Don’t mind me. I’m just over here green-faced and burping at the mere recollection of my journey to 20 stamps. Chooch kept saying this was going to turn me into an alcoholic but in the end, I think it actually turned me AVERSE to beer.

Anyway, let’s get the rest of the stamps on record here for prosperity.

We met up with THE Chronica at Headley’s for some stamp action. I truly lost track as to what # stamp this was but rest assured we had a wonderful evening with Chronica. We hadn’t seen them since their going away party last July at Spoonwood! They returned from Spain in the fall but are actually headed back again as I type this. So I am super grateful that we got to see them during a hectic holiday season!

Either Chris or Monica pointed out that this picture makes it look like we were hanging out a random animal hospital, and very happy to be doing so, LOL. I don’t know why we were positioned this way, probably at my misleading direction, but it makes it even funnier honestly!

Of course I made them pose with the bag of CHRONIKKAH Dark Matter coffee that I saw and had to pick up for them when we were in Chicago because they have gone by the portmanteau
Chronica for probably as long as I have known them!?

Last weekend, we went to Helicon in Oakdale. It was OK. I wasn’t wow’d and probably would not go back. I also started to get a headache almost IMMEDIATELY after my first sip of whatever this was.

After one half pour at Helicon, we went to the new Grist House location also in Oakdale. I have GOT to stop getting locally-brewed Belgian beers because they do NOT TASTE LIKE BELGIAN BEERS. I didn’t really enjoy my other beer either (some kind of sour that was supposed to make me feel warm on a cold day or something but that was not true) HOWEVER!! I am not writing off Grist House because I have had one of their IPAs from somewhere else and I thought it was just fine, plus this new location is really cool, the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, and I am just going to go ahead and say this now – I think I had the best soft pretzel of MY LIFE there. Would certainly go back for that and the vibes.

This is the sour that did not inspire warmth.

The next day, we went to Golden Age to buy beer for Christmas Eve, as previously mentioned in my Xmas Eve post, and that counted toward a stamp!

On the way home, we stopped at Burghers on the Southside. I didn’t see anything on the menu that appealed to me so I opted out, but Henry got some New Zealand ale thing. I took a sip expected it to be basic but YOOOOO. Was this possibly the best beer out of all 20 stamps? I don’t know but it was NICE. You know how when people say something tastes bright? Well, now I understand what that means because it legit lit up in my mouth. I loved it. I probably ended up drinking half of it.

Then we went down the street to Velum. Mid, honestly. The people there were very nice but I wouldn’t go back.

I can’t even remember what this was but it was whatever. Henry got two tiny IPAs that were fine. One had a description saying it tasted like spruce and yep, they got that right.

I dunno, I didn’t really like the vibe in there either. It felt like we were sitting in a snack bar, which is only acceptable if it’s connected to a ROLLER RINK, obviously.

And then Friday was THE DAY! I decided on Eleventh Hour for my 20th stamp, because I realized that I never collected the 10 stamp prize along the way and Eleventh Hour was one of the only breweries listed that had BOTH prizes available to collect.

I LIKED THIS PLACE! I think I’ve had their beers before at other places, but the vibe of the actual brewery was super chill (I mean, it was also a Friday afternoon, so…) and the bartender was great. She didn’t even count my stamps, just completely trusted me!

I had a REALLY delicious sour (I am so fickle with sours so when one is amenable with palate, I rejoice) and enjoyed it while lovingly stroking my prizes. Meanwhile, Henry was looking at the Pgh Brewers Guild website and it says that these books DON’T EXPIRE?? That you just can’t combine books for the rewards?? So I can technically still keep collecting stamps in this one I guess until I reach 30??

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.

That chaotic race to 20 for WHAT.

Oh well, it was fun and you know I love a challenge.

Anyway, I came home and shoved my rewards in Chooch’s face.

“Oh wow,” he deadpanned. “How will you talk about this for 30 minutes at the Christmas Eve table with Kevin and Corey?”

OK HATER.

(Literally, he said we talked about beer for 80% of the night on Xmas Eve and I really find this to be a gross exaggeration.)

Here are the breweries we visited (or popped in just for a to-go pack and stamp); the ones I will definitely go back to are bolded:

• Lolev, obv.
• Cobblehaus
• Dancing Gnome
• Brew Gentlemen
• Hitchhiker
• Aslin
• Back Alley
• Headleys
• Helicon
• Strange Roots
• Burghers
• Velum
• Eleventh Hour
• Chimera
• Grist House
• Sly Fox
• Southern Tier
• Golden Age (I loved that Christmas beer!!!)
• Hazel Grove
• East End

What have I learned?

• I have low tolerance
• I am extremely picky
• Flights aren’t for me – I get sick/drunk every time I get a flight
• I’m so over IPAs yet they’re also my failsafe / fallback
• I really like red ale but have also had bad ones so I don’t know
• Christmas beers are better than pumpkin beers
• Belgian beer should only be made in Belgium
• Sometimes if a beer sounds like it’s going to be plain/boring, that might end up being the best one so I need to stop looking for the flashy ones!
• I need to find a new challenge for 2026, preferably one that involves salads and lots of exercise
• Beer tastes better at concerts 100%

My goal of wrapping up these recaps before the end of the year does not seem to be within reach now. But! We have reached the point of the trip where my luck ran out and the PINCH ME I’M DREAMING spinning on a hilltop mindset finally record-scratched me back to reality, lol. But at least this morning was nice! We’ll get to the bad part another day. First, let’s talk about our day trip to Bran Castle a/k/a Dracula’s Castle!

Bran is about an hour drive from Brasov so we set out around 7AM because this is a place that you need to get to before it opens since it’s such a big tourist attraction (or trap, as some reviews online say! BUT IT’S FUCKING BRAN CASTLE IN ROMANIA, OK? You can’t skip that).

On our long walk from the guest room to the car, we stopped at a cafe that wasn’t actually even opened yet but my big dumb American ass saw lights on and a barista behind the counter, so I barged right on in and ignored the “closed” sign on the door. UGH I hate myself. (Yes, the sign was in Romanian but come on, dumb stoop American tourist – be more aware!!) An older man came out from the back to see what the fuck was happening I guess, and he took over for the barista. To both of their credit, they were extremely friendly and forgiving. They didn’t even point out that they weren’t technically open and the guy even patiently explained the whole Romanian “long black” mystery to me. He suggested that if I wanted a larger size, to do three shots instead of two and I AGREED TO THIS? WHY DID I SAY YES SO CALMLY TO THREE SHOTS OF FUCKING ESPRESSO ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?

Foreshadowing, my friends, lol.

Anyway, I know the “pictures from the car window” is so tiresome, but ROLLING FOG ALONG THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS ON THE DRIVE TO THE BRAN CASTLE? Come on. I was hanging out that car window like a motherfucking dog.

Can you imagine living here?! I mean, I personally would hate it because it’s already hard enough for me to go to Kpop concerts just living in PITTSBURGH. Imagine rural Romania!? But I wouldn’t object to living here part time? Like, a month out of the year. Henry can do farm things with a mule while I lay in a field and read books watch Kpop videos on my phone.

We eventually made it to Bran, which was still somewhat Sleepy Town. This was our first glimpse at DRACULA’S CASTLE! We had a good hour to kill so we parked and found a cafe, like I really needed more caffeine after my TRIPLE long black!

We walked to Bran Coffee a bit down the street from where we parked.

IT LOOKED LIKE THIS INSIDE AND I LOVED IT!

THIS WAS NOT MY DRINK. I opted for no drink. Henry thinks this was a flat white, but he doesn’t have a vacation journal that he writes in habitually so we may never know (he just exclaimed from the kitchen that he is sure this was a flat white but it’s also possible that he wants my 1.5 readers to think he’s fancy). I will tell you that my croissant was the worst croissant I’ve ever had – so dry and hard that I would have needed to borrow Vlad’s sucker-fangs to make any purchase on it.

“I love Romania and all but Korean cafes are by far superior,” I muttered to Henry, who said, and I quote (because I wrote this in my vacation journal!!!), “You ain’t kidding.”

Cafe culture in Korea is just…different. It’s a whole genre.

Anyway, after this, we made our way over to the Castle ticketing area where all of the local vendors were noisily setting up their wares and food-stuffs, and it was really starting to feel lively! However, knowing that this place gets super crowded, I started to get the PEE JIG / INDIGESTION feeling that I get when we’re trying to rope drop at an amusement park. Even though Henry booked us guided tour tickets for 9AM AND “skip the line.” We don’t normally spend the extra money for fast pass bullshit but this was an exception.

More on the tour in the next post, because it’s time for me evening feeding.

Sappiness doesn’t usually good on me and we all know I’m that vain bitch, but I gotta be real here and tell you that this past Christmas was anticlimactic, quiet, and — absolutely perfect. All I wanted was for it to be just us three, no expectations, no obligations. And it was just that.

Against all odds, Chooch has grown up to be someone who doesn’t care about the amount of Christmas gifts under the treeTrudy. He was content with all the things we got him, like a jersey from some guy from the Seahawks, a Gulf of Mexico shirt (FDT), other assorted clothes items, Dr. Squatch, a really cool diffuser that Henry and I have become obsessed with and are planning on buying our own, lol.

We did also get him and his friend Zakk tickets to a Steelers game the week before, I gave him my credit card on Black Friday so he could buy himself clothes and an Eddie Bauer (he loves Eddie Bauer??) jacket at the outlets, and we let him roadtrip to Cleveland today for another Steelers game with two of his friends. So, he is happy!

As for me? HIM HO (that’s what Drew :( and Penelope call Santa) got me G-DRAGON’S PEACEMINUSONE NIKE PARANOISE AIR FORCE 1s!!! This was the most recent version released earlier in the year that I didn’t even attempt to buy because it’s a bloodbath and no one can compete with sneakerheads PLUS G-Dragon fans. But then I found my size on eBay and sent it to Henry as a HINT.

(

Oh! And as usual, half the fun on Christmas is watching Chooch roll his eyes at who all of his gifts are from. This year:

• Truman
• Lady on the sidewalk, dead
• Pam’s Eagle tattoo (our coaster friend loves the Eagles and is always showing off her Eagles tattoo lol but Chooch hates the Eagles)
• Splenny Claus (I inexplicably call Penelope “Splenny”)
• Wolfman’s Nards (obviously a nod to Monster Squad)
• Truman again, I guess I’m losing it
• 마크 (Mark Lee from NCT – when Chooch cared about Kpop, Mark was his bias)
• Johnnie Gilbert in his Never Shout Never phase (Chooch hates that I love Johnnie)
• Tara Yummy’s dog, Sugar (Chooch hates that I watch this certain group of YouTubers and know random things about their lives like the name of their dogs)
• “Welcome to the shithole!” guy in Iowa (literally one line in this entire blog post good luck finding it)

Let’s look at my shoes again!!!!

OMG my dream is to wear to these to a BIGBANG concert in 2026.

Excuse me, who is this adult.

Penelope, checking to see if they’re G-Dragon scented.

Later that day, we went to Pink Box for our annual Christmas buns. I got a taro mochi. I don’t know what the others got, just that they were annoyed that I wouldn’t let them eat them until we got our family pictures done in the cemetery.

The day started out so ugly and wet – just in general, the air was so cold and damp. But on the way to Pink Box, the sun came out and then the skies were a beautiful blue at the cemetery! It was also just warm enough to comfortably take off our jackets (hilariously Mr. Anti-Coat kept his on???).

There was only bad sour moment of the whole day and it was when I got into a big argument with the tri-pod and then pouted in the car for only approx. 30 seconds – BABY’S GROWING UP.

I ALMOST FORGOT TO TAKE PARTY!PARTY! PICTURES! Chooch was like, “Oh GREAT, you’re still using that app?!” when I screamed, “WAIT! PARTY! PARTY!”

Location change! And bun debut!

Anyway, as usual, these turned out like the usual Erin and Her Background Standers snaps that everyone is used to. There were actually quite a few people walking around the cemetery at this time (it’s usually dead, pun intended, but ever since Covid it’s like people realized that cemeteries are great places to take a stroll, ugh, go away) and I felt like we were getting stares but fuck you people, this is our TRADISHAWN.

Then, to cap off a perfect Christmas, we gathered on the couch at 8PM to watch all three new episodes of Stranger Things, and Penelope even joined us here and there. It was the coziest end to a wonderful day with my two faves and the only bad thing is that it’s going to make it so much harder to say goodbye to Chooch next weekend. :(

This just REALLY made it feel like Christmas to me.

OMG he went thrifting his friend last week and got this blanket gown thing that he has worn every day since and he’s so annoying about it.

Splenny <3

This has been a rough for most people I know and I just hope that everyone found some peace with their family / friends / furry kids during this holiday season.

7:06pm: Remember when I mentioned I won suite tickets to a WWE event that I wasn’t trying to win tickets for? Well, that night has arrived.

I’m here with Henry, Chooch and three of Chooch’s friends who were way less annoyed about attending this thing than I was.

Will they come out of here with as much pyrotechnics as EriKa KirK???

All my work friends told me to at least come and take advantage of the free food. This is all I can eat. The meatless pierogies have kielbasa and bacon bits all over them. :(

YOU GUYS I TAKE IT ALL BACK THIS BROAD JUST ANNOUNCED WHO’S GOING TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND SHE SAID THE MIZ??

IM SUDDENLY EXCITED.

MY MTV REAL WORLD / ROAD RULES CHALLENGE HEART JUST SWELLED.

7:18pm: I’ve just learned that The MIZ is a villain. I’m rooting for him.

7:34pm:

Whoever this guy is. DONT POINT AT ME.

I like this guy though:

I think everyone else hates him though. He just left the ring like a baby.

7:44pm OK my guy lost. I hate wrestling.

7:56pm: I had to just ask Henry if the bad guys ever win because this feels RIGGED.

Fraxiom is dumb.

8:00pm: LETS GOOOOOOO

I think he’s going to lose. People are freaking out over this other guy.

Chooch just texted me “Carmelo is winning” stfu boy.

You guys I just cheered alone in a sea of boos lol.

OH MAN and he just derobed to reveal a Cleveland Browns jersey?!? I extra love him lol. Everyone here HATES HIM bigly.

OMG this other guy just did 6 7 and someone behind me said “I want him to lose now.” LOL.

R I G G E D

Now I don’t have to pay attention to the rest of this.

8:30pm I’m clearly not in the know.

Ok what wow:

What in the Hills Have Eyes is this.

8:38pm: I just took a bathroom break because I don’t care about anything now that The MIZ has lost.

Henry is just happy that I won’t be buying merch lol.

8:46pm: wow what a shocker the guys everyone wanted to win won.

That thing in the dress did nothing btw.

8:51pm: intermission. They just announced the main event or whatever and it’s some guy who is a champion. Never heard of him.

Apparently the Chex mix is the Pgh Penguins snack mix.

OMFG I just said that the MIZ should go back to doing The Challenge and Henry frowned and said, “His body is too beat up. He moves so slow.” W O W.

Dude the amount of times I’ve said, “this has got to be almost over, right?”

9:08pm: THERE ARE TWO MORE TITLES ON THE LINE.

Chooch and all his friends are recording this guy. I guess he is someone.

Wait everyone likes this guy more.

OMG:

Wait I think those guys are on a team never mind.

9:31pm: yay finally people I wanted to win won so I got to clap. Also WWE has lots of inside jokes I’m not privy to but they seem stupid so I don’t care.

I yelled THAT MEANS CRAZY IN KOREAN and Henry was like ok sure but then I googled her and that’s why her name is Michin so STFU to everyone who doesn’t listen to me.

questions:

Do ppl ever actually get for real hurt doing this?

And if so, how would anyone know it wasn’t part of the act?

Omg Henry is sending videos to his work friend.

THIS REF SUCKS.

9:46pm: THE MAIN EVENT IS STARTING. chooch and all of his friends have their phones up, recording lol.

The one guy is McIntyre. Never heard of him. I guess he will be wrestling the top guy whom I have also never heard of but Henry informs me I know his dad.

This McIntyre guy is like 50.

who???

Holy shit is hair plastic??? Is he from LAZYTOWN??

All the sadistic fans in the crowd wanted the table and now they got the table.

10:35pm: welp, waiting for the T with a bunch of unruly WWE fans. What a weird night.
Henry is bragging to Chooch about going to THREE OR FOUR WWF events as a child bc Judy knew someone and one time – HE GOT TO SIT IN THE FRONT ROW. Chooch and I both said “wow” in an our monotoned surly teen voice at the same time.

ETA: Home now – I just asked chooch if his friends had fun and he said, “yeah I’m pretty sure the only person who didn’t have fun was you.”

W O W. OK first of all, I was fine?? I just wanted more of THE MIZ. I thought at the end, they’d all come out for a goodbye parade like the idols do at KCON and other Korean music events and award shows but I guess not?? It just ended with that winning guy with the plastic Ken hair?!

Also one of the guys in the suite next to ours was so hostile but in a very PG way and kept screaming YOU STINK! and WE WANT THE TABLE!

I’m so ready for bed.

*******

ETA Part 2: It’s the next morning and I have had time to collect some sober, unstimulated thoughts. Here we go:

• I neither liked nor disliked the evening. The MIZ was fun, I was bored numerous times, it didn’t hold my attention but I also didn’t feel anger being there. So that’s something!
• I LOVED WWF as a kid in the 80s. There wasn’t a single wrestler there last night that gave me nostalgic vibes. In fact, I have already forgotten every single one of their names except for the Miz of course and MICHIN!
• That son of Rhodes guy is GENUINELY the best they’ve got??? That’s pa-THET-ic. That guy was so fucking lame and boring??!
• WWE by far has WAY more diversity than I remember WWF having back in the day so I will give them snaps for that for sure. (But also, how is TRUMP able to support this??!! lol)
• I liked that they gave love to the kids with disabilities down by the…rink? No, ring.
• I’m just happy that Henry, Chooch and his friends had fun. I can’t remember the last time I saw Henry laugh so much (????) and I kept looking across the aisle at Chooch & Co and they were taking pictures, cheering, and actually paying attention which was wild because I was way on the other side of the attention span, dangling, holding on with three fingers.

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house this year and it was really nice if not a little frantic as time ticked on during the day but that’s normal for us, lol! Obviously, Chooch and I are of NO HELP to Henry in the kitchen but I at least cleaned the bathroom and living room and got the table set and the house mood-prepped, while Chooch was the designated “OH SHIT can you go to the store and get all of the things Henry forgot to buy” runner.

To his credit though Chooch did attempt to bake cookies (I forget what they were actually called – something about slamming the cookie sheet onto the counter after they came out of the oven, but they were essentially just sugar cookies) but he got immediately frustrated with using a hand mixer so Henry had to take over and do most of it while Chooch stood there antagonizing him. Ah, the harsh tones of two surly men sniping at each other in the kitchen, I’m going to miss that when Chooch goes back to Philly next week. :(

I think this was when we were looking for the Christmas tray for the ham that Kevin was bringing, lots of slamming and metallic rummaging ensued. And sorry if my unread message count stresses you out, you should see the number of unread emails I have on my phone (it’s over 10,000, you’re welcome).

I’ve been really into Romanian club hits which apparently the actual genre is called “Popcorn” – that makes me love it even more! So I had a YouTube playlist going on the TV to set the “mood” – right when my mom showed up, a video of half-naked girls wrestling in oil was playing. She just kind of glanced at it and kept on walking past, lol. Oh, Romania.

The incomplete dessert station featuring “Chooch’s” cookies. Henry also baked an apple butter pie (I FOUND THE RECIPE) which was legit fireworks on the palate – the perfect mix of apple and pumpkin pie, really. Best of both worlds. But just in case, I had him also get a storebought sweet potato pie as backup. The apple butter pie was perfection though and made me really want to bring back the pie party next year.

Henry got this Christmas beer from Golden Age so that I could get a stamp (lol) but it ended up being worth it regardless because it was SO GOOD. I think second to Belgian beers, I like Christmas beers the best?? I haven’t had one I didn’t like.

I like that it looks like I’m the only one who showed up to Christmas Eve dinner, but the truth behind this picture is that, true to the type of ride hostess I am, I ran to the kitchen to serve myself first, lol. So, when I took this picture, everyone else was in the kitchen getting filling their plates except for me, Chooch (who was shoving me out of the way to get to the food first) and Henry the Martyr of Holiday Hosting who waited for everyone else to get their food before getting his own. Remember when I used to do the Goofus and Gallant, Oh Honestly Erin-style drawings? This would have been a good one.

I was going to make a kohlrabi and apple salad until I realized that it involved lots of slicing and I didn’t feel like doing that so I delegated it to Henry who pointed out that the recipe was behind a pay wall (I didn’t even get that far when I found it – just looked at the picture LOL) so then he took it upon himself to find something similar and I don’t know what he did but literally all I could taste was vinegar and I hated it, sorry Henry.

The tofurky was good though.

Oh look, there are the pies!

Chooch got to talk to Uncle Ryan about football. I still can’t believe he likes football. He’s going to Cleveland tomorrow for a game!!! WHO IS THIS KID.

Annual sibling photo.

Chooch in his new Seahawks (his favorite team??) zip-up from Ryan and the “dad” Blueie slippers my mom got him, lol. College Fashion. Of course, Chooch made us play a game after present-opening (Chameleon) and said that Kevin was the only one who understood the assignment. He is so judgey! That’s why I hate playing games with him!

Other than that, I feel like I told the same stories I always tell, my mom said things like, “WHERE WAS I???” every time Corey, Ryan, and I reminisced about our childhood hijinks, and Chooch accused us of talking about beer for 80% of the night which I strongly disagree with.

Relaxing after everyone left. <3 Penelope glowered on the back porch all night, refusing to greet her guests, lol. Overall, it was a very chill Christmas Eve and so nice to have my family here. I’m not saying I was a Grinch this year but there was so much going on that I didn’t really get too much into the Christmas spirit – we didn’t even have time to have Chingumas and that was a hard decision to make because I love having parties here.

I finally sat down and started going through more of the DSLR pictures we took in Romania. Here are the salvageable ones from the Merry Cemetery + some blurry/unfocused Henry gems because they capture the true disdain that shows on my face when he is doing something I don’t approve of, in this case, using  my camera lol:

Classic Erin, annoyed AF.

I don’t have an intro.

1. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

Eh. Some Alex Finlay hits but this not of them.

2. Guess Again by Charlie Donlea

This was a hot mess.

3. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker

OK, now THIS one I really liked. It brought back a lot of the Stop Asian Hate rage that us normal, non-racist people felt during the height of Covid and then shows you what it was like for Asian Americans. I loved the supernatural element to this as well – it was so creepy but also had more than a few LOL moments. Loved it.

4. The Exorcist’s House (The Exorcist’s House, #1) by Nick Roberts

LOVED IT. 4.5 – exorcism is my favorite horror trope and this was so chilling that I could only read 1 or 2 chapters at a time.

4. The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

4 stars – this one kept me hooked enough to make me seek out other books of the author so we’ll see if this was a fluke! I have one sitting behind me as I type.

5. Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham

Not as juicy as I wanted, but I opted for the audio which is narrated by Lauren Graham and it was just so comforting to have her voice in my ears.

6. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

S.A.Crosby is such a solid thriller writer and never fails to make me hate white people more and more. Not as good as Razorblade Tears though. That’s my bar for S.A.Crosby novels.

7. Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby

Holy shit, this was so boring. What a beautiful book cover wasted on this snoozefest. NOTHING HAPPENS for the longest time!

8.We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough

A pretty unique take on the haunted house trope but for me personally, it didn’t scare or chill me. I’ll give it a three though because it was still entertaining.

9. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Someone called it “cozy sci-fi” and while I don’t like sci-fi, generally, I thought that maybe the cozy element would win me over. It was just OK.

10. Palaver by Bryan Washington

YES. This was fantastic. And the author includes photos from when he lived in Japan. Sentimental. Uncomfortable. At times, relatable. SAD. FUNNY. HAPPY. ENDEARING. I did not like “Memorial” that much by this same author so I was admittedly hesitate to pick this up but the cover spoke to me at the library. I am so glad I gave it a chance because it was beautiful and I don’t think I will ever forget it.

(I review with my emotions in case you couldn’t tell. “Oh, you wanted a plot? Click on the link. We’re talking about my FEELINGS here.”)

11. 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s by Rob Harvilla

Rob Harvilla used to write for AltPress back when I was a fervid subscriber so when I saw this was available on audio, I thought, “Eh, why the heck not. I was alive in the 90s.” Admittedly, there isn’t much from the 90s that I genuinely like (I know, I’m a traitor to my generation) but it was still fun and entertaining to listen to Rob go off on tangents while intertwining his own personal connections with the songs. This was also what inspired to pick up Maynard James Keenan’s biography earlier this month, spoiler. I gave it a 4 – it’s not riveting or groundbreaking but it was just a fun listen while getting in my daily steps. You know how it is. (P.S. I didn’t get a pretentious man-splainy vibe from this either which we love.)

12. Strange Houses by Uketsu

I don’t remember reading this many books in November. But this one I definitely remember because it was pretty creepy. This was my second Uketsu book and I think it’s safe to say I’m a fan.

13. Assembly by Natasha Brown

Beautifully written and I dare you to not be pissed off as you experience all of the micro-aggressions the narrator experiences just trying to BREATHE. A short but solid read to end the month for me.

Piața Sfatului, or Council Square, was lined with restaurants and bars and has got to be the place to be in the summer season. And winter! In autumn, it was still beautiful and blessedly uncrowded. I have seen so many pictures of the iconic BRASOV sign on Mt. Tampa back there and it felt beyond surreal to see it in real life. It’s the little things!

Strada Sforii! It’s one of the narrowest “streets” in Europe, only wide enough for two people to walk down side-by-side and was intended for firefighters to use it as a quick accessway. This is a must-do in Brasov and I was stoked that we made it there in between hordes of tourists! I have seen videos where people are pushed through in a crowded line – no fun in that!

I would say the top complaint I have seen across the board about Romania is their unhinged graffiti problem. We definitely saw less of it the more rural we got, obviously, but once we started making our way south toward Bucharest again, the tags began popping off. Brasov was a clear indication that while the buildings were old as shit, we were in more urban land for sure. Graffiti doesn’t bother me – as long as it’s not on churches, etc. Probably, it shouldn’t be here either but I felt like it added some flavor, I don’t know! It was fun to go through and look at all of the different languages. I didn’t see it in my pass-thru but on one travel vlog I watched on YouTube, I saw something written in Korean!

I knew if I looked hard enough, I’d find at least ONE Kpop reference, lol. #StanATEEZ

I took pictures with the good camera too and haven’t had a chance to even LOOK at them. Basically, I’m saying these Romania posts have no end in sight. I’m sorry.

Huntr/x representin’!

I mean, I don’t know! The graffiti gives it a grimy, sleazy flair! I think it would be such a cool backdrop for senior portraits. I have no idea why that was my first thought.

After moseying around town some more, we stopped back at the room to chill for a bit and I had to stop and take a million pictures from the catwalk thing that lead to our room. I just couldn’t get enough of this sight! It’s the main reason why I booked this room.

Then on the way back out, it was darker so I had to take more pictures LOL. Me one day in the nursing home: “Have I ever shown you my BRASOV SIGN pictures?” Every nurse under employment: “YES. ALL 87 VERSIONS.”

Brasov has a Romulus statue too!

I loved the lighting on this building!

After some shopping, we ended the night at a bar near our room called AFTAR STUBE.

Henry for some reason asked to sit outside and it was SO COLD. I was visibly shivering and although Henry was ignoring my frost-bitten status, the waiter noticed and asked if I needed a blanket.

YES, PLEASE.

He grabbed one from a stack inside an old telephone booth and brought it over to me and I was so grateful. He had come off very brooding and dark-vibey up until this moment (not that I minded, we were in Transylvania for fuck’s sake, ride that stereotype my guy).

Even though it was so chilly out, it was a great atmosphere. Groups of people came out here and there to smoke, so it wasn’t like we were ostracized but I still wished we had sat inside where the action (and heat) was.

I don’t want to paint myself like some kind of hop ho, but I was openly moaning while lapping up this sexy glass of sweet froth.

(FORESHADOWING: for as much as I loved this in moment, I feel extremely queasy just thinking about it right now. Ugh.)

This was a classic Romanian beer – very delightful! Bere Czell toasted my check-in on Untappd! (It was Henry’s beer, but I stole a few sips lol.)

Then this confident girl strutted onto the patio! The blurry picture is the result of me being slightly inebriated, my hands shaking from the cold, and the cat not standing still for even a split section.

One of the younger servers told us her name – it sounded like Video but that wasn’t it – and said she is a neighborhood stray who comes there for food every day. After I said, “aw” to the stray part, he said, “She is….” and after struggling for a moment to find the fitting English word, finished with, “living.” LOL. She definitely looked happy and healthy!

That was one thing I noted very quickly about Romania – they love their stray cats. It seems that many local restaurants have quid pro quo relationships with them – they keep the rats away, the restaurants give them scraps.

“Video” was following the younger server around like she owned the place. I loved it.

We split this veggie pizza – it was perfect with beer!

I stopped after my Hop Hooligans dessert beer, but I made Henry get this IPA from Clandestin because I follow them on Instagram and wanted to taste it lol. Also, it’s worth noting that I kept the labels of both cans, of course. I’m Captain Packrat.

What a great end to our first night in Brasov!

Last Saturday, Henry and I drove to Chicago to see Key at the Riviera Theater. Key is a member of one of my absolute favorite groups, SHINee. I am so happy that in the same calendar year, we had the much-appreciated pleasure of seeing not just Key, but also Taemin and Onew on their own respective solo tours. That’s 3/4 of (present-day) SHINee!

(RIP always to Jonghyun – the 8th anniversary of his death was actually a short 5 days after the Key concert which made it bittersweet.)

After an afternoon of shopping in Logan Square and scarfing down Beacon Doughnuts at Logan Vegan, we made our way to the Hilton in Evanston, where I changed into my concert OOTD. I went with this metallic gold blouse thing that I forgot I owned, because I felt that it gave off outer space / galactic vibes like some of Key’s stage outfits!

It is a really awkwardly-fitting top which I forgot about but I didn’t bring any back-ups, so oh well, too bad so sad.

The theater was about a 25 minute drive from our hotel. Originally, we had talked about just taking the L or whatever they call their train in Chicago, but it was legit 0 degrees that evening and it required a transfer so I cried, “CAN WE PLEASE JUST DRIVE?!!?” If it spring/summer/fall, sure, let’s pub-transit it up, who cares. But I absolutely hate being outside in the cold and please, just give me convenience.

I wanted to leave early because who knows what parking challenges we had ahead of us, but of course, we found parking immediately on the street that the theater was on, and it was also right outside of this place called FAT CAT, where we had some pre-show beers and small bites.

I found out about the Brown University shooting on the TV behind Henry. Happy Holidays.

I had a delightful winter ale from Spiteful Brewing called Jingle Balls. I have learned in my brewery travels that I genuinely like winter / Christmas beers. You’d think I’d be a lush for the October / pumpkin ones but they just don’t hit the way I want them to!!?

LOL purposely used this picture for Untappd because I’m such a sweetheart. This was Henry’s Cinnamon Prost from Old Irving Brewing Co. It was good! I stole a few sips. He also got a winter ale called Fall For Revenge from Pig Minds and it was also worthy of a few stolen sips. I stuck with just one beer for myself because this stupid brewery passport stamp-collecting has made me concerned that I’m becoming an alcoholic.

I also got a delicious carrot ginger soup and Henry and I shared a plate of vegan chicken bites. It was perfect pre-concert food and I didn’t feel sick at all afterward!

Toward the end of our stay there, a young couple came in on a date. She was from Australia and it sounded like they go to college together, I guess? Anyway, he ordered a DUVAL which I LOVE and he tried to give her a taste but she said she doesn’t like beer. It took everything in my power to not blurt out, “I DIDN’T EITHER UNTIL I HAD MY FIRST BELGIAN BEER TRY IT YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.” But I bit my lip and tried to focus on other things, like, I don’t know, Henry.

But then the guy started talking about THE BEERS HE HAD WHEN HE WAS IN BELGIUM and I made anguished eye contact with Henry, like, “PLEASE LET ME INTERRUPT” but Henry gave me a tiny head shake, like, “no Erin, don’t barge into their date.”

UGH.

Our time at Fat Cat was excelsior with ONE EXCEPTION: we started the evening out with a superb server and then I guess her shift ended so she was swapped out with some super intense man server who made me feel so pressured to be done with everything in front of me – he tried to take Henry’s beer when he still, god forbid, had one small chug left to it so Henry swiftly pulled the glass away and said, “I’m not finished yet.” Jesus Christ, bro, let us BREATHE. I could see if he was trying to usher us along to free up a table but…it was not crowded there AT ALL.

Oh, I’m sorry – one other complaint. Every time the door opened, Father Frost came wafting in and that place NEVER WARMED UP. I was so cold that I eventually put my coat back on.

We eventually left around 6:20 because the doors for Key were supposed to be at 6:30. When I tell you it was the SHORTEST LINE I have ever stood in for a Kpop concert, I’m not lying – that’s how you know the cold was no joke. Plus, it was a seated concert so I’m sure no one felt the need to be FIRST.

Doors were late opening and I eventually reached the point where I was so cold that I seriously worried about losing my toes. I did have a hat and gloves on but I was just wearing Vans and two pairs of socks. I had to march in place to keep my blood from freezing too.

Thankfully, there were still some brave souls passing out freebies, and I of course was being very overzealous about asking for some. I love my freebies, OK?? And I genuinely appreciate everyone who takes the time to make these special little mementoes.

Finally, we got to go inside! I truly feel like it was 7PM by the time we got in there. I was in so much fucking pain that when Henry left me to go to the bathroom, I had to get up out of my seat and walk around out of genuine fear that there was something medically wrong with my feet. My LORD I can’t remember the last time I was this cold!? Maybe when I did that effing ghost hunt at the abandoned school in South Park?!! That was definitely during the winter, in the middle of the night at a school with no utilities. Super awesome times.

I went back downstairs and accidentally ended up in the merch line, which was VERY SHORT, so even though Henry was instructed to get me a shirt after he went to the bathroom, I scooped one up super quickly – legit THE EASIEST merch experience I have had at a Kpop concert to date. Chef’s kiss, A+++ efficiency.

We were in the center section of whatever “LOGE” is – the front part of the balcony, 4 rows back. It was awesome – there was a railing behind us with the walkway and then the rest of the balcony started back from that.

Henry’s seat mate saw us struggling to take a selfie (they had these bright blue stage lights going from the moment everyone entered the place and they were extremely blinding to the point where I honestly wished I had sunglasses in my purse) so she offered to take several for us which was so nice! She looked extremely familiar. We chatted with her a bit and learned that she’s from Buffalo and also traveled to Chicago last February to see Taemin, so we think we might have recognized her from that show! I love the Kpop community. I can’t tell you how many of the same faces I used to see at my old sad boy concerts but god forbid anyone talk to me at those things.

Oh you guys. Did Key become my SHINee bias after this!?!? Is it time for me to just admit that I legitimately cannot be forced to choose a bias at this point because I love all SHINee members equally and for some many different reasons? Key put on such a strong show from start to finish. He is also exceptionally fluent in English AND SO FUCKING FUNNY that it almost felt like a stand-up show at times. His MENTS were hysterical!

We stan a man who can sing, dance, and make us laugh with his effortless humor and biting sassiness. Key delivers on all points!

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The two seats next to me remained empty all the way up to when Key took the stage, and even during the 1 or 2 songs. Eventually, two women took the seats but then it turned out one of the seats belonged to someone else – a MAN! I kept telling Henry that I hoped a man would be sitting next to me, I don’t know why since I actually fucking hate men, and it actually happened! I will say, it was an older demographic for Key and there were more men than usual – one of them was down by the stage and Key even called him out during one of his MENTS and even said, “KPOP is a weird industry, right? So WEIRD…..” I was dying. Actually, there were so many moments where Key had me laughing so hard that my stomach was starting to hurt. HE IS SO FUNNY!! Key mentioned numerous times that he was so grateful to finally get to do a solo tour in the US, after being an idol for 18 YEARS. He even threw shade to his agency at one point too which was amazing.

(Honestly, do better, SM. You have the most amazing talent on your roster and you treat them like shit.)

I am so glad that we were able to attend one of his shows because he deserves all of the sold-out venues, for real. What an icon.

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One of my favorite moments was when people started yelling “RING DING DONG!” which is a super popular SHINee song from back in the day that is such an ear worm that it was actually banned in Korea during exam season because it would get stuck in students’ head and make it hard for them to concentrate – LOL I’M NOT KIDDING, this is an actual thing in Korea where songs will get banned for that reason.

Anyway, Key famously is sick of that song so people do this to goad him. He stopped talking and said, “Oh shut up!” in the most harmless way and then when someone else yelled, “REPLAY!” (SHINee’s debut song 18 years ago!) he said “shut up” again and then immediately sang, “Noona namu yeppeo….” and we all fucking lost our minds!

I felt so energized and WARM after this show. Key is a gem, a true treasure. I’m honestly tearing up as I recap this because it was a really emotional night for me and so many others in that theater who have never had the good fortune of seeing SHINee. We’re just collecting their solo concerts at this point. (LET’S GO, MINHO!!!!)

I screamed so much that night that I could feel my voice submitting its PTO request before we even left the Riviera.

SET LIST

1. Strange
2. Helium
3. CoolAs
4. Want Another
5. Killer
6. Guilty Pleasure
7. HUNTER
8. Heartless
9. Good & Great
10. Pleasure Shop
11. Picture Frame
12. Another Life
13. BAD LOVE
14. Gasoline
15. Imagine
16. GLAM (the guy next to me popped off during this one & I loved it!)
17. This Life
18. Lavender Life

In case Henry one day gets famous and you get asked about what his favorite Key song is on a radio show morning trivia sesh, it’s Gasoline. He didn’t hesitate at all when I grilled him over his favorite part of the night.

I couldn’t go to bed that night until I sorted through all of my freebies! I was so stoked to get a Helium bracelet <3

Wait an absolute banger of a concert. And without expended too much energy on this, I would be remiss to not mention that while he was here in the US – IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUCKING TOUR – he got dragged into this ridiculous scandal where some broad was busted for administering illegal injections outside of hospitals. From my understanding, she was a trusted woman who was giving medical IVs to clients, sounds like to treat mild things like dehydration and exhaustion, but her clients didn’t know she was unlicensed. First, a comedienne went down for this, and it happened that she was co-starred with Key on a variety show, and then it was discovered that at some point, she had posted a picture on her Instagram of Key’s very famous dogs, which brought him into the scandal.

This happened a few days before his Chicago show and I was actually concerned that the rest of his tour was going to get canceled because that’s how nasty Korea can be over these things. First, everyone over there was up in arms because he wasn’t releasing a statement. (HE WAS IN AMERICA, ON TOUR. LET THE MAN BREATHE.)

Then when his tour ended, he released a statement admitting that he did receive treatments but didn’t know she was unlicensed, so then everyone bitched because his statement was too INSINCERE. Jesus Christ. So he ultimately has stepped down from all of his variety shows and upcoming commitments, including the SM Town concert in 2026. Unbelievable. I LOVE Korea for many reasons, but there are also numerous reasons that makes me so angry with them as a country too.

If his career is ruined over this….I just can’t even think about that. Please go listen to his music.

Where did we even leave off, who knows, I am so far behind on these recaps and am currently kicking myself for not taking my laptop with me so I could have least done some of these there! (I know it was a vacation but I truly enjoy blogging for some reason.)

OK yeah, we spent the morning at Peles Castle, ate lunch at that cutey place with the cat and nice view, and then continued on our way to Brasov, where we would be staying the next two nights.

Brasov still had that medieval feel to it but the size of it (and the graffiti) was also a bit of a reminder that we were heading back to big civilization. This was another pain in the ass place as far as parking goes, and we ended up quite a bit away from our guest house. And surprise—I knew AS SOON AS I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR that my period had started so it was a race to find somewhere close with a bathroom.

Hilariously, now when I think of Brasov, the first two things that come to mind are awful – one being hit with a heavy period and cramps and the other one, well, we’ll get to that in due time, LOL. Let’s just say my body decided to do a Great Purge all at once.

MAGA anyone?

I remember vividly that we were following this Asian man tourist on our way to find a bathroom and he looked like he had a good eye so I was purposely taking pictures of everything he was taking pictures of. I don’t even think Henry (or he) noticed.

We found a cafe! It was called Meron and I ran in, asked where the bathroom was, and yelled, “JUST ORDER ME COFFEE, ANYTHING!” and as I was running away, I heard the barista ask Henry “For here or to go?” and Henry said “To go” like a fucking doof so I hollered, “FOR HERE!” over my shoulder. Jesus, can you please let me sit and chill with a hot cup of coffee after tamponning it up?

MEN WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OUR PLIGHT.

Anyway, this place was realllly nice. It turned out that since we were staying in, we ordered from the table so Henry didn’t have to screw that up for me and I was able to just order when I sat down. I got this really fancy coffee that took a while for them to brew and was served in this cool medicinal-looking bottle.

This picture is what Henry deserves.

Anyway, thank you Meron for having a bathroom and really tight coffee. (Don’t worry, I didn’t bleed out in their restroom or leave a trail.)

I really liked the vibe of Brasov. I mean, I liked everywhere in Romania, really.

Brasov is famous for its Hollywood-esque signage on the side of Mt. Tampa.

After dealing with my GIRL ISSUES like I am in middle school and haven’t figured out how to handle a period yet, we found our guest house which was in an apartment building and another adventure accessing. There was a code that Henry kept fucking up, and then directions that he couldn’t follow, etc. It took us an embarrassingly long time to find the room, is all I’m going to say.

These old buildings, I swear to fucking god, every single step you take bounces and ricochets off the walls and ceiling. There is no sneaking into these places.

To get to our room, we had to exit a door on the second floor, walk across a balcony to another door which opened to a foyer and shared kitchen space, and then our room was one of 4 on that floor. It was….beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

The most “modern” room we had on the whole trip and at first I was like, “Oh…” because I had really grown so accustomed to the rustic and old aesthetic of the other ones, but then I quickly got over that and ended up LOVING THIS PLACE….until I immediately locked myself in the bathroom and actually started to have a panic attack!!!

Henry saved me but he did message the host about it and they were like, “Oh yeah, there is a key for the bathroom in the desk by the front door because that happens sometimes.”

LOL I never fully shut the bathroom door again while we were there.

This was the view from our balcony! And you can see the bar that we’d go to later that night.

In case you ever go to Brasov and want to stay here, it’s called 1910 Boutique.

I sent pictures of this place to Chooch and he was like WOW HE NEVER GETS PLACES LIKE THIS WHEN I’M WITH YOU. Places like this in America would cost 2x what we paid in Romania!!!

Such a gorgeous room and view!!

After getting settled, we went out to explore. One of the first things I saw was THE DRACULA RESTAURANT and was it a tourist trap? I mean, of course. But in the window, a DRACULA IPA AND COLLECTORS GLASS was on display and c’mon. When in Romania, amirite? Ya gotta get the Dracula beer at the Dracula Restaurant when in NOT JUST ROMANIA BUT MOTHERFUCKING TRANSYLVANIA. I have no shame or regrets about this.

If you can believe this, there actually was a table of diners who appeared to be locals. I can’t be sure, but they seemed chummy with the waitstaff in a way that made me feel like they had been there many times before.

However, it was funny to watch people stop, peer in, and keep walking LOL.

Absolutely worth it.

We weren’t hungry yet since we had eaten lunch about 2 hours prior to this but we still wanted to order SOMETHING. I suggested getting this traditional Romanian pancake-ish dessert to share.

It was delightful! As was the server and the whole experience. I got my Dracula IPA gift set (it came with two bottles and the glass!) and two little Dracula-themed bottles of palinca for Margie. Oh, and a Dracula pen for Chooch! Did I ever mention that Chooch has some gigantic pen collection that I think started because he has a compulsion to take pens from places? I don’t know, maybe I’m making this sound more nefarious than it is. But Henry was flipping out when he was cleaning his room after he went to college, like WHAT IS UP WITH ALL THE PENS, MY GUY.

…to be continued.

I started calling her Splenny Looharrian at some point last year and Chooch has big rejected it.

Henry accidentally called her Splenny the other night and he was so mad about it hahah. I live with such haters.

After leaving Peles Castle, we found a restaurant called Le Cerdac off the beaten path in Busteni. It felt like a fancy restaurant from the 80s in a way that I can’t explain but I loved the aesthetic. Being a weekday at lunch time, we were the only diners there which made it even better!

We sat by the window – I don’t know, man, some people hate dreary weather but I was really vibing with this view. Look at that fog over the mountains!

OH COME ON. Should I print and frame this? I think I need to print and frame this. As soon as Henry builds me a floating wall.

This is Henry’s crazed, “We’re in ROMANIA, BABY” look.

I was really so much less of a bitch by this point of the day, you’ll be so thrilled to know. You know how sometimes you’re just trying to do the most and then you get overwhelmed and then your period is about to start and you’re so fucking hungry and then on top of all of that you’re with HENRY who can often be completely unaware of the plight we go through? Yeah, it was that kind of day. But then we got to this cozy and quiet restaurant, and I was able to just tune out all of that noise and really be in the moment….

…and shove my face into a plate of hot mamaliga and mushrooms. This lunch was, to a vegetarian like myself, such a soothing comfort meal on a drizzly autumn day in the Carpathian Mountains (or, if you’re on my level with them, the Carpathies). I was so happy!

Henry went to the bathroom and left the door to the dining area open long enough for this cutie to slip in, LOL. He was so friendly and kept climbing into my lap, I loved him so much but of course every cat encounter I had there made me miss Penelope so much! Leaving pets behind is the ONLY downside of travel, in my opinion. My mom was here with her but I have a feeling she was here as often as she said she was, so that paranoia is always traveling with me like an emotional carry-on.

You guys, Henry took pictures of his food SEVERAL TIMES during our travels through Romania. What in the actual hell.

LOL I was flipping through my vacation journal to make sure I wasn’t leaving out any pertinent tidbits and realized that I forgot to add in the Sighisoara dinner post that there was elderly couple seated at a table across from us, who were also clearly on vacation, and I said, “That could be us one day. Except if I’m that old, then it would be your urn sitting next to me.”

“Yeah, or your new boyfriend,” Henry added. LOLOLOL.

Anyway, that concludes our lunch in Busteni! Our server was kind of neutral with us until the end when Henry tipped her, and then she suddenly had personality and asked us to review the place on Google, which I did because I’m a sucker but that was really a very nice and cozy place with delectable mamaliga and a sweet cat, and I’m glad we stopped there!

LOL you thought the Sighisoara lovefest was over. Too bad for you, we had some time the next morning to take some early morning photos before the hotel breakfast started.

I was so happy here. <3

I just got this one printed! Is it weird to frame photos of yourself? I DON’T CARE. I loved Sighisoara and I loved this guest house and I loved how I felt as I was loving it. Step off.

The hotel concierge guy arrived right after we finished taking these and I was so happy he didn’t see because I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE WATCH ME GET MY PICTURE TAKEN.

One last look at our room door. :(

Breakfast was OK. I didn’t eat much. And I didn’t know how to use the coffee maker, lol. A few other guests filed in while we were there and they all appeared to be English-speakers – one couple sounded Australian maybe? I didn’t recognize any of them from our multiple laps around the town the day before.

In my vacation journal, I reviewed breakfast as such:

Breakfast was lots of meats but also pretty delicious mini pancakes. I wanted to get apple juice but I didn’t know how to open the mini fridge and then after I figured it out, some guy was blocking the glasses, so I panicked and just grabbed a yogurt but I didn’t actually want it. Our hotel friend was scurrying all about refilling trays, etc. I miss him terribly already.

What I extracted from this is that I am clearly an alien put on the Earth 46 years ago never to acclimate, and also I have alarming attachment issues.

Leaving :(

Goodbye, Sighisoara :(

I wasn’t sad for too long though because the drive to Peles Castle in Sinaia was like looking at a live oil painting of the purest autumnal landscape.

Dude, come on.

Maybe it was my extreme sadness manifesting into emotions that didn’t match the situation, or maybe it was PMS (surprise! my period came on full-blast later that day and it was almost a disaster of “I’m in middle school and haven’t learned out to deal with menstruation emergencies yet!” proportions (or see also: I’m an alien put on the Earth 46 years ago, and so on and so forth), but I had turned into a mega-bitch by the time we arrived in Sinaia. Everything Henry did was wrong. It was drizzling. He parked in a weird place and I wasn’t sure if it was where we needed to be so I freaked out. He asked a parking attendant a question and it EMBARRASSED ME for no reason other than he was giving AMERICAN.

The walk there wasn’t far at all but I felt totally lost for some reason? Even though we were literally walking with flocks of other tourists also Peles Castle-bound.

I sort of brightened up a little once the Castle showed itself to us.

This was built for King Carol I in 1873 and most people will tell you that this is THE premiere castle to see in Romania. I will tell you that even on a Wednesday morning in October, there was a decent line to get in. Since I was IN A MOOD, I declared that I didn’t want to deal with the crowds and we just poked around the grounds. I was just not in the mood to be pushed through a Castle in a shuffling horde of tourists. (One might also deduce that HANGER could be added to my list of mood-altering catalysts.)

Honestly though, the grounds were so gorgeous. I actually loved that it was a dreary, foggy day because LOOK AT THAT AMBIANCE. What a fucking vibe.

Ew.

I’m literally casting spells on Henry in this moment, I remember it so vividly.

Then I got mad at Henry because I wanted him to buy some bird whistle thing that some Romani man was shilling outside the castle because I wanted to give it to Chooch to goad him for not being able to whistle on his own but then Henry was like IT WAS EXPENSIVE and I honestly find that hard to believe?? Like, either the guy was trying to rip Henry off or Henry just MISHEARD the man which is actually more likely because he has major Grandpa Ears.

Anyway, joke’s on me anyway because when Chooch was on the train coming home from Philly on Saturday, this text exchange happened:

Ugh he’s so annoying. I always took so much glee in the fact that I could whistle and he couldn’t, because he loves to rub it in my face that he can snap his fingers and I can’t, AND NOW HE CAN DO BOTH.

FML.

Anyway, after storming off and walking way ahead of Henry back to the car, I calmed down long enough to buy some magnets from some vendors in a parking lot.

But brother, I was HUNGRY by this point so we headed away from the Castle in search of somewhere to eat lunch – or a scenic cut in the Carpathians to break up. I guess you’ll have to wait for the next Romania post to find out which, wow, the suspense.

1. You guys the weirdest thing happened. Ok not the weirdest but oddly coincidental.

Last Saturday, Henry and I were at Sly Fox downtown and Portishead’s “Glory Box” came on. I haven’t really listened to Portishead since the late 90s / early 00s and honestly that was probably the last time I heard that song. I even commented to Henry that I hadn’t heard it in forever and it was sort of unexpected.

Exactly one week later, we were at this bar / restaurant in Chicago called Fat Cat’s and it came on there too??!! I texted Chooch and even he was like “wow weird.”

THEN!! This morning before leaving Chicago, we stopped in this store called Wolfbait (my new favorite store btw) and IT CAME ON AGAIN. Actually, that was the only place of the three where that song didn’t feel out of context. But it still caught me off guard!

2. I like Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga but for some reason I never really paid attention to Die With a Smile and I’m 100% positive that I never listened to it in its entirety because I don’t listen to KISS FM anymore now that I’m not driving Chooch to school. But that song is super popular in Romania apparently so that was actually my first time really hearing it, many times.

Anyway – just the other day, DK and Seungkwan from Seventeen released a cover of it and it is my favorite thing currently. I love that Seungkwan is holding a lollipop instead of a cigarette!

Well, that’s all. We only just got home around 10pm and I am ready to crash out. These road trips, man. Henry was like, “yay! This is the last one we have planned!” Watch what you say, sir. There are any number of kpop groups that could announce a US tour at any moment lol. (Hopefully Wonho’s cancelled tour gets rescheduled soon but I’m super stoked that he was at least still here promoting and making the media rounds!)

Henry and I are en route to Chicago and I just got an IG ad for plasma donation.

“You should sell your plasma so I can pay off my G-Dragon debt,” I cried, lightbulbs popping off in my head. “You can get up to $750 and you can do it several times a week!”

Henry asked if there was an age limit so I had to go to the FAQs where my eyes accidentally grazed upon the section that talks about the actual process and I started violently gagging and tenderly rubbing my arms which were phantomically (it’s a word now) going through the procedure. (Barb told me once that she thought I was an empath because of how I feel things like this and then I referenced it once later and she was like, “YOU? An EMPATH?? I never said that.” LOL wow!)

Anyway, once I told him the process takes 1.5-3 hours, his interest piqued. “That’s like a dream day for you,” I said. “Just sitting there scrolling through IG reels and sleeping….”

“And not being bothered by you. That sounds amazing, actually,” Henry finished. You guys, I still owe over $3000 in GD debt so he better get started.

This reminded me of how Christina used to sell her plasma back in the day to afford Greyhound tickets to visit me in Pittsburgh from Cinci. This was no secret, I used to talk about it at the job I had back then and then one day someone brought it up because they were asking about the process and another co-worker goes, “oh THAT plasma?? I was going to say, how does your friend continuously have so many TVs to sell?!”

That’s all. 22 minutes away from Chicago! Seeing Key from SHINee tonight!