the meetup group took a hike at deer lick out by gowanda today. (e:Dianne) woke me up at some ridiculous hour to make it on time. we had fun, it was a beautiful day although i was worried that is be too cold. :-) seven women went, which was about five people too many for me. the women who rode with us asked how we had gotten together, Dianne mumbled something about beer club and a friend's Halloween party... i couldn't get socially appropriate words together quick enough, although i did show off a pic of my Halloween costume. one of the women later commented how quiet i am. i chatter all the time with people I'm close with, so it seems weird to hear.

it was the first time Dianne and i have hiked together, and this weekend is the last big piece of time we're going to have together until my birthday at the end of May :-( I'm going to Pa this week, her best friend is visiting this coming weekend, then she's in Jersey for a week, then her mom comes for three weeks, then she's in Jersey again for a week. boo.

I'm grateful for the beautiful day.

From another part of Zoar Valley


Butches skipping rocks




Deer Lick

(e:Terry) and I got done with our tax filings earlier than expected Monday night and got to go on an awesome bike ride (see also (e:paul,57534) and (e:xandra,57532)) with (e:Paul), (e:Xandra) & (e:Dianne), first ride of the season! Woo!

On one of our dates back in December, I had taken (e:Dianne) down to canalside to see the view and she loved it. When we started our ride Monday night, the obvious choices were Delaware Park or the harbor... She had no idea where we were until we were right on the water. So cute.



Then we went to the Pan-American Grill at Hotel Lafayette. Food & beer were okay but the space is incredible!



Floor tiling







Marble detail

Marble context


I would have taken a shot of the gorgeous women's room but (e:Dianne) and I got busted making out before I had a chance (and was too embarrassed after).

We went back to the 24, played a game of Dominion, then went back outside for glow-in-the-dark bocce ball! Woo! (The game is also now known as hibachi ball.)

woo!

we have gotten some lovely tips and gifts this season. when we saw these dogfish head -designed ipa glasses on the news, i asked Terry if we could get them (office supplies? goes with our office slippers?) but he said no. a client brought us some today!! along with a four-pack of ipa. tax love!