So today begins the official start of the SXSW music portion of the nine-day festival! I can’t find anyone to join me tonight as most of my friends are either working early tomorrow, or they are already shitfaced (2:02pm) and celebrating this day…

So, I have decided that I will brave these crowds alone and hope to run into some familiar faces. I have an artists wristband this year so I am going to beat it up! You never know when these opportunities will come again.
In order to make my evening interesting I am going to run home after work and retrieve my camera. I have decided that today I will pretend that I am from England and speak to every stranger I run in to with an accent. Yep, straight off the boat and right to SXSW. I kind of can’t wait! It’s not everyday that one is able to manipulate your accent (and other humans) and get away with it!

Following is what is on my agenda for the afternoon and evening -

When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth – Austin
Horse + Donkey (Is Jamie back from Chi-town, anyone) – Austin
Torche – FLA
Suzanne Vega
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings
Broken Bells
Ume
Beaches
The Coathangers
Thsoe Darlins
The Great Nostalgic (love you, rachel)
Coma in Algiers
Bun B
Here We Go Magic
The Unthanks

…and there are more on the east side @ the free, unoffical SXSW venues. Which by the way are better anyways becasue they lure you in with free food and BOOZE. So, strap on those boots and spurs, lil doggie – it’s about to get crazy!

A lil ditty from “the friend” that I told you about earlier…he called me “irrepressible”…and here is his response to my post. (I love you Marco, really, I do)…
“Was going to post this on your blog, but it appears “comments” have been disabled. Whoever was the dickhole that called you “irrepressible”, if you see that person, you should punch them in the brain. I can find a better, more descriptive, and flattering adjective. I’ll run through the list of synonyms on the dictionary site you referenced. Let’s see.

- effervescent: Now I know you’re a lady, and quite attractive I might add (I’m not hitting on you – you’re engaged), it seems applicable, but that word is just gay. Johnny Weir is effervescent.
- boisterous: If you have trouble controlling the volume of your voice, then yes, otherwise No.
- bubbling: Like a sorority girl. No.
- buoyant: Water has nothing to do with this.
- ebullient: Makes me think of consommé for some reason.
- enthusiastic: Who isn’t.
- insuppressible: unsuppress… insuppressible? Doesn’t sound right. No.
- rhapsodical: ??? Stupid. No.
- tumultuous: The times we live in are tumultuous, not you.
- uncontrollable = irrepressible. No.
- unmanageable: like an employee? No. Like a diva? Maybe. Nah.
- unquenchable: Doesn’t that mean you’re thirsty? No.
- vivacious: I’m gonna skip this one. Just can’t think of anything.

Oh wait! I missed one. And here it is – Rebellious. With a capital R. The very look of the word is aesthetically pleasing. It sounds defiant. Rebellious. Like a protest march Rebellious. Like a clenched fist raised high Rebellious. Like Tiananmen Square Rebellious. If a column of tanks was bearing down on you, you’d stand your ground Rebellious. That is it. That’s the word. So what do you think? Does it work? No need for a lengthy reply. A yes or no will suffice. Night, night. : ) ”

I told him two words…that he rules.

You know, I am kind of on the fence with this one. While I would never in a million years want to expose my “brown eye” to the world, I have a sneaking suspicion that these covers may just draw some unwanted attention to the anterior region. For whatever it’s worth, ETSY is a world of goodness!

I would like to begin by saying that this place should be packed next week for SXSW, however, with the amount of cocaine that is consumed during those four days, I’d be impressed if they stayed marginally steady. Once the locals have succumbed to sleep and quiet – it will be packed again, assured!

Occupying the former Waterloo Icehouse location @ 6th and Lamar, sits a lovely modern day 24 hour diner. Much better than that little shit hole down the road, anyways. I had the chicken and waffles and it was fabulous. Perfectly crispy chicken breasts sitting atop a just-sweet-enough homemade belgium waffle, too good to be true. When the maple bourbon butter (yeah, i said it), chicken fried morsels, and syrup all combined, it was a little slice of food heaven. Amigo had the breakfast platter and it was just as divine, (and yeah, while it should be rather simple to make a good breakfast, some joints just can’t seem to do it right. Case in point: The Omelettry. They manage to fuck up their namesake, what a shame).  Anywhoo, the potatoes were tiny chopped homefries and seasoned to perfection, the small plate of fruit was fresh and did not taste checmical-laden, the bacon was perfectly crisped and the eggs looked alright…for someone that does not like eggs.

The 24 Diner also partakes in Austin’s favorite hobby of drinking with a Tuesday night Pint Night which boasts 1/2 off all draft beers (Fireman’s 4, Full Moon, Pale Ale, Brooklyn Lager, and many others) from 10pm until midnight.

This hot spot warms my heart with their Wednesday Wine night as well. 1/2 price on all of the diner’s self proclaimed “eclectic wine list” wines as well as 1/2 off select bottles, also from 5pm until midnight.

I don’t say this very often, but it’s a must. Check out the full menu here.

F9

To go through relationships rapidly, to be promiscuous.

Derives from Chatroulette, where the F9 key brings another chat-partner up.
Dude 1: “I was thinking of trying to start a long-term devoted relationship with Maria.”

Dude 1: “Not gonna happen. She straight F9s dudes.”

First and foremost, sometimes when I am at work and I feel like I need a little break, I will turn to Post Secret…Some days it makes me smile, and other days, like today, it just makes me cry.  It makes me realize how much sadness, hurt, and heavy hearts walk around me everyday.  I keep reading, it makes me want to be a better person.  When I was in high school there was a kid that sat next to me for two years in Latin…not many people take Latin, so it wasn’t unusual that all four years contained basically the same students…anyways, my sophmore year, his junior year – i had the biggest crush on him.  I looked at him one day (it was Halloween) in class and he just seemed like something was bothering him.  I remember wanting to just say hello, but I was too shy.  There was a big party that night.  The next morning I got to class, everyone was in tears, I looked at his desk and he was not there.  He shot himself after the party the night before.  I know that it’s not my fault that he did that, but to think that I saw something in him…I could tell that he was hurting…and I did nothing.  It was a lesson for a lot of people in many different ways.  I learned that next time I sense someone is sad and lost, I will reach out. 

A friend of mine emailed me today to congratulate me on my recent engagement.  He said, “Well, if your man is as seemingly as irrepressible as you are, then I am sure you make a dynamic duo”.  What the fuck is that supposed to mean?  I am a busy person, yes, I like to get my party on, yes, but I am also a responsible human being.  I work 40 hours a week, I am in grad school, I make sure there is money in the bank and that the bills get paid and the cats get fed….and on and on and on.  No, I don’t like it when someone tells me what to do, and if they do I will most often not do what they say, or do the opposite of what they tell me to do, because there is only one person that has control of me.  ME!  What a novel concept.  Live your life, be a good person, repsect and love the people around you, and follow your own heart and head.  To have control of yourself is the ultimate freedom.

I am so aggravated that I can hardly think of anything to write. I will start by saying that I am semi disgusted (semi) with myself that I even give enough of a fuck to give this asshole any of my time. I believe that the only reason I do, is because a friend of a friend just happened to be in the right place at the right time during all this bullshit, and for his sake, i hope something happens for him!!! Go Trey Go!

So yes, someone (else) is pissed they have to pay taxes…read the story here if you are so inclined, because I am tired of talking about it…just about as tired as I am of paying my taxes.  But come on…he claimed lives of the innocent, people who just showed up to work…the owner, pilot, and bastard that burned his house down…left a son and wife behind…and then flew his little piece of shit plane into a building that could have been filled with people who don’t give two shits about this loser…ugh, I’m so mad.  In Austin?  No one’s safe!

Out of this tragedy there is light.  My BFF has a friend that lives here in Austin that I just met a few weeks ago…a photog, apparently.  He happened to be in just the right spots…and have his camera with him, because his photos are now major staples all over the interweb!  His name is Trey Jones.  You can either google him or look here for a sample of the work he did today!  He went from local to the cover of TIME.com in hours!

Out of every tragedy stems beauty…it’s true.  I wish Trey the best, and if nothing else, his fifteen minutes rose from the ashes of a very unfortunate event.  I spent the majority of my day following which site…The AP/Statesman/Yahoo…his photos would show up on next.  Last I heard, he was celebrating by eating girl scout cookies and sharing them with office-mates.  There are wonderful, beautiful souls left in this crazy world…you don’t even have to look too far to find them, and am comforted by that.

On a much lighter note, and if any of you give a shit – tiger woods plans to make his first, post-turkey-day- mayhem statement tomorrow.  can you say – “publicity stunt”?

Honestly, I could care less what he has to say.  As far as I’m concerned he always has been a weird golf robot alien, and whatever apologies he needs to make should go to his family.  Not the public.  Take your giant pile of gold you greedy leprechaun and move on.  you’re good…as long as you pay your taxes!!!!!!!!

I will start with this lovely little gem I have been visiting for a couple of years…Koriente. The service is always friendly, spot on, beyond pleasant, and the food is nothing less than stellar. Each item is very fresh, made to order, no MSG, and delicious. On a “fat day” I normally lean towards the (amazing) miso soup and the hummus roll. On an evening when I need a good drinking base, I lean towards the Koriente Curry A. It’s absolutely perfect. The iced green tea is to-die-for, and I normally accompany my meal with a black tea and soy milk bubble tea. It’s so cute and fun. If you visit between 6pm and 9pm and order a meal, you get a choice of either a cup of miso soup OR green tea ice cream set atop crushed pistachios and drizzled with fresh honey. Holy shit…I’m hungry!

Best of all, the owners have completely transformed the building and vicinity with the most amazing gardens. Before and after pictures below. Go eat there. ASAP.

The next fabulous morsel on the list is a newly renovated, renamed, remodeled, re-everythinged Rio’s Brazilian Cafe on the east side at the intersection of E. 5th street and Pleasant Valley (Looks like Capital Metro has something positive going for them). It was a taco shack (and I mean that in all senses of the word) previously that advertised a $.79 breakfast taco. Um, I can’t even get anything from McDonald’s for that cheap…I stayed away. Much to my amusement and pleasure, I accepted a lunch invite to the new and improved venue from a friend last week. I enjoyed it thoroughly. While I am by no means a vegetarian I normally do eat veggie while I am dining outside of my home. Frankly, meat is scary…especially in “cultural” cuisine…that is, if you call it cultural.

I had to try as much as I could because that’s how Fat Mommy rolls. I started off with the Leblon salad. A concoction of epic porportions such as black-eyed peas, tomatoes, spinach, corn, peaches, apples and olives in a white wine vinaigrette. I then had the soy chorizo sausage empadao (equivalent to the more recognized empanada) and the spinach & ricotta pastel…also more or less an empanada. My dining pal had the cheese bread trio of which I sampled. They are indeed belly bombs in comaparison to the liter fare on le menu, but delightful none-the-less.

The interior, though small (at a meager 5 tables and a couch) is simply a charm to enjoy a deliscious and comfortable meal, and as soon as it ceases to rain up in this bitch, I plan to return and sit on the patio. Nothing like the exhaust from (Un) Pleasant Valley to glorify your delicious meal.

Anyways, just go…to both of these places. Trust me!

I actually am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I believe that every day is a good day to love, nurture, and care for those near and dear to your heart. Being a good person on Valentine’s Day does not earn you any brownie points, my friend.

However, for the sake of this post, I will conform – just a bit.

To my fiance – You make me laugh. I never dreamed life could be so happy. You help me to make myself a better person and you encourage me to see all the beauty in the all world. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, and as I have always said, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  If I had to do it all over again,  I most certainly would.  As a point of reference, I love you more than I love cheese!  It’s twue.

To my friends – You each show me strength in many many ways and encourage me to extend my horizons and erase my mental boundaries. You are all so talented and beautiful. I feel your warmth and love always, even when you are not near.

To my parents – a) I love you both very very much and am so thankful to have such caring, wonderful people in my life. b) Thank you endlessly for your eternal guidance and support. To know that there are at least two people in this world that believe in you 100% is precious.

To my brother – I am sorry that we no longer speak and I do hope that that changes someday. I always have and always will love you with all my being. I wish you only sunshine, peace and a happy heart.

To the Travel Channel – Thank you for picking up “No Reservations” when The Food Netword couldn’t hang.

I am one lucky girl – many hugs and kisses to you all – you each make up a part of who I am and who I aspire to be.

xoxoxoxoxox,

GBJ

I will begin by saying that I want to thank my mom for bringing me into this beautiful (mostly) world and my dad (really my step-dad, but he’s the only one that counts) for putting up with my bull shit for so long.  Both of you deserve major applause for this, what I am sure to be, one giant feat.

I am aquarius, but not through and through.  As my bday sits on the cusp of capricorn, I find that I resemble many of those traits as well.  However, I do admit to being a realist, seriously motivated, and a big giant bitch.  I’ll tell you like I think you should hear it, and I much pretty shut down on the recip!   

On my 27th bday all I did was cry.  (that was actually the day of my first enagagement…not exactly related…i dont think)  When I turned 30 I rejoiced.  They are “the” years, right?  And today, as I turn 29, I must say, I feel fabulous!  I have a life ahead of me that is filled with kindness, warmth, love, happiness, and excitement.  I am engaged to the amigo of my dreams and my friends and family are the fucking coolest people on this earth. 

Now, that was the sweet capricorn side of me…it’s time to let the aquarian in me weave some reality back into this world. 

On my way into the office this morning I picked up a copy of the latest US magazine.  Yes, I even read it in its entirety (it’s 10am).  Kate Gosselin says that she “hates” her $7k hair extensions.  Um, well yeah.  Why anyone would get them in the first place (minus Brittney – she needed them) is beyond me.  She thinks they look damaged and fried.  Yes, indeed they are.  IT’S FAKE HAIR, you silly honky!

Ok, next on the list is heiress Casey Johnson.  She died!  Her “several day-old” corpse was found in a friend’s home in LA on January 2, 2010.  The article explains that she lived a life of regret becasue she never broke into the industry as pals Paris, Nicole, and the likes.  She was however engaged to bi-sexual reality tv stat Tila Tequila for a hot minute.  Basically, what I am saying here is that, no…if your body is not found for several days after your death, and people are just now reading about it 19 days later…you were pretty far from fame.  Apparently you were so un-famous that your own friends and family didn’t realized you went AWOL.  Oopsie…maybe you can try again in the after-life.

Next, all I have to say is that I thinking about all of those in Haiti, what I am going to buy at the mall today, and most of all, how badly my hangover could be tomorrow. 

Cheers – Spread the love, kids…

GBJ