Another amazing zinefest in the books. I look forward to this festival of zines each year. It is the only fest I actually go to each year. Although later this year I am breaking out and heading down to Asheville to check out the scene. The NYC FzF is filled with amazing humans who all create zines. I want to trade zines with every single person there. This year I sat next Pirate Sarah and her pals and got to know them a bit. The energy at the fest is always incredible and I love meeting new peeps. Check out pix below from my zine haul this year! I was also excited to spread the word about the new zine venture I am putting together: stories of recovery and sobriety. (Below: Billie Holiday sniffed the zines and wondered why her couch was covered in paper.) My first ever zine reading happened. Finally! I may not come off this way, but I am a ball of nerves when it comes to performing. I also have terrific amounts of social anxiety, and I constantly worry that I sound like a boob, and not a funny one. You can ask the glitterati, my performing pals, because they have witnesses my pre-stage antics, self-doubt and bathroom issues. Thankfully, my girls Tess and Audrey were always there to help my in or out of a costume and talk me off a ledge. Despite my stomach problems, I really do love connecting with an audience.
Saturday evening, I joined six others at a zine reading for the Feminist Zinefest at Bluestockings Bookstore on the Lower East Side of NYC. My lovely friend Sarah and her babe surprised me and showed for support. Even though my nerves had me slightly tongue-tied, once I heard llittle Mauve making fart sounds, I looked up and chuckled, and eased into reading my essay, "On Traveling Sober." Here is our first reference, starting our cycling adventures in San Francisco and ending in San Diego.
Two Saturdays in a row, we drove the 1.5 hours down to Trophy Bikes in Philadelphia. Why would we do such a thing? Basically, Trophy was the closet place that had a 42cm frame built, which meant that Cristina could take a bike for a spin. One ride on a 46cm framed Surly Disc Trucker hooked me. I put my down payment on the bike and C ordered a different colored frame than mine, so we wouldn't be *extra* gay. However, this meant we would have to return the following week, when C's bike was built and both of our bikes would be ready for the road. I woke up Saturday with my crabby pants on, for no discernible reason. I hate it when that happens. On Saturdays, I have a standing commitment, my AA meeting Homegroup at high noon. I left my meeting 20 minutes early so that we could get on the road to Philly. Still in a grumpy mood, I wasn't the best co-passenger. Everything changed after walking into Trophy. My sexy new bike was waiting for me. I started riding her around the store and then around the block. Hip hip hooray for bike day. My current bicycle is a cheap road hybrid, called a GT Vantera that I bought at Dick's. For bicycle touring trips, many folx opt for legit touring bicycles for loads of reasons. One main reason is that you want to be comfortable sitting on said bike for eight hours. Another reason is low gears- you want a bike that can haul ass and haul a load uphill. The bike should be sturdy and able to carry packs and move well with weight. That said, there are TONS of options out in the world.
C and I visited three bike shops to check out and size out touring bikes that would fit us. We are both petite people so it was super important for us to be able to test ride. I rode a Kona Sutra that was perhaps a size too big for me, and it did not make for a fun ride. I rode a Surly Disc Trucker, 46 cm frame, that felt like it was made for me. And just like that... I put half down on a touring bike last weekend. Holy crapola! Since C had to order her bike and we added bits and bobs, we will pick up our bikes this weekend. Pictures to come soon. |
AuthorHi, I'm Reverend J, a queer+ sober wanderer, activist, writer and ordained minister. Archives
November 2020
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