Shuffling off to/around/through Buffalo
This morning I am flying out of Buffalo having spent the night at L & J's.
It's been odd being back in Buffalo, even for one evening. I remember so much about what Jason and I used to do here, and where we used to go.
Getting to my friends' L & J from the Peace Bridge took me right past the same area I would drive through to go north to Jason's when he lived on Hertel Avenue. It was also along the shoreline that we visited occasionally to assuage my need to be near a body of water which I could not see across.
When we went to supper, we went up to Niagara Falls Boulevard and ate at Cheeburger Cheeburger. Jason and I never ate there, but we passed it many times on our way up and down that street. The retail spaces have changed, but enough was familiar to bring on some strong memories.
When I left for the airport this morning, I realized that L & J live right around the corner from Allen Street, where Nietzsche's and the Towne Diner are. Jason used to play and lead sessions at Nietzsche's as I'd listen. We ate at the Towne Diner about once a month. I always ordered the avgolemono soup (a Greek lemon, orzo and chicken cream soup).
Driving to the airport this morning from L & J's was along the route that Jason and I took to several locations. Watching the street names fly by, I couldn't help but feel my emotions rising again with the thoughts of all we did here. Even if Jason's work was a source of unhappiness, we found contentment where we could in this city.
I hope to come to Buffalo more often to visit my friends. New memories can overlay and co-exist with the old, just like everywhere else I've been where Jason used to be with me.
For today though, I'm going to let the memories take me where they will, and I hope the people that share my flights to San Francisco won't mind a quiet man silently weeping every now and then.