Do you pass the Hudson River on a daily basis? Do you enjoy Guptill's ice cream? How about Stewart's ice cream? Do you have a strange obsession with country music despite living in the north (or do you wonder why so many of your friends do)? Chances are, if you live in Albany's capital region, these things resonate with you, as do all those listed below. But don't just take my word for it–see for yourself.
1. SPAC is love, SPAC is life.
So DMB then?
2. You've been to a Siena basketball game.
3. You are blessed with not just one, but two shopping malls nearby.
But you're better off leaving the state if you're looking for outlet shopping (hello, Lee).
4. The St. Paddy's day parade is no Macy's Thanksgiving spectacle, but you enjoy yourself anyway.
As long as you stay far, far away from kegs and eggs.
5. Everything is huge when it comes to cars around here, right Billy Fuccillo?
I think I speak for us all when I say enough.
6. You are repulsed by anyone who would so much as stick their finger in the Hudson River.
7. You tend to favor La Salle over CBA, CBA over La Salle, or neither—but never both.
My dad went to CBA, so I'm definitely not biased.
8. Someone you know works or has worked for "the State."
9. And on that note, you're constantly reminding people that Albany is in fact the capital of New York.
Yes, you read that right. Albany—not New York City.
10. But it's OK because all your school field trips have involved trips to the city.
And that's actually something amazing that you probably took for granted (I know I did).
11. You have been to a. Grafton, b. Thatcher Park, c. Lake George, or d. all of the above.
Mutiple choice, just in case you missed those beloved Regents exams. P.S. the correct answer is D. And if it's not your answer, get on that.
12. You have also visited the Altamont Fairgrounds at some point.
And you may have bought yourself some nice greasy fair food there. And you may have licked every single finger afterward. And you may have loved it. So what?
13. *Brief moment of silence for Hoffman's Playland and Catskill Game Farm.*
Only the good die young.
14. You know it's a real snow day if Shen closes.
Hey, someone's gotta be last.
15. Valley Cats games.
...in middle school. 'Nuff said.
16. Saratoga is the little gem of our area, and we all know it.
Carly Simon knew it too. (If you don't get this reference, please stop reading this article and immediately go to iTunes and educate yourself.)
17. And of course you've been to the track.
Though God knows why since you never seem to win any money. Or is that just me?
18. Women: You understand that a 5K run once a year is a necessary evil if you want that box of Freihofer's cookies.
Men: Thanks for watching, but the cookies are still ours.
19. Tulip Fest is a ray of sunshine after long winters.
Albany can be pretty too.
20. You always appreciate when a performer manages to pronounce "Albany" right at their concerts.
Bonus points if they're foreign.
21. Albany International Airport, my butt.
If I can drive there, you're not doing me any favors (Mexico and Canada, I'm looking at you). I will wait patiently for the day when I can travel internationally overseas without a connecting flight.
22. And last but not least, it's OK—none of us really know how to spell Rensselaer.
Thanks for the help, spellcheck.
