Austin Antics

This weekend I went to Austin with Susie (coworker and fellow trouble maker). We were there for a teacher conference, which is about as much fun as it sounds. Well, normally at least. This time, though, Susie and I lucked out and were given a booth right next door to the three cheesiest, most cowboy-esque, greasy combover salesmen you have ever met. These guys were ridiculous. There was Mark, the guy who had reserved the booth and who was there first. He was interesting, but probably the most serious of the three. Then there was Coon. Now, Coon, his first name was Greg, but that disappeared real quick. Coon was new to the business, but was there to watch. And watch he did. He say back and watched the other two work the room. And by working the room, I mean, holding a cardboard sign with the words "Kid's getting married in May, must sell Plaque" and trying to sell a plaque to teachers to put up at their school. This sign was held by Waggy. Yup, the owner of the company, goes by Waggy. THis man was ridiculous. He held nothing back in trying to make a sale, and had Susie and I ROLLING most of the two days. We told them we thought that Waggy was the dad and the other two were his sons. Possibly his gay sons getting married in May, but nonetheless, his sons. The boys would go and get us sodas, and stood in line umpteen times at the Little Caesars booth to get "lunch" (samples of pizza cut into the smallest slices ever). They totally tried to get us to commit to buying stuff from them (they sold printed materials and any sort of promotional stuff you might ever want...pens, patches, shirts, lanyards...). No matter how hard I tried, they really thought I was their key to getting the entire NASA contract. Ha! As I would hold that kind of power. Whatever, it got us promised a ride of someone's yacht and some golf games. Oh, and I am personal tour of the Hemphill NASA Columbia museum, since Waggy knows the sheriff and every other important person in his home town.

Anyway, so Susie and I spent Thursday night exploring 6th street in Austin. Mainly, we explored the inside of the Chuggin Monkey, owned by none other than Brad Womack. That's right, the bachelor. In all his glory. Apparently we missed his twin by three hours. After the bartender told us who Brad picks this season and sold us each a shirt (and a few very cheap drinks), we were on our way to find dinner. An hour later, we were still looking. Susie picked up some souvenirs for our coworkers in the form of pamphlets and handouts on the street (I know, you can all get excited). We followed some guy who was on his way to a tattoo contest to take pictures (seriously? Am I the only one who thinks a tattoo contest is the worst idea EVER???). He tried to sell us on eating at a food truck, but our slightly inebriated state did not allow us to want to eat standing up. We eventually found a Mexican restaurant without a wait, and ordered us up some tacos. I am pretty sure the waitress thought we were nuts, and I dont know if either of us can tell you the name of the place, but we enjoyed it. The walk back to our hotel was uneventful, possibly because we both had one goal, and it involved the inside of a quiet hotel room and several hours of uninterrupted sleep. And, in typical 30 something style, we were both home, in bed, and sobering up by about 10pm. Just as the college kids started their trek out. Perfect.

I apologize to all of you who received texts or phone calls from me on Thursday night. I am alive and yes, Friday morning did suck. Not as young as I used to be...

This week it is on to Denver for a training. I love Colorado, and have some great friends up there I can't wait to see!

Yard Work and Baby Shopping

Late nights have returned at work. Well, sort of. I mean, in theory I should be working late nights. Instead, I just bring it home with me and work from home. Or, in some cases, I ignore the work I should be doing, and instead, plan trips, baby shower, or online shop. Pretty sure those things are just as important. Right? Right. Anyway, so, as I say in the office, Spring sucks, and it has arrived. Only this time, it has arrived without a functioning website. So, I am doing my normal website-ed work by hand. It is just lovely. I really do love what I do, but at some point, it sure would be nice to get through a season of 300 kids without a major technical malfunction. This must be possible. I will keep believing it might happen one day.

Anyway, not to drag people down, just wanted to put that out on the table. And in response to this, I am making a promise to myself, my sanity, and my waist line, to do something active everyday. I would like to say I would go to the gym everyday (remember the days of that commitment, man was I good), but I just know I am setting myself up for failure on that one. Just, instead, something active will happen each day. This way, i get to be more creative with my day, and the idea of the gym doesn't sit over my head. Every. Single. Minute. So, today, I did yard work. ANd not wimpy planting pansies and daises yard work. Like, rip out every single plant that died because it froze last week yard work. And, to top it all off, I attacked my bamboo. Now, for those of you (well, all two of you that read this) who don't know about my bamboo, I hate it. I have three separate places in my yard where some idiot (possibly the hot guy who owned the house before me) planted large patches of bamboo. Now, I have nothing against bamboo, in fact, it is a lovely plant. Just not in my yard. That crap does not die. It just grows, and grows, and grows. And if you cut it back, it grows more. I thought spraying water on it as the freeze rolled in would help. No, I think it just made is stronger. And to top it all off, the red ants like to live at the base of the bamboo, right where I like to stand (albeit in flip flops because, lets not pretend I wear real shoes out there), and they wait to bite me until there are like 10 of them on my foot, and then all bite down at once. Luckily I have a hot tub to run too and throw my feet into to kill the ants. I am sure if someone filmed this action, they could make millions. Anyway, yes, yard work today kicked my butt. Or rather, my arms. Which are having a hard time lifting anything, including the remote control to the TV (I know, I know, this mean I must be REALLY sore!). Tomorrow should be all kinds of fun.

Anyway, other than my sore arms, everything is going well out here in Texas. My pregnant friend list is standing steady at 12, and as someone births, someone somewhere else conceives. I should probably just break down and join the Babies R Us frequent buyer club. I figure this just means when I have a baby, I will be set with all the hand me downs (or people can just regift me all the things I am gifting them). Although, i should admit that after my trip to our local BRU this weekend, I have serious doubts about why anyone would ever want a child. Or maybe my real concern is what idiot would actually take their child into BRU with them. Why not just leave them at home with Dad? Or grandma? Or the freakin' TV? I mean, anything has to be better than the screaming that was occurring in the store when they couldnt have the toys, clothes, or snacks they saw on the shelves. I volunteer my services to watch your kids when you need to go into this store, just so others do not have to suffer like I did today.

Anyway, tomorrow is Baby Shower #2 for the Cejka twins. Two weeks and we have the baby shower for Baby McGrew. Then we move on to the planning of the Kamas babyshower. Man, I need a drink...good thing I'm not pregnant. Peace out!