Tethered to technology

On Saturday, Arin suggested that we picnic with Thanksgiving leftovers and wine. As we walked out the door, I went to pick up my iPhone and she told me to put it down and leave it so we wouldn't be interrupted. I didn't even realize how much I use and rely on the damn thing. And it was awesome not having it for an hour. No dings or bloops from calls and texts, no vibrations from incoming e-mails from gmail or work, no games, no music, no online poker... nothing. All we had was peace and quiet, and a conversation that we both could be totally engaged in. We actually looked up and around us, admiring the incredibly beautiful fall day.

Several beautiful trees were in front of us, and I wondered how their bark could look so dry and dead while having branches that were so alive and green. Neither of us knew what kind of trees they were, or what they could be. "I'll google it!!" I exclaimed as I reached into my pocket. But I found nothing. And it was wonderful not being able to find out instantaneously - we had to rely on our imaginations and conversation to try to figure it out together...

The gift of Austin coffeeshops

After working from home in Austin for over a year, I've dedicated a lot of time and effort to finding the best coffeeshops in town. Each coffeeshop has a unique personality with sometimes vastly different clientele, and each is suited to my different moods and objectives for the day.

I've come to the following conclusions:

Dominican Joe is a place to go when you're feeling put-together and want to get some damned work done. It's a great place with a great cause, but makes "charity" perhaps too convenient such that you feel good just by buying a cup of coffee. I'm still convinced that some people get dressed up to go there, so if I'm not in tip top shape I avoid it at all costs.

Bouldin Creek is the place I go when I'm too lazy or too busy to have showered that morning (or I'm just in dire need of an amazing veggie chorizo taco for lunch). The coffee is OK, but the side conversations never disappoint, spouting from the mouths o anti-global warming advocates, Leslie enthusiasts, hungover rock stars, and haughty college students akin to the douchebag Matt Damon owned in Good Will Hunting. ("See, the sad thing about a guy like you is in 50 years you're gonna staht doin some thinkin on your own and you're gonna come up with the fact that there are two certaintees in life. One, don't do that. And Two, you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a fuckin education you coulda got for a dollah fifty in late chahges at the public library"). But mostly, cool people and a cool scene.

Once Over is an as of yet undiscovered place I go when I'm feeling anti-social or have a ton of work to do. Awesome view of Bouldin creek and yummy espresso.

Summer Moon is one of my favorites with by far the best coffee of the bunch. If only they could solve that pesky wi-fi problem, it may just become my semi-permanent office. mmmm hand roasted coffee...

I don't go to Starbucks unless it's the drive-thru and I have a gift card.

Chilly show last night

Pics to come!

Lucid Dreaming

Had one last night - I forgot how ridiculous they can be. I was swimming somewhere near the tropic of Cancer and happened upon two of my day-job bosses paddling around on floats watching the Big Lebowski as it was being projected onto a gigantic cave wall. As usual, my mask was leaking. As I tried to rinse it, the mask was sucked from my hands by some unstoppable and unseen force. When I dove down under water to try to retrieve them, I was engulfed by thousands of incredibly large fish. I wasn't able to get to the mask as I swirled in and out of the mouths of fishmonsters, but as I bellied up to the surface, somehow, it hit me - I'm dreaming. I love that rare moment when it happens, "OK. Sweet. How do I do something awesome without waking myself up?" For a lack of any better ideas, I went for the standard flying around thing. Though I was in the middle of the ocean, I did my best to find a light switch, or will one to appear, just to see if I could make it work (does anyone know why light switches don't work in dreams?). I never did come across one; instead, I was jolted back to reality by the grumbly microwave repair man slamming on the front door. He has a case of the Mondays too.

Come get famous!

I'm looking forward to Sunday night when I'll be playing with Lucas Cook to support the release of his Austin State of Mind single release party and live filming at Beso Cantina. We start at 8:00PM Sunday, November 22nd. If you come, you may just end up on TV so bring your partypants.

kickin the bug.

Sitting in bed with our stuffed moose drinking eggnog coffee to soothe my scratchy throat. Might be one of those John Lennon "Twist and Shout" type dealie's tonight (I'm knackered, mate).

What ever happened to Velcro?

Lucas and I need a name

Free beer and 20 percentage points from here on out to whoever coins it.

I just read a sign in the men's bathroom, "if you think you might be pregnant, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages." If you're in the men's bathroom with a bun in the oven, I'd say drinking is the least of your problems...

It still blows my mind that I can wake up in New York and eat lunch in Austin

Redbull Night

In spite of the earlier start, a whirlwind trip to New York demanded chemical intervention. What an amazing night to play outside - thanks to all who came out!

People in new york have such tired faces...

Bigfoot doesn't believe in me

Crazy Germans

For an IT consulting project, I've been writing back and forth with a German doctor. His English is good, but just off enough to make the little follies hilarious to me. For example, he uses the word "nude" instead of "plain."

"Abel, I'm afraid I'm not experienced in nude HTML editing."

Why are all these crazies going postal???

Fort Hood, Orlando -- do they think it's 2012?

I have a problem with sports teams buying championships.

That would be like a shitty singer buying a number one hit on Billboard. Oh wait...

Watched mall cop last night

How do people feel about this movie? Didn't it get tops at the box office for a few weeks? Either I have a different sense of humor, have no sense of humor, or maybe I just needed to be in a different sort of "state," because it was more of a head-scratcher than a bellylaugh-inducing good time. Either way, I would wrestle Blart to get my hour and a half back.

It's Friday Somewhere!

The Ex-Con Magazine Salesman

I rushed home yesterday because I desperately needed to use the facilities, only to be accosted by a chatty and intense ex-con trying to scam me into buying a bunch of crap I don't want for more money than anyone should ever pay. If I wanted the Ladies Home Journal, it would already be sitting by the pooper where it belongs. Kindly remove yourself from my driveway and let me go pee. Thanks.

Great show at six last night!

Photos to come...

Quote for the day

"Writing is making a mess and then cleaning it up."