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Okay. First of all, I didn't expect Albany to be much more than a nice little town all full of historical value. After all, it doesn't nearly have the glitz and the action of New York City. Still, as I do have some sort of strange obsession with war, I thought I'd have a good time checking out historical markers and graveyards and the like.

My aunt lives in small house that's rented to her by the mayor of Waterford, the town where she lives. Across the street lives the sherriff. Everyone there knows everyone else on a first-name basis. It's quiet, clean, and generally friendly. The only thing is, it's incredibly cold during the winter and God-awful boring. Seriously, there isn't anything to do. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the convenience of the city... In any case, Waterford is nice, full of history, and a peaceful, quiet, friendly place.

And then Saturday came.

My aunt decided it was time for me to meet her boyfriend's friends. I didn't know he was part of a motorcycle gang called the 69ers. They drove me down to Troy, a nearby city, and into this beat-up, broken-down little rat hole of a bar. Inside, the only light came from a flickering red light bulb and the lamp situated above the pool table. There were four televisions: one was set to a show about choppers, and the other three were security cameras. You know... just in case rival gangs or cops came around unexpectedly. Everyone was downing shots of whiskey and taking hits from a bong fashioned out of a solid 9-ball from the billiards table. Rock music was blaring in the background, and I was surrounded by foul-mouthed, leather-clad bikers walking through clouds of marijuana smoke. After about two hours refusing alcohol and marijuana, the party really got started as we all gathered around the only TV set to pick up cable and watched one of those UFC matches. It was great.

I seriously have to go back to Waterford, although I wouldn't go visit that bar again. I just need to bring the camera with me and take pictures of the Erie Canal and the historic cemetaries. It was... a nice experience. Maybe I'll go back during the summer, when I can at least take a walk outside when I grow tired of being in the house.