Name: Laura Northrup

Age: 29

Where do you live?

Pine Hills, Albany.

Why?

This neighborhood combines my favorite things about living in a city and living in a small town. There are kids riding bikes and friendly neighbors, but I can be at the Capitol in 10 minutes.

What’s your work?

I live the dream and blog for a living, at the TU and at Consumerist. com. I also work in a college library.

What’s your state worker background?

I worked as a student assistant at the state library for three years in grad school, and as a data-entry temp at another agency after that.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I knit, sew, romp in the local dog parks with my cocker spaniel, Zoe, shop thrift stores and garage sales, and bake.

High school and college? What did you study in college?

I’m a proud product of the Baldwinsville (near Syracuse) public schools. I studied English literature and French at Hamilton College near Utica, and came to Albany for a graduate degree in Information Studies (or: library science).

Why do you blog?

Well, it’s my job. But before that, I blogged to have a public record of

what I was up to at a given time, and to share cute animal pictures.

What’s the best/worst thing about blogging?

The best and worst are the same thing: the almost instantaneous torrent of feedback. This is a bad thing because there’s something about blog comments that make some people pedantic, thoughtless, and cruel.

What’s surprised you the most about blogging?

How generous people can be with their experiences. As long as they’re anonymous, of course.

Your favorite blog comment?

Too many to recount — Pass

Whose blog would you love to read?

Thomas Jefferson.

What advice would you give to other bloggers?

Pay attention to what your commenters and readers say … but don’t take too much to heart, or it will destroy you.

What’s the last book you read?

“Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets” by David Simon. Tip: do not make this book your before-bed reading.

Favorite pizza?

Broccoli and mushrooms.

I bought the an mp3 album of the latest (and first) album by Broken Bells.

Favorite local blogger?

I’ve loved reading Rob Madeo from the earliest Albany Eye days.

Favorite movie?

“Edward Scissorhands.”

Favorite dinner?

Ravioli, meatballs, and garlic bread.

Favorite place to get away from it all?

Beaver Lake Nature Center in my hometown, Baldwinsville.

Coffee or tea?

I can’t function without espresso.

Favorite ice cream?

Mint chocolate chip.

Favorite late-night snack?

Cheese and Triscuits.

Your hero?

Pass.

This probably has more to do with the general condition and atmosphere of my home at the moment, but I don’t think it changes matters. I can go days at a time without actually talking to anyone, and connections like that are what I miss.

Trade-offs, I know. Every job and every business has them. The thing is, I’m not alone. I lost my job as the entire news industry imploded, and continues to do so. (Good luck with that “business model” thing, guys.) The recession has created a lot of people like me who are starting businesses based, essentially, in their laptops.  Sometimes it’s by choice, sometimes it’s not-by-choice.

Sure, there are coffee shops, but I feel guilty loitering for long periods. I’ve started working at the public library sometimes, which is a little chaotic but overall not bad. More screaming toddlers than I would prefer in my workspace, though.

I envy cities with coworking facilities. Albany has none. What’s that? I quote:

The idea is simple: that independent professionals and those with workplace flexibility work better together than they do alone. Coworking answers the question that so many face when working from home: “Why isn’t this as fun as I thought it would be?” Beyond just creating better places to work, coworking spaces are built around the idea of community-building and sustainability.

Essentially, it’s an office where everyone comes together and works on their own business. I love the idea, and frequently whine about the absence of one here and how I would totally start one if I had any capita or any idea what the hell I was doing. I have neither.

I kicked this around with Andrew Badera on Twitter, and he blogged about it yesterday. He asks: Are there enough independent workers in the area to make this happen? Is anyone out there willing to step up and organize it?

I don’t know. Do you?

Don’t ask. I need sweaters.

I start with much Greetings to you and your whole company.Please accept my apology if i have reached a wrong contact, my name is Mr. Bennet Traylor, CEO of Bigs Restourant.I would like to know if you have any Frozen whole chicken boneless.TYpe:

1)Frozen whole chicken (boneless)
Sixe:0.800-1.500kg(dressed)
Packing:25pcs/bag
Brand:-JOMP

QTY:300 Catton

That is the type of Frozen whole chicken (boneless) that i am looking for and also i would like you to go ahead and e-mail me back with the quotes of the Frozen whole chicken (boneless).But would like that to come in as standard size.Please reply me back with the types of Payments you do accept exclude shipping so that we can go ahead and Proceed with this Order.

I would like you to advice me with your contact details..Hope hear from you and have a Nice
working day.

Best regards
Bennet.

ADDRESS:
176 Newbury St #5 Peabody
Massachusetts
01960

PHONE NUMBER:
HEARING IMPAIRED

Right now, it’s missing everything prior to 2007, since I need to track some of that material down online, and a lot of it isn’t available online at all–for free or otherwise.

Today, I made my second All Over Albany post, which doesn’t have quite as much traffic, but my photos were still met with controversy.

I’m tired of being e-famous. I think I’m going to shut up for the rest of the week.

Wait, no, writing is my job now. Onward!