No Hare's Allowed

Friday night, we went to races of a different sort. A local bar was hosting their first round of turtle racing. This was something I had to see for myself.

Thoroughbred racers resting before the first sprint

Serious cash from NGB, a whole $2 bet!


Representing the 'hood, I placed all my stakes on the Eastside


The first race. These guys were ready to GO

Hanging out in between races and wearing freebies from Bud. Classy.


I volunteered (persisted) in being the "bucket girl". This intense job included counting down and starting the round of races by lifting the bottomless trash can.


Such a natural

Toward the end of the night, the little critters were definitely taking their time to get to the finish line

Another Guilty Pleasure

I found this publication a couple months ago. It has quickly become my weekly must have. Busted features the arrests and mugshots that have been made in the Austin area over the past week. All photos are accompanied with a name and why they were arrested. In some instances, a hilarious story is provided.

Last month, when the Rempp/ Johnsons were in town, Marty point out a guy walking by who had been on the cover. He was pointing out his new fame to a friend as well. This siting was easily better than any celeb spotting in Hollywood.

I get into a discussion with Nick every week about the pictures in this paper. It cracks me up that some people pose for them. Then again, if you're about to get your photo published in any sort of periodical (not to mention have this shot on file for life), maybe a smile is appropriate. And although I have not always been on the right side of the law, I luckily can't speak to this dilemma out of experience.

Hopefully I never will.

Check out the paper online

Look Who Moved to Town!!!

If I close my eyes and try really hard, it almost feels like I'm back on Beverly Blvd in Hollywood... almost.

I noticed that all Coffee Beans are independent franchises. Ever looking for a chance to be my own boss, I wonder if one could survive in Washington against the big bad Sbux.

Pinkberry, you're up next. Please move ASAP.

Cowboy Take Me Away

"Cowboy" the horse, that is.

One of the recreations I did last week during my mock stay was horseback riding, something I haven't done since high school. It's a bit like riding a bike, except a bike would never take off running unexpectedly or kick you with its tire. I was wobbly at first, but felt like it didn't take long to get the hang of it.

Somehow, riding a horse has changed a bit. Some extra support via a sports bra was a good forethought. Also, skinny jeans are not the best choice for this activity, especially when paired with running shoes. They are much better suited for the urban cowboy sort. A boot cut with actual boots would have worked much better (go figure).

I had a blast the entire time! We covered about 8 miles of the ranch. I'm not sure what that translates into acres, which feels like it should be the more appropriate lingo. I don't remember the last time a grin involuntarily swept across my face, but I couldn't help myself when we transitioned from slow walking to trotting and galloping. So fun! (I wasn't smiling as much later on when the soreness arrived)

And yes, I'm well aware that my Juicy top is dayglo in these pictures. The puffy sleeves aren't quite aerodynamic, but the color might come in handy. I wanted to be founded easily by a search party, just in case I got myself lost in the Texas hill country.

86

Just thought I'd share with y'all, that it was 86F today in good ol' Austin.

Also, look who came to a very loving home tonight? My new Mannys!

All That Glitters

If I ever open a shop of my own, it would look something like the Beauty Bar, a club in downtown Austin. I drive by it almost everyday and last weekend, we finally made it inside.

The windows outside

It's a pink glitter wonderland!

And speaking of sparkles, there is a local artist who is well represented at restaurants around town. Sue Zola, aka the "Glitter Diva" works solely with glitter on canvas. Last night at the Keep Christmas Bizarre, I finally found her contact information to order a piece of her work. She makes both original pieces and reproductions of famous works. LOVE it!

Irony

I went a little crazy at the grocery store last Friday. I ventured into the world of Whole Foods. Traditionally, I'm more of a Trader Joes girl, but since WF is headquartered here they sort of have a monopoly on the market. My shopping trip must have been a subconscious effort to stock up before hurricane Ike hit Austin (which it never did, it has been sunny and beautiful all weekend with just a few extra "visitors") The kitchen is now full of meals and snacks that could rival any downtown cuisine and will probably last through October.

The atmosphere at Whole Foods is more than a bit yuppy and I always feel out of place. I'm environmentally aware and all, but some of the shoppers here take it past the NEXT level .

I found it funny that after saving the planet with other Austintonians by buying organic local food, we nullified our efforts by idling our cars stuck in a traffic jam in the parking lot for 15 minutes.