Enroute Chicago

Austin turned out pretty cool. We finally arrived on the train and took a taxi to our hotel. The hotel was kinda odd especially odd smelling. So we took up ourselves and headed to the University of Texas. The kids there were actually attending school. Must suck. We walked along their commercial strip and stopped by some pizza place and later got some t-shirts. The strip was pretty cool. On our way back a blind guy stopped us and needed some directions. We werent in any hurry so we helped him walk back to the apartment that he was looking for. He was pretty far off from where he was supposed to be. So we engaged in conversation on our ten block walk to his place. Thats when we discovered he was originally from Indiana Anderson, Indiana to be exact. Exactly where Karma lives now. We all thought that was pretty cool: ok, really cool. We escorted him to his friends apartment and we talked about why he came to Texas and we talked about his dog. In fact we dont know his name, but his dogs name is Barney. The side trip was kind of fun. When we got back to the hotel we both decided to lie down for a few minutes. Two and a half hours later we woke up. Karma vaguely remembers me handing her phone to her for a call. I dont remember that. We were kinda tired. When we got up we decided to head to the south side of town were we ran across a bridge were a bunch of people were congregating. Apparently this bridge contained the largest urban bat population in the word. At sundown 1.5 million bats flew out and terrorized the city. It wasnt as impressive as we thought. We thought the bats would all emerge at one time. But they actually flew off in a straight line. It took them a good half-hour to leave the bridge. So we left before they finished.

About this time we decided it was time to eat. So we walked about the famed 6th street in search for food. We never found a good place, however, I discovered that 6th streetwas pretty awesome. First, it was a Wednesday night and there were a good amount of people on the street. Secound, everyone was attempting to recuite us with cheap drinks. Third, the bars seemed really cool. A lot were outdoors, most had indie rock, blues, or jazz playing. I really wanted to come back. Karma felt bad and really didnt feel like going back out. That wasnt typical of her, so I felt bad when I sorta forced her back out. But shes just really cool like that. We didnt spend that long. We eventually found a bar that had a rooftop seating area. This was awesome. We sat there for an hour overlooking the rooftops of downtown Austin, and watching the streetlife on Sixth Street. We headed back to the hotel, ordered some food, and went to bed.

So Im in the airport now. Waiting for the flight home. We have a long layover in Chicago. But otherwise, it will be a good flight. The taxi ride here was sort and cheap, and checkout was really late. So we were able to find a cool coffee shop on Congree called the Hideout. It seems to have good Indie music at night. I might get this back out and write when we are in Chicago its fricken three hours.

San Antonio - Day 1, 2

So two days ago I departed for San Antonio. Karma and I had a flight at 7ish. Our layover was only a half-hour. And our flight to San Antonio was about two hours. (Karma brought her DVD player and we had an in-flight showing of the Wedding Crashers). This put us in San Antonio around 11:00. I have only been to Texas one other time, and that was just a drive through the upper pan handle. So, when I stepped off the plane it was like visiting another state. I can now cross Texas off my list and feel legit. Sooooo, we got a taxi to Karmas hotel room. The taxi driver was pretty cool and filled us in on the Fiesta festival going on that week. Lots of fun stuff was going on. Upon arrival at the hotel we basically went straight to bed.

The next day was a free day in San Antonio. I put on a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals because it was supposed to be in the 90s that day. Well, we stepped out of the hotel room and it was cloudy and border-line cold. The Amtrak station was a short distance from Karmas hotel, so we walked over there to check it out. Afterwards, we walked over to the Alamo and around the River Walk. We kept walking on the River Walk until we got to my hotel and decided to check in. I have to say the Hawthorn Suites is a little nicer then the Red Roof Inn. We didnt get a river view, but we definilty have river access. Our hotel room has a sleeper couch and kitchenette. I tried real hard not to rub this in with Karma, but it was difficult. However, we discovered later that night the air conditioner was broken and it sucks sleeping in a hot and humid room.

The rest of my planning friends arrived later that night and we took a walk around the city to find a place to eat. The river walk was full of people due to Fiesta, but we were able to find a Tex-Mex place. It kinda wasnt good. But we settled in for the night at a irish-ish pub for drinks on the river. It was pretty awesome. I walked Karma back to her hotel room and then went back to mine. And slept.

Its now Wednesday and I spent the day at the conference. I will finish this entry later cause we have to go.

On the train to Austin

I got up at 6:00 this morning. This early morning enabled me to take a quick shower, get packed, and eat a breakfast before departing for my destination of Austin. I had the front desk call me a taxi for 7:15, we spun by the Red Roof Inn to pick Karma up, and then made our way for the Amtrak Station. We obtained tickets for Austin and then waited for our departure. I will attempt to not make this post a documentation of inefficiencies of Amtrak. Ive done that before. But I am going to put my two cents in. First of all, San Antonio had a regular platform to board. Chicago is a terminus of the entire train system, so it makes a little more sense that they board us at the same time. But here it doesnt make sense. We all had to conjugate at a specific train car which was divided up determining our destination. This means that only two of the seven cars are being used right now. In addition, everybody in the same car gets off in the same location. This is pretty inefficient as a mass of people are trying to file out the same car. So this makes me mad. At the same time, we are currently an hour and a half behind schedule. We sat in San Antonio for almost two hours. This cant be blamed on Amtrak, though. This is due to the fact all trains use the same tracks. Regardless we wont be in Austin until noon four hours after our departure. Mind you, Austin is only 75-some miles away. Sigh. The positive of Amtrak is the amazing accommodation. You get a good three feet of foot room, your chair reclines to almost a forty-five degree angle, and there is a car dedicated as an eating car and lounge. This is pretty cool. Im sitting in the lounge right now, which is on the top story of the train and has floor to ceiling widows. When we are actually moving, this is pretty cool.

Like I said we are on our way to Austin. Ive been told by several people that Austin is awesome. The girl I worked with on Tuesday said Austin was the liberal mecca ofTexas. (She was cool, by the way). I cant wait to get to Austin because of this. I assumed everyone in Texas worshiped the Bush family. I mean, with his daughters it might be a reasonable assumption. However, I guess this isnt true. This is a relief after I sat through a skit at Howl at the Moon which started as a battle between a few different universities in Texas typical of a Howl at the Moon. However, no one won the event because it ended in everyone singing God Bless America and a presentation of the flag. Dont worry, we have pictures. Erin, Sarah, Carl, and I almost lost our cool. Well in fact we did lose our cool we knew we were in Texas. This event preceded ridiculousness past the karaoke bar we visited where someone was singing Can you Feel the Love Tonight. We left, assuming this wasnt a very fun karaoke bar.

Last night was probably the best bar experiance. I barley drank anything, but it was awesome. Karma, Dave, and I went to the Market Place for dinner. This place is the hub for the Fiasta festival. We ate at an awesome Mexican restaurant and then got a drink as we strolled the grounds. It was pretty awesome night. Several Mexican bands and other sorts were placed around the grounds. We got a call from Alexia who said they were at Stears and Beers for line dancing. We left there and walked back to downtown to meet with them. On the way, we met Jerry (future boss) at the Irish Pub we always drink at. We talked with him until heading to Stears and Beers. This place was were someone was singing along with Elton John. So we left and went to a small piano bar, slash Irish bar. This was pretty fun. We requested a song for Ball State, which was interupted by some texas Tech person who wanted their song played. Then they had to play a Texas Tech song. WE discovered that Texas ran out of cool school songs, so they got stuck with stupid ones. We openly laughed. (Soon the airforce and military had the piano guy play their songs. This seems to be a reoccurance in Texas). I wanted to go back home, so I started to walk Karma home. However, we stoped by another place we usually go. (I forgot the name, I'll update later). Some of my graduate friends were there, but soon Jerry just showed up. So we ended staying longer then planned. It was pretty fun. I walked Karma back home and then I went back to my hotel.

-------

Me: Youre going to another session?

Sarah: Yeah, we have to make up for all we didnt learn this last year in school.

Me: Im glad Im a human and I can take a bath instead of licking myself.

Jerry: Karma, I can tell youve been doing youre homework. I talked with Cyrus from Stonghenge and he mentioned that he had talked with you about proposals.

.. five minutes later

Karma: Im glad Jerry thinks Im doing my homework. I only got his number because he said we could come and party in Columbus with him.

San Antonio - The Rest

I forgot to update this during my trip. The story of my life. I usually forget things. So far, I havent lost anything of value on this trip, which will break the tradition. That kinda sucks.

So it finally got too hot to stand. The humidiy sucks, and the temperature sucks. And I have a twenty minute walk to my hotel from the conference center. However, its still pretty awesome. Last night I went out with my future boss, KK (former professor), and Jens boss from Ratio. (BTW, Jen, if you read this youre boss thinks your really cool). Well, actually we didnt go out with them at first. We had a reception on the canal walk before that, and there was a lighted parade in honor of Fiesta. It was pretty fun. Afterwards we went to the bar and hung out. I was ready for bed by midnight, so I walked Karma back to her hotel before departing on my journey to my hotel. Its a twenty minute walk. However, last night my friend Candace kept my company on the phone. I cant remember what we were talking about, but she was doing homework. At 1am. That has to suck

The previous night was the main APA reception. This reception has a great reputation for being a huge mass of drinking planners. This conference continued with the reputation. However, the reception was awesome. Tons of food, drinks, and other cool things were taking place. It was basically a bunch of crazy planners. Pretty fun. Afterwards we got some drinks on the Riverwalk and then headed back.

So thats the update. I havent sent postcards yet. I kinda havent been on that.

We leave for Austin tomorrow. Via Amtrak. Karma and I have a friend who goes to theUniversity of Texas.

My hotel room pretty much rocks. Fold out couch, kitchenette, river side, pool, etc. Pretty much everything you want. I mention this because Karma is jealous. I dont know why thats funny.

So-So

Well, its that time of the year to begin freaking out. Im presently in Lafayette and I went to the Java Roaster to do some work and relaxing. The thing is, I enjoy going to the Java Roaster so I had a hard time engaging in un-fun events. So I didnt accomplish much. I leave for San Antonio in five days and I have two term papers, a thesis, and a project due by this time. It was such a nice day, though, which I took a stroll outside to take some pictures for my thesis.

I came home this weekend for the festivities of Easter. Our family had a cookout today with a fire and everything. I came straight here yesterday despite the storms. I left Indianapolis wanting to get home real bad. Carmen and I spent the day outside taking pictures. When it got overcast we were told to cease. We were both tired since we had gone to Margot and the Nuclear SoSos the previous night at the Vogue. It was a pretty awesome concert. I left Muncie kinda randomly and arrived at the Vogue in time for the three bands. By the time Margot and the Nuclear So Sos came on, the place was packed and made for an awesome concert. I found my friend Kyle and Carin at the concert, and about half way through I texted Candace to inform her that I could see her brother. A few minutes later the crowd parted and I could see Candace. And she had five dollars. Um, so that was the end of the story. We decided to have lunch the next day. Of which we met at Qudobas on the circle. That was fun. I didnt find five dollars though.

That night I went to Erins and Andrews house in Fountain Square. Pretty cool house, I have to say. I guess I slept through a violent storm. But the next morning was nice because work was only ten minutes away, as opposed to an hour. What made this smaller commute even better was the fact all government offices were closed in Indianapolis due to the Easter weekend. Therefore, I thought the parking people would also not work. I was wrong and received a ticket. A minor incident to the weekend. Except I had to get new tires on my car of six months. They assured me it was due to use and not defective tires. I guess it was just a coincidence that three tires broke after six months. Im fighting this one.

Another Day:

Today was another day of walking around Indys Near East Side Neighborhood doing housing surveys. Only two prostitutes (one picked up) and no drug deals were seen.

Ben Folds was in Muncie today. Pretty awesome show. OK, really awesome.

I leave for San Antonio in a week. Until then I have two term papers and a thesis to write.

And Im real tired.

The Weekend: Fun not work

I hate todays like today because you have this realization that tomorrow and the rest of the week are going to suck. I barley accomplished anything, well anything that wasnt fun, because this weekend was pretty entertaining. Last night I went to Cincinnati to see Guster at Xavier University. Scott and I had planned on doing this for a while and Jen went along with us. Unfortunately the concert started at 9, so we didnt get out of there until midnight. The concert was pretty good though, although it was an interesting crowd. I would say most the people reeked of alcohol and were stumbling drunk. I dont know how many people I saw fall down the stairs as they were trying to get down to the bottom. It was kind of ridiculous. But the show went one and was pretty awesome. They always do a good show, I think. But we didnt get out of Cinci until midnight, so it was a long drive home. After swinging by downtown Indy to drop Jen off I struggled the entire way back to Muncie. Lets just say we are fortunate to me alive. I literally collapsed on my bed that night.

The reason I was so tired was due to the previous night, I think. I had a small get together at my house which turned out being fun: with about 25+ people in attendance. Around 1:00 I kicked everyone out and we headed across the street to Moes, which is finally opened for good. I kind of liked it this time. I dont know if it really was that much better then last time, or maybe I just had a better attitude going into the night. Anyway, I didnt get to bed around 4, which was pretty stupid.

So, tomorrow I have to go to work again. I dont particularly enjoy going to work. In fact, it kind of sucks. Right now were working with the city to inventory 3,000 houses on the near-east side. My boss has demanded that I be there on Wednesdays and will use the line this is the mayors project This fact is the only thing preventing me from calling in tomorrow. Well, not really. Its kinda fun. I mean, we get to walk around the neighborhood in the nice weather. You cant really beat a job like that. Plus, it is allowing me to put in extra hours because I supposedly have to make up the time I am going to San Antonio. (Im going to San Antonio for a planning conference. Most peoples places of work pay for the conference, let alone letting you take the days off).

Um, pretty unentertaining. I like that word. But that is life. Ben Folds: Muncie: Wednesday. Pretty cool.

Reverse Chronological Order

I'm pretty upset. I basically have to lose an hour of sleep tonight. Anyone who says day light savings time is "normal," is a conformist. The system makes no sense. Someone please explain why we need to hypothetically "save" an hour of daylight. And why do we only want to "save" this hour of daylight in the summer. Why can't we "save" the hour in the winter, also? Who came up with this idea? Our forefathers? The same people who wore white wigs because they thought it was hot? I ask that everyone email Mitch Daniels and make it be required to wear white wigs. (Oh, and also say we need for better public transit. You can reference my previous letters).

So this weekend is already over. That's pretty sad. I went to Indy today to see Jen and celebrate the Final Four. Hoobastank and Virgin Millionaires were playing on the circle. We determined that the entire festival was funded by pretzel sales. I wanted to buy a pretzel, but they were too expensive. The festivities were over at six, which sucked. I guess some people had to watch a basketball game. Oh well, Jen and I walked up toMass Ave, looked at some CD's, drank some coffee, and got some shoes. Then we walked back to her apartment for my departure.

Friday night (this post is working in reverse chronological order) Molly, her friends, and I went to Center Stage for a blues line up. This was actually the first time I had been there, and it was a pretty cool venue. However, like most places in Munice, no one attended the event. There was a total of twenty-some people. We still had a good time with drinks, music, and dancing. Afterwards we went to the Fickled Peach and the Locker Room. They wouldn't let us into the Chug.

Thursday we went to the Chug, and in order to keep this post fun, I won't explain the events. Although the Chug has beer pong tables now. I didn't play.