Drawing: Tickets for Lewis Black at The Palace
Drawing's closed!
Comedian Lewis Black will be at The Palace October 16 for a stand-up show. We have a pair of tickets for the show -- and we're giving them away. Maybe to you.
Black is known for, let's say, getting very agitated about things. (Even his bobblehead is upset.) So, to enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:
What's something in the Capital Region that gets you agitated or fired up?
You can interpret agitated and fired up however you'd like. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) We'll draw one winner at random.
The show at The Palace is at 8 pm on Thursday, October 16. Tickets are $29.50.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 5 pm on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 am on Wednesday and must respond by noon on Thursday, October 9.
Earlier on AOA: Lewis Black on Albany
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Comments
The fact that everyone runs red lights in the city and these red-light cameras that they are thinking of putting in will do nothing to stop it. Maybe people should just be pulled over by cops when they run red lights.
... said bryan on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:16 AM | link
The use of the designation "Smallbany" and the chip we carry when we call our home Smallbany. The area is changing and growing every day - with companies choosing to build headquarters and manufacturing sites in town; retailers opening (Whole Foods) or reopening (Lord and Taylor) sites here to serve the growing population; and strong education opportunities (Nanotechnology Center). We are the capital of the most powerful State in the Union - we need to stop acting like the ugly step-sister.
... said Karenza on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:21 AM | link
Today's my birthday, so Albany should either name my block for me, or proclaim this day in my honor!
How's that AOA?
... said mg on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:24 AM | link
Cuomo.
... said ace on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:25 AM | link
I work on Central Ave, right by Westgate and there is nothing that I hate more than these jerks that neglect to use the crosswalks to cross the street, but then get mad at me when they walk in front of me, in the middle of the street, and I beep. And now I'm hearing they're going to be putting more crosswalks to try to help with this issue. If people aren't using them now, what makes you think that they will use them if there are more available?
... said Melissa on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:27 AM | link
Bicyclist riding the wrong way on a 1-way street. Stop giving us all a bad name!
... said OKW on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:30 AM | link
Nothing agitates me more than my Capital Region purchased and installed washing machine. And don't even get me started on my water heater, I'll just get fired up.
... said BP on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:33 AM | link
Lack of good bike lanes.
... said Laura on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:37 AM | link
By the endless construction on highways and bridges in the area. Just finish the construction projects already . . .
... said Jordan B on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:37 AM | link
People who ride their bikes on the sidewalk. I don't get hazard pay for walking to work, but I think the State should consider it, with how many times I've almost been killed by a grown man who thinks its ok to attempt to break the land speed record while two wheeling it down a sidewalk full of pedestrians. Nobody seems to be stopping these menaces (seriously, a crossing guard only rolled her eyes as I after got creamed this morning), so maybe I just start carrying a walking stick which "accidentally" gets tangled up in their spokes as they fly by.
... said Trish on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:38 AM | link
The drivers. Pretty much all of them.
... said JayK on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:43 AM | link
I can't stand when drivers think they are being nice and letting you out into traffic while holding up multiple cars!! It isn't safe, thanks for be polite, but just go ahead and I will wait!
... said Alan on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:46 AM | link
787 keeping us from creating a vibrant waterfront.
... said nan on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:47 AM | link
Total disregard for stoplights. Also agree with OKW on wrong-way bicycles.
... said Ed on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:50 AM | link
The statement that Albany is somehow different from other cities and survey after survey is done to find out what could make Albany more vibrant of a city. There is so little activity downtown on S Pearl and the Plaza. Most of the time this city feels abandoned. These areas should be filled with people and businesses. Satatoga and Troy are vibrant and attracting businesses. Put people and affordable living spaces in the city and it will thrive. It's that easy- the only way Albany is different from other neighboring cities is lack of common sense and the belief among many that we are such a unique city we have to do another survey/research project to learn what the city needs.
... said Osuperman on Oct 6, 2014 at 11:59 AM | link
Protesters whose time could be better spent helping their communities rather than pushing their views on it. (I'm looking at you, men all over the age of 50 who protest at the Planned Parenthood on State in Schenectady).
... said LM on Oct 6, 2014 at 12:00 PM | link
Horrible drivers that block the road at stop lights or in bad traffic.
Not paying attention to if theres enough room or not. Happens all the time at the end of our road...and also @ intersection of wolf/albany shaker and albany shaker & northway.
>:-(
... said mark on Oct 6, 2014 at 12:00 PM | link
The cost of living in Albany! Every year it gets harder to find a place that is affordable and not in a horrible neighbourhood. If they want young professionals then maybe they should charge over1000 dollars a month for a basement studio apartment with nothing included! So many people are in their 30s and still living with roommates because of the jacked up prices!
... said Jen on Oct 6, 2014 at 12:44 PM | link
wamc is ridiculous and awful. the fund drive is obnoxiously long and inconsiderate and could be better worked around programming (see vpr's model), especially if the station was willing to scale down and focus on more localized news.
... said chrislane on Oct 6, 2014 at 12:44 PM | link
We need far more (and better) bike lanes.
... said jim on Oct 6, 2014 at 12:59 PM | link
When drivers are texting while driving, and a cop is right next to them and does nothing! They're probably looking at their phones, too.
... said Erin on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:07 PM | link
Giant highway bridges ruining the entire Albany waterfront.
... said Mike Bellack on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:17 PM | link
For starters- the law that prevents me from having my very own backyard chicken hens- on MY property that I pay nearly 9k/year in property taxes for. Disrespectful dog owners who do not clean up their dog's buisness! The trashy mess our dept of general services leaves behind after trash pick up. This I believe is enough to be grouchy about today.
... said michelle on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:25 PM | link
Albany is a great place to learn, get involved in and discuss all matters politik. It is also a very diverse and accepting city. It has a superior quality of life. And it is growing... And that should get everyone fired up!
... said JoeA on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:27 PM | link
Noise from an unnamed downtown establishment that made me move away from my gorgeous apartment!
... said Jack C on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:31 PM | link
the long and brutal impending winter
... said julie on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:35 PM | link
What's something in the Capital Region that gets you agitated: I-87 Northway during RUSH HOUR!!! Ughhhhh! I just want to get home!
... said Kelly on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:38 PM | link
What gets me agitated are the repeated every-traffic-light stops along Western Avenue in Albany. Certainly there is a technology upgrade than can be made there
... said DEN on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:41 PM | link
The fact that people from far away don't know where it is, so when they ask where I'm from I say "New York, but not New York City" and they wonder why I even brought up New York at all if I don't live there.
... said Craig Patik on Oct 6, 2014 at 1:56 PM | link
...panhandlers and "homeless" people that shake down myself and other hard-working people on the streets of downtown Albany.
... said hard worker on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM | link
Damn' kids at the armory. I want to throw my walker at them.
... said -S on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:00 PM | link
Exit 3 traffic
... said tim on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:12 PM | link
Rush hour traffic! I'm sure lots of places have it worse, but I'm from the backwoods and I'm not used to the stop and go.
... said Jenn on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:28 PM | link
The roads are terrible!!
... said Adam on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:35 PM | link
People littering
... said Jeff M on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:44 PM | link
The bus station
... said Sue on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:46 PM | link
The lack of business in downtown Albany
... said Matthew on Oct 6, 2014 at 2:51 PM | link
The fact that I have gone to Wolff's four years in a row for a birthday boot but only found out this year that you can do a flight of Bombers -> Olde English Pub -> Wolff's and get a shirt. I don't have a Saturday birthday (only day I'd try that) for another four years.
... said Mike on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:08 PM | link
787.
Traffic in Colonie.
... said bb on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:08 PM | link
The lack of people using a freaking turn signal. I just don't get how these people don't have the common courtesy to lift their ham hock arms up a few inches to flip the directional. I'm getting all worked up just thinking about it!
And along those same lines- how about using those emergency hazards if you're double-parked? I love how people think they're entitled to just double park and wait on a busy street without using their hazards.
So many drivers around here just don't give a damn about the rules. Rules? Those are for the other guy, definitely not me!
Blood... pressure... rising...
... said Bacon is my Master on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:29 PM | link
endless highway construction… i know people need jobs, but c'mon!
... said VA on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:30 PM | link
when driving into work through downtown I have found that NO ONE seems to think that obeying traffic signals matters. People walk RIGHT OUT in the middle of the street, paying no attetion to those who are most likely rushing to their jobs, with screaming kids. The ones that walk slow when the light is green make my blood boil...Sometimes I have to go the around-a-bout way as to not have a crazy desire to run people over...ok, rant over :)
... said albanyamd on Oct 6, 2014 at 3:58 PM | link
Where are the good Deli's? I want a decent turkey sandwich on a hard roll!
... said Patrick on Oct 6, 2014 at 4:05 PM | link
Politicians! They are all dirty scumbags!
... said Ron on Oct 6, 2014 at 4:21 PM | link
Lately, the Patroon Island bridge construction and the ensuing traffic woes cause me serious agitate!!
(Patrick, Pellegrinos on Route 4 in North Greenbush - fabulous fresh deli sandwiches)
... said seg on Oct 6, 2014 at 4:25 PM | link
That we still don't have any real good Korean restaurants (save for 1 in Latham) and no Ethiopian restaurants.
Come on now.
... said Josh K. on Oct 6, 2014 at 4:52 PM | link
People who dump on Albany/Saratoga/Clifton Park/etc. This is actually a great place, and there are much worse places to live. And even those allegedly awesome other places have their downfalls -- they're not perfect.
... said KB @ Home-Baked Happiness on Oct 6, 2014 at 7:06 PM | link
The narrow streets of Rensselaer.
... said Shaun on Oct 6, 2014 at 7:38 PM | link
When people act like everyone else in their way.
... said A on Oct 6, 2014 at 8:12 PM | link
I get agitated about paying for parking in downtown Albany and downtown Troy.
... said Rich R on Oct 6, 2014 at 8:19 PM | link
Racism, crime, poverty, Clifton Park. I could actually live with the racism and the crime and the poverty, though.
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Oct 6, 2014 at 8:19 PM | link
People talking or using cell phones during plays, concerts and movies agitates me.
... said Michelle on Oct 6, 2014 at 8:21 PM | link
The lack of optimism. The wealth of people willing to shout down a new idea. The ridiculous segregation by race and class. The Democratic Party (I say this as a Democrat). The way artists have to fight to be heard or seen in the city. The way Quintessence will be destroyed to make way for medical offices.
What gets me fired up is Albany's potential. And how it is being mismanaged.
... said Justin Mikulka on Oct 6, 2014 at 8:51 PM | link
The fact that drivers around the region refuse to zipper merge properly. As soon as a the sign for a lane closure is visible, drivers around here start moving over into the through-lane, leaving the closing lane EMPTY for thousands of feet, and forcing the traffic to backup vastly longer than it has to be. Then, they get annoyed and hostile to me, because I continue to drive in the merging lane up until the merge point. Zipper merging at the merge point is the most effective use of space, and minimizes the traffic backup - but so few people here do it!
... said Tanya T. on Oct 6, 2014 at 9:52 PM | link
The lack of bike lanes and calling sharrows bike infrastructure!!
... said Kyle Simpson on Oct 6, 2014 at 10:17 PM | link
I think I am most agitated by LACK OF PARKING IN ALBANY. GAHH
... said Kelly on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:09 AM | link
With the diversity of our communities here in the capital region, it bugs me that we still don't have many franchise restaurants found elsewhere throughout the country: In-And-Out Burger, Sonic, Waffle House, etc. (I'm glad we don't have a homophobic Chick-Fil-A, however! haha)
... said Timothy Ruppert on Oct 7, 2014 at 9:38 AM | link
Red lights! Every tenth of a mile it seems there are traffic lights, even for intersections that don't really need them. How about we replace every red light with a roundabout?
... said Al M on Oct 7, 2014 at 10:28 AM | link
The old "tag and tow," when the city puts "No Parking" signs up in the wee hours of the morning and then tows your car a few minutes after posting.
... said E on Oct 7, 2014 at 10:39 AM | link
slow people in the left lane, particularly on the northway.
... said jim on Oct 7, 2014 at 10:55 AM | link
Rush hour traffic on Fridays!
... said Laurel on Oct 7, 2014 at 11:09 AM | link
That we still dont have a medium sized concert hall...
... said mo on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:04 PM | link
The giant f*cking pothole-farm that is the intersection of 787 & 32 in Cohoes! I drive through there every day, and no matter how many times they patch the damn thing, it seemingly only gets worse. When the rebuild the Cohoes-Waterford bridge, they should dig up that section of the road and transplant it to the new Huck Finn's Playland and create a ride around it called The Suspension Destroyer. The kids would love it!
... said Slacker on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:11 PM | link
Driving on central ave !!!! The pothholes!!!
... said Chris on Oct 7, 2014 at 12:44 PM | link
Albany Bldg Code Dept wouldn't send anyone to inspect a foundation that an inspector (hired by potential buyer) had said violated Code.
Shared metering law doesn't consider outlet locks as securing control of washer/dryer use, requires lockable cages/rooms around the appliances in the basement for each tenant.
... said Nina on Oct 7, 2014 at 1:00 PM | link
When drivers don't respect cyclists! Share the road.
... said j on Oct 7, 2014 at 1:10 PM | link
The lack of clean and safe cab/taxi options - sometimes I think the some of the cab drivers I have encountered were drunker than I am.
... said WWitz on Oct 7, 2014 at 1:11 PM | link
Throwing cigarettes out car windows
... said Rich on Oct 7, 2014 at 2:39 PM | link
Hahaha Cuomo is hard to beat BUT I'd say: the fact that they cannot seem to clear snow for DAYS and also that they enforce shoveling/de-icing against residents but not businesses, make many people's walks to work or to one of the few establishments left on Lark Street treacherous.
OR the BZA and Albany Historical Preservation (whatever it's called) refusing to let progress happen in terms of new businesses/changing the appearance of a home to make it energy efficient (even if you can afford a mortgage/the taxes here your heating bill will be $400/mo for a house that's just warm enough for the pipes not to freeze).
Don't expect downtown to prosper when you get in the way of people's lives being convenient--that's why people live in a city-so they can walk places. Let us walk! And let us have places to walk to! And incentivize families to buy houses, not slumlords!
I couldn't pick one thing, so in true Lewis Black form, I ranted.
... said becca on Oct 7, 2014 at 2:50 PM | link
Duffy's taxi... it's 3 o'clock in the morning, why must you be so loud?
... said jennifer on Oct 7, 2014 at 3:05 PM | link
The political corruption around here is so blatant that even I can uncover illegal activities. These politicos sleep soundly at night and I'm agitated. Is that fair?
... said laura on Oct 7, 2014 at 3:43 PM | link