Buffalo New York

ryan21081 — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:20:00 GMT

SO I set off to visit my dear friend Jen for her birthday and attend a Social Distortion concert in Buffal. I left Cleveland at about 3:50 and arrived at Jens' house at 6:30. She lives right near the Peace bridge in Buffalo near the border. I was using my GPS but wound up in the wrong lane headed to Canada. Shit. I got to the Canadian side of the bridge and made a U turn. Now I had to go through immigration. I get to the booth and present my Passport. This was the convo:

Guard: What was your bussiness in Canada?

me: I didnt actually go. I made a wrong turn and went a corssed the bridge but turned right around.

guard: And you just so happen to have your passport?!

me: I am going there on Thursday but I am headed to a friends house in Buffallo.

guard: Have you been to this friends place before?

me: Yes. Twice. But its been a while.

guard: pop your trunk

Guard: what do you do for a living?

me: I am an AV engineer. I install Audio, video, TVs, video conferencing security etc.

guard: and you happen to carry wire and tools with you?

me: Um, yes. Its in there from work.

guard: oh, well I guess that makes sense. get out of here.

Seriously. Whey is it that every time I cross the border, I get molested? Is it because I am by myself? Because of the Russian Visa in my Passport? My nerves in pressure situations? I don't know. But I hope its not like this every time I cross a border. Or this trip will be quite stressfull.

Anyway, I arrive at Jennifers' house around 6: 30. We headed out to a bar that she hangs out at, I drank a miller lite, we had some shots (I had Straight Jager, she had a Jager bomb) and then we headed to the town ball room for the show. We headed inside, picked up our tickets and VIP bracelets. Jen had 2 extra tickets which she went outside to sell. We bought some beers and went in to watch the opening bands. Both were pretty good. I didnt catch their name.

At about 9 pm the lights went down and Social D came out. At the time I was feeling really bummed. Some things didn't go right for me and I am still bothered by it. There is nothing I could have done differently, I know that, but nonetheless, my life isn't all peaches.I have just as many bad days as good one. Then suddenly Mike Ness said something that really made me think. I have such a great oppertunity right now. And I can't let the past ruin my future. So fuck it. I am going to enjoy this.

Later when the band left the stage, we went up front to get a closer look for the encore. There was suprizingly a lot of room up front. I took some videos and pictures.

After the show was over, We went to the Merch table and I bought a Tee Shirt, Jen bought a Picture, a bandanna and a poster. As we walked out she said she wanted to get her stuff signed. The Merch guy said " All I can say is go out by the buses. So we did just that.

We waited probably 10 minutes and the Drummer ,David Hidalgo Jr., came out. He was really friendly. I took a Picture of him with Jen and we talked for a few minutes. She told hiim I came all the way up from Pittsburgh and he said "Oh yeah, we are playing there" I replied "Yeah but I will be in South America then" He said " Oh yeah why are you going there?" I replied " I quit my job to travel for a while. He then said " Well good luck to ya" He was a really nice guy. He chatted with just about everyone that was waiting outside.

Next came the Guitarist, Johnny Wickersham. He didn't say much but I took a picture with Him and Jen and then he walked down the street to a bar.

After that the Basist,Brent Harding came out. He signed a few autographs I told him he played a great show and we each took a picture with him.

Last, out Came the lead singer Mike Ness. He is one of my all time favorite musicians. I shook his hand, told him he played a great show and that I was a huge fan. He replied" Thanks man, thanks for coming out" I siad that I was from Pittsburgh but am going to South America so I wouldnt be around for that show. He asked where all I was going. I said "Machu Pichu, Galopagos Islands, Bolivia, Argintinaand Brazil. He said " Go to Rio De Jeniro. Thats my spot." I said " I certainly will. He replied " Good luck to ya, safe travels, and I'm Jealous" Um what?! Mike Ness.... Is Jelous?! of me?! That made my night!

After all that I definately couldn't go to sleep yet. So we went to this bar called " The pink" and had an awesome steak sandwhich. We had a few beers anc talked for a bit before heading back home. At about 4:30, we finally went to bed. Great day.

Cleveland Ohio

ryan21081 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:00:00 GMT

After getting my affairs in order, I set out to visit my cousin Kelley and her family in Cleveland Ohio. I left my moms' house at about 3:3o P.M. to get things started. I had to stop at my work to drop off some things including my company computer. So I got to the office at about 5:15 and dropped some things off. Then I had a conversation with one of the bosses.I told him about some of the logistic plans for my trip, and where I was headed. As all my coworkers did, he wished me good luck. Of course I sat there talking my face off as I always do. I didn't leave untul about 5:40. Then I decided I wanted to stop at the mall to pick up some last second things. I finaly got on the turnpike at about 6:20 headed for Ohio. I drove my mustang because I havent driven it very much over the last 2 years. This was probably a mistake now that I think about it because traffic with a stick shift and a 4.6 liter engine that drinks gas like I drink beer is not exactly a good idea considering my budget. But it's done now and I'll hasve to deal with it.

So on the drive up my mind was all over the place. Thoughts about what and who I was leaving behind, the oppertumity that I have in the coming year, worries of what could go wrong, and what could go right.

I arrived at Kelleys house at about 8:00. We talked for a while while her Husband Eric got ready. At this point, I got my netbook and booked my flight from Houston to Mexico City on June 23. I booked with my moms' Southwest miles through AIRTRAN airlines and it cost me approximately $235. And did some catching up with Kelley We finaly headed out for something to eat at about 9:30. Good thing to cuz I was starving! We headed to the Outback steakhouse because I had a gift card that I was going to use. By the time we got there it was closed. From there we headed to Tower City where Eric works. We sat at the bar and drank some beers. I looked at the beer menue and asked for a Hoegardern, but the bartender said he had a better idea. He gave me a local Wheat beer that I really liked although I forget what it was called.

At this point I was really hungry but unfortunately the Kitchen was closed. Shit. What to do? Eric handed me the menue and told me he would make whatever I wanted. That's what I call hospitality. So glad to see Kelley with such a great guy. I ordered a Blue Lou berger and tater tots. It was fantastic. Except for the Mushrooms. I hate Mushrooms! It was a great quite yummy. After 3 beers we headed back to the house and hung out out back talking about whatever. I wish I could spend more time with them. I have been out to Cleveland lots of times over the years and it's always good to visit with my closest relative.

We went to bed at about 3 am. After I showed them my compressable pillow. I am pretty sure it blew their minds! The next morning, I woke up at about 7 am. This seems to be common lately. I wake up at dawin every morning. I did fall asleep but the Kids woke up a little later and that was the end f my slumber.

I got up at around 8:30 and Eric had already made us breakfast. An Egg omlet with Cheese, homefries with pepers, bacona nd sausage and French toast out of bannana bread. It was pretty tasty.

We hung out for a bit and I showered. Then i visited with my aunt for a while. She told me my mom must be going nuts. While I agree she probably is, She hasn't really let on.

At about 3:50 I finally said my goodbyes. And headed to Buffalo.

Ryan abroad

Buffalo New York

Cleveland Ohio