Last Wednesday, while driving back from an appointment in New York City, I checked my phone messages. Yes, I used a hands-free device, they do make such items for a BlackBerry 7803e phone. And yes, I’m still rocking the same BlackBerry that I’ve had for the past four years, it still makes calls and there’s no reason to replace it at this time.
Let’s see, call from Micheal Ray Richardson, wanting to talk to me about his new job with the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada – nice.
“Mr. Miller, my name is Brenda Mangan, I’m calling from the Albany City School District regarding your induction into the Albany City School District Hall of Fame this year…”
I better take this call. Scuse me for a second.
For those who are new to this blog, let me recap. On October 14th I, along with seven others, will be inducted into the Albany City School District Class of 2011 Hall of Fame, with a banquet dinner at the Polish Community Center on Washington Avenue Extension. The next day, we will be honored again at Bleecker Stadium, at the Albany High School football game against Gloversville. And I have sent in my reservations for tickets – my daughter Cassaundra’s coming in from Seattle to see her old man get inducted, so that’s a plus right there.
I called Ms. Mangan back.
“We have banners for Albany High and for Philip Schuyler High School that we hang at the induction ceremonies,” she told me. “But we don’t have one for Street Academy, and we’d like to know if you can provide us with some information. We need your school colors, we also need your school mascot and athletics team name.”
Wow. We get a banner. That’s another step in acknowledging that my school WAS part of the Albany City School District.
But what to put on the banner?
First, I thanked Ms. Mangan for calling me regarding the banner. I mentioned that both school names – Street Academy of Albany and Harriet Gibbons High School – should be listed on the banner, as well as the years of operation (1970-1992 Street Academy, 1992-2010 Harriet Gibbons High School). Street Academy really didn’t have a team mascot, but I do recall the logo of a hand holding a lit torch being used on our school paraphernalia, so I suggested they use that.
And as for our sports team name… HGHS used the name “Falcons,” but that was in conjunction with Albany High School. And the only sports team we had at Street Academy was a basketball team, which was known as the “Streakers.” I kid you not. I even wrote a blog post about it.
Rather than put two team names on there – one being shared with Albany High and another with a current connotation of naked track and field – I suggested that Ms. Mangan use the Street Academy’s school motto, the same one that was printed on our diplomas, as “Knowledge – Freedom – Brotherhood.”
She agreed.
So if all goes well, when the inductions take place, I’ll see three banners hanging on stage. A banner for Albany High School’s six inductees, a banner for Philip Schuyler’s inductee this year (Times Union cartoonist Hy Rosen), and a banner for my school.
Counting down the days. This is definitely something special.
Chuck The Writer 
You forgot to mention your school colors – and where is the snarky comment from D357 about this whole induction thing – I expected him to at least start some silliness over it!!!
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I actually suggested the HGHS colors of green and white.
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Ooo-la-la…a banner! Let’s hope it 100% pure vinyl! Good thing you made reservations for Bleecker…I predict a sellout crowd if everyone who knows you shows up to boo.
And I forget…WHO nominated you for this prestigious honor?
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PS – I hope your appointment in NYC wasn’t another Charlie Brown kicking a football attempt at getting on Who Wants To be A Millionaire.
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And only semi-snarky!
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Still using the same tired old material, D-minus? Next, you’ll be pulling out that wrinkled, torn up old map of South America. But even so–Chuck’s 10,000,000 times better than a sicko who makes jokes about sexual assault.
I hereby request that you go back into hiding and remain there permanently.
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And there’s my wrinkled, torn up old #1 fan with something to say besides “We love you, Chuck”. Sorry, but this comment section has been too quiet for too long and someone must have said my name backwards three times.
Request denied.
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D357 – personal attacks are not nice – just sayin’!
I personally don’t care how Mr. Miller got nominated to the Hall of Fame, he deserves it – and eventually the Millionaire staff will realize what a gem he is and he will be on their show!!
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Given enough rope, you’ll eventually hang yourself, D-minus.
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@CAK – If you’re referring to my being called “a sicko” or “D-Minus” for my comment on the so-called “sexual assault” post, even though that post smelled like at least 50% BS, I agree that personal attacks are not nice. That commenter has a history of personal attacks on me and even on my family…I really don’t mind because it’s the only time she says anything remotely interesting. When Chuck was called a “drama queen” for being concerned about his daughter shipping overseas she had NOTHING to say. That shows me what kind of person she is…despicable.
God bless our young men and women serving overseas.
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Personal attacks from any direction aren’t nice – although I was referring to yours here today. I for one didn’t comment to the drama queen poster because I believe if you don’t have anything nice (or constructive) to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.
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Let’s review:
Post #1 asks for a snarky comment from me…even though I haven’t posted anything in quite some time.
Post #5 complains I wasn’t snarky enough.
Post #6 is an unprovoked personal attack on me by another commenter.
Post #11 Finally…the verdict is in…and I’M the one who’s not nice.
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D357: Calm down. As of today, I’m off of your back. Make all of the tasteless, cruel remarks you want. Chuck’s really in the driver’s seat here, and if he takes your crap that’s his problem.
To tell you the truth, I’m waiting for Chuck to address your accusation that his post about the attempted sexual assault is partially fabricated.
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Roz – it happened. It really happened. If people don’t want to believe that it happened, that’s their choice. But it did happen. Plain and simple.
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D357 – Sweetie, I didn’t say you weren’t nice, I said personal attacks weren’t nice. I find your comments amusing, if rather predictable. And I agree with Roz – if Chuck allows you to post, who are we to say otherwise! In fact, I did encourage (ask, challenge, dare etc) you to post, and will continue to do so.
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@14 – I believe something happened, you went back to some drunk guy’s apartment, he grabbed at your junk and you left. You weren’t little Cub Scout Chuckie…you were 18 or 19 year old legal adult Chuck, a graduate of the toughest HS in Albany and a veteran of numerous fights (all according to you).
But then you went home and cried in a corner of the basement for a few hours…and then cried and scrubbed yourself in the shower for another hour…why?…that makes for a real sympathy-grabber of a blog post but it sounds to me like somebody’s been watching too many Lifetime movies.
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@13 – I missed you, too.
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