first call came at 3:45 a.m. when a person reported seeing a moose crossing Broadway downtown.

A caller at 6:20 a.m. said the moose was near Siro’s restaurant near the track.

Police worked with the New York Racing Association to corral the animal within the fencing of the racecourse.

The moose waited calmly just inside the front entrance of the track on Union Avenue until it was tranquilized.

Onlookers gathered by the track to get a look at the visitor.

I’m pretty sure this falls under the “you can say it BUT DON’T PUT IT IN WRITING rule”

Shown is a memo written by Steven Raucci, facilities manager for the Schenectady City School District, to a person hired as a new department messenger

“He wanted a scenario where I was supposed to say I had just been to a self-defense class. He was supposed to respond, ‘Let’s see if you learned anything. He would be aggressive. I would have to defend myself.

“When he arrived, he took off his jacket but kept on his shirt and tie. His demeanor was nice, but I don’t remember any kissing or tenderness. He wanted to get on with the role-play. It was the first time I’d done that.

“I remember holding his wrists and him pushing back. I felt he was gauging my strength. We moved to the bed. He put his clothes neatly to the side, folding his pants. Yes, he did leave his socks on.

“I was never fully undressed. He was naked. He was perspiring a lot. He was holding me down. He pinned me to the bed. That didn’t bother me. But when he grabbed my throat, that was too much. I remember trying to push myself up off the bed, which made him apply more pressure. I’ve never been worried about my safety, but I was really concerned.

“Finally, I pushed him away and got up. He hadn’t finished. But I’d had enough. I don’t think he was planning on really hurting me. He didn’t ask if I was all right. He didn’t appear to be mad, either. Maybe he had had so many experiences with other people that he could see I didn’t know what I was doing. As he was leaving, he gave me a tip.”

via ace of spades