I left for C7 early and came back late because I wanted to visit some people I knew in NYC. First fun was the getting there. I was hungry in the terminal and they were terribly bereft of edible food (and I'm not good with breakfast food in the morning) so I picked up some jerky. Mmmm, dried meat. Mommy loves her protein. Plane got to gate late cause they wouldn't let it out of the hanger, at least not too late. Then we circled around Chicago for an hour because they weren't letting anyone into NYC because visibility was limited to 2 miles, which doesn't go far when you're in a plane.

Finally landed, got on the bus, most of the buses were broken so we got to go to *all* the terminals and pick people up. So that took forever, and then some. At least I wasn't waiting for bus for an hour and a half like some people, I got to be sitting in the bus. Then lugging my crap uphill and around in rainyness to tea's. She and mikey had already gone for food cause I was ultra late, so I took my stuff up, met tea's rommie, and we both headed over to eat sushi with mike and tea, in a restaurant with no air conditioning. Which made it substantially less crowded, it being half price sushi night, but I was horribly overheated with humidity and heat and lugging heavy luggage uphill, but drank lots of water and everything was ok.

I walked. Oh, how I walked. I took the subway to Canal Street, wandered around Pearl River and bought japanese ume marshmallows. Mmmmm. These actually managed to last the trip, they were very sweet so it was difficult to have many at once. Walked down Broadway to 8th Street, wandered around St. Marks. Unfortunately I know where to find just about everything there for substantially less, so it was fun to look at, but I didn't even see that much I hadn't seen before already. Walked over to Patricia Field's and Funhouse, then up to 44th Street. Well, I was locked out of the apartment (tho that day tea got me one of the keys, the other one required special ordering and getting it sent over long periods of time, so that was no good, but at least if top not locked it was all good) so there was no reason not to walk. A lot.

I love my guidebook, it rocks. Its heavy and a pain in the ass to carry, but maps and spiffy stuff to look at galore. So many people commented on my hair. I'm used to comments (even though I think purple hair is normal, and wish it was natural so I didn't have the upkeep) but it seemed like even more people commented on my hair than usual (they were at least all positive, so that was nice).

Went up to Central Park, checked out FAO, Macy's, the Plaza, etc. along the way. At the Plaza I went in to take picture of the picture of Eloise for my mother. She wishes at times that I was more like Eloise. Then I think she thinks better of it. At the entrance to the park i stopped to eat, having picked up a sandwitch and drink along the way. As I was getting up to leave, the lady sitting at the bench next to me asked about my hair, very concerned that I would damage it with constant dying and wondering why I didn't stick with a "normal" colour like red. It was a very interesting conversation, and she actually in the end thought my pretty purple hair was nice. I wandered around the park a lot, saw the lake with the little remote control sailboats (I didn't rent one, but Syko did when she went to Central Park). Also checked out the bronze of Alice, and took a picture for my father who loves Alice in Wonderland. Went over to the Shakespeare gardens as well, which I found rather unimpressive- but then I have a larger garden in my backyard, with a lot of the same flowers. I saw a sign at one of the fenced in kiddie amusement parks that said "Please dispose of all garbage. A trash free park is a rodent free park." Reminded me of the cute little mouse Lizzy and I saw years ago running between the subway rails. It was so white! And of course led to talk of mutant rodents that live in the subway system. After I left Central Park I saw the kick ass spiders at Rockafeller Center. They rock. Went back to the apartment- tea's roommie had locked me out with top lock. Henceforth we left a note taped to the door reminding her. Went back uptown to the spiders again.

When it was time to meet them I took the subway all the way downtown, and met blackhawk finally in the flesh, as it were. That was very cool, since he's someone I've known online for a number of years, as well as simply being an interesting individual. He made some sort of new drink concoction that was sweet and sour, and I had one as well. He got very happily smashed and we left the bar to break into a nearby park (a very small thing in the middle of an odd intersection, and all we had to do was jump the chain link fence, nothing major, though watching mikey's hesitation to jump over the fence was quite amusing).

Beginning of C7 stuff. Checking into hotel day. Stayed at tea's kind of late (past noon) then headed out to scope out hotel. Walked up and figured out where closest subway stations were- and closest stations with elevators. Went back, took the elevator route, and lugged my crap. A lot. Cause I'm a freak like that. Checked in and told them to give key to Syko when she got in.

Wandered down to the lobby around Jekyll and Hyde time to see if I knew anyone, even tho I hadn't realized I had to RSVP early enough. Met Trystan, which was uber cool. She was really nice. Poor girl needed more sleep! I'm also considering printing out a copy of the agf faq for her so she has something to physically smack people with. It would be heavy and substantial. She told me to come along anyway because they'd reserved more than enough space. Met Sagacity and his girl, Angelsil, (both of whom are working on C8 in Las Vegas with a number of LA people I know, and Angelsil was co Goth Babe of the Week at the time of Convergence, with Éilis) at dinner while feeling terribly lost and not knowing anyone. That was nice- at least I knew someone. Went to a room party of corpgoths Angelsil was having (Sagacity being also afraid of large groups, and not a drinker) and talked to Sagacity a lot. They went off to La Nouvelle Justine's, which as I understood it was an S&M restaurant in which there were nekkid bois, Voltaire, and one could pay for floggings by a professional dominatrix.

I waited around for Syko to get in in case there were problems with hotel key and such. Besides, I wasn't quite sure I wanted to go to that without person I was comfy with as buffer zone. When she got in I offered her ume marshmallows and dried meat, yes, I am my mother's daughter, even if I wasn't offering the best of food. She had kick ass new hair for C7, it rocked, though it must have been hell on the scalp.

We tried to find La Nouvelle Justine's and got thoroughly lost, but had fun anyway. We came back to the hotel, and we felt the love. Bought food off a street vendor and ate out near the hotel, also met one of the people behind, ahem, Dungeon.

The hotel curtains didn't have tracks all the way across so they wouldn't close. To me, this seems silly. And since we were gonna be sleeping during daylight hours a lot...thankfully I had my shirt with the safety pins with me, so every night I would climb up on the ac unit, precariously balancing myself while safety pinning the curtains closed at the top. Safety pins, don't leave home without them. Syko ended up borrowing my book, I'll make her sp00ky yet!

Awoken by knocking on the door, which was very spooky. Neither of us wanted to get up to answer it, we were rather freaked out. Eventually Syko got up to see if there was anyone there and put the second lock on the door (as well as the do not disturb sign on the knob outside in case it was the maid, although it was far too early). Knocking continued a little on the wall against the bed, which was also freaky. I noticed our phone was blinking and fumbled with the book to find out how to check messages, found out Laura and Éilis couldn't get into their room because they couldn't find the person they were rooming with! Thought perhaps they were the ones who knocked (but they weren't) and called to the desk. Thankfully by that time everything was sorted and they had a room to crash in after the flight from LA.

When we finally did get up, we did the whole check in Meet and Greet thing, and got our extra spiffy laminates and little C7 booklets. I wore a shirt with rips in the front and felt very self concious, promptly ran back up to the room and changed. Met Doktok Joy and Aconite when I was heading out of the hotel with Syko. Aconite's hair is so lovely. I wished, not for the last time, that I'd brought my Libby Lifts, but I had decided I didn't have room for another pair of boots in my suitcase, especially since they aren't boots I could comfortably walk in for a long time then.

blackhawk had wanted to get together with me again so I called him up, eventually it was settled I'd head over at 3, so I missed all the daytime C7 stuff. Was kind of bummed I missed the absinthe fashion show, but blackhawk was heading out of town so I didn't really have much of a choice. He gave me a copy of one of the movies his old production company works for, I haven't watched it yet, but it sounds kick ass.

Ended up hauling ass out of there at 7, and, because I worry too much, was afraid they would have odd rules about not letting people into the concert stuff late, so I got there early, not having eaten yet. Damn the no in and out policy. They made me check my bag. <growl> I hate that enough about New York when its just going from store to store, but at Irving Plaza they wouldn't let me keep my bag *and* I had to pay for checking it in. This annoyed me in no small amount. When we went to Limelight I wouldn't give it up because it was up to *me*- same with the Cyber Fairy Ball- because all the rest of the time they gave me no choice. Might have danced some otherwise, but I was so annoyed with having to check it at Irving Plaza two nights in a row. Got glommed onto by some guy who talked to me. And then wouldn't leave. Even when a bunch of my people showed up and he had no clue what was going on in the conversation. Kept asking if I wanted to go room party hopping with him. Um, no. *Sigh* I so can't deal with guys. Finally Em scared him off when he came by and offered me cranberry juice- loudly asked him if he had a bladder infection, and then went off talking about dirty boys. Em rocks. A lot. Didn't see a lot of him after that. Did meet the fabulous Sawyer twins, Megan and Christy, that night, and they were cool. Very very cool. Finally met rkangel, the Johnny Depp lookalike stealing away our Nisi, and Myth.

Saw Snog, the earlier bands (local NYC bands) unfortunately sucked ass. I loved the slide show sort of thing they had going on in the background, it was four images that they flashed quickly in sequence, and then switched one of the images in the sequence- going through all sorts of changes. Most of the transitions were very smooth and the images went together well. Some of the images seemed a little too evil hippie, but then as b would say, goths are all evil hippies. The combination of ever changing images was pleasantly hypnotic, and served to occupy some of the more clinical parts of my brain so I could enjoy the music more.

Went out to eat afterwards- ended up going all the way back to the hotel, and walked for bloody ever with me hungry and worn out worrying about when people were going to show up and rescue me from the guy, so i was shutting down. God I hate eating in NYC. But once I was fed, it was better. Met another agf friend of Syko's and her hubby, which was cool. Upon getting back to the hotel found out that we couldn't use the refrigerator to hold the leftovers because it was fascistly set up to only allow the expensive drinks (and you couldn't even replace them, so if you took one, you got changed, period).

Lizzard had arranged with me to go to the Met, since it was a weekend so she didn't have to work, so again I missed all daytime C7 stuff. We played with the mummies and caught up on each other's lives, she's being a good influence, I'm so proud of her! She's found better job stuff, AT&T was sucking out her brain, so now she's a librarian. So cute. Of course she specializes in the random shit category.

Got back to hotel to message from Nisi about wondering where Syko was, at past 3! when she was supposed to be there for lunch as I understood it. Her cellphone service was crap in the city and it seemed like the only place she could get reception was in our hotel room, so I couldn't get ahold of her. And my cellphone didn't like roaming for no good reason, so it was totally useless, something that was a problem the entire trip. Went to see fashion show, and I figured she would be there- but she wasn't. The fashion show itself was neat, got to see more Yosa kimono corset designs, and some Technokitty stuff, and other pretties. Yosa's bit had a number of models and lovely choreography by Aconite and music by Sexbat- very stylish. Doesn't hurt that I like the cyber geisha look either. Found mike and tea and hung out with them. tea'd been handing out CDs to people all day (she had a sign she wore saying "i have free toys!") and seemed to be pretty successful, which was really nice (especially since I accidentally ended up with more on it than anyone else!). The bands this time were (much!) better, and halfway through Claire Voyant (before Coil) Syko finally showed up, Myth in tow, very frustrated and annoyed. Lots of trains and stations being broke and closed and generally not cooperating with being a working public transportation system so her day sucked in that respect. As if worrying about her all night hadn't been bad enough, then I picked up on that mood too. Not her fault at all- it just happens to me sometimes, I pick up the moods of other people.

Ditched the show and went off to free Limelight, got to see it pretty deserted which was really nice. The female Jesus twins disco ball amused me, and the Giger room was very nifty, though it would have been cooler with architectural elements as well. Very nice venue, and they did a lot with it, I could just see the potential for so much more...plus most of it was free range ravers and club kids.

Left to get food, and Syko cheered up- I was stuck with the bad mood still. Went back into Limelight and met up with people there, and Syko connected with a friend, Thom, she'd met earlier in New Jersey. He was wearing almost nothing that started out as his, rk lent him clothes so he could get in at the cheaper black clad hordes price. Somehow they managed to stuff him into an old pair of rk's black leather pants and threw a black shirt on him. I was still not happy, so we went back to hotel, and I went sleepy to try to throw off moodiness. She and Thom went off and played till 5 or so.

Finally got to do daytime events. Saw the Goblin Market, it was very small. Some interesting stuff tho, picked up lots of fliers with urls and such. Some of the things that tempted me i may order, since they didn't have *quite* what I wanted there. Met Sexbat there briefly with Dok and Aconite.

The great secret thing was a really sad magician, but then, I'm spoiled, I've been going to the magic castle since I was tiny. tea got called up to have a piece of uncooked pasta she was holding broken with a bullwhip. Unfortunately the ceiling was far too low so it took a few tries, and we were all waiting for him to miss and hit her (but then, tea probably wouldn't mind, she likes scars). Syko got called up to be a "volunteer" and do a magic trick that wasn't so much magic as a cute thing, at least it was less dangerous.

Went out for food with Snarf, which was cool. Syko had to get her stuff together and head out, I went down to one of the rooms occupied by some LAers (the trio of redheads, Éilis, Laura, and Em, two of whom were stranded the friday morning) and helped Éilis do her hair- I need to figure out a better way to do loose extentions, but it worked for that, just required lots of bobby pins. *Lots* of bobby pins. Then she did my hair- actually something different than what I'd been thinking about, but worked better with the gauge wire I'd picked up- and looked cooler besides. Sometimes miscommunications turn out really cool. I was very uber happy with my hair.

Ran up and did makeup and finished changing, ended up taking the subway with Em over. The ball was not exactly what I expected, but lots and lots of awesome costumes and wings. Got to see the fabulous Kathryn Quinn's sparkly corset. Got a picture with the fabulous Sawyer twins to show Syko what she was missing. This also became the try to keep Tasha from being mauled by someone night. Thank god the LA crew was around. Finally met Torq and nun although not for long.

Ended up leaving kind of early with a pack of LAers and going back to their room- ran upstairs to get food and saw Syko's backpack. First thought- oh shit, she forgot it! Then found the rest of her stuff. No note or message. I was worried. Yes, I know I worry too much. I'm a Virgo. Its my nature. Left a note saying where I was, went down to lobby, back to the room party. More people came back (apparently the venue closed much earlier than expected), more getting of food, this time from outside of the hotel. Finally braved the second floor party, soooo much smoke! But no Syko. The LA people then moved to the second floor and we staked out a corner a little out of the way. The boys found a girl passed out in one of the anterooms, and Gabby woke her up to see if she was ok. She responded with "Go away, I'm trying to sleep!" Nevermind the very loud bevy of goths drinking and smoking and talking not 5 feet away from her... Finally decided to crash at 5 or so cause I was tired and had to get my crap back over to tea's in the morning, checkout by one. Finally a message from Syko saying she missed her plane and was just storing her stuff overnight and then heading out.

Got up when she came in, got my stuff together and headed out myself, but took a cab back this time instead of roughing it. I was too achey to manage it again. Before I left the hotel room I wrote a note for them complaining about the curtains and the refridgerator. Took a nap then since I hadn't slept much. Checked out Maxilla and Mandible and got a skull of a mammal, not entirely sure what exactly. Went over to Central Park again, and it started *pouring*. Then trying to find subway in pouring rain, whee fun! Took refuge in a drug store for a bit. Took subway back, got back not long before mikey, and he made yummy yummy dinner. And set it on fire! Hoo yeah! Saw Herr Colin, which was nifty, tho neither of us talked much. But then we never really have. Missed all C7 events cause was sleeping during daytime ones, and seeing Colin during nighttime, but I think all the LAers were gone so I would have been standing around looking uncomfortable anyway.

Took the subway to Union Square, and wandered down to 2nd Street, up a bit, then back down and over Christopher Street, then back up, eventually to 44th Street. Looked in an odd little shop in the Village that had caught my eye when I went to see blackhawk along the way, full of eclectic things. A rather nice selection of Day of the Dead things, but since I go to Olvera Street... Called Cheryl and arranged to get together with her, wandered around the area by tea's apartment. There is limited selection of decent food around Grand Central. Met up with mike and tea after they ate, and went back to their place and hung out for a bit.

Travelling home, whee. I got to the airport early because I didn't know how long to leave to get there. Ended up picking up another book in the airport, the cover was by Edward Gorey (and yes, that is what caught my eye and convinced me to buy it). It was quite good, and since I finished my second book while I was waiting in the terminal it was doubly good to have. I would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries, it was rather unusual. Stupid overbooking flights, waited around for people to give up their seats since if they actively bumped people they'd have to give them more compensation. Called my dad and told him to bitch to their customer service because if they don't get complaints they'll just keep being asses forever about it. At least this one wasn't as bad as some, I waited for hours, longer than the flight they were putting people on, one time. I think having him call them was a good idea, because soon afterwards they let us on the plane. Home again, home again, jiggety jig!