That was a shout from a group of drunk college kids as they passed by Beck holding Nora at the St Patrick’s parade in Albany on Saturday. Beck had dressed Nora in the little green sweater we gave her for Christmas, along with a shamrock pacifier, so she looked very festive for the occasion, especially with her red hair. We didn’t spend the whole parade with Beck and Kevin and Nora, but stood across the street with the rowdy crowd near the now closed Pauly’s. We didn’t drink much, mostly because we didn’t bring any beer along and had to get by “on the kindness of strangers.” We caught up with Beck, Kevin, and Nora after the parade passed us by and we were able to make it across the street. That’s when we took the picture above. I love that picture – Nora looks like she’s contemplating the Irish baby comment.
We went to the Pump Station after we left the parade route where we had a late lunch and listened to the Schenectady Pipe Band as they serenaded the crowd from the private party area above. That is becoming a tradition for us, after we stumbled upon that post parade performance a couple of years ago. We had a nice time. 
I was impressed with Alex’s patience as he held Nora throughout the meal. Of course, he thought that it was fine to give her carrot sticks with chicken wing sauce on them, but otherwise he was a natural.
We went to dinner with Steve and Danielle in Saratoga much later that night and then met Amy and Leigh at the Parting Glass to see Hair of the Dog. They did a great show! They did a great version of “Sweet Caroline” that got the entire room dancing and singing along. The energy was amazing!
The rest of our weekend and our St Patrick’s day today was quiet. Alex is sick – he got my nasty flu. We stayed in and cuddled on the couch all day yesterday. Today, I had to work, but Alex met me and a few of my peeps from my department for a pint over lunch. Then we went to Pinhead Susan’s for dinner where we had corned beef and cabbage (which was not half as good as when I make it but we never got to the store yesterday) and some Guinness while a bagpiper and later a local band, St James Gate, played. We didn’t stay too long, though, since Alex felt sickly.
So it was sort of a quiet St Patrick’s day weekend for us, but still a good one. Hopefully we’ll be over our illnesses in a week and a half when the real party happens – Enter the Haggis at Revolution Hall on the 29th. Can’t wait!!!
Ali
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