Aqua

Though off my route, I of course had to make this detour. Well worth the extra driving, and so glad I saw it from the Canadian side. Really amazing. Look:



Sexy beer:

So good I had to meet her twin:

This is me yearning to return to the states. So close. And yet so far. It was another 5 hours before I touched American soil. In Detroit. Anyways, this is me on the Maid of the Mist. If you end up seeing Niagra Falls, you have to take the boat trip. Well worth $15.

This waterfall is so gay.
Translation: Fabulous

Happy Birthday to my best girl

Hope its awesome. Sorry I can't be there. However if things go according to plan, you won't be there for mine. Tee hee.

Since I'm not there you make you a cake (because that would be so likely... ) here is a juicy comedy morsel about cake instead:

Random

"There is a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time." -Kate Monster

By the way, Jehovah's Witnesses are lame. Have you heard the good news? You suck.

Thank you so my savior, Constable Yu. Jolene and I appreciate your kindness and help. You are now my favorite Canadian. Sorry Corey Haim, but, really, what have you done for me lately?

Thanks also to Jackie Tripper. Your kindness was essential. New life lesson: When in need, head to this bar:


Look, my phone is just like my time machine:

Napoleon's socks:

And for all your chum needs:

Avoid work here

That's what I'm doing. My job being international traveler.

Read about:

music!

sports!

fashion!

Blame Canada

Not my best day football fans. As you may have gathered from my last post. That was written in a KFC parking lot somewhere in stupid French speaking Quebec.

Essentially, I took my sweet time leaving Massachusetts yesterday, drove to somewhere in Vermont and got a cheap motel when exhaustion hit. Checked in and was struck with insomnia. I took my sweet time getting started this morning, and then was not prepared exactly how French French Canadians are. I speak no French. I went to a bank to change money and they couldn't help me. I still have no loonies in my pocket.

The hostel that looked so great online was unacceptable when I arrived (which took at least an hour longer than it should because I got totally lost in Montreal). It actually looked pretty nice, but the parking situation was not workable considering I currently live at 1 Jolene Way and the sweetie at the front desk assured me she would get broken into. He was so nice. He didn't charge me for the late cancellation. Never underestimate the power of female tears.

Traveling alone is a blessing and a curse. It was very easy to make the executive decision to get the hell out of French Canadia. On the other hand, I felt the sting of loneliness dealing on my own. All I wanted to do was curl up with a hot Cajun boy or el gato gordo and watch crappy movies all night long. Instead, I drove west until finding the Holiday Inn I currently reside in.

And while I'm bitching, too much math today. US$ to C$. km to m. That one was pretty frustrating, until I realized I had been glancing at a conversion chart every 2 minutes or so. I'm not sure if figuring it out makes me a genius, or not figuring it out for so long makes me an idiot. Let's go with genius.

Regarding the west coast, the whole family is okay. My mom didn't even feel the earthquake?! My abuilita was out partying with her great-grandchild with no concerns. It seems I was the most affected somehow.

Not a totally shitty day though. I had fun with my camera:

Vermont at sunset:

666. mileage of the beast!

Continuing to be bored in the car:

Canadian sunset:

Hey Meat Curtain, I got two beds. That means tonight I can....

je ne parle pas français

So I made it to Canada today. It has not been going well. I tried to deal with the language barrier, but I speak no French. I got to the hostel I had made reservations with and there was no parking. The clerk said my car would likely be broken into. I have no cash. I have no ATM card. I tried to go to a bank but couldn't talk to anyone. I'm sure with time I could figure it out. But I am in no mood.

Because I just now heard about the earthquake in L.A.. I am freaking the fuck out. I have no idea how to get a hold of anyone (most of my family is there). I don't speak the language here so I can't ask for help. The only thing I figure to do is head to Toronto where perhaps I can better deal with all this. Fuck.

Reverse Technology

I leave for Canada in a couple of hours. Let it be known that I am turning off my cell phone for the next week because of roaming and such. And, as my mom says, I am cheap. So no texts. No calls. No GPS. Big Bear was telling me that there is something called a landline? Its like a cellphone I guess but attached to some sort of wire? Have you heard of this? Also there is something called a map? Its like this big piece of paper that shows all the roads. Yeah I thought Big Bear was taking crazy pills but he insists its true.

To that end, I will try and post a little something daily so everyone knows I am alive.

0-1

Masscellaneous

Massachusetts Philosophy:

Practicing Safe Hex:

Slow and steady:

New England Clam Chowder:

'nuff said:
So I go into Boston the day after the Sox game, admittedly a bit hung, but determined to see the Boston Tea Party ship and exhibit. It's a bit of a walk, but I'm willing in the name of history. I get there and see this:
No ship. No tea party. I guess earlier this year there was a fire on the dock so they removed the whole thing for renovation. Damn.

So I decide to head here:
No one knew my name.

Here is the view from Big Bear's pad in Georgetown:

Here are his cats, who I have renamed Coke-Head and Masshole. Coke-head is a total slut:

Speaking of sluts, check out this slutty beer:

Now this is what I call freedom:

Self-proclaimed oldest tavern in the U.S.. Research indicates that this is not true. It was a must see on my itinerary. It turned out to be a total meat-market:

The sun sets on my Bostonian Adventure:

Thanks to these to fine women for being so sweet and fun. I had such a great time ladies!!! Thanks for listening to my lamenting of losers, and totally taking my side. Thanks also to Laura and Missy, who somehow escaped the wrath of my trusty Panasonic Lumix.

Thanks most of all to my unofficial Big Bear. I had such a great time this week my dear sweet friend. Though you do realize I am now spoiled rotten. Get your ass to an open mic or you will have me to deal with. See you at Christmas?!

Walk the line

So Boston makes it easy on us nerds via the Freedom Trail. Throughout downtown there is a red line, mostly in brick, that takes you 'round to all the sights. See:

And here is what we saw.

Capitol Building. Not as cool as Connecticut or Texas, but way better than Florida.


This is a memorial for the 54th regiment, the first regiment of black volunteers to fight in the civil war.


You have to click on this photo to get the full effect. Its a very detailed, very beautiful hopscotch court that commemorates the first public school in America.


This is a statue recognizing Boston's aide in the Potato Famine. In 1847, Captain Robert Bennet Forbes left Boston Harbor with 800 tons of food, supplies and clothing and set out for Ireland. What a nice guy.


This is all the commemorates the Boston Massacre, which I thought was odd. Just a circle of stones in the pavement. In the middle of a crazy busy 5 way intersection. Weird.


Paul Revere house:


Paul Revere:


The signal lanterns of Paul Revere that warned the country of the British troops of their march to Lexington and Concord were displayed in the steeple of this church.

I see dead people

One wonderful side effect of traveling is learning new things about oneself. Turns out I'm really into cemeteries. Who knew?

Ben Franklin's parents (If you've been paying attention you know where Benny eternally rests)


One if by land:


John Handcock


A close personal friend: