Freedom

In the summer of 2007 I quit my job, dedicated myself exclusively to eating amazing food, drinking too much and throwing a massive party. Why? I was going to law school that is why. I was told by someone at some point that I should take it easy before I head into law school because it was going to be hard and miserable. That someone was right. I look back on that summer as the last time I felt simultaneously free and not guilty. I worked from 10am to 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and I occasionally worked at Pica's Mexican restaurant. It was great, some times I exercised, sometimes I wandered around, mostly I did nothing. Three years later and one million miles away from my lovely mountains and cold rivers, I am about to embark on that path again.

Well, almost. I am actually excited to work, to have a schedule and no homework, oh and over time. But, I am also excited to sit around and do nothing, or play the guitar, or read a book. I use to lay on the floor of my apartment in Jackson for hours reading books. I also spent hours laying on the couch listening to the classical music station from NPR.

I went to law school because I wanted money and shiny things. I wasn't always that way, but I had become that way. Now, I am glad to say that law school cured me of wanting those things, and taught me to appreciate my life the way it was, the way it is.

I am back.

Saved

http://www.ilike.com/artist/The+Jenn+Ford+Project

www.myspace.com/thejennfordproject

No fun, no fun at all

My head hurts sooooo bad :( I hate reading the computer screen. I feel like a tiger trapped in a cage down here.

I make same face this dude is making, several hours a day.

4th of July

I spent a awesome Sunday toodling from Gospel Sunday Brunch at Stubb's to Barton Springs to Nutty Brown Cafe!

Gospel Brunch was soooo yummy. The music was great and the food was even better. The grits were soooooooooo good. Then we went off to Barton Springs where they are militant about not brings anything fun or food based, but we won ultimately (while everyone else was busted for having everything from grapes, to a can of soda).

Then we went home and got pretty for Nutty Brown. We got there just in time for the Bob Schneider show. He was funny, talented and full of energy. The Nutty Brown is an amazing venue. The cool breeze that drifts across hill country is so refreshing after spending a hot day in the city. The venue is massive, though they allow high back chairs all the way to the front, and that is very annoying for a night show.

There was the fireworks show, it was great (though I am actually not at all interested in fireworks). The show was made awesome by the lone electric guitar player doing the "Star Spangled Banner." The video is in the previous post.

A great weekend, back to the grind of bar review. But, I am glad Sam and Corinne came down to cheer me up and make me have a fun weekend.

Happy Drinking/Independence Day Everyone!

Wooot Wooot!

It takes all kinds doesn't it?

Well my cousin Corinne rolled into town last night. A good friend of mine from Boulder rolled in this afternoon. What is a new Austin-ite to show visitors when she does not know much herself?

Well, Corinne and I rolled down to south Congress. I made good on a promise that I made to a new friend from Telluride. We shopped and shopped. I stumbled upon two amazing stores. One is a co-op for local clothiers, the other is a t-shirt shop. The clothier had absolutely amazing dresses from local designers from Austin. Some of the clothes were made from re-purposed threads. There were also tons of great graphic tee shirts and amazing jewelry. I bought a cute little heavy cotton dress that I plan on wearing everywhere. We were also in search of a smoothie stand. I knew it was down there, but we got side tracked by the Paraguay v. Spain soccer match (not me, my cousin, but it was an enjoyable game). We "discovered" this great t-shirt shop, Storyville. It had the most amazing statement t-shirts. Those of you who know me (her of the "that's what she said" t-shirt, and the "I drink your milkshake" t-shirt) know that I am a sucker for statement shirts. There were such pearls to be found. A turtle on his back exclaiming, "Uhhh, this is awkward." To the, "Oh snap," with a picture of a camera flashing. My personal favorite, "That'll do pig," with just a strip of bacon on the shirt. Soooooo many good finds. But, I had to resist. I have a very delicate (non-existant) beer and music budget to think about.

Which brings me to the purpose of this picture-less post (pictures to come, too excited not to share). I stumbled upon another Storyville tonight. This Storyville was at Antone's (West 5th Street). This Storyville was a 90's rock band, hey, don't knock till you remember those good old days. This Storyville was led by an albino black dude (check it if you do not believe me). The band was AMAZING. They had two electric guitar players, both capable of creating on the moment riffs and fantastic-ness. Yes, between me, my cousin, and my friend from Boulder we lowered the age in the place by half. But, I swear you all would have killed to see the lead guitar player going OFF on these riffs. Moreover, the lead singer was having so much fun. It was clear he loved his job, loved his fans, and loved making music. He was jamming to the riffs as much, if not more than, the audience. It was a joy. My friend from Boulder turned to me at one point and said, "This is exactly what I wanted to hear when I came to Austin." I think both of us were prepared to be too cool for school, but we found ourselves awe-struck by the talent on stage. The band was infectious, rocking, and a just a damn good time. Now, this was not my kind of music per se, but at the end of the night, I could not imagine a better way to pass July 4th eve.

oh yeah, and we totally got shut down (two hour wait) at the Salt Lick. Booooo. But we enjoyed great food and great company at the Moonshine on Red River (thanks Shannon and Everleigh for the suggestion). Fried avocado anyone?

Tomorrow Gospel Brunch at Stubb's with a Bloody Mary special. Yeah you read that right. Church and Bloody's. Going to hell, yes. Hangover free and soul at ease, yes :)

I am not leaving Austin until they kick me out (which could be very soon so send money).

A 6th Street Experience

Well, despite my best efforts, I went out last night and had a great time instead of studying. Oh it was so fun. Mark convinced me I needed a 6 hour study break. We hit 6th in earnest, starting with an Irish bar because someone must have Guinness on tap. Of course, there was a band. Of course, they were great, not amazing, but great. We stayed a good little while and discussed the merits of good drinking buddies. I also accidentally went to the men's room, and did not realize until it was too late. I had only had a beer and a half at this point :(

We left the bar intending to head home so I could try to coax Doodle to go to the bathroom. Doodle refused to pee all day, in protest of the fact that I did not stop the thunder and lightening. He is convinced that I have control over this and is inconsolable when I do not stop the thunder and lightening. So we were going home to deal with that whole situation. But, we were walking past this bar. It sounded like they had a bunch of old black men playing. And . . . . they had $1 PBR and Lone Star tall boys. It could not be helped, we had to go in. I wandered to the back of the bar to discover this rather slight, young white guy singing his heart out. He had a bass guitarist and a drummer on a minimal drum set up. They were playing blues songs and Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. There was no one there, but they were up there going for broke. They invited me and Mark to stick around, and we did. The bar started to fill up and the band started playing more well known covers, but were still really solid and were putting out a lot of music given their streamlined set up. The lead guitar player and singer was killing it with amazing riffs and would wander around off stage to show off his skills.

We took a brief break from the bar because I really did need to deal with Doodle. By the time we got back downtown, 6th Street was all the way live. People going round. Bars with open doors/windows and music pouring out. We got back to the bar, the Dizzy Rooster, with the aforementioned band. The bar was packed, but not up front, where it counted. The band was doing more standard covers, a little disappointing. They asked for request, I yelled Stevie Ray Vaughan, he played a Hendrix cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan. He called out for the last song of the night, of course I yelled out Johnny Cash, he came back with Folsom Prison without missing a beat. So much fun.

Then I toodled into the bar next door and did some karaoke-ing. Did Magic Man, woot woot. Then home, then woke up with the worst PBR headache :(