A dumpling place with a C-grade health inspection, 6 hours of marathon crunkness for (e:paul)'s birthday and a nameless Korean friend.

The women's march was happening the Saturday we were down. 9 hours after the protest started, it was still going. (e:hodown) said they had three times the turnout they were expecting. Fuck Trump and his tacky tower.



Down the street from the protest was a Microsoft store with people playing VR in the window.

(e:paul) and (e:hodown) in front of a church. That's evidence to get into heaven if they ever need it.

Last Wednesday we left for (e:hodown)'s surprise birthday in Phoenix.

We stayed with her and her mom. The whole weekend evolved to be likely the most complex suprise party in history. it probably deserved another post but (e:hodown) thought we were there for (e:lilho)'s birthday.

The desert is crazy. It was intensely hot and the sun was the most intense I've ever felt. The biggest vegetation you can see are sagarro cacti up and down the hills and highways.

On the upside we got to eat delicious Mexican food from Filibertos.

We stayed in Fountain Hills which was way out east past Phoenix. The first day there we went for a short hike near the lake where the world's second largest fountain. It used to be the biggest but they built a larger one in Dubai. Of course the biggest fountains are in the desert.

Scottsdale and Fountain Hills are suburban sprawl to the max. Every road is 4-8 lanes and it takes an hour by car to get anywhere. Not my type of town.

I booked an Airbnb for our trip since hotels were ridiculous. We were able to get a whole apartment nesr downtown for less than a fifth per night than a downtown hotel.

Unfortunately (e:Paul) was allergic to some mold there. So he called the next morning and had the money refunded. It turns out the next night, a cancellation happened at the super fancy omni hotel we booked before (Pittsburgh's former Statler). With Priceline we were able to book it for almost the exact price of the Airbnb. Look at Paul in all his bougie comfort.

Despite the mold I would still book an apartment rental again. In Germany you can book new apartments in the city centers for almost $30 a night. Its insane.

(e:paul) and I drove down to Pittsburgh this morning to meet with my family for Emily's birthday . We started at Duquesne to pick her up. It was 50 and sunny unlike Buffalo. Her campus has a crazy amazing view over Pittsburgh on the highest hill downtown. Her dorm was brand new and ridiculously nice.

We went out to dinner at the Pittsburgh Steak Company. I had an alright vegetable wrap. You'd have to ask someone else if the steak was any good though.

After we went down Carson Street to Ritas Water Ice. Its similar to Elmwood except way more yuppified and a lot nicer looking. Most of the buildings are brick too. Pittsburgh seems cooler than Buffalo right now, but the grass is always greener right?