The United States Supreme Court ruled today that the “honest services” law that was used to convict former New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno cannot be used to prosecute those who fail to disclose conflicts of interest, in which was the core of Bruno’s case.

Bruno said in a written statement according to the Times Union, “I have maintained faith and trust in the justice system since the very start and the Supreme Court’s decisions rendered earlier today reaffirm that belief. We are in the process of reviewing the decisions before taking the next step in this legal process as we remain hopeful for a positive resolution.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling opens a channel for the former Senator to seek an appeal. United States Attorney Richard Hartunian is reviewing the ruling and has refrained from comment, the Times Union continued to report.

The 5.5 magnitude Ottawa earthquake was felt by Capital Region residents this afternoon, according to numerous media outlets.

The Times Union is reporting workers fled One Commerce Plaza as well as the tremors were felt in it’s Capitol bureau.

According to AFP, earthquakes around the Ottawa area occur every four to five years. Reportedly, tremors were felt as far as Buffalo and Central Vermont.

photo credit: ottobruno.org

Obsession can be defined as “the domination of one’s thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image or desire.” (dictionary.com)

The image – TV shows.

It seemed like the perfect time to pose this thought. “Lost” just had it’s series finale and the popular HBO show “Entourage” is about to start up its seventh season on Sunday.

For the longest time I didn’t want to pool myself into the group of TV “nutjobs,” but as I seal up my Netflix to send back a movie I didn’t even watch just so I can get cracking on season 2 of “Californication” – it hit me.

What is it?

What is it that keeps us sucked in? Keeps us on the brink of insanity?

Great writing? Attractive, lovable characters? Sure, that’s what we all say.

The real reason – we want what we can’t have. We want to live the lives of the few, not the many. It’s like dreaming. Our imaginative minds are free to envision ourselves in a different time, a different place, a different state of mind. Only with TV – that alternative reality is created for us. All we have to do is enjoy it; believe it.

And as I sit there cramming 10 episodes of “Entourage” to finally catch up for the new season –  I could do nothing but realize what I was doing. I was feeding the fire, while somebody smiles all the way to the bank. They figured out what keeps me in the chair – a life that myself, and the common folk – will most likely never live. And they’re cashing in.

It becomes an obsession, when you convince that clever mind of yours that it is in fact reality. You find yourself commenting on an on-going subplot or a character’s flaw with your book club, instead of the BP oil spill, or your town’s school budget.

It’s no longer about how I’m going to pay those parking tickets at the end of the month, it’s how will I get through this 2-hour finale without getting up to pee.

photo credit: tvfanatic.com

We submerge ourselves — stuffing our mouths full until we can’t breath, all the while, avoiding real questions that need real answers. Perhaps, because we don’t want to answer them. We don’t want to return to our normal, boring lives.

It’s ultimately an escape; from medocrity; middle ground; no name land. No job? No car? No money? – No problem in TV-Land.

And should the untimely end of such obsessions come to fruition – we move on the next one. We satisfy our cravings with something else. Back in the day it was “M.A.S.H” then “Seinfeld” then “Friends” – now it’s “Lost.”

An acquaintance recently spoke of a “Lost” crazed co-worker who was experiencing this void. Part of him was missing; lost. Forget that his girlfriend just left him and his car got repo’d – what is a man supposed to do without his weekly fix of prime time euphoria?

I can’t ridicule – I’m right there with him now. Might I suggest “The Simpsons”? You’ll have plenty of years before that show runs its course.

** On a side note — stumbled across “TV’s Most Watched Finales” — you might be surprised.

There’s been intensifying talks of how will BP survive the “onslaught” of lawsuits, financial claims, fines, and clean up costs from the Deepwater Horizon. Since the explosion two months ago, BP’s stock has plummeted more than 50% as well as BP’s board of directors canceled what was to be a nearly $10 billion dividend to shareholders.

There’s no question the BP brand is forever tainted. Eh, all things must come to an end I s’pose.

Even as much as this spill is responsible for ruining the livelihoods of those involved in the Gulf fishing industry as well as tourism around states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, those who have relied on BP to support their pension – namely British retirees – are facing a similar situation to those who invested in American financial companies in the post-Mortgage crisis wake in 2008. Yes, the dagger and the twist on both sides of the Atlantic, so to speak.

Now, I’m not advocating directly for BP to make off like a bandit and come back in full force, but if BP does fall apart due to financial instability, nobody wins.

So how does BP, to paraphrase its CEO Tony Hayward, get it’s life back? It all lies with a California-based chain it bought nearly ten years ago.

The ARCO brand, which is a full subsidiary of BP, could be a route for BP to mitigate boycotts of its stations across the country. A rebranding would cost BP less than $15 million dollars in changing signage, branding, and retrofitting for BP America stations. This would be a significantly less than the recently rolled out ad campaign by BP touting its efforts cleaning up the Gulf.

ARCO would allow BP to operate with a new lease on life, keep a significant hold on East Coast operations, and present new opportunities for growth.

The mistakes BP management has made so far have been pronounced – from PR, to clean up management, to safety. If they make this move, it’ll help first and foremost those who are affected by the spill. As much as you may want to boycott BP and wish for it’s dissolution, BP needs to live to pay for the destruction it caused.

And ARCO is the way to go.

After a nearly yearlong nationwide search, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings will nominate Deputy Chief Steven Krokoff as the city’s new Police Chief, the sixth nominated during Jennings’ tenure as Mayor, according to the Times Union.

Krokoff, 40, has been acting chief since the resignation of James Tuffey last year. Krokoff will also be the first Police Chief nominee to have a confirmation hearing before the 15-member Albany Common Council, which has 45 days to conduct hearings after Jennings has made the nomination official with the City Clerk.

It’s simple – the common person is dependent on social media. Well, at least any person that is, as many call it – “connected.”

A brief blog – Adventures in Social Media – dove into this subject matter and it has sparked some thought.

The blogger claims to rely on technology for 95% of their interaction in the workplace. We use emails, texts or gchat to communicate with coworkers, instead of direct, face to face communication. But perhaps the most intriguing point made in the blog – that should connectivity fail – one becomes suddenly unproductive; alone and desperate for their lifeline to be restored.

We all know exactly what this blogger means. How many of us take the first 15 minutes of the day to restore our sense of connection to what was unfortunately lost when we decided to project old reruns of Fresh Prince on the backs of our eyelids?

We munch on it with our morning coffee. Social media runs the connected person’s daily life. And to all those offended by the claim that you waste 15 minutes a day on “crackbook;” I was being nice.

To me – there are two ways to use Facebook, Youtube, or Twitter. Most of us fall somewhere in between. There are those who use it to stalk — to search out and find the “nitty gritty” on people. Live others’ lives from behind a computer screen.

I, on the other hand, like to think of them as tools to communicate, well, yourself.

Why not take those 700 friends of yours and use them as an avenue for your work; not just a measure of your Facebook popularity. Use them to move ideas. Sell yourself as an idea; a brand; a solution. Use the free air time to say something meaningful that people can really comment about.

Tools to show your work; your legacy; your mark on the social web.

I like to think of my 460 friends (I know, I’m slacking) as a great base of viewers to see my new spots, videos or blogs. If they like the message, maybe I’m on to something. If not — it’s back to the drawing board.

Who would have thought – the wide world of social media could be influenced simply by changing your status, or tweeting to your followers. Find a way to make new friends and followers – based on what your status says – and you’ve figured out a way to market yourself.

Might as well make those 15 minutes you waste every morning worth something, right?

This past week for the Mets and Yankees was nearly perfect for both.  While they were against sub par teams, they were still important games none the less. Good teams take care of the bad ones, and use that to make ground against the division when the rest are slipping. After Sunday, the Mets find themselves 1.5 games out of first, while the Yankees find themselves in a tie for first.

Mets

Record-5-1

Schedule-  3 Padres 3 Orioles

Upside-    This week we saw a walk off homerun for Ike Davis. Mazel Tov! This homerun wasn’t just a regular old home run. It was a blast.

Ike Davis pumped up rounding the bases after a walkoff homerun. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

-The Mets also saw some great outings from starting pitching this week.  Pelfrey on Tuesday pitched 9 innings, struck out 6 and allowed 5 hits. Upcoming knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey fanned 8 batters through 7 and now sits at 4-0.

-The offensive output on Sunday was a great one for the Mets. David Wright hit 2 homeruns, while driving in 4 in 5 official At bats. Jason Bay also had a phenomenal 4-4 outing.

Yankees

Record- 5-1

Schedule-3 Baltimore 3 Houston

Upside- Great offensive explosion on Tuesday v the struggling Orioles.  Cano, who ended that game 3-4 is smoldering hot at around a constant .370.(.376 is highest this year).Tex had a nice 3-3 game with a homerun.

Hip Hip, Jorge! Posada hit two grandslams this weekend against the Astros. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

-Nick Swisher has been coming around of late. (.311-.302).Much improved from his .250 last year

-Jeter had a beautiful two home run game on Saturday, while the biggest offensive boom was Jorge Posada’s back to back days with a grand slam.

There really isn’t much to discuss that has been wrong with either team this week. Although A-Rod has been struggling of late and been a little on the hurt side, the Yankee offense has not skipped a beat. The Mets are finding ways to win and climbing to the top of the best division in baseball this season.

The City of Albany has just announced it has partnered with DeCrescente Distributing and the county’s STOP-DWI program to offer 200 free cabs rides after the city’s Alive at Five program.

The program works through a voucher system, available at the Riverfront Park and/or rain site and at the North Pearl Street after-party site.

The program started last Thursday.

They may not be the River Rats, but at least it’s not a standard new logo.

The Times Union is reporting that the Lowell Devils will relocate to Albany, keeping an American Hockey League franchise in a city that has had a franchise since 1993.

The Albany Devils mark the return of the New Jersey Devils being the NHL affiliate. The Devils had been part of the Albany River Rats from conception in 1993 through 2006, when the River Rats changed to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said in a statement attached to the news release – “I am greatly pleased that the New Jersey Devils American Hockey League affiliate will now be calling Albany and Times Union Center home. As an ‘All-America’ city, Albany is pleased to officially welcome its newest franchise, which will provide thousands of hockey fans in the Capital Region with exciting play and high-energy excitement. I congratulate the Devils’ organization, Albany County, and the management of Times Union Center for ensuring that hockey will remain part of the fabric of our community.”

No word on how Rowdy the Rat feels about the new logo.