Exploring the Town...

While sipping on the remnants of the magnum jugs of wine purchased during Molly and Morgan's visit, I thought I'd take the time to update. And for the record, Inglebrook Chardonnay, ain't half bad. I kept hoping to add to my collection of pictures for this post, but they all seem to still be on Molly's camera.

In the last three weeks thanks to old friends and a few new ones, I have been able to step outside the confines of my apartment grouping. It all began with a reunion of ole Athens folk. It worked out perfect; Molly and Morgan needed a vacation and I needed some time with some familiar faces.

I never realized when planning to move, how hard it would actually be to leave everything and everyone behind. I got so caught up in the anticipation, it masked the fear. This is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. Leaving I suppose would have been one thing had I set out on the adventure with a job to give me some direction. Basically taking my layoff as a starting over point means exactly that, starting over. I consider myself a very social individual, but I guess I have relied more than realized on a stable network of friends as my back-up or wingmen if you will, or wing-posse to be more PC. Living so close that network, my downtown life, I suppose I never truly felt what I do now, alone.

I am thankful for the inventions of the time and what I used simply as a method of income in the bartending days, "Come out and see me tonight, $2 wells"; facebook has truly become my window into my old life, and helps to keep it my current one. As long as I still feel as though I'm a participant in the Athens rumor mill, I suppose I can carry on.

So W 6th Street and the Warehouse district seem to be my "new" downtown. I am somewhat thankful that I am not able to travel there on foot, because hopefully it won't seem like such a good idea after 2am now.

Check out the view from the Union Park roof top patio and my new friends...

Or another favorite discovered with Richard, Ian, and Jimmy as they slipped into town for a show. Apparently, dualing piano bars are my new thing.

This blog may seem to simply be a compilation of the past weeks' events, and part of it is. But moreover, it is a representation of how this city is slowly becoming home. Without my friends to push me through, I don't know that I wouldn't still be sitting in my lovely apt. But thanks to a combination of the old adventurous friends, the new welcoming ones, and a few surprise visitors I'm starting to feel almost like a regular around some parts. Now if only I could find a job, but more on that later.

Wednesday Wine Night

So to kick off my weekend of shenanigans a little early and in anticipation of Morgan and Molly's arrival, I attended my first apartment sponsored event. A simple wine tasting; I am amazed this is included in my rent. Thank goodness there are these "free dinners" to suplement my food fund. Let's just say with 5 of these "tastes" I was glad that I walked to the event. Definitely worth the time, and I managed to find a vet for Maveric the Wonder Bassett and a new friend. Cheers!

Settling in...

I've always felt that every sound minded person had to have their own form of an oasis to return to. I've tried my best to create an environment to keep me sane. I refer to my new digs as the tree-house, cause basically that's what the view makes it seem like. Check out the transformation...and obviously what I've been doing other than blogging.

A kitchen that I actually cook in, mostly because there is no Grit or Barberitos around here. I'm sure I will find replacements.

And then of course the home office, because I would never use a dining room. Now all I need is a professional job to go with it!

And saving the best for last, the patio which seems to be a popular commodity in Austin. Every restaurant, bar, pub, and cafe has one. And of course I do too, minus the view of the parking lot. Check out my backyard!

Once Upon a Time...

When I was 8 years old, my best friend and I set out to each write a novel. We were determined to be the youngest individuals ever published. I mean, after all, we always had great grades on our short stories, why not? My story was contained in my nifty Garfield spiral bound notebook and ended up being all of seven pages. Shows my determination. Needless to say, we were not published. On to something else before we even began. I still have the notebook. Not bad. Not good either.
I've decided to pick up where I left off, some 21 years later. This moment seemed like just the right moment to start a journal, and with the grace of technology, share it with my friends.
I've embarked upon a journey, not one to save the world or to even have a signifigance for those around me, but for myself. With my wild experiences some 10 years in Athens, I was constantly hearing, "You should right a book." So now, I'm surrounded by an amazing environment here in Austin because it is uncharted territory, a blank slate and a blank notebook. It is so easy to become comfortable in your surroundings and forget to challenge yourself to something new every day, which is what I had done in Athens. This script serves as a reminder.
So, this blog will be a testament to my reflections, trials, elations, and tribulations as I venture out into this new world. In only two weeks I've experienced some oddities, I'm sure there are more to come...