Julie
7:30pm on a Tuesday
at the Genesee Brew House

Interview by Maria Gorre.

Published May 1, 2015.

When did you move to the city?

I’ve been here a year and a couple months.

What’s your favorite part of living in the city?

My favorite part is that everything is nearby. If you want to do something, you’re not that far away. If somebody wants to hang out, you’re right down the road. But also the little things, like Cobbs Hill. High Falls isn’t far away, things like that.

Do you have any favorite secret spots?

So, we’re at High Falls, but the Lower Falls, I think it’s Maplewood Park maybe? The driving park, which sounds kind of sketchy and ghetto (laughs), but there’s a park there, at the Lower Falls. And if you walk down basically, well, not a cliff, but a hill, and you get down to the bottom, you’re right against the river. And you’re walking along the rocks, and you can walk right up to the falls. I can show you a picture (below). That’s actually my favorite part of Rochester. I went a couple of weeks ago and the water level was too high to walk down there, but that’s my favorite part.

But it’s so cool, because you can literally walk down to the falls. And you forget that you’re in the city because you’re down there and it’s nature. It kind of smells like fish a lot when people are fishing (laughs), but it’s really nice down there. I think that’s probably my favorite part.

That’s so cool. I’ve never been there before.

Yeah, you walk across the rocks, and you literally get right up to the falls. And there’s a cave down there!

What’s your favorite time of day to be out in the city?

Well, when I’m not working, I’d probably say I like the morning to be out and about because it’s not as busy. But as far as going out and being social, probably more the afternoon. People are out and about, you know, people are at Cobb’s Hill and stuff. But, I like the morning because it’s quiet and nobody’s around. But, I think my favorite time of day would be from 2 p.m. to the end of the day.

Yeah it’s good to see people out, on Park especially.

Yeah! Park Ave on a Saturday, at 2 or 3 o’clock, it’s hoppin’ (laughing).

(Laughs) I know, it’s so funny, because it’s a pretty random time of day.

I know because people are out for lunch and stuff, as long as it’s nice out. Unless it’s winter.

Describe your dream Rochester day.

I’d probably wake up and get some diner breakfast. Or go to a really good coffee shop like Boulder or Press Coffee. I don’t know if it’s open anymore, Press Coffee, by Java’s. I went there a couple times. Or is it Pour? It’s not the one on Park. I randomly stumbled across it. They’re really good. Then, I don’t know, as long as it’s a nice day, I’d probably go for a run or ride my bike. And I’d probably want to go out and take photos or just wander. High Falls is one of my favorite areas to take photos and hang out and explore. Or maybe I’d go to my favorite spot. I’d probably find some cool or adventurous thing to do or even go to Highland Park or Mount Hope Cemetery. I feel like there are so many things I would do! Then I’d probably go out to dinner at Frog Pond, my favorite. And then, I’d end the night with a chill fire scenario or going out with friends. That would be the best day.

That’s what they want, a strong drink. Get your money’s worth.

That sounds great! What’s your favorite hungover eating spot?

Well, first of all, if I’m hungover, I’m chugging chocolate milk (laughing). I just need chocolate milk. I don’t know why. But it’s probably just any diner, like Frog Pond or Jim’s. That’s probably it. I just need breakfast, and lots of it. And chocolate milk. The sad thing is there are never free chocolate milk refills.

What’s your personal coping mechanism for bad weather?

As far like, snow being bad weather? Well, I snowboard. But being home when the weather sucks, I think my remedy would be to clean (laughs). I try to clean and be active, or I’ll just be lazy and watch movies. Or listen to my record player. Be all hip (laughing). Hang out with my cat.

I wish I had a cat and a record player! I don’t have any of those things.

My collection is growing, but I’m pretty selective.

Where do you buy records?

Amazon. But I’ve gotten a few from one on South Ave. Needledrop? It might be Needledrop. And I’ve gotten some from Record Archive.

I’ve gotten a few from Lakeshore.

Oh yeah, Lakeshore too. It kind of sucks because records are expensive, which is why I’m pretty selective.

Okay, this is a weird one. If Rochester were a drink, what would it be?

Aw man, that’s so hard. I drink enough where I should have a drink that comes to mind. I can’t say specifically, but it would probably be strong, maybe semi-fruity. And it would probably have ingredients in it that you wouldn’t expect, because I feel like people in Rochester are really creative. I don’t know what would be unexpected, like pears? But anyway, it would have weird ingredients, be kind of fruity, and strong, because people in Rochester like to party. Especially if you live in the city and you can just walk home. That’s what they want, a strong drink. Get your money’s worth.

Do you have a favorite Rochester memory?

When I was little, I used to like when they had the laser show. They had a laser show up here by the falls. They don’t do it anymore, but I wish they did. A couple years ago, I was here on my birthday and I was looking up things happening that day. And I saw “Rochester Laser Show,” but I didn’t notice that the date was a few years ago. So I was like, “There’s going to be a laser show while we’re at the brew house!” (laughs) Rest in peace, Rochester Laser Show.