When We Were Young

You had gone away for college, and I was still home.  It was a school night for Jeff, but we were out and about.  We hopped in the lizard and headed to town to buy beverages.  At that time, I didn't really drink, so I opted for some Zima, and you grabbed a 6 of whatever lite beer the small town convenient store proffered. 

We went cruising...my first exposure to Radiohead.  I don't remember if it was OK Computer, or The Bends, or both...but I was mezmorized.  And, for the first time, I felt like we were in this thing together...like I wasn't alone.  Drive drive drive.  Through town and to the next.  Bottle caps tossed quickly and without apology...out the window.  We headed to the cornfields...the spot where only 2 years earlier I had learned to drive stick shift.  Where the high school kids would party after football games and we all knew to flash our lights twice as we approached the spot...as to not scare off all our under-aged drinking friends. 

This night it had been raining for days, and the fields were muddy.  We sloshed along in your 4 cylinder truck...slowly...happily.  Until, the wheels continued to spin, but we sat still.  Stuck...and had to call our little brother, awaken from his slumber to tug us out with his Jeep.  To tug us out of that moment...when we drove...when we listened.  When nothing mattered but the music and the open air.  To our parents' divorce.  To the fact that no success in our college courses could ever compensate for the fact that we would never learn.  Not really.  Not what mattered.  It was only a moment.  But it's what I keep.  I've always loved my brothers...but this was one of the first times I knew that you understood what it was like to come from our family...what it meant to always try but never quite get it.  From that day forward, I listen.  I keep listening.

Encore!

I know you just finished listening to "Like Ice In Water," as I recommended in my post a few minutes ago.  So, why not move on to my next favorite - "Endings."  Before you know it, you'll be in love with The Rocketboys, just like me.

Encore!!!

Encore?

M-W online defines the word encore as "a demand for repetition or reappearance made by an audience."  Sounds to me like the owners of the new Austin music venue, Encore (611 Red River St), missed the mark when they were naming their new bar.  I ventured out to the locale for the first time last Friday, and I can tell you, there will be no demand for repetition coming from me...and you can count me out for reappearance at this venue.

I bought VIP tickets for the Simple Massive Release - to check out one of my new favorite bands - The Rocketboys.  I should have known something was slightly off when the bartender working the VIP bar was pouring our free beer with 1/2 glass full of head (too much pump, not enough pour from that keg).  I was willing to overlook that - the beer was "free" with the extra $15 spent on VIP tix - and the bartender was a sweetie, so we can move on to the real issue.  About 3 songs into the Rocketboys' set, the power on the speakers went out, thus interrupting the show for at least 30 minutes (we left after 30 minutes because my fiance had to work the following morning, and there didn't appear to be much progress on the speaker situation).

Although I was super disappointed in this lame ass venue, what little I did hear from the Rocketboys was great.  Lucky for me, these guys are located in Austin now, so odds are in my favor that I'll have an opportunity to see them again.  If you haven't checked out their music yet, it's a must have album for 2010.  "Like Ice In Water" is currently my favorite.  If you are a member to Paste digital downloads, you can get a copy of their album for free.  If not, check it here: 20,000 Ghosts

With that, I'm signing off.

March Madness

Aah, March in Austin.  It's sunny...it's cool...music fills the air and people hit the streets once again.  My bike has been calling to me all week, and I think she'll get a little tune up this weekend to prepare for the many rides to come.  What a wonderful time for my little outdoorsy heart!  So, for today...3 things:

1.  Red's Porch is the new Uncle Billy's.  Okay, here's the thing...I LOVE Uncle Billy's.  They brew their own beer (and make a damn good pale ale), they are walking distance from my condo, and they allow my awesome dog on the patio.  It's great if you want to share a locally brewed pitcher on the patio with your favorite pooch.  Even though I'm not a big fan of BBQ (especially overpriced BBQ) the beer is so good, I was even willing to overlook the fact that they blocked me on Twitter (I wasn't stalking them...promise!).  Then, I made a discovery - Red's Porch on South Lamar.  No, I can't walk there (but I can drive and only have to go through 1 stoplight), and Pacer can hit the porch with me.  Add the outstanding view, super yummy spinach salad, and the fact they have New Belgium's Ranger IPA on tap...and I'm completely sold.  I'm not saying goodbye to Uncle Billy's for good...we just need a break.  And, Red's Porch is my rebound.
2.  SXSW - no, you don't need a wristband.  The truth?  I've never purchased a wristband for SXSW.  I know, as a self proclaimed music junkie, I should be ashamed of myself!  But, here's the thing...you really just don't need one.  Sure, I was disappointed last year when I couldn't see St. Vincent play at the awesome church venue that everyone was talking about...and yes, I'm sure I missed out on loads of other shows.  But...this is Austin, people...and the bands you missed out on will surely come back soon to play a $15 show at Emo's or Mohawk, anyway (with longer sets!).  I can still spend 4 days riding my bike downtown, enjoying copious amounts of free music and beer (the day shows at Club Deville and Mohawk have yet to be topped I must say) without an official wristband.  From Spoon to Ice Cube...the Rosebuds to Port O'Brien...and my favorite little Swedish gem, Jens Lekman...I've seen it all without spending a dime on entry fees!  This year, I'm stoked about Saturday's lineup on Auditorium Shores!  With bands like Deer Tick and She and Him...what more do you need?  I'll be on the hunt for free shows featuring Rogue Wave and Surfer Blood, as well.  And who knows...the best shows are sometimes the ones you stumble upon randomly while in route to find a slice of pizza to help soak up the free beer you've been drinking all afternoon.  Keep your wristbands...I'll go my own way.
3.  Surfer Blood - my springtime crush.  I'm going to be completely honest here...I stumbled upon this band by mistake.  I had just returned from Hawaii, and I'm completely addicted to Amazon mp3, so naturally I was online searching for Hawaiian music to fill my iPod and take me back to the island where I was engaged.  So, when I came across an album by a band called Surfer Blood, I was immediately drawn in.  While the music is definitely not Hawaiian, the name took me back...way back to January and the 5 minutes or so I spent attempting to surf before deciding that I'd rather lie on the beach with a beer in my hand.  I can't seem to stop listening to this amazing indie rock alblum.  Those who know me know that I don't have a knack for describing music...just listening to and collecting it.  When I hear this band, I think a little Animal Collective (but more catchy), and maybe some Rogue Wave and early Weezer.  Just take my word for it people...it's super cool, and the perfect addition to your iPod, just in time for Spring.  And, best of all...you can download it for only $5.99.

With that...I'm signing off.  Going to crank up the SB and get back to work...and before you know it, happy hour will be here (and maybe Red's Porch, too).  xoxo 

the Knot

Hello blogosphere; I know it's been a while, but I've been busy making plans...plans for tying the knot with my favorite guy in 2010.  That's right!  After dating for a number of years that outlasts most first marriages, my boy and I have decided to get hitched...tie the knot...strap on the old ball and chain (did I just type the words "strap on" in a blog about marrying the love of my life?  I guess I did...but I digress). 

About 4 weeks ago, Jason proposed on the first morning of our 2 week vacation in Oahu, in a spot overlooking Waimea Bay on the North Shore.

The location was super romantic!

It was a lovely morning shared with my favorite guy.

After the engagement, we were off to grab a plate lunch at L&L Drive In, to grab some Hawaiian style fast food.  I went with the chicken katsu and mac salad...YUMMY!

It was 2 weeks of solid bliss in Hawaiian paradise.  We spent time with family and friends, and went to the beach as often as possible.  Flash forward a couple weeks, and we're back in Austin, back to our normal routine lives.  We had only been home for 2 days when I had my first Wedding Induced Panic Attack (WIPA).  Those who know me know that I'm a planner, and an overachiever, and the type of person who stresses more than I should.  So, the thought of planning an intimate wedding event for 90 of our closest friends and family...on a tight budget, no less...caused me to lose much sleep over the first week back on the mainland.  Set the date...create the guest list...find the venue...etc etc etc.  The thought of stepping in to a David's Bridal in search of a wedding gown makes me break out in hives (for fear of being swallowed up by a huge taffeta mess).  And...don't even get me started on the logistics of pulling 8 girls together for a bachelorette party (I thought this was supposed to be fun).  All this was enough to make me consider begging J for a quick weekend trip to Vegas, thank you very much.  Whew! 

Not to worry, my lovely blog readers!  I won't turn this into WIPA whining column.  It seems that I've grown quite accustomed to the ever growing list of wedding stressors.  In the few short weeks since my first WIPA, we've set the date, secured the venue, and even whittled down our guest list (sorry Mom).  I've assembled a team of well qualified helpers to sort out the remaining details, and feel confident that as the wedding approaches, the only thing we'll have to worry about is what to pack for the honeymoon.  We're going to kick this wedding's ass, and have a wonderful time doing so!

Supper Club = A Love+Hate Relationship

A few months ago I approached a few of my friends with the idea of Supper Club.  The premise: bring a small group of friends together biweekly for a night of homemade dishes to promote closer friendship and socialization in combination with our favorite things (food, alcohol, music).

Much to my shagrine, what started as a small gathering of friends and family has now grown into a baker's dozen - some close friends, others not so close.  When you live in a 1 bedroom condo, it's hard to provide seating and enough counter space for so many people, so I was a little worried the first time we hosted the larger group at our place.  We are working through the growing pains, however, and I think we're well on our way to a new tradition among friends.  This is a rotating party - with the hosts providing the main dish (or "theme" in some instances), and the others bringing dishes to accompany the main course.   

Lasagne night at our place!

Matt slices up the cucumbers...

...for a yummy salad with homemade dressing.

Chris and Amity brought homemade cheese gnocci with garlic pesto and shredded parmesan.  Amity usually puts her culinary degree to good use on Supper Club night.

Everyone gathered around the coffee table to eat.  We did the best we could with our small space!

Flash forward 2 weeks to the Tex Mex theme, hosted at Blake and Lamanda's new house.  A comfy, 3 bedroom house with a huge backyard, that is quickly becoming a home for our new artsy friends.  They've only lived there a few short months, and the place already feels more lived in than our condo, which has been occupied for over a year now.  I mean this as a compliment.  It was warm, cozy, and lots of fun.  Lamada's green chili enchiladas were to die for!  And, I know I ate more than my fair share of Amity's homemade queso with ground beef, pico, and avocado.

The only snapshot I took was of the sopapilla cheesecake I made the night before (twice, as it turns out).  Jason accidentally dropped the entire dish on to our stove top, where it quickly spilled all over the place - causing us to run to HEB for more ingredients, and a rematch with the new recipe.

Poor cheesecake!

5 second rule!  We decided to sample a bit of the crust, just to make sure it was good.

I'll keep the posts rolling on Supper Club, and maybe start including some recipes, as well!

I Want It Now!

Now that the weather is starting to cool down here in Austin, Texas, the urge to get out on my bicycle has returned!  I'm so excited because I live close to downtown, and many bike adventures are just a hill away. 

I will buy a new bike in the Spring, and have had my eye on a few commuter bikes that I'm now in love with (and I don't know how I'm going to wait another 6 months to buy):

The Trek Belleville WSD - beautiful, simple, makes my heart go pitter patter.

The Gary Fisher Simple City 3 - I'm completely in love with the COLOR!

Question - How will I ever choose?  I have a tough time deciding what to wear in the morning or which color nail polish to buy.  The Trek comes equipped with front and rear racks (which is super cool because I'm always carrying stuff around).  But...the Gary Fisher is such a beautiful color...I'm absolutely in LOVE with it!  They are both in the same price range.  The Gary Fisher is aluminum, while the Trek is steel.  Lighter would definitely be better.  I guess it's all going to come down to the test drive.  Thoughts, suggestions, anyone?