missing beau fleuve

It was somewhere between Batavia and Swormsville that I fell in love with Beau Fleuve and it's strangely named areas.

As I gushed Dan would always be quick to point out that it was only beautiful because I was visiting during the month out of the year that it's not cold and overcast, which I understand, but it didn't change my feelings.  Maybe I should just spend every July in beau fleuve.

I could hang out with this nice guy:

who was very nice and only bit me a little bit.

And I'll spend every afternoon playing pool with Dan.  Apparently I need to brush up on my skills anyways since I'm losing to somebody who is barely ever paying attention

i won the flying lottery

Exit row completely to myself?!  Unbelievable!

Too bad it was only an hour and a half flight from Beau Fleuve to JFK.

Here's hoping I can get on the next flight to Trampa.

ladies and gentlemen, this is niagara falls

Yesterday Dan took me to do the one thing that I've been most excited about regarding my visit to Buffalo; took me to Niagara falls.

I had been here at some point as a child but really don't remember it too well.  I also think I was here at some point in the winter which would have made it a completely different experience.

Yesterday basically could not have been a more beautiful day.  And it was just the right temperature that you didn't mind getting spritzed by the falls.

And oh was there spritzing.  I asked Dan if I really needed to wear the oversized poncho to which he just laughed and said, "well that's up to you I guess".

I thought it was going to be more like splash mountain.  You know, the occasional blast of water but generally controlled.  I guess it's really more like a giant waterfall that is constantly dumping thousands of gallons of water on to the heads of the passerby's at the base.

It really is quite incredible though.  I mean it's just so much water!

Dan's experience with Niagara Falls is not unlike my experience with Fort Sumter in that he had to come here every year in school on field trips so he knows it like the back of his hand.  Of course this made him the best tour guide, leading us to all the hot spots while avoiding the riff raff.

And against my protests he also forced me to take a tour on the boat.

I just really don't like lots of people in a confined space so I was wary of this endeavor, but once we were on the boat and going past the falls I understood why it was very necessary.

When you are looking down from above you are more struck by the height and the feeling of vertigo.  When you are looking up from the bottom you are more overwhelmed by the sheer force of the water pouring over the edge.

I described it as "dramatic" which Dan said was an apt description.

I'm pleased with myself for managing to get some pictures while at the same time neither dropping my phone in the water, nor getting it soaked by the mist.  I'm also just glad that I got any pictures at all since 75% of the ones I took came out like this:

So much mist!

I think I've seen all Buffalo has to offer now, not sure what today holds in store for Dan and me.  I figure Dan will want to go out in search of Ralphie at some point.

Me:  Oh it's happy hour now?  What does that mean?

Ralphie:  It's the time, usually before like 9:00pm when a bar will have drink specials, or two for one deals or something.

Me:  ...Yeah, I know what happy hour is in general, I meant what is it here?

Ralphie:  Oh, well it's going on right now and it means that some drinks are going to be cheaper than others.

So helpful Ralphie.

creepy

when I asked Dan's mom what the story was behind this cardboard child she told me some roundabout story regarding an art class or something.  I didn't really follow.  All I know is every time I see it I get a chill down my spine.

Happy 4th of July

Dan's family had a quintessential 4th of July backyard bbq that you don't even know how jealous you are that you missed.  Unfortunately Dan got me hammered off of watermelon mint martinis and I ended up passing out for the better part of the afternoon.

But I did wake up in time for us to go to see the fireworks!  Dan took me here for some prime viewing:

It's the University of Buffalo, which I commented was beautiful to which Dan quickly replied, "no, no its not".  I think he just has the same feelings about it that I would have about USC or UF, it's only exciting if you're not from the area.

There was no wondering about the excitement level of the fireworks however.  They really were cool, especially since we were sitting fairly close to them.  The depth, the depth!!

Enjoy the blue, it's the most expensive color!

I like this one because it reminds me of the end of Britney's concert when she vanishes in a waterfall of fireworks.  

Even though we sat there longer waiting for the fireworks to start than actually watching them it was a really fun night.  Once we started playing music on our phones, yelling at every passerby, "Justin?  BJ?", and drinking champaign I forgot about the fireworks anyways.  They ended up being a pleasant surprise.

Now I've got to brush me teeth and get ready for some HARDCORE sight seeing.

so many beautiful flowers

I don't understand how Florida, the land of flowers, doesn't hold a candle to Buffalo.  I mean it's like every yard is overflowing with amazing flowers of every color, size, and shape.

Dan has been making me watermelon mint martinis for the past 3 hours so I'm pretty toasted.  I think we need to take a little nappy before figuring out where to go watch fireworks.

zsa zsa buffalo

Dan and his sister Emily took me out for a night on the town last night and it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.

Not unlike our life in NYC the majority of our evening was spent watching music videos by ourselves and shooting dirty looks at the people dominating the jukebox.  I did manage to get one amazing song in the rotation.  I paid 50 cents to play 'all I want for christmas is you' and another 50 cents to have it skip the line and get played immediately.  It was so worth it.

Though the bars stay open until 4am here (?) we did not end up staying out that late, which was fine with me as I'm definitely excited about today's activities.  I'm hidden away now working on my blog but it sounds like there is a lot of fixin's and mixin's going on in the kitchen that I would like to be a part of.

Will touch base later I'm sure.

P.S. I am in love with Dan's family.

rabbit rabbit rabbit

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Wow, July, really?

I think June seemed so much longer than any other month, both because I was all over these great united states during the course of it, but also because June contains the longest day of the year and my blogs anniversary.  I'd been looking forward to/dreading June all year long, and now it's come and gone.

And here we find ourselves in July.  What is on my horizon you ask?  I have no clue.  I am still clinging to the idea that I'm going to make it to Florence for Amelise's wedding but that is seeming less and less likely.  As it stands now Jon can get me to Italy but cannot get me home from Italy.  I am considering modeling myself after a young Hilary Duff and just going there and never coming back but I don't think I have that kind of gumption.  I guess she was also playing a role.  My life would be so much easier if I could just play a role.

Until I figure out what my next step is I'm going to continue avoiding the realities of my life.  Laundry today, party tomorrow, Buffalo on sunday.  I think I'm going to model my 4th of July outfit off of this month's Barbie.  Dan, let me know if you think your neighbor will appreciate it:

happy birthday big guy

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Replace "buffalo" with "Nathanael" and this was the warning we gave visitors to our apt.  Aww,  I miss those days.

Happy Birthday Nathanael, wherever you are.  May your spirit live on.

DO NOT APPROACH NATHANAEL