the other side of bus riding

This morning I did my usual morning routine, including yoga and running and then I hopped on the trusty #5 bus to take me to the Westgate shopping center. I normally love riding the bus in rainy weather because I can get where I'm going, do some reading or knitting, and as a bonus I don't have to actually drive while everyone around me has suddenly forgotten how to drive. I can listen to music and think about what I'm going to teach when I get where I'm going... but today it was just not happening. No, not at all.

the first thing I noticed on the bus was a smell, one that reminded me of the three years I spent working in a retirement center. It smelled like pee. And it was all over the floor and a pair of seats, and it was potent. I covered my nose and headed to the furthest corner away from it, only to find a leak in the roof of the bus right over the seat I had taken. So, I moved, and I listened to music, and I tried to read something (thanks John Updike, for intellectualizing a blowjob so much that it actually made me feel queasy and dirty). I did get where I was going, and I didn' t have to drive there, so I guess it's good, but I was pretty cranky when I got there.

Silver lining: the yoga center I teach at is right next to Central Market, so I had lunch and bought a pumpkin cream cheese pie to take home. oh yes, it's amazing.

hairstyles, your mind, seasons

These all have something in common: they change. Texas doesn't really have season though, so what I'm talking about is that the temperatures have dropped to the 70s and the skies seem really crisp and clear, with occasional rainy days here and there (actually, a lot more here than there lately). It's pretty awesome.

Today would be a great day to play softball with my team, but I'm going to be in an advanced training workshop instead. That doesn't change the fact that I want to be outside today. Next week i'll be playing...

In a minute I'll have to get up and get moving; I'm hoping to have brunch at Enoteca this morning before going to this workshop. If you want a really amazing vegetarian eggs benedict, then you should visit them (and ask to sit in Erika's section, she's the awesomest). The roasted tomato is just outta this world. The seating is a little tight, and the tables are just tiny, but only indoors- the outdoors is perfect, and this weather makes it even more so. Okay, time to get ready!

just the essentials

A few nights ago I couldn't sleep because I was freaking myself out thinking about what I would need to pack for my trip. Not the clothes, but the toiletries. I was laying in bed thinking about all of the various creams and things that I use on a daily basis. Remember, I'm not just a yoga teacher, but I also work for a skincare company... I have a really complex daily routine that I'm pretty heavily invested in. I've decided that what I need to do is try to pare down my routine to the very basics, and see if I can get my hands on samples or travel sized minis to get me through this trip. My worst fear is to pack it all up and then lose it or break it. Although I suppose it would easy enough for me to head to the nearest Sephora or equivalent. Vanity is spoken all around the world.

A love letter to Austin, TX

Dear Austin,

I love you. I honestly love you. I moved here in 1995 with my best friend Kristin and together we moved in with another close friend Laura. We didn't live together for long, but we'd actually made plans to move to Austin back in 1990? 1991? We were kids, and also a bit angsty yet quirky. We would have been goth, except that makeup melts off of your face in south Texas. Anyway, we of course did that whole "ugh, when we get out of school we have to move to Austin to be free, man..." thing, and we actually did it.

The first day that we were here, I unpacked my car, and then went to Notorious Ed's underground piercing where I got my tongue pierced by Scott Ellis (Scott now owns Triple Crown Tattoo). After that, we drove around to see our new hometown....

Kristin and I had talked about stuff... which is what you do with someone you've known since before puberty. Yeah, we met in junior high, but I didn't actually hit puberty until I was 15 (and I started going grey when I was 20, how twisted). We had talked about how we'd move to New Orleans if Austin didn't work out, but I knew that weekend that I had found home. Something just clicked, and I knew it.

Over the past few years, I've only come close to moving twice. Once after a bad breakup I almost moved back home, but fortunately my friend Tami found me packing up and said "I refuse to let you turn around and go home, you hated it there. You're moving in with me and that's that." I owe that woman something big. Another time was about 6 years ago, with my partner Rich. We decided to stay in Austin so we could buy a house (the housing market in San Diego was INSANE). So yeah... Austin has a big spot in my heart.

There are so many things that I love about this city. I love that it can feel like a big city to me at times... SXSW is one of those times, as well as the Austin City Limits festival (which is going on as I type). I love the awesomely vibrant and diverse yoga community. I love how crafty and craft friendly this city is. One of things I love most about traveling is coming home. When I see the downtown skyline, I know I'm home. Thanks Austin for being here for me. I've met the most amazing people and been transformed by them. All the while, you were there giving them what they need too. You rule.

I've been thinking about this city a lot this month. I've given up on driving, even my scooter. I've been riding my bike and taking the bus everywhere, and while it might take a bit longer to get where I'm going, I do get there. I'm seeing things that I have missed over the past 14 years, and sometimes I'm seeing things I forgot and it's like seeing an old friend. I suppose I could have these observations anywhere, but the truth is that I love this city like no other place I've lived or visited.

I'm getting ready for a vacation in the spring. A whole month in Europe. It's weird, but I know that I'm going to miss my little house, and my job (I haven't gone more than 5 days without teaching a yoga class since 2002), and my pets, and my softball team, and the crazy bus folks too. But they'll all be here waiting when I get back, and I know it will feel so comforting to land. That's going to be awesome.