it took over an hour to cross the border while we listened to obese border guards discuss their elk-hunting experiences in saskatchewan. it must be made known that the same crossing on the way back to toronto took ten minutes. anyway, we were delighted to find the already-landed sophie robinson waiting with matt chambers at the bus station, and proceeded to stuff ourselves as soon as possible within the cozy confines of a very fine diner indeed. our reading at rustbelt books was graced by a fantastic performance by ric royer, to whom we still owe a pack of yt books (sorry, they're coming!) and photos of that will be up soon. we are very very grateful to matt and kevin and mike basinski for all their hard work.

drinks with all the presidents of the usa in a very special and patriotic pub involved some bad food but truly exciting and energetic company in the buffalo scene. these people like to wrestle. they also make an incredible amount of books and magazines, all beautiful to touch and look at. i say 'they' because everyone seems to be doing something. the buzz of the place was refreshing and we are very grateful to have been invited into such bustle and enthusiasm.

the magazine launch the next night featured readings by contributors from pilot, damn the caesars, and p-queue, where the adam mickiewicz library was utterly packed with poetry fans swilling booze. we thank karen mac cormack and steve mccaffery for a lovely visit amongst beautiful ancient books in their home the next day.

buffalo beware.

kai fierle-hedrick joins us for a pre-Pilot launch dinner at the anchor. next night she and her mother donna made us very welcome in east aurora. thank you!

tough love from nervous mum.

thanks to matt chambers for incredible patience and generosity.

sophie vs. kevin.

thursty.

richard owens, on the lookout for women poets, and making beautiful letterpress werx. we are fond of his DAMN THE CAESARS and encourage you get your copies immediately.

poets and puns.

where buffalos first got their wings. the famous anchor bar.

kevin thurston confirms he is both romantic and delicious. thank you for feeding us.