snousle: (cigar)
[personal profile] snousle
Good to be back. I didn't take a lot of pictures this trip, and most of what I did take was just pretentious BS that is more of an embarrassment than anything. But I did obtain one sexy shot of [livejournal.com profile] mudcub getting his head shaved:



The Billies gathering at Saratoga Springs was kind of "eh". It's a great and wonderful thing for certain people, I just don't happen to be one of them. I guess there are a lot of questions about the cost, which are responded to very appropriately with full disclosure - to the point of having poster-sized spreadsheets and charts posted at the registration table. And yes, I can see where my $120 a night for camping goes, and why despite that they still need people to volunteer for washing dishes. But having seen that, I'm not sure that keeping the whole thing afloat is something I'm especially interested in. It seems something of an obligation simply because it's local. And on paper, it looks great. But leaving there for an entirely different camping experience at Tim's was still a relief.

I was actually a bit disenchanted with two things, one being the imposed rituals, the other being the conceit that all newcomers have "joined" the club merely by virtue of attendance. Both left me feeling ambushed, and needing to escape.

I've gotten all gushy about the Grunge Guys gathering before, and it's easy to do so again. Timing aside, it really is the apotheosis of the American ranch experience. Hay bale seating, an outdoor kitchen, washing-up in the irrigation ditch, watermelon, smoked ribs, blackberries on the vine, langorous dogs, clouds of flies... the cowboy mythology and all that goes with it makes no sense whatsoever until you include the real, historical constraints of being filthy, unmannered, and not welcome inside the house. Hardly one step above the animals. Then it's beautiful.

General angst and depression have kept me from feeling particularly horny lately, and it kills me to think of the opportunities that I've let pass by in the past few weeks for simple lack of emotional energy. There were some ridiculously hot guys at the gathering, including the daddybear I ran into at Gold Beach a few weeks ago. But still, there is no greater pleasure than looking long and long at sweaty, dirty men. Well, except maybe for smelling them.

Despite having been a novelty-seeking person most of my life, I find myself more and more drawn to the same things with the same people at the same time every year. Nothing would please me more at this point than for this continuity to go on indefinitely.

Date: 2008-07-07 02:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] f8n-begorra.livejournal.com
'Twas fun to cross paths with you at last!

Date: 2008-07-07 02:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snousle.livejournal.com
!!!

When was that? I hardly ever recognize people from LJ in person without being clued in!

Date: 2008-07-07 06:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] broduke2000.livejournal.com
Here's hoping you get over your angst & depression soon!

Imposed rituals?

Date: 2008-07-07 07:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mudcub.livejournal.com
Had a great time at Grunge Guys as well. Note to readers... while I was getting my haircut, I was tied to a chair. Shortly after that picture was taking, the blindfold went on and I was slapped around quite a bit, along with some other torture. Ah, bliss.

Date: 2008-07-08 05:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bbearseviltwin.livejournal.com
If I could get that sort of service from a barber I would stop shaving my own head

Date: 2008-07-08 08:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] f8n-begorra.livejournal.com
I was the one trying to incite a riot at Red Lobster!

GG Gathering

Date: 2008-07-09 02:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bikrcowboy.livejournal.com
Tony, I love your "apotheosis of the American ranch experience," but I think it isn't quite correct. There's one key aspect of the ranch experience that the Gathering lacks, hence disqualifying it from such an exalted term -- namely the rythms, sounds, and fragrances of cows, horses, and saddles. And can it really be a ranch apotheosis when there's wifi available?

Date: 2008-07-09 03:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snousle.livejournal.com
Right! I eventually figured that out by a process of elimination. Still, I would never have guessed from your LJ icons. I seem to have a remarkable ability to not recognize people from photographs.

Anyway, here's something highly amusing:

http://godhatesshrimp.com/

Re: GG Gathering

Date: 2008-07-09 03:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snousle.livejournal.com
Yeah, well you can't have everything! It's the spirit that counts. ;-)

Date: 2008-07-11 02:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] f8n-begorra.livejournal.com
...and I dislike introducing myself by my LJ handle especially being more of a stalker than a blogger
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