Downtown Albany May 27, 2010

We’ve decided to post a description of the most recent night out and work our way backwards to the first one. So here goes for Thursday, May 27.

CK: We had been trying our luck on Saturday nights, then moved to Friday night happy hours downtown (to not much avail) and were informed that Thursday is the night the professional crowd goes out for happy hour downtown. Of course we picked the Thursday before Memorial Day week-end, once again proving we don’t know what we’re doing.
DT: We were trying Saturday nights at first because we work so darn hard during the week that come Friday we're not our usual chipper, fascinating selves and thought it best to spare others the misery. But once we got on a roll we were able to hang in there on Fridays, even without triple doses of caffeine. So, we suffer from bad timing, but don't hold that against us.

Dale Miller
CK: The original restaurant at this location (can’t remember the name) used to be a great place to go after work . . . the patio outside was crowded with lots of interesting people. All I can say about it now is it’s a beautiful restaurant and the food is tasty and plated in a lovely way. The two times we’ve been there have been DEAD people-wise. And the bartender forced me to calculate the ratio of cranberry juice to seltzer I wanted in my drink. I don’t do math!
DT: I never even knew this place existed until a co-worker invited me to lunch (and it was a very good meal). I love what they do with oranges (decor, not food) and the bathroom is beautiful. I'm very tempted to ride the rolling ladder along the pretentious wine wall, but fortunately my companion keeps me in check. If you're like me you may miss the entrance the first few times you're there, but keep at it. All in all, if you're looking to meet people, don't bother. Come happy hour there is more staff than guests.

Franklins Tower
CK: I thought I had spied some eligible men on my way past Franklin’s to Dale Miller so we headed there. I’m attracted to nerds but the one I thought was attractive at first glance was married and had a quizzical look on his face up until the time he left. Then another prospect turned out to be height challenged when he got off the high chair at the high table. We did see Red again; he’s always good for a laugh (at him).
DT: After one drink at Dale Millers we head down the hill to Franklin's Tower where the outside tables offer a nice view of SUNY Plaza and all sorts strolling by. Pleased with the service from a very affable and attentive young waiter (hope my companion tipped him accordingly). Lots of folks out at the tables enjoying a very warm spring day, whom appear to be in the age group we find interesting, unfortunately most of the men wearing wedding rings.

Yono’s
CK: We went to Yono’s looking for our friend the bartender/private dick. He wasn’t working but did respond to a text message confirming that he does still work there. Yono’s would be great if I were looking to meet female friends in their 50s and 60s. But since that’s not my primary target, I may not go back to Yono’s unless its Mon-Wed and our bartender friend is there.
DT: Yes, back up the hill to Yono's, where a few minutes can be well spent watching the handsome waiters in their dark suits. The service however was unjustifiably slow and we had to ask for snacks!

Bayou Café
CK: After the elegance and sophistication of Dale Miller and Yono’s, the Bayou was a welcome respite. The barstools are falling apart, the hand dryers in the bathrooms are circa 1980 and you can freely say “fuck” all you want. We met a gorgeous man, got his cell number and planned to hook up with him when he got off work at 12 or possibly same time next week (generally men can’t distinguish one of us from the other at first, which is fine – we decide who wants the guy more). We played darts (DT won 3 out of 3), my sister arrived for her Thursday karaoke gig and because the place was almost completely empty, we sang such hits as “Theme from The Jefferson’s,” and “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.” Had a bit of an incident with the bartender when I poured DT’s surreptitious second manhattan into his clean ice so she’d be in shape to meet D but a $20 tip should allow me to go back another time! Loved the Bayou.
DT: Loved it too, and not just because I won 3 out of 3 in darts! Let's give a shout out to the door\man (or is it bouncer?) and the karaoke dj (is that what they're called) who, not only because we were three of only five people left in the bar, were very attentive and fun to chat with. And let's not forget B the bartender who came up with Springsteen upon request and hopefully forgives us for the tough spot we put him in when CK forbade him from giving me another drink and I ordered him to do the same. Thus ensued her pouring it out in his clean ice. And hey CK, does that mean I wanted D more? Conclusion: highly recommended.

No, Welcome to Our Blog: A Slightly Different Twist

Our blog is actually for any of you more "mature" adults out there interested in meeting other interesting people - for befriending, dating, chatting up, etc. (that parts up to you) - and/or listening to some decent music (non-jazz) in fairly hygienic and safe environment. We're here to save you the pain we've encountered. We may actually decide at some point to branch into giving hopeless pathetic men some advice, again to spare them and other women the pain they would otherwise create or experience.

Welcome to our blog

Welcome to the new blog "Not Dead Yet." For the past two months, my friend D and I have attempted to re-enter the dating scene in Albany, New York. We are in our late 40s, both divorced and our kids are getting old enough that they don't need our constant attention.

We will go back to the beginning and post a description of the places we've been, the people we've met and the prospects for women like us in Albany. The idea is to save others from some of the mistakes we've made!

If you have suggestions for places we should visit, please comment! We especially need help figuring out what nights are the best for particular bars and clubs. This is not as easy as it sounds and we don't recommend trying this at home!!!!