They've been here since mid-August, and they already have BBFFs (Buffalo Best Friends Forever) and a three-bedroom house, the monthly mortgage of which is a fraction of their rent in Boston for a single bedroom apartment.
Anna Kuehl, a masters student at the University of Buffalo is a native of Nebraska. David McNamara, Albany native, is the owner of Sunny Outside Press. The duo moved here because, out of all the schools Anna looked at, UB had the best program in Early 20th Century German Art History.
Anna said she likes the East Coast, though she'd like to be nearer to the ocean. "One of the Great Lakes does in a pinch," she said. She also said she has a soft spot for "things down on their luck," and she sees a lot of people trying to make Buffalo grow. Considering she just came from Somerville, Massachusetts, near Boston, where the 4 mile square area holds around 70,000 people...we'll accept that.
The couple bought a house in the University district, where David is happy to be in close proximity to Parkside Candies and does a lot of his manuscript reading at Amy's. David publishes poetry for the most part, though he has a little fiction and wants to get into more non-fiction, specifically something about the railway history of Buffalo, as all the dead ended streets leading up to tracks that he's discovered here greatly interest him.
Anna said she initially felt selfish dragging David here (He interjects a quick, "You were."), but as it turns out, she may have done him a favor. Rust Belt carries all of his books, he's awaiting word from Talking Leaves, and he's in proximity to one of his favorite poets, whose book he just published; Jason Heroux of Kingston, Ontario.
The books David publishes are unique and quaint paperbacks. He uses an old letterpress, one he describes as the Yugo of presses, as well as some more modern means, but he often sets his own type and uses woodcuts, giving his books a distinctive look. In addition, one of he books he's published has covers that are individually hand-painted by the author.
David's website is sunnyoutside.com.
The couple is ftting in nicely here and are happy and comfortable, but the following is such a typical Buffalo experience, that we have to share it:
A fan of artist Marcel Duchamp, David googled him one day...and found the thesis/video by Rich Kegler of P22 fame, involving the Duchamp work, The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even. He had used Kegler's type for years...and then last weekend he ended up at Kegler's house for a Barbeque. This week, just before David could get a thank-you note off, he received one from Kegler. How genteel is that?
Which only makes Anna and David's comment about being terrible networkers all the more inconsequential. They don't have to network in Buffalo, the friendly locals will take care of that for them.