Huh...

So, today was a weird day. Good, busy-but weird.

The last few days at work have been too slow. By the time I get a fairly decent amount of work, it's time to go home, and the day feels long and dull. Today, though, there was a steady stream of work-too much, really- plus projects, issues and follow ups to do. Why is it that those things never hit your desk when you're looking for things to do?
Anyway, there was also a retirement party for a lady who's been with the firm for 22+ years. Wow. I can't imagine living in one town for that long as an adult, let alone working at the same place. I can't fathom it. She was a character-Norma was her name. I'd heard her speaking to others in the breakroom and wondered at her accent-I honestly thought she must be joking. It was one of those slow Southern drawls that people use when they're impersonating a really ignorant person, but she was witty and bright, so it seemed like she was faking it, or something. One of her former bosses was telling a story about how a group of very proper Englishmen were visiting our office and Norma offered them a drink. They accepted her offer for a glass of water so she followed up by asking if they'd like some ice. Sounds perfectly normal, but say 'ice' with a strong drawl, and you'll understand why the guest was perplexed as to what she was asking, and wondered if he should be a little offended. Keep in mind the typical accent around here goes something like this: if you live in Kyle, Tx. you'd say "Ah live in Kahl." You get the picture.
Then, when I was walking home, I found a whole robin's egg, a Japanese 10 yen piece, and two black vultures in my way on the sidewalk.
See why I love to walk?

Awww...

I'm taking a moment for some nostalgia for STL.

Wooo...WOOOooooo!

This is actually a chunk of water chestnut with a few pieces of broccoli stuck to it, but it came out of my bag of mixed veggies like this. Yes, I am easily amused, but you giggled, didn't you? I'm not the only one . Not as clever as these guys, I'll grant you that.

Sicko

I just bought myself my first big birthday present ever, and it's a little masochistic. It's a four-week, 12-session fitness boot camp to get in shape for the soccer club I plan on joining this summer. The sickest part about it is that I live in Texas. My first summer here and I'll be sweating away the evenings doing things I HATE, namely pushups, crunches and sprints. I wanted to sign up for the morning class, but I knew I'd be rushed to get to work and it would be much easier to roll over and turn off the alarm than it would be to go home after work rather than to Town Lake (which is 6 blocks from there). The inconvenience of exercise rears its ugly head once again as I try to put together the logistics of the thing-when do I eat so I'm not nauseous at the class from eating too soon before, but I'm not so shaky when I get home that I go straight to Mickey D's instead? So far I think the Jamba Juice in the lobby of my building is the answer. Another tough question-how to get home the first couple of nights when I feel like lying down and crying from the pain. I'll probably suck it up and ride my bike to work those days, so at least I'll get home faster, if more painfully.
Hey-no pain, no gain, right? ...Right?

Lonely Only

Bryan just left. He was able to visit for a month or so, and we had fun and I got to know even more of my city, doing things easier or more enjoyably done as a pair. We ate out (what a luxury!), and went on walks until late into the night, went for bike rides and watched the bats. We got things done and made the most of our time. We were weekend and weeknight warriors, living every moment rather than thinking about it. I'm glad he came and was able to stay so long, although I know I kept him here and less productive selfishly. As he drives away to his new, more productive reality, I look around thinking about the life I had before he got here, before I knew how nice it was to share this place with someone I love. I'll get back there - to the independent, selfish place that is beautifully beholden to no one - but in the meantime I'll be lonely, and a little lost. My routines will be in upheaval, and the void will be evident.
I have plans to keep myself busy, to get in shape and feel strong, and for that I'm grateful for the extra time. There will always be the empty space now though. It used to be a clean, sparse apartment with only the things I need. For now I only see surfaces where his things belong, bare and raw.
The cats don't understand. He is a friend of animals in the purist sense, knowing before they do what they need and heaping love on them from the bottomless well of his heart.
We are a family, as strange as it may seem to those on the outside, and like a loving family we'll keep each other close, even as the miles pile up between us and the climb seems too steep to bear.

Look what I got!

A screen door! My sweetie helped me put it up. This should help with the crazy Texas summer, and the few smoke signals I've inadvertently sent out while cooking.

Dr. Brule Binge

Today's blog is brought to you by Dr. Steve Brule, correspondent on 'Channel 5' news from The Tim and Eric Awesome Show on Cartoon Network. This is one of the jewels passed on to me by Laura during her visit last weekend. Needless to say we spent our time away from Dr. Steve quoting him randomly and cracking up, getting sideways glances from strangers and coworkers who have yet to bask in the glow of Steve. This random, irreverent comedy is what keeps people like Laura and I going, and without this passion of ours, it's entirely possible that Laura and I wouldn't have been any more than classmates and casual acquaintances, but we bonded over Nick Swardson and have been passing tidbits back and forth ever since.

Her visit was great; the premise was her cousin's wedding here in Austin, and she extended her stay to hang out with me and Bryan and get to know the city she'd heard so much about. We 'experienced' 6th street and had our fill about 10 minutes into the night, and found a great coffeeshop/lounge, music venues and hangouts that had much less to do with 'hooking up' than 6th st. She got to see a lot of the city and some great neighborhoods nearby, and we did our best to sell her on the place. Mostly we laughed. My cheeks kept cramping all weekend.
Here's a true story-the first time I visited, on my own on a day trip from a visit to Ft. Worth, I felt a connection to the city straight away, like I've never had with another place. As I walked around and got a feel for how music-centric it is, with event venues, posters and musicians-in-disguise (read: waitstaff) everywhere, I kept thinking I didn't understand why Laura wasn't living here already. I knew it was a place I would fit in, and I've found so many things to love about it, but the music scene is so much a part of her life, and there are shows literally every day here that she would enjoy. A lot of the weekend as she looked through papers for shows, she was having to choose between a few she'd like to see.
I am so used to meeting strangers here everyday, it would be strange but great to have someone here that I actually have a history with, that I know I can trust and rely on. If she had her way, she'd be moving here by the end of the summer (sounds exactly like me two years ago), and bringing two of her closest friends with her. Most of all, of course I hope she finds a job in a place that can make her happy and keep her loving what she's doing, but selfishly I hope she high-tails it down here!
Now, for your health, here's a lesson in non-moderation: binge on our new favorite character, Dr. Steve Brule.

Dr. Steve Brule...For Your Wine!

More Wine and Sandwiches! With Dr. Brule

How to make living alone not SO AWFUL...By Dr. Brule

Last resort Fighting