Olana was fantastic, even though the weather wasn't great, so some of the amazing views were lost in clouds and fog. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of going upstate, although you do need a car to get there. Hudson has also come an amazingly long way from the rundown town I remember in the late 1990s, a renaissance driven by accessibility to the city and a thriving antiquing and gay community. A town built mostly in the 1700s and 1800s, old building are being rejuvenated and I would definitely consider going back to spend a weekend just in the town.

We even stayed in an old candle factory that's been converted to a hotel which was very cool. It was not cheap, but since it was my mom's birthday weekend she's earned a splurge now and then.

In other news, I still have issues. I know that will always be the case and I'm angry about...well...everything, but I need to hang on, keep talking it out, and continue making some progress. I can do that. I have to do that.