ACL 2011-Day One

Mary, Trevor, and I got to the festival around 2:30 yesterday.  The first act we saw was Brandi Carlile.  I wasn't a fan until she played some 80's covers, then I came around a little.  After that, we went to get something to eat.  We met up with Peter and Alta and went to see Ray LaMontagne which I wasn't really feeling either.  After that, however, we went to see Big Boi which was awesome!  He played a bunch of great Outkast songs, which I was very happy about (Ms. Jackson and Bombs of Bagdad!).  We saw a little bit of Foster the People, but since they weren't playing Pumped Up Kicks, I had no idea what they were about.  So, we saw the end of Cold War Kids and then prepared ourselves for Bright Eyes.  Just in case you don't know, Bright Eyes is one of my top ten people to see play live and they are always amazing.  Conor seemed happier than he was when Josh and I saw him at a free show during SXSW this past summer.  He was walking around the stage a lot, spinning (which I'm not sure means your happy, but definitely means your full of life), and he jumped down to where the audience is and shook peoples hands and hugged the security guards.  It was really nice.  He also played my favorite old school Bright Eyes song, "Lover I Don't Have to Love."

After Bright Eyes, Santigold played.  I had no idea who they were until I heard that song that goes, "I hope it will be worth what I give up, whoo whoo."  She's kind of like MIA, I think.  After that, Coldplay started and they were super awesome!  Their light show was especially great.  It was neat to see them play again because they were the headliners the first year I went to ACL in 2005.

Lastly, we saw Kanye West who played some really good songs and a lot of not good, singing, not rapping songs.

On the way out, I wanted to look at the merch booth to see if they had some awesome Bright Eyes shirts.  As we walked up, someone yelled "Allie!" and it turns out it was Emily who I had worked with at Ben and Jerry's over five years ago!  I haven't seen her since I worked there.  She is married now and seems really happy.  She said she still keeps in contact with Liz (who also worked with us).  So, hopefully we can have a giant Ben and Jerry's reunion really soon.

Overall, great day one!  Can't wait until today (day two)!

Josh says, "Hi."

Nine Year Anniversary

Last Friday was Josh and I's nine year anniversary.  This means we'll be married in less than a year now (hello, exercise, I've been trying to ignore you)!  This was definitely one of the best anniversaries ever.  Josh came home with roses and a potted flower plant (because you're supposed to give pottery for a nine year anniversary).  He also got me some more surprises that are on the way, in the mail.  I got him a pretty cool X-Men shirt, Superman boxers, and Carcassonne (which is a board game and also a place in France).  I set up my lights and we took some pictures in the living room.  We decided we're going to take pictures on every anniversary and keep them in an album so we can see how we change over the years.  I think it will be especially cool for our kids to see.  That way they will know we weren't always old and lame.  After that, I got treated to an hour massage which was amazing!  Then, we went to Romeo's for an early dinner.  We had never been there before, but we had always talked about going.  It was so nice and, since we went early, there were very few people there and it almost felt like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves.  We got the most amazing spinach and artichoke dip with some toasted bread slices.  For my meal, I had spinach manicotti and Josh had this awesome pizza with like five yummy cheeses.  I also had two mexican martinis which were equally delicious.  After eating, we rented a movie and hung out at home.

Then, the next day I had taken off work, so we decided to do some more fun stuff.  First, we went to breakfast at Maria's Taco Express.  It was very delicious and inexpensive.  After that, we went to the Jester King brewery.  It was so awesome!  It's way out 290 and in the middle of the country.  When you get there, you pay $10 and get a souvenir pint glass which you get to fill with beer three times.  Then, they do a tour of the brewery which was hosted by one of the founding brothers (which I thought was pretty freakin' cool).  It was really interesting to learn the process and everyone there was really laid back and relaxed.  After the tour, we enjoyed our beers and sat around for awhile before we headed back to town. When we got back into Austin, we went to Joe's birthday party at Plucker's which was followed by a trip to Pinballz which is an awesome arcade we hadn't been to before.  They have at least 100 pinball machines along with every other type of arcade cabinet you can think of.  We had a wonderful time.

Here is a photo from our little anniversary photo shoot.  I sure do love this guy.  <3

A Couple More Book Reviews...

Although I have started back to school, my work load is not overly heavy (yet), so I've read a couple more books.  I also read a book for a political science class called Our Undemocratic Constitution by Stanford Levinson.  I feel like the chances of someone reading this blog also having the urge to read a book about the flaws in our Constitution are quite slim.  But, just in case, it has a lot of good points, but very few solutions to those problems.  I did learn a lot more about the details of the Constitution, so it was a worthwhile read.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer:  This is the best novel I've read in a long time.  It is centered around an incredibly intelligent nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell who lost his dad in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  He narrates most of the novel.  Oskar takes a long journey around New York trying to find out more about his dad.  The book is also layered with stories of the boy's grandmother and grandfather and their life in Dresden, Germany.  This is also the most unique novel I've ever read.  There are changing type faces, photos, and even a few blank pages.  Even with the sad parts, it is a wonderful story that I highly recommend.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon:  I've always seen this book at Half-Price Books and have never read it or picked it up before.  In this novel, the narrator is an autistic 15-year-old boy who has been encouraged by a teacher to write a book.  The story begins with him intending to solve the mystery of who has murdered his neighbor's dog.  As the story progresses, he ends up discovering more than he intended and has new, scary experiences.  I would recommend this book because of the interesting perspective of someone with autism.  The author has a history of working with autistic people and it provides a better understanding of the disability.

Summer Reading Reviews

I read some really good books over the summer, so I thought I'd write a little review of each of them.  They are in order of completion.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver:  I began this book before last semester ended for a book club we started at work (the book club didn't work out).  I wasn't reading much during last semester (because my workload got crazy), but once my classes were over, I flew through this novel.  What I found most interesting was the way it was written.  Each chapter was in the perspective of each of four daughters of a southern Baptist family relocated to Africa to become missionaries in a small village.  Their mother has a few chapters, as well, although they are fewer of them throughout the book.  Kingsolver gave each character such different, interesting personalities that (after you met each of them) you were able to recognize who the chapter was by just by the way they were speaking.  The book takes you through their time adjusting to life in the Congo and how they grow up into adulthood and take surprisingly different turns.  You even get an accurate history of the Belgian Congo moving out of colonial rule under Belgium and gaining their independence.

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach:  Previously, I read one of Mary Roach's other books, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, which was a wonderful read.  I highly recommend it.  In Bonk, Roach discusses the history of studying sex, which is really interesting. She also talks about the science of orgasms and sex in general.  I thought it was a pretty good book, but it was slow at times and I was expecting a bit more from it (maybe because Stiff was so freaking good).

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver:  Another book by Barbara Kingsolver!  This book is nonfiction, unlike her other books.  This tells the story of her family's year long venture to eat foods either grown by them or purchased from neighboring farmers they knew personally.  Although, it was difficult to be completely successful (making your own pasta is pretty intense and certain herbs had to be purchased from far away locations), they did a pretty amazing job.  It was wonderful to read about growing your own foods (especially after my sad first attempt at a garden.  At the time of reading this, it was doing better).  I learned a lot about what is actually in season at the grocery store and what has been shipped in from halfway around the world.  The book is also peppered with informative essays by her husband and older daughter.  I think this work offers a lot of great lessons about our food industry without the usual pushy hippy dippy stuff that turns most people off.

Preacher by Garth Ennis (illustrated by Steve Dillon):  Okay, this one isn't a novel.  It's a graphic novel comic book series.  Josh and I started reading this series right after high school and we never got ahold of the last three or four books and never actually finished it.  Not long ago, Josh made a trade of some Magic cards to a friend for a huge stack of graphic novels (including the entire Preacher series).  So, Josh and I started from the beginning and read the entire series this time.  What a great read!  It is arguably the best comic book series ever.  Jesse Custer is a preacher in Texas and, one day, a spirit with the power of God enters his body.  Along with his gun toting girlfriend and an Irish vampire, they set out to find God (who has left Heaven) and get an explanation as to why he bailed on everyone.  I know, it sound pretty crazy, and it is.  But, it is really a wonderful story, I would highly recommend it.

Bossypants by Tina Fey:  Let me begin with, I love Tina Fey!  I think she is absolutely hilarious and I could not wait to read her book.  Finally, I found it at Half Price Books (because I refuse to pay full price for anything other than essentials) and purchased it immediately.  She talks a lot about her personal life and being a mom, which I found really awesome.  She also talks about being a boss (hence, the title of the book) and her journey to the top.  There is a great section on posing for pictures I found especially funny.  You really can't go wrong with Tina Fey.

Normal Gets You Nowhere by Kelly Cutrone:  Ever since watching The City, I've always thought Kelly Cutrone was the most awesome bitch I'd ever seen.  When I found her book (which I didn't know existed and, after looking online, I've since learned she has another book) at Half Price Books, I had to have it.  This book is awesome!  She is a no holds barred, tell it like it is woman.  It was refreshing to read a book telling you to stop being stupid and get your shit together!  She talks about everything from sex to coping with people close to you dying.  She also talks about being a mom (I had no idea she had a child).  Surprisingly, she seems like a really good mother.  Her section about talking to your kids about sex was especially great.  It seems like so many parents are afraid to talk about sex because it's somehow inappropriate, then they're floored when their daughter gets pregnant or their son gets someone else's daughter knocked up.  Also, she never wears makeup, definitely my kind of role model.

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard:  What an incredible story.  Jaycee Dugard went through hell and is back to tell her story.  She was kidnapped and kept captive for 18 years while being sexually abused and mentally manipulated.  She had two daughters during her time in captivity (her first at age 14).  Although her story is incredibly sad, I found comfort in her ability to share her experience and move on with a new, wonderful life with her daughters and mother.  Throughout the book, she has sections called "reflections" where she talks about how she feels now and how she has worked through things that happened to her.  Her story makes you realize people can overcome almost anything with love and hope.

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides:  This is the story about a man, born a girl.  He is a hermaphrodite with a rare chromosome condition carried down from his grandmother and grandfather who happened to be brother and sister.  This novel is unlike any I've read before.  Although, the story progresses slowly from the late beginning through the middle, it really picks up when the main character, Callie, starts showing male traits and has to figure out how to deal with the changes.  It was an interesting story and gives the reader a view into a subject I think few people have advanced knowledge of.

Did you read any great books over the summer I need to check out?

School is Back...

School started again this past Wednesday.  Although, I think my classes will be alright and, at least two, should be really interesting, I'm not ready to be back.  I'm not ready to give up all of my fun time for school work time.  I don't want to write papers, I don't want to have my only two days off be school days and I don't want to go to San Marcos all day on Mondays and Wednesdays!

Okay, I'm finished complaining.  I have two more semesters and, then, I'll be finished.  I can do this.

Yesterday was Tim Burton's birthday.  Happy Birthday Tim Burton!  <3

I've been spending too much money lately, I should be saving more.  I've just been working more hours and I'm more able to buy things I want, so I just am.  I'm going to stop as soon as I use my Old Navy bucks today...

Josh and I went swimming for the first time in about two years the other day.  We walked to the public pool in our neighborhood (if you call a mile and a half walk still in our neighborhood).  It was really fun to go swimming again, I didn't realize how much I missed it.  The only thing that would've been more fun is not seeing a few moms that were super skinny running around with their three-year-olds making me feel more down about my poochy body.

Now, I must get ready for work.  Here are a couple of videos from the 311/Sublime concert Josh and I went to a couple of weeks ago.  We had an awesome time, I really enjoyed it.

I'm jamming to Genesis right now and it's really making me feel better.  I freaking love Phil Collins.

Six Flags

My mom, sister, nephews, and I went to Six Flags recently and, I'd have to say, it was much better than last year's trip there.  It seems like it was slightly less hot (believe it or not).  The huge plus is that it wasn't busy at all!  We didn't even wait in line for the log ride.  Also, we only had to wait half an hour to ride the Superman ride.  The Poltergeist only took 20 minutes to get on!  The only real downside is that the Rockville High show didn't happen on Tuesdays, wan wan!  Also, my oldest nephew was throwing out some major complaints which I thought was lame since he is a really lucky kid to go to Six Flags at all.  Frankly, that place is super expensive and a lot of kids will never go.  I was very thankful for the trip and hopefully he will grow out of taking things for granted and realize what an awesome life my sister and brother-in-law make for him and his brother.  Regardless, they are adorable kids and I love them dearly.  Here are some photos from the day:

Also, if you notice in the first photo, my younger nephew is missing a tooth.  Well, whenever I got to my sister's house that morning to leave for Six Flags, he had a loose tooth.  On the way there, he was wiggling it with his tongue and it had loosened up.  I took a look and asked if he was ready for it to come out.  He said, yes, and I asked if he wanted me to go for it and he said he did.  So, this Aunt Allie had the privilege of removing my youngest nephew's first tooth!  I am honored.

An Updating Update

I feel like I've been neglecting my blog lately...so here is an update about a little bit of everything random.

Last week I finished reading the comic book series, Preacher.  If you haven't read it, you should.  It's an "adult comic," so there is language and whatnot.  Josh and I had started reading it about six or seven years ago and never finished it.  Then, thanks to Josh's great luck, he made a trade of Magic cards for graphic novels and got the whole series (minus volume three, which we found at Half Price Books).

Yesterday, while I was at work, I answered the phone my usual way ("Thank you for calling Sam's Club, how can I help you?") and was greeted by the most adorable little girl voice who said, "Can I talk to my mommy?"  When I asked what department she worked in, the little girl said, "Sam's Club."  It was adorable.  Apparently, this sweet woman that works in tobacco has a seven-year-old who has learned how to read the caller ID and has memorized mommy's work number.

Last night, Josh and I watched Insidious.  I didn't want to, because, frankly, scary movies tend to be scary.  I like enjoyable movie experiences, not ones where all my muscles are tensed up and I'm forced to routinely check the closet for claw men until I go to sleep.  This movie was creepy for sure.  It was definitely one of the scariest movies I've seen.

Directly after watching Insidious, we watched three episodes of Teen Mom.  Needless to say, it was nearly as scary, but I felt much better.  Janelle is cray cray.

I got three extremely tiny tomatoes from my garden, quite awesome.

Wedding planning has begun.  My mom and I successfully purchased all the vintage postcards we needed the other day when we went to some South Congress antique stores.  The idea is to have all our guests write nice messages to us on the postcards.  Then, on Josh and I's first wedding anniversary, we'll read them all.  Also, I had dinner with my sister last week and she brought her stamping catalog (she's an avid scrapbooker and stamper and will be making the invitations).  She found the perfect stamp for the invitations.  It's two little birds with stick legs and a small heart in between.  She said as soon as she gets the stamp, she'll make a sample invitation, so I'll post a picture when I get it.

I'm going to pick up my new glasses today.  I hope I still like them.  I am very thankful to be back on my parent's insurance and have had a free eye exam and a free new pair of glasses.  Although, this doesn't mean I won't be ordering my super cheap glasses I love from Zenni Optical.

Tomorrow, I'll be going to Six Flags with my mom, sister, and two nephews.  Bring on the sweat and me pretending to be asleep on the way home so my nephews give me a break!

I worked out today with my EA Active Wii game.  I am so out of shape, I felt like passing out afterwards.  Must workout more often.

Josh and I are going to see 311 and Sublime (with Rome) this Sunday.  Nostalgia FTW!

I can't really think of anything else exciting right now (not that anything I mentioned was the least bit exciting to begin with).  I'm off to go pick up my glasses and maybe walk around Ikea.  I don't go to Round Rock too often and Ikea is about the only thing it has going for it.