I'm on my first vacation since (e:allenstreet) started. After the Buffalo Queer Women annual picnic and (e:Mike)'s birthday party Saturday we were free to leave. I had been planning to go camping at Cherry Springs State Park for some amazing stargazing then to Landrus in the Tioga State Forest (to be able to hike to Sand Run Falls (e:dianne,57816) ) but as we checked the weather it became more and more clear that clouds were going to interfere with stars. Also, the primitive camping conditions in the Tioga State Forest would make having my period really annoying. Given all that, we decided to reroute to the Allegheny National Forest where we had watched synchronous fireflies (e:Paul,57834). Having flushies only a mile away from the campsite and not having to change locations made this an easier option. We had a LOT of stuff with us to make sure (e:Dianne) would be warm and comfortable.

We got there about 8pm Sunday night, just after dark, darn it. We had already gotten firewood tho - Dianne's shoulder made it impossible to scavenge for it - $15 for that huge pile of wood! I'm was unfamiliar with the tent ((e:libertad)'s grandparents' tent) but we managed to put it up in the dark with only our phones for light. Go us!

We went out for provisions Monday (lantern! beer, ice... ) and Dianne battened down the hatches as rain moved in. It didn't rain much Tuesday, so we took it easy, talked, kept falling in love, and today dawned beautiful - gorgeous sky, lovely breezes... and we had to pack up and leave for Dianne's dr & pt appts tomorrow and Friday. I'm bummed, I'd much rather continue to be out of touch with the world and reflect upon where I am and what my next choices are going to be, as well as deepen my connection with Dianne.

We'll be heading out somewhere again on Friday afternoon. :-)

What is this? Looks like a huge mosquito




Gorgeous morning today!


(e:Dianne) is now highly skilled in creating campfires in adverse conditions.


Fire after sprinkles!


It was sprinkling to raining Monday and Tuesday.


Except when we went out for provisions. I like the font on the beer distributor sign. For future reference, it's pretty well stocked and a case of Sierra Nevada was only $33.


Successful tent set up. We learned some important information as it rained on Monday but it all worked out.


Two shots of our firewood.

My apartment is rather small, pretty cheap, and doesn't come with laundry facilities. I usually bring my laundry home since my routine has been every other week, but my routine has been disrupted for work and certain weddings and girlfriends and stress; I haven't been here since the end of June. So I took 59lbs of laundry to the wash-n-fold last week - $.69/pound on Mondays!

For some background, I'm allergic to scented laundry detergent, so hanging out at the laundromat isn't really an option if I want to be productive the next day. I take my free & clear detergent to the wash-n-fold.

I stopped in Tuesday night and the attendant wasn't finished with the laundry, so I grabbed a bag of what was done and headed out to the truck - we needed underwear and I needed work clothes. I sniffed it - it smelled strongly of laundry detergent. I went back in and asked if she had used my detergent. She swore she did. I left, thinking I was just being paranoid.

I went back on Wednesday and got the rest. She had put ALL in one huge clear garbage bag that I had trouble dragging to my truck, so I didn't smell it till I got home. It all reeked. I don't mean just a whiff of detergent, I mean it smelled like it had been dipped in Tide and dried on hot.

(e:Dianne) and I returned on Friday morning and the attendant swore again that she had used my detergent, but that she'd rewash it. So Saturday afternoon I lugged all 60# back to the wash-n-fold. I got it back later and it was somewhat better, and clearly washed in my detergent, but I couldn't possibly wear the clothes or use the sheets and towels. (e:Dianne) isn't allergic but I like being snuggly with her so she needs to be allergic-free.

As much as I hated to ask, (e:Terry) said I could use his washer to see if I could get the smell out of a load of necessary items. Two washes, each with second rinse, one load with vinegar, the clothes were still too scented to wear. I almost cried. With as much stress (good and bad) and chaos that have happened in the past two months, the laundry became the tipping point - I can't handle anymore! (e:Dianne) would have happily helped... if she wasn't broken. She can tolerate laundromats.

So today, almost two weeks after dropping my laundry at the wash-n-fold, I'm home at Wendy's and doing MOUNDS of laundry with vinegar and borax. My head is stuffy from allergies and I can't quite tell if the scent is gone but I can tell it's better. I've got some out on the clothesline hoping that helps as well. Cross your fingers for me!

we wanted infringement t shirts and happened across the guy who designed this year's logo. he had screenprinted some t-shirts with glow in the dark paint and was carrying then around while infringing yesterday, hoping to sell them. we spent a nice bit of time chatting while listening to Josh Gage's band The Observers in front of El Buen Amigo. he had no small or medium black shirts left but there was one gaudy orange polo with sleeves cut off and a black racing pattern collar. (E:Dianne) loved it, so we got that for her and a black t-shirt for me. our next trip home she put it on and wore it the rest of the night. despite the ridiculousness of the shirt, she totally rocked it. it also glows in the dark (the screen print, not the orange of the shirt).

At coming home buffalo, there is a little infringement museum and a place to air grievances. Dianne's plate said "Fuck Corporate America". am I wearing off on her or is she self-radicalizing? the cashier's manifesto last night really spoke to her.

seriously. in front of the Holley farms.

or.. yesterday and today

The cashier's manifesto was excellent.

Huge gratitude and appreciation for everyone who helped us move (e:Dianne)'s stuff out of her apartment last Sunday. It was a super quick move because she and Suzanne packed everything before her surgery, so many people helped at the spur of the moment, and she doesn't have much stuff. Thank you to (e:paul), (e:terry), (e:bluevelvetjack), (e:puddlediving), (e:yesthatcasey) (who scooted out before I could grab a pic), (e:mike), (e:libertad), Michele, April, Rachael, Jess, Jen & Karen.

Edit: Additional gratitude

• Suzanne and Michael, who helped (e:Dianne) pack, and provided food and care in the initial days after the surgery.
• (e:bluevelvetjack) for the recliner and providing me with constant support
• (e:yesthatcasey) for help moving the cat-infested recliner out of my apartment, the traded futon to (e:bluevelvetjack)'s and the new-to-us recliner up our stairs.
• (e:puddlediving) for just general support, errands and that awesome queso.