Austin Weekend

This weekend Trey and I went to Austin to compete in some races and to see some friends and family. Things started out rough as my parents decided they no longer want to watch our dogs for us when we go out of town. They decided to let me in on this Thursday afternoon.

Layla


Finnigan


We figured we would bring Finn to Austin because he is easier to take care of than crazy Layla. Plus, Annalee and Evan have a dog and Layla can be a real B when it comes to other dogs. Now to find a place for Layla. Ian was having 3 people stay with him this weekend, so he was not a possibility. Gavin offered to keep Layla, as did Alana, but we finally decided to board her at a vet. We then found out her shots were way overdue, so a $30 stay turned into $170. Also, Trey and I were going to have to drive seperate so he could drop Layla off Saturday morning. Oh well, what can you do?

So I drove up Friday and got ridiculously lost and it took me 5 hours to make a 3 1/2 hour trip. On Saturday morning I got up and talked with Annalee and Evan and then had to rush to make it to my Saturday afternoon race on time.


So, when I saw the blip about Urban Dare in a magazine, I thought it sounded fun, but I was completely unprepared for how intense and serious some of these people were! Here's the website of the team that won. Wow.

Anyhow, Urban Dare is kind of like a scavenger hunt for locations. A little like Amazing Race, but not as difficult and in one city. I raced with my old high school friend, Jessica. As she is in great shape and a spinning instructor, she kicked my butt. The race has a five hour time limit and while planning for it, Jess and I had scoffed at anyone needing ALL that time. Well, in our face because we barely made it in time. Basically, we ran or speed walked for 5 hours. It was worth it though as I was able to go all over Austin and see places such as:
Daniel Johnston's Graffitti


Stevie Ray Vaughan statue


Barton Springs Pool


So, Jess and I had a great time and we're definitely racing next year, but I will be better prepared so I don't become a human anchor. We'll also ride the bus more than just at the very end.

After the race, I wanted to pass out and never wake up. I had the Austin Statesman 10K the next day, but there was no way i was ever going to be able to do that. I had planned on meeting an old roommate from Oxford, Christiana, for coffee or a drink, but I was not even sure I could pull that off. I decided I had to see her so we met at Freddie's since Trey and I could bring Finn.



Jared and Kristy met us there and while I originally intended to stay for only about 30 min, we ended up staying out till 3am. We had such a blast that we closed down Freddie's and headed to Spider House, another outdoor bar.


I had a great time talking and tipsily pontificating with Christiana and Kristy. I am now in love with Austin so Trey and I have decided if we must stay in Texas, our permanent home needs to be Austin.

Passing Time

So, Trey was gone this last weekend, plus a few more days. He was at SXSW with Garrett and he had a blast. So glad I didn't have to go as I can only take in so many shows before I get irritable. Anyhow, I stayed here and relaxed. I watched some great movies that inspired me to stand up for what I believe in and made me appreciate the freedom we have to say whatever we want about our government. The primary movie was about Sophie Scholl, an anti-Nazi activist during WW2.

She fought with words and was executed for it. She spoke out against the war and Hitler and that was not tolerated. Amazingly, at 21 she gave her life for a cause she believed in. Made me what to run out and save something, someone. From what or where, I don't know.

Seeing that movie made me wonder if I would have the courage to do what Sophie did. Every movie I see about a martyr makes me wonder this. It's so easy to think, "Well of course I would hide Jews and speak out against Hitler!" I think we underestimate how much influence our historical knowledge has on us. Knowing what happened to the Jews, who wouldn't risk everything to save one? But they didn't know what we know now. They didn't know how much of a hero they would turn out to be.

So anyhow, since Trey wasn't here, I also got to eat whenever and whatever I wanted. Not that I normally don't, but, well, I ate weird combinations of things. On Thursday I had a root beer float and sushi party for a student. On Friday I had bubble tea and Bueno. On Saturday I bought velveeta and ro-tel to make queso. Yummmmmmmm. I also bought a box of Nutty Bars and ate the whole box. Not just one package of two, but all six packages of two which according to my middle school math equals 12 individual nutty bars. It was worth it on every one.

Birthday Bust

Today was my 28th birthday. Not that I expect a big celebration at this age or anything, but I figured I would at least enjoy the day. It didn't help that today was the first day back after spring break. Here are the low points.

1) Woke up at 8:10. While that means almost 2 hours of extra sleep, but it also means I am already 10 minutes late for work. As a teacher, you can't really be late for work. The kids are there, waiting and there is no one to cover for you, EXCEPT YOUR BOSS. 1st period starts at 8:30. Panic.

2) Phone is dead as unnamed husband left it off the hook. No blaming here, just finger-pointing. Cannot call work to even have boss cover me. No, we do not have cell phones. I imagine my kids wandering the halls telling everyone they see, "Mrs. Logue isn't here. Can you help us find her?" Sweating.

3) Takes 23 minutes to get to work. Therefore I do not have time to:

• shower
  
• brush teeth
  
• wash face
  
• brush hair (not all that unusual for me)
  
• eat breakfast
  
• cover up dirtiness with make-up

4) Grabbed wrong lunch tupperware out of fridge. I end up eating pathetic portion of cold chili.

5) Forgot to get my purse so I can't buy anything for lunch.

6) Burned the popcorn that I needed to eat for lunch.


Now, to end on a good note, I came home to one happy Trey and two excited puppies, all vying for my attention, as well as three packages from wonderful family members. I showered, napped, and ate my breakfast at 6:30pm. The day started at a 3 and ended at an 8. Today probably would have peaked at a 6 had I not had such an atrocious morning. I have to have the bad to appreciate the good.