I cannot in good conscience ever rank Reagan as better than Nixon.

I always forget about the sub-groups, or side-chats (or whatever exactly they are? I’ve never been 100% clear on how those things work, I’m not one of the cool kids around here, haha). That’s so cool that she was able to make you a piece like that!

Yes, I remember! (And, ironically, I of course only remembered I wanted to do this on my last day in town, when I wasn’t in the area, blarg. It’s not even that far from where I was staying! So that was a bit of a forehead smack moment. Next time!)

That’s exciting, congrats!

Aw, how sweet! Like I said, leaving really was one of the toughest things I’ve done, unexpectedly so.

There is, and we’ve talked about it plenty over the years (again, this is the culmination of just over 6 years of LDR contact, etc.). He even lived here for nearly a decade, several years ago, so it’s not as though he doesn’t like LA, either! It really more is, he is genuinely the most ridiculously, crazily busy…

My publishing company’s first book is officially printed and in our hands!

Hahaha welll... That would be a hell of a leap (we’ve known each other/been in fairly regular/close contact for the past 6 years, but from a distance; in person, we’ve spent a grand total of 7 days together at this point), and I love LA and worked my ass off to get here, but... I suppose nothing is entirely…

That makes me a feel a bit less like I let too much slide for my first trip, haha thank you! I feel kind of similarly about LA after nearly 6 years, though in the past couple years I’ve definitely made a more concentrated effort to go out and do more things here, which has been really nice.

Thank you very much for such helpful and insightful comments, truly. (Funnily enough, dude in question is a psychotherapist working his way through extra analysis training as we speak. I’m sure he’d agree with you.)

Gah! That does sound pretty crazy. We ended up a little surprised by the weather, too; last Saturday started off warm enough for shorts and tank tops, but by the time we came home we were literally caught in a sudden rain storm! Fortunately, it was fun in the moment.

Sounds like a solid game plan to me!

Gah, that is a lot! (One of my old friends I managed to squeeze a catch-up lunch in with in Harlem during my trip is currently rounding out finals week at Columbia. It was great to see him, but he is clearly very ready for it to be over.)

Having spent much of the past week with one, having basically the best week ever... Good god, unselfish male partners who are above all else into pleasing us are fucking gems above all others (and far too rare).

Oh, nice! Will certainly make a note of this to remember for the future. I really do hope to make it back again (even if, given my work/vacation/financial constraints, it couldn’t possibly be any sooner than at least next year).

Stairs are treacherous as fuck, my god.

It was wonderful. Exceeded all possible expectations. I’m so glad I went.

Thank you for that! (I know my host goes at least once or twice a season, usually bringing his little sister, and I think he suggested something similar.) Definitely something to keep in mind for next time...

It is, and it’s been so long since I traveled anywhere, let alone for a genuine vacation, I had not really prepared myself for it once I got home, haha.

I can absolutely see what you mean — for instance, I didn’t make it to a single museum this time, but definitely would want to at least hit either the MET or the Whitney next time... And my host even wanted to take me to the opera with him (since I’ve never been, period), but it’s close enough to the end of the season…