Shopping Therapy - Just Do It

So this weekend started off crazy with the end of our 2012 audit, a painful & tired left eye, and a shooting down the street and at Santa Monica College.  Stressful and so so sad.  I did get up early on Saturday morning, and managed to cheer myself up by getting some new kicks at DSW!  Check these out!  Light and comfy as a feather!  

Allergic to Work

So a few weeks back I was super proud of myself for finally giving in, and getting HARD eye contact lenses. If you are not acquainted with these things, just believe me when I say " they are a pain in my eye!" Although I take them out every. single. night. my eyes seem super uber sensitive and during the day one eye will get irritated, red, and start tearing. In fact, for the last two weeks I have been suffering from the craziest pain in only one if my two eyes, which on the first day, forced me to Urgnt Care to see good ole Dr. Hubbard. The thing is that the pain comes on strong in the afternoon, and then, subsides once I am at home. At first I thought it was a scratch on my cornea. Then, I thought it was that I did not rinse out the disinfectant from the contact. Now, I am calling it "allergic to work."

The good news is that tomorrow (drs office closed early today) I am not only going to go and pick up my spare set if eye contacts (which have cost me some pretty pennies), but also my new set of eye glasses all the way from Switzerland. I am very excited to be looking all smart and cool, especially since I have a new haircut and one can actually see my beautiful face (hear the sarcasm please!?). Even through these glasses!

In the meantime, I continue to have afternoon sneeze attacks and congestion while at the office! I just don't get it and it is getting embarrassing! I sit in meetings and I am totally uncomfortable. I sneeze and i feel like my head is about to blow. It sucks ass! I can't wait to get this extra set of eyes so I can let my eyeballs rest into evening! All who have no eye problems are so lucky! It just sucks to have a cornea degenerative disease and not be eligible for any surgery. I have to spend a lot of money on my eyes every year. I have gotten to know Nurse Nelly and Dr. Silver pretty well, and they're great.

In the meantime, I'm just going with this - it's a sign! I am allergic to work and I deserve to go to the beach!

Happy Birthday to Me

Happy birthday to me! I was so thrilled to be able to give myself a trip home to ATX for my birthday this year... It's so funny (funny,, weird...not funny, ha ha) since I have not been keeping up with this blog at all, and the last time I was on it was literally on or about the last time I was in Austin, which was my mom's birthday in early November. Here I am again flying with young Junior ( Puppy or Poopy Face) and this time we even had to deal with a (gasp) layover! Poor Puppy Face was definitely stressed, but the nice folks at La Grande Orange at the Phoenix Airport just gave us a sample of vanilla gelato simply so he could take another Benadryl. Gosh he has a loud bark! I am so thankful that my parents are so welcoming to Puppy Face, and to me, throughout our visits to ATX; it makes such a difference that they love him! Anyway, he had a blast hanging out with Bevo, and I think wore poor Bevo out!  Mom is working on a little plaid jacket for Puppy Face, and he also scored a bomber jacket to use in all his travels.   : )  Anyway, enough of that long intro- here are the deets of my latest shenanigans in Central Tejas!

First, we must begin with a photo of young Junior checking out LAX: "Where the hell are we?!"

So I got to Austin on Friday, and my mom picked me up.  We had a great relaxing nite at home on the "ranch."  We went out to eat and as usual, Dad cracked open a bottle of some delicious red wine.  I noticed my parents really got into the cheese lately, so we also broke out some cheese and chocolate to commemorate February Healthy Heart Month!

On Saturday I went up to Austin from NB , and Emily and I checked into our room at the W hotel. From there, Jackie, Kathleen, Denise, and Angel met up with us and we went shopping on 2ne street, and had the Best Time!!! Angel and Denise bought Halston dresses and I got a new bag and a fun spring dress..along with a groovy new bracelet.  An idea that I wish I would have thought of dammit!!  Don't you hate that feeling?

We went out to Lamberts BBQ for dinner, and let me tell you - I am thinking that Lamberts might be my new favorite restaurant in Austin....their food is so incredible! Their Mac-n-Cheese is the best - better than Hoover's ever was - I dare to say - only because it was baked and had bread crumbs on top.  Who will ever be able to top that!  Emily got some tartes for us at one of the local bakeries, as a stand in for a birthday cake, but we ended up having these for breakfast snacks - regrettably, we didn't even get to the fried okra!  Dam.   I wish I could just have more mac and cheese!

Mandy had joined us right before dinnr, but had to bid us goodnite after, and the rest of our gang ended up going out dancing.  But honestly, I don't remember much of everything - just us bouncing around from bar to bar.  I barely even recall getting into the Cage with the Gay Boy; but I do know we ended up at Trace, the lounge at the W, and you know we were safe hanging out with many more gay boys who were in town for modeling auditions! Hilarious!    We eventually made our way to Chuy's for "breakfast" ie hair of the dog, and then Jackie and I went to SoCo where we stumbled upon several great stores (of course) and then to Guero's Taco Bar where blues rock was predictably in session by doctor turned jimi hendrix impersonator, Trent Turner.  It was amazing and I caved and gave his kid $7 for a CD.  Gosh, I love local music, and I love supporting it!  The crowd was so Austin!  I especially loved the older musicians hanging out, who were all dressed in black jeans and long sleeved button down shirts with black boots...old musician for sure!  Then the lovebird hippies would take the dance floor while their lab mix looked on and howled just every few minutes, like he was either singing, or jealous that he could not necessarily join in.  Then you got a fair number of local hipsters, just kids who are too cool for school and wearing either everything handmade or vintage.  It was great! 

Later that night, we ended up at a place called the White Horse Lounge a little later that evening, where the following ensued: two stepping, swinging, doing the watoosie and sock hopping, and finally, catching beads thrown out by a horn section leading a healthy and lively Mardi Gras celebration.   Everyone was so hip, it was just delicious!  Even my brother came out to join us and caught us up on all of his Everettisms.  Excellent!

Thinking about the whole weekend is making me so dizzy... I have no idea where I got all of my energy from, but I tell you, it must have been from the excitement and interest in moving forward with such distractions - I mean, show me a billboard with a lawyer hippy, give me many margaritas, oh, and Dance Central via Kinect, a mustache or two, and I will gladly keep going! 

THIS GUY:

I spent the nite on Jack's couch (she put on the first episode of The Walking Dead and  I fell asleep) and then made it home the next day for some more shopping with my mom (I know it's a southern company with old fashioned values,  but I love love Hobby Lobby!!) and grilled steak and potatoes from Dad for dinner.  It was really great.  The only thing I did not get to do was see Tristan, but I did speak to him over the phone, and as expected, he is totally cute.  6 years old! Wow.

No, I don't ever think I will be moving back to Austin anytime soon, but I can definitely keep Austin as the distant and wonderful memory of bliss and a mecca of incredible and delicious times and inspiration.  I want to keep it that way. I want to keep it as a place for me to just hang out...not to work or be serious...and to always reminisce and enjoy, and then make new memories.  And that's why I am ok with not moving back.  Additionally, I love making a new place in LA a place like that for me and Zack in the future.  We have new and wonderful friends here who will ever make this space in our lives the one and only.  One day, I will look back and say - WOW, what a life!!!  I hope Zack and Junior will feel that way too.  Love them! 

Don't worry Texas.  I am back in Cali, only til the summer.  Yep, another genius friend of ours has decided to get married right in the middle if July.    When your miserable soul takes the heat up 102 degrees with 90% humidity and the only refreshing thing in town is a Lonestar and a cliff dive from Paleface. Can't wait!  : P

Randomness in November

Click here to view these pictures larger

So I went to Santa Barbara this last week for work and stayed at the cutest hotel.  There was a cute patio, and cute personal patio, and in my hotel room was a basket of delicious and overpriced goodies, including a french press for coffee.  There was also the cutest Original Rubberduck... and he begged for me to take him and give him a new home.  Junior also needed a new playmate.  So, there ya go.

Trip to the ATX 2012

This year I opted to go home to Austin/New Braunfels for a vacation for several reasons -

1) to celebrate my cousin got married and attend 

2) to celebrate my Mom's birthday

3) to celebrate Halloween with everyone in Austin

4) to meet John Taylor from Duran Duran at his book signing

5)  to see & hang with my best friends

6) to see  my nephew, brother, & sister-in-law

7) to go to at least one night of Wurstfest

8) to escape work
9) to enjoy the food
10) to enjoy the music
11) because I missed it!

❤

We Survived Our First Trip!

Well, this wasn't so bad!

Today Junior and travelled together for the first time! It was not not nearly as chaotic as I thought it would be. Junior got a Benadryl, which knocked him out cold, and I was so excited because I thought I packed pretty lite! That's "was excited." Poor Zack almost twisted his ankle carrying my bag to the car, and even asked whether or not I weighed the thing. "I pack like that all the tim,"  I quipped, truly believing that I had done a good job and spared much of what I thought I might need. Low and behold, when I got to the American Airlines counter, I had to weigh in. The Big Red one came in at 52 lbs and then a big bright orange sticker that read "Heavy" was slapped on my bag. Alas, sans the puppy food, pumpkin pancake and pumpkin bread mix (that I picked up at Trader Joe's to share with Tristan) and loads of moisturizer I plan to use, it is bound to lighter on the way home!  That doesn't necessarily count all the shopping I do with my Mom and friends while there, but that's why Zack will bring a suitcase for himself!

Back to Junior - he is being such a good little boy!!! He is in his Sherpa carry on, just hanging out. "Junior, didn't you know this was why I had it randomly unzipped, throwing your toys inside of it, so you could crawl in and out of all these days?". "Yes mom, but now I am stuck here wondering what you are doing!" "I'm getting us to where we need to go!  and oh by the way, this whole thing was planned this way so you could come home with me!" "Well, the only thing I can do is sleep."   Here, take some Benadryl and sleep away!  None if these trials and tribulations could take away the coolness factor that he was actually WITH me! At least he is not one of those poor doggies that are traveling below the cabin with all sorts of luggage and boxes! Geez, if its anything like it is in the cabin, then frankly thats not good enough!  I had to take him out of the carry on once to walk through Security which was cute. I pulled him out and got a big "awwwww" from the passengers and TSA officials. Junior was so chill, it kinda had me worried for a second - was he freaked or was the Benadryl working? Then it got to the rat pack chaos and obnoxious rush of people pushing all their bins through so they could put their shoes and belts back on - so we went to another table to set him back into the carry on. Poor little guy- I could tell he was just like "Whatever you say Momma. Keep me safe from those cranky old ladies behind us who didn't say 'awwwww!'" And so I did!

It was so hot in the cabin when I first got on the plane.  I will save the issue of the fact TNT I was starving and had just purchased a sickening amount of money for a burger, which was now stuck in my backpack.  I could smell it the whole time and boy did it smell good!  That poor little old woman who tried to cut ahead of me was now stuck behind me smelling my food!  But it was getting hot.  Passengers who were already seated were complaining about the fact that there was no air, and one woman was having a panic attack. She had to go to the back of the plane for some air. In my opinion, the flight attendants did not appear to be that concerned. I wondered how much of the woman's behavior was overreacting, and how much of it was real. I had to put my backpack- burger & all -  in the bins five rows behind me.  I suddenly got very worried about poor little Junior who I had placed on the floorboard under the seat. I unzipped the top to make sure he was still alive, and he licked my fingers. Ah. Cold nose and warm tongue! Whew! Now what the hell, turn on the plane and let's go!

Finally in the air! 30 minutes behind schedule, but you know these pilots just go a few more hundreds of mikes faster, or take a shortcut or whatever. I gave Junior some ice and checked on him a few more times during the flight. I didn't want to get him all riled up yet though. Still a few more hours til he sees his Uncle Bevo and Gramma & Granpa! Fly on little sleepy peepy poopy puppy! Fly on Fatty McGee! Mack Brown Junior is coming to town!! : )

And to town we are... Well, now let's just call it Central BadAss Texas! The landing was I eventful, but Junior did do a little barky bark when I left him to go get my backpack.  It was cute though.  Within minutes we were down at the Austin Bergstrom Airport's beautiful baggage claim snd Junior was barking wildly at my Mom & Dad!  Ah!  Home sweet home!

Junior has made himself quite at home here on Winding View. Making friends with Bevo and investigating all corners of the house - and there are many especially as compared to our Lil apt in LA! I am pretty sure the Benadryl has worn off - he's back to his craziness! We shall see what awaits us tomorrow! After getting spoiled by Mom & Dad so far, all I can promise is that we've got a long walk to go on tomorrow so me & Fatty McGee can get a workout! Heh he!

Hook'em Junior!

Argh!  So I dared to try to go out on Thursday to see our old friend from Memphis, and yes, had a few glasses of wine.  It had been over three weeks since I indulged, and we did have something to celebrate.  It had been years since we have seen Vince, (and he aint' changed!) and we had a lot to catch up on.  Plus, he may move down here to LA and we have got to give him some helpful hints, etc.  Right now, with Junior being a spaz on a regular basis, it's safer to do it at such establishments like the Bodega Bar.  However, thinking back, it may not have been such a good idea!  I am still feeling a bit under the weather and was so desperate, that on Saturday morning I made my way to see Dr. Greenspun at Santa Monica Bay Physicians Urgent Care. Dr Greenspun was nice enough, seemed irritated that I was there and so sick.  I guess he probably had more sickly patients to see. Geez!  "But, whatever dude.  I am paying for YOUR services." I am about to head out of town to Coronado Island in San Diego until this Thursday, and needed to get advice on what to do, what to eat, what was wrong!  Nothing has changed.  There are pros and cons to this whole situation.  The Dr.  did say that I could still go to my meeting, and that I was not contagious.  He also gave me Zpak of steroids so I could "feel better."  I officially begin taking them this morning!  But it's the same steroid that is all infected with fungus and of which is giving patients in the South meningitis and killing them!   

As a matter of fact, I think I have an even amount of additional good and bad news here.   Good news is that I am not contagious.  Bad news is that I still have to deal with this gank that is in my throat.  Not sure it is going to go over well when I try to speak, it sounds horrendous...especially since I have lost my voice!   So the other good news is that I am going to get out of any impromptu presentations that I might be assigned.  And the other bad news is that I am going to be away from Zack and Junior for four days.  Bah!

Also, I am so distracted by the excitement of going home soon!  I am very much looking forward to spending some time with my friends, family, and especially seeing nephew while in Texas this fall. I am trying to come up with some great arts and crafts projects to work on with him while I am home.  I just saw a great how-to video on how to make some cute glycerin soaps with little critters inside. (Another cute idea for Xmas?)  I think this four days out of SM will allow me to think about all the plans I still very much need to make with friends and family! Junior is coming with, and it will be his first plane trip.  I can't wait to introduce him to everyone.  I hope he doesn't grow much more, he won't be able to fit in his carry on!  Poor thing, we started calling him Fatty McGee, and he actually responds.

In the meantime, we are super bummed in the Martin Household because the Horns lost to the Mountaineers last nite.  48 - 45.  Enough said.  (Did I mention that we are also calling Junior "Mack Brown?")

We still gots our school spirits though and will continue to bleed orange until we die!

Have a great Funday Sunday everyone!