Category Archives: Albany

There’s nothing more magnificent than the gift of touch. Having come to the massage table late in the game, it is now a vital (and supremely enjoyable) part of my life. Though I’ve painted my spa experiences as glamorous jaunts there are more reasonable options available, and when done correctly they are as transformative as the most spiritual retreat you can find. One of those local Albany treasures has a set of talented hands to offer just such a moving experience: Robert John Bowers and his Bodyworks massage enterprise. Located conveniently at 8 Nolan Road, just off Central Avenue in Colonie, Bowers offers a variety of massage techniques and sessions.

“My therapeutic modalities include Swedish, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral and Lomi- Lomi customized by you and for you as I get to know your body and its specific needs. It’s fun and useful to experience one or more of these techniques in finding which one is best for you. For athletes—both amateur and professional, Sports massage can promote flexibility, reduce fatigue, improve endurance and prepare the body and mind for optimal performance. My bodywork also incorporates stretching throughout the session; its goal to relax the muscles, improve blood flow and circulation which will invariably lead to increased flexibility.

Sessions are tailored to your needs and budget—a minimum of one hour is recommended and I have clients who indulge in up to 150 minutes of massage therapy on a weekly basis. There are cost-saving multi-massage packages available and custom-designed gift certificates for any occasion.

In addition to offering high quality massage therapy, upon request I can provide facials, aroma wraps, body scrubs and salt glows—spa treatments that offer a relaxing, refreshing, revitalizing sense of balance and well-being—all designed to make you look and feel better—thus reducing stress to body and soul.”

I’ve done my fair share of yoga over the years, and my favorite part has always been that relaxation bit at the end of it all. A good massage is like that moment – minus all the work and exertion that came before. At this time of the year, when stress can creep up on the most organized and well-planned among us, a massage is the perfect antidote. It also makes a wonderful gift for someone who needs a break – and we all know a few of those souls who give and give but rarely enjoy anything for themselves.

To set up an appointment, contact Bowers directly at (518) 416-3295.

 

Most of us have done it. (Not me, but I’m a stickler like that.)

Finding ourselves with an empty express lane at the grocery store, with one or two items over the limit, and going through it anyway. Not that big a deal. I’ve been behind it numerous times, and to the credit of humanity, about half the time the person will eye my one or two items and tell me to go ahead. Half the time I do, half the time I don’t – it all depends on my schedule, my mood, and my patience and understanding levels.

The other night I was in Price Chopper picking up three things and trying to get back as soon as possible (Andy was home dealing with a blood clot). I approached the 15-items-or-less line and found this woman with a full cart, and items still being scanned at the register. At first I thought maybe someone had quickly left the line and was running to retrieve something they forgot. There had to be more than one person with all these items. Nope. It was all her.

I stood there giving her the stink-eye, and she caught my gaze and gave it right back.

Oh no. Wrong story, wrong person.

I whipped out my phone and blatantly took a few photos. She caught me and I defiantly waited for her to say something. She didn’t. When her transaction was finally over and completed, she asked the cashier if he had gotten her ten-cent-off coupon. He said no, he forgot, and she said that he’d have to ring it all in again. He smiled and said she could go to customer service to get it corrected.

“Did you do that on purpose?” she asked.

Cleverly, he put a nice spin on it. “I just wanted to keep you here longer for your company.” She was skeptical and brought it to the manager on site, where she got her ten cents off. At this point the woman behind me was more riled up than I was.

I placed my three items down and asked the cashier how many items she actually had.

“About 32 or 33.”

In a 15-items-or-less line?

This is why we can’t have nice things.

The woman behind me started muttering how rude people were and how no one follows the rules anymore. I was more amused than anything that someone would so boldly abuse the express lane when two other lanes were open. I don’t mind one or two extra items, or if you count five cans of soup as one item, but a full grocery cart of 32 items? No.

And so we arrive here, on her own blog post, on the small bulletin board of public shaming where so many Price Chopper incidents end up. It’s a new world. If you see something, say something.

Yeah, we got some snow.

For the first time in my sixteen-year career, the governor closed state offices for non-essential workers.

(Yeah, I’m non-essential.)

Then when New York City and the coast didn’t get as much as anticipated, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, while those of us in the Capital District got pounded with more and more white stuff. The more that people called the storm a bust on social media, the more snow seemed to fall in Albany. In fact, as of this writing it’s still snowing here. There’s about two feet of snow on the ground now, and counting.

I took advantage of the day off to try out our new deep fryer (I made frites!) and do some cleaning for a special guest this weekend (and a dinner party tomorrow). I also read a bit, tucked into a nook of the conversation couch that looked out into the dim white blanket outside.

Andy took the photos you see here, saving me even the trouble of heading out to snap a few pics. All in all, it was a very good day.

The Hudson River reflects the glory of a January sunrise, and suddenly Downtown Albany glows with a rare and wondrous beauty. Driving down Albany-Shaker Road, on the way to work, this sight raises the spirits, and reminds me that the sun still comes up in the morning, and that there will be another summer… at least, we hope there will be. Hope must be enough for now.

The colors here last but for a few minutes. The richness of the salmon bleeds quickly away as the sun rises and brightens in the sky. All too soon, the harsh white light has faded everything around it. While I’m glad that the sun is simply out, I wish we could hold onto the saturated hues of those first moments a little bit longer.

This Friday the official party season kicks off with the Boo-jolais Wine Celebration as put on by the Alliance for Positive Health. As I mentioned before, this is one of my favorite parties of the year, and with the encouraged costume dress code, I can’t wait to see what everybody else is wearing. The completely revamped celebration takes place at the Washington Avenue Armory, and it looks to be a spooktacular delight.

Just like the Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Celebration, there will be wine tastings, food samplings from over 20 restaurants & chefs, a photo booth, and a large silent auction. We’re also very excited to announce that we’ll have live drag performances starting at 7 p.m. with Countess Sondra Rox and Grande Duchess Ivanna leading the show. We’re also going to have psychic and tarot card readings to incorporate the Halloween theme…and of course, costumes are encouraged!

The BOO-jolais Wine Celebration


Friday, October 28^th – 6 to 9 PM

Location: Washington Avenue Armory in Albany

{Be sure to check their updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or on their Event Page.}

New Time, New Place, Same Fabulousness.

The spooky season just got a lot more stylish, as the Beaujolais Wine Celebration becomes the Boo-jolais Wine Celebration, moving up a few weeks from its usual pre-holiday season time slot. The Alliance for Positive Health is shaking things up for this year’s benefit, starting with a new theme, a new date, and a new venue.

This year the celebration takes place on Friday, October 28 at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY – a grand atmosphere for the battalion of glamorous costume-clad attendees set to storm the start of Halloween weekend.

As always, this event features lots of fine wine and delicious food, supplied by a stellar assembly of Albany eateries. Perhaps most exciting this time around is the entertainment that will be on gloved hand in the form of several drag performances by two of my favorite local luminaries: Countess Sondra Rox and Grande Duchess Ivanna.

The Beaujolais Celebration is one of the highlights of my party-going year, and though they always do an impeccable job of crafting unforgettable evenings, this one looks to be reinvigorated and rejuvenated by all of the energizing changes. That includes the encouraged dress code: as this falls on the weekend before Halloween, this is a costume party. While they are not required, costumes are definitely appreciated, but if a suit and tie is your comfort zone, feel free to stay true to yourself. This is one of the most accepting and fun parties we attend, no matter what you wear, and it’s going to be extra-special this year.

Get Ready to go Boo!

The BOO-jolais Wine Celebration


Friday, October 28^th – 6 to 9 PM

Location: Washington Avenue Armory in Albany

{Be sure to check their updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or on their Event Page.}

Sometimes I rush through the day at work so distractedly that I miss the beauty that downtown Albany often affords. As we head into fall, one of the most gorgeous times of the year in upstate New York, I will endeavor to take notice of all the things that once meant so much to me.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” ~ Mark Twain

Sometimes downtown Albany can take one by surprise with its beauty.

In this case, it was a wink of enchantment after the Alice in Wonderland GLSEN Gala.

The indigo sky of dusk, the cheery light of street lamps, and the open window of a car driving straight into summer…