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December 21, 2005
Hell Would Be Warmer
So the flight to Buffalo went great. I can probably chalk it up for the easiest travels I have ever done.
We left the apartment on time. I felt a bit bad for Josh because he stayed up all night packing. Either way, everything seemed to get done and a big thank you to Steve for taking us to the airport.
So the flight was on time, there was no trouble shipping the wine or luggage. About the only trouble I had was that my bag was 4 pounds over weight and I had to make some minor adjusting in order to avoid a $25 charge.
So besides that, everything went smooth. The plane was on time, the guy next to us kept to his own space, the connecting flight to buffalo was on 2 gates down, the woman on the connecting flight was pleasant and tiny and kept to her own space, and we finally landed in Buffalo on time as well.
We were expecting a snow storm or something which would ruin our first travel experience together. The weather was clear and the car rental went through without a hitch.
So this is the first time traveling with anyone. Josh and I have traveled in the past to the same destinations however it was always on different airlines, to different cities, only to arrive at different times. It was really nice to have someone familiar with me sitting next to me.
So we made it in to Rochester around 6:45. Josh's first task was to gain a heavy coat from his ex in order to keep warm. I have to say it didnt feel all too cold that night and actually seemed quite managebale as far as temps go.
It was nice to see Kym, Stan, Reid, and Patrick. Its been too long. I could tell by Kyms hug, that many of our old demons were gone and things really felt good. It felt like it did about 3 1/2 years ago before the messy dating experience I had with the psycho. Yes St3eve the psycho does have a name however I choose to refer to him as "the psycho" lol.
So off to Chris and Brians Christmas party around 8pm. It was fantastic. The first people we saw who must have been right on time, we Steve and Mark. Steve had a fantastic green shirt and he looked great. They both looked amazing and it was so nice to see familiar faces and good friends.
Kym was supposed to go but wasnt feeling well. She said she wanted to rest and pointed out the fact that I would be up and moving around, talking to EVERYONE, and that she wouldnt get her quality time in with me. I told her how wrong she was and how much I had changed. Needless to say, she was right.
I found myself waving at everyone who came up the stairs and floating around and being social. I saw many people I hadnt seen in over a year and perhaps 2 years. I actually knew most people there and have to say it was nice being at a party for a change and knowing people, not to mention having good, close friends there as well. It was like being with my family once again.
With all that said, the food was amazing. A table decked out with all these delicious treats, fountains of chocalate and if I didnt have *any* control, I could have been eating all evening. Luckily I do have some self control and only stuffed myself with about 2 plates.
Around 10:30pm we were off to bar night. For those who dont know what bar night is, its usually a theme night that is hosted by the Rochester Rams who happen to be the major leather group in Rochester. They raise money for many charities and do a lot of great things for the community.
Barnight wasnt as busy as they were in the past but it was nice to have room to move and talk to people. Josh and I did our own thing and it really felt good being home again. It was kind of odd for me, remembering the last time we were there and the feeling of needing to be seen together. It wasnt like that this time. Although we were in the same bar, it felt ok to be doing our own things. To be talking to everyone seperately and on occassion together. It felt really comfortable having a bf who I could do that with. It was amazing how things felt better.
So drunk Saturday, and Sunday to my dads. This was interesting. I just dont understand much on how they think or how they see the world. It was really nice seeing everyone, however I would have hope my cousin Paul would have been there.
Josh was at the table getting some work done on his laptop. My first thought was wondering if he would put that away and join the conversation. When he finally did, I had to think, could he get his laptop out and work again.
The reason being is my family is stubborn. They dont always see things the way I do and when we got on the topic of Laws forbidding smoking in a house where there are children, it was like going up against an army of smokers who are opposed to the government telling them what they could do in their own home.
They didnt see Josh's point, that a poor child, who has no control over what their parents are doing, are being hurt by the smoke, and being forced to inhale second hand smoke. What gives anyone the right to hurt their child? This is where Im ok that the government can create a law that says you cant.
We finally thought about it and realized why there was a disagreement. Its the fact that no one wants to admit they are or have hurt their child in any way. Who wants to be the one saying Ive harmed them. Instead, they will debate a point that everyone really knows isnt the truth. It could also be a little about selfishness an d the fact they want to smoke in their house, therefore have to figure out why its ok for them to do that. Really, Im ok either way, but do know its definitely harmful to the children, even if they do say it doesnt hurt them.
So Sunday night I went out with Jarrod and got to meet his bf of a year now. Chris5 and I hung out for a while as well and we all played darts together. Geoff was there as well and the 5 of us had a good time together despite how quiet it was out at the bars.
We first stopped by Tara where I got to see David, Bernie, Tony, John, and many many others that I really like. Then to the Forum where Terry served us drinks and got me on my way to tipsy. Finally ending at the pub, it was time to go back and crash.
Monday was the best. Spending the morning with Kym and going to see Rent. We stopped at Gitsi's for lunch before hand, and I got a Gitsi plate. It was fantastic. Cheeseburgers with hot sauce and meat sauce, topped over mac salad and homefries. Grease and more grease, tasted fantastic. You cant get this kind of food in SF.
When we finished we were off to the movies. When she asked me if I brought tissues, my response was "I dont cry anymore". About 10 minutes into the movie I was balling. It was sad. I knew that AIDS was part of the story but didnt realize the play was about that topic.
Monday night Josh and I met up with Nadine and AMY from Blue Cross and Jeffy who was at the party Saturday but didnt really have a chance to hang out with. I forgot how funny they all could be and we laughed for a good hour or two at Nasty D's. Josh left to go see Bruce again and I hung out with them. Now the cold was kicking in more and I finaly felt the temperature and was freezing more than I ever remember. I couldnt feel my ears and in that moment wished for San Francisco again. I can do this. I can get through the week.
When we were done, they dropped me off at the Avenue Pub. Marc came home to visit and everyone met me there. Things just seemed better with Marc like they did with Kym and I was really happy to be hanging out just like old times. There seems to have been a lot of healing that I never realized was happening until now. Things seemed like old times.
Tuesday morning came and we were both up early to head to my sisters. we stopped at a favorite restaurant of ours called First Taste for breakfast and then after headed out for what should have been a 4 1/2 hour drive up to my sisters in snow country.
The drive was great until we hit Pulaski. From there on out it was going to be down hill the rest of the way. We finally arrived here after about 6 hours driving through snow and more snow. There were white outs at times and we could barely tell where we were on the roads. I remembered how scary that feeling of being able to slide and hit something and not have control over the vehicle. I remembered even more why I live in San Francisco.
Josh and I determined it should be against the law to live in upstate NY. I mean, it is a health hazzard to kids right? lol....
Josh did an amazing job driving and Im hoping I didnt drive him crazy with my usual back seat driving. We made it here safely but can say, I will never be driving here in December (or winter) ever again in my life.
Last night we opened a few gifts from my mom, my sister, larry, and the kids. It really felt like family and it was really nice being here. Seeing my family has been great for me.
Im up early blogging and having coffee. Its -16 degrees outside and Im grateful Im warm. Its quiet and relaxing with everyone sleeping and being able to get my thoughts down here. Its great being able to catch a quick breath before the rest of the journey.
Tomorrow we head back to Rochester and Saturday we will be back in SF. Im excited to have this time together but very excited to be in warmer temperatures.
Posted by Des at December 21, 2005 03:31 AM
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