2004-02-02 - 6:11 a.m.
Very late in coming, but rambled at last.
OK, so I am horribly past-due to talk about my New York adventure, aren't I?
To be fair, I should say I've thought about writing this up a lot since I got back. It's been hard figuring out how to go about it -- this one was different. It's kind of hard to explain. I mean, I was out there, taking a trip by myself. I've never really done that. Well, FRFF sort of, but somehow it didn't count. I mean, I guess it sort of did, but somehow it was still different. You know? Oh all right, all right. On to trying to do a trip run-down. As usual, know I'll undoubtably forget something, or put something in the wrong order.
Right, so you know how my car had died on Tuesday night. Shockingly, repairs were finished on Wednesday during the day (needed a new heater core, a new thermostat, and a major refil on coolant), so my parents didn't have to drive me up to the station. And that's sort of a plus.
As probably should have been no surprise, I put off most of my packing until practically the last moment. Maybe part of it is because then in the flurry of getting ready, I don't have as much time to freak out.
No, instead the freaking out waited until I was on my way up to the train station. And trust me, I was freaking out. Why was I doing this? I was going to be on a train for 14 hours. I had essentially invited myself to my first destination, and, really, while invited and looking forward to seeing Pauley for the bulk of the weekend -- would that much unstructured time really be do-able? Would the wedding bore me to no end? Was I just plain making a mistake in going to New York for a long weekend?
Just major freaking out. Stressing. Usual pre-trip stress, only moreso. Anyway, I was convinced that I'd be OK once I was on the train. You know, then it would be too late to change my mind, right? I'd be comitted, and all.
So the train was late -- not as late as the number 48 can be, from what I hear. But more than a half hour.
And then I was on the train. Not exactly comfortable enough to do more than lightly doze. And certainly no less stressed or freaked out. Didn't make me feel any better to know I was past the point of easily backing out. Instead it was like this impending doom. Kept running through all the ways the weekend could be a disaster -- all the things that could go wrong.
So that more or less led to my breaking one of the things I'd decided on. The plan had been no smoking on the trip. Somewhere in NY -- I think the stop before Albany, but I can't actually remember -- I broke down and had a cigarette. Felt suitably guilty about it afterwards, which made me feel worse overall.
Finally we got into NYC, fairly ontimeish. I had to wait what seemed like forever to collect the bag that I'd checked (last time I bother checking luggage unless I absolutely have to on a train, I think).
I found Gella, I got a hello hug. I felt every ounce of stress and freaking-out-ness dissolve away. Seriously, just like that. I mean, damn. Even Talcott usually needs more time than a hello-hug to get me to destress when I'm that worked up, and even he doesn't get it to work that completely, not until he's gotten me thinking about something distracting, anyway.
I was outfitted with a 10-dollar (completely blanking on the amount now) metro-card, uh, thing. And onto the subway it was, out to Gella's neighborhood. Very pretty area - reminds me of where Talcott's folks live in Columbus, only more... open, or tree-lined, or something - if that makes any sense. Got my stuff stowed. She seemed happy with the present Talcott and I picked up for her at the State Fair, and with her birthday allotment of Pirate Cookies.
First out-of-order note, because I'm feeling too... I don't know, free-form to go back and work it more properly into where it should be, just before that last paragraph: Next time I travel by train, I will remember it's not worth checking my luggage. I will also remember that unless I have things I need to not get crushed again, I am so not taking the suitcase - it's too heavy. Gella tried to offer to carry it for me. Feet aching, shoulders screaming at me, did I let her? Hell no. :-) I have an image to protect, one of being the sort of person who insists stupidly on carrying their own gear even when it makes sense to accept offered help. And anyway, I was in way too good a mood to let a little being in pain get to me.
Anyway, there was a walk to this awesome little pizza place, and so of course also a slice of pizza. And there was a brief walking tour through part of the neighborhood, and a stop at a yarn shop. Then we went back to hang out for a little while. I flipped through stuff on the TV, annoying myself when I realized I landed on C-SPAN again.
I got to tag along to a first choir practice. Which was very interesting. I haven't sight-read anything in a long time. And while I've sight-read in languages I do not read/speak, I've never done so without someone patiently explaining pronounciation to me. And yet somehow, I ended up rounding out the lower alto line on a runthrough of a very pretty peice of music. Or at least, I thought it was a great peice. Then again, I'm probably biased due to the fine company I was in.
Wait. There was more food. Either before or after the tagging along to sing. I can't remember the order now, and have only myself to blame for not having written this up sooner. And possibly the fact that by then I was probably already a little sleep-deprived.
Anyway, there was more just sort of companionable being in the same place. In spite of my protest that I could sleep just as well on it if it were in couch-mode, I was settled onto the futon, pulled out to actually be sleeping-space. And sleep was had. After having tried to sleep on the train, that futon was just wonderful.
Morning, and repacked and ready for the day. Breakfast. Brief walk back to the subway. Got told that the next time I should come for more than a night, and we could do touristy stuff. I was perfectly happy without the touristing - I wasn't there to see the famous stuff (saw at least a little of that on the trip in HS, after all). I was there to see Gella, and really glad I got to do so. I keep wondering if by the time I get a chance for a better visit, the offer will still stand. Given the money situation I seem to be getting mired into, it might be quite a while before I can afford a trip not already in my regular travel rotation. (By which I mean FruCon, and now FRFF) Subway. Trying not to be depressed - after all, the trip was just getting started. Had the whole weekend hanging out with Pauley ahead of me.
Got to the station as my train was starting to board. Which meant no time to stand around, and say a proper goodbye. Just a goodbye hug, and it was back onto the train. I ought mention that until that point, I don't think there was a moment when I wasn't smiling. Maybe I should trael more often.
Train travel being my favorite way to go - when I'm not trying to sleep - I enjoyed the ride. Mostly just zoned out with my music, watching the scenery roll past. Got to Rochester, and ended up having a smoke (mostly) before Pauley arrived. Got my Pauley hello-hug. :-) Listened to Carbon Leaf. Chatted. Got to see Pauley's place. Hung out there a little - met his roommates Andy and Jeff, and Jeff's friend who's name I've completely forgotten. (Bad me, forgetting.) Got taken to a hockey game. I've finally actually been to a hockey game. Had an absolutely great time.
We went bowling. We went to get a late dinner, meeting some other people associated with the greater-wedding-visiting-phenominon. Was settled in the apartment where I was crashing for the night. Slept on a floor - hey, I'd had a futon resting space the night before, was only fair to let the other crash-space person (who's name I've also forgotten. Dagnabit) take the futon there.
Up after a bit of sleep, got ready for the whole being at someone's wedding thing. Wedding was nice. Not nearly as annoying/boring/[insert reason to not be overly thrilled to be at the wedding of people you don't know here] as I might have expected. Went to reception. Discovered that there are people who mix a rum and coke stronger than I do, who are paid to do that sort of thing. Did not finish said drink. Food was good. Music wasn't terrible, although the DJ was a little annoying, and his playlist construction skills needed some work. Even danced a bit. More socializing-type behavior than I managed at Cait's wedding. In a very odd way, I felt less out of place - but somehow I think investigating that realization should wait for another time. This will be a long enough entry as it is.
Stuck around for the full reception. Went back to hang out at Pauley's appt. After much discussion (and me going outside to watch the lunar eclipse, which Pauley got some passable digital photos of - the eclipse, not me watching it, if that's somehow unclear), we elected to go to Damon's and play trivia. Which was a heck of a lot of fun, especially considering that the trivia entry pad things weren't working right, and so we couldn't really play.
Went back to Pauley's. I very tactfully did not ask anywhere where I was sleeping - see there was a thing with an uncomfortableness about female guests sleeping in the appt, but the crash space I'd had the night before was a one-night kind of deal. Eventually we'd hung out until it was very late, and it was sort of decision by default that I was staying where I was. Pauley crashed out in the living room, and I borrowed his bed for the night. Slept late-ish, but not terribly. Got my stuff mosty together, and curled up on the couch to watch NASCAR. :-) PauleyFriend who also was at the crash-space I had Friday Night came over to hang out, and I got to go have a garbage plate. We need food like that here in Ohio. It's like... I don't know, picnic in a dish, or something. So much better than it has any right to be.
Headed back to Pauley's again. Had enough time before we had to go to make my train, and finally got to see Snatch. Very enjoyable movie. Although now I have to resist the temptation to ask if things are because of "ze Germans." Hee!
Time to head out, taking care to be early, because I think we all just have it cemented in our brains that we must be early for transportation that isn't in our own cars. Got some Pauley-schnuggle time in. Wonderful fellow that he is, Pauley waited with me at the station. So I got to claim the title of FruHead Most Reccently Receiving IRL PauleySchnuggles.
Train got as far as Buffalo - I think it was Buffalo - and (you'll love this) was stopped and boarded by the INS. Yes ladies and gents, I can get stopped at the boarder even when I haven't crossed one. *L* But, it wasn't too long a delay. Then a good while later, only about a half-hour out from Toledo Station, there was a frozen switch on the track, and we had to wait something like an hour-and-20 minutes for that to get sorted out. So it was dawn by the time I had my car scraped off, and was driving home. Exhausted, of course.
It was a great trip. I really do hope I get a chance to take a long weekend and go visiting out that way again someday. I enjoyed it. And I needed the break. Things were stressful here - well, they still are, really - and it was good to get away for a while, and just be with people I care about, hanging out, having a good time.
Late as it is for me to say this: Gella, Pauley - I want to thank you guys again - so very much - for letting me come visit. I had a great time in The City (brief a time as it was) and I had a great time in Rochester (area) too. You put up with having me as a houseguest, and that's a great gift. I just hope I didn't put either of you out during my stays with you. If either of you will have me, I'd love to visit again some time. And hey, maybe my cash won't be such an issue, and I'll be able to put myself up in a hotel, saving you a little of the bother.
There. Mucho late in coming. And probably incoherent because I'm typing it after getting not nearly enough sleep the last few days. But the story of my Nov. NY trip. And posted before FruCon. Just like I said it would be. :-)
previous howl
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Murrrrrrffff? - 2005-01-04
A Late Review - 2004-09-12
Weekend Update - 2004-08-08
Intermission - 2004-08-07
Rambling or something. - 2004-07-31
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