Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I love you, Tomorrow.

And the reason why I love tomorrow is because THIS GIRL is visiting me in Austin!!!

This girl (Tara) is 4'11'', loves the color pink, runs half-marathons, speaks backwards, shares my hatred of emoticons, loves st. patty's day, yells out her bedroom window at boys and doesn't duck like she's supposed to, scored us at least 14 free dominoes mushroom pizzas senior year (she may or may not have been kissing the dominoes driver during that time), appreciates good music, just got into grad school for social work which is the perfect career for her, sings jessica and ashlee simpson's "drummer boy" with me at the top of her lungs, can dance all night, is HILARIOUS and extremely witty, knows who I'm talking about when I refer to "LP", "Psycho Dancer", and "Collar-Flip", loves the mountains, rolls her eyes when she hears the word "reconcile", is somewhat obsessed with ABC-family series (who can blame her?), has the coolest great-grandmother ever, is up for any and all adventures... and above all else, she is the best friend a girl hopes to meet in college. Luck of the Lauer Irish strikes again.

Stay tuned... on the agenda for Tara's trip to Texas is 80's Ladies Sing Along at the draft-house, Salt Lick BBQ, hiking Mount Bonnell, wine tasting, a night in San Antonio, dancing, and more. Look out Texas... here she comes!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Bikini Season

Just a short post to share how excited I am for springtime in Austin! They say that everything is bigger in Texas... I also believe that everything is brighter. I've never been so blinded by the sun before moving to Austin. I'm sure everyone has observed that I typically wear sunglasses on my head 95% of the time which totally defeats their purpose, but that was in Virginia... sunglasses are now a necessity. It was 80 degrees yesterday and 75 degrees today. Beautiful weather for April. And as the subject states, it's bikini season. I wouldn't normally post a picture of me in my summer gear, but I'm feeling pretty confident these days....


wait for it... quick run on the treadmill


wait for it... oatmeal for breakfast every morning


wait for it... 200 crunches




Me, Kristen, and Reagan enjoying a day in the sun with "the guys"

Friday, March 26, 2010

I'm a Loner, Dottie... a Rebel.

I didn't have high expectations for the show that Reagan and I attended last night, but all I can say is WOW. Which show, you ask? "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" Quote-Along at the Alamo Drafthouse. I'm not sure if this movie was a staple in your family, but it was definitely a Lauer classic. I read on the drafthouse website about this event a couple weeks ago and thought to myself, "My sisters would kill me if I didn't see this." Luckily, Reagan was as cool of a kid as me, and agreed to re-live her childhood with me and watch one of the best movies of all time on the big screen. It was more than just your average Quote-Along. Upon purchasing your ticket, you were given a supersized red-sequined bow-tie to wear during the show. Hilarious. Prior to the show starting, the host (dressed in a skinny grey suit much like Pee-wee's) called four guys up to the stage for a free tequila shot... but not before they did their best Pee-wee Herman dance moves to the song "Tequila" for a good minute or two. Meredith, you would have KILLED this! I can't wait to bust this move the next time we're out dancing. The host informed us that every time the word "Alamo" was used in the movie, the entire audience had to yell "AAAHHHHHH" in their best Pee-wee voice and then drink. Lucky for us, we were sipping on water last night, or else we wouldn't have been able to drive home. Throughout the quote-along (which thanks to my family, I recognized almost every memorable quote... you'd be surprised what you remember), there were even special effects. As Pee-wee and Mickey the bandit were driving in the middle of the night and Pee-wee drives the car off the road onto the rocks, there was a sonic BOOM in the theater (causing me and Reagan to jump out of our seats) and tons of confetti fell from the ceiling. They also had the fog machine going a few times... I believe somewhere around a scene with Laaaarge Marge. I owe a big thanks to my Dad for seeing the humor in this movie and encouraging our appreciation for it, another big thanks to Reagan for agreeing to go with me, and a big "I MISS YOU" to Nicole and Dee, who would have DIED laughing alongside of me last night.

To my sisters, here are a few lines that might bring you back...

(sitting in the dinosaur watching the sunrise)
Simone: I know you're right Peewee, but...
Peewee: Everyone I know has a big "but". C'mon Simone, let's talk about your big "but"...

Mr. Breakfast: Good morning, Pee-wee!
Pee-wee: Good morning, Mr. Breakfast!
Mr. Breakfast: Can I have some Mr. T cereal?
Pee-Wee: Okay!
Pee-wee (in deep voice): I pity the poor fool who don't eat my cereal!

Pee-wee: I wanna see Francis!
Butler: Francis is busy.
Pee-wee: Busy doing what?
Butler: He's having his bath.
Pee-wee: Oh, really? Where are they hosing him down?

Pee-wee: Come on, Dottie. Let's go.
Dottie: Let's go? Don't you wanna see the rest of the movie?
Pee-wee: I don't have to see it, Dottie. I lived it.

Two thumbs up for the movie, and for the Alamo Drafthouse!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Over the River and Through the Woods

I took my first trip to the Greenbelt this past Sunday with Kristen and Reagan for a BEAUTIFUL and adventurous hike. After fighting our way there (think road blocks, dead ends, and multiple U-turns), we pretty much winged it when choosing a trail for our first Greenbelt experience. The signs weren't exactly clear as to where we would end up, but we decided to set out towards the left. There were lots of people hiking, biking, and rock-climbing... which I am determined to do once I'm feeling gutsy enough. We hiked along the river and through the woods for a good bit... even pulled a little Oregon Trail action as we balanced ourselves on the rocks and crossed over the river with the grace of ballerinas (<---lie).

Most anti-climactic part of the journey: Climbing a trail of rocks up a steep hill... expecting a field of bluebonnets.... a cascading waterfall.... three cowboys on horseback.... you catch my drift.... but no, we found none of the above. We ended up at Wal-Mart. Well, we ended up 100 yards away from a Wal-Mart, but still, it wasn't a waterfall. I mean, seriously? Anyways, at least we know another place to park to access the Greenbelt trails. It definitely didn't take away from the beauty of the hike... we must have exclaimed how incredible it was at least 50 times. We are hoping to eventually explore all of the Greenbelt... one Sunday at a time.

"Show me how pretty the world is, 'cause I want something just a little bit louder."
-Matt Nathanson

Sunday, March 21, 2010

P.S. If this is Austin, I still love you.

It's true. I love this city. I say it out loud at least three times a week. But here are a few reasons why I grew to love it even more over the last five days...

1.) SXSW - The greatest Music and Media festival of all time. I have never seen a city so packed and so pumped. Bands were playing in almost every restaurant, bar, and music venue. This city didn't sleep for a week. I was lucky enough to fall asleep to the sounds of what I like to call "Screamo" music coming from "Trophy's", the sketchy slash awesome bar behind our apartment. Not so sweet dreams. I will say that I was not nearly as prepared as I hope to be next year. I need to start RSVP-ing to shows wayyy before the festival... or strike gold and buy a VIP pass that will get me into everything. We did catch a few good shows... discovered a couple great venues... and hung out with some good people. To the Live Music Capital of the World: You definitely live up to your reputation. Go you.

2.) St. Patrick's Day - It's true that I love this holiday no matter where I am. But celebrating it in Austin was definitely memorable... the highlight being:
A girl getting stuck in the bathroom stall
Girl in white spaghetti-strapped dress in 55 degree weather:
"Help... anybody? Is anyone out there? Somebody, please... I'm stuck... anyyyyybodyyyyy?"
Me in my stall: Laughing silently. Dying. Enjoying this.
Reagan (after her share of laughing and dying): "Do you need some help?" as she opens the stall door with a swift push... clearly the girl failed to remember that the door might open from the other direction. Embarrassin'.

AND the other highlight being.... celebrating with Reagan and singing/dancing to our "FAVORITE" song... all 47 of them.


3.) MARK. The coolest cab driver around. Everyone needs a personal cabbie, especially in a town that they're not too familiar with. Lo and behold, Mark to the rescue! We had heard that it is nearly impossible to get a cab during SXSW, but we were obviously kissed with the luck of the Irish this past week. Mark picked us up from 6th street to take us to a venue called "The Scoot Inn". Sweet name, sweet venue. We thought Mark might appreciate our game of "Would You Rather" that we had been playing in the previous bar... and we were right. Mark actually asked that we call him any time we need a ride because he was having so much fun. Little did he know, we would be calling him an hour later... "MARK, would you rather pick us up or let us freeze outside?" He picked us up. "Would You Rather" gets them every time. A big thanks to Dana for that one... she encouraged my twisted love of the game.

4.) Hiking at the Greenbelt - another post to come when pictures are available. A-ma-zing!

Stay tuned... more to come!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

For the Love of the Irish

Tomorrow is my second favorite holiday!!! Next to Cinco de Mayo, obviously. I kid, I kid. Sort of. But seriously, I love St. Patrick's Day! I don't know if it's the enthusiasm of the Irish, the humor of their toasts, the green beer, the hilarity of an Irish sing along.... I love it all. I believe it was the Disney Original Movie, "Luck of the Irish", that really jump-started my appreciation of St. Patrick's Day. It continued to grow when Tara and I visited San Diego for Spring Break and attended the downtown "ShamROCK" festival with Nicole. We wore matching truckers hats, danced like we had never danced before, and approached strangers with our plastic shotglass necklaces letting them know that "another shot would hit the spot" in our best Irish accent. It worked like a charm... once, maybe twice. And this past Thanksgiving, my family (along with Aunt Lori and Uncle Jerry!) ventured to an Irish bar in Old Town Alexandria and had a BLAST. After shooting down my first request of 500 miles (why did I request that again?), he so graciously played "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", another favorite from my elderly sing alongs. To fully understand my level of excitement, see below.

So in honor of this glorious day, a few of my favorite Irish toasts.... no, I don't really want God to turn the ankles of those that don't love me.... all in fun.

"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
The foresight to know where you are going,
And the insight to know when you have gone too far.
"

"May those who love us love us.

And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping."

"May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.
"

"My friends are the best friends
Loyal, willing and able.
Now let’s get to drinking!
All glasses off the table!
"

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! CHEERS!!!



Monday, March 15, 2010

Sing Along in 2065

After working in a Nursing Home for over four years and leading countless sing alongs, I can't help but wonder what songs we'll be singing when we're 80 years old. There obviously wasn't as much music for them to explore back in the day, but it still amazes me that almost all residents (including those with dementia) can recite the lyrics to 40-50 songs from their generation. It is scary to think what songs will be included in our sing along books. Will Sir Mix-a-Lot make an appearance with "Baby Got Back?" Ace of Base with "I Saw the Sign"? Chumbawamba's "Tub-thumping"? Or perhaps if we're a bit luckier,... "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey? John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane"? "Free Falling" by Tom Petty?

I suppose that it's very unlikely that we'll even have sing alongs on our Nursing Home activity calendars. We will all be wheeling around the hallways with our headphones in our ears, jamming out to whatever genre of music we like best. Or showing off whatever advanced music media player is the "it thing" in 60 years. I'll probably still have my discman at the rate I'm going. But in all seriousness, I will miss singing "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi", "My Wild Irish Rose", and "Love's Old Sweet Song" with my elderly folks. The most violent song I've sung with them is called "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning". I'm serious. Now, it does involve murdering the bugler... but the singer delivers this message in a playful sing-song voice. All in fun.

On another note, check out Young@Heart. Coolest singing group EVER. I hope they'll have me when I reach 70. Besides their versions of "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Stayin' Alive" (hi-lar-ious), this man's performance of "Fix You" is my favorite, made me shed a few tears. Fast forward a bit to get to the song, but if you have the time, the intro is sweet. He performed while on oxygen, what a rockstar. And a few weeks before he passed away, he made the comment, " "Although I wish there was more pleasant news about my condition … Oh well, I don't expect to get out of this world alive." Now that guy has a good story.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Best Option On the Menu

Next time I order from Papa Johns, I am definitely ordering Unlimited Cowboys.

$11.99? Best deal ever.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Why do we keep going in circles?

Physical activity is addictive in Austin. Yes, I said it. It's impossible to not want to partake in some sort of outdoor activity when the city offers so much of it and there are so many people out there enjoying it. Every time I cross the bridge on South Congress, I see people running, biking, kayaking, canoeing.... you catch my drift. So, on this beautiful Saturday afternoon, I was able to satisfy my craving with a trip to the lake for kayaking!


The last time I was in a kayak was the summer after 8th grade at Camp Cheerio, in North Carolina. I somehow got stuck in the kayaking course, and would manage to hide behind a tree every time they asked us to perform an "eskimo roll". I was not about to flip my kayak over and submerge my head under water for who knows how long. I wouldn't mind trying it now... but not as a nervous 13-year old being looked after by scrawny 16-year old lifeguards. Anyways, my second attempt at kayaking was much more fun. I wouldn't say that Reagan and I mastered the art of kayaking (note the title of this post), but we enjoyed the sun, gave our arms and backs a serious work-out, and I got to spend the day with a new pal. Clearly you were wondering who the other girl in the kayak is. No, I didn't pay someone to go to the lake with me. No, my parents didn't pay either. Ah, I miss that high school joke. The story of meeting Reagan is completely insane... Kristen found this website that we like to call "E-Harmony for Friends", where you can get connected with other people in your city... the group we found is for 20-something girls, almost all new to Austin, looking to meet other girls to hang out with, go out with, etc. Cha-ching. We were a little skeptical at first, but I'm glad we took our chances. Reagan e-mailed me a few days after we joined because she noticed that we both worked in Nursing Homes, she as a Speech Therapist and me as a Recreation therapist, and suggested that we meet up sometime. Kristen and I ended up hanging out with Reagan that weekend and had a blast. Three days later: Laura Young, a good friend from Virginia, asks if she can share my contact information with her friend whose good friend just moved to Austin. She copies me on the e-mail that says something along the lines of, "Lindsay, here is Jaclyn's info... yada yada... has Reagan moved to Austin yet?" My jaw dropped when I saw the name and I knew right away that it had to be the same girl. And it was! So even without "E-Harmony for Friends", we were destined to meet each other. Now I really do sound like an online friendship advertisement. But in all seriousness, I am SO glad we met, and I am going to convince her to put her traveling therapist job on hold until she spends at least a year in Austin!

Check out the view of the downtown skyline from our kayak... so pretty! And next up: Barton Creek Greenbelt for hiking!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

V-Mars + Logan + Collage = Epic

I was home this evening, watching some mediocre television... and I got to thinking about good ole' Veronica Mars. Call me a teeny-bopper, but that show was good. At least Deirdre and Tara can back me up on this one. Being a complete geek and needing a quick visual of my favorite TV couple, I googled Veronica and Logan... and this glorious collage appeared:

WHO makes these things? Ah, I wish I was in middle school again so that I could hang this on the inside of my locker. I am obviously not the show's biggest fan... so here's to you, Queen (or King?) of the TV-Couple Collage.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Caffeine Pill With Your Coffee, Anyone?

I don't know about you all, but I am a big fan of the midday cup o' joe. Especially when it gives me an excuse to leave work and soak up the Austin sun, even for just a few short minutes. I don't know how people work full-time in this city. It is 6:30 pm and 76 degrees here. How does an 8-5 work schedule fit into these sunny days? Anyways, I pulled into Starbucks around 1:00 this afternoon for a little pick-me-up, and as always, an extra-chipper voice (yes, Austin is filled with drive-thru Starbucks... hello, lazy coffee drinker like myself... it is quite convenient though if I must defend it) welcomes me and asks what I would like. I place my order, and she tells me what I owe and that she looks forward to seeing me at the next window. URCH. That's a little aggressive. In that moment, I thought "Man, I have got to blog about the Pleasantville-ish Starbucks employees in Austin"... having that thought might make me a dork, but hey, you're still reading. I round the bend, and there she is, leaning out of the window.... and waving to me. I repeat, waving to me. "Hey there lovely lady!" is what I hear when I approach the apron-clad, bubbly barista. If only I had the monkey mask on hand right then. I quickly hand her my card, hoping she can smell my fear and hurry this exchange up. She runs the card, pops her head back out the window and asks, "Are you having a good day Ms. Lauer?!" Had to say my name, didn't she... I played nice, obviously. We had a pleasant conversation about the weather, and she finally excused herself to take someone else's order. Another employee (male) appears at the window with my coffee and gives me a look that screams, "Imagine spending eight hours in an enclosed space with her". I gave a sympathetic smile and peeled on out of there. Not really... it was more of a slow and subtle exit, but peeling out sounds more dramatic.

Let's rewind a minute. She was waving out the window. Now seriously, that's something EJ/Eliza Joy and I would have done in 10th grade if we worked at Starbucks just to get a rise out of people. I'm not trying to be Cynical Sue here, but it was a little much. She could have been extremely bored, or perhaps she was hopped up on espresso... but I think the girl was just high on life. Or maybe the Austin sun.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Ryan Bingham Wins Again!

Good News: After winning the Golden Globe for best song in a movie, he also scores the Academy Award... what a guy! I have got to see Crazy Heart... the cast appears so cozy and they were ecstatic for Ryan at both award shows.


Bad News: He's married. Sorry, Jobe. He thanked his wife at the Academy Awards and said he loves her more than rainbows. Go figure. Looks like I'll have to marry one of the guys from The Buried Life, the only decent show on MTV.

Not complaining.

Home Slice of Heaven

Reasons why Home Slice Pizza is the whole shebang:


1.) It's an Austin staple, and less than a mile away from our apartment.

2.) It's New York pizza. I read somewhere that the restaurant closes down for a week to take their staff to NYC for Pizza 101. After enjoying a slice, it's obvious that they learned a thing or two.

3.) They have a late night window open until 3 am. This is a good thing... and a very, very bad thing. Say no, Jaclyn.

4.) They have a patio out back... with a bar, heat lamps, and a ping pong table. Look out, Forrest Gump.

5.) Trey works there. As soon as we told him we were new to town, he returned with a copy of the "Austin Chronicle", a weekly newspaper highlighting everything going on in Austin that week. Soon after, he appeared with a huge slice of cheesecake, which obviously makes four girls very happy. We nominate Trey for Employee of the Year. Oh, and we also begged him to hang out with us in the near future. Will keep you posted.

6.) We cheered for Trey every time he approached our table, and none of the other customers seemed to mind.

7.) And lastly, the place is called Home Slice! What's not to love?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Ooh Baby Baby, it's a Wild World

I never intended to write a book review on this thing, but I am reading an excellent book. It's called "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. He is the author of "Blue Like Jazz", one of my all-time favorite books. I appreciate Donald Miller because he is real and lets his readers get to know him, the good and the bad. The book I am currently reading focuses on life and how each life has the potential to be a great story. We are given a blank page, and we decide what to write on it. It's up to us if our story is one worth telling and talking about. As I'm writing, it sounds like a self-improvement book, but it's not that at all really. It's just about life and how we live it. We can live comfortably and be content in our familiar routine, but he points out that none of us would go to a movie after seeing a preview depicting an ordinary individual living an ordinary life. We go to the movies because we want action. Whether it's romantic, comical, or dramatic.... we want action. We want to see a man in his late 30's win Wimbledon after being ranked 116th in the world. We want to see the poorest kid in town win the heart of a wealthy girl even though her father has done everything in his power to sabotage their relationship. We want to see the underdog football player who has never been given the opportunity to play in a game hear the entire stadium chanting his name, after he was so close to giving up on the sport. Hopefully you all are following my movie references... I can count on Deirdre at least. So what stops us from seeking out the action in our own lives? Obviously, there are barriers... mine being money. Sure, I would travel to Australia and explore the great barrier reef if I had a savings account and vacation time. But it doesn't have to be as dramatic as Australia. I'm not trying to be deep, especially on a blog that screams "Are we in Texas Yet?!" I'm just saying, the book is good. It makes me want to get off the couch and do something.

So, the first wild thing I'm going to do is learn how to crochet. A 92-year old with dementia at my facility is going to teach me. I have worked with individuals with dementia for almost four years, and still nearly welled up with tears today as I watched her crochet. She can't remember the names of all of her children, but she could crochet with her eyes closed. Her hands have memorized the movement. She may not know how many grandchildren she has, but she knows that she loves her family, she loves to crochet, paint, and play the piano, and she loves to pray. Oh, and she knows she's 92 because she tells me every time we talk. Now that's a life well lived... and I think her children, grandchildren, and generations to come will be telling her life story.

Here I am... living on the edge with Kevin Dillon at our '96 family reunion.

Monday, March 1, 2010

She Moves in Mysterious Ways

We have been quite the concert-goers these past couple weeks, and that makes this live music-loving girl very, very happy. Austin is a live music goldmine. We really covered our bases last week... seeing Government Mule last Friday (at an amazing outdoor venue, port-a-pottys and all), a funk band last Saturday, a little smooth jazz on Wednesday night, and finally a U2 cover band this past Saturday. The name of the band was Mysterious Ways, and they were ON point. We saw them at a great Irish Pub called Fado, and the crowd was... well, let's just say... feeling it. Most of the crowd had obviously seen this cover band before, and they were definitely excited for another show. Not only did the band cover U2 exceptionally well, they even dressed the part. I've never seen Bono live, so I'm not sure that he would have danced on the bar... but it definitely revved the crowd up.

I only wish this picture could talk. A video would have been a smarter idea. There was so much going on at this point of the show that Kristen and I were exchanging looks of disbelief, confusion, and pure enjoyment every 30 seconds. The boy on the left was American Idol material. He was dancing with the two women on the right as if he had eloped to Vegas with both of them the night before. I've never seen a group of three people sing with such enthusiasm; they knew every single word to every single song, and they sang them loud. And I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Dance like no one is watching"...well let me tell you, they lived out that quote Saturday night. I felt like they deserved half of the $5 I paid for the cover charge, they were that entertaining. I was waiting for the railing that "Bono" is standing on to crash to the ground as the three musketeers kept using it to balance themselves on the dance floor. I should have titled this post, "Where the streets have no name... and the people have no shame".

The band was awesome. The $4 Stellas were delicious. And the crowd was... different, but very amusing. Excited for more live shows in Austin...