keep austin weird

Greg and I decided to be adventurous and fly down to Austin, Texas last weekend, and visit two of my friends. When I say adventurous, I mean, for the hell of it. On the friend closeness scale (think of the two finger illustration), these two friends and I are probably still just touching, not exactly crossed yet (we're working on it); so, a flight down to see them wasn't a necessity. But I wanted to go; so, we went. Both of these friends are ladies, and both were under the impression I was really down there to see the other person (they don't know each other), which I was fine with. Greg was the really adventurous one; he didn't know either of them.
It turned out be a great time.

We arrived tired on Thursday night, and went to bed fairly early (though I couldn't sleep due to a creepy fluttering sound in the kitchen). Actually, it's important to note our means of transportation. Greg rented a car, and had selected a black Mazda sedan on the internet. As we walked onto the lot at the airport and followed the numbers and letters to our car's spot, we saw one of the best surprises I've ever gotten; a bright burnt orange (UT colors) Chevy HHR. If you haven't heard of it, you've seen it; the HHR is Chevy's answer to the PT Cruiser. Greg was flabbergasted. To pour salt on Greg's wound, next to the HHR was a black Mazda sedan.

I woke up the next morning alone; Greg had to drive to Houston early that morning to visit a mutual friend, no pun intended (he runs a mutual fund). Upon orders from my friend Erin, I took her bike around the corner to a "Tex-Mex" restaurant and ate breakfast tacos for a dollar apiece. I got the last two. I then rode her bike to downtown Austin on one of the most beautiful days I can remember. It was then that I fell in love with Austin. It was a packed city with everything a 23 year old guy could want; music scene, tons of local restaurants and bars, and women. Maybe it was the stark contrast between Austin and Jefferson City, two capital cities, which is where the similarities stop. Maybe it was the breakfast tacos. All I know is I couldn't have picked a better place to break in my new Rainbow sandals.

I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel, where Erin works, and under the shade of trees, as gracefully as one can, I unfurled into a hammock, and closed my eyes, only to be awoken by some piping hot Four Seasons coffee. I burned my tongue.
I later met up with my other friend, Kelly, for lunch, and, for the first time ever, I ordered Diet Dr. Pepper at a restaurant. Anyone who has lived with me knows I love the stuff, but to drink it in conjunction with a delicious Buffalo burger was just too much fun. And Kelly ordered it too! It was then that I knew Kelly and I were destined to be together. We talked about everything. Nothing was off limits. We really connected, you know?

We're engaged now. We spent the rest of the weekend planning our wedding. The date is July 17, which is a Thursday. Get ready for the best reception you've ever been to. She really wanted one of those cheesy cover bands that covers everything, but, luckily, I was able to talk some sense into her. We're getting a strictly Sinatra cover artist. I had to do some bargaining, of course. In exchange, we're going to do the whole Butterfly Kisses thing for her and her dad. Can you believe her dad actually used to sing that to her when she was little? I thought society was done with that little tradition.

Look, I'm sorry, alright? Thursday was the only day that worked for the both of us. Kelly has step class on Saturdays, and I mean every Saturday. She made sure when I called Carnival to book our honeymoon, that I asked if they held step class on the boat. They don't. So, I guess it's the Sandals Resort for us, after all (my choice anyway). I mean, I told her, I'm sure we can find a vacant step somewhere, honey; I'll even bring my boombox, if it means that much to you. Marriage, right?

The wedding will obviously be in my hometown, Norfolk, VA, at Tab Church. We're crossing our fingers for the sanctuary, but it will probably be booked, knowing Tab; so, it might be in the Lighthouse (youth center). Golly, that reminds me; I need to call Pastor Kenny. Kelly's going to kill me. I guess she'll have to learn about my forgetful nature sometime, right? By the way, If anyone has a cute niece who can walk up an aisle without making a fool of herself, we need a flower girl, but one with a little composure, please. See you there. Dress accordingly.

---------------------

Summer movies I'm most excited about:

1. The Dark Knight, duh.
2. Indiana Jones
3. The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (if I lived in Korea)
4. Speed Racer
5. Prince Caspian
6. Iron Man (but not enough to go see it)
7. Wall-E
8. Incredible Hulk (I don't see why they're redoing it; although, I think I'm the only one who liked the first one)
9. The Mummy 3
10. Hancock

And here's Jet Li at age 8 (you'll recognize him at the end):