taz_39 | Sep. 26th, 2022

I actually managed to get some sleep on Wednesday night!
Perhaps it was because I didn't have any obligations the next day.

I took my rapid test (negative) and had breakfast, and did some research for Worcester.

Last night we got our travel sheet, so I released my MFF info sheet for Worcester as well.
We do NOT expect to have refrigerators in Worcester. BOOOOOO.

This didn't really change my MFF info, but it did prompt me to add a note that folks may want to stock up on nonperishables.

Not having a fridge means I need to do a little planning myself.
I walked a mile to Abundance Food Co-op to see if they had vital wheat gluten (they did).
Wheat gluten is a non-perishable protein powder, and can be made into a vegan meat substitute called seitan.
You just add water or broth, and some seasonings; form a dough and steam or boil it; then eat it as-is or grill/fry it.
I've never made it, but want to try. Seems simple enough, and would come in handy for weeks where we don't have refrigerators (and therefore no eggs, yogurt, or refrigerated meats).

From there I walked two miles to Pittsford Farms Dairy.
This wasn't originally on my food list for myself, but so many of my upstate NY friends have insisted that I NEED to go, that I decided to hit it up. And very glad that I did!

(I've had a lot of people exclaiming over "dirt" as a flavor, so apparently some of you missed out on this critical childhood dessert. "Dirt" is just chocolate pudding mixed with crushed Oreos and whipped cream, layered with more crushed Oreos to give the appearance of soil, and interspersed with gummy worms.)

It's just a small ice cream shop, though they did have a freezer full of take-home ice cream pints, and a fridge with milks, creams, cheeses, and other products made by the dairy. Also a big assortment of maple syrups, candies, and local honeys.
But I was there for the ice cream.
They were out of the pumpkin crunch flavor, so I got the next-most seasonal ones, maple walnut and caramel apple.

My lord, was it good. Balanced flavors, and such a lovely thing to have maple and nut and spices and apples and caramel enveloping you on a blustery fall day. The maple walnut in particular reminded me of my mom. Little things bring her memory near.

I enjoyed it immensely, and was glad I'd listened to my friends.

Walking back was pleasant as well. My path took me through a university area with lots of nice houses and cute overgrown gardens.
I stopped at a CVS for some tin foil (for the Itaki, to keep condensation off the food) and some ziplocs, then continued on my leisurely way back to the hotel, where I relaxed for a few hours.

Knowledge is power.
An average-sized scoop of ice cream is approx 250-290 calories.
Considering additions like nuts and apples and caramel, my total for today was probably around 600 calories for the two scoops.
Per above step tracker, my little round-trip walk burned approx 300 calories.
Cutting 200-300 more (taking into account that playing trombone in a show does burn a few calories) from my meals by eating a slightly lighter lunch and dinner keeps me within a healthy calorie range.

And that's how I get to eat whatever I want.

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Friday, I woke up at the normal time.

Yesterday someone pointed out that we're not traveling until TUESDAY, which means I've gypped myself on a day of groceries! Whoops.
I had planned to be a lazybones today, but instead walked the mile back to the food co-op. Because buying supplementary food items for what I already have is cheaper than eating out.

That said, I did pick up a bowl of pho on the way back. That shit is RESTORATIVE. And great on a chilly day.

I shared the picture and location to my foodie group because the restaurant is affordable and only blocks from the hotel.
And lo and behold, two more people were inspired to go get some, and post photos of their own!
This is the first time someone besides me is posting content in the group.
I'm glad! This is not supposed to be the Megan OMalley Show, but a group where anyone can chat or share about food.

Anyway, at the co-op I picked up a piece of fruit, a bagel, a rhubarb soda that's only 80 calories(!), and some locally-made seitan.
Since I'm going to make it myself next week and since I needed a protein anyway, may as well give it a taste test.

The rest of my day was VERY chill indeed.
A little tweaking of upcoming MFF lists, mostly just adding walking directions to grocery stores.
A sort of dozing nap, and watching anime and TikTok. Chatting with Jameson as he assembled a new gaming chair and worked.
It was good to decompress.

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Saturday and Sunday were two show days, so I didn't make time for exploring.

I tried the seitan for lunch, and it was "ok". Had very slight bitter aftertaste, and the texture was chewier than meat would be.
That said, the flavor in general was good, kind of a savory umami. I won't mind subbing this in for meats once in a while, even if the seitan that I make myself isn't as flavorful as this.

Both shows on Saturday were fine. More people came up to me to say they'd gone and gotten pho, or had gone to the location to get pho but saw the other food options (it's a food hall) and chose something else instead. Which is great because that place was on my foodie list. It was the closest and best option for most of us this week. Next week we are not close to much at all, so I'll be interested to see how many people will branch out.

Sunday's shows, also fine and seemed well attended.

We found out that Wardrobe will be laundering our pit black clothing AND traveling our dress shoes for us. Swanky!
This is actually REALLY helpful and appreciated. Doing laundry at different laundromats and hotels each week carries a higher risk of ruining expensive dress clothes. It's a huge benefit to have Wardrobe keeping our things safe and clean.

So after the first show I gathered my blacks and my heels and brought them to the theater, along with stuff I don't want to fly with like candles, a lighter for the candles, a spray bottle of peroxide, and my new Tootsie umbrella. These will travel by truck with my trombone, and I can pick them up in the next city.

The shows went well. Perhaps some of our newer members struggled a little with the amount of playing, but certainly they'll get used to it.
It was also our first time loading out, so everyone took extra time to make sure their stuff was where they wanted it.

I commandeered the rental car keys from Bill with twofold purpose: so I'd be available to pick up Paul (drummer) when he was done packing up if he needed a ride, and to fill it back up with gas before we have to return it.
I got the gas and Paul didn't need a ride, so I gave him the keys. I want to walk tomorrow.

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It's now Monday and I'm wide awake at 7am.

For some reason we have a "golden day" here in Rochester...that means no shows, and no travel either. A true free day.
And then we get ANOTHER one once we arrive in Worcester. Weird! But I'm not complaining.

I've had my covid test and will use today to do laundry and pack, and pick up something for breakfast tomorrow, and probably have a poke bowl for dinner. I've decided to skip the Rochester museums to save money (I have been to the top 3 before).

Looking forward to hitting the road!

Extra and random things:

Picture of a bridge in Rochester, which I took on the way to the co-op.