Wonderful Weekend Begins

Disclaimer: This post is merely informative and does not offer much entertainment. It's also long.

Bobby and Liz successfully made it into Austin. Their plane was about 10 minutes early, which is always nice, except that I was about 40 minutes late, which is always not nice. I picked them up though, and we drove though Austin to get to the Arboretum. I think Austin should do something about the road back into town from the airport. It makes Austin look so run-down. I had to give disclaimers that Austin wouldn't really look like this. At the Arboretum, we ate Amy's ice cream for lunch. I had Chocolate Orange Crunch and Lemon Cheesecake, which were both magnificant. Bobby had Coffee Toffee, also good, and Liz had some cinammon almond flavor that started with a T (Tarancino?) and another kind that I can't remember either. After a nice healthy lunch appetizer of Amy's, and a lot of indecision, we headed for a real lunch at TacoDeli, a taco place that serves tacos...I convinced Bobby D. to eat a Fish Taco and despite his initial skepticism he thought it was great. In fact, I think his exact words were "This [fish taco] is really good. I think we're going to make our kids eat these all the time." Then we headed back to my house (or Cathy's condo) and I gave them the grand tour. Bobby drove me back to work and they rested up - napping and reading since they'd woken up around 4 am to make their flight.

Meanwhile, the house that I really wanted that was really expensive came back on the market! This was the house that was only on for a couple days and within 1 day had 4 offers with some above asking price. So, now I had the dilemna all over again of whether or not to make an offer on the house. So, I called Nora, my realtor, and had her put together a contract offering asking price (yikes!) and then Bobby, Liz, and I met her at the house. We saw it again and I still liked it. Bobby and Liz had been looking at houses in Illinois, so they were knowledgeable about what to look for. We went to La Madeleine (a french coffee/food place) to talk it over and then were late for our Alamo movie! We decided to think about the house overnight.

So, at the Alamo we saw Mr. Sinus Show presenting "Red Dawn" which none of us had ever seen before. Since I made us late, we had to sit in the front row, but at least we got to sit together. A Mr. Sinus Show works pretty much like "Mystery Science Theater" except it is live, the jokes are not PG-13 and since it's at the Alamo, they have food and drink (even alcoholic drinks of which we didn't partake). The movie was suprisingly suspenseful. Liz thought the Alamo was "very Alamo-rific!". After the show we went and walked around downtown. There weren't a lot of people out since it was only 9:15. We went to Buffalo Billiards and played Foosball, had a drink (for Bobby - a Shiner, for Shannon - Dos XX, for Liz - a Shirley Temple) and played cards at the table. I lost. I think Liz won by a hundred points. Then we walked around the Warehouse district and then we were done!

Then on Saturday, I got up early and got an oil change and found out my transmission fluid was brown. Apparently, it should be pink. I don't know these things. He said it is $80 for the full transmission flush or $30 for it to drain out and then replace it. I went with the $30 option. Then the mechanic dude proceeded to half lecture/half flirt with me about taking care of my car. He told me that I should get the transmission fluid and everything checked regularly. I asked him if they check those fluids everytime you get an oil change and he said yes. I asked them why they wouldn't have checked it last time when I brought my car there for the oil change like they were supposed to. It didn't get an answer, but I didn't get any more lecture either. While there, I decided not to make an offer on the house cause I didn't want to have it be a big deal and stretch finances when I had to make unexpected transmission payments.

Then I picked up Bobby and Liz and we went to South Congress, got some coffee and a pastry at Jo's and then wandered around a bunch of the stores. The only purchases made were at the St. Vincent dePaul Thrift shop. I got a wooden picture fram with a faded apple green inset. Normally I don't care about picture frames, but this one was really cool. Mom now needs to paint me something that has faded apple green as an accent color. Bobby bought a book for the plane ride back, and Liz got an iron rack to hold knick knacks and a couple books. Probably the biggest event was the boot store though. Liz tried on some boots and loved them. They looked really good on her. Bobby tried the same boots on (in mens though) and he looked like Aragorn from the knees down. Assuming that Aragorn didn't have long pants on. We decided to wait on the boots.

Lunch at Wendy's and then we stopped at the new Cabelo's superstore. I don't know if you know this, but Cabelo's is The World's Largest Outfitter. I have no idea what that means, but I think it might be something close to "a store that has outdoors stuff, but feels like you're at six flags". It was really chaotic there and they had all kinds of stuff - even an aquarium and taxidermied animals and a shooting range and a food court. Bobby got a knife that folds in half - the one he got was the best value for the money - the package even said so.

Then we were pooped and didn't have enough time to make it to San Antonio. We drove back into Austin (Cabelo's is in Buda) and went to Waterloo Records (no purchases) and then to the new Whole Foods across the street for Liz's mid-afternoon snack of a serving of fruit and a dairy, which turned into gelato. She was super excited about that cause she just got back from Italy and ate a bunch of gelato there. Bobby was also super-excited cause they had a bunch of free samples. I think he's turning into my dad. I got a little taste of Indian food and Bobby ate some of that too. Then there was a bird that was inside.

We went back home, regrouped again. Indecision for a long time. Then we planned a game night at my house with friends. Went to go get dinner at Threadgill's downtown again, but they underestimated their wait time. Bought lottery tickets. Scrapped Threadgill's for Freebirds (or Firebirds as Bobby called it). Drove back home arriving only 8 minutes late with Paul and James outside waiting (sorry) and then had game night with James, Paul, Rachel, John, Maggie, Suva (for the last 15 minutes), and us 3. Dawn and Rose (her mom) stopped by briefly, but didn't stay for the rousing game of Balderdash.

Then we had more indecision about sleeping arrangements. I lost that argument and won the bed. :(

Overall, pretty good day. Lots of stuff, but didn't feel rushed. Was very tired, and very full. Pictures to come soon.

Bobby D. and Liz visit Austin!

My brother and his Liz are coming to Austin tomorrow morning. We have a fun-filled weekend planned and anyone is invited to attend any of the following events. If you want to go to something, it's probably best to just call me and let me know. Mostly because the schedule is really just a list of ideas and most things don't have a specific time slot.

For a specific invitation, I think it would be cool to do dinner and/or drinks on Sunday night, so if anyone is interested in meeting the fam (or part of my fam), let me know! I'd love for everyone to be able to get together. I think we'll go to the Oasis mostly for the view, leaving my place around 7 pm. If you want to go and/or carpool, let me know. I know it's kind of far out there, so if you want to go, but can't make the drive, let me know too. There's salsa by the Brew until 10 pm or so with free lessons, but it will be a light dancing night for me at least. Plans subject to change.

Friday
Do something depending on how tired Bliz is
7:00 Movie at the alamo - Sinus Show www.drafthouse.com
Walk around downtown afterwards to see 6th street. Drinking at bars optional

Saturday
Breakfast tacos
Waterloo Records
South Congress stores - hippie like
Amy's ice cream and a lunch snack
San Antonio

Sunday
Church
Brunch at some place - brunch place
Climb Mt. Bonnel for the view and requisite pictures of liz and baby on the rock
Walk around UT
Tea with Balls
Drag stores - resale and trendy both
Toy Joy toy store
Dinner with Shannon's friends - Oasis

Monday
Liz and Bobby on their own until 3 pm (Shannon at work early)

Swimming at the pool
Go to any stores
Go to the zoo
Sightsee something else

3 pm:
Raspas
Dinner
Emos for a concert

I think I'm in love!!!

You'll never believe what happened today! I think I found true love! Or it was temporary love. The best 2 hours of my life spent with THE BEST (and worst) DANCERS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRIME TIME TV!!! There's this show called "So you think you can dance" on FOX. It was pretty amazing. I think all Wednesday nights are now occupied with Channel 2. If I would have known of my new love, I would have never spent last, last Friday as I did...

So my Dad's mom, Christine, sent me a newspaper clipping in the mail a while ago. I think that being 25 (at the time) and single means that I've got some work to do. Read on...



Despite the obvious flaws with the article (if the women are over in sports and the men are in cookbooks, you never actually meet each other), out of a combination of desperation, a need to please Christine with effort if not grandkids, and no other pressing plans, I hit the town in search of Mr. Right.

Attempt 1
Who: Me (of course) and my friend Sue*
Where: Barnes and Noble in the Arboretum
When: Friday night around 9:30 pm
What: Talk to a guy. Get him to talk back with a minimum of 2 words. Male employees are not eligible.

I'm wearing a turquiose cotton hip length tank top and black pants, some lovely greenish turquoise eyeshadow, and black flip flops. Hair down. A little dressier than I'd usually be for the bookstore, but I was already dressed before we decided what to do. And it can't hurt.

Sue and I scoped out the aisles, steering clear of travel (no one was there anyway). I found a European, or some guy wearing tight pants, trendy shoes, and a pink t-shirt, in the Math section. We tried the cd store part. I asked the clerk for any tango cds, just as a warm up. And I like tango music. We talked briefly, although it didn't count. The tango cds were good though. Every time I listen, it makes my heart feel all Latin. There was a guy who kept looking at me and Sue. I think he had met Sue before and couldn't place her. She remembered him from somewhere too, but they still didn't talk.

On to the rest of the top floor. We walked past a guy in the Self-Help, Relationships section who was rather absorbed in a book. I thought about walking up to him and knowingly saying "you know, you'll never meet a woman in this section. At least take the book you're reading to a chair that's not in this aisle." I decided that I'd take the article's advice and keep looking though.

I decided upon a cute guy reading some magazines in a chair in between the escalators (no specific section - not sure what the rule is about that). There was an empty chair next to him with some books on the seat. This is how the conversation went:
Me: "Is this seat taken?"
Cute guy: "No"
Me (pick up the books and sit down): "Thanks. Are these your books or someone else's?"
Cute guy: "They were here when I sat down." (obviously a little flustered. or perturbed...I can't tell)
Me: "Ok. Well, I'll put them down here and if you decide you want them, just ask." (small laugh)
Cute guy: Ignores me
1 minute goes by
Me: Try to sneeze so he'll have to say "Bless you". Just make funny faces. Can't sneeze.
Minute 2 goes by
Cute guy: Gets up and leaves

We're obviously not getting married. But I did have a more-than-one-word interaction with him, which was my original goal. I'm feeling pretty good about the evening in general at this point (aim low). Later, I ordered coffee from Starbucks and got my decaf coffee with Hazelnut syrup upgraded to a decaf Hazelnut latte for free (from a male barista). Can't beat that.

Sue never made it past the employee warm-up, but she wasn't sent the article so she might not have had as much motivation as me.

It was 10:50 at this point. We decided that anyone at the grocery store would probably be too tired to talk. No one I know decides to rent a movie at 11. We decided to postpone the rest of the manhunt for another day. Hopefully my relatives can wait another couple weeks for me to take the first step on the way to grandkids.

Any advice on how to improve for Episode 2 would be much appreciated. In the meantime, I'll stick with TV dancing shows...

*Not her real name

JP is my brother

My brother JP (John Paul) had surgery for scoliosis back in June. I sent out prayer requests to friends and families. Apparently they worked, cause he's back at home, well enough to write a thank you note that I pestered him for. If you don't know him, imagine me being a very silly 19 year old boy. Then read this note:

Dear Friends,

Greetings. First of all I would like to formally thank you all for your prayers over these worrisome times.

Thank you.

My sister, Shannon (you might know her), informed me that you all kept me in your hearts during, before, and after (or any combination) my back surgery. I fully appreciate it. Many of you may be wondering, “What has become of that young man?” and to that I have given you a response. I spent 5 days in the hospital. Some of those days I spent on a hypoderal. Then around day 3 it didn't work any more. This caused me great distress, and more important a great deal of pain. The kind doctors at the Children's Memorial Hospital then put me on a more suitable IV based pain medication. The best part of those days was having all of my family around me. Especially Shannon. The past month or so I've been working on making my back work again. I am now able to lay down in bed. I can also get up. This combination has allowed me to do something that I found quite difficult before: sleep. I have only had minor complications, and those have been taken care of. I'm no longer taking any pain medication and only have a few more days of a nerve calming pill. I have recently been able to do things like going miniature golfing. I couldn't pick up the ball or put it down, but I was able to swing the club a few inches forward and backwards. I hope this has been somewhat informative to you all. And once again I would like to thank you. Thanks.

John R.

What a kid...proud to be his sister. And entertained too.

Bland small house...

I saw a house that I loved on Sunday. It was so cool. The kitchen was beautifully redone. All the appliances were black and looked like they were made by aliens. Or humans who live in space. and it had a huge great room with two walls of windows and a huge dining room. And the laundry room was inside, which for some reason is very important to me because I don't want to have to get sweaty just to do laundry in the Texas heat. The house had character. And it cost mega-bucks. Well, not mega-bucks, just more than I can probably afford which is just the same as mega-bucks. So, I'm back to playing the lottery (this will be the second ticket. I'm buying tonight). And I'm also going to have to work on my expectations. I think I want a bland small house. I want a bland small house. I want a bland small house. Somehow, I don't think it's working...

In other news, my brother Bobby D. and his wife Liz, and baby boy Jonas of Bobbio just bought a bi-level house in the great metropolitan area of Normal, IL. Congrats!

First Post Ever

I decided to start a blog. I have no idea what I'll put up here or what's standard, but apparently this is the internet thing to do.

A couple days ago I decided that I was going to win the lottery and use the proceeds to buy a house. House shopping with financial constraints just doesn't seem as fun as house shopping with a large amount of "free" money. So, my lottery numbers for Saturday's lotto texas are: 04 - 10 - 29 - 31 - 43 with the bonus ball of 30. Cash value option, of course. According to the Texas Lotto web page the winning numbers are: 3 - 13 - 37 - 39 - 43 bonus ball of 44. I got 1 number right. That means I get $0. Not exactly going to buy a dream house. I'm actually down one dollar cause I bought the lottery ticket.

Me wearing a Duvall t-shirt