Ithaca: my 2nd favorite lesbian mecca*

October 10, 2007

Xifey and I split custody** of the house and Little Man for the weekend, so LM and I hit the road. We imposed upon two very generous friends for an overnight in Ithaca NY, and were graced with a in-person performance on the Cornell Chimes at the McGraw Tower. Despite huffing and puffing up 161 steps, this was a very cool experience. I’ve never been inside a giantic clock, nor have I ever seen the bells, the instrument, or the effort required to play it. Fascinating.

It requires both hands and a foot to play this thing.

This is the practice room, so LM got to play.

Here’s the inside of the clock, a 1875 Seth Thomas clock with a 14-foot long pendulum and huge gear-driven mechanical workings.

And the Bellfry, which houses 21 enormous bells.

And the View of Ithaca from the Bellfry

The next morning, we explored the Sciencenter, an incredible children’s museum that was nearly as fun for the adults as for children. My favorite/most embarassing moment: The Scream Chamber.

That photo was taken mere moments before I closed the door, screamed as loud as I could, and opened the door to a crowd of people staring at me. Yeah, the booth was apparently NOT soundproof. So I acted like that was all part of the plan: I read my score of 117 on the scream-ometer, and partnered a congratulatory fist pump with a “yes!”. Then I quickly disappeared to privately experience the horror of screaming bloody murder in front of a crowd of peace-loving-Ithaca-hippie parents. Well done, Mafia, well done.

* Northampton is, of course, lesbian mecca #1.

** Custody was only decided for a 5 day period, and there is much gnashing of teeth and butting of heads about the long-term plans.

Entry Filed under: It's All About Me, Little Man, The World, Travels. .

26 Comments Add your own

1. Manise | October 10, 2007 at 1:00 pm

Hehehe. You crack me up with the scream chamber! I spent 7 very impressionable and wonderful years in Ithaca, NY! The fall colors must be glorious now. Glad you had a fun time away with Little Man.
2. Lisa | October 10, 2007 at 1:01 pm

Wish I knew you were headed that direction. My other half is in updtate NY still. SHe would have loved to have been able to host the two of you , in spite of all that is going on there. Isn’t it just breathtaking. I bet LM just loved it all.

Are you going to become the Lesbian tour planner now? Listing all the best meccas?
3. Francesca | October 10, 2007 at 1:16 pm

I am impressed that you have already resolved the custody issues. It seems remakable to me that you were able to reach an agreement so quickly while things are certainly at their most stressful.
4. maryse | October 10, 2007 at 1:21 pm

were there bats in the bellfry?
5. Bertha | October 10, 2007 at 1:33 pm

Oh man! I cannot believe the scream chamber is not soundproof! That is hilarious, yet embarrassing. I think you totally pulled it off though. The fist pump made it.
6. Cetta | October 10, 2007 at 1:45 pm

Love the action shot of LM!
7. Kat | October 10, 2007 at 2:10 pm

Excellent score on the Scream Chamber - I think you shoudl put that on your resume. Sounds like you guys had a great trip and some much needed time away together.
8. Leah | October 10, 2007 at 2:18 pm

it was sound proof to an extent. we could only hear a muffled scream, if that makes you feel better

hugs!
9. stacy | October 10, 2007 at 2:31 pm

It’s nice to read some happy stuff from you! I’m glad things are starting to progress.

I just found out this weekend that my brother and his wife of 3.5 years are calling it quits and they have a 2 year old. Hard times ahead for them as well. Scary stuff.
10. britt | October 10, 2007 at 3:07 pm

That looks like so much fun! Good luck w/ the custody stuff, I hope it all works out for you and LM eventually.
11. femiknitter | October 10, 2007 at 3:11 pm

I LOVE Ithaca! I try to get up there to go camping at least once a year. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.

As for the scream chamber, I sympathize. I would have done the exact same thing. I mean, come on, why have it if it’s not sound proof?
12. Sneaksleep | October 10, 2007 at 3:11 pm

I grew up 45 minutes from Ithaca, and I know how beautiful it can be this time of year. Sooo glad you got a much-needed break (and chance to scream!), even if there are still big storms ahead. *HUGS*
13. Thorn | October 10, 2007 at 3:13 pm

Dude. Primal screaming is EXCELLENT therapy.

Glad you and Little Man had a nice trip outta Dodge for a bit.
14. Lucia | October 10, 2007 at 3:25 pm

Scream chamber. Excellent. Ithaca? I guess I’ll have to continue making do with my back yard.

The clock and belfry (no bats, I hope) and the organ-playing are all very cool.
15. Danielle | October 10, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Wow. I still want to know how to get a gig as a bell ringer in a clock tower.
16. Pi Grrrl | October 10, 2007 at 3:51 pm

Glad you got your scream out — if you’d known the chamber wasn’t soundproof, you’d have held it in! Also glad you and LM got a change of venue. Hope it helped. Cool pics.
17. heather | October 10, 2007 at 4:40 pm

oooo — screaming can be so good tho, can’t it? Looks like you had a great time. Thinking of you often and sending lots of positive energy your way!
18. Ashley | October 10, 2007 at 11:07 pm

Hilarious if embarrassing–why wouldn’t they soundproof it? Isn’t that the whole point?
19. PainterWoman | October 10, 2007 at 11:52 pm

I’m thinking that the Lesbian think just skipped a generation with me, but that the Mecca’s are magnetic just the same. I have had inklings that my deceased mother would rather have played for the other team than be with my father…. but it was the 50’s… etc. etc. She drank, smoked and bossed me around instead of finding her bliss. DD on the other hand is sober, funny, doesn’t boss anybody she doesn’t have authority over, and is happily connecting with serious relationship #2. Which is all to say, I LOVE ITHACA, TOO. Of course DD would not consider Cornell. (But Mt. Holyoke has got to be in the top 10. (My alma mater, Scripps (CA) should be, too). Love those corinthian columns in the bell tower… and the blond angel in the practice room. Best, again.
20. Suzanne | October 11, 2007 at 7:14 am

What a great trip to take, circumstances not withstanding. PeachPit would like to invite LittleMan for a playdate Chez Helix. As far as I can discern, it is a standing invitation. I would like to invite you for a scream duel. You would probably have the edge these days, but I can ordinarily hold my own.
21. Sharon Rose | October 11, 2007 at 10:26 am

I think you should scream MORE. Good therapy, no?
22. Gretchen | October 11, 2007 at 12:11 pm

Hi there,

I’ve never commented here, and you don’t know me, but we do have friends in common (I’m a spinner and knitter who used to live in Boston). I’m sorry to hear about the recent turn of events, and I can certainly relate (yay for screaming). Anyhoo, I wanted to let you know- you may want to splurge on the hotel room, but I’m a local to the upcoming festivus (it was a big draw to my current place of employment), and I would be happy to offer a Poughkeepsie B&B for Friday and/or Saturday night. Then you could spend your money on wool, etc.

Cheers,
Gretchen
23. Dorothy | October 11, 2007 at 2:31 pm

I’m so sorry about the recent turn of events for you. I could come up with all kinds to trite crap to say, but it wouldn’t mean shit right now so, if it helps a little, I’ll send some Mama love and hugging your way.

The trip looks like a great place for kids. That clock looks wicked cool and I would have given the scream booth a try. I would have looked around, then at my score, then gone back in and tried for louder. Girly likes to scream at the top of her lungs at random times while walking down the street. I am now impervious to the embarrassment of public screaming. Makes me giggle like a fool though.
24. pamela wynne | October 12, 2007 at 4:11 pm

So cool! It reminds me of (1) the bell tower at Michigan State, where I went to school, and (2) the Hudsucker Proxy.
25. Cynical Knitting Gal | October 12, 2007 at 11:49 pm

Keep on keeping on woman! I am thinking warm thoughts (partly because it’s getting chilly here in Chicago which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) for you and LM.
26. Rhonda the Stitchingnut | October 15, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I wonder why you would have to go into a chamber if it wasn’t sound proof? Horrifying … you could have scared the death out of someone. LOL, bet you would have won a prize if it was a contest tho.

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