Austin and Everything After

When your body tells you to slow it down, do you always listen? This week so far has been not that great for me. The migraine really did a number on me. Luckily, I had my Cornelius. I don't ever want to feel like that again, so I'm doing this thing where I'm taking better care of myself. Not like a cleanse or anything. More like a self imposed detox. I made a list of my vices and guilty pleasures (seriously, i did a pros and cons list) and decided I could really benefit from this. Starting November 1st, and for a month, well, until my cousin's wedding the day after Thanksgiving, (easier for me to keep track of dates), no Dr. Pepper ( i don't drink any other type of soda, this is my addiction) no coffee (green tea to get me going!) no Whataburger (my weakness, and there is one right across the street!)  and no alcohol. Well isn't this something! I decide to quit drinking for a month, a co-worker surprises me with a very expensive bottle of Italian wine. Universe,...

I've been in bed for two whole days with a migraine. What gives? I'm just now starting to feel better. My room has been dark and cold, all the true makings of an opening scene of a horror film, save for a cat (a one Cornelius), who roams the apt with not a care in the world. At least he's good company, and great entertainment to boot. I honestly don't even know where my thoughts have gone for two whole days. There were no thoughts, only pain in my head and my neck. Not fun, I'll tell you what. Even getting up to shower was a task in itself. I suppose it's my own bodies' way of wanting me to take it easy. I feel cut off from the rest of the world, and it felt great. My life batteries have been recharged. Rather than taking on a million things at once, maybe a "one thing at a time" approach is best. I certainly needed the rest.  I'm done being bored. I'm planning an adventure this week. Saturday afternoon I'm going on a hike at The Greenb...

There are no words to describe yesterday's wedding. I was so nervous, I couldn't sleep. I rented this lens on the advice of another photographer friend (it's important to trust people who know their lenses, one of the benefits of having photogs as friends) and this lens did kit let me down. The whole ceremony, I was carrying it around as if it were my child.  I drove the groom to the ceremony, reminiscent of when I drove my Bro to hers. It's a special kid of feeling being a huge part of the Big Day. The wedding was on a location in Southwest Austin. It was so beautiful, the view was amazing. If I ever get married, i wouldn't mind that view one bit. Except I would be barefoot. I hate wearing shoes. Anyhoo, the moment I was hoping to capture came out wonderfully, it was when the groom saw the bride for the first time. I teared up throughout the whole thing. I couldn't help it! I was there the night these two met, and I've been a big part of their journey. Almo...

The words in the title are not my own. But it's something I stand for and live by, at least, I try to. I've mentioned before in previous blogs that I went through a pretty bad break up this year. I've never spoken publicly about the details, and I never will. If you are a close friend of mine, you already know everything. I'm not one to air dirty laundry online. But if you are involved in my life pretty often, you really know  everything. The reason for my mentioning the break up is to talk about what happened after.  I was broken, an empty shell of my former self. And that was not me. Not the me I want to be anyway. It took me longer than I hoped for to bounce back. And I'm not sure exactly when the moment happened, or what exactly led up to said moment, but one morning I woke up, and my heart was no longer sad. Maybe it's the combination of family, friends, Cornelius, and shooting again. Whatever it was, it worked. I leaned on a lot of people for emotional sup...

"I hear babies cry, and I watch them grow. They'll learn much more than we'll know. And I think to myself: What a wonderful world..." It's amazing what a little human being can do. I'm so excited to be a Tia! I already am so in love with this new creature. I'll tell you what though, there is a little special someone who has taught me more about caring for others in her short life than anyone I know. Her name is Mouse (real name is protected, you know.) Some of you might know her, and lucky you! I know parents gush about their children all the time. Seriously, spend 5 minutes with this little person, she'll change your life! She can help you see the world through a different set of eyes: kind eyes, innocent eyes, eyes full of hope and wonder. And this I promise you: you will fall in love with life again. Mouse came into my life unexpectedly. I did not spend a whole lot of time with her in her first year (something I deeply and will always regret),...

Well, I'm just a blogging fool. This outlet feels so great. I'm an extrovert by nature, but sometimes my thoughts get in my way. Sometimes I can't say what I really want to. Honesty is a very scary thing. Can you imagine a world where everyone was 100% honest with each other? Total anarchy. In my world, if I was completely honest, I would have the courage to say "no" more often, and I would tell the person I have a crush on that I have feelings for him. I don't think I'm ready just yet for the repercussions of my honesty. Thank goodness we don't live in such a world. I'm not condoning little white lies (are lies ever really just white?), but I understand the reasons why one person would not be honest with another person. Would you be able to handle the brutal honest truth? Can you ask someone, "What do you think of me, tell me, honestly.." and be okay with their response? Honestly, (see what I did there?) I don't think I could handl...

Sometimes I wish I wasn't an emotional person. I'm passionate, wear my heart on my sleeve, and cry at the most inopportune times. When I love, I love deeply. When I'm happy, my endorphins are off the chart.  It's exhausting really. As I mentioned, sometimes I wish I wasn't an emotional person. Sometimes I wish I was a robot---devoid of any human emotion. Today is not one of those days. I received wonderful news today. I'm going to be a Tia! (an Aunt for all my non Spanglish speaking friends) Holy Schnikes!!! This baby will be the first of the next generation. None of us have children. This new baby will be making my Mother a Grandmother for the first time ever. Needless to say, I cried a few tears of joy. There hasn't been a new baby in our family for many years. And my youngest brother is changing that. It was a running joke in our family, "so and so will be the first to have a kid" (insert uncomfortable laugh). I myself don't have any child...

My dreams are growing more vivid with each passing night. Although I'm sure no one reads this, I dare not write them down. It is private, way too private than I care to admit. I learned so much of my true nature with these dreams that keep my mind awake. Almost none of it surprised me. When the night is dark and all you have are your thoughts, your mind travels to places you most certainly never speak of. Some dark thoughts, and some light, but never any spoken. It is there I begin to dream...

I wonder if anyone reads this. I sort of like the mystery behind a blog. It's open, very public, and a window into your thoughts, laid out for the entire world to read. It's fascinating to say the least. If you're reading this, blink once for yes. (I really hope you blinked!)  Anyhoo, this little snippet is very personal. I almost don't want to write anything. But the whole purpose of this whole thing is to write my random thoughts down. But I digress.... It's a scary thing, cancer. A close friend's mother, who became like a second mother to me, had been sick for a very long time. She had already beaten a different cancer once. Breast cancer was just something else we were going to have to beat. Let's get treatment, then boom! No more cancer. But this one was different, more aggressive than the other. Treatment would be more expensive too. Ok fine, let's do this. I set up an online fundraiser, and the family helped her qualify for some programs that help...

My home in Austin, TX. When I say this is my sanctuary, I mean just that. This is where I come to clear my mind, recharge my life batteries, visit with friends, learn music, or play with my cat. Everything about me is right here in this living room. I have grown as a person, right on that chair where the guitar sits. The first part of this year was not so kind to me (terrible breakup, took me awhile to get over), but the second part saw me with a new roommate, a new job, a new home, and a new found passion for my musical and creative side. So join me, whenever you can, and we'll be creative together! I feed off the energy of positive people. I'm just that kind of gal.

There are moments where I am not cool, calm, and collected. Sometimes I wish I had the courage to say what I am feeling, what I am thinking, or what I wish I could do. Words may escape me, but with music, that just isn't so. Music gives me the courage to speak up. Music encourages, music brightens up my day, and allows my heart to sing. If I ever play music around you, know that you make me comfortable, make me happy, and I thank you so much for that. Jacks

Learning to play the ukelele has been a lifelong goal for me. The instrument is simple, the sounds oh so sweet. No complications, just plain ol music. A strum here and a strum there, pretty soon those strums because songs, those lyrics become melodies. The inner workings of your mind and a few hums and la dee das can brighten up just about any dark day. As for me, I have all the more reason to sing these days. I sing when I'm happy and I'm exactly that. 

Welcome. To the inner workings of mind, however random they may be. I'm starting this blog because I love to write, not in any traditional sense. I just have too much to say and sometimes the best ideas come to me when I have no way of writing them down. Rather than risk forgetting them forever, I've created this photoblog. I'll start by talking of my love of Austin, TX. The city where I found happiness, and most importantly, myself. And of course my adventures, restaurants and food I like, music venues, artist friends, or just anything that stands out to me and makes me smile. So how about 7-11, amiright? I live right across the street from one, and I work right across the street from one. Seriously, I don't know how I lived so long without this convenience store in my life. I'm not a morning person at all, and but I'm so grateful for their early morning coffee and deals on bananas when I forget to make breakfast in the morning. Pretty convenient for a ...