I Wanna Roch (Rock!)

I hope you read the title like this song...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ThOXlmVbQGs

I took no pictures of Rochester, NY today that gave it any fair representation. So, I stole one from the internet... that also gives no real vibe of the city or its culture. Just a geographical vibe... from a bird's eye view. I have no idea where the hyphen goes for the last three (or two) words of that last sentence.

It started thundering and pouring this morning at 5am. It stopped around 8am simultaneously with Josh's snoring, which to his credit, wasn't bad over the silent whirring of the industrial fan on the floor.  

We talked it over and decided to finally have a real day off. No short rides a few miles away. Just a genuine day of sightseeing... and food. As per usual with our experiences with people, Mike was more than cool enough to allow us to stay. We worried about overstaying our welcome but luckily, Mike is the coolest dude of all time.

Born of an Italian mother and an Indian father, he's got a pretty diverse family background. His grandparents are visiting  tomorrow morning from, I believe, his mother's side. Mike teaches locally around the area in Rochester at one of the public schools. It's also worth mentioning that Rochester has one of the best educational programs in the state (collegiately, elementary, secondary, ect.). Mike's heavily involved in outdoor activities; biking, hiking, climbing, you name it. In a month, he's traveling to Uzbekistan to teach. Yeah. He knows four different languages (at least) and has a girlfriend named Brooke. He's fucking awesome.

 So, Rochester, NY. The residence of famous activists such as Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas. Voted one of the most livable cities in the United States. Housing New York's cheapest real estate while still creating a thriving urban environment. Usually known as "The Flour State" or "The Flower State" because of their population boom due to the flour industry followed by the later boom from their seed and floral business. Home of companies such as Xerox, Kodak, and Bausch & Lomb. It sits directly below Lake Ontario on the Erie Canal.

Josh and I went to a museum today to learn about Rochester's history but all of them were closed... except one. 

The National Museum of Play where kids go to just have fun. 

Naturally, as soon as we entered, we bought a shit-ton of candy. Then we went through the museum and its exhibits. There were only a few that were for kids younger than eight. Read the reviews though, it's for everyone. I literally didn't want to leave. They had pinball, checkers, slinkies, computer games, xbox games, pong, I Spy books, and even an exhibit for the Berenstein Bears. When it came to closing time, I wanted to cry and beg to stay with all the other toddlers. But alas, all good things must come to an end. But then they're followed by more good things! Like a Double Feature Movie for $5!

The first movie was Words and Pictures, which was meh. Clive Owen's character is very unlikable. The second movie was Neighbors, which was some good injected humor that I needed. That life needs for that matter, constantly, all the time. I also feel like I injected by body with nothing but sugar today, which is a great feeling. The comedown that's occuring right now isn't though.

5am wake-up and a complete day of bike riding on a paved trail along the Erie Canal. I have absolutely nothing to complain about.