I love me a good angsty, comic loving, leather jacket wearing cub as much as
the next guy, but that hair needs to go. Poor guy looks like he has a goatee
hanging off his forehead. I like my boys trim on top, woofy on the bottom…
but then again, hair is meant fer the pullin! #snap

*I meant to post this yesterday but I hit "draft" instead of send and
therefore nothing happenated.*

Fun Fact: Chicago is as far West as I’ve ever been/wanted to go. Bonus Fact: I went to Chicago for my first time ever last weekend. Super bonus Fact: Jonathon Coulton can suck it, as can Paul and Storm, They Might Be Giants, however, rule.

It was a weekend of firsts for me. First trip to Chicago, first They Might Be Giants concert, first taste of real Chicago Deep Dish…

My two travel companions were my loverly boyfriend Jay, and his/our wonderfully quirky albeit difficult-as-an-ass friend Daniel Danielle Danni. Although the trip was fumbled by an overzealous JoCo fan (Danny), I think every little bit turned out into a spectacular weekend.

Friday

Friday was one of thee longest 8+ hours ever in the back of a smelly Prius. I’m not really claustrophobic but I do get the ADD tingles when my view doesn’t change. We all survived and checked into the hotel before running off to Gino’s East, a Chicagoan staple, for some real deep pizza. Deep dish is good, although I tend to wonder why you need to eat a pizza whose only purpose is to send you to an early grave… but then again, I consider butter a vitamin.

Saturday

Brunch was at M. Henry’s, the source of that delicious stack of hotcakes with mango raspberry compote I photo-blogged earlier. I make a tastier candied bacon, but the toasted oats on top of the hotcakes sent my face into foodgasms. After lunch and a quick jaunt into a few shops to find some pillows for Avant Andy, we rolled over to the Museum of Science and Industry. I kept marveling over the Mold-a-rama stashed in a corner, and I may have drooled a bit over the tour guide of the U-505 submarine. Jay is such an understanding boyfriend.  After the museum, we had to hurry to make the They Might Be Giants show, which was at 4. Walking in, a security guard quipped that “no one in the mosh pit over 30lbs.” That made little sense until we made it all the way inside. Apparently, TMBG made a children’s album, which was the source material for the “all-ages” show we were attending, mind you in no sober state to properly enjoy like a normal raucous TMBG fan. Children everywhere: infants, toddlers, pre-tweens… and here we were, downing Guinness like a drunk irish uncle at a family reunion. 40 minutes later, the crowd was dismissed, as I’m sure it was naptime. 3 hours to kill now before this second show, which Danny promised us would be “a Flood tribute show” by this guy named Jonathon Coulton. We went and ate some more deep dish, then crowded into the Park West venue for what would be 3 more hours of nonsense. NONSENSE. Paul and Storm plus Jonathon Coulton do not a TMBG cover band make. Looking around, the audience was composed of nerds far past the acceptable range… I think I have had more sex than all of them combined… those who know me know that isn’t really a far fetched metric.  Granted, Jonathon Coulton wrote the Portal Cake song, but he wasn’t a swarthy homicidal robot. Jay and I actually left before the end, I was falling asleep and wondering how many WoW raids were missing members that night.

Sunday

Sunday we embarked on Boys Town for a little bite of Mexigay, at Las Mananitas. delicious Mexican served with a swish, thanks to Matt for the tip! Believe it or not, I had actually forgotten that Rotofugi was in Chicago, but we made a stop before our trip home. So many Kaiju, so few dead presidents with which to purchase but I managed to snag a little Rose Vampire. I also got to see the last day of the Rotofugi art show and the Artist Brush exhibit. I was very tempted to make off with Tara McPhearson’s brush, but I behaved.

We ended up getting home at around 1am, and Jay and I spent Monday decompressing from the stress of travel. I had a lot of fun, I feel a lot closer to Jay, and I hate the Midwest slightly less now. Kansas… can still suck it.

Our last day in Chicago, and we’re up early…er to get out of the hotel.
Last night was an incredible series of events… from They Might Be Giants
playing an all kids show, to deep dish at a place I can’t remember, to being
locked in Park West with a bunch of virginally akward nerds and Joss Whedon
fans to see Jonathon Coultan attempt a TMBG "Flood" show… escaping that
hell for a pint at a quaint irish pub, then finally a near fatal dose of BK
Burger Shot before bed…. you can see why I need a little extra time this
morning to get ready.

One of my Chicago twitter bear buddies, Matt, recommended we go to Las
Mananitas for a spicy Mexican brunch. That’s next. #snap

Jay and I headed up to Chicago with a friend to see They Might Be Giants,
and brunch is a must for a chilly Saturday. M. Henry was recomended by a
friend and oh my god this is delicous. Mango Rasberry Blisscakes…. yum.
You won’t see this in Buffalo. #snap

I swear, go to a Wegmans around lunchtime and you’ll find yourself any
number of woofy bears to oggle at. This particular furry stud appeared to be
at lunch with his girlfriend, but I never heard a word between either of
them. Maybe she’s a beard. Either way, he’s eating sushi and that makes him
a winner in my book. #snap.

He had a soft face, but a ring on his finger, and a kid playing on the
slide. Either way, I thought he looked pretty alright bending over to pick a
pumpkin, or six. #snap

Since I never got around to getting my contacts, I never got around to
getting a pair of sweet sunglasses like these. Do I look detainable? Would
you pull me aside for a full body search? I hope so. #snap

I walked up to 818 Elmwood to find Amanda, Andrew, and Angel dicovering a
female condom… #snap

Here I was, just lounging, and I was thinking “hmm, this Bonobos Polo shirt is so comfy, I’d love to share that comfy with everyone in the world!” Since I’m no Sugar Daddy, free comfy Bonobos for everyone just isn’t possible (I can offer you 15% your first order, just use code “buffawhat” in checkout!) , but if you head over to The Bilerico Project, I’m giving away one free Bonobos Better Fitting Polo to a lucky random commenter. Head over there quick, the contest ends the 28th at 9:30AM!

p.s. – did you know I’m a contributor for The Bilerico Project? Bilerico is a great site, full of community and lots of LGBT details on nearly every issue that’s been swirling about lately.

Huw and I were feigning for more chik-fil-a, and took Jay along for the ride
to Erie. I really wish one was closer to Buffalo, but the 150 Mile road trip
is getting to be a tasty little tradition. Good times all around, specially
when I’m with my loved ones. #snap.