I am trying to remember the first time I had met Mickey.

I think it was way back in 2013, at what felt like the beginning of my adult life. If it wasn't at one of those Block Club parties, it was at (e:mike)'s birthday ((e:joe,58048)). I remember sitting around a fire in the backyard. I think (e:robert) had brought him not long after meeting Mickey himself.

The first photo I have is in our attic during that year's Halloween party.



It feels so impossibly long ago right now.

I remember meeting Jordan for the first time in the summer of 2021, when it finally felt like we could start leaving COVID behind.

I don't really have the words to say how I feel about all this right now. Anything I write feels wrong because nothing about this is right.



All I know it is I love and will miss them so much. They were a beating heart in the living being that is Allentown, Buffalo, our sprawling network of Rust Belt queers. I hope we can carry that light they shared.

What a weekend. Was nice to have visitors and some distraction this weekend in the new space.

You may have to fetch groceries like this.

Last week we popped down to Pittsburgh for a Jellyfish/Honcho weekend. On the way down Friday, we hit a huge snowstorm from Erie to Pittsburgh that had me driving 35 mph single file for most of the way.

We only fishtailed once, but still - remind me we need to get better cold weather tires.

Anyway it was straight to Jellyfish at Spirit right at midnight. Driving to the rave is weird, but the compressed party was still a ton of fun.

Saturday had a mandatory crossaint check-in, a Copper pickup, and a nice day at Everyday Noodle and the Mattress Factory.

Before the party we watched Sex and the City at our hotel. I've never watched it, the main character is so obnoxious

Honcho crew had some great sets that night.

When you get back from a campout weekend, you feel like you're floating. I took Tuesday off, and went hiking with (e:Paul) up at the gorge trail. I was exhausted so laying at the rocks down by the rapids was very nice

The State Parks recently redid the shelter at the Whirlpool trail parking lot. The bathrooms are super nice. One big all gender bathroom, floor to ceiling cubicle stalls, very clean. It's weird but I was very impressed.

Later we had too much dinner at falafel bar.

Hemlock Hole, conveniently cropped


I'm still over the moon from campout this year. This was probably my favorite year, though I think I say that every year. This year, we had managed to convince (e:mike) and (e:libertad) to join us, despite Mike's strict anti-camping stance. I'll leave it to him to say if we changed his mind or not.

Just like the first time we went to Campout (e:joe,60626), 8 years ago in West Viriginia, the fur, butts and human soup still exists, only on a scale 5 times as big. I actually had two people this year tell me they came across this blog searching it. So if you come across this and are on the fence, go. It's life changing.



We went down early for us, 10am on Wednesday the 14th. 219, Twisty Pennsylvanian roads, annual Chipotle and Sheetz, and we were there. Setting up in the light for once, in the Central camp. It was so crowded already, I think I want to move to the festival suburbs next year.

Wednesday night is very chill with no music. Just sort of people drifting around and catching up. Thursday, being the first full day of camp is a bit of the same.

By Friday it picks up. The day gets going at Hemlock Hole, people get down into the creek. Those with the closets start cycling through their dozens of looks. I'm wearing the dirty cargo shorts I will wear all weekend.

Mike and Dave finally arrived in the afternoon when the music was really getting going at Hemlock Hole (but so was the rain). We stayed up until about 4 or 5 (who can tell what time it is) with the pong crew at the grove.

Saturday everything continues building up for the big night. I always intend to stay up until the sunrises on the Grove set, this year I successfully did that. zi! and Leonce blew my mind.

Sunday might be my favorite day. At that point it seems like anything goes. Social barriers are removed, small talk is dead, everyone seems so happy and ready to bond with their new friends. At one point, Carrieondisco sampled "This must be the place" during their set and I felt like I could fly away.

The things I loved most about this year was getting to know some of the Pittsburgh pack and friends better. I love that scene, they are so freaking nice. There were times dancing where things went feral and I was in another world. I introduced Paul's new camp name for me, I don't know if it will stick lol.

It's a phoneless place for me, with the exception of a quick hour on Sunday. I wanted to try and grab some pictures to remember in the future since I never post anymore, and elderly me is going to want to remember this.

Dom and Nick



New buddy Chord



Teo from Brookyn. I really enjoyed meeting him

Tev from Minneapolis. An excellent DJ and very good guy


Absolutely love this guy Smoko


The Grove, a rare photo in the light

A weekend of buddy buddy, followed by the parade and festival with the family. My favorite weekend of the year.

So we didn't get the 6+ feet the south towns got but we definitely got 3 feet between pong night Thursday night and today. I spent most of yesterday clearing all the snow from our house down to North since the Ascension for the Arts group doesn't shovel or snowblow.

I felt sore but pretty buff by the end.