Yellowstoned
Coming down from a lifelong dream achieved.
I’m writing this when I should be focusing on doing other things. I have to repack my suitcase for the third time in twelve days.
My physical body has been thrown around California and the western United States and I still won’t touch the ground until next month. It’s been a lot, but it’s been full of joy.
And what a delight that I can say it’s been for business and for pleasure.
A week spent in one of my favorite places, sharing food with some of my favorite people. I learned the proper “Hot to Go” choreography from a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader. A dress made me gasp loudly at the de Young’s style exhibition. I ate a homemade blondie made by a friend that I’m still thinking about almost two weeks later.
I launched my body into the sun again last weekend and this time I landed in Montana.
The state of my dreams. As a young horse-crazy child, most of the media I consumed took place in Montana and Wyoming. As my plane reached the Bozeman airport, I looked out the window and smiled.
I was arriving in the land of My Friend Flicka.
Collin, his family, and I spent a few days exploring my new favorite place on Earth, Yellowstone National Park. That’s a strange sentence to write considering my favorite thing about it was that it felt like I was on a different planet.
It is the most biodiverse area in the lower 48 and I loved every sight, sound, and smell. A breeze from Yellowstone Lake rinsed my brain out during a meditation. I did a cold plunge in a running river while I held hands with the man I will marry this year. I ate the most satisfying hot dog of my life after having an interdimensional moment with a herd of bison.
I RODE A HORSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS.
It was incredible and I will never stop talking about it. The Grand Prismatic Spring, a boiling lake the color of the rainbow. Yellowstone made me want to learn about geology and microbial biology.
In addition to lots of equine cinema, I consumed hours of Animal Planet content growing up. I remember when wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone in the 90s. When I saw a wolf on Tuesday, the magnitude of that moment hit me in my core.
In addition to the wolf, I saw pronghorn antelope, elk, white-tailed deer, and black bears. They were all so cool to see in their natural habitats. but the herds of bison took my breath away every time.
I expected to be blown away by the natural beauty. Being humbled by the vastness of it all was one of the draws for me. This trip exceeded all expectations. What I did not expect was the feeling of family I would feel.
I have known Collin’s family for years now, but this trip was the first time I felt confident calling them my family, too. It won’t become official until later this year, but I feel like I’m already there and I don’t take it for granted. I don’t think you truly know someone until you travel with them and I’m so glad I’m joining a family of fun travelers.
One of the questions I always ask people is what their 3 favorite things about the day are. When I think back on this trip, 3 things stick out to me.
Riding a horse through the backcountry and stumbling upon several sleeping bison.
Swimming in a stream on a whim.
Holding hands as a group and screaming into the big sky.
I can go on forever about this trip, and if you’ll indulge me in-person, I will. If you are interested in a full run-down of the trip, with links and recommendations for travel accommodations, please let me know. The days spent in Yellowstone will stay in my heart forever.
They’ll also stay in the dents I put into Collin’s water bottle. Sorry, mi amor.
And yet I still have more to go. I’m traveling north this weekend to attend the wedding of two dear friends, Ali and Lindsay (a future favorite person).
To Ali and Lindsay, I love you both so much and I cannot wait to dance my ass off on the dance floor with you soon.
I hope you all have Alis and Lindsays in your lives. They make life more delicious.
Until next month!
June Book Reviews II
It’s finally happened. I didn’t finish a single book during this period between newsletters.
I did read a few books during this time, but none to completion. Maturing means that you don’t need to make it to completion every time to have fun.
I almost finished Henry, Henry, but it was too hard for me to finish for now. I will return to it eventually because it is a compelling story, but I didn’t have the stomach for the incestual abuse that occurs during the book. I didn’t know that it covered that when I started the book and it shook me when it happened. I do recommend the book, but I think you should know of that before you begin.
In the meantime, I’m reading and enjoying In Tongues so far.
My favorite people’s favorite things.
I love the Celebrity Shopping lists on The Strategist. Here are some of my favorite people’s favorite things.
With so much going on over the last few weeks, I completely forgot to ask one of my favorite people for their list of favorite things. Since I was in a pinch, I asked my roommate to do it this time.
They were not happy about it, but they know how much this newsletter means to my creative health so they obliged.
So with that it in mind, please enjoy Martini’s favorite things, as told by her.
Being under the bed: I fucking love sitting under the bed. It makes it impossible for either of my roommates to get to me and it is always dark and cool in there. They have a king sized bed because they are both two princesses who demand space when they sleep so that means I get extra real estate underneath. I love being the pea to those two princesses.
Cardboard, in many forms: You haven’t lived until you’ve sunken your claws into cardboard. I do it multiple times a day and it makes me feel so luxurious every time. I also love sitting in it. I hate to feed into a stereotype, but I can’t help sitting in where I’m fitting.
Zyrtec allergy pills: I wouldn’t say this is one of my favorite things, but it is something I take every day. I don’t know, I didn’t even want to do this, but sure, put my allergy pills on there. Whatever.
Bathtubs: Although I can’t remember where I was born, my roommates think I was born in a bathtub because of how fiercely I am drawn to sit in it. All I told them was that I was from somewhere in Los Angeles County and now they think I was born in an abandoned bathtub behind the Citadel Outlets. I can’t disprove this so I’ve just accepted that as my story. People will believe what they want to believe.
Churu: I cannot get enough of this fish flavored yogurt. I will tolerate even the most annoying human if they are feeding me this disgusting food product.
Clumping cat litter: I don’t fuck with the pellets and I refuse to engage with them. Give me clumping litter or I’ll use the plant pot. That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.
Martini Lounge North and South: I have two cat trees throughout my home. I use Martini Lounge South when my roommates are working and I move to Martini Lounge North when they watch TV. They’re beige and boring, but my eyes closed whenever I’m in them so it doesn’t bother me too much.
My social media presence: Ailee runs my Instagram account and I’m happy with the version of me she has curated. She makes me more palatable and likeable, which I think will benefit me in the long run.
Collin: I have a favorite and it’s not you. If given the choice I will always go with him over you.
The songs my roommates write about me: My roommates are gay. They are like GAY gay. They sing songs about me to the tunes of Chappell Roan and Jessie Ware songs. They call them BanuniTunes. They’re very dumb, but I actually do like them. I meow along. It seems like I’m yelling at them to stop, but it’s really just me giving in and enjoying them. It’s earnest and gross, but I do like it.
Embarrassing.
