So, it seems that within our small Capital Region on-line community there is a bit of a hullabaloo over the yearly "Best Of" poll that the local rag (Times Union) conducts. As with any large, provincial, suburban periodical possessed of a relatively wide distribution over the range of social/age groups you tend to get some funny results. Subway will win "Best Sandwich" or Domino's will win "Best Pizza," etc... This upsets many, and we have those who are all fired up and looking to change this by offering suggestions for some more local oriented, non-chain sorts of places. You can read about this over on the Fussy Blog and also Kevin Marshall's blog, should you be interested in their particular recommendations.
Would I like to see some different choices for a few of the categories? Maybe. But you know what? The Times Union poll always makes me laugh, and I like to laugh. The world is fairly ridiculous as it stands now, and it is this ridiculousness that is the source of near constant personal amusement for me. Highlighting the banal, the strange, and the ridiculous nature of how humanity currently takes its sustenance is pretty much the mission statement of my crappy little hack weblog.
Pursuant to all of this blathering, I suggest a different tack. I suggest increasing the ridiculousness of the list for the s' and g's (shits and giggles). My suggestion is to vote for McDonald's (I first thought Taco Bell in an ode to Demolition Man, but McDonald's is probably a more fitting choice) for everything. "Best Local Chinese Restaurant?" -- McDonald's. "Best Local Non-Fiction Writer?" -- McDonald's. "Favorite Local News Anchor?" -- McDonald's, etc... ad infinitum.
Of course, I am only being half serious with this proposition and don't expect it to succeed (unless of course the few fans I see coming from /ck get hold of the idea, that corner of the internet has gloriously inflicted havoc on many an online poll). My main point is that it is not that I don't get where others are coming from with their ideas. It is just that I just can't bring myself to take the issue very seriously.
Wow, this is another one of my "get off my lawn," cranky, belligerent, rapscallion, anti-social kind of posts now isn't it? I will have to ask the wife if that facet of my personality is part of my charm.
I am assuming that you would, or course, ask us to vote for one specific McDonald's (a la Fussy) not the chain as a whole, which would give them an unfair advantage. More importantly, we await your wife's ruling on your charm. Or not.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. You are right. Now I need my own "Best McDonald's in the Capital Region" poll. That pretty much negates my anti-poll stance. This was a horribly thought out adventure.
DeleteYou need no such thing. There is only one McDonald's in the Capital Region for you, and that is this one on Central Avenue. If you want banal, strange and ridiculous, there is no need to look further than here.
Deletehttp://www.yelp.com/biz/mcdonalds-albany-2#hrid:_MWsQFxUNJEA5XZhUPa2Cw
I'm lovin' it. But I suggest:
ReplyDeleteAll food categories: McDonald's
All retail categories: Wal-Mart
All people categories: Glenn Beck
It would be glorious.
I love this.
ReplyDeleteLove what Daniel does but I am with you on not giving a crap about the TU poll. It's utterly inconsequential in my world and I don't really think it matters all that much.
I guess I'm down with cranky, belligerent, and anti-social. I won't ask my boyfriend to weigh in on my tendencies towards any of them though.
Did you overlook rapscallion, or was that a deliberate omission? I like rapscallion.
DeleteBa da da da da, I'm lovin it! Count me in! This is eminently preferable to the loudmouth narcissistic self-absorbed version!
ReplyDeleteROFL That would be FUN!
ReplyDelete(Oh -- and in my family, we call S & Gs "shiggles". It's really fun to say.)
Favorite Stewarts ice cream flavor on a Wednesday?
ReplyDeleteFavorite Cumby's roller dogs?
C'mon, we really need to elevate the perception that people from away would have on the Capital Region. It's our duty, nay... our honor... to elevate the TURP in the age when people are more likely to use Yelp!, Urbanspoon or even Metrolands listing and ratings of restaurants. It's time to fix what isn't broke--nor what will ever be SF--and to break the charm of what has been because the ex-ad man tells us we should.
"The Metroland poll is underway, so there is no changing that ballot. That said, there is a spot at the very end for write-in votes for categories the paper forgot. You could reach out to your supporters and ask for that write in."
ReplyDeleteFLB facebookpage
Stop trying to change everything, Daniel. If you have such a deep rooted issue with life and choice in the Capital Region, then make your own ballot and publish it on your own website. Maybe you can sell it on a lame cafe press shirt. But, stop trying to point out all that is wrong with our area when it comes to food. But, all of this may be moot. If you continue on your journey, your ego may no longer fit in the tri-city area.
Wow. I'm touched. But I would like to clear up a few points.
Delete1) The FB post was in response to a local winery owner. She was bummed that there was no Best Local Winery in either poll. For what it's worth, her's is the Hudson-Chatham Winery, and I'd say it's the best in the region.
2) I'm not trying to change everything. I completely left the Albany chicken thing alone. Really I just want to see people stop paying so much money for mediocre food.
3) Not that I think all the food is mediocre. This couldn't be further from the truth. I've been working tirelessly to point out all that is right with our area when it comes to food. Please see Exhibit A --> http://alloveralbany.com/features/eat-this/
4) I hate my cafe press shirts too. I'm just too busy writing about the best food in the region to dedicate the time to improve them. But thank you for noticing.
I like the idea too, but like Daniel B's effort, I'm afraid it will just be an inconsequential drop in the bucket. Maybe a small group of computer savvy people could gang up and write something to stuff the ballots electronically. The TU Best-Of will neither be useful, nor fun, it will just be mediocre, for ever.
ReplyDeleteOr a small group of computer-savvy people could SEO the shit out of a better poll of their own making...
DeleteI actually have to vote for the McDonald Wolf Rd. They have a fireplace. Plus how are you not saying Mr. Subb for submarine sandwiches?
ReplyDelete